It was a beautiful April morning in Genovia, and the sun was streaming through the bay windows of her study, but Queen Clarisse Rinaldi paid no attention to it. She was deep in work, and dreading the thought of what she had to do today. Not exactly dreading, more like disbelief and she was hoping that it was merely a dream. But too many nights in the past year had proved otherwise- it was no dream.

She glanced at her watch after signing another interminable letter, and realised it was time to go.

"Charlotte?" she turned to her diligent assistant, who was busy taking notes on the settee. Charlotte looked up, instantly at attention for her Queen and boss.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Can you see if the car is ready yet? It is time for me to go. Oh," she added as Charlotte began walking out the door. "Can you see if Joseph is available?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Charlotte said at the doorway, and disappeared. Clarisse stood up, and walked over to the windows to look over at her beautiful rose garden. She usually took such great pleasure in seeing the rainbow of colours but today…..

The sound of the telephone ringing brought her out of her reverie. Since it was on her personal line, she took the call.

"Grandma?" It was her granddaughter, Amelia, calling from America.

"Mia! My dear, what time is it there?"

"Oh, about midnight, but I wanted to call you before I went to bed. Mom said it was okay." Clarisse smiled at the sound of her voice, and sat down at her desk again.

"Actually, it is perfect timing. I was on my way out- it's about a two hour trip."

"How are you?" Mia's voice was filled with compassion- although they had only reconnected almost a year ago after fifteen years, the relationship had deepened quicker than Clarisse had imagined- but she was glad for it. Clarisse shrugged, relieved that Mia couldn't see her at that moment.

"I'm alright- it's just hard, these visits to him. I never imagined that I would be doing this…." She broke off, tears choking her voice.

"It's alright, Grandma. I completely understand. I barely knew him, but I knew that he was always there if I needed him. I wish I could be there with you- you know I would be if I could, don't you?"

"Of course," Clarisse chuckled fondly. "But you are still at school, darling, and have your own life to live. You belong to Genovia only in the summers, for now. Anyway, how is school- and Lily, and your mother?"

Clarisse was genuinely interested in Mia's life, but it was also partly to get her mind off that day.

"School is fine- I got an A in debate. I guess that speech at the Independence Day Ball really made a difference, hey?"

They both laughed at the memory of Mia's late arrival at the Ball in San Francisco, and the announcement that had taken everyone, except Clarisse, by surprise.

"I knew it," Clarisse agreed.

"Lily and Michael are fine- and I never realised how annoyingly stubborn boys can be at times. Did you know….."

Clarisse was still half listening to Mia but was also thinking how much alike she was to Phillipe, both physically and character wise. Phillipe never shut up, at least when he was young, and he was sometimes very clumsy, much to the despair of his father.

But he was kind, caring, intelligent and happy go lucky- all the things she cherished in her granddaughter. She glanced up, still listening to Mia, to see Joseph, clad in black, standing in front of her desk.

"Mia? I'm sorry, darling, but I'm going to have to go. Joseph is here, ready to take me on my trip….But I'll call you tonight, and tell you all about it, alright?"

"Of course, Grandma. And say hi to Joe for me. Talk to you tonight!"

"Mia." Clarisse said by way of explanation when she hung up. "She called to see how I was."

"I see- caring girl is Princess Mia. She knows you very well," came Joe's reply. "Anyway, Your Majesty, the car is waiting downstairs for you."

"Are you accompanying me?" she asked as she accepted her coat from Charlotte. "What's the weather like outside?"

"There are clouds approaching, Your Majesty, but it shouldn't rain until we come back- and yes, I am coming with you. I always do," he teased, trying to make her smile, but she only nodded and looked away.

Joe didn't like to see her sad and closed off- although she had always been reserved, she used to be much happier and had begun to be so again since her granddaughter had come back into her life.

But her mood was to be expected today….one of the most difficult days of her life.

"Would you like me to cancel your appointments for this afternoon?" Charlotte spoke up, notebook poised.

Although Clarisse knew that she was only doing her job, at that moment all she wanted to do was scream.

"That won't be necessary, Charlotte. We should be back by two," Clarisse said a little too curtly, putting on her coat.

She softened as she turned towards them, realising how hard it had sounded. "I'm sorry, Charlotte. If there are any problems, Joseph will call."

"That's fine Your Majesty."

Charlotte completely understood- only she and Joseph knew how much strain Her Majesty had been under in the past year, and if she hadn't known how strong Clarisse was, Charlotte would have expected her to collapse a long time ago.

But Clarisse Rinaldi had learnt a lot since her marriage to the heir to the Genovian throne, and she wouldn't give in to any emotion- under any circumstances. She had often been criticised in the past for her cool and contained demeanour, but it was a form of protection for her. She didn't want anyone to see the personal heartbreak she had suffered.

Thankfully, her almost seventeen year old granddaughter had brought laughter and joy back into her life in the past year, making everything seem almost bearable again.

Outside the palace, Joseph opened the car door for her, and she stepped smartly in. Once he was in the front next to the driver, he glanced in the review mirror at her. She looked beautiful; to him she always did, but sombre in a grey coat and black and white scarf. It was expected that she would wear dark colours on this particular day, but he loved seeing her in brighter colours, which she had begun wearing last year after 14 months of mourning.

"Is there any press present outside the gates?" she asked quietly, looking out the window as the car sped down the driveway.

"There shouldn't be, Ma'am. Press don't like the rain- makes them melt," Joe joked, and was pleased to see a faint smile on her face as she looked at him for a moment. Clarisse had wanted to ask him to sit in the back with her, it was often lonely sitting in the back alone, but years of training had taught her to hold her tongue, although at times she wished she had the courage to do something impulsive.

She also wished that she wasn't going to where she had to go….she had never imagined that she would ever have had to bury a son…especially her beloved Phillipe….She could still remember every moment of that dreadful day…..the day she lost her Phillipe………..