In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 216

Chapter 216

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Keira stretched lazily, feeling the pleasant ache in her muscles from the previous night’s activities. Beside her, the bed was empty. Alexei had left her with a kiss, explaining he had a brief meeting before they departed for their honeymoon that afternoon.

She got out of bed and walked across the carpet to the bathroom, catching sight of herself in the mirror, hair disheveled, lips swollen, a small mark blooming on her collarbone. “Keira, look at you,” she whispered to her reflection. She looked like she had been thoroughly fucked the night before, grinning at herself because she had enjoyed every moment of it. The first time had been gentle but throughout the night Alexei had become more demanding and intense. Just the way she liked him.

After a long shower, she dressed in comfortable clothes and made her way to the private dining room where Amelia was already seated, cradling baby Nicholas.

“Good morning,” Amelia greeted with a knowing smile. “Sleep well?”

“I’m going to be honest here because it’s just us. Not much,” Keira admitted, dropping into the chair opposite her sister–in–law. She reached for the coffee pot, pouring herself a generous cup. “But I’m not complaining.”

Amelia laughed softly. “I remember those days. Enjoy them while you can.” Grinning down at her son.

As they ate a late breakfast, just the two of them, Keira found herself studying her friend’s face. “How are you really doing? Being a new mother and attending royal duties can’t have been easy.”

“It’s been… challenging, but wonderful. I love my life. Having this little one has changed everything. But had we not been so lucky, you were right we would have found a way forward. Thank you for making me see sense.” She looked up, her eyes meeting Keira’s.

“Tell me about your life with Niko before I knew you.” Keira sipped her coffee, genuinely curious. Though she and Amelia had grown close over the past year, they rarely spoke about Amelia’s early days with Niko.

Amelia smiled, gazing down at her son for a moment before meeting Keira’s eyes again. “What do you want to know specifically? The arranged marriage part or the awkward getting–to–know–you–while–already–married part?”

“All of it,” Keira said, settling more comfortably into her chair. “I feel like I know your story, you had front row seats to most of our story.”

Amelia shifted Nicholas to her shoulder, patting his back gently. “Well, I was thirteen when my grandfather told me I was promised to the Crown Prince of Wystovia, I had no idea who Niko was as a man… just a name and his title.”

“That must have been terrifying,” Keira said softly.

“Honestly? It felt unreal, like a story happening to someone else.” Amelia’s expression grew distant. “My mother tried to prepare me. My education changed overnight… more languages, more history, etiquette lessons. Everything to make me a suitable princess.”

Keira frowned. “But you were just a child.”

18:38 Mon, Sep 22 T

Chapter 216

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“That’s how things work in certain circles. My grandfather had been planning this alliance since I was born.” Amelia smiled ruefully. “I used to dream about running away, but where would I go? I love my family and they would never do anything to hurt me. This was my destiny, and I was raised to fulfill it.”

“What about Niko? Did he know about you too?”

“Yes, though he had more choice in the matter.” Amelia adjusted Nicholas as he fussed slightly. “He could have refused. Theodore is traditional, but not cruel. He wouldn’t force his son to marry against his will. Because Niko was the prince he got to decide in the end.”

“So, you met only four days before the wedding?” Keira leaned forward, fascinated.

“Yes. I was twenty–two, finished with my education, properly molded into princess material.” A small smile touched Amelia’s lips. “I was terrified. What if he hated me on sight? What if I couldn’t stand him? Niko is twelve years older than me.”

“And? What happened?”

“He was… kind.” Amelia’s voice softened. “Not warm, not particularly friendly, but respectful. We were chaperoned every moment, of course. Brief walks in the garden, formal dinners with the King, a tour of the palace that would become my home.”

“That’s it?” Keira asked, incredulous. “No deep conversations, no getting to know each other before you did the deed, no stolen kisses. God, that sounds medieval.”

“We were strangers who knew we’d be sharing a life.” Amelia shrugged. “The wedding was beautiful, everything a royal affair should be. The country celebrated for three days. And then… we were alone. Husband and wife, expected to create the next heir to the throne.”

“God, Amelia. That sounds so clinical.”

“It was, at first.” Amelia stroked Nicholas’s dark hair. “Niko was gentle but distant. We were like roommates who shared a bed. Both of us fulfilling our duty without any real connection.”

“When did that change?” Keira asked softly.

Amelia’s eyes brightened. “About six months in. There was a state dinner, and I overheard some diplomat’s wife making cruel remarks about me, how I wasn’t a great pick for Niko’s wife, having not grown up in Wystovia, how Theodore should have found Niko a proper princess. Niko heard too.”

“What did he do?”

“He put his arm around me and stepped into the woman’s line of sight, looked her straight in the eye, and said, ‘My wife carries the future of Wystovia in her heart. She has more nobility in her little finger than some possess in their entire bloodline.” Amelia’s voice wavered slightly. “It showed everyone that Niko didn’t care that I was American and I had his support.”

Keira felt a lump form in her throat. “That was the moment, wasn’t it?”

“Not quite, but it was the beginning. The crack in the wall.” Amelia smiled down at Nicholas. “That night, we really talked for the first time.”

18:38 Mon, Sep 22 T

Chapter 216

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