THIRTY SOMETHING YEARS EARLIER

"Ma'am, His Majesty wishes to speak with you."

The words, uttered numerous times a day, were familiar, too familiar, almost like a summons but still attracted the attention of 33 year old Clarisse Elizabeth Renaldi, who was poring over paperwork. She didn't have as much as the King, thank goodness, but she noticed that, lately, it was increasing, as were the number of public appearances she was doing alone.

"I see- does he wish me to come to his study?" Clarisse asked the older man, Rupert's private secretary, expecting the same answer but was surprised when he shook his head.

"No, he said he will be her in a few minutes."

"Alright," Clarisse, who had been halfway out of her seat, one hand halfway down her skirt to smooth it down, the other fiddling with her hair, all simple motions of preparation to follow the private secretary (Tim? Paul? Simon? She simply couldn't not remember his name, although she didn't make much of an effort to try), said before sitting down again. "Do you know why he wishes to see me here?"

"It is not my place to question my King on what he wishes to speak to his Queen about, or why he chooses this meeting place," the older man said pompously and Clarisse suddenly remembered why she couldn't remember his name- she couldn't stand him and she suspected that he didn't like her either.

Just then, as if attuned to the movements of his boss, the secretary stiffened to attention as the both heard the sounds of footsteps heading towards her closed study doors, pausing for a moment and then the door opened and in strode her husband, King Rupert Renaldi.

It was still more than a little unbelievable that he was King of Genovia (and that she was his Queen Consort) and had been for nearly four years, but it was an eventuality she had learned to accept since she was very young and knew that she was to marry the Crown Prince.

It was the reality of her life, a life that Clarisse was still struggling to deal with, although she never revealed her true feelings to him, before she focused her attention back towards Rupert as he stood in front of her desk, smiling warmly down at her.

"Good morning, my dear. I'm sorry that I wasn't at breakfast this morning, I had an early meeting."

"Good morning, Rupert. It's quite alright, I didn't mind- and you did tell me about the meeting last night. Was it a productive meeting?"

Twelve years of marriage, two sons aged 11 and 9 away at boarding school, and there was already no intimacy or informality in their relationship or conversation, Clarisse thought bitterly to herself, although she knew that Rupert was a very formal person no matter what, and she couldn't expect him to relax, especially in the presence of their private secretaries.

"Quite, quite, but I will tell you about that later," he said as he folded his tall frame into the chair opposite hers. "There is something I need to discuss with you, as it will affect you directly, personally and professionally."

"Oh?" Clarisse was intrigued but apprehensive and Rupert seemed to sense that as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"I'm sure you've noticed that in the last six months, you have been receiving more paperwork and attending more public functions alone."

"I have and I've wondered why," Clarisse said, and it was the truth- she had been watching and waiting, wondering whether he would say something to her, but even in their private moments, he had not said anything and she had assumed that he had decided for her and that she had to accept the changes with no complaint.

It saddened her to realise that he considered her still Queen Consort and mother of his heirs, but nothing else, not that it particularly surprised her- their marriage was more of an arrangement than the partnership she had envisioned when she was younger, but she had accepted it for what it was… although it was a disillusionment all the same….

"Well," Rupert began. "I've been thinking and since you have been so capable in handling more than you expected…."

"More than I expected?"

"I have discovered that I cannot do everything, much as I would want to, like my father before me," Rupert continued coolly. "So I… and my advisers, including some members of parliament and the prime minister…."

Of course, his advisors would have to be involved, Clarisse thought cynically to herself.

"… We have decided that you will become Queen in your own right- so if something happens to me, you can rule until Pierre comes of age- and you will have equal duties and responsibilities alongside me."

"But… why?" Clarisse was stupefied- she had never thought that Rupert would actually consider that option- his father hadn't believed in sharing power and responsibility with his wife, she had thought that Rupert would do the same…."

"As I told you, I have discovered that I cannot do everything, and that there certain issues, duties and responsibilities that do no interest me- but they do you," he said calmly, watching her with unfathomable brown eyes, eyes that she had found so charming in the beginning (and that their youngest son, Phillipe, had inherited) but not anymore. "Surely, you understand that this is a great honour for you… and it shows that I respect your decision making processes and ideas."

"I… I know that... I just don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything, just accept this honour," he said firmly, reaching over and touching her hand on the desk for a moment. "For me… for our children… for the country."

"Y…yes," she finally managed to whisper, her eyes still on Rupert's.

"Good girl," he nodded his approbation before letting go of her hand and sitting back in his seat. "I'll have Paul," he nodded towards the private secretary still standing at attention near the doorway. "And your private secretary start organising the investiture ceremony…."

"Investiture ceremony?"

"Yes, an investiture ceremony," Rupert said with a touch of impatience in his voice. "When we had the coronation, you were crowned Queen Consort, not Queen… now, this will be more of an upgrade, if you would it that," he gave her a small, wry smile.

There was a pause for a moment as Clarisse continued to allow the news of her 'upgrade' and the additional responsibilities and duties that would be handed to her to sink in.

"Now, there is something else that will need to change."

"Yes?"

"Until now, you have been under the protection of my security team, with one of my bodyguards accompanying you on your functions, but you haven't had anyone really follow in your footsteps when you go out into the garden, or go for walks on the palace grounds or in the palace…."

"Yes, and I appreciate that privacy…"

"Well, that has to change. Because of your increasing responsibilities, it is time that you have a security team of your own, including your own personal bodyguard who will answer directly to you. Of course, your team will work together with mine, but I think it's important that you had your own security team."

"But… but…."

"Be reasonable, Clarisse," now he definitely sounded impatient. "The boys have their own security team with them- although they answer to my Head of Security- and surely you realise that you need your own? I admit that I should have considered this a lot earlier, maybe definitely after the coronation, but now that I know it has to be done, it will be done. You will have your own security team," he finished definitely.

"I don't need it…."
"We both know that you do, so don't be ridiculous and argue with me," he said with a definite note in his voice and Clarisse immediately subsided- it wasn't worth getting into an argument with him, she never won.

"Alright, that is fine with me," she said stiffly.

"Good," he gave a determined nod of his head.

"When will I be… getting this security team?"

"I've already assembled a team for you, they will start as soon as the investiture ceremony is over, but I will be bringing in your main personal bodyguard for you to meet tomorrow morning."

YOU have chosen my team? You have chosen my personal bodyguard? Wasn't I even going to get a say in this? Again, it was no use arguing with him, he always won.

"… He's quite experienced for 36/37, I can't remember how old he is… he used to do security in other places in Europe, I've spoken to some of his former employers and they were very impressed with him. I'll give you his file later on so you can peruse it."

"Thank you, Rupert," Clarisse said finally and he smiled at her as he stood up.

"You're welcome… all that matters is that you and the children are safe and protected, even if there is a loss of privacy…"

Not that I have privacy at all….

"I need to go now," he consulted his watch. "But I'll make sure that I'll get Paul to bring hat file over…" he paused to look down at his wife again. "I don't have any plans for dinner this evening, may we have dinner together?"

"Of course," Clarisse smiled up at him.

"I'll see you then, then," he leaned over and kissed her cheek briefly before turning on his heel and walking out of the room, Paul at his heels.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Clarisse sank back in her chair, feeling utterly drained.

What had just happened? Had he really decided to make her Queen, rather than Queen Consort? Would she really have her own duties and responsibilities? Would she be able to make her own difference in the world?

However, there was only one word that was almost burned into her head, one word…. Well, actually, two words….and she hated them already….

Personal bodyguard… Personal bodyguard…