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

Chapter 4 (Part 1)

Clarisse kept her promise and managed to spend many of her nights with Joseph; utilising the well hidden secret passage that linked their rooms. The passage was of course intended for emergencies that threatened the Monarch, but Clarisse reasoned that Joseph's visits were a life-saving necessity; and who was he to argue with her?

He enjoyed their nights just as much; the feeling of normalcy when she was in his arms was a gift he did not want to part with, but as more time went by she became distant once again and they rarely spent nights together as she would already be unconscious by the time he reached her. She was again constantly exhausted and Joseph heard the maids discussing her diminishing appetite and regular vomiting. He considered whisking her away again, determined to get his Clarisse back, but with the festive season drawing closer, her time was even more limited; and whenever he tried to broach the subject she would react angrily. Her moods had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster these days and she refused to see the doctor when he was summoned. Joseph reflected; they may not be a normal couple, but they were definitely arguing like one lately.

His worries again turned to panic when he accompanied her to the opera. He watched from the back of the royal box as she enjoyed the show in front of her, but he noticed that a few scenes in she was fanning herself more. He stepped forwards; her skin was flushed. 'Your Majesty?' he said quietly. She looked up at him and he could see her flushed cheeks and shining eyes, her brow was moist and she was pale despite her make-up. 'I think we need to leave.' Joseph said; and Clarisse simply nodded, allowing him to support her and escort her from the box and down the stairs to the entrance. He had already called for the limo and it waited outside, but he could also see the still assembled press waiting for their shot; a shot which came all too quickly. The press were moving in closer, pressing upon an already flustered Clarisse and shouting questions at her. She could see the limo, but the images were swimming before her eyes; and before she could make it she managed a whisper of his name and collapsed into his arms.

Joseph lifted her into his arms and as more of his men moved in, pushing the press back, he was able to lay her on the back seat of the limo and climb in with her. The door was closed behind them and he saw his men still pushing the press back before the limo pulled away from the curb. 'Privacy please.' he said; causing the driver to put the partition up. He turned to Clarisse, pulling her wrap off her shoulders and turning up the air conditioning. 'Clarisse?' he called several times before her eyes fluttered open and she eventually managed to focus on him. 'Thank God.' he said in barely more than a whisper. Clarisse tried to sit up, but he held her down. 'No, rest dear. We will be home soon. I've already called ahead for the doctor to be waiting.' he said.
'No Joseph, I'm-'
'Don't even try to lie to me, Clarisse. Remember that promise you made in the mountains. You promised to look after yourself. You're ill and you are seeing the doctor.' he said. Tears shimmered in Clarisse's beautiful blue eyes. 'I'm scared.' she admitted quietly. 'Joseph, what if it's serious? What if I cannot live to see Mia take the throne. What about my country? My granddaughter?' she said; and her tears flowed in earnest as he lifted her up and held her against him. 'Knowledge is power, my love. We cannot fight an enemy blind.' he said.
'Joseph, I don't know that I'm strong enough to fight.'
'You my darling, are the strongest woman I have ever met and whatever is wrong we will face it and fight it together.' he said and kissed her gently.
'Joseph, please say it. I need to hear the words.' she pleaded.
'Clarisse, my darling, I love you.' he said; and she melted against him, kissing him lovingly as he swept away her tears.

Upon their return to the palace, Joseph carried a protesting Clarisse to her suite; and mere minutes later the doctor was shown in; and Joseph left to give them some privacy. Clarisse went through her symptoms with her doctor and he took some blood samples, promising to have the results back by morning before departing with words of warning that Clarisse take it easy.

Joseph entered the suite following the doctor's departure to find Clarisse still in her evening gown seated by the fire. He approached her and sat down, allowing her time to process before he asked. 'What did he say?' he asked finally; unable to stand the suspense.
'He took some blood and he said he will have the results tomorrow.' she said.
'You should rest.' he said; and helped her to her room. She allowed him to help her change before he wrapped her up in bed, promising to remain until she had fallen to sleep.

The next day, Joseph entered Clarisse's office at eight to find her staring out of the window at her roses. He closed the door and approached her, placing his hands on her shoulders and kneading away the tension. She turned to him and he could tell that her night had been a disrupted one. 'When is the doctor due here?' he asked.
'Any minute.' she answered; tears already forming.
'It will be okay, my love. I promise.'
'Joseph, please don't make promises you can't keep. Just promise me you will never leave me.'
'I promised that years ago my darling. I am forever yours.' he said, but pulled back as they heard a knock at the door. He stepped back as Clarisse called for the person to enter and Charlotte appeared. 'The doctor is here.' she said. Clarisse nodded and Joseph winked at her as Charlotte showed the doctor in before they both left the Queen and her doctor in private. Joseph had already given strict orders that the cameras in the office be switched off and that no guards be posted nearby for the duration of the meeting.