More, as promised! Chapter four probably won't be posted however, until chapter five is written. Enjoy!
Psst... there is a line, "Startled to say the least, Clarisse pressed the girl further. "And was this consensual?"
But for some reason the "this consensual?" doesn't want to show up in the chapter. So just be aware that that is what the line is supposed to be. Again, enjoy!
Chapter Three
Claire was returning from an errand Charlotte had sent her on when she passed Joe in the hallway.
"Hello, Claire," Joe said with a congenial smile. "How are you?""Fine, thank you," she replied politely.
"Good, good..." he said, rather absently, as he made his way down the hall. Claire saw him tap softly on Her Majesty's door as she turned the corner. She lingered at the corner in order to catch Joe's words as he was let into the suite.
"A rose for Her Majesty," he said, bowing deeply.
Clarisse's laugh echoed throughout the hall. "Oh Joseph..."
He kissed her gently on the lips as she led him inside. Claire's insides turned at the sight of her Queen and her consort.
She doesn't deserve him. Am I the only one that sees her for what she really is? She's flung herself onto him and he's acting like a whipped puppy. Ah, well, soon enough the entire royal family, palace staff, and country will know what their Queen is truly like. It's only a matter of time.
"Your Majesty, I realize you're busy, but Claire has been requesting an audience with you all day. Would you mind seeing her?"
Clarisse sighed heavily. She had spent a splendid morning with Joseph, but had also spent a good deal of the afternoon quizzing Mia on her French. She was exhausted, and wanted nothing more than to settle down with a nice, hot cup of tea. However, as a queen it was difficult for her to refuse an audience to any of her subjects.
"Not at all, Charlotte. She is most welcome here. Send her up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Olivia had only just arrived with a pot of tea when Claire appeared. Clarisse lifted her head at the sound of knocking on the door frame.
"Ah, Claire, come in, come in," Clarisse said cordially.
"Thank you," the girl said timidly.
"Now, young lady, what's on your mind?" Clarisse said with a bright smile.
"Well, Your Majesty," she began slowly. "I'm not sure how I should say this..." She stopped, eyeing Clarisse.
"Go on, get it out." Clarisse said teasingly.
Claire looked to her laced fingers before continuing, "Two nights ago I...uh...slept with a member of the palace staff. And I thought maybe you might be able to help me sort things out. I don't really know what to do..." Pausing, she carefully gaged Clarisse's reaction.
Startled to say the least, Clarisse pressed the girl further. "And was this consensual?"
"I'm afraid so, Your Majesty."
"I see." Clarisse removed her glasses, holding them in her hands, "And who is this man?"
"Your head of security, Your Majesty."
Clarisse froze as Claire's last sentence registered. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she slowly spoke. "E-Excuse me? Are you trying to tell me that you are having an affair with...Joseph?"
"Yes ma'am, that's what I'm trying to tell you." Claire looked to the floor to hide her smug smile.
"Oh, I see..." Clarisse stared at the far wall, a distant and sad look in her eyes.
"Your Majesty?"
Brought back to her senses, Clarisse forced a smile. "I'm sorry, my dear, but I'm afraid I can offer no advice to you; at least not tonight."
"Oh, well I appreciate the ear. Good night, Your Majesty."
"Good night."
Claire was immensely pleased with herself as she shut the door behind her. She had shattered the Queen's perfect romance in a mere ten minutes. She only had to sit back and watch Her Majesty's perfect life unravel.
Mia bounded happily into Clarisse's suite. "Grandma, I thought I would just come and say..." She stopped at the sight of her grandmother doubled over in her chair.
"...goodnight. Grandma?"
Clarisse's response came in the form of a loud, body-racking sob.
Concern filling her heart, Mia went to the chair and knelt down in front of the woman. Taking her grandmother's arm in one hand and slowly rubbing her back with the other, Mia helped Clarisse to sit up. The Queen's face was tear-stained and Mia's eyes began to fill with tears, too, as she realized how fast Clarisse was breathing and that she was having a hard time taking a deep breath.
"Grandma, you've got to calm down," Mia almost shouted.
Clarisse tried to calm herself as she took a deep, shuddering breath for the first time in almost an hour. Mia soothingly rubbed the woman's back and gently wiped the tears off her face.
"It's all right, Grandma. Just calm down. I'm right here."
After a few minutes Clarisse slowly rose and went over to the bed, still trembling. Mia followed.
Slowly, Clarisse spoke. "Mia, I'm sorry, darling..."
Mia cut her off. "Don't be. What in the world do you possibly have to be sorry about?"
"Oh, I don't know..." She paused. "But you shouldn't have had to see me like that."
"Never apologize for that. This is what families do; they help each other." She cautiously proceeded. "Do you want to tell me what has you so upset?"
"Oh, Mia, I can't. Not now."
"Grandma, why? It's obviously no little thing."
"No, I can't. I won't."
"Grandma!"
"Amelia, please, not now!" Clarisse said, a little harsher than she meant to. Seeing Mia's shocked and hurt expression, she softened her voice. "Please, darling, don't make me argue with you about this. I can't take it right now. Just trust my judgment."
Mia didn't like giving in. But seeing her grandmother's pained expression made her oblige to the Queen's wishes. "Well, is there anything I can get you?"
"No, darling, I don't think so. I think I'll just try to get some sleep."
"Do you want me to sit with you for awhile?"
"Yes, that would be nice."
Clarisse got into the bed her ladies-maids had turned down several hours before. Mia kicked off her own shoes and climbed in next to her. She squeezed Clarisse's hand and kissed her on the cheek.
"Try to get some sleep, Grandma."
Clarisse slowly nodded and settled into the pillows. Although her mind was troubled, her hysteria had exhausted her and within a few minutes she was asleep. Mia released Clarisse's hand and carefully crawled out of the bed, so as not to wake the Queen. She pulled the covers up over Clarisse, and giving her grandmother one last sad look, she exited the room.
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