A royal Heart

chaprer 26: testing the waters

Julie had always thought the palace was beautiful, but now its grandeur felt suffocating. The marble floors and gilded hallways, once awe-inspiring, seemed to echo with whispers that weren't meant for her ears. It had only been a week since Xavier began courting her openly, yet the ripple effect throughout the court and the town had grown into a tidal wave of speculation and judgment.

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The Gossip Begins

It started innocuously enough—an accidental encounter with two maids near the gardens. Julie had been enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face when she overheard them.

"I heard she's just a commoner," one of them whispered, her voice dripping with disdain.

"A café worker, no less," the other replied with a stifled laugh.

Julie's chest tightened. She turned to face them, her instinct to defend herself, but they quickly scurried off, their hushed laughter trailing behind.

That night, she lay awake in her luxurious bed, the words replaying in her mind. *A commoner. A café worker.* The contrast between her simple life and Xavier's royal world suddenly felt insurmountable.

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A Trip to Town

The next day, Xavier insisted on taking Julie to the town market, hoping to lift her spirits. She was hesitant but agreed, knowing how much he valued being among the people.

As they strolled through the bustling streets, hand in hand, Julie noticed the stares—some curious, others disapproving. A few townsfolk murmured greetings to Xavier, but their gazes lingered on her, unspoken questions hanging in the air.

At one stall, an older woman selling flowers smiled kindly at Xavier but looked Julie up and down with barely concealed skepticism. "Your Majesty, who might this be?" she asked, her tone polite but laced with judgment.

"Julie," Xavier said with a warm smile. "She's very special to me."

The woman's smile faltered ever so slightly. "Ah, I see," she said, her gaze flicking back to Julie before she handed Xavier a bouquet.

As they moved on, Julie forced a smile, but Xavier caught the tension in her shoulders. "They'll get used to it," he said gently.

"Will they?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

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Courtroom Glances

Back at the palace, the court's judgment was even harsher. At dinner, Julie could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on her as she sat beside Xavier at the long dining table. The nobles' conversations carried on, but their glances and raised eyebrows spoke volumes.

The Duchess of Weirin, seated nearby, leaned over to another guest, her voice low but audible. "A king should marry someone of standing, not... an ordinary girl. What would his late father think?"

Julie's appetite vanished. She pushed her food around her plate, wishing she could disappear. Xavier noticed her discomfort and reached under the table to give her hand a reassuring squeeze.

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A Late-Night Confession

Later that night, as they sat together on the balcony overlooking the palace gardens, Julie finally let her walls down. "I don't think I can do this, Xavier," she admitted, her voice trembling.

He turned to her, concern etched across his face. "What do you mean?"

"This life. The whispers, the stares, the judgment. I hear them everywhere I go. I don't belong here," she said, tears brimming in her eyes.

Xavier moved closer, taking her hands in his. "Julie, listen to me. They don't know you like I do. They don't see your kindness, your strength, your heart. I chose you because I love you, not because of what they think."

"But your world is so different from mine," she said, her voice breaking. "I don't want to be the reason people doubt you."

He cupped her face, his eyes searching hers. "You're not the reason they doubt me. You're the reason I'm stronger. Let them talk. In time, they'll see what I see."

Julie leaned into his touch, finding solace in his words, though her doubts lingered.

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An Unexpected Ally

The next morning, as Julie prepared for another day in the palace, she was surprised to find Lennox waiting for her in the corridor.

"Care for a walk?" he asked casually.

She hesitated but nodded, following him outside to the gardens.

"You know, they're all full of it," Lennox said suddenly, gesturing toward the palace.

Julie blinked, caught off guard. "Who?"

"The nobles, the court, anyone who has something to say about you," he replied. "They act like they're better than everyone else, but trust me, they're not."

Julie smiled faintly. "That's easy for you to say. You grew up here. You belong."

Lennox stopped walking and turned to face her. "You think I belong? I've spent my whole life trying to live up to impossible expectations, always being compared to Xavier or Sebastian. And Kole? He's constantly trying to find his place. None of us feel like we belong, Julie. But you? You've already won over the only person who matters—Xavier."

Julie's eyes welled up with tears, but this time they were tears of gratitude. "Thank you, Lennox," she said softly.

He grinned, his playful demeanor returning. "Anytime. Now, let's go find Xavier before he starts moping."

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Embracing the Challenge

Over the following days, Julie began to find her footing. The whispers and stares still hurt, but she reminded herself of Xavier's love and the support of his family. Slowly but surely, she learned to hold her head high, determined to prove that she was more than the gossip that surrounded her.

She wasn't just a commoner anymore—she was a woman who had captured the heart of a king. And that was something no amount of whispers could ever take away.