Page 51 of A Royal Obligation

“I have loved my time here. It’s a beautiful country. That apple fritter was the best I’ve ever had. Is there a chance I can get one today?”

“Of course. Would you like anything else to go with it?”

“I will have the sweet cinnamon latte, please, and whatever my parents would like.” Jules motioned her hand towards them.

Her parents ordered and joined her at the counter, waiting for their drinks to be ready. Jules’s eyes widened when she saw their prepared drinks.

“Dad, should you be having that much sugar?” she asked, eying his large hot chocolate with extra whip cream and sprinkles on top.

“What?” he asked after taking a sip, leaving a whipped cream mustache above his lips. “It’s delicious. I won’t even complain about the sugar crash later.”

Her mom rolled her eyes as she sipped on her plain herbal tea. Jules smiled looking between the two of them. To any onlooker, they may look an unlikely pair, but she knew they were the perfect pairing in every way. Her mom was gentle where her father was strong. He was funny where she was intellectual. They were opposite in almost every way, but that was what Jules thought made them such a great couple.

“What have you all been doing since you returned to Wistonia? Catch us up,” he said.

“We went to an apple orchard and made homemade cider. And I climbed a tree.” She mumbled the part about climbing a tree.

Her mother nearly spit out her tea. “You climbed a tree? You? My daughter who is terrified of heights?”

“I know it sounds wild. I wanted to impress Liam.”

“Liam? I thought the prince you were working with was named something with a B? Brandon or Ben, maybe?”

“His name is Barrett, honey. Liam didn’t like her because she wore his mother’s gown to the ball, but then they talked and are now friendly with each other. Try to keep up,” her mom moaned.

“Honestly, I don’t know how I’ve made it this far with you women and your stories. Go along, Pumpkin.” He rubbed at his temples.

“I climbed a tree and got an apple from the very top, but then I was too scared to get back down. But Barrett walked me through it every step of the way. He told me to jump near the bottom and he caught me.”

“Isn’t that the most romantic thing you’ve ever heard, Arnold?” Her mom looked at him wide-eyed before turning back to Jules. “When is he finally going to admit that he likes you?”

“I can’t be with the prince, Mom. He can’t be with me; I’m a nobody.”

“You’re a somebody to us, Pumpkin. If he can’t realize that, he doesn’t deserve you.” Her father patted her hand.

Jules took a sip of her latte. “Thanks, Dad, but he literally can’t be with me. All I meant is that I’m not a royal. Where did I leave off … we also went to the Winter Market yesterday that was actually on the road out there. Barrett bought me the most beautiful glass-blown pumpkin. He’s very thoughtful.”

“Handsome and thoughtful. And royal, no less. You don’t find that out there every day, Jules,” her mother said.

“No, you don’t.” Jules sighed, shoving the rest of her fritter in her mouth.

She finished catching up with her parents and returned to the palace, thinking about their love story and trying to come to terms with the fact that her potential shot at a love like theirs was with someone she could never have.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Barrett

Barrettshotstraightupin his bed. Panic rippled through his veins and sweat made his hair cling to his forehead. He could give a speech to the entire kingdom. He could address the King’s Council with ease. Yet, he came undone at having to go on a date with a woman. Some may not even classify it as a date since it was technically a group outing. And even though he had already survived two other dates with Charlotte, his stomach still twisted into knots at the thought of the horseback riding outing he would be hosting this afternoon.

After he got dressed for the day, he made his way to his father’s office. As he was about to knock on the door, he heard a loud shout on the other side, making his hand stop mid-knock.

“I refuse to go.” He could hear Liam’s feet pound throughout the space. “Did everyone else magically forget that horseback riding was how Mom got killed? Why would you all want to do something so dangerous?”

“That is enough, Liam. I will not make you ride. But youwillbe at the stables this afternoon. That is a command, not a suggestion. We need to put on a united front for all the guests who are coming. If I hear word that you did not attend this afternoon, know that there will be consequences.”

“I’ll be there. But I will not be happy about it,” Liam hissed.

Barrett quickly knocked on the door when he heard Liam’s footsteps nearing. The door flung open, and Liam’s vehement expression was the first thing Barrett saw.