Chapter 9

Amelia stared at the ceiling of her new bedroom suite, the moonlight casting soft patterns across the dark room. The royal residence wing was eerily quiet at this hour, so different from the constant bustle of the day. She'd spent the last hour carefully unpacking a few personal items like photographs, favorite books, small treasures from her life before becoming Princess Amelia of Wystovia. Weird, she knew, to be doing this on her wedding night.

But the wedding reception had ended hours ago. After a final round of goodbyes, Niko had escorted her through a maze of corridors to their private wing of the palace. He'd shown her to her bedroom, explaining which doors led where, how to call for assistance if needed.

"This will be your space," he'd said, standing awkwardly in the doorway. "My room is through there." He'd gestured to an adjoining door between their suites. "If you need anything at all..."

Separate rooms? Oh my god, now she felt like she was playing a role in som