A royal Heart

chapter 17: recovery and reflection

The sunlight streamed through the curtains of Julie's modest apartment, casting a warm glow on the walls. Morning had become her favorite time of day—before the weight of responsibilities and memories settled heavily on her shoulders. She sat at the small kitchen table, sipping tea, her gaze drifting toward her father.

Frank was sitting up in bed, a faint smile on his face as he flipped through a newspaper. His strength had returned considerably in recent weeks, and though he still had moments of fatigue, the improvement was undeniable.

"Another day of sunshine," Frank said, looking up from the paper. "Feels like things are finally turning around, doesn't it?"

Julie nodded, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "It does, Dad."

But despite the brighter days, Julie couldn't shake the feeling of something missing. The palace—and more specifically, Xavier—lingered in her thoughts. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his face, heard his laugh, remembered the way he'd looked at her with kindness and understanding.

After finishing her tea, Julie busied herself with chores, trying to keep her mind occupied. She swept the floors, folded laundry, and ran errands around the town. Everywhere she went, she was greeted by familiar faces—neighbors, shopkeepers, old schoolmates—all going about their lives. But none of them knew about the life she had briefly led inside the palace walls, or the man she had left behind.

One afternoon, as she organized the small box of her father's medications, she came across the vial of medicine she had stolen months ago. It was empty now, but holding it in her hands brought back the desperate night that had changed everything.

Julie sank onto the sofa, the vial clutched tightly in her palm. She thought about the choices she had made—stealing, running, accepting Xavier's offer to work at the palace. And then, ultimately, leaving it all behind. She had done it for her father, to give him a chance at recovery, but she couldn't ignore the ache in her chest that reminded her of what she had lost in the process.

"Julie?" Frank's voice broke through her thoughts.

She looked up to see him watching her, his eyes filled with concern.

"You've been quiet again," he said gently. "You're not still thinking about the palace, are you?"

Julie hesitated, then sighed. "I am. I keep wondering if I made the right choice. Leaving Xavier, leaving everything... It feels like I left a piece of myself behind."

Frank nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "You did what you had to do, Julie. For me. And I'll never forget that. But if your heart is still there, maybe it's time to stop running from it."

His words struck a chord, and for the first time in weeks, Julie allowed herself to truly think about what she wanted. She had spent so long putting others first—her father, the townspeople, even the royal family. But now, as her father's health improved and their lives stabilized, she began to wonder if it was time to fight for her own happiness.

That evening, Julie sat at the window, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. Memories of her time at the palace played in her mind like a reel of film—the way Xavier had smiled at her during their late-night talks, the way he had reached out to help her in her darkest hour.

She touched the silver necklace that still hung around her neck, the pearl pendant resting against her collarbone. It was a gift she hadn't had the heart to part with, a small token of the connection she had shared with Xavier.

As the first stars appeared in the sky, Julie made a silent vow to herself. She would find a way to move forward, but she wouldn't ignore the part of her heart that still yearned for him.

For now, though, she would focus on the present—on her father's recovery, on rebuilding her life. But deep down, she couldn't help but feel that her story with Xavier wasn't truly over. Somewhere, in the distance, their paths would cross again. And when that time came, she would be ready.