Page 50 of A Royal Obligation

Jules choked on her bite of ice cream. “Are you asking if I think you’ll find love like that with Barrett?”

“More in general, I guess.” She shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong. I think Barrett and I would be a fair match. We are well-suited for each other, and it would be advantageous for my family, but it would be more like a Reese-and-Cheryl situation. A match on paper, but one without sparks. I’m thankful for this opportunity, but sometimes I dream about what it would be like if I could find a love match of my own.” Charlotte sighed longingly.

Jules pulled her in for a side hug. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to be you. That pressure from your dad and always having to be ‘on’ because of the media. I used to look at royalty as a position of privilege. However, through working for you and staying here at the palace, I’m finding out more and more what little freedom you have.”

“How do you understand me so well after only a matter of months? More than my family or friends?” Charlotte laid her head on Jules’s shoulder.

“Maybe it takes someone from the outside looking in to put words to what you couldn’t say before.”

Charlotte sat up straightening her blouse and fluffing her perfectly curled hair.How does she manage to still look flawless after a long day?

“I will do what my father requires of me. I have to. If I lose my inheritance, I will be missing out on so much good I can do for our people.”

“I’m really glad I got to know this side of you. The real side behind your public image. The woman who cares so much about those around her.”

Before she knew what was happening, Jules was pulled into another hug by Charlotte.

“Thank you for seeing the real me. I’m so grateful I met you.”

They continued to gab like old friends as they watched the episode. Jules clasped Charlotte’s hands while they waited in anticipation for Reese to make his final pick.

A loud cheer erupted from their lips when Lydia stepped out of the carriage and walked over to him. They both sat in awe as he declared his love.

“Lydia, I love you. I don’t care how much of a match we are on paper, because I know you’re a one-hundred percent match in my heart.” Reese bent down on one knee. “My sweet Lydia, will you do me the honor of standing by my side for the rest of my life and marrying me?”

Charlotte and Jules squealed and turned to face each other, squealing again.

“That was the most beautiful, romantic love declaration.” Charlotte held her hand to her heart.

“You see that puddle there on the floor? That’s my melted heart.” Jules pressed the back of her hand to her forehead dramatically.

They erupted in a fit of giggles and finished off their ice cream talking late into the night. When Charlotte yawned, Jules stood.

“I’ll take that as my sign to leave. It’s getting late. Thanks for tonight, Charlotte. I was in need of a good girls' night.”

“Me too. I hope you sleep well and have a great day with your parents tomorrow.”

Jules thanked her, said goodnight, and made the short walk back to her room.

She fell asleep dreaming that she and Charlotte would both find their own happily ever afters.

Jules tapped her foot anxiously as she waited in Beans and Books for her parents to arrive. When she spotted them at the door, she shot out of her seat and ran towards them, throwing her arms around them in a giant bear hug.

“I missed you.”

“We missed you, too, Pumpkin,” her dad said tenderly, squeezing her back.

“Oh, darling, you are so beautiful,” her mother cried out, pressing a hand to her lips.

“You saw her not even a month ago, Susan.” Her dad laughed.

“There’s something about her in Wistonia.” She turned to face Jules. “You have a certain glow about you here.”

Jules tried to ignore the thought that the glow was because of a certain Crown Prince. “Come on, let’s go grab a drink and a bite to eat.”

When they got to the counter, her parents looked over the menu. Jules started to order when she realized that the barista was the same one who served her on her first day in Wistonia.

“I remember you,” the barista said sweetly. “How are you liking our great country? Did you enjoy the apple fritter? It was made with a Wistonian apple, you know.”

---