The princess of Cones

Janice stared as the young girl, the princess of Cones, Gabrielle, ascended the white pony in front of her with the help of her maidservant.

She flipped her glossy hair away from her face and gripped the rein of the pony.

Her toffee eyes twinkled and a grin adorned her diamond-shaped face when she sighted Jules galloping towards her on his stallion, Dillion.

“Oh, Prince Jules, it's a delight to see you this fine morning." She giggled whilst tucking a stray dark curl behind her ear.

"I reckon you are enjoying your stay here?" Jules grinned with a raised brow.

"Of course, I am. I can't wait to explore the beautiful landscapes that I had heard about." Gabrielle said, "I want to know if the rumours about it were true."

"I believe you'll find it quite intriguing," Jules assured.

His eyes collided with Janice, and he descended from his horse, landing on his feet.

With two long strides, he got to her side and halted in front of her. "I thought you were taking a day in, Madame?"

"I changed my mind," Janice said, shrugging.

"I'm glad you did. Perhaps, we could do something quite interesting now?"

Janice noticed the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes which often appeared whenever he was deep in thought.

She wondered what was going on in his head.

Perhaps, it was that absurd game of chess he had forced her into playing last week when she had told him she was bored.

Maybe not because she had sworn she would never play it anymore because she believed he had cheated. She had had a hard time concentrating that night as Jules had come into the room with only a boxer brief on.

She found it ridiculous that he was coming to play a game with nothing on, she didn't know he had used it as a distraction.

Janice swirled as the princess cleared her throat. She noticed the look of contempt she was tossing her way, but Janice didn't mind.

She had seen a lot of it since the past week she had been in this castle and it was mostly from the ladies that were into Jules.

The first time she had met Gabrielle was quite awkward as the princess had thought she was a maid.

Janice hadn't dressed like a maid at all that day, she did not don the drab brown clothing the maid of Cherview castle was known with.

Rather, she was in her usual outfit- a simple peach long-sleeved gown which was floor-length- it was one of the gowns she had set aside for lazy days.

Janice believed the reason the princess had mistaken her to be one of the maids was the way she had appeared in front of her, covered from her hair to toes in flour.

Janice grimaced as she recalled how the princess had ordered her to prepare a bath for her, and make her meal ready before she was done.

A maid had appeared on time to clear the air as well as had told the young princess that Janice was indeed a queen consort seeing as she was now married to Jules.

Ever since that day, Janice noticed how the princess stared at her with disgust especially when she was with Jules.

Janice was aware the princess fancies her husband, and Jules being the oblivious person he was, didn't notice.

"Why don't we go out on a picnic?" The princess suggested, "Perhaps, we could try going to the landscape because I so much wish to see it."

"Of course. Anything to make you feel welcome, princess." Jules asserted with a slight bow.

Anything to make her feel welcomed, but not me. Janice thought whilst shaking her head.

"I'll pass," Janice mumbled, gazing at the cloudless sky. "I'm quite tired."

"Silly Madame. That is more reason to take a walk." Jules said. "I can give you a ride on Dillion if you want."

Janice eyed the stallion as it neighed. Even though Jules had offered to ride her which should serve as security, the thought of being on it frightened her.

Dillion brown eyes locked on hers and it neighed once more.

"See, he likes you." Jules chuckled, patting the head.

"I don't like it." Janice blurted.

Then stared at Gabrielle as she snickered. "I'm not interested in going to the picnic. You can take her wherever she desires. I don't want to be the third wheel.

"Third wheel?" Jules mumbled staring at Janice.

He strode towards her and tugged her to him.  "What do you mean by being the third wheel, Madame? You are my wife."

"I am," Janice affirmed with a nod of her head. "Still, I don't want to go anywhere."

"I'll go get ready," Gabrielle announced.

Jules nodded towards Gabriella who skipped happily towards the large medieval door.

"Sweetheart, are you jealous of that little girl?" Jules inquired. The look of annoyance on her face couldn't be mistaken. Also, he had seen the same look when the brunette on the Island she had fled to was all over him.

"Do I look as if I care?" Janice said, rolling her eyes.

"You should care because you are my wife," Jules said, stroking her cheeks.

"I'm not jealous of her. She is but a child and doesn't know what she is doing." Janice mumbled.

"If you say that." Jules shrugged. "You should know I can read your expressions."

"I'm not envious of her. If you want me to go with you, I'll go."

"Excellent madame!" Jules exclaimed, tugging her to him. "That's what I want to hear."

Janice let out an exasperated sigh and walked away from him as he released his hold on her.

"I'll take my Mare with me. I can't be on that monster with you."

"Whatever you wish," Jules smirked, bowing slightly. "I'll always be at your service."

"I'm here," Gabrielle announced before Janice could retort.

The princess ascended her pony once more and she waited for Jules's manservant to prepare her Mare, Mai.

Janice sighed as Jules helped her up, she gripped the rein of Mai after patting its head. Then galloped towards the east where the landscape was situated.