Italy…

Joe sat with his family as they all talked, joked, teased one another in good fun. His mother seemed happy, the smile on her face was all he needed to see to reassure himself that he made the right decision. The investigation could wait a night. He did however worry about Mabrey going to the Palace for dinner while he was away. He didn't trust the man especially around Clarisse. He hoped Shades would at least be present.

"How about a game of dominos" Samuel asked with a devious smile?

"Let's play cards instead" Josie suggested. She hated playing dominos with her brothers.

"It has been a while" Joe said not being able to resist a challenge.

Josie rolled her eyes. She knew they would end up playing dominos.

Maria smiled as she watched her children fondly. They were all grown up and lived their own lives but having them home made her truly happy.

Samuel all but ran to get the dominos.

Joe set up the table.

Josie went to get the score sheet and a pen.

Maria got comfortable on the sofa as she decided to watch them play as she always did. Someone had to referee.

Palace…

Shades walked across the Palace to Clarisse suite as he wanted to be sure to escort her to dinner. He couldn't believe Arthur Mabrey was coming for dinner. The entire Palace seemed nervous from the cook to security. No one liked the man. The only person that ever tolerated him was the King and even he didn't want him around anymore. He couldn't help but dread this dinner.

Clarisse looked herself over in the mirror. She wasn't pleased. Of course, due to their visitor she had to be dressed like a Queen rather than Clarisse the woman. She looked every bit the Queen from her hair to her toes. Her lady's maid truly did wonderful work. Her hair was up in a twist exposing a lovely necklace around her neck. She found herself wishing Joseph was here. A knock on the door distracted her thoughts.

"Come" Clarisse called out as she remained in front of the mirror.

"Your Majesty" Shades said making his presence known.

"I'm ready" She sighed as she walked over towards him.

Shades nodded as he followed her out.

Crown Prince suite…

"You look very handsome" Antoinette complimented as she watched Pierre put on his tie.

"Thank you. You look very beautiful" Pierre replied although to Antoinette it didn't feel genuine.

"Shall we walk together" She asked hopeful?

"Sure" He said as he faced her once he finished his tie.

"Please try to be welcoming. I know you don't like him, but he is my guest and I would like for this evening to go well" She said as she walked towards the door.

"It's not me you have to worry about" He said making her turn her head, but she remained silent.

Once outside their room, Antoinette wrapped her arm around his as they walked down the hall.

Half- way to the dining room they saw Charlotte speaking with the staff who would be serving dinner.

As protocol dictated, the staff bowed at the presence of the Crown Prince and Lady Antoinette.

"Please continue" Pierre said as he didn't like that kind of attention. It was one thing he hoped to change once he became King. He found it unnecessary to constantly have the staff bowing. In the presence of others, he could understand but on a normal day, he found it old fashioned.

Antoinette of course made sure she made eye contact with Charlotte. A smug smile on her face as she tightened her hold on Pierre arm. Charlotte didn't react as she had hoped. Instead, she turned to continue to speak with the staff.

King suite…

Rupert was not pleased at all by having to deal with Mabrey in his home. He had made it a point for quite some time not to have that man in this house. He knew this was Antoinette doing but he was going to make sure that after tonight Mabrey would not be visiting the Palace unless he allowed it. Normally, Clarisse would be the one to oversee such things, but in this case, he was going to make sure it was him. He was not going to play whatever games Mabrey and Antoinette were up to. Taking one last look at the mirror, he finished his glass of brandy and made his way out of his suite.

Walking down the hall with Hans behind him, Rupert spoke in a quiet tone so only Hans could hear, "after this dinner I want to speak with Clarisse alone."

"Yes, Your Majesty" Hans replied.

"I want this dinner over as soon as possible. And, going forward Mabrey is not allowed here unless I give my personal approval." Rupert stated firmly.

"Of- course" Hans replied as he followed him down the hall, dreading how this dinner was going to go as Rupert walked into the dining room alone.

The foot man announced his entrance as he walked across the dining room. Rupert saw Clarisse, Pierre, Antoinette, and Mabrey. The conversation seemed strained and uncomfortable. He walked over determined to end this as soon as possible and he knew exactly how to do it. Rupert stood beside Clarisse wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her cheek, catching everyone attention.

Clarisse looked at him in surprise. Rupert never displayed public affection. What was he thinking, she thought?

"Hello Arthur" Rupert said in his most diplomatic voice.

"Your Majesty, how are you" Mabrey asked as he faked a smile?

"Couldn't be better. How are you doing these days" Rupert asked, continuing the act?

"I'm well. I was just talking to Her Majesty about the happy couple here" Arthur replied trying to keep up the pretense.

"Yes, I'm sure you were" Rupert replied seeming genuine, but they all knew better.

Pierre looked at his mother uncomfortably.

Antoinette was unusually silent.

"Shall we sit" Clarisse suggested hoping to stop this conversation and the two men from openly arguing.

"Let's" Rupert smiled as he led Clarisse to her seat which was now beside him. He had taken it upon himself to change the seating arrangement. There was no way he was letting Mabrey sit beside her.

Antoinette pretended to not care although she glanced at Arthur and saw how he tried to hide his true feelings.

Clarisse sat beside her husband, relief flooding through her.

Thankfully dinner was moving quickly, Clarisse thought as she sat listening attentively to all the conversations taking place. She wished she had missed Mabrey question but of course, she knew she couldn't avoid it without causing gossip.

"I was sorry to hear about Mr. Bonnell family emergency. I do hope his mother isn't ill and that all is well" Mabrey stated as he looked at Clarisse.

Rupert jaw tensed. He wondered how far Mabrey planned on going with this topic.

Pierre glared at Antoinette. He blamed her for this entire situation and now felt more frustration as he wondered if he would have to prevent his father from attacking Mabrey.

Antoinette froze as her eyes widened. She felt her mouth get dry and her hands began to shake. She couldn't help but worry, what if Mabrey mentioned her son?

Clarisse smiled, her Queen smile and replied, "Thank you Viscount. I will be sure to inform Mr. Bonnell of your kind words." She hoped that Mabrey would move on from the topic.

As if on queue footmen came out with trays of food. Clarisse thanked Charlotte & Shades in her thoughts as they were the only two people, she could think of that would intervene at such a moment.