Chapter 3

Then it was true, Amelia may not be an heir to the Genovian throne. Clarisse wasn't sure what to do second. The first thing she had to do was call Mabrey and find out exactly what he knew. It wasn't something she was looking forward to, but she had to.

"Ahh, Clarisse, I am delighted to hear from you. Tell me, have you confirmed what I told you?"
"Yes, yes I have. I want you to tell me all that you know Mabrey."
"Well, I did Clarisse. I figured once you knew, you would dig up the details, naturally. My offer stands, Clarisse. You marry me, and no one will ever find out this bit of information. You and I together will eliminate any evidence of it. You have my word on that."

"I know all about your word, Mabrey." She felt a slight twinge of pain surge through her stomach at the thought.

"Now Clarisse, with you as my wife, you will be as much a part of it as I. Now that you know, you need to make up your mind. Should I inform Parliment, or send out wedding invitations."

"How dare you. I know nothing yet. You cannot prove that she is NOT a Renaldi heir."

"Nor can you prove she is. The best you can do is prove she may be a Renaldi. Do you think Parliament will approve of a girl who may be an heir, Clarisse?"

She knew he was right. She had to prove without a doubt that Amelia was a Renaldi.

"I need time."
"You don't have it. I expect you to come to me when you return home. You will come willfully Clarisse." He stressed those last words, making them last as long as he could. He was enojoying this immensly. A smile cursed his face as he dreamed of his wedding night.

Clarisse couldn't take anymore. She hung up the phone, almost losing her composure. The sickness in her stomach returned at the thought of marrying Mabrey. She layed her head on her desk, clutched her stomach, and willed the feeling to subside.

Viscount Mabrey laughed as he heard the phone click. She would have to come now. He had lusted after her for too long. He had hated Rupert for having her, and now that damn security guard. Yes, Clarisse Renaldi belonged to him now.

Charlotte found her. She said not a word, but instead chose to get her help first. She ran into her office, dialed Joseph, and told him of her state. He began moving and was at her door before Charlotte finished.

He shut the door behind him. "Clarisse? Clarisse darling, are you alright?"

She lifted her head as he kneeled beside her. "Yes, yes I'm fine."

"Clarisse, you are not. Now, I'm having Charlotte call a doctor. You can tell me before he gets here, or when he gets here. Either way, you are not keeping this to yourself."

"Joseph, no, I'm alright."

"Clarisse tell me." His voice was loud and harsh this time. He was tired of her charade. He was worried too. "Trust me, Clarisse, please, just trust me."

"Joseph, please take me to lie down. I'll tell you then, but please I need to lie down first."

He shook his head as he helped her stand. She was pale and sweaty. She clutched her stomach and tried to walk. Seeing how slow she was moving, Joseph picked her up. She didn't complain, just layed her head on his shoulder as he carried her to her room.

Charlotte followed and helped Joseph put her to bed. "There is a physician we use here that I have contacted, and he will be on his way shortly, Joseph," Charlotte answered to Joseph this time. "Is there something else I can do?"

"Clarisse, can we get you anything?"

"No, I don't want anything."

"Then I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

"No, Charlotte, please stay. I need to tell both of you something. You need to know what is going on. I need help. Right now I feel so bad I can't do anything."

Clarisse spoke softly to her two most important aides. She was feeling awful, a dull burning pain in her body. Still she filled in Joseph and Charlotte of the situation. They reviewed all aspects of questions and answers while awaiting the doctor. Clarisse admitted to herself that she felt a little better now. At least she didn't have to hide this from him any longer. He would help her, she knew that. She should have told him the day she found out herself. She made a mental note to require her head of security to be present at any and all meetings with her, if possible, from now on.

Clarisse had asked them to stay while the doctor examined her. She felt so badly she couldn't even put up a good fight with him. Joseph was a little embarrassed, which Clarisse quickly reminded him that he had seen her before on several occasions. Now was no different. Charlotte was worried. She said little, just held her hand.

"Normally I would require my patient to have some tests done to confirm my diagnosis. However, this being a special case, I don't think you need to. I am almost 100 sure that you are suffering from ulcers, Your Majesty. Nasty little sores that an overproduction of stomach acid causes. Commonly it's a direct response your body has when you're worried or stressed, or in some cases have bad eating habits. Ulcers occur as a long-term result. Rarely it has other causes, but I see no signs or symptoms of other diseases or illness. Now, I'm going to prescribe two types of medication for you, and I'm giving you enough for one month. I want you to see your regular physician once you get back to Genovia. If this medication does not help or you have problems with it, please let me know. There are other medications you can try. Do you have any questions?"

"Is it serious?"

"Not if you take this as the warning sign it is. You have to control stressful situations. Now I know that may sound next to impossible for you, but you have to do it. Talk with your doctor. He knows more about you than I."

"Thank you."

Charlotte walked the good doctor out, making sure he was well taken care of for his promt attention to Her Majesty. Charlotte asked a few minor questions about her, to make sure she knew what her Queen needed and did not need. Still she was worried. Clarisse had never had a medical complaint before. It's true, she had headaches and colds, and even had the flu a few times, but nothing like this. Clarisse was so careful and good to her body. Charlotte sighed as she realized that their are things one cannot control as much as they would like to.

Joseph sat with her. "Feeling any better?"

"Yes. I'm not sure if it's from the medication, or if it's because I finally told you what was going on. Joseph, if it's possible, I want you in any and all meetings with me from now on. We can always declare security issues. No one will question it."

He nodded his head in agreement. It was about time she trusted him totally. "I think that is a very good idea Clarisse. If I am not available, would Charlotte do?"

"Yes, yes very much. I want someone I can trustin them with me."

"Good, I'll speak with her about it. Right now, how about you take a nap. I'll speak with Charlotte, and then I'm going to do a little research of my own and see what I can come up with. We don't have much time here, we leave tomorrow afternoon."

"Joseph, be careful. I don't know what Mabrey is up to, if anything."

"I'll be fine, you know that. Doctor's orders were to not worry, Clarisse."

She smiled a little as he kissed her cheek. He held her hand until it would reach no further as he walked away.