Amelia
Clinging to the hope that tomorrow might be easier, I dragged myself into the bathroom last night, wiped off my makeup, and struggled out of that dress.
Every inch of my body throbbed with pain, my mind completely drained.
For the first time in ages, I took a Lorazepam.
The comforting haze of numbness washed over me, pulling me swiftly into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Now, I blink groggily and let out a yawn as Lizzy’s excited voice breaks through the quiet beside me.
“Lia. Liiiaaa, damn it, wake up.”
“Go away and leave me alone, I want to sleep,” I mumble and pull the blanket over my head, hoping to shut the world out. But I hadn’t counted on Princess Elisabeth. In a flash, the blanket disappears, and she’s standing at the foot of my bed, arms crossed, waiting.
“Putting aside the fact that you scared me half to death yesterday and probably gave me ten new gray hairs, it’s time for you to get up. We have a problem.”
My sleepy brain tries to make sense of her words, and slowly the images from last night flash before my eyes. I groan and close them again as shame from my panic attack crashes over me like a tidal wave.
Crap. I totally embarrassed myself.
“You noticed?” I ask quietly, covering my face with my hands. I try to block out any thoughts of Nicolas and what came next because I’m just not ready to face it.
“Noticed? I hauled your pretty ass out of there,” she snaps. That gets me to sit up and blink at her like an owl. I open my mouth, but before I can say anything, she raises her hand to silence me.
“Okay, Nic got you out. I just cleared the way. But still, Lia, damn it, what kind of nonsense were you up to?” she scolds, and I start getting angry. Really angry.
What’s wrong with all of them?
“Nonsense? Nonsense?! It’s not nonsense when some narrow-minded asshole calls Damien a dick-sucking sissy and then physically attacks him.
That’s called having courage and standing up for your friends.
Damien is my friend. He was Philipp’s friend.
More than that, and you know it. So why is everyone telling me how stupid I am for standing up for someone who doesn’t deserve to be treated like that?
” My voice rises, and Lizzy’s eyes widen in shock at my outburst.
“Lia, I…”
“No ‘Lia.’ Enough of that. Why is it wrong to speak up when some asshole calls me a leg-spreading title-chaser? When he has no respect for me? Yeah, that prick scared me so much I had a panic attack. So what? At least I didn’t stand by and do nothing.
Call me stupid, call it nonsense. I call it friendship. ”
Furious, hurt, and confused, I get up and march past a visibly uncomfortable Lizzy.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Nicolas leaning in the doorway, arms crossed, staring at me silently, expressionless.
But I’m not in the mood for his attitude, so I flip him off and slam the bathroom door behind me.
They can all kiss my ass.
I take a deep breath to steady myself and rest against the sink, but when I glimpse my reflection in the mirror, I can’t help but flinch.
I look like I got hit by a train. Tired, with dark circles under my eyes, and my curls sticking out in all directions.
“Fantastic. Really, just fantastic,” I mutter to myself, starting to apply a bit of makeup and tying my hair into a high ponytail.
I stay in my comfortable clothes because they make me feel good.
That damn prince can think what he wants, I really don’t care right now.
I haven’t even had a coffee yet and I’m already done with this day.
With a sigh, I take one last look in the mirror and decide this is the best I can manage today. As I leave the bathroom, I hear Nicolas and Lizzy arguing in the living room.
“You’re an idiot and you know it. She’s not to blame for this mess,” Lizzy snaps at her brother, and he snorts.
“Well, that’s debatable, she is…”
I walk into the living room and head straight for the door without looking at either of them.
“Present and listening to everything. Not that either of you seems to care, so go ahead and keep arguing. I’m going to get a coffee,” I tell them dryly, clearly feeling Nicolas’s stare burning into my back.
“Your latte is already on the table, so drink it and we can discuss the current situation,” his deep voice booms behind me, and I freeze.
He got me a latte? How does he know what I like? And what situation?
I slowly turn around, and the sight of them hits me like a punch. They look so much alike, yet I can see Philipp in both of them as well.
My heart aches for my best friend, who doesn’t get to witness any of this.
Lizzy casts me an apologetic glance, but I’m not quite ready to let it go.
Without acknowledging Nicolas, I head to the table where my coffee is waiting, pick it up, and take a long sip.
I have a strong sense that I won’t like what’s coming.
Then again, nothing has been particularly pleasant lately, so one more unpleasant surprise won’t make much of a difference.
“So, what exactly have I done this time to warrant a visit from both of you? Especially you,” I ask, locking eyes with Nicolas. I nearly flinch when he holds my gaze with startling intensity. His gray eyes fix on me, and I can’t seem to look away.
“This,” he replies, pulling a rolled-up newspaper from his back pocket and tossing it to me without a word of warning.
Now he really has my attention, and I can already tell this isn’t going to be good.
My gaze shifts between the paper and him, but his expression remains unreadable. I slowly unfold it, and it doesn’t take long to find what I’m looking for.
My face looks back at me from the front page, and the photo is anything but flattering. It must have been taken at Purge while I was out with Lizzy. I’m clearly caught in the middle of a party. My heart skips a beat, and a wave of nausea hits as I read the headline.
Scandalous images of Prince Nicolas’s fiancée surface. Is Lady Amelia damaging the royal family’s reputation?
The photos showing Lady Amelia in front of a questionable club now cast serious doubts on her suitability as the future queen…
The article goes on, and it doesn’t take a genius to realize that it’s written without any kindness or good intentions.
I have to swallow hard because the lump in my throat grows tighter and tighter.
“Apparently your people think I am pretty incompetent,” I say bitterly and look up, only to meet his intense gaze again.
“The question is, are you?”
My eyes hold his as he fires again and hits the mark. He is fully aware of what he is doing.
“Nic! For God’s sake, what is this nonsense? Shut your stupid mouth. Of course she is competent. You could not have found anyone better than Lia,” his sister snaps at him.
But I just shake my head.
“No. I am obviously not. But thank you for standing up for me,” I say indifferently to Nicolas.
My emotions disappear behind a thick gray veil that I draw tightly.
Empty. I am absolutely empty, and I do not want to and cannot feel anything.
The weight of what is happening to me right now threatens to crush me. I am so tired of this whole drama.
“You should hold a press conference and try to minimize the damage as much as possible. Then talk to your father about whether I really am the right choice. Meanwhile, I will stay away from the public. I only have to go to the orphanage today because I have training with the kids but that should not be a problem. Let me know how we will proceed going forward.”
With that, I turn to leave the room, but Nicolas has other plans. He stands in my way, and I stop just in front of him because I can’t get past. Lizzy watches silently with raised eyebrows, but doesn’t intervene like usual.
“Ah-ah, Goldilocks. You are not getting out of this that easily. I will not hold the press conference alone. We will do it together, you and me together. Eric has already arranged everything. In one hour, we will face the reporters’ questions.”
His voice is calm but firm and I look up at him with irritation. He is so tall that I have to tilt my head back to look him in the eyes.
“Aren’t you afraid that I might embarrass you again? Me, the unsuitable future wife of the heir?” I ask in a flat tone that sounds very cold, but my nerves can’t take much more, and I have to protect myself.
Nicolas’s mouth curves into a devilish grin as he leans down to me. I swear the air around us starts to flicker as his nose touches mine. His lips are so close I can feel them. I am just about to close the tiny distance and kiss him.
“No backing out now, Goldilocks. And whether you are unsuitable or not is still my decision and not some random reporter’s. So, get ready and this time, wife, play your role convincingly.”
His breath brushes over my lips, and I clench my fists so hard my nails dig into my skin as he straightens up and slips his hands into his pockets.
“In one hour, Goldilocks.” He throws me a last look and strolls out of the room calmly.
“Holy mother of God, what was that?” I hear Lizzy speak behind me, but I am frozen. His closeness, his scent, his presence, the words he uses to torment me again and again like whiplashes are too much for me.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Your brother clearly hates me and makes it obvious every single day,” I reply with no emotion, and Lizzy suddenly starts laughing. I turn around, feeling annoyed and confused.
“What? I don't find this funny.” I look at her with a blank expression and she immediately looks at me gently and smiles.
“Yes, it is funny. Funny in the sense that you do not see what is really happening. My brother wants you. No, I even think he is completely smitten with you. He just does not like it and is fighting it. Believe me, he will not let anyone come near you except maybe himself.” She giggles again but I give her a warning look.
“You are crazy. Nicolas hates me. But let’s leave it at that. I have to get ready. To hell with these vultures… what should I wear?”
Suddenly I realize my situation and the indifference slips away. I cannot stop it.
“Oh, believe me, you are very wrong. Now come with me so we can show the world how suitable you are.” She steps in front of me and takes my hand, dragging me into the dressing room.
“And Lia, I am sorry. I did not want to hurt you or call you stupid. I was just terribly worried about you. It was brave, I know that. And my idiot brother knows it too.”
She gently squeezes my hand, and I look at her gratefully.
“It is fine, let’s forget it. It was just a lot for me.
” She nods and pushes me toward the makeup table and in less than half an hour I hardly recognize myself.
My hair falls in curls over my shoulders, clipped back at the sides with silver pins.
My makeup is subtle and emphasizes my eyes without looking unnatural. I like it.
A high-neck apricot sheath dress with long sleeves and a wide white belt at the waist along with white high heels complete the look.
I look beautiful but innocent and I am always amazed how talented she is with these things.
“Wow, Lizzy, I… wow.” Sometimes I am still amazed at what she can do with a little makeup and the right clothes. “Thank you.” I give her a faint smile in the mirror.
My stomach churns as if it might empty itself, even though I haven’t eaten, and my nerves are on edge. Lizzy notices the slight trembling of my hand and gently presses my shoulders.
“It will be okay. Nicolas will not let them tear you apart. Believe me,” she tries to soothe me, but I’m still uncertain.
“Ready?”
I startle at Nicolas’s voice behind us and catch sight of him leaning against the doorframe through the mirror.
He’s dressed in gray slacks and a black shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up.
Heat rises to my cheeks, and a restless nervousness washes over me as I study him.
My emotions tangle in confusion, and I swallow hard when our eyes meet in the glass before I give a small nod.
“Let’s go. Lizzy, you know what to do.” He nods to his sister, and I rise on trembling legs, turning slowly. His gaze drifts over my body with a lazy ease before settling on my face.
His eyes sparkle, but I can’t tell if he likes what he sees. I don’t care because my stomach twists unpleasantly, and I have to be careful not to vomit.
Nicolas holds out his hand and I take it with a pounding heart, but instead of starting to walk, he pulls me close. His hand slides down my back and rests on my tailbone.
“You look like you might throw up at any moment, darling. Here is a little advice…” He taps my nose with his free hand before talking again. My stomach flutters excitedly and I catch my breath at this intimate gesture.
“Try harder this time to convince them.”
The blow hits deep and stings the already open wound a little more but this time I do not show him how much his words hurt me every time. After all, he does not care, and without paying attention to my reaction, he takes my hand again and pulls me along.
Into the lion’s den.