Sitting at the table in her suite Queen Clarisse sipped her tea before continuing to read the letter she held in her hand while waiting for her husband, King Rupert to appear for breakfast. Putting her cup down, she opened another letter to find an anniversary card from their eldest son, eighteen year old Pierre inside.
Smiling to herself, she stood it up on the table and opened another letter, reading it to herself as Rupert appeared. Standing by the door, he watched her for a moment before closing the door and walking over to the table.
Seeing him place his diary down on the table, Clarisse looked up as she began folding up the letter she had been reading. "Good morning, and happy anniversary." She smiled and looked back down, putting the letter back in the envelope.
"Happy anniversary." He said, pouring himself some tea as she removed her glasses, placing them down on the table beside her letters.
"A card came from Pierre, he apologizes for not being here to celebrate with us but wishes us lots of love and will see us soon." She said, watching him sip his tea.
"Ok." He nodded and put his cup back down, taking a bite of his toast while grabbing his diary. "I don't have much time, I am needed to attend parliament this morning." He said, giving her a quick glance before looking back down at his diary, writing something down.
"Oh..." Clarisse answered quietly and watched as he studied his notes "You have remembered about the charity meeting at the hospital?" She asked, looking up at him "Haven't you?"
Looking up a moment later, he nodded "I have, but I am going to have to meet you there." He answered and sipped some more tea.
"Ok." She nodded and rested her elbows on the table in front of her, locking her hands together as she rested her chin on top of them, watching him. "And tonight, you have remembered about our plans, haven't you?" She asked, and watched as he looked up at her a moment later.
"What?" He asked as what she said registered. "Oh yes, I'm sorry... yes of course I have remembered." He said, standing to his feet as she watched "And I will be here for that, I promise." He added while moving around to her, kissing her forehead. "I have to go, I will see you later."
"Yes, I will be here.. like I always am." She said, watching him walk over to the door, giving her a quick smile before walking out. Sighing, she stood to her feet and made her way over to the windows, where she stood staring out for several moments until Philippe appeared.
"Mother?" Philippe said from the doorway, watching as she turned to him.
"Good morning, darling." She said, giving him a smile as she began walking over to him. "Are you just leaving for school?" She asked.
"Yeah, but I wanted to wish you a happy anniversary first." He smiled as she stood in front of him.
"Thank you, darling." She smiled, and looked on in surprise as he stepped closer and kissed her cheek. "Well thank you." She beamed in shock.
"See you after school?" He called back as he began jogging down the hallway towards the stairs. "Oh, hey Joe."
Looking in the doorway, Clarisse watched as Joseph appeared in front of her, looking down the hallway after Philippe. "Joseph?" She said, watching him look towards her "How can I help?"
"Good morning, Your Majesty." He smiled and stepped closer, kissing the back of her hand before looking up into her eyes. "And happy anniversary."
"Thank you, Joseph." Clarisse smiled, letting her arm fall back down at her side. "Have all the checks been done?" She asked while turning to walk back over to the breakfast table.
"Yes they have." He nodded and closed the door before following her.
"Of course they have, what a stupid question." She said, sitting down "I'm sorry."
"It's alright, honestly." He smiled.
"Would you care to join me for a cup of tea?" Clarisse asked while picking up her cup, holding it up in front of her to take a sip.
"I would love too, thank you." Joseph nodded and took a seat as Clarisse motioned towards the chair while sipping her tea.
"If I'm honest, I am thankful for the company." She began while placing her cup back down "Can you believe I have been married for twenty years today, and once again it looks like I am spending it on my own."
"Oh, well you have me here." He said, watching her. "Maybe we could go for a ride this afternoon, if you haven't got anything on." He smiled.
"We haven't done that in such a long time, and I know I haven't got anything planned, so I would love too." She nodded with a smile. "You always know what to say to cheer me up?" She said.
"That's what friends are for, isn't it? Knowing what to say at the right times." He asked, watching her as she nodded.
"Yes, I suppose it is." She smiled "Thank you."
"Actually, while we have a few moments." He said, getting some papers from the inner pocket of his leather jacket. "Did you want to review this new starters application form?" He asked as she picked up her glasses, slipping them back on.
"Yes I would," Clarisse nodded while reaching her arm out across the table "What's his name? And how old is he?" She asked as he handed her the papers.
"It's Scott Marshall, but he told me people call him Shades and he's nineteen." He said, watching her study the papers before pouring himself a cup of tea, leaving her to read. After a moment he looked towards the window, trying to distract himself from the most beautiful woman in the world. That was until he saw her raise her arm, causing him to avert his gaze across the table at her as she brushed her hair back behind her ear.
"Can we trust him?" She asked as he turned his head towards her, watching as she lowered her hand, placing it on her chest while turning the page with her other hand.
Clearing his throat, he nodded as she began playing with her necklace "Yes, I have done all the checks and they came back clear." Looking down, he closed his eyes.
"Perfect," Clarisse said a moment later, causing Joseph to open his eyes and look back up at her as she placed her finger tips on her chest. "Well, I like what I have read." She said closing the application and looked back up at him "Please inform him today that he has the job," She smiled and picked up her tea while passing him back the papers.
"I will do," Joseph nodded while taking them from her and slipped them back in his pocket as Clarisse checked the time.
"I better finish getting ready, we will have to leave for the hospital soon." She said and finished her tea. "Will you wait, and walk down with me?" She asked, putting her cup down and stood to her feet.
"Of course, you know I will." He smiled as she tucked her chair under the table.
"Thank you, I won't be long." She smiled at her friend before walking over to her bedroom.
After getting ready, she came back into the suite and placed her jacket and scarf down on the back of the armchair, checking to make sure she had everything before disappearing back into her bedroom. Reappearing a few moments later to find Joseph stood holding up her jacket.
Stepping forward, she smiled "Thank you, Joseph." She said while turning and slipped her arms in the sleeves, straightening the front as she turned back to him, leaving the buttons undone.
"You're welcome," He smiled and watched as she slipped her scarf around her neck "Are you ready?" He asked.
"I am." She smiled and watched as he extended her arm out to the door.
"After you." He smiled and watched as she began leading the way, leaving for the hospital a short time later.