A/N: And it's back to the angst...
"Your Majesty."
"Yes, Charlotte?"
"Your grandmother and Joe's car has just entered the gates."
"Thank you, Charlotte." Mia smiled as she dropped her pen and quickly made her way out to the entrance hall to greet her grandparents.
Charlotte frowned as she opened the entrance hall doors. Why were there two uniformed officers standing outside the main entrance to the palace? And what was the majority of Parliament doing here? And why hadn't she been informed?
"What is going on?" she asked Prime Minister Sebastian Motaz and was taken aback at his scowl.
"I'm sorry, Charlotte. A travesty is what is going on. These officers are here to arrest Joseph."
Having just barely caught the end of Sebastian's statement, Mia's jaw dropped and her shouted What?! was heard just as Joe and Clarisse's car came to a stop in front of the steps.
Joe frowned as he looked out the darkened window of the limo. Something was decidedly off. Seeing the expressions on Mia, Charlotte, and the Prime Minister's face, along with the members of parliament and two Genovian police officers, Joe wasn't sure he wanted to get out of the limo.
"Darling, what is it?" Clarisse couldn't see clearly from her place beside him in the car.
"I'm not sure, Rissee" he whispered before opening the door. Stepping out, he turned and held out a hand to help Clarisse out.
Clarisse held his gaze before reaching out and taking Joe's hand. His using the nickname he had given her, told her just how uneasy he was feeling. Gracefully she finally stepped out of the car, immediately looking over Joe's shoulder. "Joseph, there are two police officers standing with the majority of Parliament and staring very intently at us."
Moving them away from the door, Joe closed it then put his arm around her waist. "I see that, Darling." Smiling at her, trying to reassure her as much as himself, he slid his arm from her waist and rested his hand against the small of her back. "The only way we're going to find out what is going on seems to be by plunging head first into the unknown."
Clarisse, although wearing her perfect queenly façade, was trembling. Deep inside she felt sick from fear of what was going to happen when they reached the top of the steps. Grateful for Joe's hand on her back, she reached behind her and grabbed it, not caring who saw her or if they saw it as a sign of weakness.
Mia watched in horror as Joe was grabbed forcefully, his arms pulled behind his back and cuffs placed around his wrists the minute he reached the top of the steps. "Stop this!" she shouted causing Charlotte and Sebastian to jump.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but there is nothing you can do." Lord Palimore spoke up then turned his gaze toward Joe. "You, Joseph Elizalde, are hereby under arrest for committing a crime against the crown."
Clarisse stood frozen until she heard Palimore's words. "What crime has my husband committed against the crown?"
"As of this day, your marriage to Joseph Elizalde, is null and void. That is his crime. A queen cannot marry without express permission and approval from Parliament."
Mia frowned. What the hell? "If that is so, then why has it taken this long for you to act?" The anger she felt clearly showed on her face making Charlotte and Sebastian take a step back from her side.
"Lord Palimore, I do not understand any of this. I do not remember any such law." Clarisse spoke, but never took her eyes off of Joseph.
"There is such a law, and Joseph has broken it. The punishment is prison."
Mia bit the inside of her cheek to keep from letting a few expletives slip and to try and get a grip on her temper. "If, as you say, my grandmother's marriage to Joseph is null and void, how can he still be under arrest?"
"Even with the marriage being null and void, he has still committed the act." He tapped his cane on the concrete signifying the end of the conversation. "Officers, take the prisoner away."
Clarisse moved into the officers path. "No. You are not taking my husband."
"He is no longer your husband, and you have no authority in this matter." Lord Palimore spoke from his place behind them.
Joe smiled at Clarisse, his heart breaking for the pain he could see in her eyes. "Es ist gut, meine Liebe. Ich werde okay sein. Wir finden eine Weise, zusammen wieder zu sein."
Clarisse couldn't help but smile, even if a bit teary. Joe knew that no one around them, except Sebastian, could speak German. "Ich verspreche, daß ich tue, was auch immer es nimmt, um Ihnen zu erhalten freigegeben. Ich liebe Dich Liebling." Her voice shook as she watched them jerk Joe away and lead him down the steps to the car that had suddenly appeared down below.
Mia wiped angrily at a tear before turning blazing eyes toward Lord Palimore. "I demand to know why I was not informed about any of this before now."
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty." It was Sebastian. "I tried to reason with them. To tell them that not all members were present, and that you should be included, but they said that your presence wasn't of any importance and neither was the attendance of Charlotte or the other member that was so conveniently out of town." He glared toward the men standing to his right.
"The matter has been decided. The decision is final." Lord Palimore spoke then waved his hand for the other members to leave.
"I don't think so, Lord Palimore." Mia breathed with barely controlled rage. "Parliament will meet in exactly one hour. With all members present; myself included."
"Once again, I apologize, Your Majesty." Sebastian sighed. "Lady Anna Cheako will be out of town until tomorrow and as you know,"
Mia held up her hand and stopped him. "I know. We can't hold session on a Sunday." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Monday morning at eight o'clock sharp, all members will be present and will not leave until this nonsense is resolved."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sebastian bowed then turned to look at the others. "You heard the order. I suggest you keep quiet and do as told." He smiled hatefully. "Or else you risk being thrown in prison along with Joseph for defying the order of the Queen."
"Outrageous," was the murmur on their lips as they hurriedly dispersed to leave the suddenly unwelcoming palace grounds.
Mia turned her attention to her grandmother. "I'm so sorry, Grandma." She hugged the older woman.
Clarisse stiffly returned the hug. "It's alright, Darling. Shall we go inside? I'm rather tired from the trip."
"Sure, Grandma." Mia looked at Charlotte in surprise, noticing that her aide seemed to be just as surprised by Clarisse's attitude as she was.
Sebastian stepped up to Clarisse after Mia backed away. "I'm sorry that I couldn't stop this, Your Majesty."
"No need to apologize, Sebastian. I know that you did all that was possible." Clarisse gave him a smile before making her way inside, her head held high and her heart break well hidden. Why were so many awful things happening? Had the reason for their trip to Spain been a part of this? So many questions and only one answer.