Unlike most people, Clarisse never hated car trips, because they gave her time to think, which was something she loved to do. She always found it relaxing to not have to speak to anybody, sign documents or do anything, except think. So you can imagine how un-relieved she was when she arrived at the palace. The guards opened the door for her and stared at her with accusing, but forgiving eyes as she made her way into the palace.

"Hello Rupert."

"Clarisse, it's nice to see you – finally…"

"I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner, it's just..."

"Save the apologies, you're here and that's all that matters."

He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her lips. She broke away and stared at him, waiting for an explanation.

"I'm sorry, I forgot. We were married for so long, I thought we were still together and..."

She raised an eyebrow and backed away from him, "You never greeted me like that when we were together…"

"So what have you been up to? How are you? How's the baby doing? How's Joseph? Where's Joseph?"

"I haven't been "up to" much lately, except planning our wedding and resting. As for the other questions; I'm fine, the baby's fine, Joseph's fine and he's not here."

"Trouble in paradise?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because usually when you're in a loving relationship with somebody, you don't take separate vacations unless something's wrong."

"Really? Well Joseph and I are different. What would you know about being in a loving relationship anyway? Did Elizabeth give in and confess her un-dying love for you?"

"Not yet, but I'm working on it. You'd be surprised by how much one can learn by watching daytime television. I watched a lot of it while you were away."

"You watched soap-operas?"

"Yes, they were very informative, but hardly helpful. Besides, the chase is the fun part of a relationship. What did he do?"

"What did who do?"

"Joseph."

"What do you mean what did he do? He didn't do anything."

"Then why isn't he here?"

"Because it would have been too awkward for him. I'm even feeling a bit awkward myself, right now."

"Clarisse, you don't spend that long being married to a person without picking up something. I know when you're lying. Your voice tends to get kind of jumpy and your eyes sort of squint."

She recalled the last time she had tried to lie to him and realised that there was no point in trying again, "We're on a break."

"It's that serious?"

"No. It's not one of those 'we're thinking of breaking up' breaks, it's just a break from each other that we need to take in order for us to calm down. We've been arguing a fair bit lately."

"I see. What seems to be the problem?"

"It's him who has the problem…"

"Continue…"

"He comes home from work and goes straight to bed when I want to do things besides sleeping."

"And these other things would be?"

"Oh, you know, fulfilling my desires."

"Oho," he chuckled, "Well, my dear, if you had come to me, I would have been more than happy to fulfil your desires."

"But you live so far away and…I mean…uh…"

"Clarisse…"

He moved closer to her and she couldn't help staring into his eyes, "Why do you seem more attractive now that we're not together?" She asked.

"I don't know. Perhaps it's because we don't have a duty to fall in love."

"Would it be wrong of us to act as though we were together again for just five minutes?"

"Well, technically, you are still my wife. Until we sign the final papers."

"Your suite, 11:30?"

"Better make it 11. Five minutes is NOT long enough."

"It's a date."

She ran her hand down his face and backed out of the room.


After walking ten meters down the hall, she stopped and ran back.

"Rupert, I'm sorry to bother you, but I just came to the realisation that if we get together, I would be jeopardising my relationship with Joseph."

"My dear, by the way you tell it, your relationship with him is already in jeopardy."

"It's not! We still love each other, he just needs a rest."

"So why don't you find someone else to do the physical part while he's resting? Someone like me..?"

"Because I wouldn't feel right about it."

"So I take it you won't be coming this evening then?"

"No, and neither will you."

"Ooh, harsh. Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind."

"I'm sorry, I can't."

"Fair enough. It's your choice."

"By the way, where are Pierre and Philippe?"

"They're in the study hall with their teacher, it is a school day after all."

"Oh yes, of course."

"I think it's recess soon. You should go and see them."

"That's what I was intending to do and also why I asked."

"Shall I escort you?"

"That won't be necessary. I think I know my own way down to the study hall."

She hesitated to move and smiled at Rupert.

"You go down that corridor, left at the end, walk three doors and then turn right."

"Oh, yes, that's right. Thankyou Rupert, I'll see you later."


She attempted to follow his directions but got confused. The halls had always puzzled her and not having been there for a month made it even harder. Eventually, she became lost and tried to ask someone for directions, but they didn't seem to speak English. Suddenly, she heard laughing.

"Oh, do come on. It's not that funny, Rupert."

"You are so pathetic. You lived here for over ten years and you still don't know your way around. Hahahaha."

"Have you been following me?"

"Of course! I knew you would get lost. So much for not needing an escort."

"Oooooh!"

"Face it, Clarisse, you're lost without me."

"Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean why are you acting as if you like me all of a sudden?"

"I've always liked you."

"But you were so anxious to get me out of the palace, out of your life, so why are you trying to get me back in it?"

"I'm not. All I want is for us to spend one last night together as a sort of goodbye. We've shared a bed many times before, why not now? It's not as if I'm asking you to do something you've never done before. Why are you looking at me as if I've done something wrong?"

"Do you love Elizabeth or not?"

"Of course I do."

"I don't think you do."

"It's her who doesn't love me."

"Then why, instead of trying to win her over, are you chasing after me?"

"Because now you are the forbidden fruit. I'm not supposed to touch you. That makes it exciting."

"Forbidden fruit? Have you been taking those forbidden pills again?"

"Just one or two..."

"Do you have any idea what would happen if the people of Genovia found out about their king taking pills?"

"Yes, but they won't. Now run along, it's that door right there, directly at the end of the hallway. I don't think you need an escort to find your way there."

"Well, actually…"

He grabbed her hand and walked her down the hall, leaving her with the words, "If you change your mind, you know where to find me…"