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

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

ELENA

A s the Kingsleys filed out of the room, Elena crossed to Caroline, though her eyes remained trained on her troublesome cousin.

Before she made it across to her ladies’ maid, Isabelle stepped in front of her. Elena frowned at her cousin’s smirk, recalling years of veiled jabs and rivalries. “Have you something to say, Isabelle? Your expression certainly suggest you do.”

“Oh, only that the Kingsleys seem…an interesting lot.”

“Perhaps if you take the time to get to know them, you may find yourself surprised.”

She offered a soft chuckle, her lips curling with amusement. “Oh, I doubt that very much. Americans do not intrigue me the way they do you.”

Elena narrowed her eyes at Isabelle. “Then, I suppose you will be in for a rather boring trip. ”

“I doubt that. And I must say, I do understand the…appeal of your…supposed suitor. He is alluring, I will give you that.”

Elena curled her fingers into fists. The statement wasn’t a casual observation of Nate’s appearance, it was a declaration of war. Her cousin found him attractive, and she would love nothing more than to rip him away from her.

And it wouldn’t be for love. Isabelle would never lower herself to marry an untitled man.

Elena attempted to force her lips into a smile but found herself unable. Instead, she lifted her chin. “I believe we have said everything we need to say, cousin. And I have pressing matters.”

“Of course, you do. I should be going, too.”

Isabelle held her gaze for another moment before she left the room behind. Elena let out a breath as Caroline crossed to her. “Do not allow her to upset you, Your Highness.”

“Too late,” Elena grumbled. She frowned as a storm of anxiety brewed within her. “She will make trouble, Caroline, mark my words.”

“Oh, darling. She cannot make trouble on her own.”

Caroline’s attempt at reassurance did little to quell the rising tide of worry. “Yes, she can, firstly,” Elena answered, her gaze snapping from where Isabelle had stood to Caroline’s face. “And secondly, she is not alone. Between her, Julian, and my father, I am certain they can find a way to ruin this.”

Caroline cupped Elena’s cheek in her hand. “And I am certain you can find a way to rise above it.”

“I am pleased you have faith in me, Caroline. Now, if I am not mistaken, you have cleared my schedule for the afternoon, correct?”

“That is correct. I assumed you would wish to spend some private time with your young man and perhaps his family to acquaint them with the palace, its grounds, and…its people.”

“As always, you assumed correctly. I shall see you to dress for dinner?”

“Yes, although perhaps you wish to change now?”

“Oh,” Elena said as she glanced down at her riding outfit. “Perhaps, quickly, yes.”

They hurried to her bedroom suite, and Caroline had her into a new outfit in less than fifteen minutes.

After thanking her, Elena hastened through the halls to the wing where her guests were staying. With a grin playing on her lips, she knocked at Nate’s door.

It opened a moment later, and he greeted her with a tentative smile. “Hey.”

“Hello,” she said as she slipped inside and eased the door shut behind them.

“Oh, uh, is this allowed?”

“I don’t care,” she answered, sliding her arms around his neck. “I’d like a proper greeting away from prying eyes.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer before he leaned in for a kiss. Their lips brushed, evoking the same sparks as the act had in Sterling City.

“I have missed that.”

“So have I,” he said. “I…would have kissed you earlier but Caroline said no public displays of affection.”

“Caroline is correct,” Elena said, her arms still locked around his neck. “PDAs are frowned upon. Which is why I slipped into your bedroom.”

“It’s going to be hard not to kiss you in public.”

“Nor hold hands,” she answered with a frown.

“Really?”

She fluttered her eyelashes. “Sorry, darling. Protocols are quite strict. ”

“Right,” he said with a flick of his eyebrows. “Better grab another kiss while I can then.”

She smiled before she leaned closer to brush his lips again. When she pulled back, she studied his features. “How are you finding things so far?”

“Well, the room is beautiful. Your palace is beautiful. The country is–“

“Beautiful,” she said with a nod. “Yes. I mean how are you ?”

He sucked in a breath, his smile faltering. “Nervous.”

“You needn’t be. You did quite well this afternoon. You will find your way. And you can always look to me, Caroline, or Alexander for help.”

He bobbed his head up and down. “You, Caroline, Alexander.” His eyebrows furrowed. “What about Isabelle and Julian?”

“No,” Elena warned with a vehement shake of her head. “Do not look to them. They will ensure you bungle something on purpose.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yes. Isabelle will be up to her usual tricks. And by the way, I had better warn you that she finds you alluring.”

A sly grin spread across his features as he lifted his chin. “Really?”

“Don’t let it go to your head. She will only use it to your end.”

He screwed up his face. “How?”

“By luring you into a trap that will disqualify you from any relationship with me, and then leave you.”

“Ellie, I’d never cheat on you.”

“It does not matter if you would or wouldn’t. Appearances can be very deceiving. It only takes the whiff of scandal to kill our chances.”

“Right, avoid Isabelle,” he said with a shaky breath.

Elena nodded. “As best you can. She will deliberately seek you out, I am certain. She is unpleasant enough, though, that you should want to avoid her.”

“She seems it. Has she always been like that?”

“Yes,” Elena answered as she pulled away from his embrace and crossed the room to stare over the landscape. “She has always been this way. A bit jealous, I think, that she is fourth in line to the throne.”

“So, it’s you, then…”

“Alexander, Julian, then Isabelle.”

Nate hesitated for long enough to draw Elena’s attention.

“Darling? Are you all right?”

Nate sucked in a breath. “Yeah.”

She stuck her lower lip out in a pout as she studied his face. He looked overwhelmed, tired, and nervous. “You’re not, are you?”

“I’m fine,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

She wandered closer, sliding her arms around him. “It’s all right to be overwhelmed, Nathan. It’s quite a bit to take in. And quite a change. One that we did not have the opportunity to fully discuss because of my dishonesty.”

“No,” he said with a shake of his head as he pulled her closer. “Ellie, I love you. I don’t care about what happened. I did the same thing to you. It would be unfair of me to be angry about it.”

“Unfair things happen all the time. If you are upset, please tell me.”

“I’m not. I promise.” He huffed out a breath as he gave her a fleeting grin that seemed more genuine than the last. “I am probably overwhelmed.”

She cupped his cheek in her hand. “I knew it. It will take some getting used to, but you’ll manage it with flying colors, I know it.”

“You all are so used to it. And so…poised and perfect. ”

She chuckled. “We have been doing this for our entire lives. I came out of my mother’s womb curtsying.”

He chewed his lower lip as she spoke.

“That was a joke.”

He tugged his lips back in a wince. “I know, sorry. I…your statement just made me think of…”

She flicked her eyebrows up, silently prodding him.

He grabbed her hand and led her to the armchairs near the French doors leading to the balcony. Her stomach clenched as he stared at her, his features pinching.

With his elbows resting on his thighs, he leaned toward her. “There is something I wanted to discuss.”

“Of course.”

“Your father mentioned that you were supposed to be engaged to someone else since your birth.”

She nodded. “Prince Eric.”

“And he’s the one coming to visit.”

“Yes,” Elena answered with another bob of her head.

Nate shifted in his seat. “Are you still expected to…”

When he didn’t continue, she answered. “No. The engagement will not be announced. Unless…”

He raised his eyebrows. “Unless?”

“Unless we decide not to move forward with our relationship.”

“Decide?” he asked, his voice sharper than he expected. “Or are allowed to.”

She pressed her lips together, understanding his frustration. She shared it, too. “I understand this may seem daunting.” She reached for his hand, squeezing it. “But we will face it together. You are perfectly capable of being a support spouse and navigating royal duties.”

He flicked his gaze to the floor, his lips in a tight line.

“Nathan, you are. I know it feels overwhelming at the start. Everything is rigid, strict, new. But you’ ll see that life here is quite normal. It’s a bit like yours, actually. The galas, the meetings for investors, those sorts of things. Just with more bowing and formality.”

He laughed as he nodded. “Okay. I think I’m just…nervous. Especially after what your cousin said.”

Elena stiffened, her eyes going wide as her stomach fluttered. “What did she say?”

“Something about Eldoria having a way of bringing out unexpected truths. I just…it made me nervous.”

“Don’t listen to a thing she says. She is jealous.”

“Of me?”

“Of me,” Elena corrected. “And anything I have. Stay away from Isabelle and Julian. Both of them are trouble.”

“But not Alexander,” Nate said.

“Right. Alexander can be trusted. And he will be keeping an eye out for you. I spoke with him about it earlier.”

Nate nodded, his eyes studying the area rug under his feet.

“Feeling better?”

“A little,” he answered, reaching for her hand to squeeze it. “I’m sure as I settle in, it’ll get easier.”

“It will,” she answered, allowing him a moment.

Nate sucked in a deep breath, raising his gaze to her face. “There is one other thing. And it’s really important.”

Her stomach tightened into a knot. What else?

“When we met…you used the name Ellie, but you do prefer Elena?”

She grinned at him. “Whatever you prefer, darling. I don’t mind being called Ellie.”

“I’ve gotten used to it,” he said with a shrug.

“As have I,” she said with a smile.

“Ellie it is, then.”

They leaned closer, their lips meeting again before a knock at the door interrupted them. His shoulders slumped as he leapt from his seat and hurried to the door.

He pulled it open, a smile crossing his features. “Hey, Mom. Come in.”

She stepped inside, a tentative smile on her face before she spotted Elena. “Oh, hello, Ellie. Elena.”

“She’s good with Ellie,” Nate said with a nod as he closed the door behind them.

“Right. I’m sorry to interrupt, I didn’t realize you were here. I just wanted to check in on Nate.”

Elena rose from her seat to join the woman, pulling her into a hug. “Perfectly fine, Mrs. Kingsley. You are not interrupting, and it’s lovely to see you.”

Victoria squeezed her tightly before she leaned back. “It’s lovely to see you, too. And your mother is very kind. Our room is lovely.”

“I’m so glad you’re finding it so. I was about to invite Nathan for a tour of the palace and its grounds. Would you and the rest of the family like to join us?”

“Oh, uh,” Victoria slid her gaze to Nate, “well, I’m sure you two would like to be alone.”

“We would love for you to join us,” Elena said.

“Yes. I’d really like you to see the property so when I get lost, you can help me find my room,” he said with a chuckle.

“Well, we’d be happy to join you. I’m looking forward to seeing the grounds, and I know your sister can’t wait to explore.”

“Well, she is most welcome to explore as much as she likes with or without us, though I thought a little tour may be warranted so you can feel at home.”

Victoria squeezed her hands, offering a grateful smile. “You are already making us feel comfortable. I just hope we can be as gracious guests as you are a host.”

“I have no doubt, though…”

Victoria tugged her lips back in a grimace as she eyed Elena. “Oh no. Have we already committed a faux pas?”

“No, no,” Elena said with a shake of her head. “Nothing like that, but…I have already told Nathan that if you are unsure of anything, look to me, Caroline, or Alexander. Whatever you do, do not follow any advice from my cousins Julian or Isabelle.”

Victoria shifted her weight as she raised her eyebrows. “Oh, okay.”

“Alexander is invested in seeing you succeed, though the other two will cause trouble just to feel superior. I’m afraid my family is a bit…complicated.”

Victoria breathed out a laugh. “Well, you know how complicated ours is. You witnessed a fist fight between my sons.”

“It’s quite similar here, though there are no fists involved. And much to Julian’s chagrin, Alexander is quite a bit better at fencing and most athletic things.”

“I see. Well, at least your family has a bit more decorum than mine seemed to have. I hope that does not happen again. How are you handling Stephen’s announcement?” Victoria twisted to face her son, rubbing his shoulder.

He shrugged. “I’m…surprised but it has nothing to do with me.”

Elena searched his features for any sign of distress over the news.

Victoria prompted him for more information with a raise of her eyebrows.

“I wish he wouldn’t have married her, and that has nothing to do with anything that happened between Chloe and me. It has to do with the fact that I don’t trust her. But…Stephen’s a grown man who has to make his own decisions. Other than that, I don’t care. ”

“Good,” Victoria answered. “I’ll just find the others and meet you back here.”

“Perfect,” Elena said as Victoria strode away. Once they were alone again, she stared into Nate’s eyes. “Do you really not care? About your brother and Chloe?”

Nate blew out a breath. “I don’t care. She doesn’t matter to me anymore. I know everyone thinks that this is going to cause a relapse, but it’s not. I’m…focused. On us. On making us work because I love you.”

She intertwined her fingers with his. “I love you, too. And I am so glad this isn’t bothering you.”

“It’s not. It was a shock, but…Stephen’s the one stuck with her. At least it’s not me.”

She giggled as a knock sounded at the door again. “Come along, let’s explore.”

She spent the afternoon showing them the ins and outs of her home, including her special hiding places she’d carved out as a child and sometimes still used.

As they entered the ballroom, where Elena reminded them the royal ball would take place, Maddie’s eyes rose, taking in the murals on the ceiling, the crystal chandeliers, the thick draperies framing the many windows overlooking the back gardens.

“Wow,” she whispered, her voice echoing. “Have you ever danced in here.”

“Loads of times,” Elena answered. “And you will, too.”

Maddie’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she snapped her gaze to Elena. “No.”

“Yes. At the royal ball.”

“But…I don’t know how to do any formal dances. Or…is it like prom?”

Elena giggled as she slid her arm around Maddie’s shoulders. “No, nothing like that. But Caroline has arranged waltz lessons for you. All of you.”

“Get out!” Maddie said, her voice shrill with excitement. “Really?”

“Yes. The ball is quite formal, but we’d like you to have a wonderful time.” She twisted to find Nate, a dismayed expression etched into his features, staring straight ahead. “Nathan?”

“Yeah, no, I’m good. I can waltz. I mean, I can learn.”

“I’m certain you can,” she said before she snapped her gaze to the ajar door behind them, swearing she’d heard something.

She spotted nothing, and their conversation continued as Victoria and Maddie chattered about learning how to waltz.

After viewing the ballroom, they strolled through the gardens as Elena pointed out several features of the property and beyond. They finished back inside the palace, going to their rooms to change for dinner.

Elena smiled to herself as she wandered back through the halls from the Kingsleys' quarters to her own room. As she rounded the corner, the grin slid from her features.

In front of the double doors leading to her bedroom suite stood Julian. Her shoulders slumped as she stormed her way toward him. “You should be changing for dinner, cousin.”

He peeled his back from the wall and approached her. “Thank you for your concern, though I am certain I will not be late even with this little…excursion.”

“I am not. I must dress.”

She sidestepped but he slid in front of her, his eyes piercing hers. “I’m certain you can carve out a few moments for your dear cousin. It is in your best interest to speak with me.”

“Is it? And what, pray tell, is so important that you must accost me at my door?”

“Accost you? My dear Elena, I am not accosting you. I am merely warning you. ”

“Warning me?” Elena scoffed. “Of what?”

“Choose your path with the utmost care, Elena.” His voice, a cold gust filled with a sinister tone. “A single misstep could mean the crown will slip from your grasp.”

He let the statement hang between them for a moment before he pushed past her and strode down the hall.

She stared after him, her fingers curling into fists as she set her jaw. So, her cousin meant to make this difficult for her. She wouldn’t let him, she resolved.

Deep inside her, though, the seed of doubt that he would win planted itself, twisting her stomach into a knot. Would he win?