Pierre was in the car reading the details of his next public appearance when his cell phone rang. He answsered it when he realized who was calling.
"Father" Pierre said surprised.
"It's me, Pierre" Clarisse said as she looked at Rupert who stood beside her listening.
"Mother...is everything alright" Pierre asked concerned?
"Actually...no. We have a situation in Parliament" Clarisse said honestly.
Pierre instantly knew. The feeling of unrest he had earlier made sense now.
"Pierre, I want you to come here so we can talk. It's very urgent and it can't wait" Clarisse said honestly.
"I'll be there mother" Pierre reassured her. Once he hung up he informed the driver of the change of destination.
Clarisse hung up and looked at Rupert as she handed him back his cell phone.
"He is coming now" Clarisse said as she sat. She rubbed her temple as she felt her head pounding.
Rupert sat beside her and said, "you did the right thing by calling him. It's a good thing one of us can think clearly." He attempted a smile but it failed.
"I won't force him. If he tells us he has no bride chosen then we will have to explore other options" Clarisse said determined.
"The only other option is Phillippe" Rupert said although he knew Clarisse did not want to accept it.
She shook her head no.
"Clarisse...we are not getting any younger. One of them has to be next in line. If not then it's all been for nothing. The Renaldi rule must continue" Rupert said adamently.
"I won't sacrifice our son's. I won't!" Clarisse said as she stood up and began to pace.
Rupert decided to let her be. He didn't want to keep arguing. He knew she was trying her best to protect their boys. He couldn't be angry at her for that. He just hoped that Pierre would have an answer that would satisfy Parliament.
Joseph knocked moments later.
Clarisse answered.
"The prime minister would like a word" Joseph said professionally although all he wanted to do was ask Clarisse if she was okay? He wanted to hug her and reassure her all will work out.
"Send him in" Clarisse said as she opened the door.
Sebastian walked in.
"We know it's time to reconvene but we are going to have to either take another break or reconvene tomorrow. Pierre is on his way here now and without talking to him there really is nothing to announce." Clarisse said honestly.
"I will handle it Your Majesties" Sebastain promised.
"Thank you" They both said in unision.
Parliament reconvened moments later.
Clarisse and Rupert sat side by side while Sebastian addressed them all.
"Gentlemen, at this time we will be moving on to other topics as there are a great deal of important matters that need to be addressed. Before we do, I want to remind everyone that until the Palace has made their official announcement in this room, what we previously heard from Viscount Mabrey is to stay among us and within these walls." Sebastian said as he looked at every Parliamentarian in the room.
Many looked away as they already had been discussing the engagement in the halls.
Mabrey seemed very angry and displeased but remained silent.
Session resumed.
The royal car pulled up to Parliament shortly after. Pierre was escorted into the building. As they lead him down the hall one of the bodyguards talked into his radio.
"Boss. Lady Antoinette is in the hall. Please advise" He said before Pierre could see her.
Inside of the room, Joseph jaw tightened as he heard the message through his ear piece. Was this part of Mabrey plan? To have Antoinette ready for Parliament to question? Joseph quickly turned and exited out the door. He was not going to let them ambush Pierre or Clarisse.
"Absolutely do not let the Crown Prince engage" Joseph said determined as he walked toward the hall to intervene.
"Left" The bodyguard called out unexpectedly taking everyone by surprise but they all did as directed and turned. Pierre followed since he knew he had to follow his security. He didn't question it at all and then he saw Antoinette down the hall on his right side.
Antoinette walked towards the detail when she noticed Pierre.
The detail continued to walk forcing him to walk along. Pierre began to wonder why she was there and where were his parents?
"Pierre" Antoinette called out but was stopped before she could follow him further.
"Not another step" Joseph warned her as he stood before her.
"I have a right to speak to him" Antoinette demanded.
"No you do not" Joseph said firmly.
"You can't keep him from me. I want to speak with him" Antoinette insisted.
"Good day" Joseph said in a clipped tone as he walked off heading the same direction Pierre and his security went.
"I'm not leaving. He has to come out sometime and we will talk." Antoinette said raising her voice so he could hear her.
Joseph continued to walk without turning around.
Once Parliament ended, Clarisse and Rupert met with Pierre inside the private room they had previously been in. Joseph knew he couldn't avoid it so he informed them that Antoinette was in the hall waiting for Pierre to come out. Rupert looked angry. Pierre was quiet. Clarisse was furious but managed to keep herself from losing it. They all sat.
"Mother, Father, why am I here" Pierre asked?
"Mabrey announced today that he was congratulating the royal family on your engagement with Lady Antoinette" Clarisse said honestly.
"What" Pierre asked shocked?
"It's his plan. He is attempting to undermine us and he plans to use her to do it." Rupert said upset.
"Antoinette is working for Mabrey" Pierre said still in shock.
"Yes. We believe she is" Clarisse said as she looked at Joseph.
By the look in her eyes Joseph knew she wanted him to speak.
"We have reason to believe that Mabrey is planning to use Antoinette once she is Princess to undermine the Renaldi rule." Joseph added.
"I am not marrying her. We've barely spoken. Why would anyone believe this? Can't we tell Parliament the truth" Pierre asked confused?
"They are going to want a name now son" Rupert spoke up.
Clarisse looked at him clearly unhappy with how he broached the subject. Rupert pretended to not notice. They were running out of time.
"Now..." Pierre said as he looked at each of his parents.
"If you don't want to do this..." Clarisse began.
"Of course I do mother. It isn't that. I just haven't..." Pierre sighed.
Clarisse looked at Rupert unhappily.
"We don't have much time" Rupert continued. If we don't give them an answer tomorrow than we will need to prepare ourselves for the unrest this will create. Mabrey will cause unrest.
"I understand father. I will have a decision for the both of you tomorrow morning." Pierre promised.
"Very well son" Rupert said satisifed as he stood up glanced at his wife who wouldn't look at him and then walked out.
Pierre looked up at Joseph. He could see the deep sadness in his eyes. It angered him that Pierre was being rail roaded by Mabrey and his own father. Joseph knew he shouldn't feel this way toward the King but it was obvious that the King only interest was for the Renali rule, the country but not for his own son happiness.
Clarisse stood up and sat beside her son. She took his hand and held it.
"I will support whatever you decide. I know that I had great difficulty when you wanted to abdicate. I feared losing you, never seeing you...but this is...I won't let them take away your happiness." Clarisse said determined.
Pierre eyes teared. He knew his mother meant what she was saying and the truth was he was afraid as well. He didn't want to be banished and kept from his family. He was willing to make sacrifices if he had to but marrying a complete stranger...
"Promise me that if you don't want to do this you will tell me" Clarisse pleaded.
"I promise mother" Pierre said as he hugged her.
Pierre stood up to leave.
"No contact with Antoinette" Joseph reminded him.
"No worries about that. I have nothing to say to her." Pierre said as he walked out.
Once Pierre was gone and Joseph was alone with Clarisse, he sat beside her.
"I won't do to my son what they did to me. I won't" Clarisse whispered heart broken.
"It's going to be alright. I promise. I will make sure of it." Joseph promised.
Clarisse looked at him appreciatively.
"I didn't want a pre-arranged marriage for them. I wanted them to fall in love. Damn Mabrey for forcing Antoinette on us. Now Pierre is being forced to chose a bride when he isn't ready " Clarisse said upset as she stood up.
"Mabrey is quite the manipulator. I will be watching him carefully." Joseph promised since he was sure this was only the beginning of whatever Mabrey had planned.
"Antoinette is also quite the manipulator. Do you see her for who she is? She can't be trusted Joseph." Clarisse said as she faced him.
"She is working with Mabrey. That makes her untrustworthy and a threat to the Crown." Joseph agreed.
"We could have Shades follow her" Clarisse suggested. She absoloutely did not want Joseph near her. Shades she wasn't worried about because Antoinette had no angle with him. But with Joseph, Antoinette could do a lot of damage.
"Clarisse...I'm the HOS. This is my responsibility. I will deal with Antoinette" He insisted.
"Joseph, you are one person. How can you follow Mabrey and Antoinette? Please, be reasonable. Besides, I think we both agree that Mabrey is the one we really need to keep an eye on." Clarisse said trying her best to not demand that he not do it. She knew he would not receive that well.