Note: Two reviews already! Thank you so much guys. Aserene, thanks for the tip, but the time changes are intentionally confusing. Hopefully it will become more obvious what I tried to do as the story goes on. However, if it continues to not work, please let me know. Thanks again!
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"You are looking lovely tonight, my dear," Joseph said, coming up behind her.
She spun round, suddenly realising that she had been lost in thought in the middle of the ballroom, "Oh, thank you, Joseph. I was miles away."
"Yes, I noticed. Something on your mind?" he asked.
"No, I was just going over the final details," she explained, looking back to the clipboard in her hands.
"And is everything in order?"
She scanned the paper, "Yes, I think everything is ready."
"Good," he said, guiding her towards the door and removing the clipboard from her hands, "Now I want you to go to Mia and borrow something ridiculously expensive and sparkly to go with that dress. Tonight, you are a guest."
"But Joseph, the guests…"
"Charlotte, it is a party," he cut in, "The guests know what to do. Go to Mia. She is expecting you."
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"You wanted to see me, your majesty?"
"Ah, yes, thank you for coming. Sit down." Charlotte sat down nervously in front of the queen. She had been working at the palace for over five years now and had never before been called in for a meeting with the queen. Obviously, they were together much of the time now that Charlotte was her personal aide, but never in such a formal manner.
"Charlotte, I need to ask you to do something for me, but it is quite an unusual request and you are at liberty to refuse," Clarisse began from behind her large desk, "Pierre is going to be attending his first diplomatic dinner alone in Paris next week. Since he had now left the military, he is beginning to take up some of the royal duties."
"Yes, your majesty, I have already made travel arrangements for him, as per your requests."
"Oh, I know. That's why I'm asking you this and not anyone else. I know I can trust you. Charlotte, I would like you to accompany Pierre. He has never experienced the real Paris. It is one of my favourite places in the world and I know from our many conversations that it is one of yours too. You two are near enough the same age and I would like you to show him the city. I believe he is safe there without security. Nobody will recognise him. I feel it would benefit him to just relax for a couple of days," Clarisse leaned forward on the desk, "Would you like some time to think it over?"