This day promised to be a bright one, it smelt so in the air. The hot rays of the sun warmed her bare shoulders, lighting her face. Clarisse grinned, not daring to open her eyes just yet so the light would give her a headache. Instead, she stayed still, trying to convince herself how good it would be to stay in bed and read a book, waiting to be fully awaken and then go for a walk in the garden with Maurice running playfully around her.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?" a voice called in her direction. She was taken away from her reverie and realised that her reality was to go through paperwork all day long, having a small rest once in a while but she didn't have the luxury to let herself take time think about her; it always has been and always will be, she knew that. Clarisse had a duty to fulfill and she was devoting herself totally to the cause; being raised as royal meant never dare to "loose it", "we'd rather find it darling", her father has often said. Although she wouldn't admit it, she would live her life in a cottage she'd buy in the countryside, reading books in front of the lake, sipping tea, etc. Later in the afternoon she's go take a walk, picking up flowers on her way back home…

After a rough day, Clarisse was sitting in her private boudoir, finishing a small point, sipping tea and the television was on so she would witness her granddaughter's first "real" public appearance; Amelia told her grandmother she would appear on Lily's cable show. Clarisse did agree for it would be a nice way for Mia to break the ice with the press; breaking it in a proper way.

Until Mia would show up on the show, Lily had Maya with her, to entertain the audience with his eternally boring magic tricks. Lily didn't approve but he was her last option to keep the show going on since, obviously, Amelia seemed to be nowhere to be found.

Mia couldn't believe she was finally dancing with "him". What does that boy had so special that made Mia blushed every time he'd look at her? She didn't try to find the source of the excitement, the goose bumps she felt going through her body when he was in her sight. Yet he'd never laid an eye on her for she was a "nerd" compared to that "Backstreet Boy clone" as Helen, her mother, would say.

The song ended and they parted. Mia thought perhaps it would be the best time and place to make a move. He said himself he didn't like superficial people, people who could be tempted to do about just anything to get their 15-minute-glory.

"It's safe Mia, they're gone, let's go!" Josh said toward Mia. She immediately felt relived, as she wouldn't want to make the front page of the newspaper again…

"Just what did you think you were doing young lady? This isn't the way a princess should behave! After all I've thought you, after all the progress I thought you had reached… I guess you're making a right decision not to accept your role Mia. That will be all thank you!" Clarisse said to the woman that would have taken her place as Queen of Genovia. Amelia said nothing, didn't answer. She turned on her heels and left. Her grandmother was right; she didn't deserve to take the job. Not accepting her role was a wise decision…

"You may come in now!" Clarisse said, not lifting her head up to welcome her guest, Joseph, her head of security but also her right hand. She honestly didn't know how she could come up with some explication to tell the press. Perhaps she knew Joseph was right, that she has been a bit too harsh on her granddaughter, not daring to what Amelia would have wanted to say.

He noticed how her eyes softened when he told her that she has been harsh on her granddaughter. It told him she knew he was right.

"I have no doubts she can do this." Joseph said, nodding to accentuate his point.

"I thought so too!" Clarisse then replied, a smile forming on her lips. She was glad to have him by her side, as there was some times when even as a Queen, she would lose her track. She wouldn't admit it for he was perceived as strong in its entirety.

"Tell them what happened your Majesty, it's simple."

"Thank you Joseph! If you'll excuse me, I'll go and think about it all." Clarisse as she passed by him, heading toward her private quarters.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming on a so short notice. The reason for this conference is to put everything in its place as there is a place for everything so everything at its place. My granddaughter Amelia…" Clarisse charmed them, talking about family values, being proud of who we are, how proud she was of her granddaughter. Yet, as a Queen, she couldn't forgive what happened for the moment, as everything was new for her too.

The rest of the day, everybody grew silent for no apparent reason thought her Majesty. She had done her job… Clarisse decided to have dinner in her suite perhaps; she felt the need to escape so she dives in one of her poetry book.

"I don't know what it is about you that closes and opens; only something in me understands…"

What is it with those words? Closing her book, Clarisse felt her cheeks redden… Instantly, she grabbed her cup of tea and went toward her balcony, for the beauty of the garden to lighten her thoughts, her mood.

Gripping the rail of the edge, her eyes widened momentarily and softened as soon as she recognised the black figure she saw strolling in her garden. Joseph… Clarisse never wanted to admit her soft side but at this very moment, she felt something she knew never existed in her being, as she would mention his name. She lost sight of him and was the first surprised to find that she was searching him with her eyes. After a few minutes, Clarisse gave up and took a sip of her tea that was getting cold.

"Searching for something your Majesty?" a voice said behind her, making her shiver. She would know that voice anywhere. Fearing to show any emotion she would have, she pulled herself straight. What was she doing?

"Oh no, no…" She seemed to hesitate, looked down at her cup of tea.

"That would be cold by now don't you think Clarisse?" Clarisse? Clarisse? He called her Clarisse? She tried to hide her blush but it was too late, he saw it.

"Yes, perhaps… could you bring me another one?" She asked rather coldly.

"Yes your Majesty…" He bowed and was heading out to get her a cup of tea. She stopped him.

"Joseph?"

"Your Majesty?" He turned around, a grin appeared on his face. His tone was rather soft, intimate. "For her only." He thought to himself.

"Was there something you wanted?" She asked him, secretly hoping that, turning around, he would run up to her and crush his lips against hers. Clarisse wouldn't protest…

"As a matter of fact…" he began, unsure himself of what to tell her next. Joseph would have loved to have the nerve to tell her his discovery about the feelings he would have toward her, telling her how he'd like to run his fingers through her thin hair, whisper tender words in her ears, do whatever she'd ask him to do…

"Yes?" she enquired, nodding for him to continue.

"A cup of tea coming." He simply said instead. Joseph couldn't help himself to notice her soft smile that faded to his words. He bowed and left, leaving a puzzled Clarisse

"What would have I told her anyway?" he thought, stopping his pace in the staircase. "You wouldn't deserve her, silly Joseph; she's the monarch, you're just her head of security. But you're also a man in love with a woman…" That thought made him smile. Perhaps, he should tell her at a more appropriate time.

Genovia had nearly lost its princess, for Amelia wanted to run away from all of it but a letter found from her father's diary made her change her mind all of the sudden; she had to get to the Genovian embassy for the Independence Day ball. In a way, Amelia reminded Clarisse of herself when she was about her age; how she would fight not to be fitted in some pattern, but she couldn't escape it because it was what she was meant to do of her life.

The evening went as planned and at Clarisse's great pride and joy (but relief first and foremost), Mia accepted to be forever more, Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi, Princess of Genovia. Came her Majesty's other favorite part of the evening; the dance. They did begin the ball with a waltz, which Mia finally joined as Michael stepped in to offer his hand for the dance. Clarisse was dancing with her Prime Minister Motaz; but he wouldn't enjoy the chance of holding her Majesty in his arm too long, as Joseph soon approached to take over.

"Oh…" was the only thing Clarisse was able to say, a warm smile forming on her lips as Joseph put his arm around her waist, grabbing her other hand and continued the dance. The silent felt awkward. Joseph saw that perhaps, they would communicate through their eyes. He took the liberty of diving into Clarisse's, noticing how they were particularly sparkling. Her eyes have that sparkle, but he's never noticed that one before; until that moment…

Clarisse would get lost in his eyes, forgetting the world surrounding them. Thought sometimes she would lift her head up and watch Mia who was still dancing with that boy, Michael. There was something going on between those two, it is palpable. Clarisse smiled broadly when she saw Michael leading Amelia toward the garden.

"They had the same idea I had but now the garden is occupado!" Said Joseph, looking brightly at the woman he held in his arms, the woman he knew he was in love with. Clarisse smiled at him, although a hint of insecurity could be seen in her eyes. As a response, Joseph squeezed her hand lightly, which got her Majesty to drop her smile, drop her jaw open. Regaining her senses, she'd close her mouth, closes and opens her eyes and escape a sigh, smiling again at him.

Amelia and Michael came back in the ballroom hand in hand, exchanging looks… They went toward the person in charge of music and requested actual music. She was heard, the waltzes changed for an upbeat music, which got Mia to receive an awkward look from her grandmother but soon, both would exchange a smile.

"Joseph?" Clarisse called, turning around.

"Your Majesty?" Joseph answered automatically.

"Would… would you… would you like… a… cup of tea?" she asked him softly.

"Tea, your Majesty? I'd be delighted." He was thinking how this would turn out. He knew he was attracted to her. Would she be attracted to him? "It's in her eyes…" he thought to himself. They walked together toward the kitchen to get the tea but instead, at her surprise, Joseph discarded the standing guards, wanting some privacy with Clarisse, for he could talk with her properly. He didn't cared if the gesture of talking to her the way he would, would cost him his job.

She felt her knees buckle when Joseph took her hand and kissed it softly, almost intimately, which made her blush. She couldn't deny it but yet she would have to keep her feelings for herself. Why did she offer him to have tea in the firs place? They would be alone. The awkward silence between them would fill the air. Not what she wanted… Clarisse could throw herself in his arms either, telling him that she feels something for him. Those thoughts surprised her. Since when would she have feelings anyway? She was known for being an iron butterfly, always hiding her feelings, her true feelings. Yet Clarisse wouldn't bear to be thought as a wholesome, as an open book. That's why she protects herself. And she has a duty to Genovia on top of that…

"You are a tower of strength. You're like a thoroughbred in a world of mutts. No, you know what you are; you're like a great portrait over a fireplace. Words have been invited to describe women like you…" How dare he could say those things to her? Clarisse raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her tea.

"Such as flinty and… impervious. I think you're formidable. I think your strength defines you. But it's thrilling when your defenses are down arid you're not isolated. That, I believe, is your winning combo. A killer combo actually." He finished telling her before adding:

"I can't get enough of watching you. I notice the way you walk, the way you act… How you have a different smile depending on if you would be talking to Mia. You'd have another smile when you would speak to Charlotte; another one when you exchange pleasant words with a friend and… you have the best one when you're looking at me." He looked intensively at her, waiting for her to say something. He knew he might have gone too far because the drape he often witnesses in her eyes was up, as she got up from her chair and left the room, a thoughtful look on her face. What had he just done?