Janice sighed as she gazed at herself one more time in the mirror. The bodice of the gown the Queen had compelled her to wear restricted her airflow. She doubted if she would be alive before the event ended. She adjusted the sweetheart neckline of the dress, so it wouldn't make her look indecent due to her growing chest. Before smoothening her palm on the non-existent crease on the dress. Despite not liking the fact the Queen had picked it for her, she appreciated how the empire waist of the dress perfectly hid her baby bump. Her eyes trailed to her hair, which had been pulled back from her face, plaited in a circular coil around itself. A floral wreath made of rhinestones, pearl beads and metal enamel flowers adorned it, giving it all the sparkly benefits of a tiara. A soft rap sounded on the door, and the knob twisted. Maggie peeked inside the room. “Are you ready? I think the Queen might explode if you waste another minute here.” Janice rolled her eyes and crouched to gather

Janice glared at Jules as their hands collided when she was about to snatch the salt shaker from the table. Since today, Jules had avoided her like a plague and had come closer only when the queen invited him to dinner. Jules chuckled, shaking his head as he watched his wife. He didn't blame her for acting the way she did, since he had been the one keeping the distance from her. Heck, he had rejected her last night only to enter the room after she was asleep to grab the extra pillows and duvet there. “You should eat more of this,” Jules murmured, shoving the plate full of pork in front of her. “I'm fine with this,” Janice grunted, pointing to the sausage on her plate. Jules frowned as he discovered she had barely touched her food. He wondered if she was having trouble with nausea again when she wrinkled her nose. However, he noticed she hadn't dashed to the bathroom ever since the doctor gave her the drugs. Similarly, he was conscious of the fact that she was getting bigger, w

“Eat this,” Jules said, whilst nudging the plate filled with bacon and cheese close to Janice. He watched as she picked at the food in front of her and wondered what she was thinking about when she tilted her head. “Are you feeling unwell again? Because if you are, we can go back to the castle.” He stated, creasing his brows. “I am fine, Jules. Don't worry about me,” Janice said with a small smile. She wasn't feeling unwell like he had thought. Rather, she was displeased with the ludicrous flirting the young princess was doing in front of her husband. Since they had arrived, princess Gabrielle was caressing his biceps. Though it was meant to be discreet, Janice had noticed every movement from the corner of her eyes. Also, she had caught her in the act, which meant she was doing it, perhaps, to rile her. “You haven't touched your food since. Bacon is your favourite, and right now, it seems like it disgusts you.” Jules pointed out. Janice crinkled her nose as she nudged the food

She was freaking in love with Jules, Janice thought as she paced around the room. She took in a staggering breath and thought of when she began loving him. However, she couldn't come up with a reasonable answer. Moreover, the revelation appalled her because she didn't know she would fall so fast for him, seeing as men had treated her awfully in the past. Though she was aware Jules wasn't like them because he had always been gentle with her. Janice understood he didn't feel the same way about her like she did. He hadn't even mentioned the word like, let alone love, to her. He treated her only like his wife. She knew he had wedded her because of the child on the way. She couldn't help but think he would feel the way she did. Janice sighed as she sat on the bed. The baby in her tummy kicked, and she winced, rubbing it. A soft rap sounded on her door, snapping her out of her reverie. Her eyes strayed to the young maid, Judith, who entered the room. “Your majesty.” Judith curtsied,

“You've been moping all day, Madame. May I know what is bothering you?” Jules inquired, standing by the doorpost. He stared at Janice, and he noticed her hesitation. She bit her lips before letting a smile brighten up her face. He could tell the smile wasn't from within, and she only did it to dodge his question. He had studied her since she arrived with him at Cherview, and he knew when she was trying to evade his question. “It's nothi…” “Don't tell me it's nothing.” Jules asserted. “I've never seen you this gloomy before, and I feel you are keeping a tremendous secret from me.” Janice furrowed her brow as her eyes bored into Jules' in the mirror. He looked quite serious and didn't seem like he would let her escape from the question like she had done last night. She doubted if he already knew about what was going on and wanted to confirm with her. Because Jules often kept tabs on her, and she didn't need to tell him some things before he knew what was going on. It was one of th