Page 63 of A Royal Obligation

Charlotte waved at Barrett from across the entryway of Brookside Primary School and gracefully walked over to him.

“Good morning, Lady Charlotte. How did you sleep?”

“Fairly well. I was so excited for the unveiling today it took me a while to fall asleep, but then I was out like a light. How about you?”

He very well couldn’t say that his dreams were filled with Jules, so he simply said, “I slept well, thank you.” His eye caught Principal McCallum’s from across the room and she gestured for them to come over. “It looks like we are being summoned. Ready?” Barrett extended his arm to Charlotte and led her over to the table near the entrance that had been set up for them.

Principal McCallum took the podium and a hush fell over the crowd that had gathered around the front of the school building. “Thank you all for joining us today. I am so pleased with how the renovations have gone and cannot wait for the children of Brookside to see everything. I believe you all will be as happy with the space as I am. It is one that will foster higher levels of learning and connection for our students. Without further ado, it is time I introduce the people who spearheaded these renovations for us. It is with great honor that I present His Royal Highness, Prince Barrett of Wistonia and Lady Charlotte of Findorra.”

Barrett walked arm in arm with Charlotte up to the podium and shook Principal McCallum’s hand before taking his place behind the stand. Charlotte spoke first, and her words appeared to be moving the crowd.

Well-spoken. Check.

However, Barrett tuned out most of what she said as his eyes met Jules’s looking up from the middle of the crowd. No matter how hard she may try to slip into the background, their magnetic connection always seemed to draw him to her. Charlotte gave Barrett’s arm a slight nudge, causing him to jerk his head over to her. Her eyes held a look of confusion as she gestured her head to the microphone.

“Ah, yes.” Barrett cleared his throat, wishing he had paid more attention to what she had said. “I full-heartedly agree with all of Lady Charlotte’s sentiments. It has been a true honor for us to have the opportunity to create a better learning environment for the next leaders of our generation.” He found Jules in the crowd again. “We would also like to thank Jules Smith. Many of the wonderful transformations were her ideas, and we were grateful to have her on our team. On behalf of Wistonia, we thank you for taking time out of your day to join us for this unveiling.”

Principal McCallum brought out a pair of extremely large scissors for the ribbon cutting and passed them over to Charlotte. Barrett and Charlotte cut the ribbon together after the crowd counted them down. A cheer erupted among those in attendance, and kids ran into the building, eager to see their new classrooms.

Barrett stayed back and watched. The joy on the children’s faces filled his heart. This was one of the things he loved most about being royal: giving back to his people. He felt the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck rise, and he was immediately aware that Jules had walked into the room. He looked for her out of the corner of his eyes and found her instantaneously. He tracked her movements and angled his body so that he could watch her more easily. He loved watching her work—watching her do what she was passionate about.

He could see that she was setting up a board game some of the children wanted to play with her. He stood there the whole time they played, trying to appear as if he was busy doing other things and definitely not watching the girl he loved do what she was born to do. A throat cleared next to him, and his eyes darted to the right, finding Charlotte’s.

“Lady Charlotte, how may I help you?”

Charlotte’s gaze was on Jules for a long moment before she turned back to Barrett. He couldn’t help but notice a twinge of hurt in her eyes, but it was gone before he could even be sure he saw it there in the first place.

“They wanted a picture of us in front of the building with everyone and asked that I come find you. Unless you’re otherwise occupied?” Her eyes went back to where Jules had been moments ago.

Barrett felt his cheeks flush. “Not at all. Let’s go.”

Jules beat them outside and Barrett had to pause for a moment to collect himself at the sight of her.Can Charlotte hear my racing heart?Does she know how I feel about Jules?He had never intended to hurt Charlotte, but he was finding it more difficult to hide his feelings for Jules with each passing day.

As they gathered to take the photo, the photographer put Jules to his left and Charlotte to his right. His breath hitched as Jules’s hand wrapped around his middle. He felt his face falter for a moment before he put his royal facade back on. A smile only Jules could cause was plastered on his face when the flash went off. Before he could speak with her, she scurried away. Barrett felt his heart go with her and hoped that somehow she would never have to leave him again.

Barrett didn’t even have a moment to sit down before a light knock sounded on his bedroom door. He walked over to it quickly and flung it open, hoping it would be Jules. His eyes widened when he saw Lady Charlotte standing there. She walked in without being invited, which was extremely out of character for her.

“Barrett, I apologize for barging in like this. I have to ask you a question, and I need to know your honest answer.” Charlotte clasped her folded hands together in front of her, but he could still see the way they slightly trembled. “Do you have feelings for me?”

Barrett let out something between a cough and a gasp as his chest spasmed. He leaned over on his desk to try to catch his breath.How am I supposed to respond to that? I care about Charlotte, but I don’t want to lie to her.He cleared his throat before he turned his attention back to Charlotte.

“Sorry about that; you caught me by surprise.” He paused, darting his gaze to the floor. “You want to know if I have feelings for you?”

Charlotte nodded, her knuckles turning white from how tightly she clutched her hands together.

“I hope you know that I care for you deeply. We’ve gone to countless balls, galas, dinners, and events together. I’ve known you since we were toddlers. Our parents probably even have a picture of us in our diapers together somewhere.”

That made Charlotte let out a snort, which she quickly covered with her hand.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Charlotte. I know that there has been this unspoken expectation between our families since we were born that you and I would marry. I always planned to uphold my end of that obligation.”

“I’m guessing there’s a but coming.” Charlotte pressed her lips together and gave him a sad smile.

“I’m so sorry. I care for you deeply as a friend, but my feelings don’t go beyond that. I never wanted any of this to happen, but the truth is, I feel a connection with Jules that I have never felt before.” He paced the room.I need to be completely honest with her. She deserves that.“It wasn’t planned. I tried to deny my feelings, but I can’t anymore.”

“I’ve honestly suspected something the whole time we’ve been here. I’ve known you your whole life, remember. She’s the one woman I’ve never seen you stumble over your words with.” She winked at him.

“You’re not mad?” Barrett asked, his eyes searching hers.