Okay, so I am working on an idea for a novel and took a few ideas from that to create a Joseph / Clarisse story. It is incredibly long and I hope you like it.

No characters belong to me, just a few little ideas from my imagination. Characters property of Disney & Meg Cabot.

A Royal Secret

Chapter 1 (Part 1)

They had managed to escape the ballroom with little fuss; and from the moment Joseph signalled for his staff to retire and kissed her hand, she knew where she wanted this to lead, how this perfect night should end.

They entered her silent suite, closing the door behind them. From her suite they could only hear slight muffled sounds of the party below, but Clarisse could not stop smiling; she was finally able to relax now that her granddaughter; her bright, beautiful young Mia had taken her rightful place as Princess of Genovia. She removed her gloves as Joseph poured two glasses of champagne and her eyes fixed upon his as he handed her the glass. 'To you, my Queen.' Joseph said.
'To our Princess.' Clarisse said with a smile; and the lips of their glasses touched before they drank. Joseph's mind was doing cartwheels. He knew what he wanted to happen, but he also knew what he wanted and what should be were two different things. He downed the rest of his champagne and Clarisse smiled brightly. 'So my Head of Security does drink whilst on duty.' she said.
'No. I am now officially off duty.' he said as he placed his glass down on the table.
'So I guess I should dismiss you and allow you to get some rest rather than pander to the whims of an old Queen too happy to sleep.' Clarisse said as she placed her glass beside his before looking back up at him. Her eyes were sparkling, her lips softened; she was glowing, lighting up this entire room with her beauty. 'Is there anything your humble servant may do to help you get some rest too madam?' he asked, but she turned from him in silence and walked towards the sideboard just outside of her bedroom door. She unclipped her earrings and eased her tiara from her hair, placing them both down on the mahogany top as Joseph watched her; unsure of whether or not her silence was indicative of a dismissal. She turned to look at him and his breath hitched as she reached her arms up behind her neck, unclipping her necklace and dropping it beside her tiara as he slowly approached her. She removed her rings also and placed them down before reaching up to Joseph; who was now so close to her that she could feel the heat radiating from him. She untied his bowtie and flung it down with her jewellery, unbuttoning his top buttons as their eyes fixed.

Suddenly their arms were wrapped around each other, pulling the other closer as their lips explored, passion erupting from every pore. Clarisse's eyes were soft, her gasps audible as Joseph kissed down her jaw to the soft curve of her neck. Their hearts were racing, their temperatures soaring as they finally let go. Joseph recalled how close they had been to giving in when they had danced sensuously weeks ago, but they had of course been interrupted by duty as was always the case and he could sense it before it happened; a knock at the door causing them to jump away from each other, both attempting to steady their breathing.

Joseph took his leave as one of Clarisse's maids started to help their Monarch ready herself for bed. As the maid helped Clarisse out of her ball gown; commenting that the warm and packed room downstairs had left her flushed, she could not help but think of the real reason for her heightened temperature. The maid locked away the expensive jewellery Clarisse had been wearing and stood to see her monarch exit her bedroom, her white silken robe wrapped around her. 'Will that be all ma'am?' the maid asked.
'Yes, but could you send Joseph to me please? There are things we need to discuss now that we have a new Princess.' she said.
'Very well.' the maid said and curtseyed before leaving the room.

Clarisse entered her bathroom; she had already removed her make-up and slathered herself in her night cream, but she sprayed some more perfume as she heard her suite door open and close.