I´ve altered some facts, here Clarisse is Rupert´s cousin and the next in line for the throne after him and he died shortly after they were married, which means that Clarisse is queen on her own and of course has to get married rather quickly- we all remember that lovable marriage law.

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

"Says who?"

The young queen sighed and Josef concernedly stepped over to the desk.

"What happened?"

"Parliament, Josef."

"I take it the session wasn´t enjoyable then."

"No, it wasn´t, quite the contrary.

They are an annoying bunch of old man who think I´m dumb and incapable simply because I´m a woman- and they keep pressuring me to get married again as quickly as possible."

"And of course most of them see themselves as eligible candidates" Josef stated smoothly and Clarisse laughed mirthlessly.

"Of course they do, most of them are titled and that makes them a possible choice."

"I suppose you have your own list of eligible candidates?"

Josef inquired, trying to keep his voice unconcerned.

He was aware of course that there was no other option for Clarisse Renaldi than to get married again after the untimely death of the young king, she might be the king´s cousin and therefore the next in line for the crown which she had rightfully gained a month ago but since the royal couple had failed to provide an heir, the queen would have to solve that particular problem.

Knowing all that didn´t mean he liked these facts though, quite the contrary- the queen had admitted her feelings for him almost instantly after the king´s funeral and they had engaged in a rather inappropriate affair ever since, an affair which meant the world to Josef who had fallen hopelessly in love with the young woman when he had met her.

"I do" she nodded, getting up from her chair and walking over to the window to look out over the gardens.

"My list is rather shorter than their´s though."

"I imagine it would be- how short, precisely?"

"There´s only one name on it."

She replied quietly, then turned around, looking so eerily beautiful being framed by the sunlight filtering through the window that Josef felt completely breathless for a moment.

She looked back at him, her blue eyes darkening in response to his intense gaze.

"Josef, are you free for lunch?"

"Of course, Your Majesty- where would you like to go?"

"Nowhere, I just want to have lunch with you in my rooms."

He tried not to show his surprise, he had assumed she had inquired whether he was free to drive her into town, not that she wished to have lunch in his company.

"I´d be delighted, Madam."

He said politely, congratulating himself to his professional tone.

Clarisse smiled lightly, shaking her head.

"Formality doesn´t suit you, Josef- and don´t call me Madam, I feel old when you do it."

"Then I shall of course never do it again, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, that is better I suppose- though my name would do just fine as well."

"I couldn´t possibly-"

"You have no objections to it when we´re bed" she replied quietly and Josef nodded.

"That is different- you know that."

She seemed to decide to drop the subject.

"I´m through with my paperwork for now, we could just go upstairs, I have everything arranged."