A royal Heart

chapter 21: returning to the palace

The sky was a deep, somber gray as Julie stood outside the gates of the royal palace, her breath visible in the crisp autumn air. The towering iron gates loomed above her, their intricate designs catching the faint glimmers of sunlight that managed to pierce through the clouds. She gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her nerves a tangled mess. The last time she had been here, she had left in heartbreak. Now, she returned with a mixture of hope and apprehension.

After hearing the devastating news of King Helmut's death and witnessing Xavier's grief in their brief reunion, Julie couldn't stay away. Despite the uncertainties, despite the whispers that would surely follow her reappearance, she had to see him. She had to know if he was okay.

The guard at the gate, a stern-faced man in polished armor, squinted at her as she approached. "Name and purpose?" he barked.

"Julie," she said firmly, lifting her chin. "I'm here to see King Xavier."

The guard's brow furrowed. "His Majesty is not accepting visitors at this time."

Julie's chest tightened. She had expected resistance, but it still stung. "Please," she said, her voice softening. "Tell him it's me. He'll want to see me."

The guard hesitated, studying her for a moment before nodding to a younger soldier nearby. "Inform His Majesty that a woman named Julie is here."

Julie stood in the cold, her heart pounding as she waited. She tried not to let her imagination spiral into worst-case scenarios—Xavier refusing to see her, or worse, his advisors turning her away without even telling him she had come.

Minutes felt like hours, but finally, the younger soldier returned. "His Majesty will see you," he said, his tone formal.

Julie exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. The gates creaked open, and she stepped inside, her pulse quickening as she followed the soldier through the familiar palace grounds. The gardens, once vibrant and full of life, seemed subdued, the flowers wilting under the weight of the season and the kingdom's mourning.

The soldier led her to the same grand doors she had walked through many months ago. Inside, the halls were eerily quiet. The usual hum of activity—maids bustling about, advisors conferring in corners—was absent, replaced by a heavy silence that seemed to press down on her shoulders.

They stopped outside the king's study. The soldier knocked lightly before pushing the door open. Julie stepped inside, her heart in her throat.

Xavier sat at the large oak desk, papers scattered in front of him. His dark hair was disheveled, and his shoulders slumped under the weight of invisible burdens. He looked up as she entered, and for a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, his eyes softened, and he stood, his movements slow and deliberate.

"Julie," he said, his voice rough, as though he hadn't spoken in hours.

Her heart ached at the sight of him. This wasn't the confident, charming prince she had come to know. This was a man worn down by grief and responsibility, carrying the weight of an entire kingdom on his shoulders.

"Xavier," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He crossed the room in a few strides, stopping just a foot away from her. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Then, without warning, Xavier reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Julie froze for a second before wrapping her arms around him, holding him tightly. He buried his face in her shoulder, his body trembling slightly. She could feel his pain, raw and unfiltered, and it broke her heart.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I came as soon as I could."

Xavier pulled back just enough to look at her, his dark eyes searching hers. "You didn't have to come," he said, though his tone lacked conviction.

"I did," she replied firmly. "I couldn't stay away, not when I knew you needed someone."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stepped back. "It's... been a lot," he admitted, his voice heavy. "Losing my father, taking on the crown, dealing with everything that comes with it... I don't know if I'm ready for any of this."

Julie moved to the sofa by the window, gesturing for him to sit beside her. He hesitated for a moment before joining her, his posture tense.

"You don't have to do this alone," she said gently. "You have people who care about you, Xavier. Your brothers, your advisors... me."

He looked at her, something flickering in his eyes—gratitude, maybe, or relief. "I've missed you," he said quietly.

Julie's breath caught. "I've missed you too," she admitted.

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their emotions filling the space between them. Finally, Xavier spoke. "It's not just the grief," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's the fear. What if I fail? What if I can't live up to my father's legacy?"

Julie reached out, taking his hand in hers. "You don't have to be your father," she said. "You're Xavier. You'll lead in your own way, and that will be enough. You're strong, compassionate, and brave. The kingdom needs you, but they need you, not some shadow of your father."

His fingers tightened around hers, and for the first time since she arrived, a faint smile touched his lips. "How do you always know what to say?"

She shrugged, a small smile of her own forming. "I just speak from the heart."

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking—about his father, about the kingdom, about everything and nothing at all. For the first time in what felt like forever, Xavier allowed himself to relax, to share the burdens he had been carrying.

As the sun set, casting a warm golden glow over the room, Julie felt a sense of calm wash over her. She didn't know what the future held for them, but in this moment, she was exactly where she needed to be—by Xavier's side.

And for the first time since King Helmut's passing, Xavier felt a glimmer of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest times, he wasn't alone.