“And the final touch,” Grace mumbled, rolling Janice's hair in a chignon bun and clasping it with pins. “My lady, you can see your face now.” Janice stared at the mirror she had turned to the other side because she didn't want to be tempted to stare at herself and point out corrections to the maid helping with her makeup. She marvelled as she glimpsed at the woman staring back at her through the mirror. It barely looked like her. She didn't know what Grace did to her face to make her cheekbones more prominent and her eyes popped out more. However, she knew the maid had done a great job. Although it wasn't as extraordinary as the one on her face during her wedding, she liked how modest it looked. “Thank you, Grace.” Janice beamed. “I tried my best, your majesty.” Grace blush, gazing at the ground. She continued, twisting her fingers, “And I didn't know you'd like it.” “You did more than your best.” Janice stood from the chair she sat on and walked to the middle of the room. Gra
“I wonder what is going on with those two,” Janice muttered, glancing at Jules and Brightstone, who were taking a defensive stance. Both men had been on that spot for an hour now, and she wondered what they were talking about. “They are probably catching up.” Cecilia smiled. Janice nodded. However, she knew it wasn't what they were doing. She could recognize the hostility that was starting to brew up the moment Brightstone appeared. “Perhaps,” Janice said. Then glanced to her right as she noticed the dowager Queen walking towards her. Janice and Cecilia bowed to the dowager queen, who nodded in acknowledgement of their greetings. The women straightened as the dowager queen passed by, and Janice followed suit, leaving Cecilia after promising to catch up with her after the ball. “I see you are acquainted with Baron Beckwith's daughter. She is a good girl with a charming personality.” The dowager queen added. Since her arrival at the castle, Janice had glimpsed the dowager queen a
Janice lifted a brow as she sensed Jules's eyes on her. He had been watching her ever since she stepped into the room. She wondered why, because he barely did that. It was her first time noticing his eyes on her, and it unnerved her. “Madame,” Janice jumped, swirled and glared at Jules that had sneaked up on her. “Quit terrifying me!” She bristled. Jules chuckled, clutching her tiny hand as she prepared to punch him. “I enjoy seeing you startled.” He said with a cheeky smile. Janice frowned as she stared at his amused face. It was a rare sight to behold, and it entranced her. She found herself returning the smile. And she couldn't help but feel her heart skipping a beat at how boyish and cute it made him look. “You should often smile.” “You think my smile is cute?” Jules inquired and his grin widened. Janice rolled her eyes, nudging his chest. “I didn't say you were cute. Your face looks pleasant and less scary when you smile.” “Also,” she went on as she noticed him raisin
Brightstone's eyes darkened as he watched Jules and Janice, who sat a few seats away from him. He grimaced, shaking his head as the thought of punching Jules's face evaded his mind. His hands clenched into fists, then averted his gaze when Jules turned his head. He sensed Jules' eyes on him. But he didn't look back. Rather, he concentrated on the performers that were now exhibiting their abilities. Not that it scared him to stare at Jules, he didn't want to let him know he had been watching them. “My Lord.” Cecilia's sultry voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He stared at her for a long while and wondered why he wasn't interested in an unmarried woman like her. Cecilia was beautiful, but not like Janice, whose beauty was extraordinary. Janice, even without makeup on, looked like a siren. He had never thought any woman would look as perfect as that until he saw her. Brightstone thought of how Jules was able to snag her attention because he was aware he wasn't the type that w
“How about we play a game?” Janice shook her head whilst glimpsing at the mischievous smirk that played on Jules's lip. It was a lazy afternoon for them, and she was glad to be indoors with Jules and away from the guests that were roaming about the castle. By Guests, she meant Brightstone, who never stopped making suggestive winks at her and the Princess of Cones, who went on flirting with Jules despite her presence. “Why, Madame, are you frightened I'm going to win?” “I'm not scared you'll win. Rather, I'm afraid of how you'll make everything go in your favour.” Janice answered with an eye roll. Jules shrugged. “I've always won fairly.” “I doubt that you often win fairly. Because all I see is you cheating.” “Me, a cheat?” Jules gasped. He placed his hand on his chest, feigning hurt. Then he glared at Janice, who rolled her eyes at him. “Prove to me, you are not a cheater.” “Of course, I'll do that,” Jules said. He grabbed the scrabble board that was beside him and placed it
“This tastes so good.” Janice hummed as she dipped another steamed lobster into the cocktail sauce. She moaned as she took a bite from it. “I feel like I'm in heaven.” “Are you enjoying this as much as I am?” She opened her eyes, staring at Jules. She noticed he was yet to touch his food and wondered what he had been doing. “Are you not hungry?” “I am.” “But your food is untouched.” She frowned, eyeing the food before him. “I'm hungry,” Jules stated. “But not for the food. Rather, for what is underneath your dress, madame.” Janice reddened as his leg came into contact with her underneath the tulle-covered table. “Sire, we are in public and someone might hear you say those nasty things.” “I don't care and besides, we are married. So, I'm allowed to say whatever I wish to my wife.” Janice could feel her body simmer under his scrutiny, and she averted her eyes as he continued staring at her. She didn't know she still looked good in his eyes. Despite how large she was becoming,
Janice waddled out of the room. She clutched the hem of the gown she donned and caressed her tummy slowly as she felt the baby kick. "Your majesty." Janice nodded her head at a maid, as she bowed slightly. She walked past her and let out a gasp as her head almost collided with someone. "Your majesty!" "Jeremy!" Janice gasped once more as she stared into the twinkling eyes of Jeremy. It had been ages since she last saw him. After the wedding, he and Maggie left almost immediately. Janice was a bit sad since the only person she could relate with left. Now that her husband was here, it was possible she would be around too. "Where is Maggie?!" She asked as they walked towards the dining room. "I'm glad you are happy to see me too," Jeremy mumbled with sarcasm laced in his voice. Then, he shook his head. "I'm afraid she is not coming." Janice let out a disappointed sigh. Perhaps, she should have known she wouldn't come since she had told her living at the palace was more like bein
Janice inhaled and let it out slowly as she walked the small distance between where she had tied her mare to the spot where Jules was. She had thought 'the haven' was hers until Jeremy said it was Jules'. Also, he had initially built it to visit there during his withdrawal days. Janice let out a deep breath again when she sighted Jules slouched on a bench that was situated in the middle of the garden. She hadn't noticed the bench before until now. Perhaps, he had hidden it from sight and brought it out whenever he needed it. She glimpsed a bottle of whisky with him as she stepped closer. "What are you doing here, Madame?" Startled, Janice lurched as she heard his voice. She had thought she was quiet and careful enough while walking to his side. But he had heard her despite her tiptoeing "How do you know it was I?" "I can smell your vanilla scent." He mumbled, then turned. Janice frowned as she stared at him. She noticed his eyes were red and puffy. She hesitated as he placed