x I Love You x

"I think it's time we bring our friendship out of the shadows."

"Oh, Joseph, l..."

"Yes. Yes, my dear. I would kneel if it weren't for my knee replacement."

"Joseph, there's a wedding to be planned. Mia needs to win over the people of Genovia, all in less than 30 days."

"Perhaps it's time to consider the duty you have to yourself?"

"Oh."

"Clarisse... My darling, please think about it. Please."

"I will."

Opening her eyes Clarisse sighed at the thought. Hearing a knock to her suite doors she stood to her feet and called out "Come in." Putting her hands up she brushed her hair back behind her ears as she began to walk around the coffee table. She had been expecting Mia any moment now and she was sure that would be her, only when she looked up she saw the man who not only stood beside her and protected her, he now played on her mind, every time she was alone her mind would drift to him. "Oh, Joseph. I thought you were Mia." She said while clasping her hands together in front of her.

"She's on her way, she's just running a little late." He answered while looking across the room at her as she gently nodded "I wonder if you might have a moment, I need to talk with you about something." He asked.

"Of course, please do come in and take a seat?" She asked and motioned towards the couch as she moved to stand in front of an arm chair.

"Thank you." He said and closed the door behind him before taking a deep breath. Turning he made his way over to the couch and slowly sat down.

"What can I do for you?" Clarisse asked, resting her hands on top of her thighs as she tucked one ankle behind the other.

"This is hard for me to do." He started and cleared his throat as Clarisse sat watching him "Tomorrow Princess Mia will be married and within a week, as we know, you will no longer be Queen."

"Joseph, I..." Clarisse started and watched as Joseph slowly raised his hand "I...?"

"Please let me finish..." Joseph said and quickly regretted it. Seeing the shock in her eyes broke his heart, and after a moments silence he continued. "I will stay for a month, be here for both you and Mia as she settles in as Queen, but then Shades will take over." He said while pulling an envelope from the inner pocket of his leather jacket.

"Joseph I can't accept that, you can't leave." Clarisse exclaimed as he looked down at it in his hands "You've been with me so long.. how can you even think about leaving?"

Slowly he looked up, their eyes meeting "I have nothing here for me once Mia becomes Queen."

"Yes!" Clarisse exclaimed and stood to her feet "Yes you do, you have Mia.. She's going to be Queen, she needs you more than ever, Joseph."

"What about you?" He asked, standing to his feet and watched as she slowly walked around to the french doors "Do you need me?"

"I..." Clarisse started a moment later and turned to face him just as there was a knock to the door "Who is it?" Clarisse called out as she made her way over to Joseph.

"It's me, Grandma." Mia answered from beyond the door.

"I will be right with you, Mia." Clarisse answered and looked at Joseph "Please don't do this, Joseph. Not now." She asked, almost begging.

Placing the envelope which held his letter of resignation on her coffee table, he looked up into her eyes "I have nothing keeping me here, Your Majesty." He said and walked towards the door "I will leave in one month." He bowed and opened the door "Princess Mia." He said in passing as he left his Queen's suite and made his way down the corridor.

"Joe?" Mia called after him and looked towards Clarisse as she slowly sat down on the couch "Grandma?" She asked as she slowly walked in, closing the door behind her "What's going on?"

Looking towards Mia, seeing the concern in her eyes she simply shook her head and patted the space on the couch beside her "We have a lot to do, shall we begin?" She asked, trying to avoid any questions.

To Be Continued.