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

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

NATE

N ate’s heel squeaked against the hardwood floor of his bedroom as he spun on it, his mind swirling with questions and conflicting emotions as he retreated across the room. He rubbed his lips with his thumb, his brows furrowing. After his conversation with Elena the previous night, he’d tossed and turned.

Several times, he’d picked up his phone to text Elena but decided against it. With her big day today, he didn’t want to disturb her rest with his family problems. Nor did he want her second guessing her decision to bring him over.

He couldn’t even figure out how to solve a problem in his own family. How in the world could anyone see him as a king consort?

With a sigh, he twisted around to wander in the other direction. How could he tell Stephen what he’d seen? Would his brother even accept the information or merely dismiss it ?

Still, he couldn’t deny what he’d seen. Chloe locking lips with Prince Julian.

He shook his head. He’d known exactly what she was from the moment he’d caught her with his brother. But Stephen had been convinced that she loved him and had merely been too afraid to tell Nate she didn’t want to marry him.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “That was a lie,” he murmured.

His fingers curled into fists as the vivid memory of that moment burned through his mind. Had it not happened, though, he may never have been at the coffee shop to meet Elena.

The thought curled the corner of his lips. It had been the best moment of his life. Now, he had to hang on to it.

The warm feeling in his chest replaced his anxiety, and he strode to his nightstand to grab his phone. His thumbs flew across the keyboard before finally hitting send. Hey, I know you probably have a busy morning but I really need to talk.

He stared at the message, a pang of doubt building in his stomach until a bubble appeared next to Elena’s picture, indicating her impending response. I always have time for you, love. Shall I make the trek over or do you prefer text?

He chewed his lower lip. He’d never say no to seeing her. If you have time, I would love to see you.

She answered that she’d be right over, and he clicked off his display.

He resumed his pacing as he waited for her to arrive. After a few moments, he crossed to the door and pulled it open, glancing into the hall.

Elena appeared at the corner of the hall, a grin lighting her features as she strode toward him. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” he said softly, greeting her with a kiss that held both longing and uncertainty. “Sorry to send up the smoke signal for help.”

“It’s perfectly fine. Has something happened? Is it Isabelle?”

He shook his head as he led her into his bedroom. “No. It’s the problem with Chloe. I was up most of the night trying to figure out how to handle this.”

She cupped his face in her hand. “Aw, darling. Why don’t you try to get some rest now before the parade?”

“I can’t,” he said with a shake of his head. “And I didn’t call you here to complain about how tired I am. I just…can’t come up with a good way to attack this problem.”

“Have you given any more thought to telling your mother and father?”

He sucked in a breath, wrapping his hand around hers. “Yes. And I’m not sure about that, either.”

“Well, it would allow you to get it off your chest. And perhaps they are the best ones to tell Stephen.”

“Maybe. But no matter who tells him, the minute he hears it came from me, he’s going to dismiss it.”

She pressed her lips together into a consoling smile. “Maybe so, but you’ve done your duty to him. What he does with the information is entirely up to him.”

Nate stalked a few steps away from her, crossing his arms as he stared out the window. “I know, but…”

“But it bothers you because it brings up painful memories,” she finished as she slid her hands around his shoulders and rested her chin on one.

“I guess that’s it, maybe. I don’t know. I don’t like Chloe. Maybe I am just hoping to oust her from the family so I don’t have to deal with her.”

“You aren’t,” Elena answered. “You did not create this situation. You are merely reporting it.”

“But am I reporting it because I really want to help Stephen or because I really don’t like Chloe.”

“Does it matter?”

He sighed, staring down at his feet. “It does to me. I’m trying to do what’s right, not what’s easiest.”

“It’s easiest not to say a word and allow your brother to be scammed or potentially hurt more than he already will be. You are hardly taking the easy route.”

He bobbed his head, allowing her words to sink in. Was she merely propping up his ego or did she honestly think his intentions were honorable?

Even if she believed it, he wasn’t certain he did. He’d imagined the conversation between him and his brother spiraling out of control with insults hurled. He didn’t want that.

Elena rubbed his shoulders, though the tension didn’t dissipate. “How about if I speak with Julian? He won’t stop doing what he’s doing, but if he admits to it, then I can back you up if you choose to tell someone.”

He twisted to face her, his features pinching. “Ellie, I don’t want to drag you into the middle of this. I know I asked you for that last night, but…this morning, it seems like a terrible idea.”

“You’re not asking me for it, I am offering. And…we are meant to be a team, are we not? We tackle problems together. I would expect the same, you know?” She offered him a cheeky grin.

“Oh, I see, you’re banking this up for when you need to run options for your country past me.”

“Exactly.” She gave him a quick peck before she stepped back. “I’ll speak with Julian now. You wait here. After the conversation, we’ll discuss the best next steps.”

“What are you going to do if he denies it?”

Elena rolled her eyes. “Julian likely won’t. In fact, he’ll lord it over me like he’s won some sort of contest. Anyway, try to relax. I’ll be back soon.”

He reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Ellie…thank you.”

“Of course.”

She disappeared from the room, closing the door behind her. The smile that played on his lips slipped away with her. At least, though, he had help. He didn’t feel so alone. He felt like they were a team again. Like they’d been in Sterling City.

After coming to Eldoria and immersing himself in her life, he’d worried they’d be like ships in the night if they married. But now, it felt like old times.

He resumed his pacing back and forth as he waited for her to return. He imagined a conversation with Stephen while Elena was present to back him up. She’d tell him Julian had admitted to the affair. But Stephen would merely accuse them both of lying. He’d say Elena only went along with him because she didn’t like him.

Maybe telling his parents was for the best. But somehow, it felt like he was a whiny child, tattle-taling on his younger brother.

As he swung around for another pass across the room, a knock sounded at the door. His heart lifted. It must have been a quick conversation with Julian, he assumed, as he crossed to it and tugged it open.

“That was…fast.” The last word came out slower than he expected as his mind processed the figure at the door.

His brows furrowed as he studied the chiseled features of Prince Eric. He swallowed hard, searching for his voice. “Your Highness. This is a surprise.”

“Is it? I apologize for disturbing your morning, though there is something I would urgently like to discuss with you privately.”

Nate’s pulse quickened, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him as he anticipated the impending conversation with Prince Eric. What could the prince possibly want to discuss with him?

He stepped back motioning for the man to enter.

The prince strode into the room, his hands clasped behind his back as he studied the space.

“Uh, please, sit down,” Nate answered, waving at the chairs.

“No, thank you, I prefer to stand. I hope this will not take long.”

Nate forced a smile onto his face, searching for a brief response. “All right. What is it you wanted to speak with me about?”

“Princess Elena,” the man answered.

Nate’s heart thudded harder against his ribs. “What about her?”

“It is rather obvious that you are here because of a product of her time in the States. And if I am not mistaken, you are not merely a passing acquaintance who has had the good fortune of being invited to the palace. Am I correct?”

Nate’s mind whirled. What was the protocol? Was he supposed to admit he was here to pursue a relationship with Elena? Was that taboo before he’d been accepted as a potential suitor?

He hadn’t expected this subject to come up, so he’d never thought to ask.

Nate lifted his chin as he decided to answer truthfully. “You are correct, yes.”

“So, you are romantically involved. Or wish to be.”

His throat went dry as he hoped he wasn’t saying anything wrong. “We dated in Sterling City.”

“I see,” Eric answered. “This is what I assumed. Then, you have been invited here to be considered as a suitor? ”

Nate’s stomach clenched as he faced off against the prince. “Yes.”

He pressed his lips together, switching his weight from one foot to the other. “I know that there was some sort of understanding or agreement between your families about you and Elena. I’m very sorry if–“

Prince Eric waved a hand in the air to stop his words. “Yes, there was. There was a plan for us to wed.”

Nate eyed the man, trying to read his features, but they remained stoic. Perhaps this was a show of support for their relationship. The man could be a powerful ally like Alexander.

“Yes, well, I can understand how that may be…less than desirable. I’m sure you would very much like to make your own choice for your spouse, like Ellie.”

The next words out of Prince Eric’s mouth smashed any hopes of them being friends. “Yes, I would. But the unfortunate situation is that my choice is Elena.”

Heat washed over Nate as the words sank in. Prince Eric wanted the arranged marriage to stand. “You…want to marry Elena?”

“Yes, I do,” the man answered. “She is an excellent match. I am here to tell you I intend to pursue her. I feel it is only proper to warn you. If you expected no competition from me, I am sorry to ruin your day.”

Nate tried not to frown, but the words sliced at his soul. He was being challenged by a prince, a royal, someone far more suited to be Elena’s husband than he was. The man had been hand-picked by the king to marry Elena.

He could never compete.

The smarmy smile on Prince Eric’s features suggested that the man knew all too well that he held the upper hand.

Nate tried to force confidence into his features and posture, but he failed as fear and worry swirled within him. “Thank you for the warning.”

Nate forced out the words, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. Yet, beneath the surface, a flicker of determination burned bright, a silent promise to himself that he would not yield without a fight.

Prince Eric strode toward him, bringing their faces much too close for comfort. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to back off entirely?”

Nate lifted his chin, squaring his jaw. “No. I love her.”

“So, you will fight for her hand?”

“I will,” Nate answered.

“Then may the best man win. Though I warn you, Kingsley, I not only have the king’s ear and approval, but I will do whatever it takes to win. Whatever it takes.”

With the threat hanging between them, the man strode to the door, offered a “good day” and slipped into the hall, allowing the door to slam behind him.

Nate startled at the noise, a sudden chill running down his spine as an ominous feeling settled over him.

He’d come here at a disadvantage, and now he was worse off. Would he ever be able to win Elena’s hand?