Thank you Sylvia and Clarisse for the fantastic reviews. And thanks to all who read, add to fav, fallow and leave reviews.
Here is another chapter. Hope you like it.
Kisses
Maria
Four days before Christmas, the Royal family of Genovia was preparing to travel to the United States. It was becoming more and more difficult to conceal the marriage of Philippe and the little heiress of the throne, Amelia. Despite his constant search for his son, Joseph had returned to normal activity in the palace, as the Queen's bodyguard and Head of Security. Clarisse and Rupert were worried about Joseph's going to the United States, as the loss of his son was very recent and they both knew how much he liked the little Princess. Joseph himself feared he could not hide the pain when he was with Amelia.
Before the plane landed, Clarisse got up and went to see Joseph.
"Do you need something, Your Majesty?" Asked Joseph when he saw Clarisse approaching. Clarisse sat down beside him.
"No, Joseph. I just want to know how you are. I know that when you look at little Amelia, you remember Frederic ... "Joseph smiled.
"Clarisse, I always remember Frederic!"
Clarisse felt embarrassed.
"Joseph, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant."
"I know, Clarisse, I know. But do not worry. I am fine. And it will make me feel good to be with her. " Joseph noticed from the corner of his eye that Rupert was approaching and fell silent. Clarisse looked down the hall and noticed her husband. Rupert approached them and sat down.
"Joseph, the last year was anything but pleasant to any of us, but to you it was truly terrible."
"Your Majesty ..."
"Please, Joseph, let me finish. It's harder than it looks, I assure you. " Clarisse looked at Rupert and smiled. "But the truth is that I have changed, as a husband, as a father and as a man. And I learned. But I can't help but feel guilty about you. " Joseph lowered his eyes. "I feel like a fool for letting me handle it like that. I hope one day you can forgive me. " And with that Rupert got up and returned to his seat, leaving Joseph and Clarisse speechless.
"I confess I'm truly surprised. Rupert surprised me. " Clarisse said getting up.
"Me too…"
Clarisse returned to her husband. Deep in his heart, Joseph could not stop thinking that, on the one hand, Rupert had triggered the whole situation, but if it were not his involvement with Sandra, Joseph might still be stuck with her manipulation ...
Half an hour later the plane landed in San Francisco. Joseph was the first to leave. Philippe was waiting for them by the limo, hands in his pockets and heavy countenance. Joseph was immediately aware of the sadness of the young prince, but said nothing. Rupert and Clarisse followed him almost immediately, and Philippe tried in vain to be cheerful and well-disposed.
"Mother, father. It's good that we can spend Christmas together. How was the trip? And how are you? "
"We are very happy, Philippe. It's our first Christmas as grandmas and I'm already missing Amelia." Clarisse said, hugging her son. Rupert smiled and hugged him too.
"Your mother counts the days, since she leaves here until she returns. She is a completely devoted grandmother. All I have to do is watch her knit a wool sweater. "And they all laughed. Joseph stepped closer.
"Your Majesties? Can I suggest you get in the limousine? "
"Of course, Joseph. You're right, we're just getting the attention of the newspapers here. Philippe, are you coming with me and your mother? "
"Of course, so we have more time to talk." Clarisse looked at Philippe in silence. Anything was not right ...
Joseph sat next to the driver and closed the window to give the family more privacy. He was practically automatic. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw Frederic's smile, felt the soft skin of his hands on his face. And the smell of menthol and candy ... The smell of the baby that always leaves us with a smile on our lips. If Clarisse is right, he could be anywhere. Maybe the only way is to torture Sandra until he gets a confession ... And continue to torture her until she finds Frederic. Joseph wanted her to suffer. That she had a little idea of the pain he felt. If Frederic was sold ... Are they treating him well? Tuck him to sleep? They tell him stories. Do they love him? Too many questions, too much pain! Sandra was going to pay ... Seconds later they were standing in front of an old fire station ... Philippe and Helen's house ... And now the little Amélia palace. Joseph and four other guards stood at the entrance of the house. Clarisse looked at Joseph in silence but he did not notice. His desire for revenge against Sandra clouded his ideas. Everything else was secondary. Sandra will be his priority as soon as he return to Genovia.
"Good afternoon, Helen. Good afternoon, my dear Amelia, " said Clarisse, kissing both of them.
"Can I pic her up, Helen?" Helen got up and went to get Amelia out of the crib.
"I'll give her milk first. She gets angry when she's hungry. " And without waiting for an answer, she led Amelia into the kitchen. Clarisse and Rupert looked at each other in amazement. Philippe was visibly uncomfortable.
"Sit down, please. You must be exhausted from the trip, " said Philippe, directing his parents to the couch.
"We are ..." But Philippe interrupted Rupert.
"Dad, I'll get some tea for Mom. Do you want or would you like something else? " And, imitating Helen, he went to the kitchen without waiting for an answer.
"Helen, why did not you let my mother grab Amelia in her lap?" He said in a very low voice, so as not to be heard in the room.
"What are they doing here, Philippe? You told me you'd already settled this, " Helen replied furiously, but also in a low tone.
"What did you want me to do? That I gave them the news by telephone? You do not know Rupert Renaldi ... "
"I do not even want to meet. Solve it now. I'm telling you! "
Philippe looked at her in silence.
"My God, Helen, you do not even care at all about the pain you're going to cause to my parents and me!"
"You agreed, so do not be a moralist."
"I did not agree with everything. Besides, you did not give me much of a choice. "
"My daughter ..." Philippe interrupted her immediately.
"Our daughter!"
"Yes. Our daughter has a right to a normal life, without having to live permanently for fear of being murdered. "
"Stop it, Helen. We both know that is you who do not want this life. Amelia could have a perfectly normal life in Genovia. "
"NO! You agreed, Philippe! It's our girl! " Philippe closed his eyes. He could not contain his tears.
"It's our girl, Helen! And you want me to see her when she turns 18! You want me to exclude myself from our daughter's life ... " Helen's gaze was as cold as steel.
"That's how it has to be! Amelia has a right to a normal life! "
Unbeknownst to them, Rupert was standing in the kitchen.
"I hope this is a joke, Philippe!"
Philippe and Helen turned suddenly. Helen pressed Amelia closer to her chest. Philippe was speechless. Tears streamed down Clarisse's face, and Rupert had no intention of hiding the fury he felt.
"Does anyone explain to me what this means?" Rupert was about to enter the kitchen, but when he saw Clarisse in tears, he turned back and put his arm around her shoulders. Philippe lifted his head and turned to his father. This problem had to be solved today and it was better for him to do so.
"Father and mother, I have a very important subject to speak to you. But let's sit down, please. It will not be easy!"
"Rupert, please calm down. Let him speak. "Clarisse asked.
"I do not know if I can, Clarisse," he murmured, kissing her forehead.
The four of them sat in the living room, but this time Helen had the good sense to put Amelia in Clarisse's arms. Clarisse smiled and kissed Amelia's forehead. Rupert stepped closer to Clarisse and smiled as well.
"How is Grandfather's princess?" He said as he tapped his fingertips in her face. Amelia laughed and with her little hand tried to grab Clarisse's face.
"Look, Rupert, I think she's smiling at you!" Rupert blushed. He and Clarisse were deeply happy when they were with Amelia. Philippe smiled too. Only Helen's expression was serious. Helen cleared her throat and Philippe realized he had to speak.
"Father and mother ... Me and Helen were talking about Amelia and the future we want for her ..." Clarisse began to feel a tightness in her chest. "Like all parents, we are concerned about the impact our decisions will have on her life, from an early age."
"Philippe, stop that and tell us what you've decided." Rupert said in a tone that admitted little doubt. Philippe looked at his mother and got up, distancing himself from Helen.
"Me and Helen are going to divorce... and Amelia will stay here with her."
"Philippe! Amelia is the heir to the throne! "
"Father, please. We want our daughter to have a normal life, a normal education, away from the pressure of the palace. "
"Philippe, Amelia will be the next Queen of Genovia. It is normal for her to have a more rigorous education. And it is perfectly possible to have an almost normal life. Philippe, despite the strictest education, you and your brother lived a normal life and were always two happy children. "
"Please, Mother. Our decision is made. I return to Genovia and let Amelia have a normal life! Let's give her the possibility of being able to live without a constant threat. " Helen got up, took Amelia from her grandmother's arms and the baby began to cry, leaving Clarisse even more shattered. Then she started up the stairs and before entering the room said:
"I hope you understand and respect our decision." And without looking back, she entered the room and closed the door.
Clarisse and Rupert were petrified. Philippe sat back down on the couch without holding back his tears. The silence in the room was almost unbearable. Clarisse stood up.
"Philippe, I can not understand ..."
"Mom, I will not talk about it anymore."
"The hell you're not! You just got out of your daughter's life. She will grow up without knowing who the father, the uncle, the grandparents are! She will probably think we abandoned her. And you do not want to talk about it ? I even understand that you do not worry about what I feel, but you have completely forgotten your mother. Do you have any idea what the next 18 years will be like for us? Especially for her? "
"What about me, Dad? How do you think it's going to be for me? "Philippe shouted.
Rupert was losing his temper completely.
"I do not know, Philippe. Tell me, once you agreed with Helen to deprive your daughter of having a family. And how will it be when Helen brings another man home? Will my granddaughter call another man father? "
"No! Enough, Dad. Me and Helen already discussed all this. We just want Amelia's happiness. And now, please, let's go. "
"Can't we say goodbye to our granddaughter?"
"I'm sorry, Mom ..." Clarisse took a deep breath, looked at the bedroom door and left, startling the guards and not waiting for the door to be opened, entered the limousine without a word. Seconds later Philippe and Rupert imitated her. Joseph was intrigued. What would have happened to this untimely departure of the kings and the crown prince? Besides, he was a bit disillusioned because he wanted to see little Amelia. But from the facial expressions of the three, there was a storm in the air. The trip to the Consulate was made in the deepest silence. Rupert was the first to enter the Consulate, followed by Philippe. Clarisse was the last one and stopped in front of Joseph. He saw immediately that something very wrong had happened.
"Joseph, can I have a word with you in my office now?
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Joseph went in and closed the door. Clarisse sat at her desk and covered her face with her hands. Joseph was tempted to embrace her but Rupert's presence in the Consulate ,prevented him.
"Joseph ... I do not know how to begin ..." Joseph sat down in the chair in front of her.
"Take a deep breath, Clarisse. Everything has a solution, you'll see. " Clarisse looked at him and tried to smile.
"Philippe and Helen are going to get divorced."
"Divorce? But why? And Amelia? "
"I do not think Helen can handle the pressure. And Philippe supported her decision. Amelia is staying with her mother ... "
"Clarisse, it's going to be a nightmare to keep the press away. I think they'll find out more ... "
"We will not be able to see the baby!" Clarisse said, unable to hold back her tears.
"What? What nonsense. Why would they do such thing?"
"Because they've decided they want to give Amelia a normal life until the age of 18." Clarisse got up and went to the window. " How am I going to spend 18 years without seeing my granddaughter, Joseph?" But then Clarisse remembered Frederic. "I'm sorry, Joseph. How could I have been so insensitive? "
"Clarisse, please! Don't say that. It's different situations and I'm hoping to find Frederic. " At that moment, the door opened and Rupert came in.
"Joseph, we have to talk. I suppose my wife told you what's going on ... "
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Rupert sat down in the chair next to Joseph and Clarisse sat behind the desk.
"Well, we return to Genovia tomorrow, but I need you to coordinate a security team here. Amelia must always be protected, but neither Helen nor Philippe can know. I know it's going to be a real nightmare for you but I do not trust anyone else to do it. "
Clarisse looked at Joseph and then at Rupert.
"Do you want Joseph to stay here?"
"Yes, it's the best."
"No. Joseph is my bodyguard and our Head of Security. Besides, he's the only one I trust. "
Joseph remained silent. The last thing he wanted was to stay in the United States, to coordinate a secret security team. Of course he loved little Amelia, but he could not even be with her. And staying away from Clarisse would be hell.
"But Clarisse, we have to think about what's best for Amelia."
"Of course, but the best for Amelia is not to have Joseph here." Clarisse got up and went back to the window.
"You're right, Clarisse. I still can not believe all of this. 18 years... "Rupert got up and went to Clarisse.
"Joseph, I'm sorry. Clarisse is right. But I need you to make choices about that team and instruct the security man here. "
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'll start right away. "He got up and left.
Rupert approached Clarisse and hugged her. Clarisse turned to him, leaned her head against his chest and cried. She cried like she had not done it for a long time. Rupert kept silent, stroking her back. How life can change so much, in so little time ...
