Palace…..

Clarisse was in her suite having breakfast when she decided to send a message to Joseph about the information Pierre gave her. She didn't want to risk anyone else finding out, so she simply asked him to call her for their weekly security meeting stating there was a matter to discuss. A smile crossed her face once she hit send. She knew he would call. This would give her the opportunity to give him the phone numbers and to hear his voice. She couldn't wait. A knock on her door took her out of her thoughts.

"Come" She called out.

Charlotte walked in, a smile on her face as she held all newspapers in her hands.

"You seem rather happy" Clarisse smiled as she watched her loyal assistant.

"I am as you will be Your Maj…I mean Clarisse" Charlotte smiled as she laid out the newspapers.

"You are getting better at it" Clarisse teased as she leaned over and glanced at them.

"Oh. You are right Charlotte…" Clarisse stated happily as she realized there were no headlines about the royal family.

Charlotte smile grew wider.

"Phillippe will be coming for the holidays could you please be sure that his room is ready for him" Clarisse asked?

"I will speak with the Head Housekeeper first thing" Charlotte reassured her.

"Also, have you seen Pierre this morning" Clarisse asked, a twinkle in her eyes?

Charlotte blushed at her boss question and stammered, "No ma'am, I have not"

Clarisse laughed lightly, "Oh Charlotte…are we back to ma'am? And here I thought we were making progress."

"Of course, I'm sorry, I…I…" Charlotte stumbled over her words.

"You've been avoiding him" Clarisse guessed.

Charlotte blushed deeply.

"I don't say this to embarrass you. It's…" Clarisse sighed. Deciding to be honest she carried on, "he cares deeply for you."

"Yes…but he is engaged to Lady Antoinette and I have to respect that. I won't see him or speak to him unless you ask me to" Charlotte said deciding honesty was the best policy.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I really am. I understand your reason and I respect it" Clarisse said deciding to let it go for now. Clearly, Pierre didn't tell her about their plan. She couldn't help but wonder what he was waiting for. She promised him she would let him handle his future and she intended on keeping her promise.

"I will be expecting a conference call from Joseph this afternoon. Please be sure that I don't lose track of the time" Clarisse said deciding to get to work and stop playing match maker for the time being.

"I will be sure" Charlotte smiled.

Clarisse knew why she was smiling.

"Is there anything else" Charlotte asked wanting to be sure that her boss was satisfied?

"Not at this moment, thank you. I will be down shortly" Clarisse smiled warmly.

Charlotte nodded her head in agreement as she exited the suite.

Italy….

Joseph woke up early, got showered and dressed and headed out determined to begin his search for the truth about Antoinette. He wanted to know all about her life in Europe and he was determined to get the answers. The sooner he was able to do that the better. Out of habit, he turned on his cell phone to see if Clarisse needed him. Mixed emotions of happiness and worry flooded his mind. He had a message. He opened it quickly and read it, a smile crossing his face. She wanted to have their security meeting. Forcing himself to concentrate he began to drive, a smile still on his face as he thought she wants to talk to me. She isn't angry enough to stop all communication. He breathed in relief.

The drive was easy as he made away across the country- side, his first stop was to see his brother who had been diligently gathering information for him on Antoinette and her years in Europe. He was hopeful that his brother would have found some information that could be useful. Her life in Europe was almost non- existent and that in it of itself was strange. She was after all from a family that held a significant inheritance which would normally mean interacting in aristocratic social circles, attending parties, paparazzi. Yet, nothing. Several years of nothing. More determined to find out what the truth was he sped up.

Palace…

Rupert left the palace early in the morning with his security detail in route to the cabin. He was anxious about this meeting and hoped that the information he would be receiving would help him get rid of Antoinette, get his son home if in fact existed, and win Pierre back. If he could mend fences with Pierre, then maybe there was a chance with Clarisse. A smile crossed his face. Hans who sat across from him noticed the smile, a fond smile in which he had not seen on the King for some time. He instantly knew it was the Queen he was thinking of. The King biggest weakness. Of course, the King often confused him and everyone else by the way he carried on with mistresses but ever since his last tryst Hans had become more then aware that the King only had eyes for his Queen. He found it interesting. What could have possibly changed to cause such an extreme change?

"Is Clarisse staying in the Palace today" Rupert asked curiously?

"I believe so, your Majesty" Hans replied professionally. Although, he has worked for the King since his marriage to the Queen he never took liberties such as calling him by his first name unless directed.

"Any news on Joseph" Rupert asked directly as he looked at his HOS/bodyguard?

"He is still in Italy" Hans admitted honestly.

"I suspect there is more to this trip then an ill family member. Don't you" Rupert asked?

"The thought crossed my mind. He may be there in pretense. Maybe he is following up on Antoinette son" Hans suggested.

"Why keep it a secret? It was my idea in the first place" He stated seeming bothered.

"Is it possible it isn't a secret and Her Majesty is aware" Hans dared to ask?

Rupert looked at him sternly. The mere thought that Clarisse was keeping this from him angered him.

"Your Majesty, I would be remiss if I didn't share my suspicions" Hans continued treading carefully.

"I will speak with Her Majesty myself when we return" Rupert said upset, clearly ending the conversation.

Dining room…

Pierre entered the room and was happily surprised that it was empty. He needed some peace. He approached the display of foods and began to take what he wanted. Once he was satisfied, he sat and began to pray before eating. As he sat, his mind wandered to Charlotte. She was clearly avoiding him, and he decided he would respect her decision and so he kept his distance. Of course, it hurt him to do so but he didn't want to make her life at the Palace uncomfortable. She deserved his respect and he would give it to her. The sound of familiar high heels made him look up. The tender look, on his handsome face made Charlotte stop walking. She was standing awkwardly at the door- way. Pierre stood up.

"Please come in" He smiled.

"Sorry for the disturbance. Her Majesty has requested some tea" Charlotte replied as she approached the table and began to pour the hot water into the tea- cup.

"Of course." He replied now feeling awkward by her professional and distant interaction with him. He sat and continued to eat in silence.

Charlotte found her hands shaking as she prepared the tea. She tried to force herself to not look at him, but her eyes wandered to him.

Feeling her stare, he turned his head and their eyes met.

Charlotte cheeks blushed, embarrassed by being caught.

Pierre was about to speak when the moment was ruined.

"I do hope I'm interrupting" Antoinette snapped as she walked in.

Charlotte looked away from Pierre, cringing inside by being caught and wanting desperately to get out of the room. She held onto to the tea- cup and saucer as she made her way towards the door.

Luckily, Antoinette didn't confront her. Instead, she began to pour herself some tea.

Pierre watched in disappointment as Charlotte disappeared. He began to eat once again in silence.

Antoinette glared at him. More determined to secure her place in the Palace, she exited quickly and decided she would meet with Arthur.

Italy….

Joseph smiled when his childhood home appeared in front of his eyes. It had been a few years since he's been home and although the circumstances were stressful; he was happy to be home.

As he cut the engine and prepared to exit the car, the front door of the house opened, and his family began to come out and greet him.

"Welcome home" His brother, Samuel, yelled out cheerfully as he grabbed him in a bear hug.

Joseph laughed as he happily embraced his older brother back. Then his sisters and sister in law.

"Where is Mama" Joseph asked eagerly wanting to see her? It had been too long.

"Aqui mi hijo" His mother, Maria, called out with her arms opened wide. A happy smile on her face. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Mama" Joseph whispered lovingly as he held her close, kissing her cheek. He felt his chest get tight. He felt ashamed that he had stayed away for so long.

Once they parted, Joseph held onto his mother as they walked inside the house. It smelled of home cooked food and coffee. He was so glad to be home.

Palace…

Clarisse glanced at the clock anxiously waiting for her call with Joseph. She found it difficult to concentrate on all the paper- work. The sound of her door opening, and a shaken Charlotte caught her attention.

"Charlotte, is everything alright" Clarisse asked concerned?

"Yes…your tea" Charlotte lied as she placed it on her desk.

"Charlotte" Clarisse questioned unconvinced?

"I saw Antoinette but nothing to concern yourself about. We didn't argue" Charlotte reassured her.

"Was Pierre there" Clarisse asked?

"Yes…he was having breakfast when I arrived to get your tea" Charlotte admitted honestly.

"I see" Clarisse replied.

"I will do my best to keep my distance from the both of them" Charlotte stated right before she exited quickly not giving Clarisse the time to respond. Clarisse sighed and thought, easier said than done when they were all under one roof.

Cabin…

Rupert arrived with his security detail and settled in easily to the cabin he loved so much. Many fond memories filled his head as he thought of his son's. As he sat and looked out the window, he found himself thinking, I might have another son. As angry and hurt as he had been when Clarisse first told him he couldn't help but feel…something else…now. What if the boy was his son? What was he going to do? And how was Clarisse going to accept him? There was no way around it. If the boy was his son, he would want him to live at the Palace but only if Clarisse was willing. He couldn't do that to her. Not after everything.

Rupert sighed deeply as he glanced at Hans.

"The investigator should arrive shortly" Hans reassured him.

"Good. I need answers. This can't continue" Rupert replied as he looked back out the window.

Hans observed his King and thought, if this boy turns out to be his son a lot of damage control will need to be done. Difficult decisions will need to be made. He wondered if his King would be able to make those decisions. Or would his feelings for the Queen get in the way?

Memories flooded Rupert mind as he stared out at the lake. A young Clarisse wearing a summer dress and two finely dressed little boys behind her with smiles on their faces invaded his mind and heart. He closed his eyes, an attempt to go back in time, a time when they were happy and content with their lives, with one another. His eyes opened, longing showing in them for a moment before Hans made his announcement.

"Your Majesty, the investigator has arrived."

In my version, Joseph is Puerto Rican

Translation from Spanish to English:

Aqui Mi Hijo- Here my son