Page 67 of A Royal Obligation

“You are one of the most jumpy people I know.” Rory laughed. She walked over and sat down next to Jules on the settee. “Are you okay, though?”

She simply shrugged her shoulders in response.

“That bad, huh?” Rory set her hand on Jules’s forearm, giving it a gentle pat.

“I’m in love with Barrett, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t be here anymore, Rory. It’s too painful.” Jules picked up a pillow from the couch and buried her face in it.

“I’m so sorry. You are seriously the sweetest person I have ever had the pleasure of serving here. Prince Barrett truly couldn’t do any better than you.”

Jules gave Rory a sad smile. “He literally told me he can’t be with me. He must marry someone royal. I could never ask him to abandon his country for me.” Tears stung in the corners of her eyes as she tried to swallow the emotion that was rising in her throat.

“What makes you think you would have to ask?”

“He’s the most loyal, dutiful person I know. When he is obligated to do something for the throne, he does it—no questions asked—as long as it is lawful and within reason. I would never ask him to change who he is for me.” She flung her hands in the air. “He may not even still have feelings for me.”

“I’m sure he does, Miss Jules. He is different around you. All the staff agrees.”

“The staff? They talk about me?”

“The staff always talks. I know the kingdom has always believed he would marry Lady Charlotte. But, if I may say so, I know that almost everyone in the palace is betting on you.” Rory nudged her playfully and then looked to the side, thoughtfully. “Maybe the king will change the law?”

“I can’t even begin to comprehend that everyone believes that much in me. The staff has been so kind and wonderful during my stay.” Jules ran a hand through her hair, her hand slightly shaking from the emotion she was bottling up inside. “It will be so hard to leave here. I can’t imagine the king will change a law that’s been around for hundreds of years. But I appreciate you saying so. You're the best at cheering me up.” She pulled Rory into a side hug.

A firm knock on the door caused both girls’ heads to spin towards it. Rory hurried over and opened it widely so that Jules could see Wadsworth standing there with an envelope in his hand.

“I have an important parchment for Miss Smith.” He handed it to Rory, but his eyes were on Jules the whole time. He shot her one of his kind, grandfatherly smiles over Rory’s head. “I am looking forward to seeing you at the dinner with the King’s Council tomorrow. I am told it will be a smashing event no one will forget.” He gave her an awkward wink before turning on his heels and walking away, leaving them both stunned into silence.

“He was acting strange, right? What do you think that was about?” Jules asked.

“No idea. I’ve never seen him like that before.”

Jules raised her shoulders in question, but then remembered the note in Rory’s hand. She walked over to her with her hand extended. “Do you think it’s from Barrett?”

“Is that even a question?” Rory shot her a knowing smile.

“Hand it over.” Jules smirked and opened the envelope. She pulled out the letter and saw the script that had become so familiar to her. She sat on the edge of the bed and soaked in his words.

My Dearest Jules,

I don’t know if you have heard yet. I wanted to be the one to tell you myself, but it has been a busy day.

I have Sarcoidosis. Thankfully, Liam does not have it. I was really anxious at first, but then I received some wise words that pulled me through, and I am actually grateful for the diagnosis now. Not that I have it, of course. But that it woke me up. I am more aware than ever of the life I want to live and who I want to live it with. And what I want to do with the time I have left.

I apologize, this letter wasn’t meant to be morbid. I just always want to share everything with you. My thoughts. My ramblings. My feelings. And I will—share it all, that is—soon enough. I am planning on making a big announcement at the dinner with the King’s Council tomorrow evening. You and Lady Charlotte are invited as my guests.

I could never have made it through the last five months without you. I wanted to thank you for everything you have done. You have changed me and helped me grow into the person I want to be. I am excited for tomorrow and the start of the next journey it will bring.

Until Then,

Barrett

Tears pooled in Jules’s eyes. She was devastated that he carried the same illness as his father. Yet, she was even more upset at the thought that she couldn’t comfort him how she wanted. The tears finally fell onto her cheeks knowing that Charlotte had, no doubt, been the one to give him wise words and pull him through. He was simply thanking Jules for being his dating coach and being the force that had brought him and Charlotte together. From his letter, he obviously planned on announcing his engagement to her tomorrow.

She almost called her parents, craving their advice, but decided against it. She didn’t want to drag any more people into this mess of a situation. Into her fairytale dream that would never be a reality.

A sinking feeling filled the pit of her stomach. Although she knew a proposal had been imminent, she didn’t know if she could bear to be there tomorrow and witness him declare his feelings to Charlotte and ask her to spend the rest of her life with him.

Chapter Thirty-One