Page 60 of A Royal Obligation

Barrett’s heart rate rose as he nodded his head. Liam mumbled in agreement.

“I wanted to apologize to both of you as well. I know you were pushing me to check on my health for a long time, and I am sorry that I didn’t listen. However, we cannot change the past, and there is no point looking back when all we can do is move forward.” King Henry paused for a moment, choked up with emotion. “I hope you both know that I love you, and I am proud of the men you have become.”

Barrett nudged his brother and they both got up and hugged their father. Liam excused himself and scurried out of the room. Barrett gave his father a knowing look before chasing after Liam.

He hurried down the hall, passing staff members along the way. All the staff had looked at him with eyes full of pity whenever he walked by these days, like they all knew his unspoken thoughts about missing Jules. Now he carried an even heavier weight in his chest at the thought that he may have the same inflammatory disease as his father. He couldn’t focus on that, though; he needed to concentrate on getting married and preparing to take the throne.

But what if he didn’t have to? What if he could have what he truly wanted? What if following his heart was as important, if not more important, than his obligations as a prince? What if his own happiness was more important than the judgement of others?

“Liam,” he called out, seeing him after he rounded a corner. “Are you okay? It’s unlike you to not say anything at all.”

Liam sighed in an exaggerated manner. “I’m fine. You know I’ve never been close with Dad. It’s hard to know he may be gone soon, and I won’t have the chance to make amends. We’re so opposite, but I don’t want him to pass thinking poorly of me and our relationship.”

Barrett threw his arm around Liam’s shoulder, having to stand on his toes to do so. “He loves you. Never doubt that. But maybe you could set aside some time to be with him. You know, in case he decides to give you the throne instead of me.” Barrett raised his brows.

“Har har. Way to steal my line.” Liam shot him an annoyed look, but Barrett saw the smirk pulling at the corners of his lips as he turned away. “I disliked you for the majority of my life. I was always mad that you were born before me. Silly, I know. But I’ve come to terms with it more recently. I believe that took away the bitterness in my heart and the clouds from my eyes, allowing me to see that we could actually get along.” He shot Barrett a look. “But don’t start thinking I’m going to stop messing with you. That’s my job.” Liam winked.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“If I can’t be king, at least I’ll always be the taller one.”

Barrett snickered. “I’ll see you around.”

Liam gave an exaggerated bow and continued down the hall toward their bedrooms.

Barrett headed back outside to the gardens, stopping once he reached the gazebo in the center. He sat on the bench along the back side of it and leaned against the wood frame. He was exhausted from all of the revelations the day had brought. He was anxious to know if either of them had the same illness as their father. But, most of all, his heart ached with sadness at the realization that the first person he wanted to tell and get guidance and comfort from about all of this was no longer at the palace.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jules

“Youcan’thideforever,Jules,” her mom yelled from the kitchen.

Jules was sitting in the living room of her parents’ humble home. She looked around taking in their ratty brown couch that was the same one from her baby pictures. Basically all their furniture was as old as she was or thrifted over time. Their Christmas decor was still out, filling the room with a bit more cheer during her father’s recovery.

Being back home brought a wave of memories that flooded over her. Jules thought back on the time their washing machine broke when she was in college. Her mother hand-washed everything for a year so that they could continue to make her college tuition payments. Her eyes landed on the couch again, and she remembered the many mornings she walked into the living room before school to find her father asleep on the couch because he had worked late again and didn’t want to wake her mom. They both worked extremely hard to be able to provide for their family, and Jules was proud to be their daughter. She dreamed of the day she would make enough money to be able to give back to them for everything they had sacrificed for her.

While Jules had enjoyed the quality time she got with her father being his caretaker for the past two months while her mother worked, it had been a learning curve being back home after having lived in the Wistonian Palace. One of the things she missed the most from the palace was the food. Her mom wasn’t exactly Gordon Ramsay.Honestly, she’s more likely to end up on Worst Cooks in Findorra.But she at least tried. Plus, she was really good at ordering takeout.

Jules missed Rory and Charlotte. But the one person she missed more than anything was Barrett.

She sat with her father watching a baking competition show. So far, they had watched every episode where the contestants had to bake something with pumpkin, but the episodes were running thin. And so was her time hiding from her problems.

She wished she could escape her feelings forever. Sign up for some Antarctic adventure or maybe an African safari. She didn’t want to be anywhere near the vicinity of Wistonia. Because if she stayed near, she worried the invisible string that seemed to tie her heart to Barrett’s would tug her right back into his chiseled, royal arms, and she would never be able to leave them again.At least not without breaking my heart in the process.

Her mind reader of a mother sashayed into the room and stood in front of the television, putting her hands on her hips. Her eyes drilled into Jules’s.

“Juliette Ruth Smith. I know what’s going on in that mind of yours, and you better not think you’re going to stay here. You made a commitment—to a prince and a duke’s daughter, no less—and you will follow through on your end. Do you hear me?”

Her father leaned over towards her, wincing at the motion. He was still healing from his surgery, but he was past the worst of it.

“She’s right, you know? You can’t bail now, Pumpkin. Think of the kids. They need you.”

Jules winced. Her dad always knew what to say to cut right to her core. The past eight weeks she had spent with her parents had only been delaying the inevitable.

Deep down, she knew her mom and dad were right. Jules had been a bit hasty in her decision to leave the palace. She prided herself on being dependable and hard-working, and fulfilling her commitments was a character trait her parents had instilled in her from a young age.I hope Charlotte and Barrett don’t think I’ve bailed on them.

It was time to return to the Wistonian Palace. However, she would do everything she could to avoid seeing Barrett any more than was absolutely necessary. There was only so much a girl’s heart could handle.