Chapter 2

Clarisse was up early, not really certain if she had slept at all. She had called Charlotte and asked her to make arrangements for her to fly to San Francisco. It was a bad time for her to leave, but she would only be gone a matter of days hopefully. Her work would just have to come with her. She gave no explanation, after all, she didn't need to. She was Queen.

She took her regular seat while making herself comfortable. She had done alot of flying. She knew better than to start anything until after take-off. She eyed her head of security. He was always looking, for anything, and everything. She had almost asked him to stay back at the palace. How could she spend any more time with him in her present state? If by chance Mia was not her granddaughter by blood, then she would have to... She didn't want to think about it. Still she became teary eyed. As the jet climbed, Clarisse stared out into the open sky, trying to hide her red eyes.

The trip was lengthy, not the longest she had ever taken by far. Still it took up most of her day. She had accomplished quite alot of paperwork. That was one good point about flying. There was no one to bother her, no one but Charlotte and Joseph. They were her usual companions on her trips. She refused any others. The less the better, and quieter.

Joseph slipped into the seat beside her, "Your Majesty, the pilot says we will arrive in the next thirty minutes."

"Oh, thank you Joseph."
"You have kept yourself quite busy."

"I have alot to do."
"Yes. As your head of security, I need to know what you will be doing in San Francisco."

She broke from her automated self. She wasn't sure what to tell him, or if to tell him. She had not thought that out. He will find out. Better she tell him at least a little.

"I am going to see Helen and my granddaughter. I know I said I wasn't going until right before her sixteenth birthday, but I can't wait any longer. I need to speak to Helen about this. She needs to know what is going on. Maybe she would like to explain all this to Amelia herself."

"I see. That's all?"

"Yes. Need there be any more?"

"Excuse me, but couldn't you have done that by phone?"
"Yes I could have. I thought it be best to talk in person. Besides, I haven't seen my granddaughter. I'd like to, but I'll leave that up to Helen."

"I understand." He started to get up, but Clarisse held out her hand for him to sit still. She wasn't sure what she was going to say yet, but it had to be quick and to the point.

"Joseph," she said softly.

"Clarisse?" He noticed her voice changing.

She looked him in the eyes, and lost all her courage. Not now. She'd wait. She needed to find out the truth first. "Joseph I just wanted to thank you for coming with me."

"You know I'd go anywhere with you Clarisse." He knew there was something more on her mind. He took note to find out just what it was, but he would do it much later, when they were all alone.

She was exhausted as they arrived at the consolate. She felt she could have done a days worth of hard labor and felt better than just sitting. As her things were put away by the staff, she sat at the desk in her room. Fiddling through the case, she found what she was looking for. Sighing, she picked up the handset and dialed Helens number.

"Hello?"

"Helen? This is Clarisse Renaldi."

"Clarisse? I didn't expect to hear from you until next year. Your letter said you would wait until she was sixteen."

"I know Helen. I'm here in the city, I came because I need to speak with you. I am not here for Amelia, although I'd like to meet her, but we'll talk about that later. Is there a time we can meet?"

"Of course Clarisse. Anytime tomorrow is fine, just tell me when and where."

"Okay, how about we get together at 9am, your place?"

"I'll be looking forward to seeing you then."

She took a deep breath of the night air. It was warmer here. The grounds were darker, she noticed. She was grateful she had bought along Joseph. There was plenty of security, but none she knew or trusted like him. She missed Maurice. He would be with her now if she were home. She would not have to walk along the garden paths alone. She sat and thought of her beloved Philip. She had loved and trusted him so. Did he lie to her? Did she worry about the crown more than about her own son? Or was all this just made up, what was Mabrey up to? Tomorrow she would know something. She looked at the darkened sky, tomorrow was a long way away.

"It's beautiful out here tonight, peaceful," he said as he touched her shoulders.

"Yes."

"Clarisse, what's on your mind. I know something is bothering you. I cannot help if you don't tell me."

"It's just something I have to take care of Joseph. Don't let it bother you too."

"Clarisse, if it bothers you, then it bothers me. You should know that. Please let me help."

She entwined her fingers in his. He lifted them up and kissed them.

"You already do help me Joseph. In so many ways."

"Promise me then, if you really need me, you'll say so."

"I always do, don't I?"

"Well, we can spend the night debating that, or you can let me walk you upstairs. It's late and you need to sleep."

"You're absolutely right."

As they made their way up the staircase, she was grateful he had not persued the issue any longer. She probably would have given in to him. He always made her so weak. It was he who was the strong one. Of course no one knew that. The whole country looked to her, and she to Joseph.

"Clarisse, so nice to see you."

"Helen."

"Please sit down. Make yourself comfortable."

"Helen, I'm here because I need to know something. It's important that you tell me the truth."

"Okay. What is it?"

"I'll get right to the point. Helen, it has been brought to my attention that Amelia may not be Philip's daughter. Is this the truth?"

Helen looked at her with wide open eyes. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could anyone know?

"Helen, please, I need to know."

Helen stood up and started pacing as she thought about what to say. It had to be said now.

"It was so long ago Clarisse. How much do you know?"
"I was told you were raped, and Philip took the child to be his. Did he know?"

"Yes, yes he knew. I just wanted to get on with my life. I couldn't raise a child by myself then, and Philip wouldn't let me. He said it didn't matter who fathered the child, all that mattered was that the child would have one."

"So Amelia is not a Renaldi."
"Well, not exactly. We never had any testing done. She could be Clarisse. It just never mattered before. Philip said when the time came for an heir, he would take care of the situation with his family, and it woud fine, besides we both figured there would be more children."
"I see."

"Clarisse, I'm so sorry he didn't tell you. He knew you were excited about being a grandmother, and to have an heir. He just couldn't."

"Helen, I have to find out somehow, if there is a way to know if she is a Renaldi, now is the time. Otherwise, there is no heir. The throne will be lost."
"I don't understand how anyone found out. It was so long ago, we were in college. I know there was a report filed, Philip made me file one, but it was days after it happened."

"Why days Helen? Do you know who did that to you?"

"Yes I know. It was a professor I had. I was young and scared, and after I did tell Philip, well he made me file the report. After that, things got worse for me. I almost had to leave school. So, I dropped the charges against him. Philip somehow took care of the professor. He had him fired. I'm not sure of all the details. All I know is that one day he was there, the next we had a new one. Philip said I'd never have to worry about him again, and I haven't."

Clarisse took in all the information she could. She sat and listened to Helen speak. She couldn't believe Philip had lied to her. At the same time it sounded just like him. He always took care of those he loved. He would do anything for them. It seems he did more than his mother knew about.

"Helen I'm sorry I had to bring all this up for you again, but I hope you understand my reasons."

"I do Clarisse. I'll help you any way I can. Now that Philip is dead, it won't be easy to find out the truth, but I'd like to know myself. I want her to be his daughter Clarisse. He deserved that."

"Oh Helen, so do I."