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

Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

ELENA

E lena’s fingers curled and uncurled into and out of tight fists as she made her way through the palace halls. Her heart thudded hard against her ribs as she formulated her discussion with him.

While it was typical of his behavior, she hated the problem it would cause within the Kingsley family, particularly for Nate.

Her heart broke for him. Plunged into a world of pomp and circumstance, he still struggled to get his bearings and now faced a family crisis.

Stephen had been exceptionally rude when she’d met him, a product of the fight between the two men over one woman: Chloe.

The gold-digger appeared to be searching for more opulent pastures despite marrying Stephen in a surprise move before they’d come to Eldoria.

Elena pondered whether the woman had strong-armed Nate’s brother into marriage just to get herself into the country to meet the royals.

Either way, it didn’t matter. They had to deal with the situation. And Nate needed her help with it.

She pressed her lips together as she rounded a corner. She hadn’t even told her paramour about the odd conversation she’d had with Prince Eric last night. He had enough on his plate without needing to hear that.

Plus, she had no intention on accepting the prince’s offer.

She set her jaw as she approached Julian’s bedroom and pounded against the door with her palm. “Julian? Open the door at once.”

No one answered.

She slapped the door again, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I said open this door at once!”

A second later, the barrier fell away. Julian offered her a smarmy smile as he finished buttoning his suit jacket. “Heavens, Elena, I thought perhaps there was a fire.”

“There is. And you lit it.” She pushed past him into his bedroom.

He twisted to face her, arching an eyebrow. “Is there? Do you care to let me in on this little…issue that is somehow my fault?”

“Are you or are you not bedding Chloe Kingsley?”

“My, we are blunt,” Julian answered as he clasped his hands in front of him. “What business is it of yours?”

“I demand to know.”

“It is a private matter. And I’m not one to kiss and tell.”

Elena scoffed at the statement. “Hardly the case, but that is beside the point. I want an honest answer now, Julian.”

“Or what?”

“I will tell my father about my suspicions.”

Julian stalked to the window, staring out of it with his back to her. “Oh, yes. Involve Daddy. That will solve all your problems. Tell me, what will you do when he insists the Kingsley return home empty handed?”

“I have no idea what you are babbling about.”

He twisted to face her. “Don’t you? Hmm, let’s consider this carefully, shall we?”

Julian paced around the room, a smirk on his sharp features. “You run to Daddy dearest and tell him you suspect I am carrying on an illicit affair with the recently married Mrs. Chloe Kingsley. Your father then decides that the Kingsleys are not the sort of people we should associate with and asks them to leave. Your beau is sent packing right along with the rest of the lot. And you…you are heartbroken.”

Elena narrowed her eyes at him. “It is far more likely he will lecture you on your behavior and ask the newly married couple to leave, not the entire family.”

“Are you willing to take that chance?” Julian asked.

“Are you? Why are you carrying on with her? Does she mean something to you?”

“I never admitted I was,” he shot back.

Elena rolled her eyes. “You were seen together kissing after emerging from your bedroom. Just admit it.”

“What does it matter to you?” Julian asked.

“It does. Tell me the truth and…I will…owe you a favor.”

“Favor?” Julian’s eyebrows flicked up as he sent his gaze into mid space. “What sort of favor?”

“I will…see that you are on the top of the list for the next ambassadorship.”

“Really? That’s quite a promise. Though meaningless since your father makes those decisions.”

“Not of late, he doesn’t. I make the recommendations, he merely signs them. Part of my royal training.”

Julian glanced down at his feet, clasping his hands behind him. “I see. And you are assuring me of this role if I tell you the true nature of my relationship with Mrs. Kingsley?”

“Yes,” Elena answered.

Julian sniffed in a sharp breath. “Well, then, consider my life an open book, dear cousin. Yes, I have engaged in an affair with the woman. We met on several occasions after their arrival.”

Elena clicked her tongue as she shook her head. “Why?”

“Why not?” he answered. “She’s…attractive, and more than willing to please.”

“Do you love her?”

The laugh that burst from Julian answered her question, but he added a verbal response, too. “Certainly not. She’s merely a bit of fun. Really, Elena. You should know me better than that. I’d never marry a commoner.” His features grew sheepish. “Apologies for how insulting that sounds given your…situation.”

“I haven’t a situation, and it is not an insult. Commoners, as you put it, are people, too.”

“Yes, they are, though they are hardly suitable to be our spouses. No, I am not looking to steal Mrs. Kingsley away from her husband. Merely to pass the time with a bit of fun.”

“You really are a snake, Julian. She is married to another man.”

“She doesn’t seem to mind.”

“Well, I’m certain he does.”

Julian frowned as he lifted a shoulder. “Too bad for him. Perhaps he ought to keep her on a shorter leash. She practically mauled me at the dinner table. I’m a victim here.”

Elena crossed her arms as she bobbed her head in fake agreement. “Oh, I’ll bet you are. Stay away from her from now on, Julian, or I will forget our deal.”

Julian’s features turned stony as she stepped toward the door.

“Be careful who you threaten, cousin. I happen to know you are in quite a little pickle yourself right now. ”

She whipped around to face him. “What do you mean by that?”

“Merely that I know your Mr. Kingsley has yet to gain your father’s approval, and that Prince Eric seems intent on wedding you.”

“How did you–“

He waved a hand in the air, dismissing her comment before she finished it. “Never mind. Let’s just say I have my sources. It would be a terrible shame if something were to happen to ruin Mr. Kingsley’s chances, wouldn’t it?”

Fire burned in her cheeks as she curled her fingers into fists again. “Don’t you dare do anything to him, Julian.”

“Of course not,” he answered. “As long as our deal stands.”

“I will speak with father first thing after the royal visit.”

“Excellent. And good luck with your…situation.” His smirk twisted her stomach into a knot. She set her jaw as she left his room behind, slamming the door on the way out.

She fished into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone, stopping the recording. Her thumb pushed the timeline backward before she pressed the play button. Julian’s admission echoed in the hall.

A satisfied smile spread across her features as she pocketed it. Now, she had the evidence she needed and could use it in any way she liked.

She retreated down the hall, threading her way back to Nate’s room.

As she rounded the corner into the hall containing Nate’s bedroom, she froze. Nate’s door opened, and Eric strode from inside.

She darted around the corner as she stared after him. What had he been doing in Nate’s room?

Heat washed over her as she stormed to the door and banged against it.

It opened in a second. “If you–Oh, Ellie, hi.”

She pushed past him into the room and spun to face him. “What was Eric doing here?”

“Uh,” Nate answered, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Just…saying hello.”

Elena arched an eyebrow. “Eric was here to say hello?”

Nate swallowed hard as he shrugged.

Elena stared at him, hoping the weight of her gaze informed him that she wanted the truth.

“Sorry,” Nate said with a shake of his head. “He wasn’t here to say hello. I just…didn’t want to dump more on your plate, Ellie.”

Her features pinched. “You’re not, darling. We’re a team. We work on things together, not separately.”

Nate heaved a sigh. “He came to…warn me.”

“Warn you?”

Nate bobbed his head. “He’s going to pursue you. He wants the arranged marriage to stick.”

Her blood ran cold as he spoke, a shiver snaking down her spine. Eric had come to her beau to warn him that he intended to seek her hand. A bold and aggressive move. And one designed to frighten someone else off the path. Would it frighten Nate?

She fluttered her eyelashes as she shook her head. “Oh, no.”

“Sorry,” he answered with a shake of his head. “I told you I didn’t want to add more to your already full plate, but…I couldn’t lie to you.”

“I can’t lie to you either. You haven’t added anything. Eric made it clear last night. He surprised me in the hall as I left and said he intended to pursue my hand.”

Nate set his hands on his hips, worry etched into the lines of his face.

“He will not win it,” Elena added as she slid her arms around his neck. “I love you. ”

Nate’s arms slipped around her waist. “I love you, too, but…”

“But? Are you having second thoughts?”

“No,” he answered with a shake of his head. “No, I’m not having second thoughts. Not at all. Ellie, I love you. But will I have the opportunity to have a relationship with you?”

“Yes, of course.” Her forehead creased as she caressed his cheek, understanding his fear.

He pressed his lips together. “I’m really trying to hold onto that belief, but, Ellie, he’s…so…”

“Aggressive? Obnoxious?”

“Princely,” Nate answered, the worry still floating in his eyes.

“Well, he is a prince.”

“Which makes him easily perfect to be your king consort. He understands everything. He doesn’t need to learn it. He doesn’t need…dance lessons, conversation pointers, reminded to call you Your Highness and your father Your Majesty.”

She pressed a finger over his lips. “Shh, Nathan, you are panicking over nothing. Father is not judging you on your dance moves or even a slip in protocol. Everyone understands you will become comfortable with that in time.”

“Really? Because I feel like that’s the point here. Making sure I won’t create an international incident.”

A grin spread across her features. “It’s not. I promise. What he is judging is how well you handle yourself in the face of adversity. How supportive you are to me. How well you handle the lifestyle. That is the point. Being a royal requires…many things. The protocols can be learned. The attitude cannot.”

He pressed his forehead against hers. “Why do things always seem so simple when you’re with me?”

“Because they are. Because we are meant to be. Because I love you.”

He brushed her lips with his. “I love you, too.”

“Eric cannot break us apart. Father will realize that despite his interest, he is not the best man to be my husband.”

With their arms wrapped around each other, they found comfort in each other’s embrace for a few moments before Elena pulled back. “With that crisis out of the way, I suppose we ought to speak about the other.”

Nate cleared his throat. “Chloe? Did you get anything from Julian?”

“I did. And I even got it on a recording.”

Nate’s eyes went wide. “Really? He admitted it?”

“He did. He is not in love with her. He’s only having a royal romp with her. According to him, she came on fairly strong, and he took her up on the offer.”

Nate pulled away from her, pressing a palm to his forehead. “I can’t believe this. Wait, no, I can. I mean…I know Chloe is after one thing. She’s seeing if she can springboard into bring a princess.”

“I wondered the same. Do you think she married Stephen just so she would be welcome here?”

Nate blew out a long breath, shaking her head as he crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Have you decided what to do about it?”

“No,” he groaned, sinking into his armchair.

Elena perched on the edge of the other one. She reached for his hand, squeezing it to offer silent support. “Perhaps telling your parents is best. Allow them to break it to Stephen rather than you. Your relationship is so difficult, it may not go over well.”

He huffed out a breath. “The problem is…I keep second-guessing if I’m doing this because I think he needs to know what she is or if I just want her gone. ”

“Perhaps it is a bit of both. Is that so bad?”

He flicked a concerned glance her way. “I’m a pretty horrible person if I don’t mind hurting my own brother just so I don’t have to see Chloe.”

“You’re not,” she answered with a shake of her head. “You’re a normal person. A person who was terribly hurt by someone and no longer wishes to be reminded of that daily.”

“Yeah, but if I hadn’t been hurt, I’d probably never have met you. And that’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Aww, you are a flatterer.” She grinned at him. “Well, if you’d like to take some time to think about it…”

He sucked in a breath as he rubbed his hands down his pant legs. “I think I’m going to tell my parents.”

“I’ll go with you, if you’d like.”

He shook his head. “As much as I’d love to have you with me, I’ll do it on my own. I think that may be for the best. Could you send me the recording of Julian, though?”

“Absolutely.” She tugged her phone from her pocket and tapped on it to send the audio recording to him. “Are you certain you’d rather do it alone?”

“No,” he said with a laugh, “but I know I have your support whether you’re standing next to me or not.”

“Yes, you do. Well, I don’t mean to rush you, but if you plan to speak with your parents before the festivities begin, you should do it now.” She rose, offering him a consoling smile.

“Yes, and I’m sure you’ve got lots to do before the parade.”

“A few things,” she answered, unwilling to share what she planned to do when she left his room behind.

He stood and pulled her closer. “See you at dinner.”

They shared a kiss. With a sigh, she forced herself away from the comfort of his arms, leaving him behind.

She snaked around to another bedroom and banged on the door. Eric’s valet pulled it open, his eyebrows shooting up as he spotted her and bowed. “Your Highness, may I help you?”

“I’m looking for Eric.”

“His Highness has sought a word with your father. I believe you may find him in your father’s office.”

“Thank you,” Elena said with a fleeting smile before she spun on her heel and hurried through the halls to her father’s office.

Without bothering to knock, she pushed inside the opulent space, the air heavy with the scent of polished wood and aged leather, a tangible reminder of the responsibility she bore.

“Elena?” her father asked as she stormed closer to his desk, her narrowed eyes set on Eric.

“You have no business confronting Nathan. How dare you?”

Eric rose from his seat, buttoning his suit jacket, his gaze boring into hers. A surge of defiance rose within her, and she squared her shoulders, refusing to yield to his intimidation tactics.

King Frederick skirted the desk, his eyebrows tightly knit. “Elena, this is uncalled for.”

“What is uncalled for is that Eric visited Nathan’s room this morning to threaten him. And I will not stand for it.” She twisted to face Eric, her features tight. “You may wish to seek my hand in marriage, but you will never have it. This charade is over.”

“Oh, far from it, Elena,” Eric answered a smirk on his features that hinted at the tumultuous battles yet to come in Elena’s struggle for her independence. “Far from it.”

The statement sent a chill down her spine. She flicked her gaze from the prince to her father, wondering if her fate had already been decided. Had her battle already been lost?