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

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

ELENA

E lena’s heart pounded against her ribs, fury twisting her features into a deep frown as she slammed the incriminating photographs onto her father’s desk. Heat rose in her cheeks, matching the intensity of the anger roiling inside her, and she struggled to contain the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “What is being done about this?”

King Frederick raised his eyebrows as he stared down at the photographs before he raised his gaze to her. “What is this?”

“What does it look like?” She crossed her arms, her foot tapping on the floor as her nostrils flared.

The king shifted in his seat, appearing as uncomfortable with the conversation as Elena. “Well…” he began. “Really, Elena, must we engage in this exercise?”

Elena’s glare made him shift again .

“It appears to be the man you hope will gain my approval engaged in a…kiss with your cousin.”

“Do you really believe that’s what you’re looking at?”

The king glanced down at the photographs again before he raised his gaze to Elena. “Is there some trickery that I am meant to catch?”

“Yes, Father, there is.”

He pressed his lips together before he rose from his seat and skirted around his desk. He placed his hands on her shoulders as she flicked her gaze away from him. “Elena, my darling, it can be very difficult when people disappoint us.”

“Interesting that you should say that just as I am experiencing the sensation.”

He heaved a sigh. “You can be angry with me if you wish, but I did not do this.”

“Didn’t you? Well, perhaps you did not have a hand in this directly, but I have no doubt you will do nothing to help the situation.”

“Help? I would love to help. I shall order the Kingsleys to leave at once.”

“You will do nothing of the sort,” she shot back. “You cannot actually believe that after one dinner, Nathan was so taken by Isabelle’s…personality that he could do nothing but meet her in the garden for a moonlit kiss? And there just so happened to be a photographer hiding there? On our property?”

“Well…” The king wandered around the desk, putting distance between them.

“Father, really. How do you handle delicate diplomatic situations daily but cannot see through this charade? Had Alexander not been vigilant, these would be splashed all over every trashy tabloid Isabelle could find.”

“So, you believe Nathan Kingsley had no hand in this? ”

“I believe my dear cousin Isabelle’s hands are all over it and my soon-to-be fiancé.”

“Soon-to-be? I thought we agreed you would keep an open mind?”

She set her hands on her hips. “Was I told to keep an open mind because you planned to sabotage my relationship?”

“Certainly not.” The indignation on his royal features showed his dismay with her accusation. “I have not even the slightest inclination to do anything of the sort. If he proves himself worthy, if . And if you choose him, the matter will be settled. Those are two large ifs, Elena.”

He clasped his hands behind his back as he paced the floor. “That being said, I would doubt based on the way he looks at you that he would sneak off with your cousin.”

Elena breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Father. And now that we agree, I want something done.”

“There is nothing to be done, Elena.”

“What do you mean? My cousin has crossed the line time and again, and this time has gone too far. I demand she be thrown from his house.”

“Elena, I will not throw my niece from the house.”

“Then I will do it.” Elena spun on her heel and stormed toward the door.

“You will do no such thing.”

She whipped around to face him, her blood boiling. “I will not stand by and permit her to continue her reign of terror upon me.”

“No one is reigning terror. I taught you not to be reactionary, did I not?”

“I am not! But I will not allow this behavior to continue. She believes she can do as she pleases and get away with it. If she is not stopped, she will ruin everything.”

“Sit down, Elena,” he said as he eased into his chair.

She gritted her teeth as she balled her hands into fists again. “No.”

“I said sit down,” he repeated, enunciating every word carefully.

“Father–“

“Elena, this is not a request.” The tightness in his jaw and the crease in his forehead signaled his seriousness.

She stalked across the room and collapsed into a chair.

“I understand this is difficult–“

“Difficult,” she cried as he held up a hand to silence her.

“I know I have taught you the value in not reacting to a situation, but acting in one. They are two different things.”

She crossed her arms, her lips tugging into a pout.

“I understand your anger. But reacting in anger gives Isabelle the upper hand.”

Her shoulders slumped as she realized he was correct.

“I will deal with this situation. I will speak with Alexander and then Isabelle. You will not deal with it outside of whatever conversation you see fit to have with Mr. Kingsley.”

“It is hardly his fault,” she protested.

“You may be correct, Elena. And I hope it is not. However, it is important to realize that even if he has been duped by your cousin…” The king paused, firming is lower lip as he flicked his gaze to Elena. “That he must learn from the situation.”

“He has been,” she insisted. “He has experienced the pain of a cheating partner. He would not do it to me.”

“A fact I am very pleased over if it remains truthful. But, Elena, he must learn from this. As should you. Do you understand?”

She shifted her gaze to the scenery outside. “What if this had been Prince Eric? Would you lecture him on the value of learning his lesson? ”

King Frederick heaved a sigh. “I expect him to be much savvier in this matter.”

“And if he is not? If he is caught kissing Isabelle? What then? Hmm? Will you lecture me on his ability to learn to navigate treacherous waters or will all be forgiven because he is a royal?”

“I am losing my patience, Elena.”

“As am I. I demand to know the score.”

“You are in no position to demand anything. To be frank, Elena, I do not care for your behavior whatsoever. Since you have returned from your trip abroad, I do not see the daughter I raised but a petulant child.”

She tried to keep her temper in check, but her flaring nostrils betrayed her as she gripped the chair arms until her knuckles turned white. “That is ridiculous.”

“Is it?” He leapt from his chair. “I have never heard so much impudence from you as I have of late. You are demanding, rude–"

“Rude? I am not. But I…” Her features pinched as she fought the urge to cry, pour her heart out, or both.

Her father’s chest heaved as he clasped his hands behind his back. “Elena, I understand. More than you imagine I do. But please…do not be so desperate for this relationship to work that you do not consider the larger picture is all I ask.”

She flicked her gaze sideways, her lips still forming a deep frown as upset and worry churned inside of her.

“I realize you have…fallen for him. But that does not mean he will make a perfect match. Please, darling, I do not wish to sound…cruel or uncaring.”

“But I don’t understand,” she said, her voice trembling with the emotions she held inside. “You wish me to accept Prince Eric, but we have no idea if he is a good match. For all we know, he could prefer to meet Isabelle every night in the garden, and I would be expected to marry him regardless.”

“I have the same expectations for him as I would have for Mr. Kingsley. If Prince Eric preferred your cousin as unabashedly as what I’ve seen in these photos, I would suggest he marry her.”

“Truly?” Elena asked.

“Yes, Elena. I do not wish for you an unhappy life. Quite the opposite. I wish a very happy one for you, surrounded by those who love and support you.”

The tension between her shoulder blades eased somewhat. She wanted to shout that if that were true, he would have already approved her relationship with Nate, but she knew it would be a mistake. They’d made some progress. She would allow it to sit for now.

“Thank you, Father. May I go?”

“No, not just yet.”

She snapped her gaze to him. What else did he want to discuss?

“I will speak with Isabelle. Leave the matter in my hands. Do you understand?”

She nodded. “Yes, Father, I do.”

“You will be Queen one day, Elena. She will not.”

“And she hates me for it,” Elena said, bitterly.

The king offered her a consoling smile. “She has always been jealous. But rest assured, I will address the matter.”

She offered another thanks before she rose. She only hoped her father addressed the matter to her satisfaction, which would mean her dear cousin being tossed from the house.

With an uncertain breath, she climbed the stairs and threaded her way through the halls toward Nate’s room. She pounded on the door, louder than she had intended, her frustration pouring out of her.

He yanked the door open a moment later, an apologetic expression etched into his features at the sight of her. “ Ellie. Thank goodness you’re here. I can explain everything.”

She stalked into the room, her arms crossed. “I hope so.”

“I can. I’m so sorry…I–I got a note. It said it was from you. I…went out to meet you. Or so I thought. By the time I realized it wasn’t you, it was too late. And she kissed me, for the record.”

Elena heaved a sigh, twisting to face him. “Yes, that is the tale Alexander told, as well.”

“Alexander?” His brow furrowed.

“Yes…” Elena cocked her head. “How did you not know? I…you knew I’d heard of the incident.”

“I…assumed it was in all of the papers this morning. We were caught by a photographer.”

Elena’s shoulders slumped. “Alexander caught the photographer before he fled and took his camera.”

Nate blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank heavens. Ellie, I’m so sorry. I will never let his happen again, but you have to know I wouldn’t do this, right?”

“Yes, I do,” Elena answered. “Or at least I imagine you would not given your history.”

“Right,” he said as he closed the gap between them, reaching for her hand. “I’m still sorry, though. Please tell me your father doesn’t know.”

She slid her hand into his with an apologetic glance. “He does.”

Nate let his head fall back between his shoulder blades as a curse escaped him.

“He is handling the situation, according to him.”

“And probably crossing me off the list of suitable suitors for you.”

“No,” Elena answered, though she’d wondered the same. “He understands that it was Isabelle’s doing. ”

“Thank goodness.”

“But,” Elena continued, “he wishes you to learn from the situation.”

Nate screwed up his face. “Learn from it?”

“I assume he means to learn to be more suspicious and judicious in accepting invitations.”

“I thought it was you, Ellie.”

Elena heaved a sigh. “Yes, I know. But I would not have slipped a note under your door, I would have sent Caroline.”

“Oh,” he groaned. “I see.”

“I did warn you about Isabelle, but even I could not have suspected her to stoop this low.”

“Yes, you did. I thought she’d just…try to get me to use the wrong fork.”

“No, Isabelle and Julian are quite good at…being devious.” Elena frowned again, wrapping her arms around her midriff.

Nate approached her again, his fingers gently brushing her arm. “Please tell me you aren’t mad at me.”

“I’m not,” she answered as she stared at her feet.

“Are you sure? Because you kind of seem mad.”

She raised her gaze to him. “I’m frustrated with my father and Isabelle.”

Her voice turned wistful, and she held back a sob. “I long for the days when things were simple. For pizza and hot dogs.”

He pulled her into an embrace, holding her close until she slid her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. “My mom says it’ll get easier. But honestly, I’ve felt the same way. I’m just so afraid to do something wrong and lose you.”

She tilted her head to study him. “You will never lose me.”

“But I may lose you anyway when I’m not allowed to marry you.”

Fresh worry swept through her. She knew his concern well, she shared it .

“Ellie,” he said after a moment when she didn’t respond.

“Yes?”

“Would you ever consider leaving Eldoria?”

“Leaving Eldoria?” she asked. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” He shrugged as he searched the room with his gaze. “You don’t have to be queen, right?”

Her features pinched. “Are you…are you asking me to abdicate?”

“Well, I mean…no. I just…if we really want to be together, and we don’t want anything to stand in our way…that’s an option.”

“Hardly,” she answered, a huff in her voice.

He rubbed her cheek. “But…you just said it yourself. You want to return to a simpler life. Hot dogs and pizza, no protocols, no expectations.”

“A silly fantasy,” she answered. “I cannot do that.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

Her eyes grew wide as she stared up at him. “Nathan, what answer are you expecting exactly? Do you wish me to say I would give this all up for you?”

He fluttered his eyelashes as his shoulders rose to his ears. “I’m just…”

“Just what? Asking me to give up my life to make things easier on you. But you would not give up yours, is that it? Your life would continue as normal.”

“No, you’re taking this all wrong.”

“Am I?” she cried. “Is it not what you said? Did you not say give up being queen if I really want to be with you? That is insulting enough. As if that is some measure of my affection.”

“No, no, Ellie, no,” he said with a shake of his head. “No, that’s not at all what I meant. Look, I’m sorry. I just…was trying to take a little pressure off of us. That’s all.”

Her features pinched as she wrapped her arms around his neck again. “I am sorry, too. It’s been a trying morning.”

“I’m sure. Let’s forget about it, okay?”

She offered him a tight-lipped smile and a nod as he stroked her hand and lightly brushed her lips. He pulled her closer, and she settled her head on his shoulder. She’d found solace in his arms so many times before. With the conversation behind them, she tried to relax, but the seed had been planted. This time the comfort of his embrace seemed slightly less comfortable.

Her father’s words echoed in her mind about keeping her mind open and making the right choice for her.

Did Nate really expect her to leave her position for him? And would their relationship survive if she didn’t?