A.N- I do not claim to own any of the characters in this fiction as they are all taken from the Princess Diaries movie. The beginning of this chapter is a slight recap of what happened at the end of the first movie, but soon changes to my own story. Well enough of that, now for the story...

As a new song began to play, Queen Clarisse decided that this was the best time to make her discrete exit. The modern dance moves being displayed by everyone in the room weren't exactly what she wanted to be caught up in. Especially her granddaughters 'doggy-on-a-dashboard' head movements.

Moving towards the door, Clarisse nodded to Joseph to indicate she was leaving. Obediently, he followed.

Once in the corridor, Joseph moved up beside Clarisse and with his left hand waved away the servants who were standing by. As the servants went to make themselves useful elsewhere, Clarisse felt Joseph's hand brush up against hers, just before he took it and held it in his own. With a surprised look, Clarisse glanced at their clasped hands, and then looked up into Joseph's face as he lifted her white-gloved hand to his lips. Seeing the joyful twinkle in Joseph's eye immediately brought a smile to her face and she moved closer to him as he tucked her arm under his.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, how you feel after tonight's events?" Joseph asked as he led her through the corridors of the consulate.

"Relieved, I must say, and very thankful to you for finding Amelia when you did. I had almost lost hope", Clarisse answered earnestly. She felt Joseph squeeze her hand encouragingly, so continued, "She has taken a very large step tonight in the decision she has made. I just hope she can follow through with it".

Clarisse had been questioning this the whole night since Amelia had announced that she would accept the role of Princess, but had so far gotten no-where with it. Joseph must have seen the doubt cross her face as she felt him squeeze her hand again, as he looked into her eyes.

"Well as I said, I have no doubt she will make a great Princess", and as a grin crossed his face he added, "and eventually a wonderful Queen, just like her grandmother".

Clarisse smiled at his compliment but seemed unable to come up with an appropriate reply so she looked away and abruptly changed the subject

"Joseph, where are you taking me?" she questioned, as she had begun to wonder. They had already moved along many corridors and up some stairs to the corridor of the second floor. As he led her on he replied

"To a beautiful spot I found upon arrival here in San Francisco, but never had the chance to show you".

This made her turn back to him and was surprised to find his eye's twinkling again. There was something familiar about that look...

It was the same look that he had given her when they danced together in this very consulate weeks ago, after he had made the comment of her having worn black for too long. But where had she seen the look that was showing in his eyes before that?

Clarisse was pulled from her thoughts when they reached the end of the corridor and were facing what appeared to be a dead end.

"Ah, here it is", Joseph exclaimed. And letting go of her arm, pulled back a heavy red curtain before opening the glass door that had been revealed. Then taking the arm that he offered her, she looked to him for an explanation but he only confused her more by asking

"Are you ready?"

'Ready for what?' Clarisse thought but before she could even ask, Joseph had pulled her through the door.

As Clarisse turned her head to take in her surroundings, her eyes widened in wonder. They appeared to be on a small balcony of some sort that was made entirely out of smooth white marble. All around her; climbing the walls and completely covering the balustrade; were beautiful mauve roses, whose sweet scent she could smell on the cool breeze.

"It seems Princess Mia was right. It has stopped raining", Joseph commented whilst looking up into the sky. Clarisse followed his gaze and smiled as she saw the many bright stars scattered across the sky.

"Ah, it is beautiful", Clarisse sighed.

"But Your Majesty, that is only the half of it", Joseph whispered, as he moved them forwards so they could look out over the balustrade.

Clarisse gasped. The sight of the garden below had completely taken her breath away.

The trees, shrubs, statues and even the fountains, were all lit up with millions of small colorful lights. The glow that radiated from the garden seemed to light up the whole side of the consulate, including the faces of Joseph and Clarisse.

"Oh Joseph..." Clarisse finally managed to say, although it was barely even a whisper.

She slipped her arm out of his and placed her hands on the balustrade as she leaned ever so slightly over it to get a better view of the wonder displayed before her.

"Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?" Clarisse asked with a sigh, without even looking at him.

"No, never", Joseph answered quietly. So quietly that Clarisse looked back at him and found that he wasn't even looking at the garden, but instead straight into her eyes.

The twinkle was showing in his eyes again and Clarisse finally remembered where she had seen it before.

Rupert had had that same look on their wedding day all those years ago, as Clarisse was walking down the aisle towards him. She had seen what that look meant back then, and could see it now.

Her heart raced as she realized what Joseph's comment had meant. As Joseph took her hand again, she felt a fluttering in her stomach and knew she had to do something quick. But before she could even think what, she heard running footsteps in the corridor behind them, so turned to see who it was.

"Your Majesty?" Charlotte asked as her head appeared through the door.

"Ah, there you are", she said with relief, "The guests downstairs would like to bid you goodnight before they leave".

"Thank you Charlotte", Clarisse replied, feeling thankful for once for Charlotte's interference.

Avoiding Joseph's eyes, Clarisse made her way downstairs to bid the many guests goodnight, and for the mean time forgetting her new discovery.