Chapter 7

The morning of her wedding day dawned clear and bright, sunlight streaming through the windows of Amelia's suite at her grandfather's estate. For a moment, she lay still in her bed, savoring the last few moments of being simply Amelia Wilson. By sunset, she would be Princess Amelia of Wystovia, wife to Crown Prince Niko.

The thought sent butterflies racing through her stomach—not entirely from nerves, but something more. In just a few short days, Niko had evolved from a stranger into... well, not quite a friend yet, but something with potential. Their lunch in the botanical gardens and their short conversations at the rehearsal dinner were tiny seeds of connection that might, with care and patience, grow into something more.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, sitting up against the pillows.

Her mother entered. "Good morning, darling. How did you sleep?"

"Surprisingly well," Amelia admitted.

Gloria smiled, perching on the edge o