A royal Heart

chapter 2: Desperation

The streets of Perinn were eery and quiet as Julie sprinted away from the pharmacy, her heart racing in sync with the footsteps echoing behind her. She could hear the muffled shouts of the police growing closer, panic gripping her throat. With every stride, the vial of medicine nestled in her pocket felt heavier, a physical reminder of her desperate choice.

"Stop! Police!" a voice shouted, breaking through the night air. The sound propelled her forward, her instincts kicking in as she turned a corner, narrowly avoiding a streetlamp that seemed to loom ominously.

Her mind raced with thoughts of her father. What if this was the moment he needed her? What if the medicine made the difference between his pain and relief? Every reason she had for stealing twisted in her mind, creating a tangled mess of guilt and urgency.

Just as she was about to round another corner, she caught sight of a glimmering object in the distance—something large and black, gliding down the street with an air of authority. A royal limo. She felt an odd mix of fear and fascination. But there was no time to contemplate. The shouts behind her were too close, too real.

With a desperate leap, she darted into the alleyway beside the limo, hoping to lose her pursuers. The metallic scent of the car mingled with the salty breeze, and for a brief moment, she was lost in the surreal nature of it all—here she was, a common girl tangled in a web of royal affairs.

As she hid behind the limo, she felt her breath catch in her throat. The sleek vehicle suddenly came to a halt, and the driver stepped out, his demeanor professional but curious. Julie pressed herself against the cold metal, praying she wouldn't be seen.

But fate had other plans. Just as she thought she might escape, the driver's voice broke through the stillness. "Your Highness! We should leave before—"

Before he could finish, Julie's breath caught in her throat as she turned her head slightly. A figure emerged from the limo, a tall, handsome young man in an impeccably tailored suit—Xavier, the future king of Perinn. His dark hair framed a face that was both regal and warm, with striking blue eyes that seemed to pierce through the shadows.

"Wait!" Xavier's voice commanded, firm yet gentle. "I need to know what's happening. Someone's in trouble."

Julie felt a jolt of anxiety shoot through her. What if he found her? Her heart thumped loudly in her chest as she strained to hear the conversation unfolding.

"Your Highness, we need to leave now," the driver insisted, glancing nervously in her direction. "The police are in pursuit."

Xavier's gaze turned toward the direction of the alley, instinctively sensing something amiss. "No. Follow that girl. I can't just abandon someone in need. Do it or you'll be out of a job," he insisted, his tone brokering no argument.

The driver hesitated but nodded. With a sigh of resignation, he climbed back into the car and started the engine. Julie's heart sank. She was running out of time.

As the driver followed her, Xavier leaned closer to the window, eyes scanning the alleyway. Julie felt the heat of his gaze as it swept past her hiding spot. In that moment, something primal stirred within her—an urge to reveal herself, to explain her plight. But fear held her back, keeping her frozen against the cold metal.

Just then, the police rounded the corner, and Julie knew she had to act fast. She bolted from her hiding spot, the alleyway's exit beckoning like a lifeline. As she burst out into the street, she almost collided with a police officer, his uniform stark against the backdrop of the night.

"Stop!" he shouted, but adrenaline fuelled her legs as she sprinted away from him.

And then, in a stroke of fate, she barely avoided the path of the royal limo, just as it pulled up beside her. The driver stepped out, eyes wide. "Miss, you need to get in!"

Confusion washed over her as she hesitated. Get in? What about the police? But there was no time to think. She glanced over her shoulder—one officer was already gaining on her, and the others were scattering in pursuit of the commotion she had caused.

"Quickly!" the driver urged, panic flickering in his voice.

Julie made her choice, climbing into the back of the limo without fully grasping the consequences. As the door closed behind her, she found herself face-to-face with Xavier. The scent of expensive cologne filled the air, and his expression was a mix of concern and curiosity.

"What were you doing back there?" he asked, his voice low and sincere. "Why were the police chasing you?"

Caught off guard, she stammered, "I—I needed medicine for my father. He's sick, and I couldn't afford it. I didn't know what else to do."

For a moment, his expression softened, a glimmer of understanding crossing his face. "I see," he said quietly, the weight of her words sinking in. "I'm sorry. That must be incredibly difficult for you."

Julie's heart raced. This was a future king, and here she was, spilling her troubles to him like a commoner. "I never meant to cause any trouble. I just wanted to help him," she confessed, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.

Xavier nodded, his eyes reflecting compassion. "We'll figure something out. You shouldn't have to face this alone."

Before she could respond, the driver sped away from the chaos, leaving the flashing lights and shouts behind. As they drove deeper into the night, the reality of her situation began to sink in—she was in a royal limo, with the future king of Perinn.

"What's your name?" Xavier asked, breaking the silence.

"Julie," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Julie," he repeated, savouring the name. "I'm Xavier. And if you're willing, I'd like to help you."

His words, laced with kindness and sincerity, sparked something in Julie—a flicker of hope amidst her despair. But how could a girl like her, a mere commoner, accept help from someone of his stature?

As the limo glided through the streets of Perinn, the possibilities loomed ahead. Little did she know, this encounter would change the trajectory of her life in ways she could never have imagined.

authors note: yay they met and i cant wait to show whats coming next, i am feeling quite ill so i might be able to get done 2 or maybe 3 chapters done (fingers crossed)

 word count: 1071