No characters belong to me, just a few little ideas from my imagination. Characters property of Disney Meg Cabot.

Chapter 2

Joseph stirred first and looked over at the small clock on the bedside table; it was a little after six in the morning. He felt her stir beside him and tensed at the thought of her rejection; surely in the clear light of day she would regret their night of passion. He turned to her as she rolled over and her sparkling eyes fluttered open to gaze up at him. In that moment of clarification he held his breath only to release it as she smiled brightly and cuddled into him, resting her head upon his chest, her fingers trailing up and down the line of his abdomen. 'What time is it?' she asked him.
'Just gone six.' he answered.
'The maids will not arrive for a couple of hours yet, will you stay with me just a little longer?'
He kissed her head. 'You don't even have to ask.' he said.

Clarisse had not felt so relaxed in a long time and she realised that the only times she had felt relaxed were due to Joseph; he was her knight in shining armour. She trailed her fingers down his abdomen beneath the blanket and his breath hitched at her daring, but as her hand stilled and she gasped, he could not suppress his chuckle. She looked up at him. 'What can I say, my love? I'm an early riser.' he joked; and laughed at her blush as she buried her face into his chest. He stroked his hand along her cheek, causing her to look up at him again and she smiled softly before kissing him lovingly. Joseph's fingers trailed down her neck and he drew lazy circles on her shoulder before continuing the trail down her arm and across her ribs. He urged her on to her back as he pulled himself up and continued to kiss her lovingly. Clarisse tried to pull the covers back up as Joseph urged them down. 'I want to see all of you in the light of day.' he said seductively.
'Joseph I...' she was blushing.
'You should not be embarrassed my love.'
'Joseph, I' m old.'
'So am I.' he said with a chuckle. 'Clarisse, your beauty is timeless.' he said lovingly and kissed her again. 'Besides, fifty-five is not old.' he said and she bit her bottom lip as he shoved the covers down to rest on his hips above them. Clarisse bent one of her legs and Joseph's hand ran down its length then back up. 'Your legs are exquisite.' Joseph praised. Clarisse was already breathless as his hands explored her again. The previous night he had made love to her sensuously and lovingly, but this morning he would drive her to the precipice of exhilaration and over the edge into pure and perfect bliss. 'My beautiful Clarisse, I want you.' he said. Clarisse was shocked to see the heated desire in his eyes; she had never felt so beautiful, so young or so alive. Before she was aware of her own brazenness, she had allowed her legs to fall open to him and pulled him flush against her. He was determined though; he would pleasure her in ways she could never have imagined. He slowly slid into her; surprised how quickly she was ready and adjusted to him, he then proceeded to drive her to the edge before suddenly stopping and holding her down to prevent her seeking her relief. He drove her to the edge over and over, stopping each time before starting the slow torture of pleasure again. When Clarisse was certain she could not take any more, he finally relented and they both flew over the edge together into blissful oblivion. As Joseph slowed to stillness; aftershocks still causing Clarisse to tense and relax, he felt her trembling violently and looked into her eyes to see them shining with tears. His thumbs stroked her cheeks as he framed her face with his hands. 'Clarisse, are you hurt?' he asked with concern; scared he had taken things too far. Her shining blue eyes found his. 'No...' she started. '...no my dear Joseph, I am not hurt. I just...I never knew it could be like this...so intense.' she said; her body still trembling. He smiled lovingly and kissed her slowly and sensuously before pulling back to again look into her eyes, sweeping the tears away that had started to fall. 'I hope that means your offer still stands and you'll allow me to continue to love you; even if it can only be in secret for now.' he said.
'Yes, but we must be discreet; especially when we get back home.'
'I'm trained in discretion.' Joseph said with a broad grin, causing her to laugh again. 'Now my love, you relax whilst I run you a bath.' Joseph said; and lightly kissed her head before pulling back and climbing off of her. Clarisse watched as Joseph pulled on his underwear before heading to the en-suite and she lay back, a smile softly playing her lips. She reached over the edge of the bed for her dressing gown and wrapped it around her before climbing out of bed and walking into the en-suite where she could see Joseph's muscular form bent over the steaming tub. She watched him for a few minutes, just simply enjoying the normalcy of this time they were able to share. Joseph turned and smiled broadly as he saw her in the doorway. She approached him and wrapped her arms around him, resting against his bare chest. 'I love this...' she said. '...just being together as if we were normal.' she said.
'You were never meant to be normal.' Joseph said and she looked up at him. 'You were born to be as you are; extraordinary.' he said.
'And you?' she asked him.
'Some are not born to be great, Clarisse, but that does not mean they cannot find pleasure in simply supporting the extraordinary from their place in the shadows.'
'And to me that makes you more extraordinary than if you had been adorned with a hundred titles.'
'Well thank you madam.' he said with a chuckle, but Clarisse's eyes saddened as she thought about the negative impacts of their stations. 'Except that the world cannot see you as I do. If you were titled they would have no issues with our relationship.' she said.
'There is only one opinion that matters to me my darling.' Joseph said; and despite her sadness Clarisse could not help but smile at him. 'Now, no more sadness querido or I may just have to make love to you over and over until that dazzling smile returns.' he said; eliciting a soft laugh. He turned from her to stop the running water of the taps. 'Your bath is ready my Queen.' he said. Clarisse wrapped her arms around him again and kissed him slowly and sensuously. 'Clarisse...' Joseph said, between chaste kisses. She would not relent though; and held him closer, determined not to give up their perfect moment just yet. Joseph pulled back. 'My love, your maids will be here in half an hour.' he said. Clarisse simply nodded and kissed him again, causing him to laugh against her lips before pulling away again. 'I guess you are right.' she said.
'I shall go back next door and return shortly.' he said; and kissed her again before leaving the room.

Clarisse locked the bathroom door and slid her dressing gown off her body. She observed herself briefly in the mirror; she knew it was impossible for her appearance to have changed since last night, but her reflection somehow looked different to her. Maybe it was the fact that she had - for the first time in her life - made a decision simply for herself, focused on her happiness, wants and needs; and she needed Joseph.

She climbed into the tub and sank in the heated depths, the scents filling her mind, the warmth soothing her tired muscles. She smiled at what her current aches represented; her Joseph showing her love, making her feel young and desirable. He had made her feel things she had never felt before and shown her what she could have had were she not destined for this life; but then - she reasoned - she would never have met her wonderful Joseph. No, she did not regret her life; and now she could afford to accept these pleasurable moments with Joseph.

As she exited the bathroom, wrapped again in her dressing gown, her hair dry, she saw her maid had laid out an outfit for her upon her freshly made bed. She blushed as she considered what the maid may have thought at her crumpled bedding as she dressed, but when she entered the living room of her suite to see her maid pouring tea at the small table upon which her breakfast lay for her, the maid simply smiled and looked up; no suspicion in her eyes. 'Good Morning Your Majesty.' the maid said.
'Good Morning dear.' Clarisse greeted as she approached the table and sat down, immediately taking the tea.

Within half an hour, Clarisse was re-entering the living room, her make-up fresh and her pearls clipped around her neck. She saw her rings had been placed on the table by her maid and slipped them back on as a knock at the door sounded. 'You may enter.' she said clearly and presented herself regally as Charlotte entered, followed by Joseph. Although her heart leapt at the sight of him, Clarisse was a pro at masking her feelings and greeted both brightly, enquiring after their rest.

They sat down to discuss the travel plans for the trip back to Genovia with the Princess and the many presentations and appearances that would follow their return. 'I want her to meet parliament and then we shall present her to the country from the palace balcony the same day. I think we should also set up some photo opportunities for the press...' Clarisse said whilst Charlotte took notes and Joseph mentally noted the security issues for each of his Queen's orders whilst trying not to be distracted by her appearance, which was glowing even more brightly than the night before. '...I think the throne room would be the best. There will of course be the parade. I should like to try and keep the public appearances scattered throughout the summer, I do not wish to overwhelm her. We must remember and ask that parliament respect the fact that Amelia is still just a child.' she said; and briefly looked at Joseph who had made that point following the beach fiasco and thoroughly shamed his Queen who was far too hard on her granddaughter. She was pleased to see his slight smile and sparkling eyes; he was enjoying seeing this protective, motherly side of her that she had hidden from the world and locked away completely following Philippe's death. 'The Genovian dignitaries will return to Genovia today on Genovia two.' Charlotte said; unaware of the silent conversation between her Queen and the Head of Security. 'Charlotte, once the dignitaries have all left, please arrange for Amelia and Helen to meet with me to discuss the trip back.' Clarisse said.
'As you wish Your Majesty. Will there be anything else?' Charlotte asked.
'No, I don't think so. I have a number of things to catch up on today, so if you pass on my best wishes for a safe journey to our friends I would really appreciate not being disturbed until Mia and Helen arrive.' she said. Charlotte nodded as she stood and took leave of her Queen before exiting the room, closing the door behind her. Joseph continued to gaze at Clarisse. 'So, how did you sleep Your Majesty?' Joseph asked jestingly.
'Well, I think your security measures leave a lot to be desired.' Clarisse returned lightly.
'Oh?'
'Yes, it appears a gentleman was intent on ravishing me and there was no security to come to my rescue.' she said with a bright smile. Joseph slowly moved to sit beside her.
'And did you require rescuing?' he asked; his eyes darkening with desire once more as they flirted.
'Many times it seems.' she said; recalling his ability to drive her insane with his touch.
'Perhaps I should remain more vigilant upon our return home.'
'Yes, I believe you may need to be close by at all times just in case.'
'Maybe my Queen should have a means of contacting me directly should she require rescuing.'
'Perhaps.'
'I shall look into it.'
'Please do. In the meantime, I ask you make use of that secret passage linking our rooms to make regular security checks.' she said; and Joseph could hardly contain his feelings at her request.
'It will be my main priority.'
'And highly classified?'
'Of course Your Majesty.' Joseph said. He enjoyed this flirtatious role-play, but he felt he needed to convey his feelings once more and took her hand, kissing it gently. 'Please know my love that I am there for you always in whatever capacity you require.' he said.
Clarisse cupped his cheek. 'I have always known my dear, wonderful Joseph.' she said. They kissed lovingly once more, a physical promise that their beautiful relationship had transcended into something else, something more; and that neither of them were prepared to lose it now that they had embraced their love with their full heart and soul.