A/N Well I hope this one is long enough for you all. Enjoy!

As they sat down, Clarisse, with Olivia on her lap, got back to business.

"Now for the Christmas Festival. I was thinking that next Saturday 'Santa Clause' should make a visit. He'll be miked so every child will get just want they want, within reason." She glanced down at her lap but Olivia wasn't paying attention. "Then a journey into the forest to pick out the tree to be cut down a few days before the actual holiday. Then Christmas eve will be spent at the Palace and the gifts will be given. How does that sound?"

"Just wonderful your Majesty. The children will adore it. There have been quite a few adoptions lately. There are about 30 kids around at this point, ranging from Olivia here," She perked up at the sound of her name. "To the oldest, a 17 year old boy named Francis. This will be his last Christmas with us. He is heading off to university next year to study medicine. Anyways, there have been quite a few sad faces because they haven't been chosen by families. This will hopefully cheer them up."

"I certainly hope so." Olivia started to squirm.

"I haf to go potty!" Miss Crestwell pressed a button on he desk as Clarisse began to look alarmed. Mia and Joe both stifled laughs. An aid quickly came in and led Olivia away. She went without a fuss. As the two left, Clarisse's gaze followed them.

"What's her story?"

"Olivia came to us a few months ago. She lived with her grandmother but she passed away. As far as we know, there aren't any other family members. We usually don't take children that are younger then 5 but there wasn't much choice in this matter."

"How horribly sad."

"Indeed it is." Joseph cleared his throat.

"Oh we must go. Till Saturday."

"Of course your Majesty. If I may, who is playing Santa?"

"I do not know. I shall think on the subject and get back to you. Good bye." Clarisse, Mia and Joseph filed out. On the way back to the palace, Mia noticed her grandmother staring silently out the window.

"Grandma, anything wrong?"

"Oh, not really. Its always hard for me to go in there. Its so very sad to think about those poor children without a family or a home of their own, especially around the holidays. A child like Olivia will...OH! I never said good bye!" She glanced out of the back of the limo then pressed the intercom button. "Joseph turn around immediately!"

"Forgot to say good bye?"

"Yes, now go." He did as he was bid and within moments they arrived back at the orphanage. Clarisse opened the door herself, "I shall be back in a moment" and ran inside. Right off the main hall she could hear two boys, both about 8, taunting Olivia, who was crying.

"She the Queen of our whole country! She's not worried about a little crybaby like you!"

"Oh no?" The boys whirled around at the sound of her voice and both made quick apologetic bows.

"We're sorry..."

"We didn't know ma'am.."

"Yes, yes, not get out of my sight. I never want to hear about you teasing another person."

"Yes your Majesty." The both ran out of the room. Olivia toddled over, thumb in her mouth, tears still streaming out of her eyes.

"Oh Olivia I'm so sorry, I forgot to say goodbye."

"No bye bye!"

"I have to go, but I'll see you again soon."

"That's what Granny say. She no come back."

"Don't worry. I promise you I'll be back. Ok?" Olivia nodded. Clarisse dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Now go back to lunch." She toddled off and Clarisse once again went out to the limo.

"All go well?" Asked Mia as they started back to the palace again.

"Yes, perfectly well." Clarisse sounded distant. She turned once again to the window and the ride was silent all the way home.

Back at the Palace, Clarisse went off to her office while Mia hung back to talk to Joe.

"What's wrong with Grandma?"

"I think Olivia got to her. More then she would like to admit. Its hard. She's their Queen, but she can't be their Superman, or Wonder Woman as the case may be. She can't force people to adopt them or even make their lives better and when a little child like Olivia is there, its even worse. Before long she won't remember her life before the orphanage. If she's lucky, she might get adopted but more then likely, she will stay there till she turns 18 and can legally be on her own."

"That's so sad."

"It is, but there isn't anything that can be done. The queen is powerless in such a situation. Its her Achilles heel ." At that moment, Charlotte cleared her throat behind them.

"Your Highness, your trunk of clothes has arrived and have been put into your suite. If you will follow me I shall accompany you there."

"Uh thanks Charlotte. See ya later Joe." She followed Charlotte off.

In her office, Clarisse sat in the window seat gazing at the snow covered lawns, a small ball of fuzz named Maurice in her lap. A knock came on the door and startled her out of her revelry. She called out in her most queenly tone that would send anyone running for cover.

"I do not wish to be disturbed!" Or just about anyone.

"Its not my fault you're disturbed." Joseph commented as he moved toward her.

"Oh that's horrible!" Clarisse moved slightly to give him room to sit next to her.

"I'm just kidding. What's wrong my dear?"

"You know perfectly well what's wrong." She laid her head on his shoulder and Joe hugged her close.

"Yes, yes I know. You hate feeling helpless and powerless. Why do you let them get to you then? You stand up against foreign dignitaries, enemies, members of parliament and even Rupert."

"I can't help it. Children do that to me, especially when they seem so helpless. I just melt. Philippe took such advantage of that. Puppy dog eyes and that was it, he got whatever he wanted." Joe gave her his best 'Bambi' look. "It doesn't work for you." She said smacking him lightly on the chest.

"Awww." He stuck out his lower lip. She gave a small laugh.

"Thank you. I feel better now. We both best get back to work. I'll see you later." They both stood and Clarisse gave Joe a peck on the cheek.

A few hours later, as the clock struck three, another knock came at Queen Clarisse's office door.

"Yes?" Mia poked her head in.

"Hi Grandma. May I come in?"

"Of course my dear." Clarisse called from her desk. "Did Charlotte get you all settled in?" Mia sat in the chair opposite.

"Yep. It's a nice room. I especially liked the set of James Bond movies. How did you know?"

"I have my sources." Clarisse said mysteriously.

"Ah Pierce Brosnan" Mia sighed. Clarisse gave an unqueenly snort. "What?!"

"Nothing, I just figured you more as an Johnny Depp type person."

"You know who Johnny Depp is?"

"I'm not THAT isolated!"

"But still I can't really picture you going to a movie and drooling over heartthrobs like that."

"Mia, I'm old, not dead. And I don't drool. A Queen never drools, at least on the outside. Remember that." Clarisse looked over at the clock. "We have about four hours till dinner, care to go riding?"

"Riding? As on a horse?" Mia squeaked

"No! On a cow! Of course on a horse. Come now. You have my permission to wear jeans, but dress warmly and don't forget to wear boots. Meet you downstairs in ten minutes." Both Mia and Clarisse left the latter's office and went in their separate directions.

A/N Well I hope you have enjoyed. Expect biweekly updates do to the want of longer chapters. Thank you to all who have reviewed:

ProperlyPrim18

Elvish-princess130990

Kristin- Yeah I like having them already in a "friendship"

Hollywoodgal

Lady Urquentha- Yes Olivia is based on a little girl a baby-sat once. She looked exactly like that.

Tigger

Spunkeygirl160

Littlemissdudey

Aserene

Vademecum