When the guard looked at the counter, it took a few seconds before he could react.

"Sir?" He said as he rose slowly, not taking his eyes off Joseph. Then he looked back and forth to make sure that no one was looking at him and whispered.

"Sir, there is an immediate arrest warrant against you, Sir. Please leave now. "

Joseph, always with a serious expression, stared at the sign the guard carried on his chest.

"Thank you for the warning. I will not forget, François. But I'm here because my name and my honor are clean and I will not let Mabrey drag the name of Her Majesty through the mud. Please register my arrest. This game has to end immediately. "

"But, Sir, I heard some rumors that Captain Gotho wants ... He ... Well, he's furious with you and ..."

"I understand, François. But it's not worth delaying this anymore." François lowered his eyes and picked up the cuffs. Slowly, he walked around the counter. Joseph turned and put his hands behind his back.

"Sir ... Please ... My loyalty is with you and Her Majesty. Do not make me arrest you, Sir. "

"One more reason for you to arrest me. I know you will treat me with respect. Now do it and call your superior. "

"Yes, sir." François lowered his eyes and executed the orders. Less than two minutes later, Captain Gotho arrived at the police station of Pyrus.

"Where is he?" He shouted. François got up and answered him, not hiding the anger.

"Sir Joseph is in the interrogation room!" Gotho turned to Francois, furious.

"Sir ? Sir Joseph ? He's a dog! A piece of shit! Do you understand, soldier? From now on do not call him Sir. And he's NEVER been here! Do you understand Do ... You ... Understand? "Gotho almost frowned with such anger.

"Yes."

"Yes what, soldier?" The captain shouted close to François's face but this never showed fear.

"Yes Captain."

"No! You refer to me as Sir! Sir! Do you heard me? "

"Yes ... Sir."

For two hours Clarisse was in video conference with the world's leading leaders. All of them, without exception, agreed to temporarily cancel all economic cooperation agreements with Genovia, as well as to re-establish borders, thus preventing the free movement of people and goods, as is the case throughout Europe. In addition, if Mabrey does not relinquish the throne, all his personal bank accounts will be frozen and assets arrested in all countries. It will be the President of the European Council who, on behalf of all the nations adhering to the pact, will communicate to the Parliament of Genovia the decisions taken. When the last screen of the room was turned off, Clarisse covered her face with her hands and cried. Instantly Charlotte and Mia were at her side.

"Grandma... Please do not cry! I am sure that tomorrow Parliament will require Mabrey to abdicate. It is impossible to keep a country working if it is completely isolated from the rest of the world. "Mia sat on the arm of Clarisse's chair and hugged her.

"My dear Mia ... I want to believe that everything will be resolved without anyone having to spill a drop of blood. But I fear what Mabrey can do ... I think he's on the verge of madness ... "Clarisse returned her granddaughter's hug and indicated that she wanted to get up. Mia stood and Clarisse went to the window in an attempt to contain the tears she wanted to return. She did not want to assume that she felt panicked for not knowing anything about Joseph.

"Grandma…"

"Yes, dear?" Clarisse replied without turning.

"Do you already know anything about Joe?" Clarisse closed her eyes and could not contain her tears and shook her head, unable to speak. Charlotte whispered in Mia's ear that it was best to leave Clarisse alone for a while. Mia nodded and they both left the room without saying anything else. However, in Mabrey's office ...

"Captain, I want Joseph to be transferred to an uninhabited farm that belonging to the family of my late wife. Noone can know. I'm going to announce on television that we caught him this morning but he fired at the guards and ran away again. No one can know he's with us. I want him to suffer ... I want him to feel all the bones from ... I want him to see my marriage to Clarisse! And then I'll kill him! With my own hands. "Captain Gotho's laughter filled the room.

"Consider it done, Sir. It will be a pleasure to show that dog, who rules! "Mabrey approached Gotho and patted him on the back.

"It was a wise decision to appoint you Head of my Personal Guard. You will be greatly rewarded, my friend: "

Half an hour later, Mabrey's supportive Channel Two television set the cameras, lights, and microphones in Mabrey's office. Elsie touched up her makeup while rehearsing, with Mabrey, the questions and answers from the television interview. Charles took advantage of the distraction and left the office for a few seconds.

"Charlotte? Please do not ask questions and call Channel Two ... "

"Charles?"

"Yes, but I can not say anything else but they still find me out. And I want you to know that I'm so sorry about this. "And he hung up. Charlotte stared at the phone, not knowing what to think but turned on the television and then ran to the living room where Clarisse was with Mia and Helena. Clarisse stood up immediately, startled.

"Charlotte? Do you know anything about Joseph yet? "

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid you will not like this ..." Charlotte switched on the television and Clarisse sat down on the couch, slowly. As news of the footer, the channel announced that Joseph had fled the prison, was armed and was considered very dangerous. Then the broadcast passes to Elsie, who announces that King Mabrey is going to make a statement to the country. Juan Carlos and George enter the room but they shut up immediately when they see their expression. Juan Carlos picks up the phone and calls Sofia.

"A serious thing happened. I'd like you to meet me in the living room. "

"What happened? You're scaring me. "

"Joseph was arrested but he ran away and I think Mabrey is preparing to hunt the man." Sofia did not answer but hung up the phone and minutes later she joined them.

"My dear fellow citizens, you all learned of the attempted assassination that I was targeted by the former Head of Security Joseph Elizondo. Despite being at risk of life and knowing that this killer was hiding in the palace under the protection of Clarisse Renaldi ... "Mabrey paused for everyone to realize that no one should refer to Clarisse as Her Majesty. "I was condescending and asked Clarisse several times to hand him to justice. However, this lady preferred to shelter a murderer, endangering the lives of everyone, including the young Princess Amelia. "Clarisse covered her mouth to avoid shouting, because at that moment, it was the only thing she wanted to do. Sofia was with her husband, not knowing what to say. Juan Carlos was furious and only shook his head. Sofia put a hand on his arm to try to calm him down. He looked at her and smiled. "This morning, our police forces captured this despicable man but unfortunately, and with the help of a former member of his escort, managed to escape, having fired on two guards. It is my duty, as your King, to alert you to the presence of this monster in the streets. He is armed and considered very dangerous. A cold-blooded killer. Any information about his whereabouts must be immediately communicated to the authorities, so that he can be arrested as soon as possible and brought to trial. "And the issue returned again to the studios, leaving everyone speechless.

"Clarisse, everyone knows this is a lie ..."

"I know, Helena. But Mabrey has just given an apology to the whole nation, so he can do whatever he wants with Joseph ... "

Michael entered the room suddenly.

"I suppose you saw Mabrey's speech?" A chorus of "Yes" was the answer.

"What are we going to do?" Mia asked, and no one answered. Clarisse got up and picked up the phone.

"Shades, please come here immediately."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Your Majesty, do you want me to call the Prime Minister?"

"Yes, Charlotte, please. Right now we need all the help we can get. "

Joseph opened his eyes slowly. A violent headache prevented him from concentrating. He felt the blood running down his face, the metal of the handcuffs cutting his wrists, and the muscles in his arms seemed to tear whenever he moved. He closed his eyes again ... The image of Gotho, striking him with a staff, made him straighten himself again in his chair ... He looked around to study the place for an exit. The only existing door was locked. At the far end of the room was a mattress and a glass of water on the floor. Suddenly, Joseph heard the door open and he lowered his head, pretending to faint. Gotho and Mabrey entered the room. Gotho shoved Joseph's shoulder with his staff.

"Wake up miserable. Here's your King! "Mabrey laughed.

"After all, it's good that they did not die. This little revenge is much tastier! "Joseph pretended to wake up.

"Mabrey ..." But Gotho gave him a violent blow on the back with his staff. Joseph squirmed in pain and fell to his knees.

"That's right. On your knees and at my feet! I must say you're hard to die, commoner. I was surprised when I saw you enter Parliament, along with that whore and your friends. "Joseph flushed with fury and tried to turn on Mabrey but a violent kick on his chin, threw him to the ground. Mabrey looked at him and laughed.

"I'm thinking of bringing a little television here, Joseph. I know you care about everything about the Nation, so ... I thought you might like to attend my wedding ... With Clarisse! "Joseph tried to get up but fell again. The pains all over his body were so strong they made him moan every time he moved. Then, in a superhuman effort, he squeezed his knees and stood up.

"Over my dead body!" Mabrey looked at him and smiled.

"Well, maybe I'll do you the will! And now I leave you alone. I do not want Captain Gotho to splatter me with blood. "

Mabrey returned home and told Charles to call the palace to see Clarisse.

"My dear Clarisse, how are you?" Mabrey's voice almost made her vomit.

"Spare me your cynicism, Mabrey. What do you want? "

"My dear, is this the way you talk to your future husband?" Clarisse was so shocked she dropped the phone but picked it up immediately.

"I BEG YOUR PARDON?"

"Yes, yes, dear. It is not necessary to go into great explanations. I have something you want, and for now he's still alive ... "Tears streamed down Clarisse's face but she remained silent. It was this then, Mabrey's plan. "And in order that he may remain alive, you will have to say yes, to me, before the Archbishop and the whole Nation. You see, it's very simple. What is your favorite day, my dear? I think we'd better score now. I'm afraid your former Head of Security is in dire need of some 'help' ... "Mabrey smiled. His plan was perfect ... King and married to the most beautiful woman in the world! In the midst of tears and an enormous anger, Clarisse was able to say:

"Tomorrow I'll give you the answer." Clarisse hung up the phone and let her tears flow freely. Seconds later, the e-mail from the palace received an anonymous message with a photograph of Joseph, kneeling on the floor and arms cuffed behind his back, his face covered with blood and several blows and bruises. Charlotte put her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. How could she show that photo to the queen? This was a nightmare. A real nightmare. Shades stood by the door. He was not sure what to do, Clarisse looked in a world apart. In a painful world apart. But Clarisse knew perfectly well that he was there ...

"Shades, we have to find Joseph by tomorrow morning. Do you think that's possible? "

"I'll do the impossible, Your Majesty, to ..." Charlotte burst into Clarisse's office. Charlotte's gaze scarred her even more.

"Charlotte?"

"Ma'am ... You have to see this ..." And handed the photograph to Clarisse.

"No… no, no, no! This can not be happening. Damn you, Mabrey! "Clarisse shouted. Despair was beginning to take hold of her. The last few months were to be a real hell and now Joseph was at risk of life because of her. Shades exchanged a glance with Charlotte.

"Your Majesty, I beg your permission to leave. I'll start the searches immediately. We'll find Joseph, Ma'am. Even if I have to torture someone to find out where he is. "

"Granted. And Shades ... Thank you. "Charlotte left, too. Charles could be an extraordinary ally ...