The birds sang sweetly and very loudly waking Clarisse from her slumber. She looked down at Mia and tried to pull her arm out from underneath Mias sleeping body.

"morning grandma do you want youre arm back?"

"yes please"

Both women chuckled. Mia let her grandmother have her arm back so she could go and freshen up.

"hey grandma"

"yes darling"

Clarisse called from the bathroom.

"its my coronation today"

the fact dawned on Mia.

"OH MY GOD, ITS MY CORONATION"

"yes dear are you excited?"

"OH MY GOD ERR NOO"

"why ever not?"

"IM GOING TO BE QUEEN"

"yes you are. are you not the tinyest bit excited? its going to be a glorious day"

Mia started to get frantic, mumbling to herself in french. Clarisse walked back in interupting her rant.

"now Mia, swearing in french wont help you calm down. what ever is the matter?"

"Grandma im going to be queen, making descisions, meetings, royal stuff, will you help me?"

"il always be here unless you make me homeless"

"dont be stupid id never do that, plus i enjoy youre company"

"thanks darling, by the way i shall be helping you with your dress after not your maids"

"good. i love Brigitte and Briggita but they drive me nuts"

Clarisse chuckled.

"well i think you better run along and get freshened up its 9am and you have to be ready for 11"

"ok"

Mia jumped over the couch and continued to mumble in french.

"oh and Mia?"

"yeah"

"dont let the bishop catch you saing those words"

"oops sorry grandma"

Mia exited the suite. Clarisse changed into her dress and called Joe on his cell.

"Clarisse?"

"hello darling what are you doing?"

"im in the grand hall going over commands with Lynol. Tell me darling, when does he go home?"

"2 weeks"

"oh"

"is that a problem?"

"no offence to your judgement darling but the boy makes me want to cut off my own arm so i have something to hit him with"

"oh Joeseph youll manage"

"just"

"well i have my dress on, just about to do my make up then im going to help Mia. wheres Nick?"

"down with me keeping me partly sane, dont take him from me or else you will have an armless husband"

"bye bye darling"

"ciao Clarisse"

Clarisse hung up the phone and went to sit at her dressing table. she studied her reflection for a while noticing how many "friendly" lines that had appeared over her once smooth complexion. today she would loose her title as queen and just be Miss Clarisse Renaldi or Mrs Clarisse Grande. Mia had told her grandmother that she could keep the title of princess if she wanted but Clarisse declined. She didnt want to go from queen to princess but she was thankfull. Clarisse still held her "lady" title so she had something. despite this she felt a bit empty. she had worked for the best part of 40 years as queen Clarisse and in a few short moments she was going to have to give it up.

"dont be silly old girl, Mia will be a credit to you"

Clarisse went on to apply all ofher make up. After she had finished she opened her drawer and pulled out her tiara. Her mother had bought it for her when she was ten. Clarisse gently fingered the diamonds and smiled. she then set it back in the drawer.

In Mias suite.

Paoulo had done her hair and make up and gone to the grand hall to pester Joe. They had been sparring partners for as many years as he could remember. Mia looked at her dress sitting on her bed.

"this is for you Mom"

Clarisse knocked and entered Mias suite to help her with her dress.

"ready my darling?"

"i think so grandma. well my hair and make up is done all i need to do is get into that dress"

"lets get to it"

Clarisse unhooked all the hooks on the back of Mias long puffy dress and held it for her to step into. Mia and Clarisse both pulled it up and Clarisse fastened it at the back when Mia had adjusted the front so it looked right on her.

"well what do you think?"

"the most gorgous princess iv ever seen my dear"

Mia threw her arms around her grandma

"oh grandma im so nervous what time is it?"

"10.30, we shall have to start making our way once Charlotte comes"

"ok, im ready."

Charlotte knocked on the door and entered Mias suite.

"ready princess?"

"yeah i think so Charlotte"

"everyone is set up downstairs, you shall walk either side of the staircase and meet at the bottom. got that?"

"yeah got it, are you ready grandma?"

"as il ever be"

"after you Mia"

Mia walked behind Charlotte and Clarisse followed behind. Mia had butterflies in her stomach along with Clarisse who felt a tad nauseous. she was giving over the crown of her beloved Genovia.
Charlotte spoke through to Joe on her mike set.

"The eagle is flying for the last time, sparrow is about to take off