In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 218

Chapter 218

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An elegantly scripted invitation arrived three days later, hand–delivered by a royal messenger. Amelia stared at the thick cream envelope, the royal crest embossed in gold on its surface.

“Another one?” her grandfather asked, watching her from his favorite armchair in the study.

“Yes.” Amelia broke the seal carefully. “It’s a dinner invitation. From the palace.” Her stomach tightened as she read further. “For tonight.”

Her grandfather’s eyebrows rose. “Tonight? That’s rather short notice. Very unlike Theodore I would have to say.”

“It says Prince Niko has returned later than he had hoped from his trip and wishes to meet me before the formal events begin.” Amelia’s voice remained steady even as her heart thundered in her chest. “King Theodore requests our presence at seven.” Amelia held herself back from snorting… Talk about late to the party. Niko was just turning up now, talk about bad manners.

“Then we shall attend,” Edward replied simply, as if they were discussing a casual tea rather than Amelia’s first encounter with her future husband. “Your parents are still resting from their journey, but they’ll be pleased. I’ll inform them immediately.”

Amelia nodded, still staring at the invitation. Four days before her wedding, and she would finally meet the man who would become her husband. The man who would share her bed, her life, her future. She felt dizzy at the thought.

“I think I’ll take a walk in the gardens,” she murmured, rising from her seat.

“Indeed. But make sure you choose something stunning to wear tonight,” her grandfather said. “First impressions matter greatly.”

Amelia nodded again, her feet carrying her outside on autopilot. Once in the garden she hurried to the pond area and the big willow tree. She leaned against the trunk, allowing herself one brief moment of panic.

“Tonight,” she whispered to the empty air. “I meet him tonight.”

What if I hate him?

“The blue one,” Gloria Wilson declared, surveying the three gowns laid out on Amelia’s bed. “It will complement your coloring perfectly.”

Amelia studied the dress her mother had selected. The midnight blue silk fell in elegant lines, modest yet flattering. Not too showy, not too demure. Exactly the kind of calculated choice a future princess should

make.

“What do you think, darling?” Her father, Ted, asked from his position near the window. He looked uncomfortable amid the feminine discussion of fashion, but determined to support his daughter.

“It’s lovely,” Amelia agreed, running her fingers over the cool fabric. “And appropriate.” Her grandfather had arranged a whole wardrobe of clothes thinking that the three months she had spent with him would include more outings with Prince Niko but he had been wrong. It wasn’t like the clothes would go to waste.

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Chapter 218

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Her mother beamed, pleased with her daughter’s acquiescence. “You’ve always had excellent taste, even as a child. Prince Niko will be impressed, I’m certain.”

Amelia resisted the urge to point out that taste in clothing hardly seemed a solid foundation for marriage. Instead, she smiled. “I hope so.” No, what she suspected Niko would worry about more was her ability to produce children than the clothes she wore.

Her father approached, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Amelia, we know this isn’t… conventional. But your grandfather and King Theodore believe this union will be good for you both.” Her father’s tone was gentle.

“And Prince Niko is quite handsome,” her mother added, as if that somehow made the arrangement more palatable. “I’ve seen recent photographs.”

Everyone had seen photos of him recently as he has spent the last three months in America with his younger brother Prince Alexei. The press had loved every minute of it.

“I’ve seen them too,” Amelia replied, Niko’s brother seemed to be more relaxed in all the photos taken of the two princes. Amelia really hoped her intended wasn’t as uptight as he seemed.

“We just want you to be happy, sweetheart,” her father said gently.

Amelia looked up at him, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes. “I know, Dad.”

Her mother clapped her hands decisively. “Now, let’s get ready.”

As her parents left to prepare themselves for the evening, Amelia sank onto the edge of her bed. Happy. They wanted her to be happy. But happiness seemed secondary to duty in this equation, a luxury rather than a requirement.

“Please,” she whispered to whatever fates might be listening, “just let him be kind.”

Their car passed through ornate iron gates, proceeding up a winding drive flanked by perfectly manicured gardens. Guards in uniform stood at attention as they approached.

Amelia sat perfectly straight in the backseat, her hands folded in her lap to hide her nerves. Her mother sat beside her, practically vibrating with excitement, while her father and grandfather occupied the seats facing them.

“Remember,” her grandfather said, his voice low and formal, “King Theodore appreciates directness and honesty. Address him as ‘Your Majesty‘ initially, then ‘Sir‘ if he invites less formality.”

“And Prince Niko is ‘Your Royal Highness,’ then ‘Sir,” her mother added. “Though I imagine he’ll ask you to use his name fairly quickly, given the circumstances.”

Amelia nodded, fighting the absurd urge to laugh. Given the circumstances. Such a delicate way to refer to their impending marriage in just four days. She could not see herself calling him ‘Sir‘ once married. Unless he really did have a pole stuck up his ass.

The car came to a smooth stop at the palace entrance. One of the staff opened the car door. Palace staff guided them through vast corridors lined with portraits. Amelia’s eyes darted from one painting to another, wondering if she might spot Prince Niko among them, but they moved too quickly for proper examination.

18:38 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 218

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Finally, they were shown into an elegant reception room. No throne room formality here this was clearly meant to be a more intimate setting for their first meeting. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over antique furniture and priceless art. French doors opened onto a terrace overlooking the gardens.

“Lord Falconi, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, and Miss Amelia Wilson,” announced a uniformed attendant.

And there they were.

King Theodore stood near the fireplace, tall and imposing despite his sixty–plus years. His silver hair and beard were perfectly groomed, his posture military–straight. He wore a dark suit rather than formal regalia, but his bearing left no doubt about his royal status.

Beside him stood a younger man who could only be Prince Alexei, Niko’s brother. He was handsome in a more approachable way, with an easy smile and slightly more relaxed posture than his father.

And then Amelia saw him. Prince Niko.

He stood slightly apart from the others; his dark eyes fixed on her with unreadable intensity. In person, he was even more striking than in photographs… tall and broad–shouldered, with sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw. His dark hair was short.

Unlike his father and brother, who wore subtle smiles, his expression remained serious, assessing.

A young woman hovered near Alexei, her beautiful face framed by calculating eyes, carefully taking in everything. Amelia recognized her as Lady Maria, a second cousin of the royal family. She wasn’t smiling. Amelia knew who she was because the training she had taken since being in Wystovia had included the royal family tree.

“Welcome,” King Theodore boomed, stepping forward to clasp hands with her grandfather. “Edward, old friend. It has been too long.”

“Indeed it has, Theodore,” her grandfather replied with equal warmth. “May I present my son–in–law and daughter, Ted and Gloria Wilson, and of course, my granddaughter, Amelia.”

The King turned his attention to Amelia’s parents, exchanging pleasant greetings before finally focusing on Amelia herself.

“Amelia,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “At last, we meet. I’ve heard much about you from your grandfather.”

Amelia executed a perfect curtsy, just as she’d practiced countless times. “Your Majesty. It’s an honor to be welcomed into your home.”

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