This is your child

"May I?" Jules asked.

Janice nodded and turned her back to him, allowing him to help her undo the hooks of her brassiere. As her ample breasts bounced free from the restraint, she let out a sigh of relief.

Rolling her eyes, she noticed Jules' gaze lingering on them, and she saw him lick his lips slowly. "Don't," she mumbled.

"Don't what?" A mischievous grin appeared on his face. "I said nothing."

"I know exactly what you're thinking," Janice replied, reaching for her squirming son in the cot.

Jules shrugged, unconvinced. "I doubt that."

Janice expertly changed the subject, trying to divert his gaze. She felt uncomfortable with his lingering desire and didn't want to encourage him.

"He has such an enormous appetite," she groaned as the infant latched onto her breast.

He made a noisy sound as he suckled, his tiny hand pressing possessively against her.

"I believe he takes after someone," Jules grinned, fascinated by the sight of his son suckling from her now larger breast.

He couldn't help but notice the marks and the weight she hadn't fully shed after giving birth. But then, he wasn't expecting her to transform back into her lithe body just a week after having their baby.

However, she still appeared perfect in his eyes, and he found himself drawn to her whenever he looked at her.

In his opinion, no other woman could compare to her, and he knew he would never feel the same way about anyone else.

For a while, he had been hesitant to express his feelings, fearing vulnerability and going against societal norms. But now, he realized that keeping his emotions to himself was not the answer.

Since he had expressed his feelings to her, the love seemed to multiply each day, and he wished for it never to cease. It was the sweetest thing that had ever happened to him, and he was glad he had embraced it.

"I think we are running late for the christening. It wouldn't make sense to keep the priest and well-wishers waiting," Janice said, gently patting her son's back to burp him.

"He'd understand. The prince is trying to fill his belly, and I don't think even the priest would appreciate it if he wails," Jules replied with a smile.

Janice nodded with a grimace. Their son, Prince Michael, had a powerful cry that could be heard throughout the entire castle whenever he needed her attention. Sometimes, he made Janice think he was being spanked until she slept in the room with him one night.

"He sure does take after someone in the family," said Janice, handing him to Jules so she could adjust the bodice of her dress.

"Were you that way when you were younger? I can't imagine you doing this," Jules chuckled.

Janice rolled her eyes. "That's right because I don't. I was a quiet child, and I have always been. However, I can imagine you wailing."

"Are you implying that he takes after me?"

"Of course, he's his father's son. He is like you in every aspect."

Jules handed the child back to Janice, feigning shock. He placed his hand on his chest and shook his head, "I'm disappointed you think I am that way. Well, at least he looks like me, so I will take what you said as less of an insult."

Janice nudged him, and he let out a chuckle. Indeed, their son not only took after his father in attitude, as the Dowager Queen had noted the first night he made a fuss, but he also resembled Jules entirely. He only had Janice's winter blue eyes; aside from that, he had everything about Jules, which could be somewhat annoying to her. She assumed that since she gave birth to him, he should be a miniature of her throughout. But then again, she didn't mind since she had always wanted a little boy who looked like his father.

"Shall we?" Jules extended his hand to her.

Janice clutched it, a wide smile on her face. "We shall." Then both of them proceeded out of the room towards the cathedral.

After the christening, Janice handed Prince Michael to Maggie and Jeremy, who were his godparents. Then, she went with Jules and the Dowager Queen to attend to the welfare of the people who celebrated with them, as well as the gifts they had brought.

"Congratulations. He looks so beautiful," a woman, an acquaintance of Janice, said with a smile, embracing her.

Janice's eyes wandered around the hall, searching for Jules. They halted in the center of the room as she noticed a brunette standing by the cathedral door. The brunette's eyes flickered around the hall before locking onto hers. Janice assessed the woman, who, in turn, assessed her. It was then that Janice noticed a child beside the woman.

The child appeared to be about three years old, with grey eyes that reminded her of someone. He stared at her, his mouth lifting in a lopsided smile. Janice shrugged, approaching them despite the strange vibes radiating from the woman.

"What do I say about not smiling with strangers?!" the woman scolded the boy as Janice approached.

"It's a pleasure to see you witness Prince Michael's christening. Why don't you come in?" Janice said politely.

The woman eyed her, rolling her eyes. "Thanks, but no thanks." She dismissed, then added, "We are not here for any prince; rather, we are here to see his father."

Janice stared at the boy once more, and the feeling that he seemed familiar resurfaced inside her head. She couldn't shove it away, nor could she ignore it.

"Who is the father?" Janice asked.

"He's actually coming here. So, I don't need to tell you," the woman replied.

Janice turned, her eyes locked on Jules, who was moving towards her with long strides.

He halted a few meters away from them, his eyes narrowed.

"Remember me, Forrest?" the woman said.

Janice stared at the woman, then at Jules, searching for any sign of recognition. Her heart sank as she heard her husband exhale heavily and mention what seemed to be the woman's name.

"Well, this is your child. I am here to give him to you since you didn't bother to ask about his wellbeing…" the woman stated.

"My child?!"

"His child?!"

Janice and Jules echoed, interrupting the woman in disbelief.