No Common Ground to Start From

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.

Author's Note: Hi Girls! This is my new story, I hope you will like it and I'm sending a big hug to Rach, who did the beta thing extremely fast. Thanks dear.

"You say that we've got nothing in common?!" asked Joseph unbelievingly standing now in the cold ballroom of the consulate. "That we have no… common ground to start from?... And we will fall apart?"

"Yes," Clarisse sighed heavily and turned away. "We have no future Joseph, you must understand this. So it's better if we're over now."

"I cannot believe it!" cried Joseph on the edge of madness. "Then why did you give me hope? Why did you let me kiss you?"

"It wasn't intentional," she murmured. "I just forgot about myself for a moment."

"Clarisse, please you cannot do this now..."

"The world has come between us Joseph… Our LIVES have come between us…" she said slowly with glassy eyes. "We cannot continue this." Her voice was barely audible.

"Just give me a rational reason!" He grabbed her arm now, trying to make her turn around. "Please!"

"You know that we have no common ground to start from…"

"And?! What different does that make?"

"It's important Joseph," she said and turned to face him. "Most people would not accept this between us."

"But you always said you just don't care!"

"Well it's a different thing when you have to take a stand on something and when you are in a concrete situation. And although I say it has no importance in real life's relationships, in my position this is just about the only thing that is important."

"Like when Rupert chose you?"

"Exactly." She nodded. "He would never have laid and eye on me – I wish he had never done it," she whispered and closed her eyes for a moment. "If I had come from 'outside the circle'."

"You cannot mean that."

"Right, maybe he would have, but you must understand that royal life has strict rules, you cannot live as you want. And it's even harder when you are a woman."

"But you are widowed now, you already fulfilled your duties, it's different."

"Maybe the rules are loosened… but we have no chance, Joseph." Her eyes were sad and disillusioned.

"I'm sure they would accept this."

"Never." She shook her head. "I know how cruel and strict a whole country can be if it's about the monarchy and traditions. They do not accept anything other than what they expect from us. Please leave me and… and try to find someone else. A woman who is less complicated, and who will love you as much as you deserve." Saying this was harder than she has ever imagined.

"I do not want anyone else, why don't you understand this? Clarisse…" His voice was only a whisper as he stepped closer. "You love me…"

"It's not important." She shook her head with resignation. "Love is nothing in my life."

"Then… Then we would keep it in secret." Joseph was desperate now. "No-one has to know it. I won't even speak to you in public if you want, just… just give a chance to us. Please…"

"I'm sorry Joseph." She sighed and stroked his arm as she passed him.

To be continued…