The palace was alive with the hustle and bustle of preparations—both for Julie and Xavier’s impending parenthood and the arrival of a royal delegation. But for Sebastian, Xavier’s younger brother, there was a different kind of uncertainty in the air. The youngest of the four royal siblings, Sebastian had always been the most carefree, his laughter filling the halls even when the weight of the throne loomed overhead. Yet lately, he had seemed distant, withdrawn even, and the once-cheerful sparkle in his eyes had dimmed.
Julie noticed the change first. She had become close to all of Xavier’s brothers in the months that followed her arrival at the palace, but Sebastian had always been the most approachable. He was charming, easygoing, and often served as a mediator during tense moments. But now, as she observed him, she saw a shift—he wasn’t the same.
It was a late afternoon when she finally confronted him. The weather had been unseasonably warm, and the two of them had decided to take a walk through the palace gardens, something that had become a routine of theirs. Julie took in the vibrant colors of the flowers, trying to focus on the beauty around her rather than the heavy silence between them.
"Sebastian," she said softly, breaking the stillness. "You’ve been quiet lately. What’s going on?"
He looked at her, a mixture of surprise and reluctance flickering in his eyes. Then, with a deep sigh, he glanced away, his hand running through his tousled hair.
"I’m not sure where I belong anymore," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Everyone’s focused on you and Xavier, preparing for the baby and... everything else. But I feel like I’m lost in all of it."
Julie’s heart softened. She had known that Sebastian had always been caught between wanting to be his own person and the expectations placed on him as a royal, but she hadn’t realized the depth of his internal struggle.
"Sebastian," she said gently, "You have your own path to follow. You don’t have to compete with Xavier or anyone else. You’re important, too."
He smiled at her faintly, appreciating her kindness, but there was still an underlying sadness in his gaze.
"I know. But sometimes it feels like I’m just... waiting. For something to happen, something to give me direction." He paused, taking a deep breath. "And then there’s the fact that I haven’t exactly been able to find anyone to share my life with, not in the way I see my brothers with you and others."
Julie felt a pang of understanding. The young prince had always been the charming one, the one everyone gravitated towards, but it seemed the complexity of relationships had caught up to him. Love, commitment—it wasn’t as easy as it seemed from the outside.
"I think you’ll find what you’re looking for when the time is right," Julie said with certainty. "You’re kind, generous, and full of life. Someone will see that."
Sebastian smiled a little more warmly, his shoulders relaxing as the weight lifted slightly from them. "I hope so. Thanks, Julie. I just needed to talk about it."
As they continued walking through the gardens, Julie’s mind wandered. She knew that Sebastian was a good person, someone who deserved happiness and love. And yet, despite their close relationship, she couldn’t help but notice the subtle changes in her own heart. She saw in him a vulnerability that, although different from Xavier’s, mirrored the quiet depths of feeling that she had once feared to acknowledge in herself.
Later that evening, Julie mentioned her conversation with Sebastian to Xavier. She knew the bond between the brothers was strong, and perhaps, a little too strong at times. Xavier, who had overheard their exchange from a distance, felt a twinge of guilt. His younger brother had always been the one to keep things light, to make everyone laugh—but now, Sebastian seemed lost.
"I’ll talk to him," Xavier said, his tone firm. "He’s my brother, and I won’t let him fall through the cracks."
Julie nodded, placing a reassuring hand on his. "I’m sure you will, Xavier. You’re a good brother. Just don’t forget, he’s still growing into who he’s meant to be."
Xavier smiled, grateful for her wisdom. "Thank you, Julie. I’ll figure it out." He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently, a rare moment of calm before the chaos of the kingdom’s demands called to him again.
Later that night, as Julie lay in bed, her hand resting over her still-flat stomach, she thought about all the people in her life who had shaped her journey. Xavier, her love and partner; their unborn child, the greatest gift they could ever have; and even Sebastian, who was searching for his place in the world. She couldn’t help but feel grateful for the way everything had fallen into place. Yes, there had been struggles, but in this moment, she was exactly where she needed to be—surrounded by those she cared for, ready to welcome the future.
Julie closed her eyes, drifting into a peaceful sleep, knowing that despite all the uncertainty, love—whether for a partner, a child, or even a brother—was the greatest constant she could ever hope for.
ESTÁS LEYENDO
A royal Heart
RomanceJulie barely makes ends meet with her payments and her father is getting sicker by the day, she needs to steal medicine and she needs to now, she does it. Xavier the future king of Perinn sees what is happening in his drivers car he asks to follow...
