Thank you for all for your comments, encouragement and suggestions. Hope this helps make the reading easier!

Of course these are not my characters. I just write for fun & I love CJ

Here goes. Enjoy!

France...

The negotations had taken a lot longer then expected. Rupert made sure that Mabrey followed him back to his hotel. They were about to have a long, overdue chat about his latest scheme. Rupert was tired of Arthur Mabrey and his traitorous ways. Once they settled into the suite Rupert decided to skip the small talk and get right to the point.

"What did you hope to accomplish by sending that woman to blackmail me?" Rupert asked Mabrey with an angry tone.

"Blackmail is a harsh word. I simply wanted you to see what this trade deal would mean to Genovia," Mabrey said.

"You wanted to force my hand so that you can make a deal of your own. One that would benefit you and your friends and not Genovia. You had that woman threaten me with Clarisse," Rupert snapped.

"Your wife has a right to know if her husband has been...shall we say...otherwise occupied. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't look out for her interests," Mabrey said innocently.

Rupert felt his temper explode, "YOU listen to me! MY wife, YOUR Queen is none of your concern! I am her husband and I am your King!. Cross me again Mabrey and I promise you that will be the end of you! Do I make myself clear?" Rupert threatened.

Mabrey remained silent but nodded his head in agreement. He wasn't a stupid man. He knew not to push his luck. The King could have him imprisoned or worse if he chose to. Your majesty I assure you this misunderstanding will never happen again, Mabrey insisted as he bowed.

Rupert glared at him, his eyes shinning with anger. He didn't trust the man. He knew he was just placating him. "Get out of my suite and out of my sight," Rupert said dismissing him.

Mabrey looked at him and walked out without a word but in his head he vowed to get his revenge. No one spoke to him in that manner. Not even the King of Genovia.

Hans walked in a moment later. "Joseph has been calling," He admitted honestly. Rupert sighed. He didn't want anyone to know about the conversation he just had with Arthur Mabrey. "This stays between us," Rupert made clear. "Yes your majesty" Hans bowed. "You're going to call Joseph and this is what you are going to say..." The King instructed.

Genovia...

"What if something has happened to Rupert?" Clarisse asked in a panic.

"Don't jump to the worst conclusion," Joseph soothed.

Clarisse looked into his eyes and said, "I don't want anything to happen to him."

"I know," Joseph said as he took her into his arms. She snuggled close, closing her eyes as she toook in his strength.

He rubbed her back softly whispering, "you need to remain calm. I need you to trust me on this."

"I do." she reassured him.

They looked into each other eyes once again. Even though it was not the time for this kind of thinking, Joseph couldn't help it he wanted to kiss her. His cell phone rang disrupting his thought. Joseph showed Clarisse the name that flashed across the screen. "Hans." She said relieved.

"Where have you been?" Joseph asked sternly.

"I'm sorry Joe. The king had me in his suite and he wouldn't let me answer the phone. He insisted no interruptions. I called as soon as I coud." Hans lied.

Joseph gave in with a sigh. "You know how he can be," Hans continued. "Yes I know" Joseph agreed.

"Did you need something?" Hans asked changing the subject.

"Yes. I need to know when the King is returning?" Joseph asked.

"I believe we are leaving tomorrow morning. The negotations have ended." Hans said giving word for word the explanation Rupert had given him moments before.

"Perfect. Keep me informed." Joseph said then he hug up.

"The King is fine and they are due to depart tomorrow morning," Joseph told Clarisse. She smiled thankfully and hugged him. Joseph kissed her temple. She hugged him tighter.

"He'll be here for your birthday party," Joseph teased.

Clarisse looked up at him and rolled her eyes. He laughed unable to help himself. She slapped his chest playfully making him laugh harder. A big smile crossed her face. He smiled back at her with a wink.

"I hate these parties. They are never really for us," she sighed.

"I know but just look at it this way once it's over you can have a real birthday celebration," he said catching her interest.

"Oh?" she asked intrigued. He smiled in a conspiring way. "Tell me," she smiled.

"It's a surprise," he whispered in her ear.

"Oh you!" she slapped his chest again making him laugh. "Fine." she said pretending to be upset as she walked off leaving Joseph with a big smile as he noticed how she exaggerated the sway of her hips.

Late evening...

Joseph was walking his rounds when he saw Pierre walking to his suite. The young man seemed distracted. "Hello your highness," Joseph spoke. Pierre looked at him and Joseph could see just how truly sad he was. "Are you alright Pierre?" Joseph asked breaking royal etiquette.

"I'm in trouble Joe," Pierre said. The look on his face and the sadness in his voice reminded him of Clarisse. Joseph lead the young man down the hall and out onto the balcony.

"Tell me Pierre. You can tell me anything," Joseph said wanting to help him. After all, Pierre was like a son to him. He cared for him deeply and didn't want to see him hurting like this. Pierre blue eyes watered. "You can trust me." Joseph encouraged him.

Clarisse sat in her suite thinking of Joseph and his surprise. A smile crossed her face. She couldn't wait to be alone with him. Her mind quickly turned to, how will you manage that? What will Rupert say? Her heart fought back. Rupert doesn't care and in fact, he has given us his blessing. She sighed frustrated with her inner battle. She gave up the battle and went into the bathroom to take a shower and change for the night. She took a long, hot shower. After, she dressed in comfy pajamas and went to her sitting area to get some tea. A knock on her door stopped her. "Come," she said as she stood with her hands clasped in front of her.

"Am I interrupting?" Pierre asked as he peeked around the door.

"Pierre!" she exclaimed happily. Pierre smiled as he walked in, closing the door behind him. He walked over to his mother and they hugged. "I've missed you," she said as she hugged him tightly.

"I've missed you too," Pierre said honestly.

"Let me look at you," she said as she held him away from her and smiled. "You are all grown up," she said her eyes misting.

"And you look as beautiful as ever," he said making her laugh.

"Sit with me," she encouraged. Pierre sat beside her, their hands clasped together.

"Maman, I have something I need to tell you," he said trying to gather courage.

Clarisse felt herself tense up. Somehow she knew what he was going to say. His eyes told her everything before he even formed the words. "You don't want to be King," she said shocking him.

"How did you know?" He finally asked after a few moments of silence.

"I'm your mother, I know you and I've noticed you've been going to the church more often," she admitted.

"I feel drawn there. I've learned so much and...I want...I want to be a man of the church," he said finally voicing the words. He felt such a tremendous relief but Clarisse felt a heaviness in her heart. Not because she was disappointed in her son but because she knew what this was going to do to her family.

Clarisse smiled genuinely at her oldest, touched his cheek with her hand lovingly and whispered, "I will always love you Pierre."

"I will always love you too." He reassured her.

Midnight...

Clarisse sat looking up at the sky. The tears had long stopped but her heart still felt heavy.

"Clarisse" Joseph voice reached her. She turned and looked at him. The sadness he saw broke his heart. She went into his arms quickly. He held her tight.

"You know, don't you?" she asked.

"He told me. I encouraged him to come to you. I guess he did," he said softly.

"What am I going to do?" she begged.

"You're going to support him. He's your son Clarisse and you love him," he said simply. She smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. "It's going to be okay," he promised.

"Rupert is going to be angry and parliament... oh I don't care about any of that! What's going to happen to my son?" she asked full of worry.

"Pierre is going to be okay even if Rupert doesn't agree. Pierre will be happy at the church and it will bring him much joy as he knows his mother supports him," he reassured her.

"I do support him. I want him to be happy. Jospeh I'm scared. What will parliament do? What if Rupert makes him choose between his family and the church?" she asked anxiously.

Joseph was about to defend the King and say, he would never do that to his son but then he realized that Rupert would think like a King before a father. If he were Pierre father he would support his son but Rupert was nothing like him. In fact, there was a good possibility things were not going to turn out well. "No matter what happens, I am here for you and Pierre. I promise you." Clarisse hugged him tight.