A royal Heart

chapter 6: unlikely friendship

Over the following weeks, Julie and Xavier's lives continued to intertwine in small, quiet ways, their unlikely friendship blossoming within the constraints of palace walls and royal expectations. What had begun as chance encounters in hallways or shared glances across crowded rooms had evolved into meaningful conversations, laughter, and moments of shared silence.

One evening, Xavier invited Julie to join him for a quiet dinner in a private garden courtyard, away from the formality and watchful eyes of the palace staff. The garden, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns and filled with the scent of blooming roses, felt like a hidden world apart from the pressures of the palace. Fireflies flitted among the flowers, casting tiny lights across the scene, and a small table for two was set beneath a grand old tree.

Julie felt a flutter of nerves as she took her seat across from Xavier. Despite her work at the palace, she had never quite adjusted to the sheer beauty and grandeur of her surroundings. Yet here, amidst the soft hum of the night, she felt at ease.

"Thank you for joining me," Xavier said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "I thought you might appreciate a break from the usual palace routine."

Julie returned his smile. "It's beautiful here. I didn't even know this part of the garden existed."

Xavier shrugged with a playful smile. "There are a lot of hidden places in this palace, if you know where to look. This one's my favourite—it reminds me of simpler times."

They ate together, the conversation flowing easily as they shared stories from their lives. Xavier spoke of his childhood with his siblings, the adventures they'd had sneaking through secret tunnels and hiding in forbidden rooms. For a moment, he was no longer the serious, composed prince, but a young man with dreams, memories, and an endless curiosity for the world.

Julie found herself opening up, too, sharing memories of her life with her father, the happy times before his illness. She spoke of fishing trips, summer days spent reading on their old porch, and the warmth of home. Xavier listened intently, his eyes softening as she spoke. It was clear he wasn't just listening out of politeness; he truly cared.

"So, do you think you'll ever leave Perinn?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "Is there somewhere you dream of going?"

Julie hesitated, surprised by the question. She had always been so focused on getting through each day that she had rarely allowed herself to think about the future. "I... I don't know," she admitted. "I've always thought of Perinn as home. But if I had the chance to explore, I'd love to see the world—the mountains, the forests, even the cities. It sounds silly, but I've only ever read about those places in books."

Xavier shook his head. "It doesn't sound silly at all. Those places are beautiful. And you deserve to see them one day."

There was a sincerity in his words that caught her off guard, making her wonder if he, too, longed for a life beyond the palace walls. She studied him, noticing for the first time the subtle lines of tension that marked his brow, the faint hint of fatigue in his eyes.

"And what about you?" she asked softly. "Do you ever wish... things were different?"

Xavier considered her question, a wistful look crossing his face. "Sometimes, yes. There are moments when I wonder what life would be like if I didn't have these responsibilities. But I was born into this role. I have a duty to my family and to my people. I just hope I can live up to it."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, each lost in thought, before Xavier turned to her with a mischievous smile. "I have an idea. Since you mentioned you like to read, what if I lent you some of my favourite books?"

Julie's eyes lit up. "You have a collection here?"

Xavier chuckled. "One of the few perks of living in a palace. I have a room full of books, some that haven't been read in decades. I'd be honoured to share them with you."

And so, a new routine began. Each evening after her duties, Julie would find a small stack of books waiting for her at her door, hand-picked by Xavier. They ranged from poetry to philosophy, adventure novels to history texts. She devoured each one eagerly, leaving notes and thoughts in the margins for Xavier to read.

In return, he would scribble his own responses, often humorous, sometimes thought-provoking, and occasionally challenging her interpretations. Their written conversations became an unspoken tradition, a way to communicate in the quiet hours when their roles kept them apart.

One evening, after returning a novel with her thoughts scrawled across the pages, she found Xavier waiting for her in the palace library, seated in a large armchair with an inviting smile.

"Thought you might want to discuss this one in person," he said, gesturing for her to sit across from him. The room was dimly lit, with the scent of aged paper and wood filling the air.

Julie laughed as she settled into a chair. "I think we might have different ideas about the main character's choices."

"Enlighten me," he replied, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

They delved into an animated discussion, each defending their points passionately. Their laughter echoed through the empty library, mixing with their voices as they debated themes of courage, morality, and love. By the time they finished, they were both out of breath from laughter, and Julie felt a warmth spread through her that was deeper than any friendship she had known.

In the days that followed, their bond grew stronger. They shared quiet meals in hidden courtyards, whispered conversations in the library, and stolen moments in the palace halls. Though they tried to keep their friendship discreet, palace staff began to notice their closeness. Anna, Julie's friend from the palace, would raise her eyebrows knowingly whenever she caught sight of them together.

One night, after a particularly long day, Xavier found Julie in the garden, sitting on a stone bench beneath a moonlit sky. She looked up as he approached, and he settled beside her, their shoulders barely touching.

"You looked like you needed a break," he said, glancing at her with a gentle smile.

Julie sighed, leaning back against the bench. "I didn't realise how tired I was. I think Madame Ingrid added an extra floor to the palace today just to keep me busy."

Xavier chuckled, the sound low and comforting in the quiet night. "Madame Ingrid has her ways. But if it helps, I think you're doing brilliantly."

They sat together in silence, each finding comfort in the other's presence. Julie looked up at the stars, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't known in a long time. She felt as if, somehow, in this vast, complicated world, she had found someone who understood her.

As they sat together, sharing the quiet of the night, Julie felt a subtle shift in her heart, a realisation that her feelings for Xavier had grown beyond friendship. She knew it was foolish—he was a prince, (the future king) bound by duty, and she was an outsider in his world. Yet, in these quiet moments, none of that seemed to matter.

Xavier reached over, his hand resting gently over hers. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she looked up to find him watching her, his eyes filled with a tenderness that took her breath away.

"Julie," he murmured, his voice soft, almost hesitant, as if he, too, was grappling with something he couldn't fully express. But before he could say anything more, footsteps echoed nearby, pulling them back to the present. They quickly drew apart, the moment broken.

As they parted ways that night, each returning to their separate worlds, Julie's heart raced with a mix of hope and fear. She knew the boundaries between them, yet she couldn't deny the growing connection they shared—a bond that was deeper, more complex than friendship alone.

And as she lay awake in her room, replaying the warmth of his hand over hers, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was on the brink of something beautiful, something dangerous, something entirely unexpected.