A/N: Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten about my other unfinished stories. I just haven't been in the mood to write/work on them. I will get around to updating them soon, I just wanted to get this story wrote and out of my mind first. And I must say that this is the first time I have wrote a story from start to finish before posting it.

Anyways, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope that you enjoy it and it's worth a review or two ;)

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No sleep. She'd had no sleep and she felt absolutely shattered.

Pulling herself from her bed, she slipped on her robe and slowly made her way into her bathroom. Turning on the shower with a yawn she turned to stand at her sink, where she caught sight of herself in the mirror in front of her. This last few weeks were taking its toll on her, and if she were honest she looked forward to the day when it was finally over. For most of her life she ruled as Queen, for most of her life she was married to a man that didn't love her and for most of her life she had loved someone who had just last night walked away from her as she tried to explain why she could not accept his proposal yet.

She kept seeing the hurt in his eyes as he looked at her, the scene replaying over and over in her mind. They had been through so much together, he was there for her when Rupert was to busy, was there for her when she lost her son and many other important events in her life. He was her best friend, her confident and someone she had loved ever since she first set eyes on him all those years ago. And when he had asked her to marry him several weeks ago she had wanted to say yes, but she couldn't, not yet.

Mia was her main focus, she had worked hard on making her the woman she had become. She had trained her, taught her all she knew and tried her best to prepare her for the upcoming coronation. She had spent many days worrying about her young granddaughter and wondered if she would be ready in time, and as she expressed her concerns Joseph was there for her, listening and telling her what she had wanted to hear, that Mia was ready and that she would make a fine Queen, just like her grandmother.

Though it was words she had wanted to hear, she knew it was the truth. Mia was ready to become Queen.

Shaking her head, she turned and slipped off her robe. Letting it fall to the floor as she stepped forward, and into her shower. The day had already been planned, and yet again it was to be a busy day. Letting out a sigh she stood under the running water, letting it fall down over her face as she thought about all she needed to do.

And even though she longed for the day she could relax and not have to worry about making sure all the paperwork was done, or about what the men in parliament were going to announce at the next meeting, or worry if she was making the right decision or not, she had made a vow several years ago that no matter what she would stick around after the coronation to help her granddaughter and guide her in the right direction.

Stepping out the shower a short time later, she dabbed herself dry and wrapped a towel around her hair. Slipping her robe back on, she stepped in front of the sink and began to brush her teeth. Once she was done she dabbed her face dry and made her way into her closet, where she began to get ready for her day. She had picked out her outfit through the night, when she couldn't sleep but now she stood looking at it, she changed her mind. Going with a pair of cream trousers, blouse and a cream cardigan instead.

Grabbing a cream silk scarf once she was ready she slipped it around her neck and made her way downstairs. Normally she would have breakfast before going down, but after the events from last night she didn't feel hungry, she had wanted to see Joseph first, to make sure he was okay, to make sure they were okay. But as she reached the bottom of the steps she had caught him coming from her office.

Stepping from the last step, she watched as he closed her door before turning to her. "Joseph," she said softly and clasped her hands together as she once again watched him as he straightened up before looking towards her.

"Your Majesty," he bowed his head and began walking past her.

Turning her head she watched as he walked away, before turning her head back to look down at her clasped hands. Her heart broke, she had clearly hurt his feelings and she felt terrible. Pulling herself together a moment later, she took a deep breath and looked up towards her office. Slowly she made her way through her door and over to her desk. And there it was. The reason he was leaving her office. She didn't have to open it, she didn't have to read it she knew what it was and she hated that it had come to this.

Taking hold of it in both of her hands her heart shattered even more. "For the attention off Her Royal Highness, Queen Clarisse Renaldi." Looking up, she felt lost as a few tears escaped her eyes.