He Is My Latest Accessory

Disclaimer: The original characters belong to Disney.

Chapter 1

"UP YOURS!" Clarisse shouted and banged the office door with full force on Rupert.

She could barely breathe from anger as she was running down the stairs; trying to not cry before she reached the garden. It was too much for her. It would be too much for anyone.

Although she suspected what might come when she married a king, it was still shocking… shocking and frustrating at the same time. She sacrificed her whole life. She literally spent every damned day of her life serving her husband, always smiling and behaving properly in those thousands of meetings and protocol events. Not to mention the two sons she gave to this bastard, who … who simply cannot hold himself back when he sees a pretty face.

Nothing new happened actually. It was not the first time she caught him with another woman, but that was the last straw for her. It was so damn frustrating, and not because she loved him. She never loved him, they were friends from the beginning and nothing more, but in these days he became simply irritating to her. This whole thing was so embarrassing and he did not even try to keep his affairs in secret.

Now she was crying hard in a hidden corner of the garden, where no-one could see her. No-one... except Joseph. He always knew where she was. Always followed her from afar and now his heart was breaking. In the past he had wanted to take revenge for her, but she always stopped him, and when he tried to comfort her, she never really let him to do it. She always showed her strong side, assuring him that 'everything would be alright', and 'she just needed a minute' and lies such as those. But as soon as he stepped out, she started crying again, and Joseph knew it. He also knew that until she won't 'let him in' he could not do anything for her pain, but he never wanted to give up trying and being with her…

"I hate him!" she cried and looked up at him with power he had never seen before.

"Another one?" Joseph asked with a sigh.

"Yes..." she murmured, "I am fed up with this... I so fed up with this whole thing." She held her forehead with her shaking hand.

"Don't bother with him." Joseph didn't know what to say. They had talked about this so many times before. "You know it's not a real marriage." She looked up shocked. "I mean, it was an arranged marriage, you knew it would not be ordinary and maybe you two... Well, maybe you two won't stay at each other in your private life."

"So you think this is normal?!" She could not believe her ears.

"I didn't say that…"

"Really?! But it sounded exactly like that."

"You mentioned that you two already talked about this when you said yes...that maybe you will have someone in your life with time..."

"But that is not the same thing as cheating non-stop with someone new every night, openly and embarrassing the other." Her eyes were teary and hurt.

"Of course not," he said softly and stepped closer. "I just meant to say forget him and start living your own life. You also have the right for happiness."

She looked up at him. "How? How on earth could I live my own life?! I've lived in this golden cage in my whole life. This life is the only thing I know..." She looked so miserable. "And I'm totally alone..."

"That's not true…" He smiled and stroked her cheek. "I'm here for you."

"Yes, sorry." She stopped. "You were always there for me, and that's… just wonderful, thank you."

"And by the way…" He tried to make her feel better. "I cannot imagine how someone could cheat on you…It seems impossible to me."

"Why is it so impossible?" she asked suddenly, concentrating hard.

"Are you kidding?! You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Every man is dreaming about you."

"But it doesn't help if I seem ridiculous at the palace."

"You do not seem ridiculous. Where are you getting that from? People feel sorry for you."

"Good! That's much better indeed." She was sarcastic now.

"It's a good thing, it means people love you."

"Loving the miserable queen, who feels as an outsider even in her own place..."

"Loving my beautiful queen…" Joseph drew her closer with a smile. "Who is leading her country with grace and empathy."

"Oh really, Joseph. I'm not a…a Disney queen or what."

"Oh-ho-ho, yes you are!" He chuckled. "But maybe you are searching your Prince Charming in the wrong place."

"But the rule says, the prince always has to live in the castle..." She was teasing him now.

"Ok, maybe he lives in the castle, but..."

"Thanks." She smiled.

"Thanks for what?"

"Thanks for always cheering me up." She smiled as she stroked his jaw line. It was hard for him to not kiss her, but fortunately he did not have to resist, because his prayers had were soon answered.

"Kiss me," she whispered.

"What?!" He could not believe his ears.

"Kiss me. Rupert is heading this way."

Joseph had to decide. Would he wait until he could kiss her properly or should he simply take what Fate is offering him at the moment?

He chose the second option.

Before Clarisse could say another word, his lips gently covered hers and everything started slowly disappearing… Feeling her against him was something magical, her soft lips against his, her full breasts on his chest… She was completely his for a few moments. They quickly forgot about Rupert, who rushed back to the palace when he saw them. He was upset, but he also knew he had no right to say anything about it.

"I… I think he is gone already." whispered Clarisse as she slowly broke the kiss.

"Erm…sorry. Yes, yes I think you're right." Joseph was slightly abashed.

"Thank you." She smiled as she pulled back a bit. "I think it worked perfectly…. And thank you for being with me."

"Always my queen." His eyes were smiling, but mixed with a little sadness. "What would you say to a drink? After a night like this I think you need one."

"You're right." She sighed. "But just something light."

"Ok." He winked and led her to his room.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It was not the first time she had been in his room. She spent quite a few hours there regularly. He always eased her somehow and she just loved being with him. His room was cozy and relaxing, so different from all the other rooms at the palace.

"The usual?" he asked with a smile, turning back from the little bar in the corner.

"Yes, thank you." She nodded. "You know it seems a bit funny that you never drink except wine, and you still have a bar with everything."

"The previous owner of this room left it and I think it gives a Humphrey Bogart style to the room."

"Yes, it certainly does." She chuckled and took the glass.

"Would you like some music?"

"Uh-huh." She answered deep in thought. "...Sinatra maybe."

"Ok. Frank will ready in a minute for your service," he teased her and went to the hi-fi.

'They were perfect together. Perfect friends…' Joseph thought sadly as he turned the music on.

The soft rhythm of the music slowly filled the air, making everything relaxing around them. Clarisse sat down on the sofa, drinking her wine in little slips. She finally felt a little ease, and not just because of the revenge. Joseph's room was the only place in the palace where she could feel like this. She did not have to pose; she was not the queen anymore. She was just a simple woman, a friend who shares a glass of wine in good company.

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked after a while, squeezing her hand.

"Yes a little bit." She smiled at him, holding his gaze for a moment. "I hope you do not mind that I'm spending time here so often these days."

"Of course not," he replied quickly. "I'm glad you're here. You can come here anytime you want. You know what they say - my place is your place. But in this case that's exactly the truth." They had to laugh. "But really, I'm serious... anytime you want." He cupped her cheek, loosing himself in her eyes for a moment.

"I'm so tired." She sighed and put her glass down. "But I'm unable to go back to our suite after tonight."

"You do not have to." Joseph grabbed her hand. "You can stay here for the night. You can have the bed, while I will occupy the sofa." He tried to encourage her with a smile.

"That's very kind of you Joseph, but… I would like to ask you something… something more." She started blushing.

"Just shoot. I will do the best as I can." He was so sweet.

"Erm… could you… could you sleep with me?" She corrected herself quickly. "I mean I would love to have you near me tonight. It would be lovely if you could just…just hold me."

"Ah… Of course. I mean, I would love to, but..." Joseph did not know how to say it. "You have to know something..." He took a deep breath. "Maybe you do not know that..."

"That you are in love with me? Of course I know it."

To be continued...