Part 3

Meanwhile, back at the palace...

It had now been 24 hours since her disappearance. King Rupert growled like a lion as he tried to work. "Incompetent, they are all incompetent. They can't even keep up with a woman."

"Excuse me sire," an aide interrupted, "but you have an urgent letter here."

"Very well. Inform my head of security that I'd like a conference as soon as possible"

"Yes Your Majesty."

He looked over the envelope, plainly addressed to him, and him only. He tore it open and leaned into his chair, expecting a long and boring proposal. As his eyes scanned the words he sat erect. "They've took her." He read on, not knowing who the 'they' were. Just another unhappy group, someone who is quite disappointed in something he did or didn't do. It was common. He didn't even try to please everyone. He did what he thought best, after all, he was King. He had royal blood. He was born to rule. How could anyone question his ability.

At the same time Rupert was reading, his head of security was breaking the nose of one of the guards who was responsible for gate keeping. Even before the sun began to break, two guards approached and confessed to being paid off.

"All we had to do was open the gates and keep quiet."

"You've said enough. I can't believe men like you work here for royality." He tried to keep his cool, but faultered when the young man again opened his mouth. Before he could get another word out, he found himself on the floor with his nose broke.

"Pick yourself up and follow me, we have to see the King. You can carry yourselves there, or I can drag you, it's up to you."

"This letter arrived this morning," he handed the paper over to his head of security. "Do either of you know who paid you or who's behind this? Speak NOW." His words were loud and cold.

"No sire, it was all done in writing. We got a note and cash, and that was it. We did see the car come and go, but we had no idea they had taken Her Majesty. Really, we had no idea."

"Usually when one pays a lump sum of cash they are up to no good, gentlemen. This is the palace of the King and Queen of Genovia. You realize that. You were hired to keep people out, unless they have direct permission to enter." Looking at his main security he spoke slowly, "Make sure these gentlemen have no free time for a long, long time. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good morning Clarisse."

"What is it?"

"Excuse me? What is what?"

"Your name. You said you'd tell me in the morning, and it's morning."

"You waste no time. No good morning or anything."

"So..."

"Is it really that important to you? I mean, should I really tell you my name, being your captor and all."

"You think you can't trust me. I thought we had gotten someplace last night."

"Where would that have been Clarisse? We are still in the same position as yesterday."

"I did allow you to call me Clarisse." A slight smile escaped her and his poise melted. They had gotten someplace. He had thought about her all night. As much as he had tried to deny it, it was she that held him captive. He stood and faced her. She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

"Clarisse...I..."

"Don't. It doesn't matter." She leaned toward him, and placed a small kiss on his cheek.

"But we have to talk about this."

"You're name?"

"No, about our current situation. You do remember, do you not?"
"Yes of course. It's just...just that I'm not sure what our situation is anymore. I've thought about you all night. I'm not afraid of you, and I know you will not hurt me. If you want the truth, then I'll tell you. I am enjoying being away from the palace, from my husband, from the centre of the public where I am expected to be proper at all times, and at all cost. I like being here with you." She ran her hand down his cheek.

"Clarisse, I love having you here with me, but you don't belong. As much as I hate to say it, you must go back. You know that. You said yourself you love being Queen of Genovia."

She hung her head and shed the tears she didn't know she was trying to hold back. He pulled her to him, close, then closer. Then with a whisper he added, "My God, I'm in love with you."

The headlines of the Genovian Times made his face turn red. "How did they get wind of this?"

"The press has their connections, you know that sire."

"That woman is going to be the death of me."

"Sire, we know she didn't run off again."

"I know, I know. Somehow I believe that if she wasn't taken, she would have."

"As your head of security, I suggest you play along with these people for now. Obviously they mean business. We do not know if they intend on harming her, sire."

"I don't want her hurt. I mean, you know we don't get along, but I don't want anyone hurting her. She is Queen, and a good one when it comes down to it. She's beautiful, intelligent, not to mention clever. I just don't understand why she cannot be content here. She has everything a woman could want. Any other woman would be. No, not Clarisse. She has to fight me on everything."

"Begging your pardon, but we must concentrate on the situation sire."

"Yes, yes of course."

They continued to read over yet another letter that had arrived at the palace.

"Money isn't a problem. If that's all they want..."

"What is this line about 'cargo'?"

"It's nothing, nothing really."

"I am your head of security, you have to let me know everything."

"It's a shipment of weapons I believe they are referring to. They were confiscated several months ago from a cargo hold of a ship in port. In order to keep our peace treaties with neighboring countries, we cannot keep a substantial amount such as was found. In order to keep this under wraps, Parliament agreed that I would find a buyer and get rid of it. It was the easiest and best solution, and we in turn would make a profit."

"And did you?"

"No. I could not find anyone I trusted enough to keep this quiet. So, I had the shipment moved and hidden, and told Parliament it was taken care of. After all, Genovia deserves to be well protected also. I mean, look at what has happened."
"Look at what caused it, your majesty."

"Yes, yes I see your point." For the first time in his reign, King Rupert doubted himself. He knew he could have had it destroyed, but instead he chose the route so often taken by the greedy. Now the greedy had taken his wife. He knew, reguardless of his feelings toward her, he had to do everything to get her back, and back safely.