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

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

NATE

N ate blew out a long sigh as he tossed his jacket on the bed and surveyed the room in which he’d spend the next few days. His mind whirled with hope that the promise of a more relaxed time would hold true.

Doubts gnawed at his mind like persistent whispers. He couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy, wondering if he’d ever truly belong in the royal circle.

He’d ridden with the royal family on the way to the country estate. He hadn’t been able to stop fidgeting or running his sweaty palms against his pant legs.

So many times, he’d wanted to slip his hand around hers, but he’d held back. He noticed the carefully choreographed dance between the older royal couple. They sat across from them in the chauffeured car, poised and elegant.

His forehead pinched at the recollection. He wondered if that had been a product of decades of marriage or if they had always been that composed .

He supposed they had been. Elena hadn’t reached for his hand even once. The experience was so different from what he’d experienced with her in Sterling City.

And when he thought of his parents, they still touched, kissed, and held hands even after all the years that had passed.

What sort of life was he stepping into?

A knock at his door pulled him from those thoughts. He crossed to the door, hoping to see Elena. Instead, he pulled it open to find his sister on the other side.

“Hey, big brother, how’s your room?” She glanced around his shoulder.

“Nice,” he said as he waved her in. “How’s yours?”

“It’s nice, too. Did you look outside yet? I think we have the same view.”

“Not yet,” he said with a sigh, running his hand through his hair.

As she crossed the room, she stopped, twisting to face him. “What’s with you?”

He sank into the armchair with a frown. “Stuff.”

“What stuff?” she asked.

He didn’t answer, clasping his hands and staring down at them as dozens of thoughts completed for attention. “Grown-up stuff.”

Maddie clicked her tongue as she lowered into a chair next to him. “Oh, Nate. I’m not a little kid, you know? I have grown-up stuff, too.”

He glanced sharply at her. “You’d better not. You’re too young to be worried about getting married and settling down.”

Her eyes went wide as she gasped. “Did you get the okay from the king and queen to marry Elena?”

“No such luck. I spent most of the ride talking about my work and trying not to sound like a common idiot. ”

She giggled at the words as she slouched back in the chair. “You have a master’s degree in bioengineering. You’re not an idiot.”

“Tell that to King Frowny. He was staring at me like he’d rather dive across the car and choke me.”

“That’s because you’re dating his daughter.”

“She’s a grown woman,” he lamented.

“Dad’s the same way with me. He scared off Adam last year.”

“Because Adam was a jerk who didn’t deserve you.” Nate rubbed his temples. “And the king thinks I’m Ellie’s Adam. He thinks I’m the jerk who doesn’t deserve her.”

“But you do.”

Nate leapt from his seat and paced the floor in front of the cold hearth. “He doesn’t think so. He thinks I’m just a commoner who’s looking to trade up for a title. I mean, I’m not a prince like the guy he wants her to marry.”

“But she doesn’t love him,” Maddie said.

“I don’t know if that matters.”

“Of course, it does.”

Nate collapsed into the chair again with a shake of his head. “On top of that, we’ve had a few…incidents.”

“Incidents?” Maddie asked as another knock sounded at the door.

“Hold that thought while I answer this. And then I’ll tell you the whole sordid story.” Nate jogged over to the door and tugged it open, finding his mother on the other side. “Mom.”

“Hey, honey. This place is as incredible as the palace. I wanted to stop by and tell you our room is amazing before we head down for lunch.”

Nate bobbed his head. “Yeah, mine, too. All the rooms are great.”

Victoria squeezed his arm. “Rooms are great, but you are not. Did something happen on the way here?”

“Not then, but something happened, all right. Come in. I was just about to tell Maddie about all the blunders I’ve pulled in the past twenty-four hours.”

“Oh, honey,” Victoria said as she caressed his cheek and offered him a consoling glance, stepping into the room.

“Hi, Mom,” Maddie called before she cocked her head, a playful smirk playing on her lips. “Okay, Nate. Spill it. What did you do?”

He heaved a sigh as his mother settled into the seat he’d just occupied. “Well, first, I got myself into some hot water last night. I got a note that I thought was from Ellie. Turns out, it was from her cousin, Isabelle, who planted a kiss on me while a photographer took pictures.”

Victoria’s features creased as she gasped. “What? Are you joking?”

Nate shook his head, his hands on his hips. “Not joking. Apparently, Alexander caught the photographer and saved the day. Elena demanded her father do something. I don’t know what he did, but…”

“Well, I hope something. That’s outrageous! At least Elena understood.”

He flung an arm in the air. “Yeah, she did, until I ruined that, too.”

“How?” Maddie asked.

His shoulders slumped as he slid his eyes shut. “When she came to see me, she mentioned wishing things weren’t so complicated.”

“Okay, that sounds reasonable,” Victoria said.

“And I answered…” He heaved a sigh as he rolled his eyes, recalling the words popping out of his mouth and cringing. “Maybe it could be easier if she decided not to be queen. ”

His mother’s eyebrows shot up as Maddie guffawed. “No, you didn’t,” his sister said with a laugh.

“It’s not funny, Maddie. It was completely stupid. I can’t believe I said it.”

Maddie leaned forward, eager to hear the drama. “What did she say?”

“She was not happy. She accused me of wanting her to change her entire life while mine stayed the same.”

Victoria pressed her lips together. “I’m not entirely certain that’s a fair statement, but–”

“No, Mom, it was. I…it was stupid. I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”

“Did you tell her that?” Victoria asked.

Nate nodded. “I did. I told her that.”

Victoria arched an eyebrow. “And?”

“She said it was fine, but…I just feel like I’ve added more tension between us.”

Victoria rose and crossed to him, rubbing his arms with a soft gaze filled with maternal concern. “Honey, there are going to be tense moments as you two figure things out and experience your real lives.”

Nate frowned, casting his gaze to the floor. “Things used to be so easy.”

“Things are always easy at the start. You can’t think of anything but each other, and the next time you’ll see the other person. Then, real life presses in. There are hardships, things you don’t want to do but you have to, distractions. Life isn’t perfect. What you need to learn is how to navigate it together.”

Nate heaved a sigh and nodded. “Right. We’re still…learning and figuring things out.”

“Yes,” Victoria answered, “just take your time. And take a breath. You’ll figure it out.”

He sucked in a deep breath. “Gosh, I hope so. Well, I guess we ought to go down to the royal lunch and see what I can do wrong there.”

“You’ll be fine,” Victoria said as she patted his cheek.

“Wait, wait, you didn’t even get to see the view. I think it’ll cheer you up.” Maddie rose from her seat with a cheeky grin.

“Oh, right, I forgot that’s what you came to show me. Lead the way,” Nate said.

Maddie grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the French doors. She flung them open and pulled him onto the balcony before she poked a finger toward the ground.

His eyebrow arched, and a smile curled his lips. “A carousel.”

“Yep. Like the one you got her to remind her of your first date. I just wanted you to see it so you know how big of a connection you two had.”

He stared down at the horses, standing ready for their next ride. Memories of their first moments together, of that first spark that drew them to each other, flitted through his mind. They were a good couple. They made each other happy. And that was all that mattered.

He lifted his chin. He’d fight for her. They could do this. Together.

“If you’re done admiring the view, we should go before we all pull a faux pas by being late,” Victoria called.

“Right,” Nate said with a nod. “I don’t need to start off on the wrong foot.”

They met the rest of the family in the hall, though Chloe was missing. After Victoria asked Stephen, he indicated she’d be skipping lunch as she wasn’t feeling well.

“They’re sending something up for her so she can rest,” Stephen answered.

“Good,” Victoria answered as they descended the stairs.

Caroline met them at the bottom to lead them to a sunroom, decorated in rich woods and floor-to-ceiling windows. Greenery surrounded the more intimate table setting.

Elena and Alexander already sat at the table with King Frederick and Queen Sophia. The men rose as the others entered the room.

“Please, sit anywhere you would like,” Queen Sophia answered with a smile. “This is a much more relaxed meal.”

Alexander clapped Nate on the shoulder as he froze, wondering if he should take a seat near Elena or if this was some sort of test. “I made certain to leave a seat for you next to Elena, Nathan.”

Nate grinned at him and nodded, thankful for the easy guidance. Elena grinned at him as he slid into the seat next to her. Under the table, she reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze as the staff arrived with a salad course.

He glanced around the table, noting Julian and Isabelle were also missing from the meal. Elena leaned closer to him to whisper, “Father forbade Isabelle from dining with us until she apologizes.”

Some of the tension between his shoulders released. At least the king had taken it seriously and didn’t blame him for it.

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the room as they settled into the food and conversation. The atmosphere was far more relaxed than at the palace, and for the first time, Nate found himself thinking he may fit into this life after all.

Across the table from him, his mother stabbed a piece of lettuce before she raised her gaze to the royals. “Will the reception for the royal family from Corinthia be grand?”

“Mm, yes,” Elena answered. “Affairs of the state often are.”

“There will be a royal parade, followed by a state dinner, and the ball, of course,” King Frederick added.

“The traditions are really fascinating to me,” Victoria added. “Although, I will admit, I was a bit surprised to hear about an arranged marriage. I didn’t think they existed in this day and age.”

The expressions on the faces of the king, queen, Elena, and Alexander were unmistakable. Nate slouched a little in his seat as he wondered if that subject was taboo.

“Actually,” Queen Sophia said with a soft chuckle, “Frederick and I are the product of an arranged marriage. My father and his father agreed on it when we were both under ten.”

His mother’s face blanched. “Oh, oh, I am sorry. I hadn’t meant to insult you.”

“Quite all right,” Sophia answered. “It is quite common among the royals, I assure you. And not quite as…difficult as you may expect.”

“How so?” Victoria asked. “Oh, I am sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but Charles and I…we learned about each other, then decided we were a good match. It feels backward to marry, then learn about each other.”

King Frederick offered her a fleeting smile. “I am certain it does, particularly for Americans. So much emphasis is placed upon romance, love, being swept off one’s feet, but this does not often lead to a good match. Good matches are made by sharing common values, having similar goals, desiring a similar lifestyle. Another royal, of course, has many of these traits in common. Love comes later.”

“That’s an interesting view,” Victoria answered. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

She shot Nate an apologetic glance as the topic changed to something more mundane and less explosive. They made it through the lunch without stepping onto any other toes.

The king and queen excused themselves to attend to other business, leaving Elena and Alexander with the Kingsleys .

“Well, what would you like to do?” Elena asked.

“Ah, that’s up to you, Ellie,” Nathan said. “We are open to whatever you’d like to do.”

“I had arranged for a ride if you’d all like to try your hand at it,” Elena suggested.

“Can we ride the carousel, too?” Maddie asked as nods met Elena’s plans.

Elena looped her arm through Maddie’s. “Absolutely.”

As the others shuffled behind Elena, Alexander motioned for Nate to walk with him.

“Hey, Alexander, I owe you a huge thank you. Ellie told me what you did with that photographer. I’m eternally grateful.”

“Of course,” Alexander answered as they spilled into the warm sun. “Glad to do it. Not just for you, but for Elena. Isabelle’s tricks are…a bit wicked. You did not deserve that.”

“I feel like a fool,” Nate said with a shake of his head as he swept his gaze across the sprawling grounds of the country estate, taking in the serene landscape and the quaint charm of the more rustic surroundings. Compared to the opulence of the palace, this place exuded a sense of tranquility that put him slightly more at ease.

“You could not have expected it.”

“I could have,” he answered. “Ellie warned me to watch out for her and Julian.”

“Mm, yes. I know you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting my brother.”

Nate chuckled as they strode down a path, leaving the house behind. “Yes, I did. He’s an interesting character.”

“He’s a character, all right. I wouldn’t say interesting. Rather, maddening.”

Nate huffed another laugh, pleased with a royal who was as open as Elena. “Well, anyway, thanks for all your help so far. I’m afraid I’m botching this entire visit.”

“Don’t think anything of it. We are just people, Nathan. Be yourself, and you cannot botch anything.”

Nate tugged his lips back in a wince. “I doubt that. I hadn’t realized your aunt and uncle were an arranged marriage. I’m sure my mom insulted them.”

“No, no. Probably not. And Elena hates the idea of an arranged marriage. Uncle Frederick and Aunt Sophia think all royals have similar thoughts on life, but it’s simply untrue. And Uncle Frederick is quite fond of you, I can tell.”

“Fond of me? I wondered if he was planning ways of ridding himself of me on the ride here.”

Alexander threw his head back with a loud laugh. “No. You, of course, are going to be the subject of intense scrutiny. You wish to marry the man’s only daughter. In addition to being her king consort, you will be responsible for her happiness.”

“I really want to make her happy. I just…feel so under-prepared. All these protocols, and she does everything so seamlessly.”

“We’ve been doing it since we could stand. You’ll grow used to it. And remember, you’ve got friends here who can help.” Alexander gave him a pat on the back.

Nate clung to the words, hoping they were true. “From your lips,” he murmured as they reached the stables.

Several horses already awaited them. Elena hurried to one of them and rubbed its nose. “Oh, Sapphire, I have missed you.”

The horse neighed as she nuzzled closer to it.

“Which one am I riding?” Maddie asked, bouncing on her heels as she eyed the horses.

“Stardust,” Elena answered as she took his sister to a white-gray horse and showed her how to rub the horse’s nose and feed it a sugar cube.

Elena paired them each with a horse. Alexander easily mounted a massive black steed, pulling it around to face Nate as he tried to climb into his saddle. Paired with a horse named Phoenix, he’d wondered how this experience would go.

The horse seemed so much larger than he’d expected. “Just put your left foot into the stirrup, and kick your right over,” Alexander said.

Nate glanced at the others, seeming to easily climb up. Even his mother, with a little assistance from a groom made it.

Nate adjusted his foot in the stirrup and grabbed hold of the pommel, pulling on it as he lifted himself and swung his leg over.

Pleased with himself, he smiled down at the horse, giving it a pat on the head. It was a wrong move. The horse took exception, rearing up.

Nate’s eyes went wide as he struggled to hang on. His heart pounded as the horse’s hooves hit the ground, and he took off running, plunging him into a world of chaos.

The scenery passed by in a blur as the horse galloped at full speed, dragging him to an unknown location.