Antoinette cell phone buzzed so she pulled it out of her pocket and noticed it was Arthur Mabrey calling. Deciding she didn't want a part of his plan because she had her own plan she hit decline and let it go to voicemail. Focusing on her task she approached Charlotte who was sitting at her desk. Hearing the sound of heels Charlotte looked up.
"Is Clarisse in her office" Antoinette asked with a smile?
"Her Majesty isn't in her office" Charlotte replied professionally.
"And Pierre" Antoinette asked her smile growing?
Charlotte felt her anger rise but remained professional, "the Crown Prince was here a few moments ago. You may want to inquire with security as to where he may be now."
"Did he tell you the good news? We're getting engaged." Antoinette said wanting to rub it in her face.
"Actually, no, he didn't" Charlotte replied. She knew she shouldn't engage but she couldn't help herself. Antoinette didn't deserve a life with Pierre never mind be the next Queen of Genovia!
"Really? I thought you two were...friendly" Antoinette replied, a smug smile on her face.
Charlotte felt herself about to lose it but a noise stopped her.
Antoinette turned around when she heard the same noise.
Rupert walked in surprising them both.
Charlotte stood up to greet the King as royal protocol dictated.
"I need to speak with Ms. Kutaway" Rupert said leaving no room for discussion.
Antoinette walked away in silence but she couldn't help but wonder what Rupert needed to talk to Charlotte about. Whatever it was, she wondered if it was something she could use to ensure her position in the royal family and the Palace or at the very least get rid of Charlotte. She was not going to lose Pierre to her, a commoner, a nobody.
Charlotte felt her heart beat quicken. What could the King want to talk to her about? Did he over hear her conversation with Antoinette? It was stupid of her to engage. How unprofessional she must have sounded, she thought disappointed in herself.
"I think it's time we have a chat" Rupert said seriously as he sat.
"As you wish Your Majesty" Charlotte replied nervously as she sat.
"You seem to handle Antoinette quite well given the circumstances" Rupert said getting straight to the point.
"Circumstances" Charlotte asked confused?
"Ms. Kutaway let's not pretend. I see the way you look at my son" Rupert said his tone firm.
"Your Majesty..." Charlotte tried to object.
"And I see the way my son looks at you" Rupert cut her off.
Charlotte sat in silence.
"I'm sure you are a lovely young woman. My wife speaks highly of you and her opinion is one I value. However...it is a matter of time until we announce Pierre engagement to Antoinette. You understand that WE...HE cannot have ANY...distractions." Rupert said as he held eye contact.
"I understand...Your Majesty..." Charlotte forced herself to say although inside, she felt her heart breaking more. She realized it didn't matter how Pierre felt about Antoinette, he was going to marry her and the King was going to make sure of it.
"I thought you would" Rupert said as he stood.
Charlotte stood up on shaky legs.
"As you are aware Her Majesty will be taking the rest of the day off. You should to. Go home Ms. Kutaway and get some rest" Rupert said as he walked away.
Charlotte eyes burned from the tears she refused to shed. She grabbed her things, forced herself to walk and not run out of there like she wanted to.
Rupert saw her leaving. He sighed deeply and walked toward the main hall. Of course he had no intention of allowing his son to marry Antoinette but the one thing they couldn't afford and he wouldn't allow was for anyone to think that the Crown Prince was carrying on an affair, in the Palace, with an employee of the Queen.
Charlotte walked down the Palace hall and for the first time since she came to work at the Palace she thought about resigning. She didn't think she could bare it once Pierre and Antoinette engagement was announced.
"Char" Shades yelled out to her.
Charlotte stopped and turned around.
"Are you alright" Shades asked concerned by the look on her face?
"I...I just want to go home" She replied in a sad tone of voice.
Without a word, Shades took her hand and escorted her to the garage.
Security Hub...
Joseph walked in to get a folder for his security meeting with Clarisse but was surprised when he saw Pierre sitting looking at the monitors.
"Pierre" Joseph questioned as he stood behind him and saw what he was looking at?
"He's a good guy, isn't he" Pierre asked looking irritated as he looked at the camera that captured Shades and Charlotte?
"Yes, he is" Joseph replied honestly.
Pierre nodded his head in understanding as he stood up.
"If you tell her the truth than at least she can decide" Joseph forced himself to say even though he cared about Shades and didn't want him to get hurt in all of this but he loved Pierre. He was like a son. And he knew how much Pierre had sacrificed already in his life. He didn't think Pierre should have to sacrifice his love for Charlotte too. And he suspected Charlotte was in love with Pierre.
"The more people that know the more likely Antoinette will find out that the engagement isn't real" Pierre reasoned.
"That is true but what is more important? Charlotte or exposing Antoinette? You have to decide and face the consequences of what may happen" Joseph said as he patted Pierre on the back.
"And my Father" He said as he wondered what his father said to Charlotte to make her look so sad.
"He doesn't want you marrying Antoinette" Joe said without a doubt.
"Are you sure about that Joe" Pierre asked surprising him?
Before Joe could reply Pierre began to walk toward the door leaving him to wonder if Rupert would really sacrifice his son happiness.
"Thanks Joe for everything..." Pierre said with an appreciative smile as he walked out of the security hub.
Joseph sighed, went inside his office and grabbed the folder before heading out of the security office and toward Clarisse suite. He was looking forward to their "security meeting"
Clarisse suite...
Clarisse was waiting for Joseph when her phone rang. She answered excitedly.
"Momma" Phillippe exclaimed!
"Phillippe, sweetheart. I'm so happy to hear from you" She said her eyes tearing from happiness.
"I'm sorry I didn't call sooner. With adjusting to the dorm and the classes it's been really busy" He explained.
"So you are adjusting? I'm happy to hear that. Although, I admit part of me wanted you to come back home" She admitted sheepishly.
"I miss you too momma" He said making her smile. "How are you and Pierre" He asked?
"Good...we have some news but I would rather Pierre tell you" She said vaguely.
"He's getting married" He guessed?
"I will have Pierre call you" She laughed avoiding the question.
"Alright" He laughed.
"I love you" Clarisse said as a tear slid down her cheek. Jospeh walked in right at that moment.
"I love you too momma" Phillippe replied making more tears slide down her cheeks.
After locking the door Joseph walked over and sat beside her placing his arm around her.
"I have to go but I will call you again soon momma. I promise" Phillippe said knowing his mother missed him.
"I will hold you to that promise" She teased him.
"Momma? Tell Joe that I miss our games" He said making her smile at Joseph.
"I will tell him" She smiled.
Once she hung up, Joe kissed her softly on the head.
"Phillippe says he misses the games" She smiled.
"I'm sure" Joseph laughed making her laugh.
"I miss him terribly" She admitted.
"I know he misses you just as much" Joe reassured her.
"I didn't tell him about Pierre or that Rupert may have a son somewhere" Clarisse sighed.
"That is best said in person" Joe agreed.
"What is that" Clarisse asked when she noticed the folder?
"Oh...this...our security minutes" He replied as he put it down.
"Looks empty to me" She replied after she picked it up and looked inside.
"Shall we fill it in" He asked with a smile?
"With what..." She laughed?
"I can think of a few important security updates that we are in desperate need of" He said pretending to be serious.
"Such as" She asked curiously?
"Eliminating the cameras outside of your suite and inside of your office" He said simply without a smile or laugh.
"I approve. We can start removing them immediately" She replied playing along. She knew he wasn't serious. Joseph took security very seriously.
"Yes ma'am" He teased her.
"It's Your Majesty" She pretended to be snobbish as she tilted her nose up in the air.
"Yes...Your Majesty..." He whispered as he kissed her neck.
"Joseph" Clarisse exclaimed as she tried to move away from him since she was ticklish!
Joe held onto her making her laugh. Watching her relax and have fun made him smile.
Across the Palace...
Pierre entered his suite and noticed a candle light table for two. Antoinette stood wearing a flattering red dress and black heels.
"I thought you would never come" Antoinette said with a smile as she approached him.
"I didn't realize we had plans" Pierre replied since he wasn't pleased by this at all.
"I wanted to surprise you" She said trying not to get upset but his attitude bothered her.
"You did" He replied as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I ordered us dinner and wine. I thought we should talk" She admitted as she poured herself a glass instead of going up to him.
"Thank you" He forced himself to say as he walked over to the table.
They both sat. Pierre poured himself water. They started to eat in silence. Antoinette decided to talk first since he clearly wasn't going to.
"I would like to invite my parents here so that we can all have lunch or dinner" She said as she looked at him wanting to see if this really was what he wanted.
"That would be a lovely idea" He replied since he knew he had to play along. He didn't want to drag her family into this charade but if he declied it would only make her more suspicious.
"Wonderful. Would next week be okay" She asked happily?
"Why wait? Let's do it this weekend" He said wanting to take advantage of the gathering and have Joe search through her things.
"So soon? Okay, why not? I will call them right now" She said excited as she got up and went to the phone.
Pierre hoped he was doing the right thing by meeting with her parents. He hoped the lunch wouldn't turn into a fiasco. Since their wedding was canceled all those years ago the families didn't speak.
"They will be here. I picked Saturday I hope that is okay" She smiled as she sipped her wine.
"Saturday is perfect" He said as he tried to smile.
Meanwhile...
Arthur Mabrey sat in his home with an angry look on his face. He had called Antoinette earlier in the day and had not heard back from her. He wasn't sure what to believe. Was Antoinette with Pierre? Or were Rupert and Clarisse up to something? He had to find out what was happening. He couldn't let more time pass without knowing if his plan was in motion. Making a decision he was satisfied with he took a long gulp of his drink.
