Queen's Mischief

Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Disney & Meg Cabot…

Summary: Story is set after PD1, about how Clarisse is trying to shake Joseph off her tracks.

Note: This is my very first fanfic, so please do be kind with the reviews. And forgive me if it sounds gibberish, I'm just writing this to rid boredom… And words in italics are characters' thoughts.


"Joseph, I will not have you follow me this afternoon."

"Your Majesty, you need protection."

Why is this woman, this Queen, so stubbornly… stubborn? This… mule.

Joseph bit his lips, silently chiding himself for calling his Queen names. But it's a matter of time before he loses it. So many times have they gone through this.. discussion about the matter of security. About how important it is for her, the Queen, to be protected at all times, whether she likes it or not.

"Surely I'm capable of taking care of myself for one afternoon. Especially in the company of Charlotte and…"

"Shades."

"And Shades."

"No."

Why does he have to make things so difficult?

Slowly and deliberately, Clarisse puts down her pen and sighs audibly.

Fine, if there's no easy way out of this, I'll have to be more forceful.

She decides to give her intimidating glare a try. Well, it hasn't worked on Joseph for all these years, but it's still worth a try. So she takes off her reading glasses and when she looks up, she finds herself gazing into the deeps of Joseph's hazel eyes.

Boy, this is difficult…

She swallows the words she had planned of using and decides to change her strategy.

"Joseph, Shades is fully capable of protecting me. You should have more confidence with your own staff."

"Your Majesty, I've confidence with Shades' ability, but not if the person he's protecting has the intent of escaping."

"Joseph, what a horrible thing you're suggesting. I'm not going to escape from Shades. And I'm but an old lady, how can I possibly escape from a youngster like Shades?"

So that's why you can escape from an old man like me!

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But the answer is still no."

"Don't make it difficult, Joseph. I don't want to use the Queen's authority to order you to… stop stalking me."

Stalking! I'm a stalker? Now that's new.

Seeing Joseph's raised eyebrow, Clarisse struggles to correct her words, "I….I don't mean stalking. I mean, I enjoy your company, really. But why, your birthday is tomorrow, isn't it? Wouldn't you like an afternoon off?"

Joseph got slightly caught off by the sudden shift in topic. But that does not diminish his amusement over this apparent lack of coherence displayed by the Queen.

"Joseph, can you stop raising your eyebrow."

Stunned momentarily, Joseph then struggled to keep a straight face. All this lack of composure is very rare of Clarisse and new to him. Even the reprimanding tickles Joseph. As much as he will like to abide his Queen's order, his eyes are still teasing and searching.

Defeated, Clarisse finally decides to tell him the real reason why she needs an afternoon off.

"Joseph, I need to get a birthday present and you really shouldn't be there."

A birthday present? Oh…

"I see. The car will be ready in half an hour's time. And your majesty, take your time shopping."

That's fast...

Clarisse could not resist rolling her eyes even though it is highly uncharacteristic for a Queen to roll her eyes.

"Now if you excuse me, Your Majesty, may I take my leave now?"

"You may."

As Joseph was stepping out of the office, an evil idea came up to Clarisse. Something to rid him of that smug face.. so she called out to him,"And Joseph…"

"I hope you like pink."


So how did it go? Please R & R. Scold me if you hated the crap I was writing k!