Charlotte was at her desk working diligently when Pierre and Phillipe stopped at her desk after leaving their mother's office.
"Charlotte you work to hard." Phillipe said as she peeked over her shoulder startling her. He smiled at her mischeviously.
"Would you leave her alone." Pierre said as he pretended to look sternly at his brother.
"Fine." Phillipe said as he walked back and stood by his brother both smiling at her.
"You two are trouble." Charlotte said but was smiling back at them.
"They were trouble as children also, isn't that right Joseph?" Clarisse asked as they stood beside the princes.
"Yes ma'am." Joseph replied trying to be formal which only earned him strange looks from the princes.
Charlotte smiled as she tried to hold in a laugh.
Clarisse watched her fondly and then asked, "would you join me for a walk in the garden Charlotte?"
"Yes ma'am." Charlotte replied formally.
"See you later mom." Phillipe and Pierre said as they watched her walk off with Charlotte.
"So Joe, what did Charlotte do wrong?" Phillipe asked nosily.
"Charlotte never does anything wrong." Pierre corrected him.
"I have rounds to do." Joe lied as he walked off.
"He just lied to us." Phillipe said as he walked off. Pierre just shrugged his shoulders as he walked beside him.
Garden...
Charlotte walked quietly two steps behind the Queen. She watched her with admiration. The Queen was graceful and always kind. A moment of her attention made you feel as if you were the most important person in the room. Charlotte wanted to learn from her and she wanted to please her. She always worked diligently since she feared disappointing her.
"Charlotte, how are you doing?" Clarisse asked geninutely.
"I'm fine ma'am." Charlotte lied.
"How do you do it?" Clarisse asked as she continued to walk and smell her roses.
"Do what ma'am?" Charlotte asked confused.
"Not speak to Scott. I would find it quite difficult to not speak to Joseph." Clarisse said casually.
Charlotte stopped walking and stared at her monarch in shock.
"It's not the best kept secret." Clarisse stated simply.
"I'm so so sorry ma'am. I promise you I will do my best to resolve...I mean to rectify..." Charlotte stumbled over her words.
"There is nothing to apologize for. I only feel sad for you both." Clarisse admitted.
Charlotte looked down clearly embarrassed.
"Scott is a nice, hard working, handsome man. You are beautiful and smart. Let's not forget my supergirl assistant as Phillipe would say." Clarisse finally turned smiling at her.
"Thank you ma'am." Charlotte replied shyly.
"I have heard from a reliable source that Scott plans to properly invite you on a date." Clarisse said as she stood her hands clasped in front of her.
Charlotte smiled knowing that Joe was her reliable source.
"Would you say yes?" Clarisse asked curiously.
"I don't think so ma'am. We should stay professional." Charlotte said her voice low and reserved.
"I don't doubt you both can be professional once you clear up all the misunderstandings." Clarisse replied as she approached her loyal assistant.
Charlotte suddenly dropped in a curtsey.
"Please Charlotte." Clarisse placed her hand on her assistant softly as she encouaged her to remain standing.
"I don't want to disappoint you." Charlotte admitted.
"You would never disappoint me. Your happiness is important to me." Clarisse said to her in a soft, maternal tone.
Charlotte eyes instantly watered with emotion.
"Scott makes you happy. I've seen you two together. Don't let misunderstandings and hurt feelings stop you from taking a chance at love." Clarisse said with a small smile.
"I won't. I promise." Charlotte knew how much the Queen has sacrificed for duty and the country. The fact that Clarisse cared about her happiness touched her deeply.
Security hub...
Joe walked in with a cup of coffee in hand when he noticed Shades sitting staring at a monitor. Joe walked quitey behind Shades and peeked over his shoulder. He noticed that it was Charlotte and Clarisse on the monitor.
"Shouldn't you be planning your first date?" Joseph asked.
"Joe!" Shades jumped up practically knocking over everything on the small desk.
"Have you figured out what you're going to say?" Joe asked.
"Well...I'm sorry...would you like to go and get some pizza sometime?" Shades replied.
"You are joking, right?" Joseph asked displeasure all over his face.
"Who am I kidding Joe? She isn't going to go out with me after I hurt her." Shades said as he sat, covered his face with his hands and slumped over the desk.
"Charlotte is a very forgiving person. I'm sure she will go out with you but...pizza? You can do better then that." Joe said trying to enourage him.
"I'm not good at this Joe. Can you help me out?" Shades begged.
"I'm not sure what I can suggest. I don't know Charlotte interests." Joe said seriously.
"Don't women like the same things? Shades asked.
"No!" Joe exclaimed.
Shades just looked at him with a lost expression.
"Alright. Fine. I will help." Joe said realizing Shades needed all the help he could get.
Clarisse Office...
After the walk in the gardens Clarisse walked into her office and was surprised to see Rupert sitting there waiting for her. Hans was standing by the door.
"You can go now. I would like a few moments with my wife." Rupert said as he patted the sofa beside him as he looked at Clarisse.
Yes sir. Ma'am."Hans said as he walked out shutting the door behind him.
Clarisse walked over to Rupert and sat beside him. She wondered what he wanted. He rarely visited her office.
"It's time for us to announce Pierre as next in line for the throne. We should also start perusing potential brides. We really should announce an engagement at the Winter ball." Rupert said as easily as if he were requesting a cup of coffee.
"I don't think Pierre is ready for that." Clarisse said a worried expression on her face.
"We have no choice. There is talk and talk leads to unrest." Rupert stated firmly.
"Rupert...Pierre is beginning to embrace his future as Crown Prince if we move too quickly I fear it may push him away from it." Clarisse said honestly.
"Mabrey is circling like a vulture. If we don't stop the rumors and speculation. Ensure Pierre is next in line for the throne we will have more to worry about then Pierre running off." Rupert spat in a agitated tone.
"Mabrey? What does he have to gain by this?" Clarisse asked confused.
"I don't know. That's the problem." Rupert said as he stood up.
"Rupert...it's too soon." Clarisse begged him.
"I will have my assistant schedule a time with your assistant for us to begin the process of finding Pierre a suitable princess." Rupert said ending the conversation.
Clarisse didn't reply. She looked at him pleadingly but knew better then to try and argue with him. She wouldn't win. She never did.
Once Rupert was gone Clarisse requested for Joseph to join her for tea. They met in her suite under the guise of a security briefing to ensure privacy.
Clarisse stood when Joseph entered. She went into his arms and he held her tight.
"Clarisse what is it? Joseph asked concerned.
"Rupert wants to announce Pierre as next in line to the throne and he wants us to pick a bride for him." Clarisse blurted out.
"So soon." Joseph said shocked.
"I told him it will be a mistake but he won't listen. He says that Mabrey is creating unrest and we need to stop it." Clarisse said as they sat together.
Joseph sighed and gritted his teeth. He disliked Mabrey and his nefarious dealings. The king had every right to be concerned. But what about Pierre?