I would also like to make an apology to Fran330 and any others that may have been disturbed by the rape scene at the start of chapter 1. Unfortunately it wasn't a scene that I could just have someone 'mentioning' or 'remembering' for that would involve describing the character in too much detail. That would give something away, and also, I wanted it from the woman's point of view. So, I truly apologise for any discomfort or pain I might have caused anyone. Please forgive me, I will change things like that in future.
ONE LAST COMMENT – Be careful when making assumptions. After all (as the saying goes) when you ASSUME it makes an ASS out of U and ME.
Chapter 3 - A Night of Torture, A Lifetime of Suffering
The past carries on…
The woman walked with her head bowed, pulling the scarf tighter around her head. She didn't want to be recognised here; it would be too dangerous.
If she could just get in to see the doctor and then out again without being seen, she would be fine. Fine, except for the one great burden growing inside of her. If only she had the courage to get an abortion! But she couldn't. She couldn't destroy the life within her that had no choice of being there; it wasn't at fault for what had happened. For all she knew, the child could grow to be very important in society. The child might even find the cure for cancer or something! She had to give the child a chance at life. Whether she was a part of it or not.
No, she wouldn't get an abortion. She would carry out this pregnancy with the highest of secrecy until the child was born.
The woman froze in her tracks.
'Then what?' she thought to herself. What would she do with the child? She couldn't keep it; she had known that from the start. Besides how could she bring up a child that came from such torture? Every time she would look at the child she would be reminded of how it had happened…
Hurrying on before someone noticed her, the woman closed in on her destination. She was sure that when the time came, she would know what to do.
Little did she know that the decision would be much, much harder when the time came.
Back to the present…Joseph was once again strolling down the corridors, whistling a cheerful tune.
The palace staff didn't realise that it was his growing relationship with Clarisse that kept their Head of Security in such high spirits. A few had a slight idea that there was more to the relationship between their Queen and her Head of Security. They had no solid evidence however, so it remained nothing more than a small rumour.
As Joseph moved closer to the door to Her Majesty's office, he could make out soft voices emerging. He could make out two of them but the third was unrecognisable.
Knocking quietly, Joseph waited to be given request to enter. He didn't have to wait long before Charlotte opened the door from the inside. She barely acknowledged his presence before turning around and rejoining the conversation with Clarisse and an elderly man Joseph had never met.
"Ah Joseph" Clarisse said, finally noting he had entered, "I would like you to meet Dr Fitzgerald. He is a private doctor here in Genovia and Charlotte has asked him here for me to make enquiries about her birth. You do remember what we spoke about?"
"Yes, Your Majesty" Joseph bowed his head slightly before turning to the doctor.
"Dr Fitzgerald" Joseph nodded in greeting.
"Dr Fitzgerald, Joseph is my Head of Security and confidant in matters such as these" Clarisse explained, clearly showing she trusted this man entirely.
"Charlotte I hope you don't mind that I informed Joseph of your…situation" Clarisse explained apologetically.
"Of course, Your Majesty" Charlotte nodded, understanding immediately.
"Dr? Do continue" Clarisse prompted.
"Well as I was saying, I cannot tell you anymore until I refer to my patient records. There may not be anything helpful at all, which you may have to accept" the doctor concluded, looking at Charlotte.
"Well anything you can do will be greatly appreciated" Clarisse smiled.
"But tell me, what is your date of birth Ms Charlotte? I will need to know in order to make a proper search" the doctor inquired, pulling out a pen and sheet of paper to take notes.
Joseph was watching all three with interest during this interaction, as they all seemed slightly uncomfortable. It was something he felt upon entering the room.
Clarisse appeared to be avoiding eye contact with the doctor while Charlotte seemed to be shifting on her feet nervously. The doctor himself kept making concerned glances at Clarisse while trying to appear cheerful to Charlotte. Something wasn't right with this situation but Joseph couldn't put his finger on it.
"My date of birth was the seventh of July 1967. Well…that is as far as I know" Charlotte informed the doctor.
Clarisse's eyes widened as if in shock by this information and her eyes immediately snapped to those of the doctors who, for a change, seemed to be purposely avoiding hers. The moment passed and Clarisse was once again looking at Charlotte with interest as if her previous reaction had been non existent. Joseph began to doubt whether he himself had even witnessed it, as Charlotte didn't seem to have noticed.
"Well if that is all then? I'm afraid my documents don't sign themselves" Clarisse chuckled lightly, trying to dismiss the meeting.
"Yes Your Majesty, that is all I need. I shall get back to you once I have more information" the doctor finally made eye contact with Clarisse and there was a moment of silence as their eyes locked briefly.
'What is going on here?' Joseph thought to himself, utterly confused at the exchanges between the doctor and his Queen.
"Of course" Clarisse seemed to recover first, "I shall escort you out to your car".
"Why thank you Your Majesty" the doctor bowed politely.
Joseph opened the door for Clarisse and the doctor to walk through. He waited for Charlotte but she seemed lost in thought as she stared out the window, so Joseph followed Dr Fitzgerald and Clarisse at a respectable distance.
They all walked in silence down the corridor before reaching the outside door. The guards opened the double doors, permitting them all outside into the sunshine.
Joseph stopped atop the stairs while Clarisse walked down to the car with the doctor. She turned to face him and said something while the doctor fiddled with his keys. Joseph found he was out of ear shot so watched their interaction instead.
The doctor finally looked Clarisse in the eyes, replying to her with a sad smile. Clarisse then said something back, almost pleading with her hands stretched out to him. The doctor placed his own hand upon her clasped hands, speaking with an earnest expression. Clarisse seemed to be relieved by what ever he said and dropped her hands, stepping back so the doctor could get into his car.
Once seated, the doctor said a final good bye before closing his door and driving off.
Clarisse remained where she was for a moment, before turning back towards the palace and Joseph.
Walking forward to meet her as she approached, Joseph offered his arm. Taking it in her own, they walked inside. Joseph instantly felt Clarisse relax as they made their way back to her office.
They had moved in silence along the corridors. Clarisse deep in thought while Joseph felt it would be too rude to interrupt. But as they approached her office, Joseph could no longer hide his curiosity.
"If you don't mind me asking…What was that about?" Joseph questioned, jerking his head towards where they had just come from.
Clarisse stopped, sighed deeply, then turned to face Joseph.
"We were just discussing a previous incident with my family that Dr Fitzgerald was involved in" Clarisse stated, looking saddened by the statement.
"That was all?" Joseph asked before he could help himself, "It just seemed to be more…" he tried to amend his outburst.
"Well it wasn't. That is all" Clarisse said curtly, eyes flashing in warning.
"You just seemed to react rather dramatically to Charlotte's birth date – " Joseph started to explain himself.
"Well, if you must know, it was on that exact day that my sister died from a rather long illness. I reacted dramatically because I wasn't there when she died, even though she asked for me" Clarisse explained rather angrily, clearly upset with the conversation.
"Anything you would like to tell me?" Joseph offered, knowing he had somehow over stepped a line.
"No!" Clarisse snapped, clearly annoyed but instantly calming slightly.
"It is personal. There is nothing I wish to inform you of, so if you will excuse me" Clarisse turned abruptly and walked into her office, instantly giving the startled Charlotte orders.
Somehow Joseph knew Clarisse wasn't playing this time…
A.N – Well how was that chapter? Getting better? Worse? Or just moving along nicely? Hahaha more questions for you all now! Just when you thought you might be getting answers! Do review and inform me of all your thoughts! Annette-Rose
PS – I will thank all reviewers personally at the end of this story. I should hopefully have more time then! Thanks!