Shades and Charlotte sat outside looking over the ocean, it was a beautiful night and they were enjoying it as they ate their pizza.

"This really is the best pizza" Charlotte said as she took another big bite out of her slice.

"I told you" Shades said with a smile right before he took another big bite.

"And this view...wow" Charlotte said as she watched the waves.

"It really is amazing" Shades agreed.

Once they finished their slices Shades took out two cold beers and handed one to her.

"Pizza and beer, where are the wings" She laughed?

"That's what I forgot" He teased and then chuckled along with her when he saw how happy she was.

"Thank you for this. It really is great" She smiled.

"I'm glad you are having a nice time. I thought about doing something Joe would do but...I figured it's different for us." He shrugged his shoulders.

"It is different. I'm not a Queen. Although I suspect she would like pizza and maybe even a beer." Charloltte smiled.

"Pizza I can see, kind of. I don't know if she would like eating with her hands. But the beer, no way. More like wine I think." He guessed.

"She loved the idea of us going out on a pizza date" Charlotte shared.

"Joe didn't" He laughed making her laugh.

"You want to go for a walk along the beach" He asked?

"I would love that" She said as they stood up and headed toward the beach.

Palace...

Clarisse sat back, sipping her tea as she watched Joseph who was sitting across from her sipping on coffee. He had escorted her back to her suite after a long day of paperwork and conference calls. She had invited him to her suite, pretending it was about security matters. A security briefing is what they called it now. The only way she could find time to be alone with him without raising suspicion. She often wondered how he felt, keeping their relationship a secret. It couldn't be easy for him.

"Joseph" Clarisse called him over as she patted the seat beside her.

"Clarisse, what is it" He asked as he walked over and sat beside her?

"Are you...happy" She asked with concern on her face?

"Yes...of course" He said confused.

"Really? I know this is..." She tried to find the words.

Joseph took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips as he pressed his lips against her hand and then turned her hand palm facing up so he could kiss the pulse point.

Her breath caught as she watched him with love.

"I am happy as long as we are together" He reassured her.

She smiled softly at him as she raised her hand and cupped his cheek.

Joseph turned his face and kissed the hand that held his cheek.

"I wish we could spend more time together. Two hours doesn't seem enough." She admitted sadly.

"I will come whenever you ask me to." He reassured her.

She bit her lip. She knew he was being honest.

"I'm going to ask Charlotte to clear my schedule in two weeks so that we can..." She looked down shyly without finishing her thought but he knew.

"There is no rush Clarisse. I want you to feel comfortable." He reassured her.

"I do feel comfortable with you. It's just...I don't want to make this harder for us." She admitted.

"It's a big step for us. It will change things Clarisse. Please, my love, be sure this is what you want. I couldn't bare it if you regret it after." He said as he looked at her with love.

"I could never regret us being together, never." She reassured him.

Joseph smiled at her as he leaned in closer.

Clarisse moved closer to him as her hand touched his cheek, she leaned in to meet him half way for a kiss.

Their lips touched as they slowly kissed.

Joseph wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

Clarisse moved as close as she could as she let herself go and enjoyed being in the arms of the man she loved.

Across the Palace...

Rupert was wandering down the hall when he noticed Pierre was sitting in the library. He watched him for a few moments and noticed his son was holding a bible. His heart sunk. He had thought for sure that Pierre had put that behind him.

"Pierre" He called out as he walked in.

"Father" Pierre looked up surprised.

"I thought you made your decision. Your mother and I are planning your ceremony. Is there something you want to tell me" He asked?

"No father. I...I enjoy reading it. Is that a problem for you" He asked confused by his father reaction?

"It worries me" Rupert admitted.

Pierre put the bible down slowly then stood up to face his father.

"There is nothing to worry about. I gave you my word and I will be Crown Prince. I promise" Pierre said as he looked into his eyes.

Rupert seemed relieved.

"I never apologized to you for my reaction when you first told me you wanted to join the church" Rupert said deciding it was time to talk about this with his son.

"You're the King of Genovia. You were just following the rules. I understand" Pierre said but his eyes seemed sad which only made Rupert feel worse.

"I should have acted as your father" Rupert admitted.

"You were acting like my father. And the King. Father...I don't think there is any point in us discussing this further. Let's just focus on moving forward" Pierre said shocking his father by his indifference.

"Pierre..." Rupert began but stopped when he noticed the look on his son's face.

"Have a goodnight father" Pierre said as he picked up the bible and walked out of the library.

Rupert stood in the middle of the library, the guilt and weight of his past mistakes weighing on him. He couldn't help but worry about what would happen if Pierre found out Antoinette was in Genovia.

Mabrey estate...

Arthur had gone home a happy man after he had coffee with Antoinette. He had never thought that it could all go so smoothly for him. It seemed his luck was changing and he would finally be in a position to take Rupert down. He wouldn't let himself get distracted. The monarchy was going to be his. And Antoinette was going to help him get it. Arthur smiled to himself as he sat with a glass of bourbon. Pierre was going to be the answer. Antoinette was going to be his wife. He was going to make sure of it. No one was going to stand in his way. Not Rupert, Clarisse or her HOS. Joseph, he thought his face turning serious. He had to find a way to deal with him. He would be the one person to try and twart his plan. No, he couldn't allow that to happen. Not when he was so close. He would find a way to remove Joseph one way or another. And by doing that, he would finally have access to Clarisse.

Pyrus...

Antoinette sat outside looking out into the beautiful night sky as she sat with a glass of wine in her hand. Her mind had been preoccupied since she saw Rupert and then Arthur. She found herself excited about the possibility of being able to live in Genovia again. She missed her family. She missed...Pierre, she whispered out loud. She closed her eyes and thought, don't be a fool. He isn't going to forgive you. And even if he did, if he ever found out that she and Rupert...his father...

She stood up and opened her eyes as she looked up at the stars. Pierre...she thought sadly. Maybe it was best if she left like Rupert suggested. He clearly wanted her gone. After all, Pierre was going to have his ceremony soon and it wouldn't be long after that they would find him a Princess to marry. It was suppose to be her. They had been the perfect match all those years ago. Of course, it wasn't what Pierre had wanted. She had known that before he confided in her. She supported him as best she could and there were times when she thought that he would leave her for the church but he never did. It honestly made things worse between them because she knew how he felt. How could she enter into a marriage knowing that her husband wanted a different life? She didn't want them to have that kind of life. She had confronted him on it one day and things had gotten out of hand, they argued terribly and she ran out of the palace and into the woods. That is where Rupert found her. He had consoled her and promised her that it would all be sorted out. She had cried and told him that she wasn't able to keep Pierre attention. She didn't tell him about the church. Rupert had tried to lighten the situation and teased her that Pierre would have to be a blind fool to not notice such a beautfiul woman. That was when she kissed him. It was the beginning of their affair. Deciding she didn't want to think about it anymore she went inside and took her wine with her. She locked the balcony door and sat on her sofa. Arthur wanted her to call him with a decision. He had agreed to help her stay in Genovia and to win Pierre back. Become the future Queen of Genovia. She deserved it, after everything Rupert put her through, she deserved it.