Amelia
“You stupid bitch!”
My scalp burns as Henry grabs me by the hair and yanks me out of the car. The moment the gates of Perlington House close behind us, his controlled mask drops. My heart pounds, and the fear, this awful, all-consuming fear, paralyzes me. I just let it happen.
I stumble out of the car, biting back a whimper because I know it would only make him angrier, so I stay silent. My body is flooded with adrenaline, my muscles are wound so tight they feel like they might snap, and I can’t stop the slight trembling in my limbs.
“How dare you walk out dressed like some cheap whore?”
All the air rushes from my lungs as his fist slams into my stomach, and a dull, stinging pain spreads through me. I double over, clutching my stomach, and try to breathe, but it’s hard, and every breath burns.
No. Please, no.
A sob escapes my throat as he grips my upper arm, squeezing hard before striking again.
No. Please. No.
My body, my soul screams in torment, it burns, it stings. A sharp pain explodes in my ribcage as another blow lands, and I feel my ribs crack. And I scream.
Oh God, please make him stop… please.
But no god hears me.
No one does.
My stomach aches terribly, nausea churns inside me, and every movement sends my whole body screaming in protest as I surface from the memory.
Gasping, I struggle for air and try to block out the pain that comes with every breath. But the pain in my heart and soul only digs deeper.
Henry made his position painfully clear two days ago, and yesterday, when we moved into the apartment, Nicolas didn’t leave any doubt about how things will be between us going forward.
Still, there was that one moment, his body against mine.
Feeling him that close was a shock. Everything inside me buzzed and hummed, and I wanted to lean into him. I wanted him to touch me.
I’m a mess of tangled emotions, an endless rollercoaster without an emergency brake. And even though I convinced myself yesterday that Lizzy’s okay, the thought won’t leave me alone that maybe I didn’t protect her well enough. That maybe Nicolas is right.
The first night in my new home was rough, especially after it was decided yesterday that I’ll be a married woman in just two weeks.
And that we are attending the gala today, where the press will be watching our every move closely.
And we’ll have to play the part, pretend we’re madly in love.
The thought makes me nervous, and I stare out the window at the evening sky, feeling defeated.
My chest tightens, and as always, the sadness overcomes me swiftly and without warning.
“I’m doing this for you, Phil. I hope you know that, wherever you are,” I whisper into the void and force a strained smile, because I know he can’t hear me. No one does.
Two weeks. That’s a hell of a short time, even by royal standards.
“You look beautiful, Lia,” Lizzy’s soft voice sounds from behind me, and I lift my head in surprise, meeting her gaze in the mirror. Her eyes are filled with so much guilt it makes my heart ache. I quickly stand and go to her.
“Hey, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in bed…
with your stomach bug?” I scold her gently, making air quotes as I speak, since we told her parents she wasn’t feeling well.
I pull her into my arms, careful not to let her notice that something’s off with me.
But Lizzy hugs me tightly, and I bite my lip to hold back a whimper, because it hurts. Every inch of my body hurts.
At least the evening gown I picked for the gala hides the bruises.
It’s a floor-length gown, crafted from blue lace layered over a nude lining that ensures nothing shows through, hugging my body like a second skin.
It sparkles subtly, with delicate stones and silver threads woven in.
The only bold detail is the slit along the side, but since Henry focused on my upper body, that’s fine.
“I’m okay, Lia. Thanks to you and Nicolas, I’m okay. But that’s exactly why I’m here. How was your first night? And what came out of the meeting yesterday? Nicolas won’t say a word,” she grumbles, clearly annoyed, and gives me a slightly challenging look.
Don’t even think about keeping me in the dark too, her eyes seem to say, and I can’t help but smile, because that’s my best friend.
With a deep sigh, I turn back to my vanity and the mirror, sinking into the chair again.
Yeah… how do you even describe that?
“Let’s just say he gave me a little preview of how things are going to be between us from now on,” I reply vaguely, earning the full force of Lizzy’s x-ray stare.
She fixes me with the intensity of a hawk eyeing its prey, and I try to hold her gaze, try not to look away, but I don’t quite manage.
The guilt presses down on me like a heavy weight, and she sees it instantly.
“What exactly did he say?” Lizzy continues to stare me down, drags a chair over, and sits beside me with her arms crossed in a very pointed gesture. I glance at her sideways, and one of her eyebrows arches up.
God, she looks just like both of them.
“Spill it. I know that face. And I know my brother. What did he do?”
“He just made it clear to your best friend that it wasn’t HER who paid for that night—but YOU. That YOU had to bear the consequences, not HER. That YOU nearly died. Even though SHE was the one who dragged you into it,” a deep, rough voice reaches my ear, and I spin around in shock.
Nicolas is leaning casually against the doorframe of the dressing room, and God help me, I can’t stop staring. He looks… breathtaking in that black tux. The way he’s standing there, watching me, sends my heart racing.
And I curse myself for it.
His face shows nothing as his eyes trail over me from head to toe, and the intensity of his gaze makes me have to suppress a shiver. But when his eyes finally meet mine, I can’t look away, and the air thickens around us. I feel heat rising through me.
Heaven help me.
“Why am I not even surprised?” Lizzy mutters with an eye roll, stepping in front of her brother. His gaze shifts to his little sister, and instantly a soft, affectionate glint lights up in his eyes. A sharp ache twists in my chest.
Why can’t Henry ever look at me like that? What’s wrong with me that all I ever get are dismissive or angry looks?
“Are you completely out of your mind? Lia only came along for my sake, she didn’t want to go out at all, you idiot. Don’t you dare blame her for that miserable asshole, or you’ll be the one to lose your sister. Seriously, Nic, cut the childish crap. Amelia hasn’t done anything to you.”
Stunned, I watch Lizzy, who is glaring angrily up at Nicolas, then punches him on the chest.
What? Oh my God.
No one has ever stood up for me like my best friend is right now, and the feeling is indescribable, completely surreal, which is why I have to fight back tears.
“Lizzy… it’s fine…” I don’t get any further because her death stare now lands on me.
Mid-word, I stop and close my mouth. It’s better if I don’t say anything now, since I’ve definitely noticed the way she narrowed her eyes at me when I said there were no consequences for ME. So, it’s probably better to keep quiet.
However, I make the mistake of looking up a little farther. There, I meet slightly amused, arrogant gray eyes that are fixed on me.
Damn, this guy.
My heart races wildly, I can almost hear it pounding.
“Don’t you dare defend this idiot now. What the hell is this about? As if you had anything to do with that sex-crazed drug addict putting something in my drink. Are you kidding me?”
Uh-oh, she’s really worked up now.
I make a face, which Nicolas notes with an unreadable expression before he looks back at his sister.
“Okay, okay, calm down. I’ll behave in the future and be a good husband, I promise.”
He throws me a look that sends a chill down my spine, his eyes glinting ominously, darkly. Great, as if my life wasn’t complicated enough already.
“See, Lizzy? Insight is the best way to improve, and I’m sure your brother can learn too.” I can’t resist the jab, and Nicolas’s eyes narrow just slightly, but I hold my ground under his intense gaze. I don’t look away.
“Well, then, I guess that’s settled. And you, sis—” He’s cut off again by that little tornado, and he crosses his arms, taking a deep breath in and out.
“Don’t you dare say ‘Sis, calm down.’ Don’t talk to me like I’m some spoiled, dumb little thing. I mean it. Treat Amelia badly again, and we’ve got a problem.” She waves her finger right in front of his face, looking like she might lynch her brother any second. He grows serious again and nods.
“Got it, Liz. You can take your dragon back, I’ll behave.” Another glance at me, but this time I ignore it.
She turns to face me, her eyes practically drilling into mine.
“And you won’t take this shit anymore. You’ve been through enough. Understood?” She speaks to me sharply and authoritatively, and I simply nod. I really don’t want to say the wrong thing right now.
“I’ve got my eye on both of you. Don’t forget that.” She shoots us both a warning look before leaving the room with her head held high. And I’m left alone with Mr. Self-Righteous.
“Apparently, my sister loves you. For whatever reason…” He wants to say something else, but I raise my hand and actually manage to silence him.
“Nicolas, with all due respect, I couldn’t care less what you think of me or how you feel about me.
Just leave Lizzy out of this. You don’t have to like me, and I don’t have to like you.
But one thing she’s right about: I’m not your personal punching bag to vent your moods on.
You’ll have to find someone else for that.
And now, I’d really appreciate it if we could just get this farce over with.
Without stress, because after all, we’re supposed to look incredibly in love, right? ”
With that, I stand up, and his gaze follows every movement of mine, so intensely that I feel a shiver all over my body, and I feel strangely exposed.
“Very well, your wish is my command, milady.” He bows and suddenly extends his hand to me, which I respond to with a raised eyebrow.
“You were just about to play the role of half of an infinitely in-love couple. Now you have your chance, Goldilocks,” he says mockingly, gesturing for me to come closer with a flick of his finger.
Oh God, this is going to be fun.
I square my shoulders and slowly walk toward him, and as my hand slips into his, our fingers intertwining, his thumb gently strokes my skin. I look up at him, surprised. It feels oddly safe and familiar.
“What? We’re supposed to look like we’re in love, wife. So, make an effort.”
There he is again.
I roll my eyes and turn toward the door, but Nicolas suddenly jerks me into his body. I have to stifle a groan as my ribs protest painfully. My free hand rests on his chest as his slides down my side, stopping just above my lower back.
And my body reacts. Again.
His hand seems to burn into my skin, but I keep my composure, glaring up at him with a scowl.
“What are you doing? We’re not in public. Keep your hands to yourself,” I snap at him, but he only laughs.
“So easy to provoke, Goldilocks? Retract your claws, I don’t bite. Not yet. Completely in love, remember?”
His lips are close to mine, and I can feel his warm breath brushing against them. I feel like I can’t breathe. Too close, too intense.
His gray eyes lock onto mine, and I feel myself sinking into them. Against my will, my pulse quickens, and I’m certain he can feel my heartbeat against his chest.
“You’re nothing like what I expected. Maybe Phil didn’t have such bad taste after all,” he murmurs against my lips, more to himself than to me. Still, his words hit me hard. They drag me back into uncomfortable reality, and I straighten up, push off his chest, and take two steps back.
“Your brother was one of the best people I’ve ever known.
Don’t you dare question him or his taste just because I make you uncomfortable, Your Highness.
Now let’s go—your people are eager to worship their new successor to the throne.
” My words are cold, and I see I’ve struck a nerve when his face shifts back to that unreadable, hard mask he always wears for the world.
“As you wish, milady.” He gives a curt nod and offers me his arm.
Silently, we walk toward the catastrophe.