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

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

NATE

N ate’s fingers slipped around the silk tie again and it unraveled. He yanked it from around his neck and crossed to his bed, sinking onto it. He sighed as he sank his head into his hands.

Memories of the conversation he’d had earlier with his brother snaked through his mind. Their relationship had never been easy, but now it may not survive.

He recalled the hardness in Stephen’s eyes as he rose from his seat in the armchair across the room, speaking four short words. “We need to talk.”

“Stephen…” he answered, holding up his hands.

“Don’t.” Stephen wagged a finger at him, his voice dripping with venom. “You couldn’t even wait until we were home to try to ruin my life? Seriously? I thought you were so happy with Ellie, but it looks like you’re still ticked off about what happened with Chloe.”

Nate braced himself for the onslaught, knowing that his brother’s anger would be painful to bear. “I’m not. Stephen, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet you are.”

Nate pressed his lips together, trying to hold onto his patience. His brother was hurting, likely stunned. He didn’t want to make things worse. “I truly am. I didn’t want this to happen.”

Stephen scoffed. “You were just waiting for it to happen. You can’t stand Chloe, and you always see the worst in her.”

“See the worst in her? Stephen, there’s no good to see. Come on, man, she slept with you while she was engaged to me.”

“Because…never mind. I’m not going to argue with you about that again.”

“And I don’t want to argue about it either. But once a cheater, always a cheater.”

“No!” Stephen’s sharp voice trembled a little.

“I know you don’t want to believe it. I understand. I lived through this. I know what it’s like.”

Stephen’s forehead crinkled as his lips tugged into a deep grimace, upset etched into every line of his face. “No, you can’t…you can’t understand.”

Nate scoffed at the words. “Can’t I? Stephen, I asked her to marry me. And then I walked in on you two in bed. What part of her cheating do you think I don’t get?”

“Yeah, well, you weren’t meant to be. You moved on to Ellie. You’re happy now. You’re going to be a prince.”

Nate heaved a sigh at his brother’s jealous comment, but let it slide given the circumstances. “Yeah, I’m happy with Ellie. Really happy. But…I went through a lot of pain to get here. I mean, I…fell apart when I found out about you two. You know that. I hit rock bottom.”

“Because you couldn’t handle the truth. And you still can’t.”

“It doesn’t sound like you can either. I may have seen Chloe leaving his room, but Julian admitted it. Elena recorded it all. Did you hear the recording?”

“Yeah, I heard it. He only admitted to it after she forced him. You set this up. The two of you.”

“That’s not true. Ellie wouldn’t lie about this.”

“Yeah, right, because she’s always so truthful. The day you met her, you knew who she was, right, bro?”

Nate slid his eyes closed as his brother threw her hidden identity scheme into his face. “We both were cautious because of who we were. This is completely different.”

“Is it? Because it deals with how far you’re willing to go to get what you want. And you want Chloe gone.”

“She’s not a nice person, Stephen. She’s just not. I don’t want her gone so much as I want better for you.”

Stephen tossed his head back with a laugh. “What a joke. You don’t want to be reminded of what a loser you are, and that’s what happens every time she’s around. You’re reminded that she didn’t want you. And guess what, I’m pretty sure Ellie’s going to realize this, too. She’s going to leave you for Prince Eric.”

The words sliced at him. Still raw from being cheated on over a year ago, Stephen knew exactly how to push his buttons.

“And I hope you dive back into the bottom of a bottle again.”

“That’s uncalled for,” Nate shot back, his fingers clenching into fists.

“What’s uncalled for is my jealous brother doing anything he can to break up my marriage.”

“I didn’t. Chloe did that. With Prince Julian. He admitted it. Please, Stephen, wise up before she ruins you, too.”

“She’s not going to ruin me, Nate. She loves me. And you aren’t going to tear us apart. So, next time, keep your bogus accusations to yourself and let us live our lives in peace.”

Stephen stormed toward him, slamming into his shoulder as he brushed past him on the way to the door.

It slammed resoundingly behind him, sending a start through Nate before he slid his eyes closed.

Nate slid the silk fabric between his fingers, staring at the dark material as the memory floated away. But the prediction that he’d lose Elena clung to every fiber of his being. Would he?

Prince Eric had made it clear that he wanted her. Her father had made it clear that he preferred the royal. And Elena, despite declaring that her heart belonged to him, would be forced to make a difficult choice. A choice he’d brought up in passing, and she’d firmly shot down.

He scrubbed his face, trying to force his mind onto the task at hand tonight. His royal dance with the Queen twisted his stomach into a tight knot.

Of course, he may not even make it to the ball if he couldn’t get his tie on straight. He rose and slogged back to the mirror to try again when a knock sounded at his door.

“Please be Mom,” he murmured to himself, crossing to open it.

He tugged open the door, finding his mother grinning at him. “Need help with your tie?”

“Yes,” he answered with a sigh.

“I figured. Whenever you are nervous, you can’t tie the tie.”

“It’s one of my many weaknesses,” he stated as he motioned for her to enter.

Victoria cupped his cheek in her hand as she skirted past him. “Oh, honey. It’s a tough day, I know. But you have so many strengths that you don’ t even realize.”

“Can you tell me some of them? Because I’ve forgotten all of them.”

His mother adjusted the fabric before she deftly began to tie it. “Really? Maybe Ellie is the better one to remind you of them since she found you pretty wonderful.”

“Maybe she had a momentary lapse of judgement.”

“No, she didn’t,” Victoria said with an amused grin as she finished with his tie. “There. Now, let’s sit down and talk for a minute.”

Nate heaved a sigh as he grabbed his jacket from the bed and crossed to the armchair to sit down.

“How are you holding up?”

“Not great.”

“Did you pick a topic of conversation for the dance?”

He slid his eyes closed. “Yeah, but it’s not that. Stephen was here earlier.”

Victoria shifted in her seat, her lips pressed together. “I’m afraid he didn’t take the news very well.”

“He accused me of lying. Said Ellie set the whole thing up with Julian. Basically, he said I did it because I was jealous.”

“Honey, he’s hurting. He doesn’t want to believe what’s happening. When he finally comes to his senses, he’ll realize what you did for him.”

“If we don’t kill each other before then.”

“I know this is hard. I know things involving Chloe are difficult to begin with, and things between you and Stephen haven’t been the same since what happened with her, but, honey, this isn’t your fault.”

“I brought her into this family.”

“She brought herself into this family. Did you ever stop to think that she was at that bar for a reason that night? She had her sights set on this family.”

“And I was stupid enough to fall for it. No wonder I’m not royal marriage material. ”

Victoria straightened, her forehead pinching. “Says who?”

“Probably King Frederick.”

“I don’t think that’s true, Nate.”

“Well, he hasn’t approved me yet,” Nate answered with a scuff of his shoe on the floor.

“He’s only just met you. Give him a moment to realize you are the man his daughter chose. It’s not easy, you know?”

Nate raised his gaze to her, his eyebrows pinching. “It’s not?”

“No. How do you think your father and I felt when you said you were proposing to Chloe?”

“Ready to murder me?”

“I didn’t care for that girl at all. Not one iota. But we had to accept that you chose her.”

“You did a better job than he’s doing. You didn’t tell me I couldn’t marry her.”

“Our lives are very different. She will rule a country. You’ll just run a company. Though I hated to see her get her hands on part of that.”

“And now she still might,” Nate said with a shake of his head. “I’m guessing Stephen didn’t insist on a prenup.”

“We’ll worry about that later. I’m hoping he wises up soon. The shorter this marriage, the better. But that’s not my concern right now. You’re the one who needs my support.”

He flicked his gaze sideways. “Well, you tied my tie.”

“I mean for more than that. How are you feeling about tonight?”

He couldn’t answer that question. He wasn’t certain how he felt. He loved Elena dearly, but he was quickly starting to wonder if they were meant to be. At every turn, something threatened their relationship.

“I love her. I hope I can make her proud.”

“You already do that, Nate. And things will get easier. Once you’ve gotten the King’s acceptance, I think you’ll feel much better.”

If , he thought. If I get the King’s acceptance .

“Should we head down?”

He swallowed hard as he realized the time had come. With a nod, he rose and donned his jacket.

“Honey,” Victoria said as she set her hands on his shoulders, “you’ll be fine. Just be yourself. You’re a great person, and Ellie’s parents are going to see that.”

He offered his mother a tight-lipped smile, trying to cling to her words as they left his room behind. Each step toward the ballroom tied the knots in his stomach tighter.

They arrived outside of the massive oak doors leading inside, the space aflutter with chatter as guests lined up for the royal procession. The ballroom shimmered with opulence, every surface adorned with gold and crystal. Chandeliers cast a warm glow over the guests.

Caroline grinned at them as they approached.

“Hello, Kingsleys. I’ll take you to your spot. Remember to bow or curtsy as the royal family passes, and do not speak to them even if they stop.”

Nate nodded as he glanced over his shoulder at his mother who wiggled her eyebrows at him. They followed Caroline into the room to take their spots. He glanced down the line, spotting the royal cousins at the head of it, before he turned to his mother. “Where are Stephen and Chloe?”

“I’m not certain,” she whispered before passing the question along to his father.

Charles shrugged and shook his head. Nate shifted his weight, wondering if someone should check on them when trumpets blared, calling his attention to double doors at the top of a set of stairs.

The trumpeters folded their instruments under their arm as another man stepped forward. “Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, the royal family of Eldoria.”

A rousing march played as the doors whisked open and King Frederick appeared with Queen Sophia. Behind them, Elena in an emerald green princess ballgown with a tiara on her head. The sight of her took his breath away.

“She looks beautiful,” Victoria said as the procession began. People bowed and curtsied in a wave as the family passed.

Queen Sophia reached out to someone on her right. King Frederick acknowledged someone on the left with a nod.

Elena walked behind them, poised and perfect.

Nate’s heart hammered harder as the procession approached them. He sucked in a breath as Caroline whispered behind them. “Now.”

He bowed, noting the shadows on the floor that hovered over him, unmoving. He flicked his gaze up to find the royal family in front of him.

King Frederick motioned for them to rise. “So pleased to have you in our company.”

Elena reached forward to squeeze Nate’s hand before they continued down the line.

“Well done, Kingsleys,” Carolina said from behind them. “You will be the talk of the ball after that.”

A smile spread across Nate’s features. Maybe he could pull this off. Was King Frederick coming around?

The royal family finished their procession, arriving at the thrones and taking their seats. The music stopped, and the man stepped forward again, announcing the visiting royals.

The second family processed down the aisle of people for another set of bows and curtsies. Nate forced his face to stop from tugging into a deep frown at the sight of Prince Eric who offered him a haughty grin as he passed.

“Pay him no attention,” Caroline whispered. “ He is jealous as Her Highness has told him in no uncertain terms where her heart lies.”

The words bolstered him a little as the two royal families greeted each other with Eric giving Elena a rose and a kiss on the hand.

A “awws” rose from the crowd, and it took all in him not to roll his eyes.

After the fanfare, an announcement was made that the royal ball would commence with the dancing being led by King Frederick and his daughter, Princess Elena.

“Here we go,” Caroline answered. “The Queen will approach you just before others join in. I’ll prompt you. Are you prepared with your conversation topics?”

“Yes,” he said with a nod, butterflies filling his stomach.

“Don’t fret. She is very kind.”

He nodded, though the words did little to ease his nerves.

King Frederick led Elena to the dance floor. She curtsied to him as he bowed to her before they took up their form. The music began, and they floated across the floor, swirling in perfect time.

For a man who said he found the dance challenging, it looked to Nate as though he’d never had any issues mastering it. Elena appeared at perfect ease, too, gliding along with her father with a wide grin.

“She makes it look so easy,” Nate said to his mother.

She offered him a reassuring squeeze as the queen rose from her seat. His heart began to pound harder as she strode toward him.

“Good luck,” his mother whispered.

He bowed, his breath catching in his throat, as the queen stood in front of him.

“Hello, Mr. Kingsley, would you join me?”

“Gladly,” he said as Caroline offered him a wink and a nod .

She led him to the floor as other couples prepared to join in the waltz. “You look very lovely.”

“Thank you,” she answered as they took up their closed form. “Relax, it is not meant to be painful.”

“Sorry,” he said, letting his muscles go a little looser than the rigid, tense hold he had.

“There is no need to be nervous, dear, I don’t bite.” She grinned at him.

He laughed a little too much at the joke as they began moving to the music. “Sorry, again. I’m…not very sure of the steps. I’m nowhere near as polished as His Majesty.”

“No one expects you to master all facets of royal life in less than a week.”

He swallowed hard, forcing a smile onto his face as he sought to recall the topics he was supposed to discuss. “I’m just…I want to prove that–”

“That you can marry my daughter?” she finished for him.

He nodded, and she matched his expression. “Yes, I understand. However, that really comes down more to your ability to accept Elena’s lifestyle than how polished your footwork is.”

His forehead creased as he desperately tried to remember his steps and hold up his end of the conversation. Why had it looked so easy when Elena danced with her father?

“It is quite important that she have a supportive spouse. One who understands the demands that will be placed on her as Queen of Eldoria. It can be grueling. There will be times when she kisses you goodbye before the sun rises and does not see you until the sun sets if at all.”

“Yes, I understand. I…want to support her very much.”

“She feels that you would be up to the task, too.”

“And what do you think?” Nate asked, immediately wondering if he shouldn’t have.

“I think that you have potential.” As she made her last statement, the dance ended. The dancers came to a halt to applaud before moving to other partners for a more relaxed dance or leaving the floor to mingle.

After a kiss on his cheek, Elena left her father’s side and hurried to Nate. “And how did he do, Mother? Are all your toes intact?”

“Quite. An admirable job for a beginner. If you’ll excuse me.” With a slight bow of her head, she stepped away, leaving them alone.

“You did fantastic from what I could see,” Elena gushed. “And Father stopped during the procession. Quite a good sign.”

Before he could answer, someone bumped into him, sloshing liquid all over his sleeve. “Oh, terribly sorry, Kingsley,” Eric said. “My apologies.”

He offered the man a less-than-genuine smile as he brushed the liquid off.

“Oh, let me fetch a towel,” Elena began as the man shook his head.

“Actually, I’m certain Caroline can assist. I hoped to have the next dance with you.”

“Sorry, but–” she began.

“I insist. It will give Mr. Kingsley a chance to clean up.” Prince Eric handed his glass off to a man who trailed him as he held his arm out to Elena.

“Go ahead,” Nate said. “I’ll be right back.”

She smiled and nodded before she accepted Prince Eric’s arm. Nate grimaced as he led her to the dance floor and smoothly pulled her into position to glide across the floor. They spoke as they danced.

“Think nothing of it,” Caroline said as she patted his arm with a towel. “Polite courtesy between countries. It is an unfortunate part of the role. She will dance with many men who find her charming and beautiful. But she will be yours. ”

“Thanks, Caroline. I think I needed to hear that.”

“You’re welcome, now go ask her to dance.”

Nate grinned at her. “I will.”

As the dancers applauded again, he made a beeline to her.

“All cleaned up, Kingsley?” Prince Eric asked.

“Yes, and looking for that dance.”

“Of course,” Elena said with a grin as she slid her arm around his. “Eric, thank you.”

“I really didn’t think you could get any more beautiful,” he said as he pulled her closer.

Her smile broadened. “Well, I am so pleased you think so. And more pleased Father stopped at your family. This bodes so well for us, darling.”

They whirled around the dance floor together until the song ended, and they stopped to applaud. Elena leaned closer to congratulate him on an excellent job with the dance.

“Thanks,” he answered. “Do you mind if we get something to drink? I’m parched. I think I got nervous talking to your mom.”

“Of course. How did that conversation go?”

His mind went over the details, recalling her comment about not just being polished on protocol but also accepting Elena’s sometimes hectic lifestyle. “Pretty well, I think.”

As they crossed the room toward the refreshments, King Frederick approached. “Mr. Kingsley, an admirable job at the waltz. My wife tells me you were quite good.”

“Oh, thank you, Your Majesty,” he said with a nervous grin.

He nodded before he reached toward Elena. “Elena, Lord Hitherby is asking after you.”

“I will find him at once, Father, thank you. Talk later?”

Nate nodded, trying to show his support as she flitted away.

King Frederick tilted his chin back as he clasped his hands behind his back. “She will have many nights like this.”

Nate bobbed his head. “Yes, I realize. I…understand. There are plenty of galas, charity events, networking dinners that we attend.”

“Yes,” King Frederick answered, “though our social events often go far further. The lifestyle can be exhausting. I hope to find a spouse that can support Elena’s needs in that respect.”

Nate lifted his chin. “I promise to do that.”

“Words are one thing, actions another.”

“I hope to prove this to you, Your Majesty. And I am very pleased you are allowing me the chance.”

He offered Nate a tight-lipped smile before his eyes scanned the crowd. “There are several people I must speak with. Excuse me.”

“Of course.” Nate swallowed hard as he watched him stride away, hoping he’d made another good impression.

He crossed to the refreshments to ask for a punch when Prince Eric approached him again. He clenched his jaw, not wanting to speak with the man.

“Kingsley, terribly sorry about that mishap earlier. I hope there is no harm done.”

“None, but thanks for checking.”

“Of course. You must be parched.” Prince Eric grabbed two glasses, setting them down to grab cocktail napkins first, before he whirled around and offered one to Nate.

“Thank you.”

“Cheers, Kingsley. You are giving me a run for my money with Elena.”

Nate raised the cup before he took a long drink. “I plan to. I love her very much.”

Prince Eric narrowed his eyes as he bobbed his head. “Well, may the best man win.”

With that the prince strode away from him. He took another long drink of the punch. He chuckled as he found his sister dancing with Alexander.

A few minutes later, the dancers started to blur in front of him. He sucked in a deep breath, tugging at his collar. Heat washed over him as he began to feel lightheaded.

He needed some air. He spotted Elena across the room with her father and a foreign dignitary. Prince Eric stood with them, too, smiling and friendly as he wrapped his arm around Elena’s waist.

His heart hammered in his chest as he stumbled across the ballroom floor.

“El,” he started, his words slurring as his balance faltered.

“El,” he tried again. She twisted to face him, confusion on her features as he tried to stay upright.

“Kingsley, are you all right?” Prince Eric asked.

Nate slid his eyes closed, trying to regain himself before he felt himself fall backward. He collided with a nearby table, sending a delicate vase crashing to the floor.

Gasps echoed through the ballroom from the commotion.

Prince Eric hurried to his side to pull him upright.

“Is he ill?” Queen Sophia asked as she rushed over.

“Ill?” Prince Eric wrinkled his nose. “This man is drunk!”

King Frederick’s stern gaze fell upon him, disappointment evident in his eyes. Elena’s features crinkled as she stared at him, her gaze questioning.

Nate’s stomach dropped. He’d just cost himself his chance with Elena.