Part 9

Joseph had adjusted to palace life rather well. He enjoyed having all the little things taken care of for him. His only job was to look after her. He had been told by his new boss, Andre, that she was quite a handful. He already knew the spirit she possessed. What Andre didn't know was that Joseph could handle her. He snickered at the thought of Clarisse outsmarting the palace guards. Some people search their whole lives for the one person for them, or the one career they would not only love, but be good at. He had found both. He had no problem sticking to Clarisse like glue, and he was sure she rather enjoyed his company as well.

Time passed by, rather quickly, and it became easier for Joseph and Clarisse to hide their feelings. Often struggling for time alone, the couple spent all day, every day, in each others company. Rarely was one without the other. Joseph was given much respect for being able to tame Clarisse. He was often made fun of, and joked about, but they respected him.

He also won the respect of his King. He did his job well, and true to his word, Rupert made sure Joseph was well trained in every aspect of security. The palace guards also experienced change, much to their disliking. This meant they actually had to know what was going on at any given moment. Security equipment was updated, and every guard was required to report in every hour.

It had been five years since this decision to change his life. Two little boys ran along the stepping stones in the garden. Clarisse couldn't help but laugh at them, closely followed by Joseph. He would never admit to loving them, or any child. He didn't fool her. He followed them, knowing he would soon be needed to ease the pain of a skinned knee or elbow. Those boys loved him. He chased them through the flowers, stopping only to avoid the thorns of the roses. They splashed in the fountain, and a rather wet Joseph nodded to the nearby maids for help. They took his place, trying to subdue the little ones into going inside.

"Well, at least someone finds it funny."

Clarisse couldn't help but snicker. "I'm sorry. When I asked you to be my bodyguard, it didn't occur to me that you would be splashing in the fountains," she said laughing.

"Well, Your Majesty, I aim to please."

"Joseph, I don't know if I've told you, but I love having you here."

"Thank you," he said, still in his formal mode.

"I know it was a hard decision. I find it hard myself," she whispered as she looked around the garden to make sure they were alone.

He just nodded.

"Joseph, I have had Rupert's children, I have had all the children I can have. My duty is done. Rupert and I barely spend any time together at all, you know that." She looked at him seriously now. "Dear Joseph, I cannot be who you want me to be, nor who I want to be for you. I have little to offer you now, but I can give you one thing. "

"Clarisse?" He scanned the area for privacy, and pulled her in a small opening behind some tall hedges. Still lowering his voice, "What are you trying to say?"

"Joseph, dear Joseph, I love you. Would you do me the honor of being my lover?"

"My darling, I do love you, and am your lover, as close as I can be to you. Are you saying you want to have an affair?"

"It wouldn't be just an affair, Joseph. It would be a confirmation of our love. I'm not looking to have something that don't last or is fast. I could have sex with anyone, as could you. I want us to make love to each other Joseph. I want it to be a life-long love affair."

"You have thought about this?"

"Oh yes, for too long now. It's our time to be together, not openly, but we can be together."

"Then maybe I should show you my personal room?"

"I'd like that, no, I'd love that."

"Shhh," he tried to stop her giggling as he ushered her into his room. It was a good thing his door wasn't near anyone else's.

"I'm sorry, I'm just happy."

"You just like being sneaky."

"How did you know?"

"I have my sources, besides it's my job to know all about you."
"Yes it is, so you better get busy and find out some things."

He hushed her. His lips pressed lightly, but was soon forced into action by her. He felt her need, it was a great need. She squeezed her arms around him and moved her body seductively over his. He pulled away, looking her in the eyes. "Clarisse, we can't undo this decision. I want nothing more than to love you like this. Are you sure love, you can live like this?"

"Joseph, I promise you, this will be one decision I will never regret. When it comes to you, I have never regretted anything. I knew when I asked you to come here we would eventually be lovers, did you not?"

"I guess I did. I didn't admit it, but yes, I chose to be here with you because I knew I could get close to you, very close. I want it too. What about your husband, Clarisse?"

"This has nothing to do with him. I am still his wife, and will always be his Queen. I will take care of that. It's the only way."

"It's the only way now. One day Clarisse, one day you will be all mine, and I look forward to that."

"As do I. As the years pass, I want to look back and be able to say that I loved you the best I could have."

He looked at her, really looked at her. She was beautiful. Her smile was devine. Her voice could have been given by an angel. He held her close, and there in his room he chose to make love to her.

Her scent made him dizzy. Her soft skin was nothing but enticing. He covered her in soft kisses, trying to make time stand still. She needed him. She needed his kisses, his roaming hands, his hot breath on her skin. The want and need was too strong to put off. She pulled him close as he whispered, "Don't let me hurt you."

"Never, love, never."

He wanted to be so gentle with her. Her kiss urged him on. They rocked together, slowly, feeling how utterly perfect they fit together.

As she snuggled next to him and drifted off, he thought about his life. He wondered how he had gotten here from where he started. His mother often put things off on luck. His father chose a God to pray to. Joseph had made his own choices, and had gotten here with the help of only one person. Queen Clarisse Renaldi. His choices had reflected the will of a Queen. He wasn't about to admit that the rabbit's foot his mother gave him might have helped, nor that he prayed every day. All that mattered was he was here, next to her, for a lifetime, come what may.