Chapter 10

Author's Note: Hi girls! What could I say? I know my last update was looong ago, but I was (as always) busy and tired and summer is cruel this year the temperature is around 36 C (97 F) every day… but I'm back! =) So here's the next chapter, oh and a big hug to all of my lovely reviewers, namely to Faby, OSUSprinks, bluegirl-783, Ilane, Vluy, One Special Lana, tengland, sevy MMAD and to Kristi-Julie. Thanks again! =)

"I love sitting on the floor with you eating pizza. I love watching black and white movies with you and… I LOVE YOU." She just smiled into his eyes for a few moments, what now told more than a thousand words. As he was looking at her, she could see the happiness, the relief and something more, some kind of an I-knew-it feeling, what was simply the sweetest thing she had ever seen. Joseph did not know when this moment will arrive, but now hearing it, he knew that from now on there could be no more obstacles in their way.

"Please repeat it." He whispered softly, drawing her closer.

"I love you."

"Again."

"I do love you." She answered without any doubt and welcomed his kiss with all of her being. This time it was possessive, demanding and protective at the same time and she could never imagine that this kind of a kiss could exist, a kiss where she could feel that she belongs to him with a power she never knew before.

Now they were laying on the floor still breathless from the intensity of their kiss, while Joseph was stroking her cheek lovingly and tried to collect a little more oxygen for speaking.

"So it means I can pack my things, right?" His smile was so happy. "Just because we should not have to waste too much time with…"

"Joseph…"

"Oh… of course, "Realization hit him quickly. "You did not mean to…"

"No." She shook her head. "I meant… I do love you. I know it's nothing compares to…"

"No." He stopped her, touching her lips softly. "It's EVERYTHING. I'm sorry, I was just too happy to..."

"I know and I'M sorry Joseph," She said guiltily, seeing the sadness in his eyes, "But I promise we won't stay here forever." She added the last bit encouragingly, although she was absolutely not sure how she is going to do it and when.

"Then at least, can you run away for a few days with me?"

"For a little holiday?" Her eyes were sparkling.

"Yes, but it would be a bit more than a holiday. Actually, I'm planning a few weeks now to popping home for a couple of days and I found something I want to show you."

"Really? Maybe is it something special?"

He barely could stop himself not to telling her what he bought in Spain and he really did hope it will make her change her mind.

"Yes, something special, like you." His eyes were smiling, "You are my happiness…"

"And if it will up on me no-one could change that." She smiled when someone was knocking on the door. While Joseph went to open it, Clarisse sat up to the sofa in a neutral position.

"Ah, Mrs. Kaut, good evening. What can I do for you?" Asked Joseph with respect, but it really did not help against her repulsiveness.

"I should not call it a good evening, but it really does not matter." In her whole being was something frightening, like when you are standing in the headmistress' office after passing your last chance. "His Majesty asked me to inform you, my Queen," She moved a little to see Clarisse. "That Her Majesty the Queen Mother will visit the palace tomorrow night for dinner. I hope your schedule will let you to accept the invitation."

"Uhm… yes. Yes, of course I will be there." Clarisse tried to pull herself together and smile, but it did not help so she added, "You can tell His Majesty that I will be there tomorrow night, and thank you for your kind efforts to inform me."

"Thank YOU, Your Majesty." She bowed but even in this simple gesture was some kind of disgust. "I was sure I will find you here…" She murmured the last bit and finally went out. As Joseph closed the door behind her, they both shook themselves.

"I always have goose bumps on my back from this woman." Clarisse said with a meaningful look on her face.

"Yeah me too." Joseph nodded as he sat next to her, "Although I'm a grown-up man with a profession full of danger, when I'm standing in front of her I still feel like a schoolboy caught after breaking in the church window."

"I know how you feel," Clarisse chuckled. "I always knew she hates me about stealing her 'saint Rupert' and now… being with you as a married woman, it's like Doomsday arrived."

"It does not matter what Rupert did all these years…"

"No of course not," She nodded. "And I know it seems a bit weird, but when I was so depressed and miserable about Rupert she was nearly kind towards me."

"Don't worry I will cut all the seven heads of her when she would try to hurt you."

"That's very kind of you Joseph," Clarisse chuckled. "But I'm sure she will grow seven more after every single head."

"Then I think I will have to take you far away to another kingdom where we can live happily ever after…"

"At least we have a plan." She chuckled gratefully and gave him a quick kiss.

"Always my dear…" Joseph winked. "So you really want to go to this dinner?"

"Yes, I must go. I always loved Rupert's mother and I could not do this to her. Seeing us separated, not as the happiest couple in the world would break her heart. Actually that was one of the reasons why I decided to marry Rupert. She is like a real mother to me and I could do anything for her, but… I really do not understand what this quick visit is?"

"Maybe Rupert invited her to try to convince you that you belong to this family."

"That would be too pitiful even from him, but he is really determined that's sure. Never mind." She smiled. "I want to see her and he cannot buy me with a family dinner."

"So you will play your roll tomorrow?" He was so proud of her.

"Yes, what else could I do?" Clarisse sighed as he pulled her to his embrace…

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Next morning she woke up early, wanted to tell Rupert how pitiful he is with this weak trying. She found him in the office…

"Do you really think if we play the happy family can change anything?" asked Clarisse without any warning as she stepped in.

"Good morning my dear." He looked up cheerfully and went to greet her, but she stopped him firmly,

"Take your hands off me!"

"You had a bad night as it seems, and although I could comment it I won't do it. This will be just a nice family dinner nothing more." He smiled then added, "We are one family after all."

"Oh yes a big happy family." She laughed sarcastically. "And tell me my darling, you also invited those two lovely girls from last night?"

"Oh, that was just a joke, don't be so stern. I just wanted to make a little fun for Joseph, and if you could see his face…" He was laughing hard. "It has absolutely worth it." Clarisse really tried to be calm. "And I slept alone, I swear. You know I could not do anything to ruin our 'new life' together."

"You know, you are more pitiful than I've ever imagined."

"Why? Because I want to fight for my wife? Is it so pitiful for you? I know I had made a lot of mistakes, but I promised you a new life for us and I also know that it will take a long time to trust me again, but I won't give up on you Clarisse. You are my wife and we promised before the altar that we will work on this marriage whatever comes. So what had happened until now is – we could say – the bad part, but from now on we have every chance to fix it, to make it work again. And I promise I will do everything to do it right, although I won't hold myself back to show him that he has nothing to do here, and if you think my ideas are pitiful then I'm sorry, maybe I'm too desperate to win you back."

Clarisse just stood there in silence for a while, then started applauding.

"Thank you for this beautiful performance, I really enjoyed it. And if you will keep it up, it seems I won't be bored tonight."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The evening came quickly, promising lot of surprises…

As Clarisse stepped into their private dining room all she could do was sighing… sighing because the decoration showed that Rupert was really determined about winning her back. Everything was covered with red roses. 'What a cliché' she thought but she was rather mad, because her favorite flowers will always remind her this evening, so it seemed she must choose something else. Maybe tulips, yes she always loved tulips… She thought when Rupert woke her up from daydreaming.

"Hello my darling, you look absolutely stunning tonight."

"Please Rupert," She pulled her hand away. "There's really no need for this stage show. It will be just a simple dinner with your mother and not a sappy final scene of a movie. Really, it's rather irritating than nice or romantic or whatever you might thought."

"Just try to enjoy it, ok?" He smiled. "No expectations, just a simple night without fighting. Can you do this for my mother?"

"So you admit it!" She cried.

"Admitting what?"

"That you invited your mother to use her to this pitiful plan of yours. What a jerk you are!"

"She invited herself! I really has nothing to do this…" He tried, when his mother finally arrived.

"Clarisse my darling." She cried happily, hugging her little 'daughter' tightly.

"Sylvia. Oh my God, I'm so glad to see you."

"Me too my darling, but you know… I never come without a reason." Sylvia winked and grabbed Clarisse's hand. "Come on sit next to me, while Rupert will be fine in front of us, won't you darling?"

"Yes of course Mum." He smiled and sat down after the ladies found their places.

The first half of the dinner was fine, Clarisse was so glad to see Sylvia that she nearly forget about the jerk sitting in front of her. Actually she woke up when Rupert tried to catch her hand across the table. The warmness of his hand kicked her back to reality. His touch was like a shock for her, she just pulled her hand away as a flash.

"Are you ok?" Rupert asked innocently.

"Yes… yes sorry, just your hand had a little electricity in it." What was half true, because she found his touch so intensively disgusting like a real electric shock.

"Oh that just shows how much we still love each other." He smiled jovially and tried to catch her hand again, this time successfully, but it was not a good idea, because Clarisse immediately kicked him on his leg, so Rupert cried out in pain.

"Oh darling, are you alright?" Clarisse asked worriedly. "Just not you leg again?", then turned to Sylvia. "He has pains quite often, nothing serious, but the doctor said he must relax a bit more than usual."

"You must take care about your health Rupert." Sylvia added warningly. "Health is like marriage, if you do not care one day you can woke up in serious trouble."

Rupert just chuckled easily, massaging his leg, while Clarisse suddenly looked into Sylvia's eyes and something unraveled in her. She found encouragement, empathy and support. She finally started to realize the purpose of her visit.

"I heard your birthday party was a real success." Sylvia smiled. "I'm so sorry to missed it, it was quite fun as I heard it." Looking cheekily to Clarisse, who immediately caught the opportunity,

"Oh yes, it was a fantastic party. Rupert had so many friends to celebrate him."

"Yes, it was a lovely night… A real surprise party." He smiled, still did not take the hint. "But let's forget about my birthday and try to focus on a lovelier subject… you my darling." Clarisse could not believe her eyes as he picked out the little velvet box from his pocket and opened it. "Clarisse my darling," He started, "This ring is the symbol of my endless love for you. Through all these years I had this magic in my hand and I did not realize what a treasure you are to me and I'm very sorry for that. Of course I tried to love you on my own way, but that was far not enough I know, but now… I would like to ask you to marry me again and start everything from the beginning..." he was waiting for her answer," So what do you say?... Clarisse?"

"I want a divorce…"

To be continued…