Page 43 of A Royal Obligation

5. He needed his senses to lead his country well when he became king.

If only those reasons in his head could communicate all of that to his heart.

Chapter Twenty-One

Jules

Astheywalkedthroughthe apple orchards, Jules couldn’t help but internally question if she had done something wrong the day before. Why had Barrett fled the gardens during their lesson? Had she said something to hurt his feelings?

She thought he almost kissed her, but she had to have been imagining that. There was no way Barrett—literal royalty—would kiss plain old her. She wouldn’t have let it happen, though, for a multitude of reasons.

Reason one: Jules was friends with Charlotte and didn’t want to do anything that might harm that friendship. Reason two: Even if the prince could marry her, she would likely feel constricted in palace life, not being able to help students. Reason three: Jules couldn’t lose this opportunity working for Charlotte’s family. An opportunity that would allow her to finally start the after-school program she had been dreaming up for years.

Jules was pulled from her thoughts when Charlotte came up beside her, wrapping her arm through Jules’s. Both women huddled together as a chilly breeze brushed through the orchard, making the leaves on the apple trees rustle. Although they had to wear light coats, it was still decent weather for late November.

“How’s it going with Barrett?” Jules asked.

“I think it’s going well. Those men have eaten more apples than they’ve put in the basket, but that was to be expected.” Charlotte laughed lightly.

“Of course they are. It seems even royalty cannot resist these apples.” Jules picked one off a lower branch. She moaned as she took a bite of the crisp Wistonian apple, enjoying the crunch and sweet taste that held a hint of tartness.

“They really are delightful.” Charlotte grabbed one for herself.

They walked with careful steps toward the princes to avoid the mushy, spoiled apples on the ground. Jules breathed in the sweet scent of the apple trees as she looked out at the large expanse of land they covered.

They caught up with Prince Barrett and Prince Liam who were light-heartedly shoving each other as they tossed apples into a basket.

“Ha! I got more than you. Must be your old age catching up to you.” Liam jested.

“That’s likely because you threw them in while I gently placed them. No one wants a bruised apple.”

“Just because something is a little bruised on the outside doesn’t mean it tastes any different.” Liam picked up an apple with a visible bruise, rubbed it on his shirt, and took a giant bite out of it. He winked at Barrett with a playful glint in his eyes. “Hello ladies.” He shot them a handsome grin.

“Did you find any good ones?” Barrett asked.

Charlotte raised the hand she was holding the apple in. “My stomach found this one. Sorry, we weren’t much help. Do we have enough for making cider?”

Barrett eyed their nearly full basket. “I think we should have more than enough.”

“I think we need one more. A perfect apple, if you will.” Liam turned to Jules. “Jules, I challenge you to climb to the top of this tree and get the best apple from the highest branch.”

“You don’t need to listen to him,” Barrett said.

Jules stared into Liam’s eyes. He gazed right back, not backing down from the challenge. She wasn’t a fan of heights, but she wanted to continue growing Liam’s opinion of her. Taking a big gulp, Jules nodded.

“I’ll do it.” She stepped up to the tree. “Mind giving me a boost, Your Highness?”

Liam knelt down and cupped his hands together. She put her right foot on his hands, and he propelled her up to where she was able to grab a low-hanging branch.

Jules pulled herself up, finding solid branches she could place her feet on as she climbed higher and higher up the tree.

Just don’t look down.

Finally, she reached the top and inspected all of the apples now at eye level. She spotted the perfect one, bright pink with some spots lighter and others darker and no bruises in sight. Pulling it firmly, the apple came off the tree and she tossed it down to Liam.

Her voice caught in her throat as she noticed how high up off the ground she was. “Th-there y-you go, Your Highness.” Her stammer had nothing to do with the cold.

“Color me impressed.” Liam smiled up at her before lightly placing the apple on top of the others. He glanced at his watch. “We should head back to the Wistonian Cider Mill. Our private class begins in a few minutes.”