Author's Note: I'm Back... and here's the start of the sequel... a little drama to get the story going!

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!

The week after Charlie and Marion's wedding, the royal family and the Prime Minister (and now including Clarisse, who hadn't attended the meetings the previous year as she had first been getting used to her dual roles as Princess of Genovia and Joseph's wife, and then she had been expecting Pierre) gathered together to begin planning their year's schedule, both as individuals and as a family, and Clarisse made it quite clear she was keen to support her husband and the monarchy as Joseph grinned from beside her.

"Good, because you and Joseph together are a big asset for the royal family and for Genovia," the Prime Minister, Andre Motez, said with a smile. "And we've been receiving positive feedback from your international trips," he added, looking at Joseph with another smile.

"Spain, Portugal and England in particular are raving about you and your diplomacy skills- I have a feeling you would make a fantastic ambassador to Genovia... you know what you're talking about and you're always genuine in your dealings with both important people and the public."

"Clarisse has had something to do with that," he said bashfully, glancing quickly over at Clarisse. "She's my biggest supporter and I don't think I could do it without her," he added as she blushed.

"Well, you two together are a formidable team both here in Genovia and on the international stage- you're both attractive, charming intelligent people who are madly in love with each other and now have a baby son together... people see you as a fairytale couple..."

"I would hardly call us that," Clarisse said with a modest smile. "We're just a normal couple who happen to be royal."

"True, and that modesty is what really comes through you, so we are planning on sending you on more trips abroad, although I know it might be awkward with your young son and having to leave him behind.

"He won't be left behind- Pierre will be coming with us," Clarisse spoke up smoothly, not at all surprised to see the surprised looks on the King, Queen and Prime Minister's faces, Rupert already knowing and approving of their plan.

"I know royal children are usually meant to stay behind, being cared for by their nannies," she began explaining, seeing Alexandra's raised eyebrows. "And I know that once we have more children, they will all have to stay at home, but Joseph and I want to spend as much time as possible with Pierre while he's young, and I..."

"WE," Joseph interrupted quietly.

"... We would prefer to have him with us until he's a little older," she finished passionately as Joseph reached under the table and squeezed her knee appreciatively- she had articulated herself quite well and he could see that she had convinced the Prime Minister and his father... his Mother seemed a little more displeased with her.

There was another stunned silence before Henrik smiled at Clarisse, breaking the tension a little.

"If it makes you two happy if Pierre goes with you, then it's fine with us... although, just to remind you, Pierre also has doting grandparents who would love to have him stay sometimes," he added with a twinkle in his eye and the others laughed as Alexandra finally relaxed, sensing that Clarisse was serious about this.

"Alright, as long as his presence doesn't affect your royal duties," she said stiffly before the tension in the room dissipated more and the Prime Minister nodded his acquiescence before shuffling his papers and turned his attention to Rupert.

"Now Rupert, there's something I need to talk to you about... parliament is getting a little concerned about your future prospects..."

:"My what? I'm doing my royal duties as the Crown Prince and I'm going to have a more active role in parliamentary policy and attend more parliament sessions..."

"We know that you're a very hard working young man and will always put Genovia first," Andre Motez said in a conciliatory tone and Rupert began to relax slightly. "But... some members of parliament when you will settle down and have a family of your own..."

"What do you mean?" Rupert was trying to keep his temper, knowing that Andre Motez was only being honest and helpful, but he was angry- how dare they try to force him to make split second decisions about what would, ultimately, affect him... especially something as serious as marriage and a family.

"Well, if I may be honest, Your Highness?"

"Of course."

"They have seen how successful your brother and his wife's marriage is, how happy they are together and that they have already had a baby together."

"Yet, they were outraged when they were married six months after meeting, and that they married for love!"

"True, but this minority is emphasising the fact that they are happy together, they have a son and are an extremely popular couple in Genovia- especially Her Highness."

"What are you saying?" Joseph said slowly, realization beginning to dawn on him- if they thought they were the 'it' couple...

"I hate to say this, but this group are considering their options and one idea is that they will try and convince Rupert to abdicate in favour of his younger brother... or even convince the rest of parliament to vote against Rupert succeeding his father to the throne..."

There was a long, shocked silence around the table as the occupants considered his words and their implications- the King and Queen were both appalled and frightened that parliament could possibly have the power to force their first son to stand aside in favour of their younger son; Rupert was angry that his unmarried status had become such an issue, even leading towards abdication; Joseph was stunned at being considered future King material but he knew that he didn't want it, for Clarisse, Pierre's and Rupert's sake- he was happy with his role in life, supporting his brother who was meant to be king; and Clarisse, selfishly, didn't want her husband to be seen as a future King (and Pierre in line to the throne) when there was a decent, caring man who deserved it more- Rupert.

"I'm sorry," Prime Minister Motez bowed his head in shame. "I though you should all know what may be introduced in future sessions of parliament... I of course will not accept any such talk or motions put into play, but..."

"Thank you," said Henrik quietly. "We all appreciate your words..." before Rupert interrupted him.

"We do... everyone wants me to try and recapture Clarisse and Joe's dream relationship, and I do not think that it is all possible."

"No one is expecting you to do that," Henrik said reasonably before shooting a sharp look at Andre. "Is there anything else we need to know about?"

"No, but I just wanted to warn you about this..."

"Fine, thank you... this is absurd- I am not even considering abdicating in favour of Rupert yet, and they are already planning on the new King..." he blustered.

"Even if it comes to fruition, I will not accept it," Joseph said stubbornly, enraged on behalf of his brother as, simultaneously, he felt Clarisse squeeze his knee in return and saw his mother turn to glare at him.

"Joseph! That is really not helping now!"

"It is only an idea being tossed around by a certain group, Your Highness, nothing has been set in stone or in motion," Andre said quietly. "At the moment, it's only speculation..."

"But still something we all needed to know," Henrik said gravely, the others silently agreeing with him, before discreetly changing the subject. "So, the State Dinner for the Spanish Ambassador in October..."

000

"Damn Parliament! Can't they see Rupert is going to be the best man for their future King!" Joseph raged to his wife two hours later as they strolled back to their mansion- nearly three hours inside had convinced them that they needed the fresh air. "I DON'T want to be King, I never have!"

"I know, sweetheart, and Rupert WILL be King- I just can't believe they equate a stable reign with marital status!" she said quietly, just as annoyed at how Rupert was being talked about- he was going to be a good King.

"I know that there's a law that states that a woman cannot rule without being married, but I didn't think they would turn that on it's head for Rupert! Honestly, they are all fuddy duddies!" he snorted in disgust.

"But I am glad that Andre told us- he is very loyal to the family... it's a pity that Sebastian (his son) and Pierre are both too young to play together."

"Maybe one day- but I am worried about your brother, he just stormed out of that meeting..."

"Hopefully he'll be seeking out Isabel," he reached over and pulled her close. "I'm so glad that we didn't have those pressures when we were getting married!" and he was honestly relieved that parliament hadn't interfered- their relationship had already been intense enough for them without other people weighing in with their opinions.

"Would you have changed your mind about me if they had?" she teased. "After all, I am younger than all of you!"

"Is Isabel older than you... I thought that you were the same age?"

"She's your age, but we've always been very close... why, afraid that you went too young?" she added with a grin, confident in his reply.

"Never!" he declared before stopping and hugging her tightly. "You're very mature for your age and that is what I needed! I just can't believe Isabel is older... and, I would have married you in a second even if parliament had weighed in, I didn't need their help to decide who I married... but poor Rupert," he sighed heavily, pitying his brother more than anything. "I wish we could help him."

"We can, but supporting him and Isabel and whatever decisions they have to make..." she began before they stepped out of the forest and saw that Rupert's Jaguar was parked in front of their house.

"Uh oh... do you want me to leave you …?" she asked, knowing that the baby was due to wake from his nap soon.

"No, please come with me...I'm sure he needs us both," Joseph squeezed her hand gently. "I know I need you..."

"Of course I'll be there," she said calmly- she would do anything for him.

They stepped into the living room, Mrs P quietly informing them that His Royal Highness was waiting for them when they came into the house, feeling a little apprehensive before Rupert, had been pacing in front of their fireplace, turned and grinned sheepishly at them.

"I'm sorry, I know I kind of crashed in..."

"Don't worry, its fine," Clarisse hurried forward to sit him down next to her on the couch as Joseph stepped behind the recently installed bar and poured two scotches and a glass of wine. "Are you alright?" she asked as Joseph, after distributing their drinks, sat down in a chair next to her.

"I'm fine, but it just burns me up that they are comparing you two and me, and that I should rush into marriage... although, seeing you two together..."

"Rupert, DO NOT compare you and Isabel to us," Clarisse said sternly but with a look of compassion. "Joseph and I were very lucky at what has happened to us, especially falling love so fast, but you are the heir to the throne and you need to consider your options before you marry- after all, she will be your Queen and the mother of your children," she said quietly, as Joseph watched with a smile- hopefully, SHE would be able to get through to him. "That is a big responsibility- it was something I struggled with while you were courting me."

"How did you know that Joseph was 'the One'?" Rupert asked timidly as she blushed coyly, knowing that he had, once, been her future husband.

"You are both wonderful men and I really don't want to compare you..."

"You're not- I was just wondering... and I'm not going to be angry, I just wanted to know about how your relationship began."

"Well," she sighed heavily, casting her mind back on their intense and rapid courtship. "There was something about him... he was playful and childlike but I always felt that he was more than he was given credit for and I saw that... I just fell in love with him at that first meeting, although I tried to hide it from you, and I discovered that, as we spent more and more time together, we had so much in common and that I couldn't fight my feelings for him- I love him and he's my best friend... we were and are friends as well as husband and wife... are you and Isabel friends?"

"Most definitely- you and Joe had something to do with that when you got married and we spent a great deal of time together planning the wedding!"

"Well, that's a good basis for your relationship and YOU make the the timeline for when you should marry, not allow your family or parliament to influence your decision," she finished firmly as Joseph nodded his head. "And we'll be here to support you..." before, after leaning over to kiss him on the cheek, she disappeared out of the room, sensing that Pierre was just about to wake up, leaving the two men alone.

"You know, for a young woman who is not quite 24 and who has been your wife of nearly two years and mother of your almost four month old son, Clarisse is very wise," Rupert ruminated after a moment and Joseph nodded quickly. "It's absolutely amazing how mature she is!"

"It amazes me too, but now you understand why I said she's my biggest supporter..."

"She would make a marvellous Queen," Rupert murmured, almost to himself, and Joseph nodded.

"She would, but I think Isabel would be a good Queen too," he encouraged, not even wanting to consider them as King and Queen- Rupert was the future of Genovia- before Clarisse re entered the room, a red sleep suited bundle in her arms. "So, His Royal Highness Junior is awake?"

Joseph leapt up to stride over to them, Rupert chuckling to himself, and Clarisse beamed as he kissed his son's small forehead.

"He is, but he wanted to see his uncle before his dinner," she settled him into Rupert's arms, and Rupert held him confidently- he had had a lot of practice with his nephew.

"He's getting cuter every time I see him," he marvelled, still unable to believe that Joseph was a father. "And I'm not biased because he is my nephew and my godson... but he is adorable!"

"Thank you... all those genes can be attributed to his mother," Joseph beamed proudly at his wife.

"Although he's very similar to his father," she retorted with a returning smile before she sobered up to look at Rupert again seriously, seeing his envious expression.

"It will happen, Rupert, believe me- I never thought I would be happily married and a mother at my age, but I am... and I am sure that you and Isabel will be just as happy..." before Pierre began whimpering, signalling his hunger, and Clarisse scooped him from Rupert's arms and disappeared back out of the room, intending on feeding him in the nursery, before pausing in the doorway, suddenly inspired and exchanging a look with her husband.

"Would you like to call Iz and we can have dinner together?" she asked as Rupert looked surprised. "We can have a talk, see whether we can figure out what to do..."

"Thank you, that would be great," Rupert replied, again half envious and marvelling at how normal they seemed to be, despite the opulent surroundings and the in house staff. He wished that he could enjoy the same in his life, but he WAS the Crown Prince and a normal life wasn't meant for him... Still, Joe and Clarisse were happy and he was happy for them and loved spending time with them.

"You are so lucky," he murmured as Joseph stood and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"I know, but you will be too- I'm sure of it,"" he said confidently, sure of it. "So, let's go and call Isabel!"