Janice in danger?

Jules groaned as he came awake. Gradually, he opened his weary eyes and winced as the light from the sun flashed into it. He shut his eyes and tried again. This time, slower than the first.

He clutched the pillow that was underneath his head and set it at his back to brace himself as he sat in a relaxed position.

Jules frowned as his eyes caught sight of Janice who was standing next to the window- whose curtain had been drawn apart- with a hand on her bulging tummy.

He watched her bite her bottom lips, tapped her pointed chin and scrunched a pink envelope in her free hand.

"Madame..."

Startled, Janice swirled as she heard Jules' voice. "You are awake!" She exclaimed, ambling to his side.

"I am," Jules affirmed, shaking his head slightly.

"Since when?" Janice asked as she gripped a thermometer out of the opened first aid box that was near the foot of the bed.

"I've been watching you for a while, but you were lost in thoughts," Jules said, groaning as he lifted his hand for her to place the thermometer.

"What is going on in your pretty little head?" Jules inquired, clasping her hair which was done in a messy bun.

He inhaled deeply as he felt the texture in his hand. He couldn't remember the last time he had touched it, even her body.

Also, he couldn't remember the last time he had gotten so ill that he was not able to do anything.

Jules had always seen himself to be agile because he didn't and wouldn't do what would endanger his health.

However, this illness because of the stunt he had pulled during the storm confirmed he wasn't as immune as he had thought.

Janice shook her head as she glanced at the smirk on his face. Even as he looked sickly, he was extremely sexy as he smiled.

"It's nothing to worry about." She said, patting his cheeks lightly.

She didn't think telling him about what was going on would be a good idea.

She didn't know how he would react to it, but she knew he wouldn't be as calm as the queen had been when she had been summoned.

Moreover, he didn't look like he was in the right state of mind to worry about what her ex was about to do.

"Janice…"

"It's nothing." She said again with a smile. "You should think of how to get your strength back and not what is going on."

"I think I'll be fine. I don't feel feverish anymore." Jules said as he placed his hand on his forehead.

"You are not feverish," Janice affirmed, lifting the thermometer she had placed under his armpit up. "However, I don't think it's a good idea to worry now. Besides, I'm taking care of everything."

Jules sighed, gazing at Janice as she stepped away from the bed to the wardrobe. He knew she wouldn't tell him anything because he could see it in her eyes that she had resolved her mind.

"I hope it isn't about the baby," Jules murmured, resting his head on the pillow.

"It's not," Janice said, clutching a pale pink robe from the closet.

Jules sighed, as well as yawning. His eyes grew heavy and he strived to stay awake while listening to what Janice was saying.

Yet, he couldn't. He believed the effects of the mixtures and injection given to him hadn't worn off as he had thought.

Perhaps, sleeping again would clear his thoughts and the heaviness he was feeling in his head.

*****

It was some minutes past midnight when Jules came awake again.

He glanced to the side of the bed where Janice often slept, but couldn't find her there.

Alarmed, he climbed down hastily from the bed and stepped towards the wardrobe to grab a robe before stepping out of the room.

"Janice…" He mumbled, careful not to wake anyone. But he received no answer.

Maybe, she had run away again.

No wonder she had been acting weird, he mused.

She must have planned her escape routes so well and had waited for him to fall asleep again before running away.

Jules balled his hands into fists and gritted his teeth. He didn't know what he would do to her this time around because he didn't think he would let her bring disgrace to his name like she had done the last time.

Also, he didn't want to hurt her because of how far she was into the pregnancy, but he would definitely make her have something to get frightened about whenever she attempted to run away again.

Jules exhaled as he stepped into the drawing-room. He had searched the whole house, including the storeroom but he couldn't find a trace of her.

The drawing-room was his last resort and he wondered what he would do if he didn't see her there.

He released the breath he had been holding as he noticed a figure curled into a fetal position on the two-seaters.

Jules wondered what she was doing in the drawing-room all by herself and he noticed the same paper she had scrunched up earlier in her hand.

He walked towards her, grabbed the paper from her hand and tucked it into the pocket of the robe he donned.

Jules lifted her off the couch and walked towards their room. Gently, he settled her on the bed and grabbed the duvet to cover her exposed body.

He tucked a strand of white hair that covered her face to the side of her ear and watched as the moonlight caressed her beautiful face.

She looked quite peaceful while asleep and not like the headstrong woman she was during the day.

Slowly, he brought his lips to her mouth and placed a light kiss on it before walking away from her.

He brought out the paper he had tucked in his pocket and straightened it. He switched on the lamp and placed it underneath.

Jule's eyes narrowed when he saw the content of the paper. He glanced at the back and the front again as he read what was scribbled on it once more.

Someone was threatening her? He mumbled to himself.

His brows creased as he glanced at Janice then at the paper. It didn't make any meaning to him as he read it over again.

Jules knew he had to wait for Janice to come awake to ask her what was going on. But, in the meantime, he didn't think he could get any more sleep as he thought of the potential danger Janice and his child could be in.