In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 374

The sun had set by the time Amelia and Niko boarded the helicopter waiting to return them to the palace. Their two weeks at the mountain estate had passed in a blissful haze of lovemaking, quiet walks through the alpine meadows, and candlelit dinners by the fireplace. They'd developed a comfortable routine, sleeping late, exploring the grounds in the afternoons, and spending their evenings tangled in each other's arms.

Now, as the helicopter blades whirred to life, Amelia settled into her seat, fastening her safety belt while Niko conferred briefly with the pilot. She studied her husband's profile, noting a subtle change in his demeanor… a new tension in his shoulders, his smile a bit more reserved as he took the seat beside her.

"Ready to return to reality?" she asked, raising her voice slightly over the growing noise of the rotors.

Niko nodded, squeezing her hand. "The mountain air has been good for us, but duty calls."

As the helicopter lifted off, Amelia gazed down at the estate growing smaller beneath them. The magnificent stone structure, the garden paths they'd walked together, the hot tub where they'd spent several memorable evenings, all receding into the distance.

"I'll miss it," she admitted, not just referring to the property but to the easy intimacy they'd shared there, away from the demands of their royal positions.

"We can come back," Niko offered, though his tone lacked the warmth she'd grown accustomed to over their honeymoon. "Perhaps in autumn when the colors change."

Amelia studied him, trying to discern the subtle shift. "Is something wrong?"

"Not at all." His response came too quickly. "Just mentally preparing for what awaits us. The English royals arrive tomorrow, and father has requested we attend the welcome dinner."

"Of course." Amelia nodded, understanding his responsibility but sensing there was more he wasn't saying. "Back to the business of being royal."

The helicopter journey continued in relative silence, the thunderous noise of the rotors making conversation difficult anyway. But even in the quiet, Amelia felt the distance growing between them, as if each mile closer to the palace was resurrecting the formality they'd shed during their time away.

When they'd first arrived at the mountain estate, Niko had been playful, passionate, even a bit reckless, making love to her in the gardens when he was certain they wouldn't be disturbed, laughing more freely than she'd ever seen. Now, his expression had returned to the careful mask of the Crown Prince, composed and thoughtful.

As they walked toward the palace entrance, Amelia took in the familiar grandeur, the sprawling gardens now illuminated by strategically placed lights, the formal guards standing at attention. After the relative simplicity of the mountain estate, the opulence felt almost overwhelming.

Inside, more staff lined the corridors, bowing or curtseying as they passed. Amelia maintained her composed smile, the one she'd perfected for public appearances, while inwardly wondering what had changed between them.

"Would you like some tea before bed?" Niko asked as they reached their suite, his tone polite but reserved.

"That would be lovely," she replied, equally formal. He had learned during their time away that she liked tea before bed.

Once inside their private rooms, with the door closed against the watching world, Amelia expected Niko to relax, to return to the man who'd made love to her so passionately just that morning. Instead, he loosened his tie and moved to the desk, checking the stack of correspondence that had accumulated during their absence.

"Important matters of state?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light.