A royal Heart

chapter 12: heartfelt conversation

Julie's footsteps echoed softly in the quiet corridor of the palace's east wing. The last of the evening light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the walls. She had just finished her duties for the day, yet her mind was elsewhere. Her conversation with one of the other palace staff had left her feeling uneasy—she had caught wind of rumors swirling around her and Xavier. Whispers were making their way through the palace and, as far as she could tell, perhaps beyond it.

Determined to shake off the unsettling thoughts, Julie made her way to the small terrace overlooking the gardens, a spot she and Xavier often retreated to when they needed a moment's escape from palace life. The tranquil setting had become a place where they could speak freely, where the weight of titles and expectations seemed to disappear, if only for a while.

Just as she arrived, she noticed a familiar silhouette leaning on the stone railing. Xavier stood there, hands tucked in his pockets, lost in thought. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, a faint smile gracing his face.

"Hey," he greeted her, his voice soft but warm.

"Hey," Julie replied, smiling back, though she couldn't fully hide the worry in her eyes.

Xavier noticed immediately. "Is everything alright?" he asked, his gaze narrowing in concern as he studied her face.

Julie sighed, moving to stand beside him. "It's... I don't know. I overheard some things today—people talking. About us."

Xavier's jaw tightened slightly, and he nodded, his eyes dropping to the gardens below. "My father had a talk with me earlier," he confessed. "He made it clear that he isn't thrilled about our... friendship."

A wave of guilt and frustration washed over Julie. "I never wanted to cause any trouble for you, Xavier. I'd hate to think that I'm a burden or that I've complicated things between you and your family."

Xavier's hand found hers, his touch reassuring. "Julie, you could never be a burden to me. You're... you're the one person I feel I can truly be myself around. I don't want to lose that."

They stood in silence for a moment, the sound of a distant fountain trickling into the night air. Julie's heart pounded as she struggled to find the right words. "I know that I don't fit into your world, Xavier. I'm just a girl from the other side of town who's trying to keep her life together. This life—the palace, your family—it's all so different from what I know."

Xavier turned to face her, a look of determination in his eyes. "Julie, do you know what my life has been like here? Everyone looks at me as 'the future king,' the one who's supposed to carry on the legacy, the responsibilities... It's stifling. I've had people tell me how to live, what to do, who to be friends with... even who to love."

Julie's eyes widened, her heart quickening at his words. "Xavier..."

He looked away for a moment, as if trying to find the strength to say what was on his mind. "But you... you make me feel free. You don't see me as a prince. You see me as... just Xavier. And that means more to me than you'll ever know."

Julie's hand tightened around his, and a soft smile played on her lips. "You've been a friend to me too, Xavier. More than a friend. I don't know what I would've done these past few months without you."

They stood there, each lost in the other's gaze, the world around them falling away. Julie knew that the connection they shared went deeper than friendship, yet she was terrified of the consequences that lay ahead.

"Xavier," she murmured, breaking the silence, "what are we going to do?"

He took a deep breath, glancing up at the night sky. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice tinged with a vulnerability she rarely heard. "But I do know this—I don't want to give up whatever this is between us. I want to fight for it."

Julie's heart swelled with emotion, a blend of hope and fear swirling within her. She wanted to believe him, to believe that their bond could withstand the pressures of palace life, of his father's expectations, of the scrutiny they would face. But a part of her still held back, fearful of the price they might have to pay.

"Xavier, you know this won't be easy," she said softly, her voice trembling.

"I know," he replied, his hand still entwined with hers. "But, Julie, when I'm with you, I feel like I've found something I didn't even know I was looking for. I can't just let that go."

She searched his face, the sincerity in his eyes making her heart ache. "I feel the same," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But if this... if we... cause trouble for you, I would never forgive myself."

Xavier reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Julie, the only thing I'd regret is not trying. Life here in the palace—it's a cage. And you've given me a taste of something more. Something real. I don't want to lose that."

They stood there in silence, the weight of his words settling over them. In that moment, Julie felt a spark of courage. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time, she felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, their bond was strong enough to endure the trials ahead.

As the evening deepened, Xavier gently pulled her into a warm embrace. Julie rested her head against his shoulder, her eyes drifting closed as they held each other in the stillness of the night. For now, in that quiet space, they allowed themselves to just be Julie and Xavier—two souls finding solace in each other, in a world that demanded they remain apart.

authors note: aww sweet but sad, kind of a forbidden love, sorry ive been long but ive got 20 reader wtff!!! thank you all so much x ive got loads of chapters that have been saved so their should be a lot more coming within the ext few days x