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

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

NATE

N ate breathed out a long sigh as he fiddled with his bow tie before he let the ends fall and yanked it from around his neck. He stretched his neck as he slid his eyes closed.

The last twenty-four hours hadn’t been what he expected. First the admission from his brother about his surprise marriage to Chloe and then the culture shock as he entered the royal world of Eldoria.

Not even his brief time alone with Elena had settled him much. His nerves remained on edge, especially after the warning he’d received about her cousins.

He hadn’t expected everyone in Eldoria to be overly welcoming. In fact, he’d prepared to receive a less-than-warm reception from Elena’s parents as they used the opportunity to decide if he was fit for royal life.

He couldn’t complain. He’d gotten his parents' feedback on Elena, terrified to make another mistake that would send him spiraling out of control again.

But now he faced a new terror: losing Elena because he used the wrong fork at dinner.

Maybe he was being too hard on himself. He doubted their engagement would be called over a salad fork, but the royals seemed persnickety about everything.

And the waltzing had him twisted in a knot, too. His sister gushed about it, but he imagined tripping over his own two feet, knocking into a foreign dignitary or royal and causing an international incident.

A knock at his door pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. He crossed to the massive piece of carved wood and tugged it open.

His features melted as he spotted his mother’s smiling face. “Mom, can you–”

“Tie your tie? Yes.” She grinned at him as she slipped inside. “I had a feeling you’d need some help.”

“Sorry.”

She slid the tie around his neck and adjusted the length before she started to twist it together.

“I guess I’m probably not royal material, after all. Can’t even manage my own bowtie.”

She chuckled at him, her eyes focused on the bowtie. “I’m pretty certain they all have valets to deal with this.”

Nate wrinkled his eyebrows as she lifted her gaze to him, still fiddling with the fabric.

“What? Ellie has a ladies’ maid. That’s what she does. She dresses her, attends to her needs.”

“Oh, yeah, I guess. It’s just…I don’t know. At home, we dress ourselves.”

Victoria finished his tie and patted his lapels. “There you go. Yes, we do, but you’ll get used to it. And you won’t have to learn to tie your tie.”

“I know how to tie it. I just can’t do it when I’m nervous. It comes out all lopsided.” He glanced in the mirror, lifting his chin as he adjusted his jacket.

His mother joined him staring into the mirror, sliding her arm around his waist as she smiled at him through the reflection. “Nate, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just…couldn’t tie the tie.”

“You’re nervous.”

“Well, yeah. I don’t want to spill soup on Queen Sophia or use the wrong fork or say the wrong thing to King Frederick.”

Victoria’s features twisted with amusement.

“Don’t laugh, Mom. This is serious business.”

“I know, but Nate, you were not raised by wolves in a cave. We have formal dinners and you use all the right forks. You don’t spill your soup or say anything wrong.”

He sucked in a breath as he nodded. “Yeah, but this seems so much more…structured.”

He stalked away from the mirror, pacing the floor. “I mean…we don’t frown on public displays of affection. We don’t…bow and curtsy. It’s not insulting to shake someone’s hand. I half expect them to come to dinner with their crowns and those robes.”

“So you spotted that portrait of Elena in the sitting room, huh?” Victoria said with a chuckle.

“I did. With the crown, and the robe, and the…little orb-y thing and that scepter.”

Victoria crossed to him, taking his hands in hers. “She’s still the woman you fell in love with.”

“Yeah. Just…really poised and perfect and…”

“She was always poised,” Victoria said. “Think of how she handled Stephen during his outburst at dinner. The only time she wasn’t, it was because she was hiding her identity.”

Nate chuckled, some of the tension in his body easing. “ You mean the time she ripped Dad’s paper from his hands and burned it?”

Victoria joined in his laugh. “Yes. I have never seen her so beside herself. Now, we know.”

“Yes, we do.” His gaze went to mid-space as his mind reeled again.

“Honey, don’t get inside your head again. You’re not helping yourself.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Things are overwhelming, but they will calm down. You’ll find a routine. Things will become normal.”

“Gosh, I hope so. Because I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by all the rules and protocols. And the weird cousins.”

“Oh, yes. Isabelle seems…very jealous of Ellie.”

He nodded. “Ellie said she is. She told me not to follow any directions from her or Julian. But that we could trust Alexander.”

His nod changed to a head shake. “Which sounds…very cloak-and-dagger, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t think it’s quite as…mysterious as it came across. I just think she means they may steer you wrong on the protocols.”

“Yeah,” Nate said. “I know…I know this is just me panicking over nothing. I’m sure a good night’s sleep and a few days of life around here and this will all seem normal.”

“It sounds like once we go to the country estate, things may be more relaxed. And I’m certain spending some time with Ellie will help smooth things over.”

“Yes. Yeah, just…seeing her so formal at the tea was…not being able to reach over and squeeze her hand…”

“Jarring. I know, but you’ll get used to it. Right now, you’re seeking comfort from her and you feel you can’t get it. But soon, you’ll know her well enough to realize she’s giving you support even when she’s not giving you a kiss or a hug.”

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Yes. Believe me. Your father and I can communicate with just a glance. You’ll learn to do that with Ellie, too.”

He bobbed his head, hoping it was true. Right now, without being able to have physical contact, she felt a world away from him.

Another knock sounded, interrupting his thoughts again. He crossed to the door and pulled it open, finding Caroline with her portfolio pressed to her chest.

“Hello, Mr. Kingsley.” She lifted her chin, spotting Victoria. “Mrs. Kingsley. Her Highness asked me to stop by and just go over last-minute details before the dinner to help set you at ease.”

“Oh, thank you,” Victoria said as she crossed to Nate and squeezed his shoulder. “How kind of her. Perhaps, I should gather the rest of the gang so they can all hear this.”

“Lovely, I will await you in the hall.”

Victoria excused herself as Nate slipped into the hall with Caroline, clearing his throat as he shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“How are you navigating the royal realm thus far, Mr. Kingsley?” Caroline asked.

“Oh, uh, okay, I guess. It’s very…different from at home.”

“I’m certain it is which is why Her Highness is making her best effort to set you all at ease.”

He swallowed hard. It was…odd hearing things from Elena through a staff member. “I appreciate that.”

Caroline offered him a warm smile. “I promise, it will become easier. Princess Elena is striving not only to set you at ease, but also her parents. King Frederick and Queen Sophia are lovely people, too. And Her Highness sincerely hopes you will all see how wonderful you each are.”

His family joined him in the hall, cutting off any other conversation between them, and Caroline flipped her folder open. “Just a few things Her Highness wished to remind you of. There are seating cards for your places. Mr. Kingsley, just a reminder, you will not be seated near Her Highness, but rather several seats away. Please do not take your seats until King Frederick has taken his. Conversation before dinner is served is led by the Queen, look to her for the direction you should turn to speak to your dinner partners.”

She pulled a pen from the portfolio and checked something off before she continued. “There are several courses. In each course, when the Queen stops eating, you should stop eating. Don’t worry, Queen Sophia is adept at reading the table to allow you enough time to eat.

Nate’s eyes widened slightly. At his own dinner table, no one stopped eating when his mother stopped. What an odd tradition.

“Stay away from topics such as politics and religion. And, if at all possible, do not comment on Eldorian traditions. You may elect to defer the subject to the native Eldorians, who will, undoubtedly, have something to say.”

“Seems easy enough,” Victoria answered.

“And please try to enjoy yourselves. I know this sounds like a lot of rules and restrictions, but I imagine it’s quite similar to what you would expect at your own dining table.”

Victoria smiled at her. “I just said the same thing to Nate. I think the royals aren’t that different from the rest of us.”

“They are not, I promise. Princess Elena is the same vivacious woman you knew in the States. And now, if you’re ready, I will escort you to the sitting room for cocktails.”

Nate allowed his mother and sister along with Stephen and Chloe to precede him, hanging back and shuffling behind them with his father.

“How are you holding up?” Charles asked.

“Oh, I’m okay. Just nervous about breaking a protocol and not even knowing it.”

Charles clapped him on the shoulder. “Ah, they’re people too, son. They put their pants on one leg at a time.”

“With the help of their assistant,” Nate said.

“Right. Call me crazy, but I’m not sure I’d want a guy dressing me.”

Nate laughed at the admission as they descended the stairs. Caroline pushed open the doors and waved them inside. The royals already milled around the room with drinks in their hands.

The staff served Nate and his family drinks of their choice and they mingled with the others. Nate swallowed hard as he sipped his ginger ale, wondering if he was allowed to approach Elena. Queen Sophia chatted with his mother and Maddie. Chloe and Stephen talked with Isabelle and Julian.

He took a step toward Elena, who spoke with Alexander near the window when King Frederick stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

He offered the man a nervous grin, his knees wobbling.

“Mr. Kingsley, lovely to see you again.”

“Same,” Nate said. “Ah, it’s very nice to see you again, sir, King, Your Highness.”

Nate mentally kicked himself for fumbling the name and forgetting what to call the man.

The king’s lips curled on the edges, and he offered a warm chuckle. “Well, it is not every day I am addressed with such a varied selection of titles in one breath.”

“I am sorry, I–”

King Frederick held up a hand, stopping his words. “Your Majesty is perfectly fine.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, thank you.” He tried to steady his breathing. He’d never get the man’s approval with his goofs. “And thank you for your invitation. Your country is very beautiful. ”

“Thank you. We find it very charming. I do hope you will find it so.”

“Well, everyone has been so welcoming, it’s hard not to.”

“I assume Elena offered you a tour of the estate?”

His eyes went wide. Was he supposed to admit that he’d spent time with her or was this a trick question? If he said no and was caught in a lie though…

“It’s quite all right, Mr. Kingsley. I am well aware that you will spend private time with her.”

Nate offered him a more genuine smile than the nervous one he’d plastered onto his features earlier. “Yes, she showed everyone around. The gardens are really breathtaking.”

“And I hope you will enjoy our country estate as well.”

“I’m sure we will,” Nate said with a nod.

“I am hoping you and I can find the time to have a private chat.”

Nate’s chest constricted, his stomach twisting into a knot. A private chat with the king? He imagined the ways it could be twisted into proof that he wasn’t the man for Elena. But, despite his trepidation, he found himself bobbing his head. “That would be wonderful, sir. I’m looking forward to it.”

He wasn’t. He hoped the man couldn’t detect the lie.

King Frederick grinned at him. “Excellent. I look forward to our conversation, as well. And now…” The King let his gaze shift to his daughter. “I am certain you would like to speak with Elena.”

Nate wondered if this was another test. If he said yes, maybe he’d come across as clingy. But if he said no, he might seem uninterested.

Instead, Nate stood with a stupid grin on his face, his eyes wide.

“It is not a trick, Mr. Kingsley. You wish to marry her, so I am certain you would like to speak with her.”

“Yes, I would,” Nate said with a chuckle.

The king waved an arm toward her before he stepped away. Nate hurried across the room, hoping not to be accosted by anyone else.

He joined Alexander and Elena with a smile that reached his eyes. “Hey, Ellie.”

“Nathan, there you are. I saw you speaking with my father. Everything okay?”

“Uh, yes, he…asked to speak with me privately at the country estate. I hope that’s a good thing.”

“Very good,” Alexander answered with a grin. “A private audience with the king means you have his ear. If he found you completely unsuitable, you wouldn’t be here. And you certainly would not have scored a private audience.”

Nate swallowed hard. Was he winning the battle? It seemed too easy. “Thank you, Your…”

He winced, narrowing his eyes at the man.

“Highness,” Elena whispered.

“Right. Majesty for your father and mother, Highness for everyone else.” Nate bobbed his head up and down.

“Alexander is perfectly fine, Nathan. Really. Although with my brother and sister, you’d better stick with Highness.”

“Thanks,” he said with a grateful grin as dinner was announced.

“Sadly,” Alexander said as he shuffled from the sitting room, “you are seated next to my sister for this dinner party.”

Nate swallowed hard as Elena slid her arm into his. He stiffened, wondering if it was okay.

Alexander clapped him on the back. “You are permitted to escort a lady. Just don’t kiss her.”

“Right,” Nate said with a genuine grin. It seemed Alexander could be an excellent ally, just as Elena suggested.

He seemed friendly, down-to-earth, and eager to help them succeed. As they passed into the ornate dining room, he wondered why. Were he and Elena that close? Was he not jealous?

Nate hoped to find out over the course of their time in Eldoria. Elena led him to a place setting before she whispered a good luck to him and slid her arm from his, circling the table to find her own seat.

She sat across the table and two seats down, much to his chagrin. He offered a polite smile to Isabell who flanked him on his left. He turned to his right, pleased to find his mother there.

He flicked his gaze across the table, finding a red-cheeked Maddie grinning at Alexander.

King Frederick strode inside, his arm around Prince Julian as they conferred quietly before the king patted Prince Julian’s back and sent him on his way.

The king took his seat and everyone else followed, sliding into their seats after the king.

Queen Sophia twisted to her left to speak to Stephen. Nate recalled the protocol to follow her lead, turning to his left to say hello to Isabelle.

“Hello again, American,” she said with a smirky smile.

“Hello, Your Highness,” he said, proud of himself for getting that correct.

“And how are you finding our little hamlet?”

“It’s very lovely,” he said, his eyes flitting to Elena who spoke with Alexander.

Isabelle let her eyes slide to her cousin before she trained them on him again. “You know it’s very rude to ogle another woman whilst a lady is talking to you.”

Nate’s cheeks burned. “Sorry, uh–”

Before he could finish, the queen turned to speak with Chloe on her right. He quickly shifted to face his mother, blowing out a sigh of relief. “Tough crowd,” he whispered.

“I found the king very nice.”

As the first course was served, conversation became more general. Julian scooped a spoonful of soup before raising his eyes to the table. “Elena, perhaps you would care to regal the table with a tale from your trip to the States.”

Nate swallowed hard as he shot Elena a glance. Would she talk about their relationship?

A slight smile crossed her face as she focused on her cousin across the table. “It would be more entertaining to hear about yours. They were so…clandestine that I’m certain we’ll all find them intriguing.”

Silence reigned for a moment until Alexander spoke. “Maddie mentioned something about her prom…it’s a tradition we Eldorians are not quite used to. I’d love to hear more.”

Maddie eagerly gushed about the spring dance she’d attended.

As she finished, the king raised a glass. “I would like to propose a toast to our guests.”

Nate reached for his wine glass when Alexander cleared his throat, catching his attention. The man gave a slight shake to his head and puckered his lips before he tilted his head.

Nate furrowed his brow before he glanced at the glass in Alexander’s hand. He picked up the wrong wine. He quickly swapped them before he gave a grateful nod to Alexander who returned the gesture.

“How eager we are to learn more about you,” King Frederick said before he raised his glass.

They toasted, everyone taking a sip before conversation turned more general for the remainder of the meal.

The dinner wrapped up, and they retreated to another sitting room for after-dinner drinks. The night wound down, and, at Alexander’s urging, Nate escorted Elena to the door of her bedroom, offering her a quick good night kiss .

“See you in the morning, darling. We’ll head to the country after breakfast, and things will be so much more relaxed.”

He wondered about the statement as he made his way back to his bedroom. How would being at a different estate make things any easier or more relaxed?

He stepped into his room and tugged off his jacket before he loosened his tie. He paused before going any further, his eyes studying the view from the French doors leading to the balcony.

A whooshing noise split the silence. He snapped his gaze to the door, spotting a piece of white stationary lying on the floor a few inches from it.

He crossed the hardwood floor and snatched it. He flicked it open, scanning the handwriting.

Nathan -

Meet me in the garden near the angel statue at ten. I can’t wait to see you.

Ellie

His heart lifted as he read the note, and butterflies swarmed in his stomach. They’d spent a few moments alone earlier, but this was a chance to quietly talk uninterrupted.

He checked his watch, then hurried to change into something more comfortable before he quietly slipped out of his room and hurried to one of the doors leading to the garden.

He snaked through the hedges, bushes, and trees to the angel statue. His lips curled into a smile as he spotted Elena.

The moon shone down on her dark hair as she stared over the landscape, her back toward him.

He closed the distance between them, his heart thudding against his ribs. “Hey, you,” he said with a grin.

The woman turned to face him, throwing her arms around him. “Well, hello to you, too.”

His eyes widened as he noted that this was not Elena, but her cousin Isabelle. The woman planted a kiss on his lips as a bright light burst from his side. He pried himself away from her, glancing in the direction of the flash.

A dark figure bolted away, camera in hand. Nate's stomach dropped as a cold shock surged through him. He had just been caught in a passionate kiss with the wrong princess. The scandal would ruin any chance he had with Elena.