First of all - thanks Kelsea Scarlett and OSUSprinks for reviews :) Also I should probably say that Princess Diaries belongs to Disney and Meg Cabot (even though we all already know that ...)

CHAPTER TWO

He saw her descending the staircase and for a moment he could swear his heart stopped beating. There she was – his queen, sovereign, the love of his life looking absolutely stunning.

Her beauty was unique. She was unique. The whole world should be here right now worshipping her and thanking God they could see something so perfect like this. If the elegance could be personified, it would be her. Yet the only person in the temporarily deserted ballroom was him. He couldn't do anything else except staring. When she registered him standing at the bottom of the staircase she smiled at him. The most heart-warming smile like only she could manage to do. And just for him. Not for the press, some member of the parliament or family member. For him. And simply because she could, because she wanted to not because she had to.

She took him not as one of her employees, she never did, he wasn't only her head of security, her right hand, but also her confidant and first and foremost her probably only true friend. Their friendship wasn't something that just one day happened. It was slowly developing during the years and thanks to that it was stronger that they would admit.

This wasn't just friendship for him anymore but admitting it would probably mean loosing her and that was the last thing he wanted. Only if he knew she felt the same way about him. Or if she knew he felt the same way. She could sometimes tell he was watching her, studying her not only because it was his job to look after her. But what if it wasn't just like that and she was imagining everything. All those things she wanted him to say, to do to her …

Everytime he was looking at her, adoring those little things she did automatically – the way she poured her tea, the way she arranged her favourite roses in the halls of the palace, the way she was trying to stay concentrated and most importantly awake during all those meetings with boring statesmen or members of parliament by making witty remarks which only he could understand and which always went unregistered by others – he prayed she would want to be by his side not as a queen but simply as Clarisse, his wife. He had no idea it was her dream too.

And now there she was standing next to him, still smiling and he was at the loss of the words.

Say something to her, dammit!

„Good evening, Joseph."

Gosh, he looks hot tonight in that suit. What's that saying? „Real men wear black?" It had to be inspired by him …

„Absolutely gorgeous – I expected nothing less from you, Clarisse."

„Charming as ever, my dear Joseph. How do the preparations continue? Is there a lot of things which still need to be done?"

That's right, Clarisse, just concentrate on the ball not on him … Oh, must it be so hard?!

„According to my informations we are ready to welcome the guests. Everything is taken care of and therefore you can fully enjoy your evening." He didn't even know how was he able to put those sentences together. The only thing that existed right now was standing in front of him making it impossible to even breath not to mention holding meaningful conversation. And still he said it. Good job, Joe.

„Wonderful." Before she could add anything else they were interrupted by Charlotte.

„Charlotte. Why that frantic look on your face?"

„Your Majesty, there is nothing I wish more than to confirm what Joseph just said, but another problem popped just up and there's little time for me to solve it so if you would excuse me …"

„What kind of problem?" asked immediately Joseph. He was sure everything was covered and running smoothly.

„Well it seems like the dealer that was supposed to supply the wine did his job right. But the delivery service obviously mixed up the orders so we have just few bottles of second-rate wine while the first-class wine we ordered is somewhere on its way to who-knows-where." Not only that Charlotte was now babbling but she was also getting quite annoyed at this moment. How could the delivery service screw up so badly? And why right now, why this evening? Why wasn't she more foresighted and didn't order some extra bottles of wine from another dealer? Dammit.

As usual Clarisse was the first one who calmed down, pulled herself together and forced her mind to work. After all, she was doing this practically all her life – remaining composed trying to think her way out of the mess. Logically by now she should be an expert at this. And she was.

„Well, we still have our own wine cellar that is – I believe – very well stored."

Joseph looked from Charlotte, who was still trying to pull herself together, to Clarisse. Of course. It was so simple – wine cellar under the palace was ideal solution. And yet no one thought about that until her.

„I will take care of that Charlotte" said Joseph and earned look full of appreciation from her. What harm would it done anyway? He and his men were prepared for the evening and all the security issues were under control. He was just waiting for the ball to start so why just don't spend the time by selecting wine. He loved wine, it was his passion since he as a young man spend some time in France. Besides it, Charlotte really looked like adding another item on her must-do-right-now list would send her straight to the madhouse.

„I actually have something on my mind too regarding the wine, now that you mentioned it. Joseph, would you terribly mind if I accompanied you?"

„Not at all, Your Majesty. I would be delighted."

Surprised but delighted.

Charlotte didn't have the chance to hear this part of their conversation because she was interrupted via her earphone and requested immediately into the garden to approve the lighting and flower settings. However if she had overheard and therefore was aware of Her Majesty's and Joseph's whereabouts it would have saved her a lot of stress and worry later that evening.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O.K. I think that some of you may already know where is this all heading … and you who don't, well, your time will come soon :)

Please Read & Review – it will make my day.