A royal Heart

chapter 19: a call for help

The cold winter air of Perinn seemed sharper that morning, cutting through Julie's coat as she hurried through the narrow streets. The sun had barely risen, casting pale streaks of gold across the frosted rooftops. Her breath formed clouds in the air as she made her way to the café, clutching a steaming cup of tea she hadn't touched since leaving the apartment.

Her father had insisted she go to work, despite his worsening cough.

"I'll be fine, sweetheart," he had said, waving her off from his armchair. "Just need to rest a bit. Don't fuss over me so much."

But Julie's heart had clenched at the sight of him. His pallor was back, the glow of health that had returned to his cheeks months ago now dimmed. The cough wasn't the kind that came with a passing cold; it was deep, rattling, and ominous.

At the café, Julie moved like a machine, pouring coffees and serving pastries while her mind remained elsewhere. She glanced at the clock every few minutes, each passing hour making her stomach churn with worry. When her shift ended, she practically ran home, the cold air biting at her cheeks.

"Dad?" she called out as she entered the apartment, setting her bag on the counter. Silence greeted her.

Panic surged through her as she rushed to the living room, where she found her father slumped in his chair, his breathing shallow. His face was ashen, his hand trembling as he tried to lift it in reassurance.

"Julie, I'm fine," he rasped weakly, though his condition told a different story.

"You're not fine," she said, kneeling beside him. "You need to see a doctor. I'm calling for help."

"No hospitals," he croaked, shaking his head. "We can't afford it."

Tears sprang to Julie's eyes as she gripped his hand. "We'll figure it out. I'm not losing you."

The next hour was a whirlwind. Julie called an old family friend, a retired nurse, who arrived with her medical bag and a look of grave concern. She checked Frank's vitals, frowning deeply as she listened to his chest.

"It's not good, Julie," the nurse said quietly. "He's got fluid in his lungs. He needs proper care, and soon. This isn't something you can manage at home."

Julie's stomach twisted. "I don't have the money for a hospital. Isn't there anything else we can do?"

The nurse hesitated before replying. "I'll do what I can to make him comfortable, but this... this needs more than I can provide. If it gets worse, you'll have no choice but to take him in."

After the nurse left, Julie sat by her father's side, holding his hand as he drifted in and out of sleep. Her mind raced with desperate thoughts. She had worked so hard to get him back to health, to give them both a semblance of stability. And now it felt like it was all slipping through her fingers again.

She thought of the palace, of Xavier. Would he help if she asked? The thought lingered, both hopeful and painful. She hadn't heard back from him since sending her letter weeks ago. For all she knew, he had never even received it.

But the alternative—doing nothing—was unbearable.

As the night wore on, Julie found herself pacing the living room, torn between fear and indecision. Her father's shallow breathing was a constant reminder of how little time they might have left.

Finally, she sat down at the small table in the kitchen and pulled out the envelope she had kept tucked in her drawer. It was her last hope.

The letter wasn't addressed to Xavier directly but to the palace. She had written it in a moment of desperation, pouring her heart onto the page. Now, as she stared at the envelope, she felt a pang of uncertainty. What if it reached him too late? Or worse, what if it never reached him at all?

She stared at the letter for what felt like hours before finally deciding. She would deliver it herself.

The next morning, she left her father in the care of their neighbor, Mrs. Carmichael, a kind woman who had always been willing to help in times of need. Julie bundled up against the chill and set out for the palace, the envelope clutched tightly in her hand.

The journey was long, and the closer she got to the towering gates of the royal residence, the more her nerves began to unravel. She had no idea what she would say if she saw Xavier. Would he even remember her? Had he moved on, as she feared?

When she finally arrived, the palace loomed above her, its grandeur both beautiful and intimidating. Julie approached the gates, her heart hammering in her chest.

"I need to speak with Prince Xavier," she told the guard, holding out the letter.

The guard gave her a skeptical look. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but it's urgent," she said, her voice trembling. "Please, just give him this. It's a matter of life and death."

The guard hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed her. "Wait here," he said gruffly, taking the envelope.

Julie stood in the cold, her breath forming clouds in the icy air as she waited. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours, her anxiety growing with every passing moment.

Finally, the gates opened, and a young man in a formal suit approached her.

"Miss," he said, his tone polite but guarded. "Prince Xavier will see you."

Julie's heart leapt as she followed him through the gates and into the palace. The warmth inside was a stark contrast to the cold outside, but she barely noticed, her thoughts racing as she tried to prepare herself for what was to come.

When she was ushered into a sitting room, her breath caught in her throat. Xavier stood by the window, his back to her, his silhouette framed by the morning light.

"Julie," he said, turning to face her. His expression was a mixture of surprise and concern. "You're here."

Tears welled in her eyes at the sight of him. "Xavier, I didn't know where else to go. My father... he's sick again, and I don't have the resources to help him. I didn't know if you'd even want to see me after all this time, but I—"

Xavier crossed the room in a few quick strides, gently taking her hands in his. "Julie, stop. Of course I want to see you. Tell me everything. We'll figure this out together."

In that moment, the weight on Julie's chest lifted, replaced by a flicker of hope she hadn't felt in months. She wasn't alone anymore. Xavier's presence, his warmth, reminded her of why she had taken the risk to come here.

And for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to believe that things might be okay.