Dawn….
Clarisse awoke when Joseph touched her shoulder gently as she lay asleep.
"What time is it" She asked exhausted?
"It's almost time" He replied softly.
"Okay. I will get up" She whispered as she yawned.
Joseph stepped out to give her privacy. He went downstairs and made tea, coffee and a light breakfast. It would be a long day and he wanted her to be fed. He knew how she could be.
Clarisse walked into the kitchen some time later and smiled when she saw the tea and a plate for her already made.
"Thank you" She replied as she sat across from him.
"Eat up we have a ride ahead of us" He replied as he sipped his coffee.
"Alright" She agreed although she was not hungry. She felt the stress flood over her when she was in the shower.
Once they ate and the dishes were done. Joseph noticed from the window the long line of military vehicles heading toward the house.
"Our escort is here" He informed her as she sat by the fireplace.
"I'm as ready as I'm going to be" She replied as she stood up.
Joseph put the fire out just as a knock to the door was heard.
Joseph went to the door and answered it greeting the Commander.
"Commander" Clarisse stated with a smile when she saw him.
"Your Majesty" He bowed.
Joseph and some of the military men grabbed their bags and put them into the car. Once that was done, Clarisse got into the car in the back although she did not want to but she new she had to keep up appearances. Joseph locked up the lake house and then got into the driver seat.
The drive was long, but Joseph felt better knowing that they would have much safer security with the help of the military.
"I can see that you are feeling better about going back to the Palace" Clarisse stated as if reading his mind.
"I am. Are you" He asked hopeful?
"Yes, very much so. Thank you, Joseph for protecting us" She said hoping he would know how grateful she was.
"I will always protect all of you" He replied honestly.
"Joseph, do you think we can trust Hans now" She asked? It had been on her mind. She knew once Rupert was awake, he would be devastated if Hans was a part of this.
"I'm not sure but I no longer think he was a part of the shooting. I am however not certain about how far he will go to protect Helena" He said deciding it was best to be honest.
"Do you think she is a part of this" She asked? She did not think so, but she wondered what he thought.
"I'm not sure but it is her family so I do wonder how far she will go to protect them" He admitted.
"Yes, you are right. No matter what Antoinette is her daughter and James is her husband" She agreed.
"Exactly and we have to keep in mind that Mabrey is associated to them. Antoinette calls him uncle" He reminded her.
"Yes, she does. Oh Joseph, I hope this is the end of this. I want that woman out of my son's life" She said adamant.
"I know that you do" He said as he thought about Alex. He wanted to discuss it, but he was not sure Clarisse was ready to.
Palace….
Shades was making his rounds as he made his way to the King suite when his comm device stated, "Boss, you're needed at the King suite."
"On my way" Shades replied as he practically ran down the hall, his heart beating wildly in his chest. Once he reached the doors, he went in without announcing himself, protocol not even on his mind as he came face to face with Pierre.
"Your Highness" Shades addressed him remembering himself.
"Shades, father…. he's awake" Pierre said as tears fell down his cheeks.
Across the Palace….
Charlotte awoke to a knock on the door.
"Come" She called out as she tried to sit up, still exhausted.
A young maid entered her room stating, "Ms. Kutaway, your presence is being requested by His Royal Highness."
"What" Charlotte yelled out in surprise as she jumped out of bed scrambling for her robe?
"I was told to inform you that it is an urgent matter" She replied also looking nervous as to what it could possibly be. Ever since Hans was found injured everyone in the Palace was nervous.
"I will be right there" Charlotte promised as she ran into the bathroom to get ready.
The young maid left the room looked at the security guard and stated, "she will be on her way shortly."
"Very well. Thank you" The young guard stated professionally.
King suite….
The doctor stood in the middle of the room with a smile indicating it was in fact true, the King was awake.
"I will inform Her Majesty" Shades spoke quickly.
"They are coming home today are they not" Pierre asked as he approached Shades?
"Yes. Do you prefer to wait until they arrive" Shades asked not wanting to overstep?
"I think so, yes" Pierre smiled.
The doctor and nurse began to take Rupert vitals and check all the machines readings while the two men spoke.
"How did you know" Shades asked his curiosity getting the best of him?
"I don't know. I just woke up and I knew I had to go to him. When I walked in and sat beside him…he opened his eyes" Pierre said as tears fell once again.
"Your Highness, I certain that gave the King comfort seeing you with him" Shades added as he bowed slightly and then gave the young man a moment alone. He could see how overwhelmed he was feeling.
Shades walked over to the bed and bowed toward his King.
"Clarisse…" Rupert spoke slowly as his eyes looked around.
Shades felt his heart sink but not wanting to upset the King he stated professionally, "Her Majesty will be here shortly Your Majesty."
In that moment, Charlotte stepped inside quietly.
Pierre saw her and went to her guiding her by the arm softly back outside.
"You asked to see me" Charlotte said as she looked into his eyes that still shone from the tears he shed. Her heart hammered in her chest in fear.
"It's father…he's awake" Pierre said as Charlotte forgot herself and hugged him in a tight embrace.
Two hours later…
The Palace came into view and Clarisse felt a mix of relief and worry take hold of her.
"Are you alright" Joseph asked when he noticed her reaction?
"Yes. I…oh Joseph…all I want is for things to go back to normal. As normal as normal was for us." She smiled with a slight chuckle.
Joseph chuckled in return stating, "me too."
As they entered the Palace gates one lucky news reporter van happened to be near by waiting for a story to report.
"Oh my God, look" The van driver yelled out!
The other reporter looked and smiled stating, "a military escort. I smell a story!"
Once inside the Palace grounds the escort continued all the way to the back and front of the Palace as they divided per the Commander instruction. He planned to show all Genovia and the world if need be that the Palace is under military protection.
"Do you think this is too much" Clarisse asked worried on how the people of Genovia will view this act?
"I think too much is what we need to deter any attempt on over-throwing the monarchy" Joseph said seriously.
Clarisse simply nodded her head in agreement.
King suite…
Shades received notice in his comm device that Her Majesty has arrive with a military escort. He made his way down to greet his Queen passing Pierre and Charlotte who were in an embrace. He chose to ignore it for several reasons as he made his way out of the wing.
"I'm sorry" Charlotte apologized as she stepped away from him.
"I'm not" He smiled in appreciation.
She smiled shyly at him.
"Mother will be so relieved. I want to call Phillippe" He shared.
"As soon as Her Majesty comes up you can talk to her about it" She said knowing that things with the young Prince in America and Clarisse were not the best.
"Of-course" Pierre replied as he remembered they are falling out.
"This is wonderful news. I am so relieved, and I know that Genovia will be celebrating his recovery" She smiled happily.
Garage…
Shades waited as Her Majesty, Joseph and the Commander exited their vehicles and approached him.
"Your Majesty welcome back" Shades said as he bowed.
"Thank you Shades for everything" She said appreciatively.
"Shall we" Joseph whispered as he escorted her inside along with Shades and the Commander.
"We should call Motaz" Clarisse stated as she walked inside being greeted instantly by the Palace staff who stood proudly awaiting her arrival.
"Oh…" She smiled as she thanked them all for their loyal service.
Joseph felt his heart warm at the sight. They all truly did love their Queen.
"Joe…a word" Shades whispered discreetly.
Joseph nodded and followed Shades to the corner.
"His Majesty woke up today" Shades said honestly.
Joseph looked at him in shock.
"His Highness wanted to wait until Her Majesty arrived" Shades shared.
"Yes…yes…let me tell her" Joseph said shaking off the shock as he approached Clarisse as she held the bouquet of roses the staff gave her.
"Your Majesty may I have a moment" Joseph asked professionally?
The use of formality made her nod in agreement and they began to walk.
"We need to go upstairs to the King suite. He's awake" Joseph admitted although he struggled knowing Pierre may have wanted to tell her, but he did not want her to worry so he decided it was best to be truthful.
Clarisse step faltered as her breath caught in her chest.
Joseph discreetly held onto her elbow balancing her.
"Yes. Of-course. Thank you, Joseph," She whispered as they went upstairs. Shades led the Commander to the security hub as he wanted to view the damage done to the security system.
King suite….
Pierre sat with his father quietly. Now that the time was here, he was nervous.
"Phillippe…" Rupert asked with worry?
"He is fine father, truly" Pierre smiled reassuring him.
"Clarisse…" He asked again worrying that something was wrong. Why hadn't she come?
"Father…." Pierre began deciding to explain that his mother was on her way but had been away but the door opening stopped him. He turned and saw her enter. He stood up with a smile.
"Rupert…. thank God" Clarisse said her tears bursting out of her eyes when she saw him looking at her with scared eyes.
"Clarisse…" Rupert spoke slowly as he tried to raise his arm, but he could not. His body was heavy from the sedation he had been under.
"I'm here" She reassured him as she took his hand in her hand.
Joseph watched the scene unfold in front of him. Deciding it was best to give them privacy he slipped out of the room unnoticed.
"Phillippe" He asked again making Pierre shake his head. His father was back already double-checking information.
"He is in America at school" Clarisse reassured him.
Rupert blinked his eyes as he looked at Pierre.
"I'll give you both privacy" Pierre said excusing himself.
Once out of the room, the doctor and nurse following only leaving Clarisse and Rupert he looked at her once again.
"What is it Rupert" She asked concerned?
"Alex" He said cautiously.
Clarisse lowered her head but said nothing. She did not know whether to tell him everything now or not.
"Alex" He repeated worried.
"He is safe" She reassured him, and she hoped it was not a lie.
"Thank you" He whispered his throat starting to hurt.
"He is your son, isn't he" She asked with tears forming in her eyes?
"I'm sorry" He apologized as his heart gripped tightly knowing how much he just hurt her.
Tears fell down Clarisse cheeks, her jaw quivering preventing her from talking as she feared sobbing and scaring everyone in the process.
"No one can know" He begged her to understand and agree with him.