Chapter 6

Maurice ran through the garden. She loved watching him run and play. He often did in the flowers, but they were soon to revitalize. She didn't mind Maurice, although anyone else would have to answer to a very angry Queen.

She loved the mornings, dew still showing on her roses. The smell was devine. It had been over a week, and still no word. She had kept busy, hoping it would ease the time away a little quicker. Joseph had kept her occupied as well. She smiled at the thought of him, and of his kisses the night before. They had gone quite far this time, but managed to stop and bid each other a proper good night. It wasn't what she wanted. She was a mature widow, and she wanted nothing more than to make love to him. Being Queen, it wasn't that simple. She had a public to think about. They were her first priority. They would be until she handed the crown over to...What was she thinking? She didn't even know for sure yet. Amelia. For the first time in the past week, Clarisse had thought of the Viscounts offer. He had not spoken a word of this to Parliament yet, but she was sure her luck would run out soon. She could still have an heir, even if it was a lie. Anyone would be better suited to the crown than the Von Trokkens.

Viscount Mabrey stared in the mirror, straightening his tie. Today was the day he would approach her for the final time. His messenger had left just a few moments ago with an invitation to his Queen. He wanted her on his turf today. He had more control at his own home than at the palace. Here he could evade her bodyguard for a few minutes. Just a few more matters to settle before she would arrive. He could hardly contain himself. He picked up the reciever and dialed the private number.

"Yes, Mabrey here. How are things going?"

"The testing is actually in it's final stages sir."

"I don't care about the testing, I want to know if you switched the vials you damn fool."

"Yes sir. I took care of that first thing."

"Then we already know the results. Good work."

"But sir, I think there's something you should know."

"It better be important."

"Yes sir. A good friend of mine, he works in a private lab. He told me last night that they were working on a very important DNA sample. He said he didn't know much of the details, but he did know that the blood sample belonged to an actual Queen."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Good job. You'll recieve a hearty bonus for this young man. First, can you switch the results there as well?"

"Yes sir, I believe I can. I do have access."
"Very well. Take care of it. Then I want you to try and find out if any other labs have it as well."

"Yes sir, right away."

"I'll have someone scout out the labs over here, you just take care of the west coast."

Mabrey shut off the phone. He wasn't entirely pleased, but it was nothing he couldn't have taken care of. He should have suspected that she would have not trusted the results from just one place. No, she was smarter than that.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. How are you this morning?" Joseph peaked in her office door.

"Oh Joseph, good morning. I was fine until this arrived." Clarisse held up a paper for Joseph to take a look at.

"He has some nerve," Joseph said as he scanned the Viscounts invitation to Clarisse.

"I have to go. I don't have a choice, Joseph." She looked at Joseph, hoping beyond all reason that he had some other alternative.

"I wish I knew what he was up to, but as of right now, I have nothing Clarisse. I'm sorry. All we can do is wait for the results of the testing. You know I will not allow you to go alone." Clarisse hung her head. She had been in difficult situations before, but this was one of the worst to memory.

"Joseph...ah," she let out a sigh and resigned.

"I know, Your Majesty."

Queen Clarisse Renaldi of Genovia sat in back of the limo, accompanied by her personal aide, Charlotte, her head of security, Joseph, and his second in command, Shades. Joseph knew that being away from the palace made the Queen nervous, espically when she was to be meeting with a rather nasty member of Parliament. The invitation suggested that they meet alone, none to Joseph's liking. He would be close, as would Shades and Charlotte, he would make sure of it.

"Charlotte, please continue."

"Of course. Prime Minister Motaz called this morning. I took the liberty of letting him know that you were meeting with the Viscount, I hope you don't mind."

"No, no, that was probably a good idea, thank you."

"He suggested he may be able to cut your meeting with him short, if you like. Just give one of us the word, and we'll have him interrupt."

"Very good. In that case, be waiting and listening please. I don't know how much of this I can stand."

"This afternoon you have a conference call scheduled with the English Prime Minister. You also have three amendments to go over before Parliament session in the morning. Also, Your Majesty, you recieved a letter from the States, from Helen Thermopolis."

"I'd like to read that as soon as I get back Charlotte."

"It's on your desk."

"Excuse me, but we're here Your Majesty." Clarisse took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. She had taken her medication before leaving the palace this morning, hoping to prevent any serious illness. The door opened as the limo came to a halt, and a rather tall man offered his hand. Clarisse refused and simply waited for Joseph, which she knew would come to escort her. Clarisse had made one point already, for which she was proud. She knew he would be watching her, even now as she made her way out the limo and into his home.

She was led inside. Even his home felt cold. She glanced at Joseph, Shades, and Charlotte. As she nodded to them to stay behind, she felt very uneasy. They were there, close by, and Joseph would check on her, as would Charlotte, often enough.

Mabrey made his way to the door to welcome her. He took her arm and seated her, admiring how wonderful she looked.

"I have been looking forward to seeing you Clarisse."

"I'm sorry I cannot say the same."
"Let's get right to the point shall we. Parliament convenes tomorrow morning, as we both know. I plan on announcing the lack of an heir on the Renaldi family tree."

"Mabrey, you don't know that for sure, I don't know that!"

"You cannnot prove to them you have one Clarisse."

"The test results should be here in a matter of days Mabrey. There's no reason to bring this up tomorrow."

"Why Clarisse, how else can I convince you to marry me? Besides, I have a very good feeling that this girl is not your granddaughter. However I will overlook that, being you will be teaching her and training her, all for a simple 'I do' from you." Mabrey slipped next to her, as if that would help her to decide. "I know a number of people who could lay claim to the throne Clarisse. Is that what you want?"

"You know it isn't."

"Then all you have to do is say 'yes'."

"Mabrey, you know I would do anything for my country," Clarisse thought seriously now. "I want to know the results first, you can understand that."

"Yes, but it doesn't change the facts. If I announce this tomorrow, your son will be a disgrace in the eyes of his country. He was going to lay claim to this girl as his own, a true blood relative. It wouldn't make any difference what the testing proved then Clarisse. There would be questions as to the honesty of your family. You know how that would make you look. Severalof us already suspect your head of security fathered your sons. How long do you think it would take the Von Trokkens to challenge you for the throne with that as a weapon?"

Clarisse tried to breathe slowly, taking it one moment at a time. He was using this against her one way or another. She began to feel sick, trying to concentrate on something other than the slight burning in her stomach.

"You would do that? That is a damn lie! Those boys belonged to Rupert. And you would force me to marry you?"

"Force is such a strong word, Clarisse. Let's say I'm just helping you to make a decision that would profit you greatly, not to mention the citizens of our country. I'm merely doing my duty to my country."

Mabrey ran his hand down her thigh. She felt squeamish at his touch. How would she feel if she had to actually be his wife?

"Beautiful Clarisse, marrying me cannot be that bad, I assure you. You will be taken care of. After all, you were made to marry Rupert, so this kind of marriage is something you are use to." He stood up, walked over and poured himself a drink. "Tonight Clarisse, I expect you to come to me tonight as a promise that you will marry me. You will come to me willfully and give yourself to me freely." He held up his glass to her, then drank.

"Excuse me sir," a maid interrupted, "Prime Minister Motaz is on the phone for you."

"Oh, very well." He sat down his glass and walked over to her. "I believe enough has been said. Tonight, love, tonight we shall be together."

"You really make me sick, Mabrey."

"Oh now Clarisse, I can make you better. I trust you will do the right thing. I'll expect you anytime after 9."

She walked out, or rather half ran. She was angry and upset, and her stomach was lit with a small fire. Joseph was there at the door waiting for her. Charlotte and Shades had already settled themselves in the limo. Clarisse got in, laying her hand on Charlotte as a 'thank you' for getting her out of there. Charlotte just gave her a slight smile until her face turned worried.

"You heard him?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."
"All of it?"

"Yes, Joseph and I were able to stand right outside the door from you."
"I can't go through with that. I can't marry him."

"NO YOU WILL NOT!" Joseph no longer sat silent. His words were loud and clear. He was angry. She knew it was all he could do to hold himself back. "I don't know what he's up to, but you will stay away from him from now on." It was him giving her commands this time. No one could do that but him. Clarisse sat, wishing she knew the truth.

The few minutes of rest had made her feel some better. She had drank a cup of tea with her medication, and now sat behind her desk. The letter from Helen was on top, and she opened it first. She sat back, relaxing on the soft leather. She had never gotten a letter from Helen before. She didn't really know what to expect. She took the time to read through it slowly, gathering anything and everything she could about this girl, Amelia.

"Your Majesty?"

"It's the letter from Helen. She's anxious to know the outcome of this mess herself."

"I can understand that." Joseph sat across from her.

"She said Mia gave her the first degree about having her blood taken,apparently she's afraid of needles. She wanted to know why it had to be done. I guess any explanation coming from a doctor is a good excuse."

"I could say that she is very much like someone else I know."

"Oh Joseph, I hope so. The results should be here any day now. Are you sure we can trust them?"

"I don't know what to say Clarisse. I'm hoping we can at least trust one of them."

"Helen says that if this does work out, if Mia is my granddaughter, she would like for us to meet soon. I hope she understands that Mia will always be taken care of, reguardless of who her father was."

Joseph nodded. He sat and watched this beautiful woman across from him. He hated to see her worry and afraid. She didn't show this side of her often. He had seen it many times though. She shared her true self with him. He loved her for it.

Clarisse laid on her bed, tears spilling on her pillow. She had finished her work early, and retired to her suite. Walking in, it was then she saw him. He was there, on the wall in front of her. He had been her best friend for so long. She remember his voice, his laugh, and most of all his always kept his promises to her. Never once did he vary in them. It was she who was not keeping hers. She had promised him, that very day he slipped away, that she would make sure the throne was secure. Rupert had understood his son's wants, for he too didn't want to be King. It was something that grew on him as he aged. It fit him. He knew that it would fit Philip as well. It would take time. He had asked of her only one thing, that she make sure the crown stayed in the Renaldi family. It plagued her now like the fire in her stomach.

His picture lay beside her now, a smaller one of him, their whole family. The boys were small then, but standing proud with them. He was close beside her, as he had always been. She had given him her whole life, and now she was backing out. It was a waste. Her whole life had been a waste. Mabrey was going to see to it that she lost. If she could not do the one thing that Rupert had asked of her, what made her think she could make Joseph happy? Who was to say that she would not let him down also? She could not imagine hurting him as well. She would end up being a disappointment to both of them, Rupert and Joseph. Her best friend, and her only true love.

Joseph was making one last round outside before he ate dinner. The sun was lowering in the west, making a beautiful orange glow across the horizon. As he neared the palace doors, Clarisse stepped out. Her eyes were soft and warm, and the soft white of her robe glimmered in the last of the sunlight.

"Hello darling." He smiled at her.

She said nothing, reaching her hand out for his. He took it. She turned to walk inside, and was followed by him. Clarisse led him up the stairs and down the main hallway. She varied in her course, and to Joseph's surprise headed toward his door. She opened it for him, pulled him in, and closed the door, locking it securily behind her.

"Clarisse?"

"Shhh. Just love me."

She stepped toward him, into his arms. His lips were soon branding her skin, from behind her ear to the hollow of her neck. He smoothed her robe over her hips with his hands. Clarisse let two tears fall as he continued his assault on her. Her hands fiddled with the tie, and shelet the robe fall open for him.

He stood back, very still, and looked at her. His eyes were dark and full of lust. Her body was simply made for him. His fingers trailed down her arm, easily slipping the robe off her shoulder. He tugged the other side down, letting it hang on the arm of a nearby chair. Joseph quickly moved beside her and scooped her up into his arms. She held around his neck as he carried her to bed.

The whole world stopped as they made love. Clarisse had never felt so much a woman before, and Joseph, Joseph had never held such a woman before. He even doubted his skills, not sure if he could love her good enough, or as much as she deserved. There in his room, with the last light of day shining through the drapes, he gave her all he had.

Over an hour later, Clarisse slipped out of his bed. She pulled the blanket over him, and gently kissed his forehead as he lay sleeping. She found her robe, but before she put it on, she found a small letter tucked away in its pocket. Clarisse left the letter on his bedside table, sure he would see it in the morning. After robing, she took one last look at him sleeping, wiped the tears from her face, and left.

"Marvin, take me to Viscount Mabrey's, please." Clarisse said as she slipped into the back seat of her limo. She had called for it only minutes ago, after showering and dressing.

"You may drop me off there, and come back to the palace. I'll call if I need a ride home."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"One more thing, no one need know where I am, understood?"

"Yes, m'am. Not a word."

The note on the desk addressed to Charlotte explained where she was. Charlotte would, no doubt, be the first one to miss her in the morning. Except for maybe Joseph. Joseph would awake early and miss her. All hope she had left inside her body went to Joseph understanding her choice. He would be hurt, but better now than later. She couldn't waste any more of his life too. It wasn't fair to him. She had made the right choice in loving him this evening. It would be there for both of them when they needed it. Right now she let what she hoped would be the last of the tears to fall. Then she would become Queen Clarisse Renaldi once again. She would take care of her country, she would have an heir to the crown. Her life would not be a waste. If she had to marry Mabrey to do that, then so be it.