In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 299

"Keira—"

"No." She held up a hand, needing space to process this bombshell. "Let me get this straight. Your brother can't have kids, so if we get married and have children, they automatically become heirs to the throne?"

"Not automatically. Only if Niko remains childless." Alexei's tone was careful, like he was explaining volatile explosives. "But yes, it's a possibility we need to consider."

She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Consider? Alexei, this isn't like choosing a college major. This is about creating human beings who might never have a choice about their own lives."

"They would have the best education, the finest opportunities—"

"And zero freedom." Keira scrambled off the bed, suddenly needing to move. She grabbed her robe from her bag and wrapped it around herself. "God, no wonder your father was so interested in my background. He wasn't just vetting a potential princess. He was also testing a potential mother of the next in line to the throne."

Alexei reached for her, but she stepped back. "It doesn't change anything between us."

"Doesn't it?" She spun to face him. "Because five minutes ago I thought the worst-case scenario was learning to curtsy and smile for cameras. Now you're telling me our hypothetical children might have to rule a country."

"Many people would consider it an honor—"

"Would you?" The question came out sharper than she intended. "If you had been born a commoner, if you'd had the chance to choose your own path, would you have chosen this life?"

The pause before he answered told her everything she needed to know.

"That's what I thought." She moved to the window, staring out at the gardens. "How long have you known about the succession issue?"

"It's been building for months. Parliament is... concerned. My father has put on pressure as well."

"And when exactly were you filling me in that I needed to have a baby as soon as possible?"

"I'm telling you now, and I did tell you my father wanted me to marry soon. We have talked about this."

"Jesus Christ, Alexei. That's before I knew I would be a main character." She pressed her hands to her temples. "I feel like a breeding mare for the royal line."

"That's not what this is." His voice carried an edge now. "Don't cheapen what we have."

"Then what is it? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like your father's timeline for this engagement makes a lot more sense now. Get the spare prince married off quickly to make parliament happy."

Alexei's jaw tightened. "You think I would use you like that?"

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