Hey everyone, thank you to you all for reading and to those leaving reviews on any of the chapters I have posted on this story :) I appreciate it so so much and honestly can't thank you all enough for taking the time.

Here's the next chapter for you…

He's Gone - Part 2.

After having a heartfelt conversation and lunch with her closest friend up in her suite, Clarisse got ready to face the world, opting to wear a simple blouse and one of her many tailored jackets and matching a line, below the knee skirt before finally making her way down to her husbands office, where reaching the door just moments later, she reached one hand out onto the handle and used her other hand to knock. "Come in," she heard him call out before she entered.

"It's only me," she said, stepping into the room and closed the door behind her before walking over to stand in front of his desk, where he was sat going through his post. "How has it been today?" She asked and clasped her hands together in front of her.

"Busy, I have only just got around to opening todays post," Rupert replied while looking up at her over the top of his glasses, "you look nice," he said and looked down at the next letter he held in his hand, quickly glancing at the wording on the front of the envelope before turning it over and picking up his paper knife to open it.

"Oh, thank you," she said while unclasping her hands and glanced down at herself before looking back up at him opening the letter, realising that was the first compliment he had paid her in such a long time, whether he genuinely meant it or was simply being nice considering the circumstances was a different matter. "Aren't you due for a meeting soon?"

"Yes, in about ten minutes," he nodded while pulling the letter out of it's envelope and unfolded it while looking back up at her. "But it's fine, I have everything in hand," he said, offering her a small smile before looking down at the letter now open in his hands.

Clearing his throat, he briefly averted his gaze up to Clarisse standing before him, before looking back down at the letter, trying to discreetly fold it back up. Realising he probably shouldn't have opened this particular letter, marked with 'Private and confidential. For the attention of his Royal Highness, King Rupert Renaldi.' On the front of the envelope until he was alone at least.

"What's that?" Clarisse asked and watched as her husband shook his head.

"Nothing," he said and watched as she took one step closer to the desk. The desk he was sitting behind, and extended her arm across to him, holding out her open hand for the letter. Swallowing hard, he knew that he couldn't keep it from her.

"I'm not silly, Rupert," she said starkly as he reluctantly put the letter in her hands grasp. "I know it's not nothing."

Holding his breath, Rupert watched as she looked down at the letter and began to read it to herself. He could see her gaze gliding along the page reading each word and taking in what had been written. But hearing her inhale a sharp intake of breath just a moment later, he momentarily closed his eyes. His heart aching for her. "I'm sorry, Clarisse. I really am."

"No no," she said with a small shake of her head as he looked back up at her, "don't be sorry it's fine, I was expecting it actually." She nodded and looked back down at the letter in her hands. Joseph's letter of resignation. Studying his perfect lilting handwriting. The handwriting she had seen so many times over the years, and had looked forward to seeing each and everyday, looked forward to the fluttering in her stomach and the breath that hitched in her throat whenever she laid eyes on it. The handwriting that belonged to him. Her love.

"Are you okay?" Rupert asked softly after a momentarily silence.

"Yes, of course," she nodded while folding the letter, "I'm fine," she said, hesitantly and handed it back to him.

"Are you sure?" He asked and watched as she, just briefly, pressed a hand to her stomach while shaking her head and laughed a little. Perhaps through annoyance. "See it's things like this, reminders-,"

"Oh Rupert stop," she snapped, interrupting him, and looked back up at him, "I'm fine."

"Ok," Rupert said and nodded as he studied her a moment, "I can't help worrying about you, you know, and wish you would take this day off as planned. I promise I have everything in hand."

"I appreciate that Rupert, honestly I do," Clarisse said and nodded slightly, "but tell me, when you ended things with Ruth, did you take a day off?"

Contemplating what she asked, Rupert shook his head. "No I didn't, no."

"There you go then, you didn't take a day off so why should I?" Clarisse declared. But the truth was she would have preferred to spend the day in her bed, thinking of Joseph and what they shared. What they had together. But she knew it wouldn't have got her anywhere, would have just lead her into more heartache. Besides, she had a duty to do. She was still a Queen after all.

"Touché," Rupert said and nodded slightly, knowing she was right.

"Ok, now," she said and gestured to the stack of paperwork sitting on his desk, "if you give me those, I'll take them to my office and do them so you don't have to worry about them after your meeting."

"Ok," he said and reluctantly rose to his feet, to pick up the stack of paperwork and pass it across to her leaning slightly over his desk with her arms outstretched towards him. "But what about Sabrina, shouldn't you be spending time with her?"

"Thank you," she said as she took the paperwork from him and tucked it all in her arms grasp. "She understands that I have work to do, and will catch up with each other at dinner this evening."

"I see," Rupert replied and slipped his hands in his pants pockets while walking around to her standing in front of his desk. "Where is she now then, while you do the paperwork?"

"She and Philippe have gone out on a ride together around the grounds," Clarisse said as she watched him stand in front of her, "and I best get on. Have a good meeting and I'll see you later."

"Thanks, and yes, see you later," Rupert said and watched her walk out before shaking his head and walking back round to sit at his desk. She really was an incredible woman, to carry on after everything that has happened over the last 24 hours. Even though she was clearly very heartbroken.

"Your majesty," Sasha, the Queen's assistant said as she entered her office later that afternoon and walked towards her desk as she looked up from the paperwork sitting in front of her. "The prime minister is here."

"Oh," Clarisse said as she took off her glasses and put them down on top of the paperwork, "we weren't expecting him today, were we?"

"No we weren't, your majesty," Sasha said with a shake of her head and watched as the Queen turned her chair to the side and rose to her feet, "and I'm afraid to inform you that I suspect he's slightly, erm, intoxicated too, ma'am."

"Drinking, already?" Clarisse said in surprise before raising her arm and checking the time on her watch as she walked around to her assistant standing in front of the desk and tilted her head ever so slightly when she realised it was actually a quarter to three. "I didn't realise it was this late," she said while looking back up at her assistant. "Where is he?"

"He's in the drawing room, your majesty," Sasha replied, "shall I send tea?"

"I think coffee would be more suitable for him," Clarisse said as they both began to walk across her office and out the door, "thank you, Sasha."

"It's no trouble, your majesty," Sasha smiled and bowed her head before turning to walk towards the kitchens as Clarisse stood watching her a moment.

Clasping her hands together in front of her, Clarisse took a deep breath and looked towards the drawing room door across the foyer and stood a moment. Henri Blanchet hadn't been prime minister very long and she had only met him a handful of times, but she wondered what on earth he was up to showing up at the palace unannounced, and tipsy too.

Walking through the drawing room door a moment later, Clarisse scanned the room and found him stood by the fireplace, with one arm up, his hand resting on the mantelpiece simply staring up at the painting on the wall of herself with the King. "Premier ministre?" she said and watched him turn his head to look over at her. "Bonjour," she smiled and closed the door behind her before walking slowly towards him.

"Votre majesté, bonjour bonjour," he said, his voice slightly slurred, as he turned and began to walk over to her, meeting her halfway. "It's so lovely to see you again."

"Like wise," she replied and watched as he leant closer, kissing both her cheeks before stepping back. "I'm afraid my husband is tied up in a meeting at the moment."

"Oh that's okay," he said and nodded, "it's actually you I have come to see today anyway."

"Oh," Clarisse replied in surprise.

"You know, your majesty," Henri smirked, and slipped his hands in his pants pockets while taking a step closer to her, "has anyone ever told you that your smile is really contagious."

"Yes, actually," she nodded, "you mentioned that on Friday," Clarisse replied and smiled. "Shall we sit?" She motioned towards the couch and waited for the prime minister to sit before she took a seat in the armchair some distance away. "Now, to what do I owe this pleasure?" She asked, smoothing her skirt as she crossed her ankles one over the other.

"I have a proposition for you, your majesty," the prime minister smirked and sat back against the cushions, resting one arm along the back of the sofa. She watched, brow furrowed, as he crossed his legs, moving in a particular manner as he bent one leg, bringing his foot up to rest against his own knee. It was a highly inappropriate move and one that made her feel increasingly on edge.

"A proposition? For me?" she asked apprehensively as she rested her hands down on her knees.

"For you, yes," he replied and nodded, his gaze never leaving hers.

"How intriguing," she said and laughed nervously. There was something about the way he said those three words 'for you, yes' that set her on edge. Sent a shiver through her spine. And even though she wasn't sure what he was about to say, or do, an awful feeling had begun to form in the pit of her stomach and she didn't like it. "What sort of proposition?" She dared to ask.

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