The Rules

Even though her mind was far away, Janice had managed to answer all the questions the dowager queen had thrown at her without evading any.

"These are all the preceding royal families." She continued as they moved to another section of the castle.

Janice assessed each picture of the royals the Queen had pointed to and noticed they all had uptightness about them.

More so, she glimpsed the same grimace and forced smile on each face and wondered if it was the pattern they used in taking pictures.

Janice had seen the same expression on the Queen's face in the picture that was in the drawing-room.

"Next we move to etiquette." She stated, swiping at the pages of the books with her as they walked back to the dining hall.

It could house more than a hundred guests- A large table was situated in the centre and three maids were busy arranging ceramic plates, cutleries, and paper towels on it.

Janice had no problem with eating etiquette. She was familiar with all the rules and she could recite each offhand.

Janice had gone to the school of convent. At first, she had thought it was a waste for her mother to have sent her there, now she was glad she had been there since all the teaching was coming in handy.

They walked back to the drawing-room after some while, and Janice let out a relieved sigh because she could sit again.

"When in public, you are never to sign any autographs or take selfies with any fans or whatever they are called." The Queen's eyes lingered on Margie as she continued.

Janice watched as Margie fingered the stone embellishments on the bodice of her gown.

"It shouldn't be that bad if someone likes to take a photo of you or wants you to sign a paper for them," Janice said.

"It's unheard of." The queen asserted, "You should abide by all the rules."

Janice shrugged, glancing away. She wasn't one to break a rule, but she felt it was too strict to follow.

"The Queen is so uptight!" Janice mumbled as soon as she entered the room that had been arranged for Margie.

"Shhh." Margie tugged her inside and then secured the lock on the wooden door before gazing at her friend.

"You sure want to put yourself in trouble by yelling those loud." She giggled as she released her. "I heard she can be inhumane in punishment."

Janice remembered what the seamsters had said yesterday, and wondered what kind of punishment the queen meted out to offenders.

"But, that is the truth. We are humans you know." Janice said, "I don't know what is so special about the royals."

"Of course. I knew what I signed up for. So, I'm not bothered." Margie shrugged, plopping on the bed.

"You know you would leave that job of yours when you get married to Jules. Are you aware of that?" Margie's brows quirked.

"What?" Janice mumbled, with raised brows. She knew Margie was stopped from going to hers, but she hadn't thought she would be in the same position.

Margie shook her head as she stared at the confusion on her friend's face. "Jules should have told you about it before now."

"He only talks about me warming his bed after we get married,'' Janice murmured.

"Typical Forrest man." Margie rolled her eyes. She wasn't surprised since her husband had mentioned the same thing to her. Now, she doubted if he married her to warm his bed alone or because he loved her.

"Besides, the Queen mentioned it in the drawing-room. It seems you were not listening." Margie said.

"Should I assume your thoughts were on Jules who is attending to his business in London?"

Janice's cheeks reddened, and she gazed away briefly from her friend. "How do you know he went there?"

"Jeremy told me." She said, "I knew you were thinking about him. What happened last night?"

"W-what?" Janice stuttered.

"The glow on your face and the far-away look can't be mistaken. Spill the beans!"

"N-nothing happened," Janice said, hastily.

"If I didn't know you, I would have believed that lie." Margie tutted. "Will you tell me what happened or do you want me to find out for myself?"

Janice shook her head. Where would she begin from? She mused as she watched the twinkles in Margie's eyes.

She was aware that Margie could bring out the information from her eventually if she wanted.

"Fine, something happened last night," Janice murmured, whilst avoiding her stare.

"I knew it!" Margie squealed. " How was he, bigger and better than the first time?"

"Good God Margie, I'm not divulging that part of the information to you." Janice glared.

"Don't worry, you don't need to. I'm married to a Forrest and I can say his performance is exceptional." Margie grinned, licking her lips.

"Okay, thanks for that piece of information," Janice wrinkled her nose.

"Do you want to know what happened during our honeymoon?"

"Oh no! I'm not interested in what you and Jeremy did on that Island getaway you went to."

"I'll say it anyway." Margie rolled her eyes, grinning.

"Please don't," Janice begged. "I may have to barf on this gorgeous rug if you do."

Margie wrinkled her nose and then giggled. "You are such a prude!"

Janice preferred to be called that than listen to all the naughty details of what her friend had done.

She knew how extreme Margie could be with divulging information. She often left no part untouched and she says it as it was.

"I prefer being called that to listen to vulgar stories between you two." Janice retorted.

"Oh, lest I forget I brought something for you," Margie mumbled.

She gripped the handle of her luggage and hoisted it on the bed. She undid the zip and ransacked the bag.

A few minutes later, a lacy thong appeared in her hand, and she waved it in Janice's face.

"What is this?"

"What does it look like?" Margie questioned as she tossed it towards her.

Janice caught it, and fingered the material." What am I using it for?"

"Seduction, baby!" Margie said, wiggling her waist.

Janice's face burned as she thought of wearing the material to seduce Jules. She doubted if it would even work.

"Don't doubt yourself. We've got the power to bring men down on their freaking knees." Margie beamed.

"I seem not to know you anymore," Janice said, chuckling before placing the thong on the bed next to her.

Margie scoured the bag for more items of clothing and tossed them toward her.

Janice barely saw anything decent as she glanced at each of the things Margie had hurled at her. "Am I only here to seduce Jules?"

"Nope," Margie said, popping the p. "But I brought them because it would come in handy. I heard the Forrest's men can be boring sometimes and you might want to spice up your bedroom matters."

Janice sighed, as her thought drifted back to Jules. She was missing him already and thought of how she would cope without him.

Though he irked her all the time, she enjoyed his presence.