A/N: Just another short story… can royalty really have 'a day off'?
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me
Another normal day dawned in Genovia, a fine beautiful day.
In Pyrus, as well as everywhere else in the country, workers went to work; children went to school; generally, people went about their business, concerned only with their own problems and their own lives.
It was just another normal day in Genovia.
However, at the palace in Pyrus, it was a very different type of day… and it was definitely NOT a normal day… it was a bad day.
NOT as bad a day when the former Crown Prince Pierre abdicated from his position as heir to the throne, for the church.
NOT as a bad a day as when the second Crown Prince, Phillipe, had been killed in a terrible car accident.
NOT as bad as the day King Rupert (may be rest in peace) passed away after a long illness…
But still…it was a bad day, nevertheless.
The palace staff could sense it as they went about their business…and they knew what the reason for the tense and cold atmosphere in the palace…Her Majesty Queen Clarisse Renaldi was not very happy….
The maids knew that because Her Majesty had been very quiet at breakfast, unusually snapping at Olivia when they had got her tea 'wrong' and then slamming her bedroom door when she went to get dressed.
Charlotte knew it was a bad day… not only from what the maids had reported to her after they had left Her Majesty's suite, but because of the early morning phone call from the Queen herself, demanding in a very cold voice, that "ALL of MY correspondence be on MY desk when I come downstairs!"
Joseph, Her Majesty's Head of Security, knew it was a bad day… not only from what he had heard from the maids and the rest of the staff, according to their murmurings….
'Her Majesty is not very happy today…."
"….slammed her bedroom door…."
"…early morning phone call to Charlotte…."
"…wrong tea…", but, upon taking his post outside her suite door (not that it was necessary, but he had the feeling he would be needed today), seeing Charlotte's expression as she stalked towards the study, a pile of folders clutched to her chest.
"Good morning, Charlotte," he said cheerfully, trying to cheer up the hard working personal assistant, but Charlotte only scowled at him.
"Morning….although it's not such a good morning when you get an early morning phone call demanding all paperwork be on her desk at nine o'clock….not that I don't know not to do that every morning!"
"I see," Joseph said neutrally- it was obvious the Queen was in a bad mood (a mood that had been hovering for the past few days, although not quite so bad as today), and taking it out on her staff probably wasn't the best idea in the world, but he alone also knew that she was under a great deal pressure and while she kept her feelings to herself most of the time, today was obviously the day when she wasn't able to keep it all to herself.
"I hope that I don't have to spend much time with her today… if she's going to be like that, I would much rather catch up on my paperwork in my study!" Charlotte continued before she stormed into the study and returned a moment later, after placing the correspondence on her monarch's desk.
"I'm sure she would have calmed down by now… perhaps she had a bad night's sleep," he offered calmly and Charlotte sighed.
"Maybe so, but we both know that there has been a mood hanging around the palace for the last few days…."
"Well, maybe today is when the mood breaks."
"Hopefully the mood will break quickly before she turns her staff against her."
"Charlotte!" Joseph was shocked- he had never seriously thought that Charlotte would think that about her boss- she had always been fairly patient and tolerant and the Queen's moods usually didn't bother her that much, but now… "You cannot be serious!"
"Maybe I'm not," she shrugged, suddenly regretful of her words. "But after the last couple of days… it wouldn't surprising if people are feeling a little….resentful," before she disappeared back down the hallway towards her study, as if fearful of meeting the Queen when she came down.
Joseph only had a few moments to ponder Charlotte's words- of course, it wouldn't be particularly morale boosting to suffer the Queen's moods, especially when living in such close quarters, but he also knew that the Queen was exhausted and under pressure- before he heard the click of high heels on the stairs and Her Majesty came into view as she stepped into the foyer, walking towards her study, her expression grim.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," he said politely, bowing his head momentarily before straightening up again.
"Good morning, Joseph… why are you standing at my doorway?" she asked in a not quite so friendly tone as she stopped in front of him. "Have you not got work to do in the security hub?"
"I have a little free time, so I thought I would just stay here, in case you need me," he responded, fascinated at the ice in her eyes- she really was in a bad mood- although he also noticed the deep circles under her eyes that make up couldn't conceal.
"That won't be necessary, I intend to be in my study catching up on paperwork for most of the day although I do have a meeting a little later. You may return to the security hub."
"Your Majesty, I would much prefer to stay here…" he said mildly but his tone was one of not brooking any nonsense from her, and Her Majesty glared at him for a long moment before sweeping past him with a: "Suit yourself, Joseph, it's your own time you're wasting."
"Indeed," he agreed and the Queen turned back and gave him an icy look, not sure whether he was being polite or impudent, before she chose to ignore him, slamming the door behind her before he had the chance to close it for her.
000
"Joe, can I have a few minutes with you?" Prime Minister Sebastian Motaz motioned to Joseph several hours later, after exiting a meeting with Her Majesty- as promised, Joseph had remained in front of the closed study doors, waiting patiently.
"Of course, Your Excellency," he stepped away from the closed study doors to where Sebastian was standing, near the doorway, his own personal protection dispersed to get his car. "What can I do for you?"
"Is Her Majesty ill?"
"Not that I am aware of, sir," Joseph was taken aback- he hadn't been seriously listening at the door, but he hadn't heard any yelling or raised voices. "I don't think so. Why?"
"I have noticed… for the last few days… she has been rather… short with everyone around her…Have you noticed that?"
"Maybe a little," he admitted, although he didn't want to be disloyal to his Queen either; however, he could see that the Prime Minister's concern was genuine.
"Has she been… ill-tempered for a while?"
"She's… busy, I understand that and she has much to do…"
"Joe," Sebastian looked at him knowingly and Joseph knew that he suspected a deep relationship between the two of them. "I appreciate the loyalty you are showing towards our Queen, but I need to know if her irritation is exhaustion induced or for another reason…"
"Sir…"
"I think you can call me Sebastian, we have known each other long enough for that," Sebastian gave him a quirked smile.
"Sebastian… I think she is very, very tired… it has been just over a year since Prince Phillipe was killed, His Majesty before that and then meeting her granddaughter…"
"Which I thought was a good thing," Sebastian looked concerned.
"It is, believe me it was… but….it's been quite an eventful year for her."
"Has she had any time off… any holidays?"
"Only the usual Christmas, Easter and some of the summer holidays, but she usually works anyway."
"I see," Sebastian looked thoughtful for a long time, so long that Joseph wondered if he had said the right thing. "So, what you're saying is… she needs a break….you know that it's not possible, Joe, there is so much going on right now… the trade delegations from Spain, Portugal and Denmark will be here at the end of the month; she has that three day trip to France, as well as a week in London…and two state dinners… all before the Christmas celebrations."
"I'm not saying that it needs to be a lengthy break, I know it's not possible, sir… but even a day off now and then would help her greatly."
"Would she agree to it?"
"I don't think so, but I think she needs to know that she needs to have a break… and that her staff are also suffering under this mood…and I would hate to think what they would do if it was to continue for much longer…"
"That doesn't sound very good…although the palace staff shouldn't be complaining too much, they are here to look after the Queen and the royal family," Sebastian looked momentarily stern. "But I can also understand their point of view as well… to a point."
There was another long pause before Sebastian looked at him again.
"I think she needs a break… even if it's only a day or so every month but we both know that Her Majesty needs a break, even if momentarily."
"What are you saying?"
"I know Her Majesty will not appreciate me being 'the boss', trying to make decisions that affect her… and yes, you know that she will try and protest to every decision we've made… we both know her well…."
What decisions were 'they' making? Joseph couldn't help but wonder as he listened to Sebastian- he knew the younger man meant well and was genuinely concerned about his Queen and wanted to help her, but Joseph couldn't help but feel that it was HE, Joseph, that would be the messenger for any decision Sebastian made (although he had to agree, Her Majesty needed a break, desperately) and the Queen… wouldn't be particularly happy...he could almost hear her argumentative tone….
"Do I LOOK like I need someone to make decisions for me? I am Queen of Genovia, for goodness sake, and I'm definitely more than competent to handle personal AND professional decisions!"
"Your Majesty…."
"Joseph, I didn't think that I would have to reason with you…."
"Joe?" the Prime Minister's voice suddenly broke into his thoughts and Joseph had to quickly yank himself back to the present.
"Yes sir… sorry, Sebastian?"
"I think Her Majesty needs a break… even if it's only a day a month or every couple of weeks… but she just needs some time away from her correspondence, paperwork, public duties and responsibilities…."
"Sir….?"
"I'm agreeing to your suggestion of giving her some time away from the palace… and I'm also giving you the authority to do what you need to do to give her some relaxation time."
Joseph was momentarily taken aback- the Prime Minister was giving him the authority to decide when the Queen had to have some time away from the palace- a decision that he knew made sense- he knew that Joseph was the man who knew what was going on with the Queen and the man that she trusted above anyone else, so it was the obvious choice….
"Sebastian…."
"Joseph," the younger man (he was the same age as Prince Phillipe, they had both gone to school together and had known each other very well, they had played football together… it still took Joseph some time to reconcile the young, acne riddled, muscular, tall man that had befriended the younger prince when they were twelve) said patiently. "I know that you're a little uncomfortable about forcing her to take a break- and that I am giving you the authority to do that, we both know that Her Majesty likes to be in control (and knowing that she is in control), but in this instance, for the sake for her health and welfare, we need to override her… and I'm sure that she will appreciate it in the end."
"Alright," Joseph said finally with a sigh. "I will do it. I was thinking about doing it anyway, but having your support just gives weight to my idea."
"I'm glad. What are you thinking about planning for the Queen… if she is just to have a day off?"
"I hadn't really thought that far ahead, but I do know that she needs to get away from the palace completely, so even if we just go to the beach house for the day….and I don't think it will be today… tomorrow, maybe, if I can get things organised with Charlotte."
"Do it. It's a good idea and Her Majesty needs a break… I can count on you, Joe," Sebastian gave him a clap on the shoulder, Joseph again struck by how mature the younger man was, it was still hard to believe that he had known him when he was a lot younger."
"Thanks. I hope this will work out."
"It HAS to… she needs a break otherwise… there will be consequences that might not be good…" and they both knew he was not only referring to her health but the country as well."
"I will make sure it happens," Joseph said with determination and Sebastian nodded approvingly.
"Good."
0
"Are you sure, absolutely sure, that you will be able to do this… force the Queen to have a day off?" Charlotte looked at Joseph wide eyed, her bad mood suddenly dissipated as soon as she heard Joseph's plan. "Seriously?"
As soon as Sebastian had left the palace, only an hour before, Joseph had sprung into action. It was clear that the Queen had been speaking the truth, she wasn't planning on leaving her study for the rest of the day (she was even having lunch at her desk), which was probably a good idea, considering Charlotte's earlier attitude, so Joseph decided to get everything organised before he 'sprung' Sebastian's 'surprise' on her, and he knew that was going to be difficult.
"Seriously… we all know that she needs a day off, away from the palace, which means that you all will have some time off as well…"
"About before…" Charlotte looked suddenly shamefaced- and she was truly ashamed about her outburst earlier in the morning, particularly what she said about staff turning on her. "I didn't mean what I said, it was extremely unprofessional and I know that none of the staff would actually turn against her…."
"Charlotte," he stopped her with a raised hand. "I know that you didn't mean what you said, you were justifiably frustrated and I also know that the staff wouldn't turn against her, you are all extremely loyal to her."
"But…."
"Enough. I don't want to hear any more about it," he said firmly but in such a way that convinced Charlotte that he wasn't angry at her.
"Alright," Charlotte said quietly. "So… do you want me to cancel her appointments for tomorrow?"
"Yes, everything, and if she comes to you wanting to know why, refer her on to me."
"She usually only asks about her appointments just before she retires for the evening, but I assume that you will be telling her before then."
"Indeed I will, but I just wanted to tell you first so that you can cancel anything urgent."
"There's nothing particularly urgent but I will do so… what are you planning to do on her day off?"
"It's going to be simple- hopefully a trip to the beach for the day, get her out of the palace and into the fresh air, even for a couple of hours. Sebastian requested we do this occasionally so that she doesn't get too stressed."
"You know that she's going to feel as if she's being 'handled' and you know that she doesn't like that."
"I know, but I also suspect, deep down, that she knows that she needs a break… and while it's not a very long break, a day at the most for the moment, it will also give her a little time away from the palace, just to remind her that she is not only a queen but a woman, a human being as well."
Charlotte hid a smile at his words- it was more than a little obvious that Joseph cared a great deal about the queen (and not just as an employee to an employer but as a man with feelings towards a woman) and she also suspected that the queen had feelings towards him as well, although she hid them quite well.
"So, does Scott and the rest of the team know what's going on?"
"Of course, and they'll be fine here for a day."
"Are you taking her away?"
"Of course," he gave her a look. "I am her Head of Security after all."
"I didn't mean any offence… will you be needing any additional security?"
"I shouldn't think so, I'm hoping to fly under the radar so that no one knows that the Queen isn't here for the day… and I'm trusting that the rest of the staff will be able to not say a word?" Joseph looked pointedly at Charlotte and she nodded.
"Of course, they will not say a word… so, is there anything else needed to be done?"
"Just one more thing."
"What?"
"I need to break the news to Her Majesty."
"Good luck with that," Charlotte said, and she was being honest- she couldn't imagine how Her Majesty was going to react to the news that the Prime Minister and her Head of Security had decided that she needed a break.
"Thank you very much," he said sarcastically, but with a twinkle in his eye.
0
Joseph was feeling a little nervous as he approached the closed study doors behind which the Queen had closeted herself- she hadn't said a word to him since she had swept in at the beginning of the morning, but Sebastian's words had informed him that she was still in a terrible mood, and he wasn't quite sure he wanted to disturb her… before he reminded himself that this interruption was for her own benefit. It was almost time for dinner, anyway, and she would have to stop for the night, she couldn't work all evening.
"Come in!" came her sharp voice after he knocked on the door, and Joseph almost crept into the room to discover the queen still hunched over her desk, pen in hand, glasses on her nose, looking up momentarily when she saw Joseph approach her. "Joseph, what is it? I have still got a great deal to do before the session of parliament on Thursday…."
"Your Majesty, I would like to speak to you for a few moments."
"Now?"
"Now," he said firmly, almost sternly and the Queen looked surprised at his tone- Joseph was usual so calm and mild, waiting for when she could actually speak to him, but this time… it was as if he was demanding her attention and wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Alright," she said after a moment, setting down her pen and sitting back in her chair, attempting to put a pleasant expression on her face. "What can I do for you, Joseph?"
"I need to talk to you…."
"You just said that," she said impatiently.
"Your Majesty," Joseph responded in an even sharper tone and the Queen was even more surprised, so much so that she meekly subsided. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but this is important. I… I have been hearing reports about your mood today…."
"I understand Charlotte and the maids have been talking," Clarisse looked displeased at the notion, although, deep down, there was a growing sense of shame that she had treated her staff so badly.
"They have, but I have also been around to observe, and I can see that you are exhausted."
"I beg your pardon!"
"It is true," Joseph continued calmly, ignoring the outraged expression on the queen's face. "You haven't been yourself for the past couple of days, and I have put it down to exhaustion and the appalling amount of pressure that is on your shoulders."
"Really? How do you know that?" Clarisse couldn't help but laugh bitterly- how could Joseph know anything about the pressure she was under, or the exhaustion she was feeling that prevented her from sleeping as well as he was used to.
"Because I am your Head of Security and it is my job to watch out for you."
"I thought your job was to protect the Queen and look out for the dangers surrounding her, not giving advice on her health!" the Queen sneered, although she was starting to realise that Joseph was telling the truth.
"It is, but it is also to look out for the emotional side of the Queen as well… and for the past few days, you haven't been yourself."
"I know, I know," Clarisse said after a long moment and a deep sigh. "I AM tired and I AM under a great deal of pressure… but what can I do? I have so much coming up in the next few months!"
"I know… but you can always have a day off," he suggested simply and Clarisse stared at him for a moment for bursting out laughing.
"Are you joking? You know that it isn't possible! It would be lovely, I would admit, but it's simply not possible… and I honestly cannot understand why you would suggest something like that to me, it's a little cruel," the smile suddenly disappeared off the Queen's face and she abruptly turned sad, making Joseph feel bad.
"I'm not just suggesting it without following it through," he began hastily. "Actually, you have been given a day off! Tomorrow, in fact!"
There was a long, long silence as Clarisse stared at her Head of Security disbelievingly, trying to understand what he was saying- that she had a day off… 'A day off'? That simply wasn't possible… and who on earth would be so impudent to make the decision without consulting with her first?
"I'm sorry…" she began after a moment, looking confused. "What did you just say?"
"That, tomorrow, you are going to have a day off."
"A day off from what?"
"A day off from all this," he waved at her desk, which was strewn with papers. "A day off from paperwork, meetings, being stuck inside, sessions of parliament… even remaining in the palace."
"But… who would authorise this? I certainly didn't."
"The Prime Minister…he gave me the authority to clear your schedule."
"I see," the Queen said calmly, tight lipped and Joseph could tell that she was having trouble reconciling what she was listening to how she was feeling… he could almost sense her anger building, fighting alongside the indignation and even relief that she was also feeling. "Why did he think that he had the authority to make a decision like that?"
"He is the Prime Minister, Your Majesty… and he too is concerned for your health and welfare."
"How nice of him. Had it occurred to either of you that maybe I don't need a break?" she said in a deadly quiet voice but Joseph could sense an explosion was imminent, all the more reason that the queen needed to have a day off from her responsibilities- if she wasn't so tired, her temper wouldn't have risen so quickly.
"On the contrary, I think your current behaviour is demonstrating that you need a break," Joseph said quickly, well aware that he was probably over-stepping boundaries as her bodyguard, but as her friend… he had every right to argue with her, particularly if she was arguing back at him, as she was doing at the moment.
"I'm sorry? What did you say?" Clarisse slipped off her glasses and set them down on the table beside her pen before slowly standing up, her icy expression focused totally on Joseph.
"You heard what I said- your behaviour for the last few days and now, in particular, indicate that you need a break."
"Are you my doctor?"
"No."
"Are you a counsellor?"
"No."
"You are my head of security- my bodyguard- and you have no right to make decisions that affect MY LIFE without consulting me first! Of course I'm not going on a break, a day off, whatever you want to call it… I DON'T NEED IT!" she almost screamed out the last words, her face unusually red but Joseph, still calm and unflappable, just stood there.
"I think you do."
"I don't!"
"You do."
"I don't," she said with another semi-shriek, well aware that she was sounding childish and also knowing that Joseph was correct.
"You do, and you know it," was all he said, still remaining in front of her desk and watching her almost impersonally. "So, I have had Charlotte cancel all your appointments, the security team know what's going on and you and I will be leaving the palace at 8:00 tomorrow to spend the day at the beach. You may not like it, but it is happening and I look forward to seeing you in the morning… Good night, Your Majesty," he said with a simple bow of his head before he turned and walked out the door, leaving the Queen standing behind her desk, her mouth open and feeling very, very foolish…..