Chapter 2
The next few days found both Charlotte and Clarisse very busy…not together busy as they used to be; but still busy enough to keep them from broaching the subject of Charlotte's upcoming departure.
On Thursday, Clarisse received an invitation to attend the opera as an honored guest. She knew Charlotte loved the opera as well – so she decided to extend her an invitation. Perhaps outside the palace walls, they could talk about the subject they both had been so studiously avoiding. Clarisse was searching the Palace corridors and offices in search of her friend; but had been unsuccessful in the attempts to locate her. She bumped into Mia as she came out of kitchen.
"Oh Gramma – sorry I didn't mean to run into you." Mia exclaimed as she grabbed her Grandmother by the shoulders so she didn't fall over from the impact of their collision.
Clarisse was startled and couldn't believe she had not seen Amelia. "I'm sorry, Amelia, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I'm afraid I was distracted."
Mia was concerned about her Grandmother. Ever since she had let the proverbial cat out of the bag about Charlotte moving, she knew there was an underlying strain and tension in her elder that she could not seem to make go away despite her best efforts. She gave her Grandma a quick hug. "It's alright, Gramma. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Would you happen to know where Charlotte is? I can't find her anywhere."
Mia's smile broadened…glad she could help her Grandmother. "As a matter of fact I do know. She is at Ambassador Marquez's office reviewing the details of her assignment and finalizing her living arrangements – things like that."
Mia's smile disappeared as Clarisse's countenance fell. "I see."
She spoke quickly in an effort to, once again, do some damage control. "If you need to speak to her or reach her, we can email her. She checks her Blackberry regularly."
Confusion clouded Clarisse's features. "She gets her mail on a piece of fruit? Seriously, Amelia, I am in no mood to play games."
Mia tried hard not to giggle at the image her Grandmother had just put into her head. The years of Princess and Queen lessons had paid off, however, and she patiently replied. "No, Gramma, a Blackberry is a phone that also has the ability to receive electronic mail. I have the address that we can send it to and I will be happy to help you…if you like."
Clarisse hesitated – she really had NO idea what Amelia was talking about. However, if it allowed her to send the invitation to Charlotte in a more timely manner rather than waiting for her return…whenever that may be; then it was worth a try. She wanted to prove to Joseph she really was trying to reach out to Charlotte. "That would be nice, Amelia. Thank you."
"Sure, no problem; let's go to my office."
A few moments later, Clarisse was staring at a computer monitor wondering whatever had happened to the good ol' fashioned post office with stamps, stationary and the beauty of a hand written note. She shook her head as she watched Amelia "sign in" to what she referred to as an email account and type in a strange series of letters and numbers that she assured her would allow Charlotte to receive the information. Mia waited patiently while Clarisse handwrote the invitation.
"Charlotte…I have received an invitation to attend the final performance of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at the Genovia Opera House on Saturday at 8:00 pm. I know you enjoy the opera; I would love for you to join me as my guest. Please let me know so that I can make proper arrangements…perhaps we can have dinner before? Clarisse."
Clarisse watched with a tinge of disbelief as Mia typed her words on the screen and then hit the "send" button as her personal message disappeared – only to be replaced by a "Message Sent" notice on the screen. "OK, Gramma, I will let you know as soon as she replies."
"Very well; I will be in the library." Clarisse kissed the top of Mia's head. "Thank you, dear."
**
A few hours later Jennifer, Mia's new assistant, found Clarisse in the library reading through an in-depth synopsis of the opera she would be attending that weekend. "Your Majesty?"
""Yes, Jennifer; how are you today?" Clarisse asked, smiling up at the young woman.
"Fine, thank you. Her Majesty, Queen Amelia, asked me to deliver this to you." Jennifer handed a sealed envelope to Clarisse.
"Well, thank you. Did she happen to say what it was? I don't understand why she would need to send me something in a sealed envelope…"
"No ma'am, she didn't say anything to me – just asked me to deliver it to you."
"Understood; thank you for bringing it to me." Clarisse felt a sense of dread as she opened the envelope.
"You're welcome, Your Majesty."
Clarisse gingerly tore the seal bearing Mia's Royal Crest. As she read the contents of the envelope, she felt hurt…then, surprising even to herself, she felt anger.
"Clarisse, thank you so much for the invitation – I would love to see "The Magic Flute" with you. Unfortunately, I have already promised Shades that we would spend the evening together. I'm sorry. Perhaps next time? Love, Charlotte."
Clarisse moved quickly to Mia's office. She brushed by Jennifer's desk, ignoring her questions and concern. "Amelia!"
Mia looked up from her computer; she had anticipated that her Grandmother would be upset when she read the printout of the email. "Yes, Grandmother?"
"I want you to send another one of those b-mails or whatever letter it is to Charlotte." She declared with urgency.
Mia knew that she was going to have to use all of her diplomacy skills here to prevent her Grandmother from doing something she would regret later. Clarisse was not normally a woman of impulse reactions; but this ordeal with Charlotte had pushed buttons in her Grandmother that Mia had no idea even existed prior. It was intriguing and disconcerting all at the same time. "Sure, Grandma, I can send another E-mail." She stressed the correct letter in the acronym, but opted against pointing it out directly to the angry woman standing in front of her. "What do you want it to say?"
Mia typed quickly and struggled in her mind to find a way out of the regret her Grandmother was about to create in her life.
"Charlotte. I will concede to your wishes. My attempts to arrange time for us to be together have been unsuccessful. If you can find time in your schedule to fit me in – let me know. Otherwise, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Enjoy your evening with Shades. Clarisse."
"That's all, Amelia – you can send it now." Clarisse's face was still flushed with a tinge of anger and a great deal of disappointment. She turned away and gazed out the window to avoid her Granddaughter's pitying gaze.
"Are you sure, Gramma?"
"Yes."
Clarisse heard the click of the mouse and knew she had just potentially destroyed the fragile tendrils of her friendship with Charlotte; but her hurt was too poignant at that moment to even care. She turned on her heels without another word and left.
**A few hours later**
"Clarisse?" Joseph called out in an effort to locate his wife in the darkened library.
He didn't hear an answer; but was confident she was somewhere in the vast room filled with pages and pages of wisdom, stories, and history. He rounded the corner and found her staring out the window…uncustomary tears staining her face. The anger was long gone and now the pain of regret was clearly etched on her delicate features.
Clarisse felt strong arms surround her from behind; but found little comfort in the warm embrace tonight. She had let her anger get the best of her and had spoken words that she could not take back. Charlotte was busy with preparations and saying goodbye to all of her friends and family here in Genovia…and, simply put, Clarisse was jealous.
"I appreciate the effort, Joseph; but I'm afraid not even you can fix this." She offered.
Joseph kissed her gently on the neck before softly asking. "What is it that cannot be fixed?"
She sighed. "Once words have been spoken they cannot be taken back."
"That is true. What words do you wish you could take back?" He asked.
"It doesn't matter now…" She paused and then added as an afterthought, "if people still used the post office to communicate, I wouldn't be in this mess."
He had to laugh at her statement. "I beg your pardon?"
She turned, slightly agitated that he was laughing at her. "Never mind!" She started to pull away from his grasp.
Joseph grabbed her hand. "Is this about the email this afternoon?"
His question made her stop in her tracks. "How did you know about that?"
Using their clasped hands, he guided them to their favorite "talking" place – the sofa in front of the large bay window that overlooked the mountains of Genovia. Even though the sun had long ago found its resting place, the full moon was casting its bright glow over the countryside. Joseph put his arm around her as she snuggled against him. "Oh Joseph, I've made such a mess of all of this. My emotions haven't been this jumbled since…well, since things got so difficult between you and I before we were married."
He squeezed her tightly, remembering the pain that they both had endured for about forty eight hours after her rejection of him that fateful day in the ballroom. "Things worked out alright then and they will this time as well."
She sighed heavily. "It certainly doesn't feel that way." She was quiet for a few moments before she continued. "I'm jealous. I've never felt that way before in my entire life; I don't know how to handle it." Clarisse admitted honestly.
Joseph considered her words; she was probably telling the truth. She had been groomed for the monarchy from the time she was a small child – her husband was to be the future King of Genovia; people clamored for attention and time from her; the best of everything had always been provided at her simple request. She was right – she probably had never had to experience feelings of jealousy – of this nature anyway. He secretly thought that there might have been times when she had been subconsciously jealous of those who did not lead a life of duty and service – who were free to pursue their own dreams and desires…but, then again, if that was all she had ever known…
Before he could respond, they heard the soft clack of heels outside the double doors and then the tell-tale sign that their quiet time was going to be interrupted as the door squeaked open. A familiar voice called out. "Gramma?"
Clarisse sat up and drew a deep breath. "Back here, Amelia."
They watched as Mia's form came into view in front of the window; her face difficult to read in the faint light provided. "Charlotte is back at the palace, Grandmother, and she is looking for you."
Another deep breath and slow exhale. "Very well." Never one to back away from life's problems, she figured she might as well get this over with. If she had ruined her friendship with Charlotte for forever, she might as well know sooner than later.
As Joseph stood and started to help his wife to her feet, Mia continued. "Before you see her, Grandma, there's something you need to know."
**
