In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 380

Another 17 Months Later

Amelia stood at the window of her private study, watching the gardeners working in the palace gardens. Her hands absently cradled her still-flat stomach, a habit she'd developed over the months of disappointment, as if protective of something that wasn't there.

"Thirty-four months," she whispered to herself. "Almost three years of marriage, and still nothing."

The past seventeen months since her conversation with Theodore had brought more of the same… just more negative tests, carefully timed intimacy, and mounting pressure. She and Niko had tried to follow the King's advice, speaking more openly about their feelings, making time for each other outside their royal duties. For a while, it had helped. They'd rediscovered some of the warmth they'd shared during their honeymoon, the connection that went beyond duty and protocol.

But with each passing month of disappointment, the distance had crept back in, more subtle now but unmistakable. Not coldness exactly, but a careful avoidance of the topic that hung between them like a specter. Conversations about children had become taboo unless initiated by doctors. They still made love, but the joy had leached from the act, replaced by purpose and timing and the weight of expectation.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, turning from the window.

Her secretary, Lena, entered with a leather portfolio. "Your Highness, the weekly schedule has been finalized. Tanya sent it through early this morning. Also, His Majesty requests your presence at this afternoon's security briefing."

"Security briefing?" Amelia frowned, accepting the portfolio. "That's unusual."

"Yes, ma'am. I believe it concerns Prince Alexei."

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm not privy to those details, ma'am," Lena replied diplomatically. "The meeting is at three o'clock in the King's private study."

After Lena departed, Amelia flipped through her schedule—more charity appearances, diplomatic receptions, and education initiative meetings, all the duties of a Crown Princess. But her mind remained fixed on the unusual security briefing. Something about Alexei? The wild prince was currently driving his father mad with the media attention he was stirring up.

At precisely three o'clock, Amelia entered the King's study to find Theodore, Niko, and the Director of Royal Security, Vince Dragun, already assembled. The grim expressions on their faces sent a chill through her.

"Ah, Amelia," Theodore greeted, his usual warmth subdued. "Please, join us."

Niko pulled out a chair for her, his hand briefly squeezing her shoulder, a small gesture of affection that had become rare lately. She covered his hand with hers before he could withdraw, holding his gaze for a moment. Something in his eyes the worry, and also strain, it made her stomach tighten.

"What's happened?" she asked, looking between the three men.

Dragun cleared his throat. "Your Highness, I regret to inform you that Prince Alexei and his assistant have been kidnapped."

The words hit Amelia like a physical blow. "Kidnapped? When? How?"

"Last night," Niko replied, his voice tightly controlled. "They were leaving an event in New York. We received ransom demands a few hours ago."

"What of his security?" Amelia's mind raced. Something happening to Alexei was unthinkable; she really liked Niko’s carefree brother.

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