Queen Clarisse smiled as she stood in the closet doorway. She had been awake for the last hour, listening to her husband, King Rupert, singing to himself in the shower and now as he got ready for the day. True they were away at the Royal Lake Lodge, where they went every year for their anniversary. This being no different, even after 5 years. But today he had been called back home for a meeting with parliament...
Tying up the sash of her robe as she stepped forward, sensing her husband was having trouble with his tie, like he always does. "Here, let me." She said smiling and moved to stand in front of him.
"Oh, Thank you!" He exclaimed, followed with a smile. "I always have trouble, I know." He added while looking down at her hands as she arranged his tie.
"I know." She nodded while looking up, smiling as their eyes met.
"What would I do without you?" He smiled and lent closer, kissing her cheek as she smiled in return.
"There, all done." She smiled and stepped back a moment later.
"I'm sorry that I have to go back home for a few hours." Rupert started as he moved to sit over on the chair.
"It's okay, I understand." Clarisse smiled as she lent back against the chest of drawers while watching him slip on his shoes.
"I will be back this evening though, then we can carry on with our romantic weekend." He grinned while tying up his shoes.
"That sounds nice." Clarisse smiled "I will be waiting."
Looking up and seeing Clarisse smiling across at him, he smiled back and stood up "I shouldn't be too late." He said while slipping on his tailored jacket and doing up the buttons as he made his way out through the bedroom and into the suite.
"Okay." Clarisse smiled and followed him out into the suite.
"Why don't you go shopping or something..." He said while stepping closer and kissed her cheek "I know how you love to shop." He laughed as she gasped.
"Hey!" Clarisse exclaimed as she followed him out the suite and across the landing.
"It's true." He smiled back at her while reaching out for her hand "And I am sure that Joseph won't mind." He said as they headed down the stairs.
"I know he won't." Clarisse smiled as he squeezed her hand while bringing it up to his face, kissing the back of it "Do you have everything?" She asked.
"I do." Rupert nodded and lent closer, kissing her cheek once again "I will see you this evening." He smiled and kissed her on the lips.
"I will be waiting." She smiled and opened the door for him to see his guard and driver already out in the driveway, waiting.
"I'll see you tonight." He called back as he hurried down to them.
Smiling Clarisse stood waving them off before going back inside. Heading back upstairs she set about finding out something to wear, and getting ready for the day, without her husband. And once she was ready she headed downstairs and through to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Joseph." Clarisse smiled as she stopped and looked at him pouring some tea "Any spare going?" She asked, smiling as he nodded and smiled back "Perfect." She smiled and grabbed a cup and saucer, placing it on the table beside Joseph's.
"I hear His Highness has left already?" He asked while pouring her out some tea.
"Yes, he left about an hour or so ago." She said while checking the time.
"Is he returning this evening?" He asked and watched as she sat down at the kitchen table.
"He is," Clarisse smiled as Joseph passed her, her tea "Thank you, Joseph."
"It's no trouble, really." He smiled and sat down opposite her "So, what are your plans today?" He asked before taking a sip of his tea.
"Oh I don't know." Clarisse said with a small sigh and looked down as she thought a moment "I may potter around in the garden, or I may go down and sit by the lake." She smiled "It's so relaxing there."
"That is it." Joseph smiled in agreement.
"You are welcome to join me, if I do decide to go down there." She smiled and sipped her tea.
"I would be honored, Your Majesty." He smiled and watched as she replaced her cup.
"Wonderful." She smiled.
Later that day, after sitting by the lake all afternoon, Clarisse and Joseph returned to the lodge, where the maid was waiting. Seeing them heading back, smiling and laughing together, she hurried over.
"Your Majesty," She said, getting her Queen's attention "His Royal Highness has been on the phone. He wants you to call him as soon as you return."
"Thank you, Jasmine." Clarisse smiled.
"You're welcome." She bowed.
Smiling Clarisse looked back at Joseph then back at Jasmine "Would you be so kind to bring some tea?" She asked while removing the hat pin and hat from her head.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Jasmine bowed and hurried out the room.
"Joseph, I will be back. I'm just going to call Rupert." She smiled while walking towards the door "Please make yourself at home." She said while turning and motioned to the couch "I won't be long."
Nodding, Joseph smiled and watched as she left, closing the door behind her as she did. Sitting down he waited for Jasmine to bring the tea, which when Jasmine returned it he prepared it, ready for Clarisse's return.
Not having to wait long, he quickly stood to his feet as the door opened.
Seeing the tea already prepared, Clarisse smiled "Thank you, Joseph." She said while closing the door behind him.
Seeing the sadness on her face, he took a deep breath "Is everything okay?" He asked, not really knowing if she would tell him or not.
"Pardon?" She asked, not really hearing what he had said.
"I asked if everything was okay?" He said as Clarisse sat down opposite him.
"Oh, yes. Well actually no, everything's not okay." She said looking up at him "The meeting has been adjourned until first thing tomorrow morning."
"Oh."
"Which means Rupert won't be able to make it back, he assured me though that as soon as it's over with tomorrow he will head this way." She said while looking up at Joseph "Which I tried to tell him is no good, I have a number of meetings to attend on Monday, I need to head back home tomorrow myself." She sighed and reached for her cup "He just never listens." She added and took a sip of her tea.
"Well, may I make a suggestion?" Joseph asked.
"Of course, anything." Clarisse nodded and placed her cup down.
"Well Your Majesty," He said taking a deep breath before continuing "If he's stuck back at the Palace until tomorrow, and you are returning tomorrow... why don't you just return today?" He said and watched as Clarisse looked across at him in surprise "Of course you don't have to..."
"Of course, that's a brilliant idea." Clarisse exclaimed while standing up "I can surprise him." She beamed as Joseph's face broke out into a smile "Thank you, Joseph." She smiled "I will go and start packing right away." She nodded and hurried out the room.
And just a short time later they were on the road, heading back to the Palace.
Arriving a little before 8pm, Joseph closed the main doors as Clarisse stood removing her gloves.
"Your Majesty?"
Turning Clarisse saw Rupert's butler, Matthew, heading down the stairs "Good evening, Matthew." She smiled.
"We weren't expecting you home until tomorrow, Your Majesty." He said as he stepped from the last step and walked over to her.
"Well I thought I would surprise everyone." She smiled "Is my Husband up in our suite?" She asked and watched as he started nodding "Wonderful, I will see you in the morning." She exclaimed and hurried up the stairs.
"He has company though, Your Majesty." Matthew called after her, but she carried on.
"Company?" Joseph asked as Matthew looked back at him.
"Yes, Sir." Matthew answered with a nod.
"What kind of company?" Joseph asked while raising his eyebrow.
Walking through the suite door, Clarisse scanned the room before hearing Rupert's laughter coming from their bedroom. So, slipping of her shoes and jacket she hurried over to the door. Taking a deep breath she stepped forward while opening the door, but what she saw, stopped her in her tracks.
There, in her's and Rupert's bed was her husband, who she had expected to be, but he wasn't alone, he was with his new assistant. Just as she lowered her hand, Joseph came rushing through the suite door, while calling after her.
"Your Majesty, wait!" He exclaimed and stopped when he saw Clarisse stood in the doorway, her back to him. Slowly walking over he peered over her shoulder to see the horrified faces of his King and his mistress.
Quickly jumping from the bed, Rupert quickly flung his robe on and tied it up "What are you doing here? I thought you were staying at the lodge?" He said and hurried over to her.
"That's... That's our bed..." She said quietly, her eyes meeting his.