A royal Heart

chapter 16: the departure

The days after Julie's departure were filled with silence—a silence that felt heavier than any noise she had ever known. The cramped apartment, once a source of worry and frustration, now became a refuge for her broken heart. Frank noticed the shift in her demeanor, but Julie kept her pain locked away, channeling every ounce of energy into caring for him.

"Julie," Frank said one evening as she adjusted his blankets, his voice tinged with concern. "You've been quiet lately. Is everything alright?"

She forced a smile, the corners of her lips barely lifting. "I'm fine, Dad. Just tired."

He studied her with a father's intuition, his brows knitting together. "It's more than that. I can see it in your eyes. Did something happen at the palace?"

Julie froze for a moment, the mention of the palace bringing back a flood of memories—Xavier's laughter, his gentle words, the warmth of his presence. She shook her head, willing the thoughts away. "I left. It was time to come home and focus on us. That's all."

Frank didn't press further, though his eyes lingered on her as she busied herself with tidying the room.

Despite her efforts to move on, Julie couldn't escape the ache in her chest. She missed the palace's grand halls, the bustling energy of the staff, and most of all, she missed Xavier. Every little reminder—a cup of tea, the scent of roses, the distant sound of laughter from the marketplace—brought him rushing back into her mind.

Her days were consumed with work and caregiving, but the nights were the hardest. Lying in the stillness of her room, she often found herself staring at the ceiling, replaying their moments together. The way he looked at her, the way his voice softened when he spoke her name—it all felt like a dream slipping through her fingers.

One evening, as Julie sat by the window, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of the sea, she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. She opened the small wooden box she kept hidden beneath her bed and retrieved the necklace Xavier had given her—a simple silver chain with a delicate pearl pendant. She hadn't worn it since leaving the palace, but holding it now, she felt a pang of longing.

"Why did it have to end this way?" she whispered to the empty room, tears brimming in her eyes.

Weeks turned into months, and slowly, life settled into a new rhythm. Julie poured her energy into her job at the café, picking up extra shifts whenever she could. Frank's health improved steadily, the medications and treatments working their magic. Seeing him smile again brought a flicker of joy to her heart, even if it was accompanied by a lingering sense of loss.

One day, while cleaning out a drawer in the kitchen, Julie found a crumpled piece of paper tucked beneath a pile of old bills. Unfolding it, she realized it was the schedule she had once kept at the palace—dates and times carefully noted for cleaning assignments, meal deliveries, and occasional errands for Xavier.

Her fingers traced the lines of the paper, memories flooding back. The late-night conversations, the shared laughter, the way his presence had made her feel safe and seen. She quickly folded the paper and stuffed it back into the drawer, as though hiding it could also bury the feelings she couldn't seem to shake.

One evening, as she sat beside her father, he reached out and took her hand. "Julie," he said softly, his voice steady now that his strength had returned. "I've been thinking... about everything you've done for me. You've given up so much."

"It's nothing, Dad," she replied, squeezing his hand.

"It's not nothing," he said firmly. "And I don't want you to lose sight of what you want, of who you are. You've got a light in you, Julie. Don't let it dim."

Her father's words lingered long after he had fallen asleep. As she watched him breathe deeply, she felt a surge of gratitude for his recovery, but also a deep sadness for the part of herself she felt she had lost.

One night, unable to sleep, Julie found herself walking along the shoreline near the edge of town. The moonlight danced on the waves, the rhythmic sound of the sea soothing her restless mind. She thought of Xavier, wondering if he ever thought of her too, and if their time together had left a mark on his heart as it had on hers.

Though she had left the palace, she couldn't leave behind the feelings that had blossomed there. And as much as she tried to convince herself that walking away had been the right choice, a small voice deep inside whispered that her story with Xavier was far from over.