My very first incomplete story!
Title: Much Ado About Something
By: dragoneye
Rating: K+
Summary: Routine visits to Genovia can turn into so much
Disclaimer: If I owned The Princess Diaries, this would be a movie, not a fan fiction.
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Mia Thermopolis was coming to visit Genovia for the very first time this summer. Queen Clarisse was in a tizzy.
"Charlotte, ask Mrs. Cowt again if Amelia and Helen's suites are ready. Are the flowers here? Has the cook been informed that Mia doesn't like shellfish? Does Shades know about the security situation? What about—"
"Your Majesty," Charlotte interrupted her gently, "All the preparations are completed. They have been for weeks. All you have to do now is greet her when she arrives."
"Yes, yes, of course," the Queen said absentmindedly. "But Pierre is coming too, and I want everything to be perfect for them all."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Prince Pierre had abdicated the throne of Genovia some years ago and had been working as a priest in France since. He came back to visit every Christmas, but that wasn't enough for Queen Clarisse. He was the only family she had left now that King Rupert, her husband, and Prince Philippe, her youngest son and Mia's father, had died. Clarisse felt incredibly alone in the huge palace all by herself. She was looking forward to having visitors.
Charlotte's voice broke into Clarisse's thoughts. "Your Majesty, Her Highness and Ms. Thermopolis arrive in about ten minutes."
"Thank you, Charlotte."
The two women sat in relative silence for a few minutes, save for the scratch of the pen as the queen signed papers and a slight rustle as her assistant sorted the mail.
"Your Majesty, would you like to go downstairs to greet them?" was Charlotte's next question a few minutes later. Clarisse nodded and they stood up to leave.
Once outside, they both squinted in the sudden brightness and felt a wave of heat wash over them, but it felt good to breathe in the fresh air. There came the sound of crunching gravel as the royal limousine, Genovian flags on the hood laying limply in the still air, pulled up to the palace. The driver's door immediately opened and a man dressed in all black and sporting sunglasses got out. He came around to open the back passenger door.
A high-pitched squeal emanated from the backseat and a young girl came flying out. "Grandma!"
Princess Mia flung herself into her grandmother's arms, knocking the queen backwards a step. Slightly more civilized, Helen Thermopolis approached the palace and greeted Queen Clarisse with a curtsey. There was a flurry of hugs between the four women, and the man in black stood off to the side as a footman took the limo to the garage.
"I trust everything has been well?" he asked Charlotte as the two Thermopolises and Queen Clarisse headed up the palace steps to the grand front entrance.
"Of course, Joseph. Her Majesty missed you," Charlotte replied. And Her Majesty had missed her Head of Security, who had stayed behind in America to offer protection to Princess Mia. His second-in-command, Shades, had been in charge while he was away.
"No issues?" Joseph asked, his wrinkled forehead revealing his worry.
"None." Charlotte inwardly laughed at his lack of confidence in Shades and his concern about the queen. "How was the flight?"
"Non-eventful. Actually, the whole time in America was non-eventful—I should've come back with Her Majesty."
"Nonsense, Joe, Princess Mia needed you. Shades did fine by himself; I don't know why you have so little confidence in him, you trained him yourself…"
Joseph sighed. "I don't doubt his abilities. I just…"
"You missed her," Charlotte said gently, knowing before his nod that she was correct.
"Let's go inside, it's hot," Joseph said, obviously turning the conversation away from dangerous territory. "I'd like to speak with Shades."
They entered the palace to find Clarisse, Helen and Mia standing in the foyer, chatting about the furnishings. Mia had never seen such splendor.
A door off to the side opened and another man dressed all in black came out. He was wearing sunglasses, though he was indoors.
"Ah, Shades," Joseph said, starting towards the man, "I wanted to talk to you."
"Just a moment, Joseph," Clarisse's voice rang out, "Mia, Helen, I'd like you to meet Shades, Joseph's second-in-command."
Helen stepped forward and shook his hand, but Mia needed some prompting before she approached him and said "Hi" shyly. Shades kissed the princess's hand respectfully, making her flush and giggle. But then Joseph beckoned him inside the security room and Shades made his exit with a bow.
Both the queen and her aide had watched this exchange with slight smiles on their faces. When Mia and her mother came over to join them, the two Thermopolises were obviously enamored with the handsome second-in-command.
"I think I'm in love," Mia said, looking glassy-eyed.
"He's too old for you, Mia, but I think he was interested in ME!" Helen exclaimed, grinning broadly. "I felt that vibe…"
"Don't you think he's gorgeous, Charlotte? I would never get any work done with him around!" The young princess gazed longingly at the closed security room door. "Does he have a girlfriend?"
"No," Charlotte replied, holding back her laugh. Queen Clarisse just smiled.
"Don't tell me he's married!" the girl cried, looking stricken.
"He's certainly not married," was the answer from a giggling Charlotte. The Queen smiled even more.
"Engaged? Come on Charlotte, just tell me if he's single or not!" Mia cried, exasperated.
"He's single, but I don't think you're his type, Your Highness," Charlotte said, her face turning red from the effort of trying not to laugh.
"Am I his type, Charlotte?" Helen asked.
"Sorry, but no."
Mia and her mother looked at each other, confused. "Does he prefer blonde women or something? Because I'd totally go blonde for him," Mia said.
"Blonde men, maybe," Clarisse said, and she and Charlotte finally broke down into laughter.
"You mean Shades is… gay?" Mia choked, looking horrified. "No!"
"This is no better than San Francisco," Helen muttered darkly. The two Genovian women just laughed.
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TBC
Reviews are greatly appreciated!