Helena was in her car on her way to her hotel since she could not go back to the house or the flat as she did not feel safe. Her mind raced with what to do to get Alex away from James and to prevent another coup. It sent a shiver over her entire body, but she knew that is exactly what Mabrey and his partners were after. They wanted to remove the monarchs and replace them with their own. With my daughter, she thought, as she felt a sick feeling come over her. Unable to continue driving as she felt on the verge of being sick, she pulled over. As she sat in her car her eyes welled up in tears. Her phone rang making her take a deep breath. She answered it.

"James, when can we meet" she asked?

"Now" He said shocking her.

"Where" She asked determined?

"Open your door" He said making her cold chill go over her body.

"What" She asked nervously?

A knock on her window made her jump. She looked up and saw James standing there.

She cautiously lowered her window just a bit so he could not reach in.

"Let me in" He said calmly.

"Are you alone" She asked still cautious?

"Yes" He admitted.

"Alright" She gave in. She looked around saw no one and unlocked the door.

James walked around to the passenger side and got in.

"You were following me" She said not asking.

"I had to be sure you were not setting me up" He said remaining calm.

"That would be foolish of me. I asked for a meeting because Antoinette lied to Palace Security and is now on their radar. I want her out of there and I want Alex with us" She said honestly. She was not going to play games with him.

"Antoinette stays and Alex will remain with me. Contrary to what you think, I would never hurt our grandson" He said as he looked at her with contempt in his eyes.

"If that were true, he would not be begging me to bring him home" She spat angrily.

"He misses his mother and grandmother, that is all that is wrong with him" He said forceful.

"He is a child, a young child, and you are terrorizing him" She yelled furiously.

"If you truly, believe that than you better make sure Hans does his part and I don't mean crawling into bed with you" He spat. A slap across his face effectively shutting him up. Although, he had always said that it did not bother him that she held feelings for that man, his words were now contradicting, his jealously was rearing its ugly head.

"How dare you talk to me like that" She screamed?

James rubbed his cheek as he glared at her.

"Get out of my car" She hissed shaking all over from the anger she felt.

"Get him on board" He warned.

"Get out" She spat.

"If you do not handle him, I will" He threatened as he swung the door open and got out.

Helena glared at him as he stood there with the door wide open.

"You have 24 hours" He said as he leaned in to look in her in the eyes as he slammed the door shut.

Helena drove away, not looking back, she sped off as she felt her heart beating so hard in her chest. In 24 hours, they were going to try again, she thought.

Palace…

Joseph walked to Rupert suite after speaking with Hans. His mind on Clarisse and her safety. He felt himself becoming paranoid as he looked at the guards in every corridor. He did not know who to trust anymore. He now was sure that there was at least one spy in the Palace, possibly more. He had to figure out in a plan now. There was no more time to wait.

Clarisse was sitting beside Rupert quietly when he walked in. She was alone. He watched her for a few moments before making his presence known.

"Your Majesty" He announced himself.

"Joseph" She turned with a smile.

"I would like to request an audience" He said formally taking her off guard.

She quickly wondered what had happened for him to be so formal. They had not had any fights or disagreements that she was aware of.

"Very well" She gave in when she realized he was serious. She stood up and leaned over to kiss Rupert on the head.

Joseph turned his face. It normally did not bother him, but he knew that what he had to do and tell her, well, it would be very, difficult.

Clarisse noticed his reaction, she sighed and then walked past him as they walked to her suite in silence.

Once they were at her suite, they sat. He kept a formal distance.

"Joseph, please tell me what is wrong" She asked concerned?

"Your Majesty, I…" He began but she stopped him.

"Stop it Joseph. I don't know what is wrong, but I don't appreciate you using my title after everything we have been through together" She said upset.

Joe sighed as he nodded his head in understanding.

"Clarisse, I have some information. I spoke with Hans and he has informed me that he believes Mabrey and Antoinette father as well as other's are responsible for what has happened" He forced himself to say, seeing the look of pain on her face made him pause.

"There is more, isn't there" She asked her voice shaking?

He nodded his head yes.

"Tell me" She insisted.

"He believes they are going to try again" He forced himself to say the words.

She closed her eyes, lowering her head as she tried to digest this information.

"I know how much you care for Rupert…" He began to talk deciding he needed to say what he came to say as he sat beside her.

She looked at him with worried eyes.

"I have to get you out of here" He said, his eyes begging her not to fight him on this.

"Joseph…" She tried to speak but he did not give her a chance.

"Hans behavior has led me to believe that there are spies in the Palace" He continued forcing himself to continue speaking despite the shocked look on her face.

"I can't leave him alone and I won't leave my son's" She said panic starting to set in on her features.

"We cannot move Rupert. It is too risky for him. The Princes they can be taken somewhere else" He explained wanting her to know he was not suggesting they leave him because he did not care.

"I can't" She whispered as she shook her head no, tears forming in her eyes.

Joseph sat with her in silence for a few moments.

"There has to be another way" She said not wanting to accept that leaving Rupert was the answer.

"Staying here is a risk" He explained as he looked at her pleadingly.

"Joseph…" She tried to compose herself. She knew he was being honest with her and she had always appreciated his honesty even now.

"We know the shot was meant for you not Rupert, not the Princes. They are after you" He said wanting her to really think about what he was saying.

"That is why you want me to go" She said understanding his reasoning.

"Yes. It is not safe here Clarisse. If I do not get you out of here, then we are placing everyone here in danger. I cannot guarantee that people will not get hurt. I want to spare you that." He said in a caring voice as he took her hand in his.

"Thank you, Joseph for always looking out for everyone" She said as she leaned into him needing his support and love.

"I always will but you are my first- priority. I will not let them hurt you" He promised. He knew it was not a promise he should be making but he loved her, and he knew he would sooner die then let her be hurt.

Across the Palace….

"Are you ready to go and tell mother" Phillippe asked Helen as they stood together in her suite?

"As ready as I'm going to be" She smiled weakly as she touched her stomach.

"We are a team. I promise" He reassured her as he touched her hand that was over her stomach.

She smiled as she nodded her head.

They walked out together hand in hand down the hallway and toward Clarisse suite. On their way they ran into Pierre.

"Where are you off to" Phillippe asked secretly hoping his brother would not be far in case they needed back-up?

"I was going see Charlotte" Pierre admitted. Their smiles made him realize what they thought. "I have a scheduling conflict" He explained.

"Sure" Phillippe teased with a wink.

"I really do" Pierre insisted his cheeks blushing.

"And only Charlotte can fix it" Helen joined in on the teasing.

"You two are trouble" Pierre said as he turned away from them and continued his way.

"Tell her we said Hi" Phillippe teased as he waved, Helen joining in on the fun.

Pierre shook his head as he continued to walk away, a smile crossing his face.

"I do hope they finally decide to become a couple" Helen whispered as they walked.

"Me too. She makes Pierre happy" Phillippe said genuinely.

"His happiness makes a great deal to you" She said as she looked at him with admiration.

"He's my brother. He has always looked out for me. Being raised as the Crown Prince has been really, difficult on him. He never had the freedoms I did" He said wanting Helen to understand why he felt the way he did about his brother.

"Our baby will be lucky to have such a strong uncle and father" She smiled.

"We get it from mother" He admitted.

"Oh. Not your father" She asked surprised?

"Mother calls the shots here not father" He said making her smiled.

"I think I like her style" She teased making Phillippe look at her with a questioning look.

Clarisse suite….

"I don't know what to do Joseph" Clarisse admitted as she stood up and paced.

"Yes, you do" He said in a confident voice.

She looked at him sadly.

"It is for the best. I think you know that. But I also know that this is not easy to decide. Believe me, I did not want to come to about this. I wanted, hoped that I could avoid this but, it is getting dangerous" He said honestly.

"Alright" She gave in.

He stood up and went to her placing his hands on her arms.

"What are we going to do about Rupert and the boys? I need to know they are safe" She said full of concern for her family safety.

"We are going to inform the boys so that they are aware of everything. Shades, who I trust with my life and I hope that you feel the same way…" He paused.

"Of-course I do" She reassured him.

"I will place him in charge of the King care. He will close off the wing and the only people that will be allowed is the Doctor and Motaz, if you agree" He asked wanting to be sure she had a say in all decisions?

"Yes, I agree" She said feeling some hope for the first time since Joseph told her what was happening.

"As for the rest of the Palace, we will have it continue to operate as business as usual, but security measures will be tightened. Absolutely, no visitors other then who we agree upon will be allowed in" He said as he waited for her to nod in agreement which, she did.

"Now that brings us to Charlotte" He said as he watched her look at him in surprise.

"She stays here with the boys and Shades" She said firmly.

"I'm glad we think alike" He smiled.

She smiled back at him.

"Clarisse, this could appear bad if the press gets ahold of you and I leaving the Palace alone" He warned her.

"I will have Charlotte make up something" She said knowing he was right.

"Since we agree and we have a plan, we will leave tonight" He suggested.

"I have to pack" She said making him smile.

"Pack light because none of you ladies maids can come" He reminded her.

She chuckled and replied saucily, "I can dress and undress myself but, if I need assistance, I have my trusty Head of Security."

Joseph smiled brightened up his whole face. He leaned in for a kiss when a knock on the door made him move away.

Clarisse looked at him surprised she was also caught off guard.

"Mother, it's Helen and I, can we come in" Phillippe asked from outside the door?

"I guess we start now" Clarisse said to Joseph.

Joseph nodded his head in agreement.

"Come in" She called out as she waited anxiously for them to enter.

Clarisse office….

Pierre walked toward Charlotte as she sat at her desk working diligently.

"I thought you had gone home" Pierre said a bit anxiously.

Charlotte looked up in surprise.

"Do you have a moment" He asked shyly?

"Yes, of-course" She replied as she stood up.

"Please sit" He smile as he joined her and sat in front of her desk.

"Your mother is in her suite" She explained thinking he was looking for her.

"I came to speak with you" He said honestly.

"Oh" She questioned?

He smiled. She smiled back.

"The truth is, I wanted to see you" He admitted sheepishly.

Her cheeks blushed but her eyes told him how happy she was to hear that from hi