When Rupert and the boys came home, Clarisse was forced to think of a way to see Joseph without getting caught. She decided that the best way to see him in private was to interrupt his shift when she was out on her nightly walk.

"Pssst," she called from behind the rosebush, "Joseph, it's me! Come here."

He directed his attention to her and silently slipped away from his duties unnoticed, "Good evening, Your Majesty."

She threw her arms around him and kissed his lips, "Oh, I missed you so much."

"Madame, we saw each other two hours ago."

"Which was two hours too long."

She kissed him again.

"You do know I'm on duty?"

"I am quite aware of that, Joseph. But when else can I see you without getting caught?"

"I see your point. We'll have to think about that one."


Rupert was working in his office later that week and had called Clarisse in to see him.

"You wanted to speak to me?"

"Yes I did. Do sit down. I have to ask, are you upset with me?"

"What makes you say that?"

"It's just…you seemed a little annoyed when we were leaving."

"Oh. I was."

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't invite you to join us. It's just that I wanted to spend some quality time with the boys and I thought you deserved a break from spending all day every day with them. You understand, don't you?"

"Perfectly," she lied.

"Good. I'm glad we had this chat."

She got up and walked to the door, "Oh yes, it was truly worthwhile…"


Later on, she went for her walk, but didn't see Joseph anywhere. She looked and looked but there was no sign of him. Suddenly, she was grabbed and pulled under a tree.

"Looking for something? Someone…"

"Joseph, what do you think you're doing, scaring me like that?"

"I'm sorry, I thought you would have expected it."

"Well, I didn't…what's that in your hand?"

"Oh, I tried my hand at cooking again. Would you like to try some?"

"Wow, would you look at the time, I really should be off."

"Nonsense, try some."

He placed a small piece of chocolate cake in her mouth. She chewed it and was quite surprised, "That's actually quite good. I thought you didn't know how to cook?"

"I've been taking lessons with the palace chef. This is the first thing I've made that didn't burn."

She laughed, "Well it was very delicious. Why are you taking lessons all of a sudden?"

"Well, there's not an awful lot to do here during the day, since we can't see each other. So I figured why not learn how to cook?"

"I see, why not indeed? You will bring me some more of your cooking tomorrow night, won't you?"

"If you wish. So how have you been?"

"Alright, I guess. I've been missing you. I wish there was some way of being able to see you as much as possible without being hounded by the media."

"I do too."

"Oh my gosh, that's it! It's so simple. I can't believe I didn't think of it before."

"Are you going to tell me what you're thinking?"

"I should just ask Rupert to promote you."

"How would that help?"

"You could be my personal bodyguard."

"My dear, don't you think that asking your husband to promote me all of a sudden may seem a bit suspicious?"

"I could wait a few weeks. Yes, I'll tell him that I've been watching you work and think you're very good. Good enough to be my personal bodyguard. Unless you don't want to be promoted?"

"Oh believe me, guarding your body is something I'd be very happy to do."

She playfully slapped him, "I should get going. Good night, my love."

"Sweet dreams, Madame."

"Oh, Joseph. I think it's about time you called me by my first name."

"You do, do you? Good night then, Clarisse. Sleep well, Clarisse. I'll see you tomorrow, Clarisse. I'll be thinking of you, Clarisse. Think about me, Clarisse. Be careful when you throw that stone, Clar…ouch!"

"Goodnight, Joseph. Get that lump on your head examined, Joseph. I'll see you later, Joseph. Get plenty of rest, Joseph…"

She walked back to the palace with a huge grin on her face, leaving Joseph to rub his sore head.


When three weeks had passed, Clarisse went to her husband's office to talk about her "safety."

She knocked on the door and entered.

"Good afternoon. Is there something you wanted?"

"Yes. I have come to talk to you about my safety."

"Clarisse, I'm quite busy at the moment."

"I'll only be quick."

"You have two minutes."

"I want a personal bodyguard."

"Oh yes. Did you have anybody in mind?"

"Yes actually, that night watchman. Joseph, I think his name is."

"You want him as your bodyguard?"

"Oh yes, I've been observing his work and it's really very good. He seems like the perfect man for the job."

"Fine then, have you spoken to him yet?"

"Yes. Quite a few times."

"Your driver said he got into the limousine with you."

"I was…trailing him."

"Did he put you up to this?"

"No, it was my idea."

"And he's okay with it?"

"He says he'd be happy to take the position. He had his heart set on it."

"Well then, if you're totally sure about this, then tell him he's got the job."

"Thankyou, I shall tell him right away. Sorry to disturb you."


Clarisse went to the first place she thought Joseph would be: the kitchen. She knocked and went in.

"Please excuse the intrusion, may I borrow your fine trainee for a moment or two?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

Joseph followed her outside the door, "What is it? Is something wrong?"

"No, quite the opposite actually. You can hang up your apron now, you're my new bodyguard."

"Really? That's fantastic!"

"I know."

"So when do I start?"

"Right away, I presume."

"Thankyou."

He pulled her into a hug.

"Not here! Someone might see us."

"Oh, of course. I should get back. I'm baking a cake."

"I'll see you later then, Joseph."

"Goodbye, Clarisse."

She looked around to see if anybody was coming, then leaned forward and kissed the corner of his mouth before walking away.


Short, I know. I was getting sick of this chapter so I decided to end it here so I can move onto the more exciting stuff. There was something I wanted to change in this chapter but I can't remember what it was so…R & R.