Joseph was surprised to find the young princess seeking shelter from the rain in the gazebo, it was the middle of the night – she should be in bed! Her damp clothes and short hair dripped onto the bench, causing it to puddle, her tears no different. Suddenly she shivered, whether it was from the cold, or from what her husband had once again told her earlier, she wasn't sure. What she was sure of is that she wasn't alone.

Tightening her shoal around her, she waited for him to seat himself, "Your highness? Is something the matter?"

Clarisse averted her gaze to the heavy drops of water falling from the roof, she didn't speak, he would know, he always knows.

"He said it again, didn't he?"

Closing her eyes, she nodded.

"I don't understand you, princess. What is so upsetting about hearing your husband say he loves you?"

She directed her attention to him, "I don't love him! How would you feel if I came up to you and said, "Joseph, my darling, I love you."

He uncontrollably blushed, his attraction to her clearly wasn't as imprinted in her brain as he had thought, "If you said it, madam?"

"Yes!"

Shrugging his shoulders, he turned to her, "I'd probably feel privileged, flattered and a little curious."

A mocking "ha" escaped her mouth, "Oh, Joseph, it's strange but your poor attempts to cheer me up actually do work sometimes."

He took her hand in his and kissed it, "I aim to please, your highness."

"But seriously for a moment, would you really be happy if I, someone you have no interest in whatsoever, told you I love you?"

Joseph nodded, first from side to side, then up and down, "I think I'd be quite happy indeed, I think I'd even react by doing this…"

He started brushing his shoulders against hers flirtatiously, causing her to smile and giggle, "And then I'd probably do this…"

She suddenly found herself being lifted off her feet and spun around in circles, he gently placed her back on the ground, "And then lastly I would do this…"

His lips fell onto hers, softly, but cautiously, his arms wrapping themselves tightly around her waist - he was in a world of his own.

Of course, being the practical joker she knew he was, she didn't think anything of it, to her it was just another one of his 'making her feel better' techniques, and it worked - she forgot all about Rupert.

Pulling away and stepping back slightly, Clarisse put her hands on her hips and put on a phoney smile, "Are you quite finished?"

"Wait," he said, leaning in closer and placing another kiss on her nose, "Now I am."

"Very funny Joseph, but don't try it again, that was one practical joke that went too far."

Joseph felt his lip twitch as she walked away smiling slightly, he didn't mean it to be a practical joke, he meant it to be a sign of his affections. Oh if she only knew how he felt about her, if only she weren't so blind! He knew he was partially to blame, with her he tried to make everything a joke, just to hear her laugh that wonderful laugh he loved so much, to see her smile. Oh well, tomorrow is just another day.

Wow, that was really boring, pointless and short. Review please! lol