Chapter 10:

Joseph was enjoying his job at the Royal Genovian palace, more than he had any job before in his life. He was doing exceptionally well, and had made friends with all the full time palace staff. He was just such a likeable person, that everyone wanted to get to know him.

At first, all the single female staff had wanted to catch his eye, to 'get to know him better', but he had put a stop to that. He had turned down all offers, making sure each woman knew that he was sure the right person was out there for them. He just wasn't that 'certain one' they were all searching for.

Carlo had helped by letting them know that Joseph had just come out of a relationship. This made them all sympathetic, but at least they were no longer all over him.

"I could have told them you were gay," Carlo had suggested, causing Joseph to spit his coffee half way across the kitchen.

"Then I would have had the men after me," Joseph smirked, appreciating how willing his friend was to help.

But it had all passed over, and everyone knew not to approach Joseph about starting a relationship with him. He would make the first move when he was ready. Or so they all wanted to believe.

Joseph had only come across the Queen twice in the past four months he had been working there. The first time was when he was out walking the garden paths with Carlo on a security check.

Flashback

They were walking along, talking about what cameras were being placed where, for extra security, when they came across an amusing sight.

Prince Pierre was stomping towards them, covered in some sort of thick, clear substance, with a few feathers scattered here and there. He appeared to not have seen them at first, as he was muttering under his breath and hadn't looked up. But as he came two metres before them, his head snapped up.

The two men observed in amused silence as his face turned a bright red, and he clenched his fists at his sides. He almost began shaking before calling out to his mother.

"MOTHER!" Pierre bellowed, glaring at Joseph and Carlo as if it were his fault.

Queen Clarisse came out of the palace behind the two men, walking calmly and erect, her short blonde hair shining in the sunlight.

She stopped beside Joseph and nodded as he bowed his head slightly, acknowledging her presence. She then turned to Pierre, a frown creasing her forehead.

"What on earth is going on, Pierre?" she asked with a voice full of concern, but Joseph could have sworn he saw her mouth twitch.

"Mother, its Phillippe again," Pierre whined.

"He told me that he had something to show me in the glasshouse and that I was to meet him there at half 2," Pierre explained, his face slowly draining of colour.

"But when I got there, I was covered in this glue as I opened the door, and the feathers followed shortly," Pierre finished, his face growing red again with humiliation.

"I see," Clarisse stated, realisation dawning on her features.

Joseph and Carlo shared knowing glances, knowing full well how mischievous nine-year-old Prince Phillippe was around the palace. He was known to pull many pranks on his eleven-year-old brother, no matter what his parents thought of it.

Right at that very moment, the culprit himself came running around the corner and charged headlong into Joseph.

"Careful, Your Highness," Joseph said politely, as he gripped the boys shoulder to prevent him from falling.

"Sorry!" he said, breathless, and smiling up at Joseph.

"Phillippe?" Queen Clarisse asked in a sharp voice, causing the boy to gasp in surprise.

"Yes, Mother?" he asked, going pale when he noticed Pierre.

"I would like you to go with Pierre to see your Father. And you will explain Pierre's appearance to him, informing him of how he came to look this way. Carlo will escort you. Understand?" Queen Clarisse said in her most commanding tone.

"Yes, Mother," both boys chorused, before an angry Pierre, and guilty Phillippe walked off into the palace, followed by an amused Carlo.

Queen Clarisse turned to Joseph as he chuckled lightly at the sight. The stern look she had shown when dealing with the boys was now replaced with an amused smile.

"I thought the boy would have learned by now," she said with a light laugh.

"Learnt what, Your Majesty?" Joseph asked, intrigued by the way her eyes were twinkling mischievously.

"That using glue and flour is by far more effective than glue and feathers," Queen Clarisse replied, looking Joseph dead in the eye with a large smile before turning on her heal and walking away.

Joseph laughed aloud at her audacity, before walking back into the palace himself.

End Flashback

The second time Joseph came across Her Majesty late one night when he was unable to sleep.

Flashback

He tossed and turned in his bed, longing for sleep to come. He had finally been given the chance to get an early night sleep, as he had been let off early for once. But his body was not used to it so he just couldn't sleep.

He finally rose, wrapped himself in his robe, before heading off down one of the deserted corridors in the palace.

Padding along in his bare feet, he finally decided to check out the palace library that Carlo had recommended upon his arrival at the palace. Perhaps a good book would help lull him to sleep.

Opening the door to the library, Joseph was surprised to find Her Majesty curled up in one of the large chairs with a book in her hands. She hadn't noticed him come in so he looked at her briefly.

She was dressed in a warm baby pink robe, with her slippers placed neatly on the floor before her. She was sitting with her feet tucked up beneath her and one hand supporting her head as she held the book with her other. The corner of her mouth was turned up in a relaxed smile as her eyes eagerly skimmed the page before her. She was clearly enjoying her book, as she was completely absorbed in the story.

Joseph closed the door behind him, clearing his throat at the same time, alerting Her Majesty to his presence.

Queen Clarisse looked up, surprised to have someone else in the room.

"I apologise for the disturbance, Your Majesty, would you like me to leave?" Joseph asked quietly, giving her the chance to decide.

"No, come in Joseph. You couldn't sleep either?" she asked, nodding towards his attire.

"No, Your Majesty. I thought perhaps a book could help, so came here to investigate," Joseph answered, standing to attention before the closed door.

"Then have a look, by all means. Do not worry about me, I will stay quiet so as not to disturb you," Her Majesty said, her voice lowering in volume to make her statement clear.

"I do not wish to inconvenience you, Your Majesty," Joseph said hurriedly, not wishing to cause Her Majesty trouble.

"You will not inconvenience me, Joseph, do not stress," Queen Clarisse countered, indicating he browse the books in the shelves.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Joseph bowed before walking over to the shelf.

Queen Clarisse continued to read as Joseph looked through the books. He chose a well-worn book that showed it was loved by some unknown reader.

"That is an excellent read," Her Majesty declared, looking up as Joseph sat opposite her in the soft chair.

Well, unknown reader no more.

"Pride and Prejudice," Joseph read the front cover, smiling at how the Queens eyes lit up.

"I have read it before, and must confess that yes, it is a very good read," Joseph agreed, looking up and catching his Queens eye.

"If I may ask, what do you like so much about this story?" Joseph asked.

"I absolutely adore the character, Elizabeth. She is just so wild, carefree, and forward in her opinions that she reminds me so much of someone I know," Her Majesty spoke in a dreamy voice, her eyes looking distant.

"And who would that be?" Joseph asked, completely relaxed with conversing with Her Majesty in such a manner.

"Me," Queen Clarisse answered cheekily.

Joseph chuckled, opening the book, and flicking through the pages.

"How about yourself? Which character do you most appreciate?" Her Majesty asked, bringing Joseph's attention to herself again.

"Mr Darcy," Joseph stated, his face as serious as ever.

"And why would that be?" Queen Clarisse smiled already seeing the likeness between Mr Darcy and Joseph.

"He is just such an honest man. He is so unpredictable yet doesn't pretend to enjoy social gatherings. He likes to keep to the background but instead cannot help but be the centre of everybody's attention," Joseph paused, in thought.

"I suppose…he keeps his emotions private, which would explain 'unpredictable', but yet doesn't hesitate in voicing his opinions," Joseph finished, looking up to see Her Majesty's reply.

"A good answer," the Queen nodded, her hands resting in her lap, with her book placed face down upon the side table.

They sat in silence for a moment, as each pondered their own thoughts. Joseph looked up as Her Majesty chuckled lightly.

"You know, I have recently found out that you have a young admirer, Joseph," Queen Clarisse murmured.

Joseph lifted his eyebrow, "who would that be, Your Majesty?"

"My youngest, Phillippe," Her Majesty smiled.

"He has been watching you ever since he bumped into you in the gardens last week. He even graces us with his 'Joseph' impersonation. He puts on his dark glasses and walks around the room with a ridiculously serious expression," Joseph shook his head at this, closing his eyes and sighing while Her Majesty laughed quietly.

"I shall have to call you the next time he does it, so you may see how humorous it really is," Queen Clarisse smiled, her eyes dancing at the thought.

"Am I really that bad?" Joseph asked sincerely, wondering what everyone thought of him.

"Of course not!" Her Majesty reassured him.

"Phillippe just likes to over dramatise everything he comes into contact with. You just happen to take your job more seriously than some of the other staff. It's not at all your fault."

Joseph just chuckled, shaking his head at the mental image of a young Phillippe strutting about the room with dark shades on.

"Well, that's it for me tonight, Joseph. I shall bid you goodnight now, before it gets too late," Her Majesty stated before rising regally from her chair and sliding on her slippers.

Joseph also stood, bowing his head as she walked to the door.

"Goodnight, Your Majesty," Joseph smiled.

"Goodnight Joseph, enjoy the rest of your night," Queen Clarisse smiled at him before quietly leaving the room and silently closing the door.

Joseph smiled to himself, enjoying how his night had turned out.

Padding over to the shelf, Joseph carefully placed the book back in its place, before heading over to turn the lamp off.

Reaching out to turn it off, Joseph's eyes fell upon the book Her Majesty had been reading upon his arrival. Lifting it up and turning it over to read the title, Joseph smiled.

'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austin.

Chuckling to himself, Joseph turned out the light, opened the door, and headed back to his welcoming bed.

End Flashback

And so it was now that he found himself standing in the security room, looking at the computer monitor that showed what the camera was picking up in the dining room.

Her Majesty had just informed one of the maids to tell Joseph that it was imperative that he looked at what the camera was showing. She was quite adamant so Joseph had followed orders immediately.

Chuckling to himself, Joseph watched as Prince Phillippe strutted around the room in one of his 'Joseph impersonations'. Queen Clarisse was correct; it really was an amusing sight!

He watched for a few more moments before leaving the room and making his way down to the dining room.

Taking out his glasses and placing them on his face, Joseph took on one of his famous stern looks before entering the room.

Phillippe didn't quite have his hands clasped correctly.

OoOoOoOo

A.N: How was that? I had so much fun writing that chapter! Especially the Pride and Prejudice section of this chapter. How funny is Queen Clarisse? Hehehe! Please leave me a review and tell me if I've got the personalities up to standard. Thanks!

I would also like to point out that Monker looked this chapter over before I posted it. She pointed out that 'Pride and Prejudice' was one of the books Queen Clarisse got Mia to read in PD1. I didn't even realise! I completely forgot! Great coincidence huh?