Page 14 of A Royal Obligation

While her words said the contrary, Jules truly wished she would see him again. Something had happened inside her when they briefly touched. It was almost as if an electric current ran within his fingers as they met hers.

She thought he was cute, too. She couldn’t really see his face or his features at all behind his hat and sunglasses, but she justknewhe was attractive. From the way he carried himself to the adorable way he acted when she had caught him staring at her. She knew there had to be a tall, chiseled man underneath all that black clothing. She pictured him to look something like a Hemsworth brother in her mind…

“Earth to Jules.” Her dad’s voice brought her out of her trance.

“So he was that cute, huh?” Her mom teased.

“Oh hush. Maybe I was daydreaming about him, but I never even saw him. He was dressed in all black and even wearing sunglasses. He’s probably a spy or something. Even more reason I should get him out of my mind.” Jules physically shook her head, trying to remove the memory from her mind. But, deep down, she knew she would never be able to forget how that mysterious stranger had made her feel. “How are you both doing?”

“Oh, I’ve never been better, Pumpkin. Your mom is doing well, too. You know her. She has been meeting with her lady friend group and bragging about you working for royals.”

“I’ve hardly even started my job, Momma.” Jules rolled her eyes. Of course her mom was bragging to everybody and their dog about her new position.

“But you’re going to stay in a palace with a real prince. How exciting! You have to tell us all about how the Wistonian royal family really is once you meet them.”

Jules heard a beep on her phone and looked down to see that Charlotte was calling her.

“Sorry to cut our chat short, but Charlotte is calling me so I’ve gotta go. I’ll call when I can. Love you both!”

“We love you too, Pumpkin.”

“Bye, Sweetie!”

Jules hung up and switched to answer Charlotte’s call.

“Hi, Lady Charlotte.”

“Jules, I am so glad that I caught you. I wanted to let you know of our plans for tomorrow. We are set to be welcomed to the palace at ten in the morning. How does it sound if we pick you up from where you’re staying on the way to the palace? That way we can arrive together and get the grand tour. It’s been a while since I’ve been there for something other than a ball, so I could use a refresher myself.”

“That sounds perfect! I am staying at the Applewood Cottage. It’s a bed and breakfast located on South Street in the downtown area.”

“Great.” Charlotte was silent for a moment. “I checked and that looks like it’s right on the way. We will pick you up about a quarter ’til ten. Does that work for you?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jules replied. “I cannot wait to see the Wistonian palace. I walked through the school today, and I already see some great potential in the space. I’m so excited for everything that you and Prince Barrett are going to be able to do for those kids.”

“That’s lovely, I’m excited to see the school. Have you been able to do anything else worth noting in your time there?”

She could think of one very noteworthy event. Jules’s thoughts roamed back to the likely Hemsworth look-alike… but that was a story she planned to keep to herself.

Jules heaved her luggage into the back of the white sedan and walked around to the driver’s side. She opened the door to the backseat and slid in, shutting the door behind her.

“Hi, Lady Charlotte, you look wonderful.” Charlotte wore a floral tea dress that looked like it would flow beautifully in the wind.

Jules herself wore a robin’s egg blue peplum dress. She decided to wear the white silk gloves she had bought for this job, happy that she could present herself in a manner fitting for a royal family.

“You are so sweet, thank you. You look lovely as well. That color is darling on you.”

Jules offered her thanks. “How was your journey this morning?”

“It was good and uneventful. I’m always surprised that Wistonia is only a few hours’ drive away from home.”

“You’re telling me. I was so shocked at how quickly I arrived yesterday. I can’t wait to see the palace.” Jules turned her attention out the window. She wanted to soak in as much of Wistonia as possible in her time there. She admired the landscape as they drove through the countryside. An overwhelming whiff of manure filled her nostrils, causing her nose to scrunch, as they passed quaint farms set within the rolling hills with horses, cattle, and goats running amidst their fenced yards.

As they got closer to the palace, the hills turned into taller peaks. It was her first time seeing mountains, and all she could do was sit there in awe taking the beautiful landscape in. The mountains were a lush green, covered in a beautiful, dense forest of diverse trees.

When the car turned down another road, the sun was in such a position that it hit her just right through the window. The rays landing upon her skin further warmed her already excited heart.

Before she knew it, the car arrived at the entrance to the palace drive. Their driver stopped at the guardhouse to explain their purpose as multiple guards walked around them, peering in to make sure there weren’t any obvious threats. They gave them the okay to pass through, and Jules’s jaw dropped in shock as she took in the Wistonian Palace.

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