Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Diaries, nor anything related to the novels and/or movies.

Numquam Periit Amor (Love Never Dies)

"Your Majesty?" Charlotte asked tentatively.

Clarisse's head shot up. Her vision seemed to blur for a split second before focusing on her assistant.

"Yes, Charlotte?" She responded, somewhat tiredly.

"Prime Minister Motaz is here to discuss the new trade agreement with Portugal," the younger woman replied, while simultaneously handing the queen a cup of peppermint tea. Clarisse drank slowly, letting the mint sooth her nerves. She reluctantly stood up, put on a smile, and allowed herself to be ushered into a small conference room by Joseph.

"How are you feeling, my dear?" He asked. She looked at him, startled.

"Fine, thank you. Why ever do you ask?" Her brow furrowed at his obvious scrutiny. She was a few shades paler than usual and there was a thin layer of perspiration on her forehead and chest.

"Maybe you should lie down, Your Majesty. You look ill," he said, quite bluntly.

"I'm fine, Joseph, really. I…."

There it was again. Her eyesight blurred, before coming into focus on her Head of Security. He was right; she did not feel well at all. All of the sudden, she became extremely dizzy. Latching on to the nearest thing to support herself, which happened to be Joseph, she gasped as she felt bile creep up her throat, then a vice on her chest. Her hand grappled at the front of her shirt. She wanted it off, it was suffocating her. She couldn't breathe; her diaphragm seemed cramped and unable to budge to allow oxygen into her lungs. She was going to die; she could feel her body tensing. Everything was covered in a dark haze. Out of the fog she heard a voice calling to her.

"Clarisse? Clarisse! It's okay, stay awake. No, don't close your eyes," the voice commanded. She wanted to obey; she wanted her eyes to open. She tried telling the voice that she couldn't, but the words wouldn't come out.

Faces were swimming before her eyes as she tried to make out her surroundings. She heard the voice again, loud and clear, but tinged with uncertainty and…was it fear?

"Call the ambulance! Her Majesty is having a heart attack!" someone shouted. Was it Joseph?

A cool cloth was being pressed to her face and neck when she realized she was on the floor, her head in someone's lap. Then she couldn't see nor hear anything, as she slipped out of consciousness.