Sorry it has taken so long to update! If you wish for more on this, then do let me know and thank you to all who have!!! Enjoy! Also thanks to Diana for being my beta on this chapter!!!

Chapter Twenty Five

Clarisse took a deep shuddering breath as her hands automatically gripped the arms of her seat. Her entire body tensed as another flash of lightening illuminated the sky. She had been steadily watching the storm build in its intensity as she stared out the window of Genovia One. She had never really learned to enjoy flying, especially during thunderstorms, they made her restless. Somehow with Joseph though, she had always felt secure. Maybe it was because he knew how much they bothered her and took it upon himself to distract her, whether it was with a simple joke, good conversation, or even sometimes with a look or touch.

"Oh God!" her mind screamed out. "What would she do if she couldn't find Joseph and make him understand?" She felt the plane jerk furiously all around her as another clap of thunder resounded in her ears. She needed him so much!

It had been two weeks since he had walked out the door at the cabin, two miserable weeks. When he hadn't returned right away, she had told herself not to panic; but with each day that passed without a word from her husband, the alarm she felt rose and threatened to consume her. Every report from Shades and the rest of the security staff, assured her that they'd find him; and yet it was as if he'd simply vanished from Genovia and out of her life. Her heart had wanted to begin searching for Joseph right away, but her duty to Mia and the country had prevented her once again, from the duty she had to herself. Her only choice was to wait and put her hope in Shades that somehow they'd find Joseph and bring him back to her.

Rupert seemed to take great delight in the fact that Joseph was gone. He had no trouble coming up with one thing after another to anger her or debate about in parliament. When he wasn't annoying her, it seemed he was intent on trying to woo her and win her affections again, as if that could ever happen. It wasn't until yesterday's conversation with Mia that Clarisse had found the determination she needed to finally put her heart first.

"The hell with duty for once!"

That was what Mia had said, and for once Clarisse could not find the words to scold her grand daughter for her choice of language. Mia was right; she had to find Joseph herself. After giving it some careful thought, she considered where she should begin. She knew he had a sister in Spain; they had even spoken once with her shortly after their wedding. So Clarisse had decided to start there. Before either Mia or she could speak with Charlotte about it though, Shades knock had interrupted, sharing that a ticket from Genovia to Spain had recently been purchased in Joseph's name only a week before.

This is what had brought the former queen of Genovia to where she was now, hastening towards Spain, in the middle of one of the worst thunderstorms she had ever witnessed. She knew that if lightening struck Genovia One, it would be her own fault. She had completely ignored every warning her pilot and staff had given her and had insisted on making the journey. Now that she knew where Joseph was, she had to get to him right away; too much time had already been wasted. She simply couldn't lose him now and not even a frightening thunderstorm was going to hold her back!

Back at the palace……….

"Your majesty?" Charlotte approached the young queen as she sat signing the last bit of paperwork from the huge stack she had started with that morning.

"Yes?" One look at Charlotte's face and Mia knew the news couldn't be good.

"Her Majesty's plane…..there…there's a thunderstorm…and…it could be we've..uh… lost contact with the pilot…. simply because of the storm." Charlotte felt like she was choking on the words she was struggling so hard to say. She didn't stutter, but this was the Queen they were talking about, her former employer and friend.

"Charlotte, will you please have Shades come to my office immediately?" Mia was doing her best not to panic. She needed to find out everything her security knew at this point.

"Of course, Your Majesty" Within moments, the head of security had arrived.

"Shades, have you…….?" Mia began, but was interrupted as the door to her office was abruptly thrown open.

"I demand to know where Clarisse has gone. I am the King, I have a right to know!" Rupert entered with Gaylord on his heels and all but growled at the head of security, while seeming to ignore both of the women present.

Charlotte looked incredulously first to Shades and then to Mia, instantly feeling a small sense of pride as she noticed the firm look of determination that swept across the young queen's face.

Before Shades even had a chance to respond to the King's demands, Mia boldly stepped forward and looked her estranged grandfather in the eye. "Sir, I don't think you are really in a position to demand anything, at least not yet. Until parliament decides otherwise, let me remind you that I am the reigning monarch of Genovia, whether you like it or not. Let me assure you that I intend to use my authority and the power given to me by this great nation to its fullest. As far as my grandmother is concerned, that sir, is none of your business. So if there is nothing else…."

The slight trembling in Mia's hands had long since stopped and all that she could feel now was a deep seeded anger at the audacity of this man who seemed to take great pleasure in intimidating those around him, most especially her grandmother. As for herself, he chose to ignore her altogether, unless it was to give her an order. In a small way, she felt almost invisible to this man at times and promised herself she'd find a way to stand up to him. This should have been such a happy time for all of them, especially Joseph and her Grandma. Instead this man had managed to turn everything upside down. It was weird because, in reality, this man was her natural grandfather; and yet, she found herself wishing she had never met him.

Since his arrival, she had often asked herself: Had her father ever gotten along with him? Was he the reason Uncle Pierre abdicated the throne? All of these thoughts kept running through her head. Joseph and her Grandmother were everything to her now; they had more than made up for the sixteen years of not knowing of her heritage or that they existed and loved her. She felt this incredible need to protect the two people that had taught and given her so much.

Rupert was momentarily stunned as he listened to his Granddaughter. Clarisse had really done well with her. He marveled at her tenacity; she was so much like her father. If he and Clarisse could guide her, she would be the greatest queen Genovia had ever known. They'd have to choose a suitable husband for her, of course, to rule by her side, but she would be nothing short of magnificent. Given time, she'd come to accept him in her life and Phillipe would be so proud. All in good time though. Right now, first things first. Rupert plastered a smile upon is face. "Actually, Amelia….." He waited until he knew he had her complete attention.

"Yes?" Something in his voice made her mind snap to attention.

"There is a reason why I needed to find your Grandmother. I had wanted to speak with her about this matter first before going to Parliament; but given the circumstances, you should know that according to Genovian law she and I are still married." Rupert spoke matter of factly as if he had just announced plans for the next royal ball.

"Excuse me?" Mia replied incredulously. "She is married to Joseph now! You were declared legally dead, so how could the two of you possibly still be considered married to each other?

"Because my dear, under Genovian law, a royal marriage can only be dissolved by the reigning monarch……."

"But you were declared dead!" Mia interrupted.

"Yes, by the new head of security, who inadvertently gained knowledge at that time that there was a chance I was still alive. He chose to ignore that information so he could take my place as Clarisse's husband and share her bed." He shouldn't have to explain all of this to the girl. For God's sake, he was her Grandfather. What was wrong with her? Had Ramirez poisoned Phillipe's only child against him too? He could feel the rage boiling inside and almost out of control as he carefully watched her reaction.

"I don't believe that! Joseph would never do such a thing! You will never convince anyone that Joseph had any knowledge that you were still alive!" Mia was fuming; but found herself taking a step back. Shades abruptly stepped in front of her, preventing the harsh slap her Grandfather had intended to inflict upon her.

"Let's go, Your Majesty!" Shades spoke urgently whisking the young Queen away. Charlotte hastened behind, right on their heels leaving Rupert alone in the distance.

"I can't believe the nerve of that man!" Mia began.

Your majesty" Shades quietly interrupted when he was certain they were alone. "I'm sorry, but it has been confirmed, Genovia One has crashed. I'm putting together a search and rescue team right away and will head out to the crash site."

Charlotte gasped aloud as Mia felt her body begin to sway. "No, this can't be happening!"

To Be Continued………….