The Billionaire’s Royal Challenge (Devotion and Dynasty Trilogy #2)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

NATE

N ate’s stomach twisted into a tight knot as the corporate jet bobbed and weaved its way through the clouds toward the ground below. Eldoria. A country he hadn’t heard of before a few weeks ago.

Now, he was about to step foot inside it and head to the royal palace, a place where he may live one day.

He’d spent the past few weeks trying to read up on the history of the country and its customs. He wanted to impress Elena’s parents with how much work he’d put in. He hoped it meant something. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Elena’s father would continue to dislike him.

Despite the man’s invitation to learn more about him, he wondered if it was all a smokescreen to convince Elena he wasn’t the man for her.

He flicked his gaze across the plane’s cabin, his eyes landing on another source of stress. Chloe stared down at her manicured nails, admiring them along with the wedding ring on her finger.

The light glinted off the gold band, and the flashy diamond she wore. His mind regressed to the moment his brother had stunned him with the news. Stephen had married his former fiancée.

It bothered him, but he didn’t know why. He wanted no parts of Chloe after what she’d done. Finding her in his brother’s bed had been a blow that had led him down a dark path.

He shifted in his seat, pulling his gaze away from the woman who had nearly ruined his life. However, he had to be happy that they’d not tied the knot. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have met Elena.

But that may not pan out, either. The plane continued its descent, the landing gear banging down below them.

Maddie slid into the seat next to him with a grin and buckled in. “Are you excited?”

“Yeah,” he said, trying to steady his shaky voice.

“You don’t sound excited.”

He waved his fists in the air with a smile. “Yaaaay.”

“You’re mocking me,” she said with a sigh.

“I’m not. I just…yes, I’m excited, but I’m nervous, too.”

“Why? We can wear any color we want, so everything is fine.”

He chuckled at her concern. “I just want to make a good impression. And there are so many rules and protocols. I’m afraid I’m going to bow at the wrong time, or sit down when I’m supposed to stand, or call someone by the wrong title.”

“Aw, Nate,” Maddie said as she rubbed his arm, “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Ellie will help you. I’ve been texting her since we found out, and she’s been so nice.”

“I’m glad you’re so thrilled about her being a princess.”

“I am. And you should be, too.” She slid a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. “I’m going to be the sister of a prince!”

“Maybe,” he said with a wag of his finger. “Remember, our engagement is not official until I pass the test.”

“You’ll pass with flying colors, big brother.”

He stared into mid-space, his heart a mix of hope and dread. Would he be able to pass their royal test or would this visit be the end of the relationship with his beloved Elena?

The wheels smacked against the runway, jarring him as much as his thoughts.

A lump formed in his throat as the pilots announced their arrival to the cabin. “Welcome to Eldoria, we are taxi-ing to the de-planing area.”

His fingers tightened around the arms of his seat as he realized he’d soon be at the palace. Soon, his test would begin.

He chewed his lower lip as the plane slowed to a stop and the engines wound down. Everyone else unbuckled their belts and rose, stretching after the ride.

Nate stayed in his seat, his mind whirling.

“Nate?” His mother’s voice called to him, tugging him out of his rumination.

He sucked in a sharp breath. “Yeah?”

“You ready?”

He slowly unbuckled his seat belt as he nodded. “Yeah, guess so.”

She slid an arm around him as he rose. “You nervous?”

“A little,” he said with a chuckle. “But I’m excited to see Elena.”

Truthfully, he wondered if it would be any different. Would she be different as Princess Elena instead of just his Ellie?

His heart, a battleground of hope and dread, thudded against his ribs as he exited the plane, breathing in the clean, crisp Eldorian air.

The lush greenery and thick forests that rose around them reminded him of illustrations in fairy tales. He wondered if they’d used this country as a model when they’d drawn those pictures.

“Wow,” Maddie exclaimed from behind him as she descended the stairs. “This place is amazing. It’s so pretty.”

“It really is beautiful here,” his mother agreed as they stepped onto the tarmac and crossed to the waiting limousine.

Nate slid inside, blowing out a long breath as he wiped his sweaty palms on his pant legs. Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to shake anyone’s hands. From what he’d read, he needed to bow to the King and Queen and even Elena. But they didn’t shake hands.

They wouldn’t know how nervous he was, at least.

Everyone else piled into the car. Stephen and Chloe, their hands entwined took the seats across from him. He shifted down, trying to keep them out of his sightline.

Maddie squealed as the car set off. “I can’t believe we’re going to a palace.”

She pulled her phone from her purse and snapped a selfie. “Nate, let’s get one together.”

She leaned closer to him and grinned. “Say, Prince!”

He smiled as she snapped the picture, then tapped on her phone, posting it to her social media feeds and sending it to her friends. “All my friends are so jealous that I’m going to a palace.”

Nate shifted in his seat again, reality pressing down on his shoulders with each passing moment.

As the town’s buildings whisked past him, he tried to focus on the vast difference between this country and his own. He peered through the tinted windows, his eyes landing on the giant palace rising on the hill in the distance.

“Wow,” Maddie exclaimed as she snapped a picture of it through the window. “It’s beautiful.”

His gaze traced the white stone walls up to the gray-blue rooftops shimmering under the bright sun. Turrets and towers stretched skyward, poking into the crisp blue of the sky.

He studied the white stones topped with a gray-blue roof. Turrets and towers poked into the bright blue sky.

It made his home, large and sprawling, look tiny. The now-familiar butterflies flitted around in his stomach again. What would life be like there?

He’d find out in a few minutes. The car pitched at a sharp angle as they made the climb toward the castle, winding around on the road that doubled-back several times.

By the time it slowed to a stop, his heart was in his throat. A palace guard opened the door before standing at attention. They climbed into the bright sunshine, craning their necks to stare up at the palace.

A familiar face smiled at him as he finally lowered his gaze to the ornate wooden doors. Caroline nodded as she stepped forward. “Welcome, Kingsleys. Mr. Kingsley, lovely to see you again. For those of you who do not know me, I am Caroline Bennett, Princess Elena’s ladies’ maid.”

Everyone said their hellos as she grinned at them. “Her Highness asked that I intercept you to ensure that you are all comfortable with the protocols for being greeted by Queen Sophia. Everyone recalls to bow or curtsy, no handshakes.”

Nods met her response.

“Excellent. You will be joining Queen Sophia for tea immediately following your reception. Princess Elena and her cousin, Prince Alexander will join as soon as they are back from their ride. When she enters the room, she will likely dispense with any formalities, there will be no need to rise and bow or curtsy.”

Nate’s head swam with the details, despite knowing them. Bow, don’t bow, no handshakes. The sheer number of royalty that would descend on them within the next few minutes was overwhelming.

“However, when the king arrives, you should rise and bow or curtsy as he will give no dispensation. Princess Isabelle will also attend the tea, and she will also require a curtsy or bow. And she will expect one, believe me.

“And Mr. Kingsley…”

He snapped his gaze to the woman, swallowing hard.

“Please remember no displays of affection whilst in public. Her Highness has carved time out of her schedule to spend with you between tea and dinner. During that private time, you may do as you wish, but formalities dictates that you do not show her affection during the tea.”

He blew out a long breath as he nodded. “Right.”

A scoff sounded behind him before Chloe mumbled under her breath to Stephen, “I would not want this, babe. So rigid.”

“I think it’s very cool,” Maddie said as she caught wind of the statement. “So fancy.”

“If you all are ready, we’ll go inside, and I’ll present you to the queen.”

Nate’s throat parched as they shuffled through the door and into the ornate foyer. A crest with swords hung over a set of double doors. A thick red runner led up white marble stairs to another level.

Two guards flanked the doors on the inside as well. They slid the doors closed before clasping their hands and standing at attention, their eyes staring forward.

A moment later, a blonde, her features similar to Elena’s, especially her sparkling emerald eyes, strode from an upstairs hall, descending the stairs in her smart skirt suit, her hands clasped one over the other in front of her.

A woman with a portfolio clutched to her chest followed behind her.

The blonde approached them, a polite smile spreading across her soft features. The woman with her flanked her. “May I present Queen Sophia.”

Caroline cleared her throat, prompting everyone to bow or curtsy. As Nate rose from his bow, she nodded, the smile still frozen on her face.

“Welcome to our country and our home,” she said, her voice soft and tempered. The practiced poised, likely honed over a lifetime, amazed him.

“Nathan,” she said as she bobbed her head at him. “I am so pleased to have the chance to learn more about you…and your family.”

She expertly shifted her eyes to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley, from what I have heard from my daughter, you are to be credited with raising a wonderful son, and a beautiful family.”

His mother let out a nervous chuckle as she clasped her hands together until her knuckles turned white. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Of course.”

Victoria bobbed her head, the grin still stuck on her features.

“And Maddie,” Sophia said, focusing on the blonde.

His sister swallowed hard, lowering her chin. “Elena tells me she has found a fast friend in you.”

“I really like her,” Maddie said with a nervous smile.

Sophia smiled again before she finally set her eyes on Stephen and Chloe. Nate arched an eyebrow. How would the Queen react to his brother and his new wife holding hands in front of her. “And Stephen and Chloe, I understand you have married. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together.”

“Thank you,” Stephen answered as Chloe shot her an insincere smile, likely overwhelmed by the woman’s quiet composure.

“Shall we go into the sitting room for tea?” The Queen’s polite smile never left her gracious features.

Caroline motioned for them to enter through the double doors under the shield. Nate shuffled inside after his parents, suddenly wondering if there was a certain seat he should take or if he could sit anywhere.

“Elena is riding with Prince Alexander. She should return soon, but we will begin without her.”

A set of maids arrived with a large tea tray and a towering, tiered serving tray filled with finger sandwiches and tea cakes.

“Please sit,” Queen Sophia said after she eased into an armchair.

Caroline nodded at them, mouthing “anywhere.”

Nate perched on the edge of the couch, his eyes falling on a portrait hanging across from him. His eyebrow arched as he stared at Elena, a tiara on her head and a scepter and orb clutched in her hands. With a regal look, her painted eyes stared, smile-free, at him from the portrait.

He gulped, wondering if she’d be different here than the Elena he knew. Memories of their shared laughter in a distant world flooded his mind, contrasting sharply with her current royal confinement. Would they still connect, or had her crown built a wall too high to breach?

The others found seats, and Queen Sophia poured the tea, handing cups to each of them before she lifted her own to her lips. He studied her, her back rail straight and the slight smile still turning up the corner of her lips.

“How was your flight?”

“Oh, very good,” Victoria answered as she settled her teacup in her saucer. “Your country is very beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Sophia answered. “I understand from Elena that Sterling City is quite lovely, as well. I have never been.”

“Oh, you’ll have to visit us sometime,” Victoria said, offering a tentative smile.

Queen Sophia matched her expression. “What a lovely invitation.”

“Well, we certainly appreciate your invitation to your lovely home. So, we’d love to return the favor.”

Nate heard the nerves in his mother’s voice, and it made him even more nervous than he was before. Even his mother, usually the belle of the ball, felt overwhelmed.

The sound of laughter echoed outside of the room. It lifted his heart. He recognized it immediately. Elena.

It gave him hope that she would be able to ease them all into a more relaxed state.

The double doors burst open, and a tall man hovered in the doorway before he twisted sideways to wave someone inside. His lips curled into a smile as Elena strode inside in a traditional riding outfit.

“Hello, Mother, sorry to be late,” she said, letting her eyes slide over the others. “No need to stand on formality, please remain seated.”

“I quite agree,” the man said as he collected a teacup from Queen Sophia as he kissed her on the cheek. “Lovely to see you, Aunt Sophia.”

“It is lovely to see you again, Alexander.” Queen Sophia twisted to face the others. “May I present my nephew, Elena’s cousin, Prince Alexander.”

She introduced each of the others around the room.

“Hello, everyone,” he said before he snatched a finger sandwich from the tray and eased onto the couch next to Maddie .

She stared at him like he was a god among men, her eyes alight with awe.

Elena collected her teacup and eased onto the seat next to Nate, her back as rail straight as her mother’s. She shot him a warm smile, whispering, “Hello, darling.”

“I must apologize for our lateness rather than Elena. It was my fault,” Alexander said.

“Yes, it is,” Elena said with a giggle. “Alexander is still quite slow at racing to the steeple.”

He grinned at her, amusement smiling in his eyes. “I let you win.”

“You claimed you did not,” she answered before she faced his family. “Do you all ride?”

“No,” Nate answered her, finally finding his voice. “None of us.”

“Oh. We will have to arrange a lesson if you’re keen,” Queen Sophia said. “The property is lovely viewed on horseback.”

“That sounds wonderful. I’d be happy to try my hand at it,” Victoria answered.

“Oh, wonderful,” Elena answered.

“I think you’ll find it quite an experience,” Prince Alexander added before he glanced at Maddie. “And will you try, Maddie?”

She giggled, her cheeks burning red. “Yes.”

“I’m so pleased,” Elena said. “We will have a lovely time, Maddie.”

Their conversation turned to the events they had coming up. Queen Sophia’s assistant read off an impressive list of things coming up, ranging from a trip to their country estate for a more private and relaxed experience together. Upon their return, there would be a parade and a royal ball as the family welcomed the royal family of Corinthia.

Nate swallowed hard, remembering that the intention had been for Elena to wed Prince Eric of Corinthia. Was that still the plan?

His eyes fell on the woman sitting next to him. She seemed the same, but so different. He’d never seen her in her element before. They’d only spent time together alone when she had been pretending to be Ellie Greenfield.

But he’d done the same thing to her. Given her a fake name and a fake occupation to ensure she wasn’t after his money. He’d been the same person, though. Would she be the Ellie he’d come to love?

Suddenly, his musings and the light conversation around him were interrupted by the arrival of another woman. Her dark hair matched Elena’s but everything else was different about her.

His eyes flicked to Elena.

“Everyone, this is my cousin, Isabelle. And there is no need to stand on ceremony. Please feel free to remain seated.”

The frown on Isabelle’s features was unmistakable. She hadn’t liked Elena’s declaration based off of the expression and fire burning in her eyes. “Sorry to be late, Aunt Sophia.”

“Quite all right, Isabelle,” Sophia answered with a polite smile. “We were merely discussing the events of the next several weeks.”

“And are they all to be so…relaxed?” she asked, eyeing the Kingsleys with a wrinkled nose.

“Really, sister,” Alexander said as he retrieved another finger sandwich, “if it bothers you, perhaps you should follow the custom which would require you to curtsy to myself, Elena, and Aunt Sophia.”

She accepted a cup of tea from her aunt as her eyes bore into her brother. “I was only asking so I do not lead any astray.”

“Of course, you were,” he said with a closed-lipped grin at her .

Nate shifted in his seat, recognizing the signs of a difficult sibling relationship. He wondered what the relationship was like with Julian, the sibling he had met, and whom Elena was convinced had created the issue with her father.

“Formalities will stand as appropriate,” Queen Sophia answered. “The tea is rather informal, so there is no need to have our guests hopping from their seats at the door opening.”

The woman settled into a chair on the fringes of the conversation. Nate wondered if her lips were permanently set into a scowl.

Conversation continued around him as Nate studied the woman for another moment. It appeared family politics were as tense as the relationships in his own family.

Time ticked by and as teacups neared being empty, the doors opened again, revealing King Frederick’s imposing figure. Elena offered him a gentle nudge with her elbow as she sprang from her seat. He bounced up next to her, noticing everyone except the queen stood.

King Frederick strode into the room and everyone bowed or curtsied.

Elena remained standing when Isabelle and Alexander sat. Nate shifted his weight from foot to foot as the man set his eyes on him.

Elena slid her arm through Nate’s. “Father, I would love you to meet several more of the Kingsleys. You remember Nathan, and Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley.”

“Yes,” he said with a nod. “Such a pleasure to see you again.”

“And Nathan’s sister, Maddie, his brother, Stephen, and his new wife, Chloe.”

“Lovely to meet each of you. And how are you finding our little country?”

“It’s very lovely,” Victoria answered. “We were just telling your wife how beautiful it is.”

He smiled at her, his hands clasped behind his back as he listened politely. Elena returned to her seat, tugging Nate with her. The others settled into theirs again, too.

They chatted for several more moments before the king bid them adieu and the tea party started to break up.

Queen Sophia rose from her seat with a gracious smile. “It has been a lovely afternoon. I look so forward to getting to know you better. Martin will show you all to your rooms. I do hope you enjoy your stay.”

The Queen strode from the room, her assistant scurrying behind her.

“Well, that went rather well,” Alexander said with a grin at them. “You’ll do quite well here.”

“I’m glad you think so,” Victoria said. “I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. Elena, your mother is so kind, though.”

“Thank you,” Elena answered with a grin.

“I think you’ll find most of us are,” Alexander answered with another easy smile.

Nate studied the man, finding him an enigma. He seemed as vivacious as Elena and quite affable, though still having that regal poise they all seemed to share.

His sister didn’t seem to share his easy-going nature, and what he recalled of Julian, he did not either.

Alexander rose from his seat, grabbing another tea cake. “I’m certain you would like to settle in and rest before dinner. But I look forward to seeing you all there.”

As he strode from the room, another man slipped inside. Elena rose to address him. “Martin, the Kingsleys are ready to go to their rooms. Please show them there and see that they have anything they may need.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” he said with a bow. “If you will all follow me… ”

They shuffled from the room behind him. Nate hung back, eyeing Elena who waited inside.

“Go ahead, darling. I’ll find you after you’ve gotten settled in.”

“You could come with me,” he said, wanting desperately to touch base with her.

“I won’t be but a few minutes with Caroline,” she answered with a quick peck on his cheek. “Then I will be right up.”

He nodded, his hand lingering on hers, reluctant to pull away. Gathering his resolve, he finally forced his feet to move forward, leaving her behind. Hurrying, he caught up with his family as they ascended the grand staircase.

A figure appeared next to him suddenly, startling him. He stared down at Isabelle, whose footsteps fell in line with his as they marched up the stairs.

“This must be fascinating for you…stepping out of the simplicity of your American life.”

He offered her an uncertain grin and a bob of his head.

“I do hope you don’t find it all too…disorienting. Eldoria has a way of revealing truths you may not expect.”

Her gaze lingered on him, her eyes cold and calculating with a hint of delight in the uncertainty they spawned, for a second before she skirted around the family members in front of him and disappeared into another hall. The words still hung in the air, though, a veiled warning that masqueraded as polite interest.

Would Nate find himself facing something he hadn’t expected?