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A murmur ofughter rippled through the small group, and Amelia felt her cheeks warm.

“Yes, quiet,” the Archbishop agreed. “Though we needn’t practice that part.”

“Shame,” Alexei teased, earning an elbow from his date.

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When the rehearsal concluded, they moved to a small reception room adjacent to the cathedral for a light dinner. Amelia found herself seated between Niko and Tessa, with Alexei, Isabe, and Lady Maria across from them.

“So, Niko,” Tessa said casually, as if addressing royalty was something she did every day, “Amelia tells me you collect rare books.”

Niko looked surprised but pleased. “Yes, I do. First editions, primarily.”

“Amelia’s always been a bookworm too. Did she tell you about the time she organized a sit–in at our college library when they tried to reduce the hours?”

“Tessa,” Amelia groaned. “I’m sure His Highness doesn’t want to hear about my rebellious phase.”

“On the contrary,” Niko said, his expression softening. “I find it rather intriguing. A sit–in, you say?”

Amelia shot Tessa a warning look, but her friend was already warming to her story.

“Three days,” she confirmed. “We brought sleeping bags and everything. Amelia was the ringleader–had us all organized in shifts. By day two, the Dean was practically begging her to negotiate.”

“I had no idea I was marrying such a revolutionary,” Niko said, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

“It was hardly a revolution,” Amelia protested. “We just wanted to study past midnight during finals week.”

“Always the practical rebel,” Tessaughed.

Across the table, Isabe leaned forward. “I admire that kind of conviction. Sometimes the most important changes start small.”

“Isabe works with educational initiatives in third world counties,” Alexei exined, his eyes lingering on her. “Increasing ess to education for ruralmunities.”

“That’s wonderful,” Amelia said sincerely. She could see from the expression on Niko face he was shocked by Alexei chose of date. From what Amelia understood from media reports, Alexei liked a very different type of

woman.

Lady Maria’s smile tightened. “How… charitable. Though I can’t imagine many farmers‘ children have much use for higher education.”

An ufortable silence fell over the table.

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“I suppose that depends on whether you believe education should be a privilege or a right,” Isabe replied evenly.

“Education creates opportunity,” Niko added unexpectedly. “Wystovia has one of the highest literacy rates in Europe because we invested in rural schools years ago.”

Amelia nced at him, surprised by his support for a woman he had just met.

The conversation shifted to wedding details, but Amelia found herself watching the dynamics around the table. Alexei and Isabe seemedpletely at ease with each other, exchanging small smiles and inside jokes but nothing sizzled between them. Lady Maria grew increasingly frosty as the evening progressed, herments bing more barbed.

“How did you two meet?” Tessa asked, gesturing between Alexei and Isabe.

“At a charity g in New York,” Alexei replied. “Isabe was representing her foundation. I was there with Niko on official businessb./b”

“He spilled champagne on my dress,” Isabe added with augh. “Very smooth.”

“I maintain it was the waiter’s fault,” Alexei protested, grinning.

“And yet you insisted on buying me dinner to apologize.”

Lady Maria set down her fork with a little too much force. “Alexei has always been gant to a fault. Remember when you escorted me to the Winter Ballst year? Everyone said we made such a striking couple.”

“I remember escorting several members of our family that evening,” Alexei replied diplomatically.

Isabe hid a smile behind her napkin.

As dinner concluded, Niko excused himself to speak with his father, leaving Amelia momentarily alone. Lady Maria seized the opportunity, sliding into the vacant seat beside her.

“You must be feeling overwhelmed,” she said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. “All these traditions, all these expectations. And Niko can be so… distant.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Amelia replied carefully. “But I’m adapting well.”

“Of course you are, dear.” Lady Maria patted her hand condescendingly. “But if you ever need advice on handling the royal family, doe to me. I’ve known them my whole life, after all. Especially Niko. We were quite close once.”

Amelia maintained herposure. “How fortunate for you. If you’ll excuse me, I should check on my friend.”

As she stood, she nearly collided with Alexei, who had been approaching their table.

“Everything alright?” he asked, his eyes flicking to Lady Maria.

“Perfectly fine,” Amelia assured him. “Just catching up with your cousin.”

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“I bet,” Alexei murmured. “Maria’s quite the historian when ites to family matters. Especially those that never actually happened.”

Lady Maria’s smile froze. “I was merely offering Amelia my support, Alexei. As family should.”

“How thoughtful,” he replied dryly. “Amelia, my brother was looking for you.”

Grateful for the escape, Amelia followed Alexei away from the table.

“Don’t let Maria get to you,” he said quietly. “She’s always had a thing for Niko, but he’s never even looked at her that way. She had a thing about bing a princess and any royal would do.”

“I thought she would be a princess, being your second cousin and all.”

Alexei shook his head. “No, it doesn’t work like that. She is from my mother’s side of the family. My mother wasn’t royal until she married my father.”

Amelia replied. “Thank you for the rescue.”

Alexei’s expression softened. “You’re family now or close enough. Family looks out for each other.”

The simple deration touched her deeply. “Thank you, Alexei. That means a lot. Can I ask a question?”

“Please.” He invited.

“Isabe… Is she window–dressing? I mean… I-”

Alexeiughed. “How did you guessb?/bb” /b

Amelia blushed. “There isn’t any spark between you. I don’t know… I get the feeling she is for your protection against Maria.”

Alexei nodded. “I’m going to tell you a secret: Isabe is gay and has no interest in me at all. It’s one of the reasons she is my date. No chance of crossed signals.”

He nodded toward where Niko stood with his father. “For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen my brother so… attentive. He’s trying, in his way. Just give him time.”

Amelia followed his gaze. Niko looked up at that moment, his eyes finding hers across the room. He excused himself from his father and started toward her.

“Amelia,” he said, reaching her side. “I apologize for abandoning you.”

She smiled. “I understand.”

“Still, it was rude.” He nced at his watch. “It’s gettingte, May I escort you back to your car?”

“I’d like that.”

They said their goodbyes, as they walked toward the cathedral entrance, Niko’s hand settled lightly at the small of her back.

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“You handled Lady Maria well,” he observed quietly. “She can be… difficult.”

“She seems to have strong opinions about me,” Amelia replied.

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“Maria has strong opinions about everything, particrly things that aren’t her business.” His tone was dry but tinged with humor. “Pay her no mind. She will be on a very short leash if she isn’t careful.”

Outside, the warm evening air enveloped them. Their security detail waited at a respectful distance, leaving them a moment of privacy.

“I enjoyed meeting your friend Tessa,” Niko said. “She clearly cares for you a great deal.”

“We’ve been friends since college. She knows me better than almost anyone.”

“The library sit–in was quite revealing.” A smile yed at the corners of his mouth. “I wouldn’t have expected such rebellion from you.”

“There’s probably a lot we don’t know about each other,” Amelia pointed out.

“True.” He turned to face her fully. “But we have time to learn, don’t we?”

The question hung between them, weighted with more meaning than its simple words suggested. Amelia studied his faceb, /bthe intensity in his dark eyes, the slight softening around his mouth.

“Yes,” she said softly. “We do.”

Her car pulled up, and Niko opened the door for her. Before she could step inside, he took her hand, bringing it to his lips in what was bing a familiar gesture.

“Until tomorrow, Amelia,”

“Until tomorrow, Niko.”

He stood back as her family joined them. As the car pulled away, Amelia leaned back against the seat.

Maybe, just maybe, there was something real beginning to grow between them, something beyond duty and arrangement, something they could build into a life together. God, she hoped sob. /b

ELARGEL