Anger/Apology

"How could I be so careless?!"

Janice mumbled, whilst pacing around the room.

Since her arrival back at the castle, she had been thinking of what Jules would do to her when he reached home.

She had seen how furious he looked and she wondered what punishment he was going to meet out on her.

Janice shivered, clutched the robe she had slipped into around her body whilst glancing at the still-closed door.

She hadn't thought Jules would ever arrive at the place she went to because he had left earlier to go hunting and she hadn't mentioned it to him.

Perhaps, he arrived and didn't meet her at home. So, he had asked Grace, the only person she had told where she was going.

Janice's heart fluttered as she sighted Jules from the window. He climbed from his horse and walked towards the entrance.

She twisted the golden band on her ring finger out of habit and pondered on what to do to escape the brutal punishment he had promised if she ever disobeyed or made him furious.

Janice knew explaining to Jules was out of the question. He might not believe her and he would think she had encouraged Brightstone to flirt with her.

Sighing, she walked back to the bed, sat on it and thought of a way out.

Her eyes enlarged as the door went ajar. Jules enters the room and she glimpses a long horse whip in his hand.

Was he going to use that on her?! She mulled, shuddering.

The last time it was a leather belt which made her derriere sore for days. Now a horsewhip which she knew was going to seriously damage her delicate skin.

"A-are you going to use that on me?" She stammered, her lips quivering. She tightened her robe around her body and placed her hand protectively on her bump.

Jules didn't answer her question. Rather he stared at her and shook his head.

Janice didn't know what the gesture meant. However, she could see how mad he was and it frightened her.

"When were you going to tell me about him?"

Janice gazed at him as he went on rolling off his riding socks.

"I-I…" She trailed off. She eyed him as he took off his shirt next. Then his hand gripped the band of the breech he donned.

Why was he stripping in front of her?

Goodness!

Jules knows how to make her speechless.

Janice licked her lips and her eyes travelled back to his face.

"Why were you with that bloody flirt?!" Jules inquired. His voice was colder than the first and he stalked towards her.

He gripped her hand, pulling her out of the bed.

"I d-didn't know he was following me!"

"How long have you known him?"

"For a while," Janice answered truthfully. She couldn't deny it because she knew it would add to her punishment if she told any lies.

"When were you going to tell me about him or was I not entitled to know?"

"I wanted to tell…"

"I'm your king and husband, woman!"

Janice flinched and almost fell at the loudness of his voice. "I-I'm sorry." She murmured in a small voice.

"Stop f**king keeping things from me. What would you have done if something were to happen?!"

Janice shook her head, "Nothing would have happened because I told him he was pinning on the wrong woman."

"Really?!" Jules scoffed. "But he still went ahead, following you around. I doubt if you ever say anything like that."

"I did," Janice mumbled.

She breathed out and glanced at the whip as it dangled on where he had hung it. "Are you going to whip me with that?"

Jules shoved his hand into his hair and let out a breath. "Why do you think I'm going to do so? Do you see me as a monster?"

"N-no." Janice shook her head and let out a breath.

Though she didn't see him as a monster, she had been certain he was going to whip her just like the first time.

"I whipped you because you disobeyed me and I promised not to do that again." Jules asserted, assessing her face.

He wondered what other awful things she was thinking about again. He knew she was frightened the moment he entered the room.

But he hadn't connected her being frightened to the whip he often used on Dillion.

He groaned as he tugged her into him. "I'm your husband and not a disciplinary or a dictator."

"I've been here and I know the right people for you to follow." He paused, then went on as he saw she was listening. "Brightstone is a notorious flirt and you as my Queen shouldn't be seen with him."

Janice nodded, whilst relaxing into his arm. "I've been trying to avoid him for a long while but he just kept coming."

"That's because you didn't say you were married to me. Hence, he would have backed away if you had. He knows better than to flirt with my woman."

Janice's heart warmed at the term Jules had used on her. "His woman" She liked how possessive it sounded.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again." Janice said, staring up at his face.

"It's fine. Perhaps, you need to start wearing a tag that says ‘back off, she's the queen of Cherview.'

Janice giggled at how absurd it sounded. "Of course, not. I'd look silly."

Jules shrugged, then kissed the top of her head and her nose. "I want you safe."

"I'm safe," Janice affirmed with a smile.

“My Lady, I need to start preparing you for…" Grace faltered. She reddened whilst she noticed the position they were in.

"Grace!"

Jules pulled Janice into him as she was about to walk away. He placed his lips on her. The kiss was intense. It lasted for a few seconds. When Jules removed his lips from her, Janice wanted more but the presence of Grace in the room stopped her from running to the door to beg Jules to take her.

"See you at the party, madame." He winked and left the room.

Janice blushed, nodding her head.

"Well…"

"Let's start with the preparation," Janice said, cutting her off.