Chapter 4

Joseph shook his head as he shut her door. There was so much to be done, and so little time. He was greatly surprised at what Philip had done. He had always been such an open person. Then again, Joseph knew of no one who didn't carry a secret of some kind. He knew he did, as did Her Majesty. Why was it so hard to believe in someone else's? He left her to rest as he set off to do some investigating.

"Joseph, where have you been?"
"I see you're feeling better?"
"Oh, yes I'm fine. I could have done with knowing where you were all afternoon."

"I have tracked down the professor who raped Helen. Apparently he is very ill, in a nursing home in Denver, Colorado. Now the doctor I spoke with said it would take about three weeks to do DNA testing. We can at least prove if she belongs to him, or not. There can also be testing done to compare you and Amelia. If she is your granddaughter, Clarisse, your DNA will be a very close match, up to a certain percent."

"How did you find him?"
"It wasn't hard, really. I just pulled a few strings, and was allowed to take a look of the police report filed. Then I tracked the man, starting at the college. They were able to tell me where he last held a position. From then, it was a little bit more difficult, but I found records of where property was sold belonging to him. It was recorded, of course, and that the benefactor was the nursing home."

"Oh Joseph, I could just kiss you!"

Joseph blushed at the thought. He smiled at her, and was grateful he could do anything at all for her. Still they had a way to go before all this would be settled.

"Well, Your Majesty, I think that would be a very appropriate 'thank you', although maybe you should ask Charlotte to leave. You know she embarrasses easily."

It was Clarisse who was embarrassed this time. Charlotte took her cue to leave, dismissing herself. Clarisse hardly noticed. She was eyeing Joseph. His eyes were bright as the light danced in them. She lost herself in them for a second, and when she was able to look at him fully again he was close. Pulling her up, he wrapped his arms around her. He was gentle as he carressed her over her clothing. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know if she wanted to say anything. She had never felt better than she did now, here, in his arms, wanting to kiss him. He slowly tilted his head, bringing his lips softly to hers. As he pressed against her, she slipped her arms around his waist and held him. It felt so right to be here.

"Oh Joseph."

"I had been wanting to do that for a long time now. It seemed I would never get the chance to."

She was lost in his eyes again. She loved him, she knew that, more than any man she had ever, or could ever. Yes, it was he who left her speechless. His thumbs ran along both of her cheeks now, gently rubbing her smooth skin. She leaned in to kiss one, then the other, still saying nothing. For him, she didn't have to.

Viscount Mabrey studied the man standing directly in front of him. He was suppose to be one of the best, or so he was told. He didn't look like much. His appearance was disheavaled, to say the least. Still, his face looked firm and his jaw was quite square, giving him an intelligent appearance. He hoped having to fly here was not going to be disappointing.

"You're sure now, you can handle this. I don't want any mistakes. DNA testing is a serious matter, and one that cannot be doubted. Make sure that testing is correct, and watch over it carefully. I want to know the results the very minute you do. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir. I'll call as soon as I finish with it. I'll work as fast as I can, I might can complete it in 2 weeks."

"Very good. You'll be highly rewarded. You're sure you can do the testing yourself?"
"Our facility is the closest, it makes sense to have it done there. I am one of only two who do the procedure. If the blood is sent to us, then I will get it done."
"Very well. Be sure to let me know when you recieve it. I want to make sure nothing goes wrong."

Clarisse sat erect, hopeful of the outcome of this testing. Ordinarily she never looked forward to needles. They were not her favorite item, nor was pain. She had went through enough of that lately. Still here she was, arm laid out, palm up, and tourniquet tied tight around her arm directly above her elbow. Not something she looked forward to when she woke this morning. The small girl doing such a delicate procedure looked to be no more than a teen. If the doctor trusted her, then so would Clarisse.

Joseph stood directly behind her. She reached around with her other hand and squeezed his as the tip of the needle slowly searched for her artery. It wasn't bad, it was the process that was scary. Still, she held onto Joseph, making sure no one but Charlotte saw her. The small girl released the tourniquet, which eased the pain in Clarisse's arm somewhat. Blood bubbled inside the tube, first one, then another. It was over quickly, too quickly for Clarisse. She had fallen into a daydream of Joseph, of his kiss. She was sorry she had to let go of his hand now.

"You Majesty, I'll send this to the lab today, as soon as possible. It will take time, you understand."
"Of course. Thank you for your help."

"This lab is the best on the west coast. If anyone can give this childs' face a name, then they can. I'll have the results sent directly to you, as well as my office at the same time. "

"That will be fine. Doctor, I can trust these results?"

"Yes. The lab is very well guarded, they do all kinds of testing there, espically for the government. If you like, we can arrange some of your guards as well?"
Clarisse looked at Joseph, then Charlotte. They both seemed to be saying the same thing to her, only silently. She was the only one who could read them.

"No, that won't be necessary. If you trust them, then so will I."

"Very well. Then good-bye, Your Majesty."

Joseph sat next to her as Charlotte escorted the medical staff out. He lifted her arm and placed a soft kiss over the band aid. Clarisse gave him a slight smile, still not satisfied that it would make it feel better. He moved his lips higher, from the inside of her elbow up to her shoulder, slowly climbing to her neck.

"Joseph, as much as I like this, Charlotte will be back any moment, not to mention that the door is open."

"Very well. I can't help myself Clarisse. You know that." He whispered those words to her. He was so loving with her.

"Later, love, I promise."

He smiled big at her words. "Clarisse, I know you're worried. Please try and relax. Let's see what the tests say first, and if it happens that she isn't the princess we want her to be, well then we'll figure something out. Maybe Pierre?"

"As much I would love to say so, but no. Not only would he disagree, but Joseph he wasn't meant to be King. I know that now. It wouldn't be fair for me to even think of putting him in that position."
"I understand, but sometimes one must do things for which we were not meant. You should consider talking to him at least, for now."

"I will."

"Good. Now, we have another appointment I believe. Let's not be late."

"A Queen is never late..."

"Nor is she ever early," he interrupted.
"Joseph!"

That was something she would not have taken from anyone else. No one could talk back to her like that, except for her trusted Joseph and Charlotte. They were more than employees and subjects to her. They were her friends and confidants.

He smiled at her, straightened himself up, and silently asked for her arm. She allowed him to escort her, as always. She felt good on his arm. She felt like a real woman.

As she sat back in the plush seat of the limo, she had time to think. This was where she did most of her thinking, truth be known. Joseph was always with her, and maybe Charlotte. She was comfortable here, and that allowed her to think out loud, something she couldn't do in her office at the consolate or at the palace, or any other place she may happen to find herself. Some of her best work had started as an idea in the back of a limo. Quite often the idea had not been her own, but of one of her closest companions. As she spoke out loud of expanding the idea, she could tell by their reactions what they thought. Joseph would lift his eyes to hers and nod. Charlotte's whole face would light up like a childs at Christmas. They were the best ones. The worst would get her a few moments of complete silence, or as long as she could stand it.

Today she found thinking hard. She was disappointed in her son, the one who she thought she could count on. Inwardly she was left with a hole where a granddaughter should be. Her only grandchild, Amelia. Although she had never met her, Clarisse had made her granddaughter to be just as she wanted her to be. From the time even before she was born, Clarisse had pictured the girl in wonderfully beautiful dresses, fit for the finest Princess in all the lands. Amelia had grew in her heart and mind. She pictured her granddaughter as she grew. It was easy to daydream about her. It was harder to actually know she was a real person, and one who Clarisse could not even look at from a distance. It was like a part of her had been left in San Fransisco, for someone else to take care of. It was a special part of her.

So today she found herself in tears in the back of her limo. She realized it was the first time she had really cried for her granddaughter since she was born. That was fourteen years ago. She remembered well the day she was born. How Philip had laughed and cried at the same time. It was then that she realized how much Philip really wanted her for a daughter. If he had his heart set on being a father to this child, then she would set her heart into always being a grandmother to her. If she was a Princess, then the angels in heaven would have brought her themselves. The Queen of Genovia would have an heir. If this girl was not a princess, Clarisse Renaldi would still have a grandchild. She could still love her, protect her, and take care of her the best she could. She wanted to know her.

Joseph let her shed the tears, giving her a hankerchief. He sat quietly next to her as they were driven back to the consolate. He ran a finger over the bandage on her arm. Even the slightest of wounds he wanted to carry for her. He knew she was probably making herself sick again. He dug out her medication, giving it to her as he poured her a glass of water. He watched as she somehow gulped it down while trying to subside the tears. She was never more beautiful, he thought to himself. Even now, with so much worry bearing down on her. Her eyes still sparkled, her skin glowed, and her gentle nature touched everyone she was near.