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
Jules winced as he came awake.His head thumped as well as his heart. He couldn't remember the last time he had that much drink.He often kept lots of liquor, but he barely drank any.Until yesterday. The strong urge to take away the pains he had been feeling for the past two years had led him to the shelf where it was.Jules snapped out of his thought and he turned as he heard a moan. Also, a slight pull on his hand.He stared at Janice, who curled in a fetal position. She placed a hand protectively over her bump whilst the other was used to brace her cheek. He watched her as she slept soundly. He couldn't help but admire the way her lips parted as she snored.Moreover, he remembered everything that happened last night all too well.But, he couldn't believe she would have come after him since everyone tends to leave him on days like that.She hadn't thought of what he might do to her since she disobeyed him by going out despite his warning, about her condition. Yet, he was happy sh
"It's so nice to be away from our husbands today," Maggie said, leafing through a book with her."I didn't know such a place existed, until now," Janice replied, still glancing everywhere in awe."You've been here for months, I wonder why you did not know about this since. Anyway, I'm not surprised."Janice shrugged. She walked to a session where a large sign with the word 'romance' was written in bold letters.A wide smile appeared on her face as she sighted the book she had in mind from a distance."This is going to be a great day." Janice beamed, snatching the book off the shelf. She walked back to where Maggie sat and settled into the chair opposite hers."What are you reading?""The art of seduction." Janice grinned. Maggie rolled her eyes. She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "We have different tastes in books.""Of course, we do. You can't see me reading recipe books. I don't need it.""I agree you don't. Also, reading a romantic book is ridiculous to me. I mean, why will
“I can't believe we let them talk into following us!” Maggie whispered, nudging Janice slightly. She glared at Jeremy, who stood a few meters away, winking at her. “They offered us this spring ticket in return. I'd like to say, it's okay, they followed us.” Janice replied, stretching out her leg on a small coffee table. “Also, it's not like we have anything hidden we would be doing here. So, I guess it's alright, they are here.” She added with a slight shrug. “I don't think it's okay,” Maggie grumbled. “Other women would think we are dependent when they see them with us.” “Moreover,” She continued. “How would you feel if you see a nasty headline with a caption like this, the king and his brother can't let their wives out of their sight, so they tag along like mutts.” Janice hoisted a brow whilst staring at her. She hadn't thought of that, and she wondered if there would be any news with such headlines. Since she had been in Cherview, she had seen how respectful even the journali
The walk to where Maggie and Jeremy stood seemed longer to Janice. She panted and groaned as her legs ached. She couldn't remember the last time she had walked a distance as long as that. Even though she could see the couple from where she was, it was still a long walk for her due to the condition she was in. “Are you alright?” Jules stared at her as she halted. His brows creased whilst watching her caress her tummy in the pale pink mid-length gown she donned. “I'm fine. I think I feel the baby kick.” She muttered, with a grin. “Do you want to feel it too?” Jules' face lit up at the invitation. He didn't care if they were in a public or not. He hadn't felt the baby kicking before. He nodded and strode to her side, then placed his hand on her bump, but felt nothing. “I feel nothing. Perhaps, it stopped?” He let out a disappointed sigh. “Oh! Maybe. You can feel it next time.” Janice said. “I believe so.” He affirmed, extending his hand to her. She gripped the hand he extended t
The next day, Maggie darted into Janice's bathroom whilst discussing some of the weird cravings she often had. She was able to lift the toilet lid on time before the vomit flew out of her mouth. She groaned, then dipped her head into the clean toilet, retching more. Maggie wrinkled her nose and patted her tummy before attempting to stand to her feet. She glanced towards the opened door, expecting to see Janice but was stunned to see her maid instead. "My Lady!" Grace exclaimed, rushing to lift her. "Are you alright?" "Of course, I am," Maggie murmured. Her head reeled and her mouth tasted sour like she had been eating limes. Despite the heaviness in her head, she took a step forward as soon as Grace released her hand. But, it didn't stop the dizziness she was feeling. "I just need to…" "Oh!" Grace gripped her hand before she could swoon. "You need to rest, My Lady!" "Grace," The duo swirled and noticed Janice was in the doorway. "Prepare a warm tea for the duchess and me." J
"You are lying Madame, I know that," Jules murmured. "It's obvious I'm talking about my baby. Who else is pregnant if not me?" Janice asked him as he was scrutinizing her. Jules shrugged but said nothing. "Well," Jeremy began. He walked towards the chair Maggie was in and sat on it. He tucked a strand of hair that had slipped out of the ponytail she held it in beneath her ear. Jules did the same, sitting beside Janice before clutching her hands. "I saw the doctor at the entrance and I was curious who was sick. But, mother is happy which is confusing." Jeremy grimaced. He recalled going to meet her to ask what the good news was. But, she had refused to tell him any. Not even Jules whom he thought was her favourite son. "Oh, gods," Maggie mumbled, shaking her head. "Did she say anything to you?" "She didn't. Was she supposed to say something?" Jeremy inquired, creasing his brows. "I-I…" Maggie stammered. "She wasn't," Janice said hastily as she noticed Maggie was about to tell
Janice glanced at the door as a knock sounded on it. She rolled on the bed and snatched the hanky beside her to blow her nose.Her eyes were puffy, but she didn't care. She only wanted the pain that seemed to have multiplied ever since she moved out of the room she shared with Jules to vanish.Also, the new ones that surfaced when she knew about what happened seemed to intensify all that she had been feeling and wondered if she could do anything.As soon as she got home, she had tried to set up a meeting with Jules to talk about everything, but it seemed like he didn't want to see her because each time she went close to his room, she noticed it was locked.She didn't know where he often went and didn't have th
The next morning, Janice groaned as she came awake. She rubbed her temple and winced as she sensed a headache brewing.She recalled doing what Margie had termed to be fun yesterday.It wasn't her wearing a skimpy bikini to show off her backside to people in the castle nor did she seduce anyone as she had suggested.They had a little tea party in her room yesterday. Only that it wasn't tea they had taken.It was a brandy Margie had stolen from Jeremy's collection and hid in her bag.Music had been played as well but was on low volume because of Prince Michael and even the dowager queen since she would term the choice of their music disapproving or vulgar.
"But trust me, can you see he is suffering the same way as you?""Just drop it, Margie.""Fine." Margie shrugged. "I hope you accept him before it is too late. You should try considering him because of the prince anyway."Janice glared and puffed out a breath. "We are not talking about him anymore."Margie giggled as Janice tossed her a throw pillow. She drew an imaginary zip across her lips and tossed the key away before staring at her."How about we do something fun?"Janice creased her brows whilst staring at the twinkles in Margie's eyes.
Janice glared at the phone, continuously ringing on the nightstand, then at Margie, sitting beside her with Prince Michael in her arms."Give him a chance, I don't think he wanted to hurt you.""Well, when Jeremy does the same, I'd like to say the same to you."Margie rolled her eyes, "Jeremy wouldn't dare. Besides, I trust Jules and I know what he can do. He'd never do such. I smell blackmail."Janice shrugged, "I don't think so. We both know how Jules is before he married me. What shows he wouldn't do the same?""You should see how he stares at you, Janice." Margie enthused. "He freaking adores you and you think he would do something as awful as this with
"Janice…""Stay away from me!"Janice snapped, moving past him and down the hallway. She stepped into the room and he followed suit.Jules let out a sigh and he pinched the bridge of his nose. "At least, give me a chance to explain myself."Janice sat on the bed, her eyes were on the ceiling. Even though she could see whatever Jules was doing in the room from the corner of her eyes, she pretended like she didn't see him."Will you ever hear me out or just assume I cheated on you?"She glared at him but wished she hadn't. His eyes were sunken and bleary as if he had not slept for days.
"How dare he do that to me?!" Janice paced around the room, gritting her teeth. She balled her hands into fists and exhaled noisily through her nose."I don't think he is aware of this. I believe what Jules says, and you don't have to blame him. He is even astonished himself." Margie pointed out.She glanced briefly away from her phone, then at Janice."I don't care if he is astonished or not! Why the hell will he go about assessing everything in a skirt?!"Janice tossed her hands in the air. "I should have known he would never change. I thought he was beginning to become the kind of man I want…""He changed for you." Margie interrupted. "He mi
Jules was the first to snap out of the daze he was in. He stomped towards the woman and glared, "Lucy, I think you are mistaken.""Perhaps I need to say it again. This is your child whom you abandoned years ago. He is here now. You can take him. I don't want him anymore."Lucy shoved the little boy forwards and despite her confusion, Janice instinctively caught him before he could tumble to the tiled floor."I have no child with you." Jules gritted his teeth.He yanked her hand and tugged her towards the waiting room, which was inside the church.He noticed people were gathering. A few people took photos of him. He didn't want them to know more than t
"May I?"Janice nodded as Jules pointed to her chest. She turned, and showed her back to him, to help her undo the hooks of her brassiere.She breathed out as her ample breasts bounced free from the restraint.She rolled her eyes as she noticed Jules’ eyes on them and glimpsed him licking his lips slowly."Don't." She mumbled."Don't what?" A grin plastered on his face, "I said nothing.""I know and I am aware of what you are about to say." She mumbled, grabbing her son who was squirming in his cot.Jules shrugged, "I doubt that."
It was exactly two hours after Jules landed and Janice was a bit relieved that not only had the pain in her tummy and lower back lessened, but she could move around the room as well, without feeling like she was going to be ripped into two. The only restriction she had was that she couldn't go a long distance, but it was better than being confined to the bed. “How about you take a cold shower to help with the pain?’’ Jules asked, whilst Janice fanned herself. She nodded without hesitation and allowed him to help her out of the bed. Stripping down to nothing, she stepped into the bathtub and let out a sigh as the warm water caressed her delicate skin. Janice eyed Jules from the corner of her eyes as she noticed him watching her from the d