Chapter 13

The royal mountain estate was nestled in a valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks, a sprawling stone structure that looked more like a luxury resort than a royal residence. As their car wound up the private drive, Amelia gasped at the stunning views of alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers. Their helicopter had dropped them about ten minutes away, leaving the final stretch to be driven.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, taking in the pristine landscape.

"My mother loved it here," Niko said, his gaze following hers out the window. "She used to bring us every summer when Alexei and I were boys. Said it was the one place she could forget she was a queen and just be a mother."

The personal revelation, offered so casually, touched Amelia deeply. Niko rarely spoke of his mother, who had died when he was eighteen. "Thank you for bringing me here," she said softly.

He turned to her, his expression warm. "I thought you might enjoy the privacy. The main palace can be... overwh