Joseph sat admiring his family who sat around the living room, entertainment room and the kitchen. He had missed his family dearly. Most especially his mother, who he watched with love.

"We're happy to have you home" His older brother Samuel stated with affection as he patted him on the back.

"I'm happy to be home. I've missed you all" Joseph admitted with a smile.

"Then why not move back home" His sister, Josie said as she watched him from across the kitchen.

"I can't and you know why" Joseph replied a bit annoyed. He knew his sister meant well but she always seemed to give him a hard time.

"Yeah, right" Josie replied as she looked at Samuel rolling her eyes.

"Don't start" Samuel warned.

Joseph felt himself get angry by his sister behavior, but he remained silent deciding he wasn't going to argue over this, again. He missed his family and he wanted to spend time with them without the arguing. Deciding to end this before it really got out of control he walked outside.

Genovia…

Antoinette arrived at the café not much earlier before Arthur Mabrey arrived. She of course had some doubts about meeting him even after witnessing Pierre and Charlotte ogling each other in the dining room of the Palace. She wasn't naïve. She knew what Mabrey was up to and she also knew that she was a means to an end for him. At this point, she felt she had no choice. It was time to make things happen.

"I was beginning to think you had a change of heart" Arthur stated matter of fact as he sat across from her.

"Is your offer still on the table" Antoinette asked completely avoiding what he had stated?

"As I told you before, if we stick together, we can accomplish great things" Mabrey smiled deviously.

"Then we stick together" She agreed. Although, she knew that Arthur couldn't be trusted, she also knew that she couldn't handle the royal family and Joseph on her own. She needed help.

The rest of their lunch was spent on discussing their plans for the immediate future. Antoinette confided in Arthur about her suspicions about Charlotte and Pierre. She also informed him that Joseph was gone. A family emergency and he was in Italy.

Arthur had his own suspicions. He doubted Joseph was in Italy over a family emergency but, he had every intention of making the most of his absence. All he had to do know was get Clarisse away from Rupert. It was time to put his plan into action and Antoinette was going to help him.

"I have an idea" Mabrey said with a sly smile.

"I'm listening" Antoinette replied as she leaned in closer.

Cabin….

Hans walked in escorting the investigator into the room where the King was waiting.

Rupert stood up when they entered.

The investigator greeted the King as protocol dictated, introducing himself.

Rupert insisted they skip the formalities and get right to the point.

"I want to know all the information you have" Rupert insisted as the men sat.

"Let me start out by saying that Antoinette has gone to great lengths to keep her years in Europe private. It took a lot of digging to get the information that I have. From what I could gather she spent many year's in Germany. The information you gave me about the birth of a son was difficult to follow up on. No one can recall seeing her with a child and there is no record of the birth however, one woman did state she saw her a few times in the presence of a man. This is all the information I was able to gather on him. I hope you find it helpful Your Majesty" The investigator reported as he handed the folder to Hans who handed it to Rupert.

Rupert nodded his head toward Hans as he walked out of the room with the folder in his hand.

Hans escorted the investigator out with a thank you for your service as he handed him the money owed. Once the investigator was gone, Hans walked back into the room, but the King hadn't returned. He was in the other room probably reviewing the folder. Hans wondered who the man in the photo was?

Italy…

"You know Josie means well" Samuel said to his brother as he walked over to him.

"Sometimes I wonder" Joe replied as he turned to face his older brother.

"She just wants you to be happy" Samuel stated, defending his sister.

"I am happy" Joe insisted.

"You don't look happy. And if you're so happy, what are you doing here digging into some woman's past" Samuel asked?

"I'm working as you know. The information is vital to my investigation. I wanted to see my family while working, is that so terrible" Joe spat raising his voice in anger!

"Of- course not but the reason we get to see you is…once again you're cleaning up their mess. Not because you wanted to come home but them. Always them. Why? Why do you keep doing this to yourself? She isn't going to ever leave her husband, that life. Come on Joe" Samuel hissed, his own anger taking control of him. He didn't want to hurt his brother, but he was tired of his brother being used and hurt by that woman and her family.

"You don't know what you're talking about. It's not that simple" Joe yelled, anger and frustration overwhelming him.

"It is very simple. She is married to someone else. And you, gave up your chance at marriage and kids when you left Cristina" Samuel yelled back.

"Cristina? Why are you bringing her up? Cristina and I are long over" Joe reminded him.

"Because you chose that job over her" Samuel reminded him.

"No…it wasn't like that" Joe tried to defend himself.

"That's right because it wasn't the job you chose. It was HER. The reason you are here now" Samuel stated matter of fact.

Joe looked at him in defeat. He couldn't deny any of it. It was the truth.

"You chose HER and yet, you are still in the same situation. Nothing has changed" Samuel challenged him.

"That isn't true. Everything has changed." Joe insisted.

"So, she left her husband then" Samuel asked?

"What we do is no one business but ours" Joe spat upset.

"In other words, she hasn't" Samuel spat back.

Joe glared at his brother. He wanted desperately to defend Clarisse. To tell him everything, that she loved him and that they were secretly together. That she did want to leave her husband, but he insisted that she stay for her son's, for the country. But the longer they glared at one another the more Joe realized that his brother would never understand that life for Clarisse wasn't normal like their life was. He wished it was, but it wasn't. She couldn't turn her back on her country, her children for love.

"Did you get the information I asked you for" Joe asked changing the subject?

Samuel shook his head but replied, "Yes, I have it back at my desk in the house."

"Thank you. I appreciate it" Joe said, and he truly did appreciate it.

"It's in the top drawer" Samuel replied as he waited to see if his brother would talk to him but when he didn't, he walked away leaving Joe outside alone.

Joe stayed outside taking deep, calming breaths. He needed to calm down before he got on his call with Clarisse. He didn't want her to know that his family was against them, her.

Palace….

Pierre was preparing to leave for the afternoon since he had engagements to attend. Although, he hated these engagements he knew it was part of his new role. There was no way out of it. Not anymore. Coming to terms with his destiny, he put his coat on and glanced at himself one more time in the mirror. The door opened right at that moment. Pierre noticed Antoinette removing her coat. His curiosity got the best of him.

"You left rather quickly this morning" He stated matter of fact.

"I had lunch with Arthur, and I invited him to dinner" She admitted honestly.

Pierre turned anger flaring in his eyes, "why, why would you do that" he asked angrily?

"He's family to me. I would like to spend some time with someone who likes me. Being here isn't easy for me. It is clear how your family feels about me. I'm not in denial about that" She insisted. She of course didn't trust Arthur true intentions, but she wasn't going to share that with Pierre.

"You're being naïve trusting that man. You are going to regret dealing with him" He spat, his anger increasing as he stormed out of the room.

Shortly after she walked out of the room and headed toward Clarisse office.

Clarisse sat working on the pile of paperwork that took over half of her desk. Her glasses perched on the edge of her nose as she perused a document.

Charlotte peeked in announcing, "it's almost time for your call", a smile on her face.

"Thank you for the reminder", Clarisse stated as she smiled in return.

Charlotte closed the door, a smile still on her face as she thought of how happy Clarisse would be talking to Joe. She knew they missed one another.

Her smile faded when she saw Antoinette approaching her desk.

"Is Clarisse available" Antoinette asked?

"Her Majesty has a scheduled conference call in 5 minutes" Charlotte replied honestly. Although, she didn't want to tell this vile woman anything but, she knew she needed to remain professional.

"I only need a minute" Antoinette reassured faking a smile.

Charlotte walked over to Clarisse office and knocked once before opening the door slightly.

"Ma'am, Antoinette would like a moment" Charlotte asked professionally but inside she was fuming.

Clarisse looked up, disappointment crossing her features, but she knew she couldn't avoid her.

"Of- course" Clarisse replied.

Charlotte opened the door wide motioning for Antoinette to enter.

Antoinette walked in, a smile on her face.

"Thank you for seeing me" Antoinette stated as she sat in front of Clarisse desk.

"I only have a few moments. I'm expected on a call shortly" Clarisse replied. She honestly wanted Antoinette out of her office now. She didn't want to miss Joseph call.

"Of- course" Antoinette replied making herself smile. She knew Clarisse didn't want her in the Palace never mind in front of her right now. Clarisse eyeing her suddenly making her feel uncomfortable.

"Pierre is aware, but I also wanted to discuss it with you. I've invited Uncle Arthur to dinner. I do hope that it's okay with you. It gets a little lonely for me here" She said trying to defend her actions.

"Of- course. He is your guest. I'm not sure who will be present for dinner, there are prior engagements to consider" Clarisse stated as she remained calm.

"I understand. Thank you. I'll leave you to your call" Antoinette replied.

Clarisse watched her leave, the door closing behind her. She felt the sudden urge to scream.

Her cell phone rang.

Clarisse picked it up quickly.

"Hello…." Joseph spoke into the phone. For the first time since the argument with his brother he was feeling better.

"Hello…Joseph" Clarisse said into the phone. She felt a sudden calmness go over her body.

Joseph found himself smiling. He loved the way she said his name. Always had.

"Your Majesty…how" He began but was stopped immediately.

"We're alone" She reassured him.

"Clarisse…how are you" He asked sincerely?

"Viscount Mabrey is coming to dinner! How are you" She asked?

"No…you have to say no" He insisted.

"I can't. I wish I could but that wouldn't be proper" She said with a roll of her eyes. She hated her duty at times.

"I don't like him being anywhere near you. He can't be trusted" He said full of worry.

"I won't be alone. It's dinner at the Palace" She said wanting to reassure him.

Joe let out a deep sigh.

"I have some leads to follow up on tomorrow" He stated wanting to keep her up to date.

"Oh good. I also have some information that you may find helpful. Pierre was able to obtain some phone numbers. One of them is a number from Germany" She shared hopeful that this would help.

"Germany? Clarisse, how did Pierre get this information" he asked curiously?

"From her phone" Clarisse said simply.

"The benefits of sharing a room" He replied.

"Don't remind me of that" She said, the thought of her son with that woman unnerved her.

"Alright, I won't. Clarisse…please be careful with Mabrey. Don't be alone with him no matter what. Promise me" He insisted.

"I promise" She reassured him.