Mia drifted back to sleep with Clarisse sitting close to her side. It was quite some time before Joe made it home; in fact it was getting dark out side. Clarisse began to worry whether he would make it home soon or not. She did not like him out at night, or anyone for that matter. Rupert had gone in the night; Philippe had crashed late at night. Pulling her self from those thoughts, she got up and went to look out the window, this particular one faced west and over the west end gardens which where quite beautiful actually as the sun set down upon them.

"Clarisse, I'm home. How is she?" Joe came up behind his wife resting his hands on her shoulders. Sighing she leaning into him, as he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Well she is sleeping for now. Is Nicholas here?" right down to business Joe thought.

"Yes he is in your office. I told him you needed to speak to him before he spoke with Mia." He felt her stiffen in his arms slightly.

"Good. Will you stay with her? I'' go speak with him now" turning to leave the room. Pulled him close for a moment, drinking in his scent. Embedding it into her memory

"Alright dear. Please be nice. He is in the same position as Mia… Heart broken, well and confused." He said softly. Clarisse kissed Joseph on the cheek and headed for her office.

oOo

Nick stood as she entered the room. She sat down behind her desk and folded her hands in her lap and stared at him for a moment.

"Please sit down Lord Deveraux. I am trying my best not to lose my temper. So if I seem a bit edgy it is because I would like nothing more than to make sure Mia is never hurt again. I will spare no expense to do so." She paused to let the words she has spoken to take effect on him. "Now the last time you and Mia were in the same room things seemed to be a bit chaotic. She was about to marry a man she did not love. Then this whole fiasco with your uncle and then you came in…"

"Your Majesty I want you to know that I had no intention of ever hurting Mia… I did not plan on falling in love with her." He stammered out.

"Don't interrupt me please. You renounced the throne and Mia abolished the marriage act and then I married Joseph." Taking a deep breath to keep her cool. "Now it was more than a happy event but also a very stressful situation. Mia managed to pull it together after being heart broken and publicly ridiculed for her miss hap with you. Now I know that was not your intention but never the less it happened. I feel you need to know that Mia is a strong woman and she has been in love before but not like this. She hit the end. I feel somewhat responsible for the state she is in. She has only been Queen for a month and I have already pushed her too hard into this and it did not make things any better by you leaving without speaking to her. You left us all in a daze after your speech at her wedding. It was irresponsible and cruel, and then it made it only much worse for her when you came to Her coronation ceremony." Drawing in another calming breath she continued "Nicholas I need to know something… before I even remotely think about letting you see Mia I want to know that you love her as much as she loves you."

Clarisse stared into the young man melting before her. As tears began to stream down his face.

"I was blind to what my uncle was really after…"

Shifting in the chair slightly, knowing that anguish he was going though. But never mind that. She needed actual answers. "Nicholas I did not want and explanation as to how your uncle was trying to improve himself through you, I want to know if you love Mia or not?" she stated sternly.

"I do… I do more than anything in the world. I though it was her who did not want me. I thought I had screwed up so bad that the only woman I truly loved hated me so bad for hurting her that I…" cutting across his speech once again, she leaned forward in her chair and rested her arms on the desk before her and looking into the young mans eyes before her.

"I'm glad to hear you love her Nicholas. I feel the only thing that will help her is for you to let her know you love her. My dear She loves you more than life itself and she needs your love. But if you hurt her again there will be no hiding from me. Mark my words." She put the truth out there. Stating that he would suffer her wrath if Mia where to ever be hurt again.

Charlotte came in as she heard the former Queen's voice begin to rise. "Clarisse… Mia is awake she wants to see you."

"I will up in one minute. Nicholas I want you to know Mia almost died today and it's because of you I almost lost her. Now you swear to me on your life, that you are being honest when you say you love her and this is not some silly young crush or another ploy to get into the crown."

"Oh my life. I would die for Mia I love her." He said truthfully.

"Good then follow me I need the two of you to sort out this mess."

Clarisse walked out the door with Nicholas and Charlotte at her heels.