"Sebastian thinks that the Country is not ready for Pierre to rule as a single King nor does he think that the elite will be happy with Pierre if he marries Charlotte. I see no other options for him. I absolutely will not let him marry that woman" Clarisse said adamant.

"She would only be a pawn for Mabrey which he would use to undermine Pierre" He agreed.

"Do you think I am wrong for denying Alex a visit with Rupert" She asked second guessing herself?

"No. I think you are doing exactly what Rupert wanted. He made his decision prior to this happening" He reminded her.

"Yes, I know. I…what if…do you think Rupert made that decision because of me" She asked Antoinette words making her feel guilty? What if it was true?

"I think Rupert made the best decision he could for everyone including you" He admitted. He did not want to lie to her. He knew Rupert in some way made that decision to keep the peace in his family but also the Country and for Alex.

"I did not want him to deny his son. All I wanted was to spare Pierre more heart break" She said as she sighed.

"He knew that" He reassured her.

"Thank you, Joseph for always being honest with me" She smiled slightly although he could see the heaviness on her shoulders had returned.

"I will be honest with you, always" He said as he stood up picking up the empty carton of milk and the left- over crumbs of the cookies and placing it all in the brown paper bag.

"Walk me to my suite" She asked hopeful?

"Of-course" He smiled.

She stood up and walked around her desk as he followed her out the door and into the hallway. They walked in silence for a moment until they realized they were alone.

"Try to rest tonight" He said hoping she would at least try.

"You too" She replied not making him any promises.

"Do you want to stop and see Rupert" He asked knowing it was her usual routine?

"Not tonight" She said since she did not think she could see him after denying his son a visit. She could not deny to herself that she felt guilty. Very guilty.

"Alright" He said wanting to support her decision.

When they reached her suite, she asked him to join her for tea which he agreed.

She called for tea as soon as they walked in. Joseph took off his jacket and hung it over a chair as he sat. she joined him moments later, slipping off her shoes and curling her legs under herself as she sat across from him.

"Sebastian asked me what would happen if Rupert did not wake up. I told him Pierre would be King but Joseph, what if Pierre decides it is not what he wants" She asked concerned?

"I know you worry about it. I suppose there is always Phillippe" He said although he knew she did not like that scenario.

"He is so young and in love with Helen" She replied with a sad look.

"You could teach her" He reminded her with a smile.

"Not that again" She said with a roll of her eyes,

"Helen would be great. Give her a chance" He said hoping she would reconsider.

"She is an American. That is worse than a commoner from Genovia" She said certain that it would end in disaster.

"The Country may love the idea. They love the idea of a commoner, don't they" He questioned?

"That is what the polls suggested but an American, an artist" She stated wrinkling her nose.

Joseph chuckled at her response.

"She loves your son and she has been here for the family since the incident. She has not left. She has not complained. She has not done anything to attract bad publicity. I see no reason why she should not be given a chance" He said honestly. He truly did like Helen and felt she was good for Phillippe.

"You are right. She has been wonderful and very responsible" She agreed.

A knock on the door and the maid brought in a tea tray. Once the maid was gone, Clarisse poured them both a tea.

"I had Charlotte resume our evening meetings" She said wanting him to be aware.

"I saw it on my calendar, and I have an agenda for our meeting tomorrow" He stated seriously.

"Oh…there are urgent matters to discuss" She asked clearly disappointed? She did not really want to work during that time, but duty called, and she had to respond.

"Yes, absolutely. We have top security matters" He insisted.

She frowned at him and that point she realized she would have no private time with him only work.

"First and most urgent is, we have to watch our movie from the beginning since the last part we left off on has completely escaped my mind" He said most seriously.

A big smile crossed her face.

He smiled back at her.

Across the Palace…

Phillippe and Helen were in her suite having a late- night snack when she looked up at him.

"I am going to need to see a doctor soon if we are not going back to California" She said deciding she had to broach the subject.

"Why, is something wrong" He asked panicking?

"No but, I am going to need a check up soon to make sure the baby is developing properly" She said wanting to reassure him.

"Oh…yes…of-course" He said relieved.

"We have not told your mother yet" She reminded him.

"Right" He sighed as he looked at her worried.

"Do you not want to tell her" She asked concerned? Her heart dropped to her stomach. Was he ashamed of her and their baby?

"It is not that it is just…she will want us to get married" He said honestly.

"We plan to" She said confused by what he meant.

"She will want us to right away" He said deciding he could not avoid this subject no matter how uncomfortable.

"What do you mean" She asked now nervous?

"My family is old-fashioned as I am sure you noticed" He said as he looked at her.

"Yes, but…" She felt at a loss for words.

"I want you to be prepared so that when the topic comes up it is not a surprise to you" He said as he stood up and sat beside her.

"Marriage now…I will be huge in a few months" She said out loud as she looked down at her stomach and then at him with wide eyes. She was not obviously showing but soon she knew she would be.

He smiled at her sweetly and replied "you will be beautiful. It is sooner then we planned but as long as we are together, does the date really matter" He asked as he placed his arm around her?

"It is not about the date. My family is in America. Your family is here. How will we get everyone to a wedding in such short notice? I need to think about this" She admitted. She hoped he would not be upset.

"I understand. Think about it and we can talk about it in a few days" He replied simply. He understood her hesitation. They had discussed marriage, but they wanted to take their time and have a long engagement but, that was before she found out she was pregnant. He knew his parents would not want the baby born out of wedlock. That would look badly on the monarchy. He hoped that Helen would be open to the idea of marriage before the baby was born but, now he was worried that she would not agree. She had not known what his royal life entailed until now.

"I'm sorry. This is my fault. I should have been more responsible and told my parents sooner" He apologized.

She looked at him sincerely and said, "we both should have told them."

"I love you Helen and our baby" He said lovingly.

"We love you too" She reassured him as she leaned over and hugged him.

The Next day…

Pierre was up early and in his father office ready to face the day. The desk was piled with paper- work to review and sign. Taking a deep breath and sip of his tea, Pierre picked up the first piece of paper. Before he knew hours had passed. He stopped when a knock on the door made him look up. He saw his mother standing there with a small smile on her face.

"Mama" Pierre said surprised as he stood up to greet her.

"I was admiring you sitting in your father's chair" She admitted as she went to him.

"It feels a bit weird" He admitted as they both sat.

"One day you will have your own office" She reassured him.

He smiled at her, but she could see that it did not seem as bright as it should have for a future King. She felt that familiar feeling in her stomach.

"How is father" Pierre asked as he looked at her hopeful?

"The same. The doctor is coming today" She said honestly.

"Oh…I see…" He sighed.

"Motaz will be coming over later today so that we can discuss you taking on more responsibilities…" Her voice faltered for a moment.

Pierre looked up at her with tear filled eyes.

"I am not giving up hope, but we have to do our duty. This is what your father would have wanted" She explained once she felt more in control of her emotions.

"I understand" He managed to say.

A knock on the door disrupted their conversation. They both looked at the doctor, Pierre stating, "Come in."

Charlotte entered hesitantly. Clarisse noticed the blush on her cheeks. She turned and looked at Pierre and saw his eyes shine with happiness at seeing Charlotte. If she had any doubt at all, it was gone, the look Pierre and Charlotte shared was obvious. They were in love.

"I apologize for the disruption. Your Majesty, PM Motaz is here" Charlotte stated professionally.

"Shall we meet here" Clarisse asked Pierre?

"Whatever you want Mother" He replied, his eyes still on Charlotte making his mother smile.

"Very well. Charlotte please bring him here. Thank you" Clarisse smiled as she sat in front of her son.

"Yes Ma'am" Charlotte replied as she glanced at Pierre and then exited the room quickly.

After a moment of staring at the closed door, Pierre snapped out of his day- dream and looked at his mother who was still smiling confidently.

"Don't start mother" He replied as he looked down at the paper- work, a blush on his face.

"She may enjoy a dinner for two over- looking the rose garden" Clarisse offered.

Pierre looked up at her with a look of embarrassment but also gratefulness at the suggestion.

An hour later…

Motaz, Pierre and Clarisse were in the office discussing Pierre responsibilities increasing when Clarisse was informed by Charlotte that the doctor was with the King.

"Thank you, Charlotte" Clarisse replied on the phone. She hung up and stated, "the doctor is here."

"How is Rupert doing" Motaz asked? He had been worrying constantly since the King fell into a coma. He hoped the doctor would have good news today.

"The same. Hopefully, the doctor will be able to tell us something today" Clarisse replied as she rejoined them.

Motaz nodded his head in understanding. Getting back to monarchy business since he did not want to cause further pain to Clarisse and Pierre he stated, "how do you feel it is going so far Pierre?"

"It is going well. Father's aides are helpful, and his personal security manages my calendar. I cannot complain. They are all wonderful" Pierre admitted honestly.

"Do you feel ready to take on more responsibilities? Your mother and I have discussed some matters, we feel that it may be time for you to assume specific appearances that your father was responsible for" Motaz shared openly.

"Of-course" Pierre agreed.

"Some of these will bring you face to face with Mabrey and his followers" Clarisse shared since she did not want her son to be taken by surprise.

"If I must" Pierre replied, his face hardening at the thought of that man who he held personally responsible for what has happened to his father.