A.N. – Wow! I am so loving writing this story! I'm so excited about these next few chapters! Remember that this one is from Charlotte's point of view.
Disclaimer - don't own it so don't blame me for having fun playing with the story line!
Recommended activity for the week: Have a sleep over out under the stars. If you think it's fun with your family, try it with your friends! Best time is when the sky is clear but it's more invigorating when there are some clouds because you never know when it's going to rain!
Warning: you will get almost no sleep so make sure you have plenty of good food to eat and go to bed early for the week leading up to it. Also, don't fall asleep later on the next morning or you will wake up badly sunburnt!
Chapter 10 – A Night of Torture, A Lifetime of SufferingThe palace was buzzing with activity. Charlotte had never seen so many people excited about having a visitor, let alone the staff of the Genovian palace. They all usually hated having guests for they would be bossed around and treated badly by the visiting well-to-do person. Prince Pierre was clearly different.
The older members of the staff were all swapping stories of his gentleman behaviour, and the ones who had been there since his birth, how much of a sweet boy he had been. All their wonderful stories excited Charlotte more than she could have imagined. She couldn't wait to meet this wonderful man!
The prince would be arriving any minute so Charlotte was in Her Majesties office waiting with her. By just watching Clarisse, Charlotte could tell she was excited. The Queen was pacing the room and constantly looking out the window to the drive below.
Finally Queen Clarisse turned to Charlotte with a determined look.
"Charlotte, let us go and wait for Pierre outside. I think the fresh air will do me some good" Clarisse said, her mind made up.
"Of course, Your Majesty" Charlotte said, as Joseph opened the door and they filed out.
Walking down the corridor to the front entrance, Charlotte found it difficult to keep up with Her Majesty without running. She shared an amused look with Joseph at this as they almost 'cantered' down the steps outside. Joseph was clearly worried the Queen would fall as he drew a little closer to her from behind.
Coming to a halt at the drive, Charlotte's heart almost skipped a beat when she saw the approaching limousine. They had brought the prince from the airport to the palace without any difficulties so had arrived successfully.
The limousine pulled up and stopped in front of Her Majesty. Clarisse began to make her way to the side door when it opened and out stepped…
The driver? And the security guard?
By the looks on their faces, Charlotte could tell they were not expecting to be greeted by the Queen herself. Quite the opposite she thought.
Laughter erupted in the crowd now gathered outside the palace as the Prince emerged from the driver's seat. This was clearly not expected and for a moment Charlotte thought Queen Clarisse was going to reprimand her son.
But that moment passed and Clarisse began to chuckle lightly as she shook her head at her approaching son. The look they shared was clearly that of amusement.
"Pierre, you never cease to surprise me" Clarisse said lovingly as she accepted her sons kiss on her cheek.
"I do try mother, and besides, your staff looked so stressed that I suggested they have the relaxed drive in the back with all the unnecessary luxuries. I didn't need to so I offered to drive them for a change. It was a wonderful experience!" Pierre beamed, looking over at the driver being reprimanded by Joseph.
Clarisse just shook her head with amazement, laughing lightly again. Pierre was looking at Joseph now, making his way over to him.
"Joe old man, don't be hard on the man. It wasn't his idea to let me drive. He was actually rather reluctant but you know how convincing I am" Pierre said, addressing Joseph.
"Old man?" Joseph asked, lifting an eyebrow with his usual serious, straight features.
Pierre just laughed and slapped him across the shoulder before grasping his hand and shaking it politely.
"It's good to see you again, Prince Pierre" Joseph said, bowing his head slightly.
"Enough of the Prince business, I'm not a prince anymore so give it a rest!" Pierre laughed.
"Of course Pierre" Joseph said, eyes twinkling as he smiled.
Queen Clarisse was watching this interaction with quite an amused expression but also one of immense love. Charlotte knew Clarisse was overjoyed to be with her son again and by her reaction of his entrance, expecting such behaviour. Charlotte, on the other hand, had found it rather shocking. She was still trying to keep up with all the interactions happening around her and also trying to get a first impression of what the Prince was like to meet.
By now Pierre had linked his mother's hand around his arm and was about to walk up the steps when he made eye contact with Charlotte.
He froze in his steps and his smile vanished.
Queen Clarisse stopped and frowned at her son's behaviour before looking at where his eyes were staring. Her smile faltered slightly and a look of fear crossed her face that was barely noticeable. Charlotte saw it however, and it frightened her.
Clarisse recovered in an instant, back to her cheerful, smiling self.
"Pierre, I don't believe you have met my assistant Charlotte. She has only been working here at the palace for a couple of years" Clarisse introduced them politely.
At his mother's voice, Pierre seemed to snap back to reality. His face was once again graced by a gorgeous smile as he took Charlotte's hand in his.
"I do apologise Charlotte, but for a moment there I thought I had seen a ghost!" Pierre laughed, shaking his head at his own mistake.
"You see, you look almost identical to my late Aunt Marie, Mother's sister. She has been gone for some years but seeing you…Well, you are beauty to behold my dear" Pierre said with a flourish, lowering his lips to her hand.
"Thank you, Your Highness" Charlotte managed to choke out.
This revelation was a shock to Charlotte and she couldn't help suspecting the Queen to knowing more than she was letting on. It was such things as this and the way that Queen Clarisse kept avoiding her gaze. Perhaps Pierre could help her…
"Just call me Pierre, Charlotte" he said with a grin as he once again turned to his mother, linking arms and making his way inside.
Charlotte stood there a moment, shocked by all that had happened in such a short time. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts that she couldn't even begin to understand. She had obviously stood there for some time for when she looked up, Joseph was approaching her and all others had gone.
"Are you alright Charlotte?" Joseph asked, his face full of concern.
"Y-yes" She stammered, allowing herself to be lead inside by Joseph.
'What just happened?' Charlotte kept asking herself as she walked in stunned silence through the palace with Joseph's firm grip on her arm.
She couldn't even begin to imagine.
A.N. – Well, well, well…looks like Pierre let something slip that shouldn't have been known by our dear Charlotte. What will Charlotte make of this information? Read on to find out more…