Room Mate 233
other 17 Months Later
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Amelia stood at the window of her private study, watching the gardeners working in the palace gardens. Her hands absently cradled her still–flat stomach, a habit she’d developed over the months of disappointment, as if protective of something that wasn’t there.
“Thirty–four months,” she whispered to herself. “Almost three years of marriage, and still nothing.”
The past seventeen months since her conversation with Theodore had brought more of the same… just more negative tests, carefully timed intimacy, and mounting pressure. She and Niko had tried to follow the King’s advice, speaking more openly about their feelings, making time for each other outside their royal duties. For a while, it had helped. They’d rediscovered some of the warmth they’d shared during their honeymoon, the connection that went beyond duty and protocol.
But with each passing month of disappointment, the distance had crept back in, more subtle now but unmistakable. Not coldness exactly, but a careful avoidance of the topic that hung between them like a specter. Conversations about children had become taboo unless initiated by doctors. They still made love, but the joy had leached from the act, replaced by purpose and timing and the weight of expectation.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in,” she called, turning from the window.
Her secretary, Lena, entered with a leather portfolio. “Your Highness, the weekly schedule has been finalized. Tanya sent it through early this morning. Also, His Majesty requests your presence at this afternoon’s security briefing.”
“Security briefing?” Amelia frowned, accepting the portfolio. “That’s unusual.”
“Yes, ma’am. I believe it concerns Prince Alexei.”
Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. “Is everything alright?”
“I’m not privy to those details, ma’am,” Lena replied diplomatically. “The meeting is at three o’clock in the King’s private study.”
After Lena departed, Amelia flipped through her schedule–more charity appearances, diplomatic receptions, and education initiative meetings, all the duties of a Crown Princess. But her mind remained fixed on the unusual security briefing. Something about Alexei? The wild prince was currently driving his father mad with the media attention he was stirring up.
At precisely three o’clock, Amelia entered the King’s study to find Theodore, Niko, and the Director of Royal Security, Vince Dragun, already assembled. The grim expressions on their faces sent a chill through her.
“Ah, Amelia,” Theodore greeted, his usual warmth subdued. “Please, join us.”
Niko pulled out a chair for her, his hand briefly squeezing her shoulder, a small gesture of affection that had become rare lately. She covered his hand with hers before he could withdraw, holding his gaze for a moment. Something in his eyes the worry, and also strain, it made her stomach tighten.
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“What’s happened?” she asked, looking between the three men.
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Dragun cleared his throat. “Your Highness, I regret to inform you that Prince Alexei and his assistant have been kidnapped.”
The words hit Amelia like a physical blow. “Kidnapped? When? How?”
“Last night,” Niko replied, his voice tightly controlled. “They were leaving an event in New York. We received ransom demands a few hours ago.”
“What of his security?” Amelia’s mind raced. Something happening to Alexei was unthinkable; she really liked Niko’s carefree brother.
“Alexei sent them away. We’re not sure why.”
“The assistant’s family… have they been informed?” Amelia couldn’t imagine being in the same situation.
“We’ve dispatched Mitchell to coordinate with them,” Theodore said gravely. “The assistant’s name is Keira Warner, and she and her family are very wealthy; it may just save her. Roman Kingston and Luca De Santis have considerable resources of their own. Mitchell is working with them fully.”
“What are the demands?” Amelia asked.
The men exchanged glances before Theodore answered. “Ransom money.”
“And Keira?” Amelia pressed, noticing the omission.
Dragun’s expression darkened. “The kidnappers have made separate demands to her family. They appear to be treating this as two separate ransoms.”
“Meaning they’re opportunists, not politically motivated,” Niko observed. “They saw a chance to grab Alexei, and Keira Warner was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“What’s the plan?” Amelia looked directly at Theodore. “You’ll pay, of course?”
The King’s expression remained carefully neutral. “We are exploring all options. Officially, Wystovia does not negotiate with kidnappers.”
“But this is Alexei!” Amelia’s voice rose slightly. “Your son!”
“And we will do everything in our power to bring him home safely,” Theodore assured her. “But we must proceed carefully. Rushing to pay ransoms often results in… catastrophic complications.”
The unspoken implication hung in the air… paying ransoms didn’t guarantee safe returns. Amelia felt sick at the thought.
“What can I do to help?” she asked.
“For now, maintain your normal schedule,” Dragun instructed. “We’re keeping this contained. Only those in this room, key security personnel, and Keira’s immediate family know. The public announcement will simply state that Prince Alexei has taken a few days off.”
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“And when reporters start asking questions?” Amelia challenged.
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“Our communications team is prepared with statements,” Dragun replied. “The priority is buying time for our operatives to locate them.”
“I want regular updates,” she insisted, looking directly at Niko. “No matter the hour.
Niko nodded, his expression softening slightly. “Of course. You’ll know what I know.”
The meeting concluded with operational details and contingency plans.
Amelia paced the length of their private sitting room, stopping occasionally to check her phone for updates. It had been six hours since the meeting, and the knot in her stomach had only grown tighter. Alexei might drive his father crazy with his antics, but he was family–her family now. And Keira Warner, an innocent assistant caught in the nightmare… the thought made her sick.
“Any news?” she asked as Niko entered, his face drawn with exhaustion.
He shook his head, loosening his tie. “Mitchell has been working with the Warner family. They’ve assembled quite an operation… royal security, tech specialists and private security. The woman’s family has a lot of wealth and power between them.”
Amelia noticed the shadows under Niko’s eyes. “Have you eaten anything?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need to keep your strength up.” She crossed to him, placing a hand on his arm. “I’ll have something brought up.”
He nodded absently, his mind clearly elsewhere. “Father is meeting with the security council now. There’s been some debate about how to proceed.”
“He’s still considering not paying?” The thought horrified her.
“It’s complicated,” Niko sighed. “The ransom demand is substantial, but that’s not the issue. Once we engage with kidnappers, we create a precedent. Alexei becomes a permanent target, as does every member of the royal family.”
“Including me,” Amelia said quietly. “Including any children we might have.”
Something flickered across Niko’s face, pain, perhaps, at the reminder of what they didn’t yet have. “Yes.”
“But this is Alexei,” she insisted. “Your brother. Your father’s son.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Niko’s voice sharpened, then immediately softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“It’s alright.” She reached for his hand, relieved when he didn’t pull away. “I know you’re worried.”
Niko squeezed her fingers gently. “Father will make the right decision. Meanwhile, our operatives are working to locate them. If we can find where they’re being held…”
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“You could mount a rescue,” she finished.
“Precisely.”
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A knock at the door announced the arrival of the food Amelia had requested. She guided Niko to a chair while the staff arranged a simple meal on the small table.
“Try to eat something,” she urged once they were alone again. “Even just a little.”
To her relief, he picked up a fork and began to eat mechanically. Amelia sat across from him, watching his face. The past months had been strained between them, the pressure of producing an heir creating a distance that seemed to widen with each passing day. But in this crisis, she saw glimpses of the man she’d grown to care for… no she loved Niko, it was the reason she was thinking of setting him free. Niko was worried for his brother, determined to find a solution, vulnerable in a way he rarely allowed himself to be.
“Do you think they’re alright?” she asked softly.
Niko set down his fork. “Alexei is resourceful. And from what Mitchell says, Keira Warner is no shrinking violet either.”
“I’m sure they’re scared.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “But Alexei knows we won’t abandon him.”
Amelia hesitated, then asked the question that had been nagging at her. “What would you do if it were me?”
Niko’s head snapped up, his dark eyes intense. “What?”
“If I were the one kidnapped,” she clarified. “What would you do?”
For a moment, he just stared at her, something raw and unguarded in his expression. Then he reached across the table, taking both her hands in his.
“I would tear the world apart to find you,” he said, his voice low and fierce. “But I’m not in charge of this situation, unfortunately.”
“You would?”
“Without hesitation.” His grip tightened on her hands. “You are my wife, Amelia.” Original content can be found at find•novel.net
The simple declaration hung between them, weighted with everything they usually left unsaid. In that moment, the distance of recent months seemed to shrink a little, but it didn’t stop her from thinking Niko deserved happiness perhaps even a woman who could give him a child. But that wasn’t what she said next.
“He’s your brother,” she said softly. “He deserves the same devotion.”
Niko’s expression shifted as he absorbed her words. “You’re right.”
He released her hands and stood abruptly. “I need to speak with my father.”
“Now? It’s almost midnight.”
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“This can’t wait.” Niko’s jaw was set with determination.
Amelia rose, feeling a surge of pride at his conviction. “Do you want me to come with you?”
He paused, considering. “Yes. Father respects your opinion.”
Together, they made their way through the silent corridors of the palace to King Theodore’s private apartments. The guard at the door looked surprised to see them at this hour but announced them promptly.
Theodore was seated at his desk, still dressed in a formal suit despite the late hour. Maps and documents were spread before him, evidence of his ongoing work on the crisis.
“Niko, Amelia,” he greeted, setting aside his reading glasses. “Has there been a development?”
“No, Father,” Niko replied, his voice steady. “But I’ve come to a decision I need to share with you.”
Theodore gestured for them to sit. “Go on.”
“I believe we should pay the ransom,” Niko stated firmly. “Immediately and without conditions.”
The King’s expression remained impassive. “The security council advises against it.”
“The security council isn’t responsible for Alexei’s life,” Niko countered. “We are.”
“It’s not that simple—”
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