2. To be faithful
King Rupert observed his wife as she walked toward the Castle. No doubt she'd faced the coldness to visit her greenhouse. It made him smile fondly.
He recalled that on first seeing her, thirty-eight years ago, he thought her to be plain. He shook his head. His graceful Queen was far from plain. Never having been a classic beauty, she was a very attractive woman. He wasn't sure what made her appearance so appealing: her warm smile, her sparkling eyes, her bearing or her feminine curves. He was sure that he wasn't the only one who appreciated her looks. That bodyguard of hers, Romero, seemed captured by her. Look at the two of them: the man was walking next to her, listening to what she had to say, nodding occasionally.
The King had been a ladies' man since his late teens. It was only because he'd wanted to sire healthy children that he'd been a faithful husband during the first six years of his marriage. It had been hard not to succumb to the pleasures countless women had offered him. But his Queen was fair, and, who would have thought so, very passionate. Still, when the day came that they both decided that their family was complete, he'd happily turned into a womaniser again.
She'd found out all right. Tears, reproaches, cold glances... The King sighed at the recollection. It had always been unpleasant, but then again: he'd never thought about how Clarisse would feel when he bedded some one or other woman. He'd cared for the conquer and his release and that was it. Now, at age sixty-nine, he'd grown weary of having casual encounters. It might have had something to do with the fact that he feared the day when someone would sleep with him and then have a laugh with her friends. He'd returned home to be a faithful husband yet again and to make up for years of neglecting his wife whose beauty had matured in a way that made men turn their heads when she passed. It made the King proud: his Queen, fifteen years his junior, was Genovia's crowning glory.
His altered behaviour and his charm were slowly breaking down the wall she'd built between them. Slowly. Too slowly to his liking. Part of him had expected her to welcome him with open arms after he'd told her that his wanton days were gone. How long would it take her to accept him in her bed again? Why was she so stubborn? She was a warm blooded woman: couldn't she just enjoy -
The King saw his wife throw her head backwards and laugh because of something her bodyguard had said.
OoOoO
´Rupert?´
The King looked up from his paper work as if his wife's voice had broken in on his concentration, though the sound of her heels had announced her arrival.
´Yes darling?´
´When stepping out of my office I found Robert waiting for me. Is it true that you will assign Joseph to Philippe?´
´Yes it is,´ His Majesty said, putting a cap on his pen.
´Why haven't you consulted me? He is my personal bodyguard and I like him.´
The King smiled: ´Don't worry Clarisse, you can choose whoever-´
´Joseph is not just an employee. He is my friend.´
The King gestured toward a sofa. His wife walked away from him to re-arrange some roses in a nose-gay.
´Surely your friendship will survive him protecting our son?´
´Joseph is my only friend here,´ she burst out.
´I thought we were friends.´
´Are you saying that I am allowed only one friend?´
The King decided to change his tactics. ´Are you attracted to him?´
´What?´
´Are you attrac-´
The King stopped talking when his wife gave him an wintry look.
´Is that what this is about?´
His Majesty cleared his throat. ´You're blushing Clarisse.´
´I am angry Rupert!´
The King checked his cuff-links and casually remarked: ´He's got something mysterious about him doesn't he?´
The Queen raised her eyebrows and was about to reply but her husband quickly continued: ´Darling, Philippe's bodyguard has a drinking problem. He needs to be replaced as soon as possible. I'm sure you understand that. Joseph will leave today.´
OoOoO
Joe had gotten used to his employers' whims over the years. In the past three years that he'd worked for the Royal House of Genovia, he'd never been confronted with unreasonable ideas, until now. He thought it over: was it really unreasonable to replace an ill-functioning bodyguard? No. Was it irresponsible to act immediately? No. Would he obey his boss's command? Of course. He'd have to leave his present charge though and he didn't like that. He knew it was unprofessional to feel so. If he was anything he was a pro: the Head of Security had assigned him to Her Majesty for that very reason soon after he'd joined his team.
When you are near someone almost all day long you get to know that person even or perhaps especially when you observe her from the shadows. Joe remembered an American senator with the reputation of being a people's man, who'd cursed his followers and made fun of them the moment they'd left him. He'd guarded an actress who was radiant when in public but who turned foul the moment she entered her villa.
Queen Clarisse of Genovia was kind and she loved her people. She was diplomatic when dealing with politicians and ambassadors without feeling the need to make up for that by ill-treating her employees. Joe appreciated her for this but it was her intelligence and wit combined with her sense of humour as well as her being a lady who got what she wanted that made her and - as a result - being with her so very appealing. And if that wasn't enough she was an attractive woman: on more than one occasion Joe's sun-glassed eyes had travelled her body.
They had become more than employer/employee and Joe felt that if he wasn't cautious he'd soon be completely enchanted by her. Sometimes the fact that he could make her laugh made him picture the two of them dancing in a private setting. Still, though she surely had the right to break her vows, her wedding ring was more than a piece of jewellery to her. And even if she would want to have an affair, she would never be unfaithful for that might damage the monarchy.
She may represent his ideal woman but she was married, she was a Queen and he was being silly.
OoOoO
The King learned that the Queen's secretary had managed to free a few minutes of Her Majesty's schedule so she could say goodbye to her bodyguard. He made sure that he was near the door that connected his office to his wife's at the time of the meeting. Soon he heard a knock and a door opening. The King strained his ears.
´Your Majesty.´
´Joseph.´
The King pictured the two of them kissing each other and he scolded himself for it: Genovia would sooner turn into Atlantis ere Clarisse would break her wedding vows. Or would she? His imagination prevented him from paying attention: it was in mid-sentence that he heard the words His Majesty.
´... His Majesty informed me about it this morning. I was very sorry to hear it. You have protected me well Joseph, but you and I are mo-´
The King quickly entered the room. His wife was sitting on a sofa and Romero respectfully rose from his chair.
´Darling! I thought I heard you talk. Hello Joseph.´
´Your Majesty.´
´I'm glad I get the chance to say goodbye,´ the King said as he walked toward the Spaniard, ´I know the order came unexpectedly but if there's anyone we trust to protect our heir it's you.´
Romero inclined his head. The King hoped that the bodyguard wondered whether we simply meant We the King or whether it included Her Majesty.
´Well, Joseph, working for His Royal Highness will be very challenging,´ the King remarked.
Joe knew that His Majesty was right: the prince travelled a lot and he liked outdoor sports. Apart from that guarding him would mean that he could drive his bike more often: the prince was a biker too.
´Yes it will be Your Majesty,´ Joe said with a small smile.
The King grasped Romero's shoulder.
´Absolutely! And being the future King's personal bodyguard well... The guard who was assigned to me when I was Crown Prince became Head of Security under my rule ...´
The King was good at reading faces, even of those who tried to keep their expression blank: he would swear that Romero was pleased by this prospect. From the corner of his eye he noticed that Clarisse seemed a little lost.
´Good,´ His Majesty said, releasing the bodyguard.
´I'm glad you look forward to it Joseph. And I thank you for having guarded my Queen.´
Joe inclined his head. The King checked his watch and addressed his wife.
´I believe we have to leave for the House of Parliament my dear.´
Looking at the bodyguard he added: ´Goodbye Joseph.´
´Your Majesty.´
Joe bowed for his Queen too: ´Your Majesty.´
The Queen extended both her hands and her former bodyguard bent over to kiss them.
´I will miss you Joseph and -´
´Tosh darling, you'll get used to Robert just as you got used to Juan and Marcos and Charles and all those others.´
The Queen blushed. Romero looked down. The King knew that he was acting like a rat but that didn't prevent him from thinking that a rumour about the bodyguard having an affair with Philippe's blonde secretary or with his son's pretty housekeeper would be beneficiary to his cause. All's fair in love and war...
OoOoO
Joe left Her Majesty's office. He didn't feel as down as he'd felt on entering. It would be healthy for him, both professionally and personally, to move away. And the King had been right he supposed: the Queen would come to appreciate her new bodyguard. After all: she was a kind lady who wanted to get to know people.
OoOoO
The King felt his wife's eye on him. He made an inviting gesture and opened the door for her. She walked straight passed him.
The King knew that he was in for the silent treatment but as he followed his Queen through the Castle, enjoying the view she offered, he gained confidence: in ten days time the puppy he'd secretly bought her would arrive. She'd fall in love with the furry creature the moment she saw it and how could she possibly dislike him then?
And after all: he was her only friend around.