The ball(1)

"And the final touch," Grace mumbled, rolling Janice's hair in a chignon bun and clasping it with pins.
"My lady, you can see your face now."
Janice stared at the mirror she had turned to the other side because she didn't want to be tempted to stare at herself and point out corrections to the maid helping with her makeup.
She marvelled as she glimpsed at the woman staring back at her through the mirror, it barely looked like her.
She didn't know what Grace had done to her face to make her cheekbones more prominent and her eyes popped out more.
However, she knew the maid had done a great job. Although it wasn't as extraordinary as the one on her face during her wedding, she liked how modest it looked.
"Thank you, Grace." Janice beamed.
"I tried my best, My lady." Grace blush, gazing at the ground. She continued, twisting her fingers, "And I didn't know you'd like it."
"You did more than your best." Janice stood from the chair she sat on and walked to the middle of the room.
Grace took the peach chiffon, cap-sleeved, long flowing gown with a sweetheart neckline that was laid on the bed and helped her into it.
Janice glanced at herself as Grace dressed her up. She touched her bump that was barely visible underneath the dress and grinned.
She had agreed for the seamsters to design her dress after searching futilely for a gown that would make her stand out in the local store. She wondered how they did it because the dresses she wore made by them usually hid her baby bump perfectly.
Although she didn't mind showing it off, she didn't want to look like a cow either since most pregnant women she had seen on dresses seemed to look like they were disjointed from it.
"You are ready to astound the crowd, My lady." Grace beamed.
Janice rolled her eyes inwardly. She knew the only person she was going to stun tonight was Jules and if only he chose to be.
She had seen a lot of the women that had arrived at the castle earlier. Most were in their late twenties whilst some were debutantes.
She couldn't compete with them beauty-wise because they were all elegant looking. Also, they possessed grace and poise she neither had.
"I'm sure I won't be as beautiful as half of the maiden out there," Janice said.
Grace shook her head whilst unlocking the door for her. But, she didn't say anything as she sighted the King at the foot of the stairs.
"My Queen." Jules bowed as Janice walked down slowly in the company of her maid.
Janice giggled slightly, "Your Majesty."
She placed her hands on Jules' extended ones and let him kiss as well as helped her down the remainder of the staircase.
"You look flawless." He rasped in her ear.
"You look handsome in this outfit as well," Janice said whilst eyeing the tuxedo he donned.
"I have a surprise for you tonight."
Janice's heart palpitated. She stared at Jules and noticed his eyes had turned darkened.
She wondered what he wanted to give her or what he was thinking about that brought about the change in his eyes.
She had only seen him that way in the bedroom when...
Her skin flushed and she shook her head.
"Perhaps, a hint about the surprise I'm expecting would get me prepared?"
Jules ignored her question, bowing as a slow song began to play. "May I have this dance?"
"You don't need to ask." Janice asserted.
"You'll need to see the surprise for yourself." He tugged her to him and whispered into her ear.
Janice exhaled as his hot minty breath fanned her cheeks. Also, his hand caressed her tummy and she shivered at the sensual feeling it ignited in her.
"Jules..."
"I feel like ripping this dress off your body right now." He growled.
Appalled, Janice gasped as he gripped her derriere. She glanced around hastily and exhaled when she noticed no one was watching them.
"Stop gripping my backside, we are in public!" She glared at him then slapped his chest lightly.
"You are married to me," Jules said, reminding her.
"Of course, I am. But, it's kind of embarrassing."
"No one is watching," Jules said, pushing her bodice up as it showed a lot more cleavage than he wanted.
"You should cover this with a shawl next time. I don't want some pervert ogling them." He kissed her cheeks, then the corner of her mouth before pulling her into him once more.
"Forrest." 
Jules broke out from the embrace and his eyes bored into Brightstone who was with a red hair.
"Brightstone," Jules said, glaring at him. He gripped Janice's waist as he noticed his eyes on her.
He wondered what he wanted. Even after telling him she was married to him earlier, he didn't seem like he was giving up easily.
"Your Majesty." Brightstone bowed.
Janice smiled as he kissed her hand. She felt Jules stiffened as well as a grunt.
"Fancy seeing you again." She mumbled, then tugged her hand that Brightsone was still holding away.
Brightstone chuckled whilst gazing at Jules. He didn't mind the glare that he was throwing his way.
His eyes travelled to Janice and he could not stop thinking of how perfect she was. He had seen a lot of ladies tonight and he could say she was the most stunning.
"Who is your lovely companion?" Janice inquired. She could sense the tense atmosphere between the men and wanted to relieve it.
"My date for tonight. She is Cecelia, the daughter of Baron Beckwith."
"Your majesty." Cecelia curtsied. Her aqua eyes twinkled when she straightened. "I'd like to say the rumour about you being the fairest of all is true!"
Janice giggled, shaking her head. "Thank you. But you are so pretty."
"I know you are trying to flatter me. But, I'm truthful right now. Your beauty surpassed all the maiden presents here."
Janice smiled then blushed as she noticed Brightstone eyes were still on her. She knew Jules saw it too because his grip on her tightened more but not in a way it would hurt.
"Okay ladies," Jules grunted, halting what Cecelia was about to say. "How about I talk with my old friend here and you could get acquainted with each other?"
Janice nodded, then clasped Jules hand as he was about to leave. "Don't do anything drastic."
"Don't miss me too much," Jules replied with a grin.
Janice rolled her eyes whilst watching both men as they walked to the far end of the room.
She only hopes Jules wouldn't try to do anything that might make them want to engage in a brawl.
Hence, causing a scandal.