Awake after sleeping only a few hours, Pierre made the phone call. Not to his mother, but to Joseph, the man who had been more a father to him than poor Rupert could have ever managed. It was Joseph who had stood by him as he timidly explained to his father his reasons for renouncing his claim to the Renaldi throne in favour of a call to ministry. It had been Joseph who had given him life skills, or street smarts where his father could never fill in those gaps. Joseph had always been there, always been a part of the family, so to speak. Now, he wondered how much he really knew the man.

Over the phone, Pierre would only say that he had an urgent matter to discuss. Yes, he would see his mother, but she was not the reason for his visit. He'd be there just after lunch and would prefer to meet directly with him, if that was all right with the Head of Security.

The old BMW sped through the gates of the Palace in Pyrus at just after 3 pm, coming to a quick halt in front of the main entrance where Joseph was waiting, shaking his head disapprovingly at the younger man's driving skills.

"Joseph!"

"Your Highness." Joseph bowed his head, but raised it with a grin on his face as Pierre pulled him into a bear hug. "Your mother awaits."

"She'll await a while longer. I have something important to discuss with you. Can we go somewhere private?"

"My office. This way."

-0-0-0-0-0-0

Joseph had just sat down at his desk, Pierre across from him when the letters landed with a gentle thud on his desk. "I want to talk about these."

Joseph stared at the bundle as if it were glowing. Finding his voice he rasped, "Where did you get those?"

Pierre settled back in his chair, finally convinced that these were indeed love letters written by Joseph. "I found them."

"Found where?"

"Relax, it's not like I got them off E-bay or something. They were in the back of a desk, one that used to be in the Summer Residence, but was sold at auction. One of my parishioners had it and gave it to me. Restoring furniture has become a hobby."

"An extremely fortunate one at that. Who has had access to them?"

"No one. They were stuck in the back, behind a drawer. I found them quite by accident. I'd say no one's opened them in many years."

"Since 1971 I would hope."

"I had no idea you were such a Casanova, Joseph."

"You read them all, eh?"

"Every last, intimate detail. I could even imagine the smell of her hair. You should have been a writer, it's good stuff." Pierre was clearly enjoying the older man's discomfort. "But you've got to tell me, who was she?"

Joseph looked up, startled. He had assumed Pierre had guessed the identity of the woman, but he had been wrong. The woman remained a mystery to him, and perhaps it might just be able to stay that way.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Unsuccessful at learning the woman's identity, Pierre gave in and accompanied Joseph to his mother's office. Clarisse, her trademark curiosity in full bloom, could not pry the reason for his visit and secret meeting with Joseph out of either of them. Undaunted, she pulled her son onto the terrace, and proceeded to grill him until supper about his activities, his job, his love life and any other detail she could think to ask. Joseph, feigning work, slipped away and back to his own office, and back to the letters.

It had been nearly 35 years since he'd seen these letters. He remembered every last one of them, as it seemed those days that summer were burned in his mind. He fingered the envelopes and the ribbon as if they might break by merely sitting there. He felt the emotions course through him, the love, the tenderness, the tears, the heartbreak, and the joy and sadness of those few weeks all crashing around him. God, how he loved her then, but in his heart he knew he loved her even more today.

He chose a letter from the middle of the pile and opened it.

August 1, 1971

My darling,

Happy Independence Day! You looked stunning in your peach dress and white hat. Even in a crowd I could find you in an instant. Do you always have to be the beauty in every gathering?

I watched you be so kind to everyone, so gentle with the little children. I must say you melted everyone's heart when you stopped to talk with the orphans. You are so good with the little ones, especially two very handsome little devils.

I wanted to hold your hand during the fireworks, oh, how I just wanted to be close enough to tell you that I love you with all my heart. I see it in your eyes, that you feel something for me too, and it makes me catch my breath. If only…

Each day we spend together is one more day that I know what Heaven must be like. Your smile mesmerizes me, your cool touch brings fire to every part of me. Sometimes I just have to remind myself to breathe when you're around. My darling, I treasure these days and want them to go on forever, as my love for you will go on forever.

All my love,

Joseph folded the letter and put it back in the envelope and in its place in the pile. He retied the ribbon and put the bundle in the locker with his sidearm. Yesterday. It seemed like yesterday. Where had all the years gone?

A/N Sorry it's so short, but wait: there's more!