(3 weeks later…)
Joseph was walking around the office while Clarisse had her head stuck in a pile of papers with an aspirin by her side.
"Clarisse, I am serious. You need to see a doctor!"
"I'm fine. It's just a bit of work related stress, that's all."
"Work related stress? My dear, you've been vomiting every morning for the past week."
"As I said, work related stress. It's quite common when a person is forced to handle more than they're used to handling."
"But it's…"
"But nothing. I'm as strong as an ox and twice as healthy."
He looked at her, unconvinced, "You're sure you're okay?"
"I appreciate your concern, but I'm positively fine. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go to the ladies room."
She ran out of the office and headed straight for the bathroom. Joseph shook his head and sat down.
The next morning, Clarisse snuck out early and asked her driver to take her to see the doctor.
"Thankyou for seeing me at such short notice, Doctor Horton."
"So what is the problem today?"
"Well, I know this may sound silly, but a member of staff insisted that I see you. Lately I've been feeling rather ill and I haven't been able to keep my meals down."
"Mmmhmm…do you have any idea of what could be the cause?"
"I think it may be stress, but…I'm not sure."
He picked up a pen and paper, "I see, well would you please answer the following questions correctly and swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?"
She laughed, "I'll try."
"Okay then, first question: have you recently started taking any medication?"
"No."
"Mmmhmm. Have you recently started a new diet?"
"No."
"Do you have any allergies?"
"Not that I know of."
"Have you recently engaged in intercourse?"
"Uh…yes?"
"Aha, and when was your last period?"
"Ah, well. Let's see. I'd say about…five weeks."
He put down his pen and paper, "I'm going to need to run a few tests, is that okay?"
"If you must."
"Would you please take a seat?"
"Certainly. Is there something wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong."
"Then what is it?"
"Congratulations, there is to be another heir to the Genovian throne!"
He mouth dropped, "Are you sure?"
"98 percent sure."
"Ooh dear."
"Is this an unplanned pregnancy?"
"In a matter of speaking, yes. You will keep quiet about this won't you? You have to understand, it is very important that you tell nobody."
"I would never breach doctor/patient confidentiality."
"Thankyou, Doctor Horton. I'll see you again sometime."
"Goodbye, pay at the front desk!"
The news hit hard her on the way home, 'Oh god, I'm pregnant to a man who isn't my husband. What am I going to do? Keep it? Adopt it out? Give it up? What am I going to tell Rupert when he gets back? Oh god…'
Joseph was waiting in the garden for her when she arrived home, 'Oh great, just what I need. Please don't ask me questions. Please don't talk to me.'
He watched her exit the limo and run to the house. He decided to chase after her, "Clarisse, is there something wrong?"
She ran through the front doors and into the hallway, "What did the doctor say?"
He had an easy time keeping up with her, that is, until she ran into her suite and closed the door.
"Clarisse! Are you okay? What did the doctor say? You're not dying are you?"
"No."
"Open the door."
"No."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"Do you hate me?"
"No."
He paused for a moment, "Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Are you upset?"
"Yes."
"Is there a reason why?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to tell me?"
"No. Joseph., can you please give me some privacy for a while? I wish to be alone."
"Why?"
"Because, I need to do some thinking."
"Why?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Knock it off!"
He paused again…
"Why?"
"Because it's annoying."
"Why?"
"Do I have to summon the guards?"
He left her alone and sat down on a chair in the hallway.
Clarisse paced the room and bit her nails, "Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god. What am I going to do?"
She collapsed on the floor and put her head in her hands, tears ran down her cheeks.
Later on, while she was staring at the wall, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder, "You forgot to lock the secret door," Joseph announced, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong, or do I have to guess?"
She wrapped her arms around him and begged him not to speak. He obliged and they both sat in each others arms…continuing to stare at the wall…
In the evening, Clarisse decided to retire to bed early in order to get some thinking done. She thought very seriously about giving up the baby and making sure nobody found out, but she also thought that if that's how she thought, it would be a good idea to see how she thought about it in the morning.
She thought differently. She came up with an even better idea. An idea that would protect her reputation and still allow her to keep the child.
"Joseph, we need to talk."
"Finally. What's on your mind?"
"You are. I have to break up with you before things get completely out of hand."
"You're joking, right?"
She shook her head, "I'm sorry."
He could see she was serious, "If I may ask, why?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Because it's complicated."
"Complicated? Clarisse, have I done something wrong?"
"No, it's not you, it's me."
"Look, if I've done something wrong, I'm sorry, but I do think it would be better if you gave me a proper reason for breaking my heart."
"I just can't do this anymore. I have to stop cheating."
"It's not cheating if you don't love the person you're cheating on. You love me, don't you?"
"Oh…yes."
"Then that's all that matters. Why don't you come away with me?"
"Come away with you?"
"Oh, did I say come away? I meant run away. Think about it; you could leave this horrible life behind and start a new one with me," he got down on one knee, "I love you, Clarisse and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Joseph, I think you should resume calling me Your Majesty."
I was going to make this a cliff-hanger, but I decided to be nice and leave it like this :D
