The next day...
Rupert and Clarisse sat with the parents of another potential bride for Pierre. Clarisse seemed pleased with this one but Rupert was not. He wanted a family that had the political and economical means to help ensure the survival of the Renaldi rule. This was not the family. It wasn't that they didn't have the financial means, they did very much so, it was that they refused to use it as a means to an end. Rupert was fuming. Clarisse was all smiles.
"Absolutely not" Rupert stated with finality once they were gone.
"I liked them" Clarisse said feeling pleased by the visit
"The point of this is so the Renaldi family continues to rule for decades to come" Rupert snapped.
"Oh. I thought the point of this was for our son to be happy." She snapped back.
"Don't start" He spat frustrated.
"Is everything okay" Pierre asked as he walked in when he heard the raised voices?
Rupert and Clarisse both turned in surprise.
"You're back" Rupert said since he was unaware that his son had returned the night before.
"I arrived last night" Pierre admitted.
Rupert glared at Clarisse for keeping this information from him.
Clarisse ignored him.
"Who were those people" Pierre asked curiously?
"We should talk, sit, please" Clarisse said as she took a seat.
Surprised but pleased that Clarisse was handling this, Rupert sat as well.
Pierre sat and waited patiently for his mother to speak.
"Your father and I have met with two families so far to explore the possibility of a future bride for you." She said honestly.
"What" Pierre asked confused?
"We want to be sure that you have a partner not just a princess. We want you to be happy." Clarisse continued.
"Mother, he laughed, shouldn't I be the one to pick my future bride" He asked?
"Funny you should say that. I also thought so." Clarisse admitted as she looked at her husband.
Rupert glared at her but managed to smile after a moment.
"Your mother did suggest that. I thought it was nonsense. It simply isn't how these things are done." Rupert said as he looked at his son.
"Father, I understand your concern. I do" Pierre said pleasing his father and surprising his mother.
"With that being said, I would like to pick my own bride." Pierre continued.
"Son" Rupert objected.
"I'm not asking for much father. I'm here and I'm ready to go in front of the people of Genovia and take my rightful place. All I ask is that I be given the right to choose my wife." Pierre said seriously.
Clarisse felt her eyes tear.
"Alright Pierre. Alright." Rupert agreed. He couldn't deny that his son just made him proud.
"Just one thing" Rupert added making his wife and son look at him.
"Her family needs to be able to help us ensure the throne. Son, we can't risk our great country falling into the hands of the wrong people." Rupert insisted.
"I understand" Pierre agreed.
"You're not angry with us for meeting with these families without your knowledge" Clarisse asked?
"Honestly. I thought you both had my wife and Phillippe's future wife picked out already." He said with a chuckle when he realized he shocked his mother.
Garden...
Clarisse walked around her garden smelling her flowers with Joseph two steps behind her.
"Can you believe it? He actually thought we had already chosen their wives." Clarisse said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"Well..." Joseph began but stopped when Clarisse looked at him sternly.
Joseph reached up and shut off his ear piece for a moment making Clarisse raise an eyebrow.
"You really are cute when you try to be mean." He said keeping a serious face.
"Watch what you say next Mr. Romero. I may have you reassigned to Phillippe." Clarisse said as she continued to walk.
Joseph smiled as he followed her. He knew she wasn't serious.
"I could never leave your side beautiful." He said taking the moment to share how he felt.
"You do say all the right things." She said as she blushed slightly.
Joseph wanted to say more. Hold her. Kiss her. But he couldn't and he knew he needed to stop flirting with her also. It would have to wait.
Clarisse knew by his silence that the flirting was over. So she made it easy for the both of them and asked, "How are Shades and Charlotte?"
"Good. The date is tomorrow." He shared.
"How wonderful. Where are they going" She asked curiously?
"Believe it or not, pizza." Joseph said showing his displeasure.
Clarisse laughed. " I think it's perfect. I do love pizza." She added.
"I know." He smirked.
Clarisse glanced back at him with a twinkle to her eyes.
Joseph reached up and put his ear piece back on.
Clarisse continued to walk.
"The King is leaving" Joseph shared with her as he heard the chatter over his ear piece.
"I believe he has some tournament to attend. Golf or something" Clarisse said as she waved her hand.
Joseph smirked at her lack of interest in sports.
"Don't you have something tonight" Clarisse asked non chalantly?
"Basketball, your majesty" He smirked.
She thought of Joseph in his basketball shorts.
"I plan to beat your son. Again." He bragged.
"That is not sportsman behavior." She said amused.
The King limosine drove out of the palace and headed in the direction of Pyrus. While the motorcade followed Rupert read some documents that he had been putting to the side for weeks. It wasn't that he wanted to neglect his duty. He sighed as he put the papers down. He closed his eyes and thought about how proud he was of Pierre. It was a huge relief for him. He could finally put an end to Mabrey and all the rumors circulating parliament.