The hot rays of the sun laid on her bare skin, warming the cool breeze coming from the slightly opened window, waking her up; her heart singing a new melody. Clarisse noticed a man sitting in the bed, at her side, watching her awaking, striking his fingers through her hair and leaning forward to sensually kiss her forehead as a sign of "good morning". The satin sheets all tossed on one side reminded her of what happened last night. The thought made her blush, making Joseph smile.

"I take that as you are having happy thoughts I hope!" He said to her. Clarisse could feel the smile in his voice.

"Oh yes, happy thoughts, definitely…" She answered him, her look drifting away in some dream she had. She thought about her arranged marriage with Rupert; how glad she was that they turned out to be the best of friends and they grew very fond of each other, but yet there was no love. As Queen she had sex with Rupert for Genovia but Clarisse made love with Joseph, for the first time in her life.

She closed her eyes, slowly stretching like she does every morning, as if she were alone. Joseph would simply watch her proceed, a grin on his face when she realised she wasn't alone anymore. Clarisse chuckled a bit before leaning forward toward Joseph, bringing him close to her by putting her arms around him. He brought his hands to cup her face, closing the small distance separating them and kissed his wife tenderly.

Now that she had tasted the blood, Clarisse was too shy to even admit to herself she wanted more. Perhaps at a more appropriate time as she didn't want Joseph to think she would be someone she is not. She pulled away from the embrace and smiled at Joseph.

"We should eat and then go with the schedule." Clarisse said to him, her face rather serious.

"The schedule?" Joseph asked her, unsure if he heard correctly what she said.

"Yes, the schedule. There are attractions; better to take advantage of it and see what the city has to offer as I've heard such beautiful things!" She answered him as she was beginning to get ready for the day. Obviously, Joseph knew that Clarisse had absolutely no idea of how to be around him; how to be intimate perhaps. It would be as if she'd find a way to stay somewhat distant. Would she give herself the chance to let go of her defensive wall? To open up and live her life with her husband at the fullest?

They had breakfast in silence but would exchange a glance once in a while; each time Clarisse would blush, as she wouldn't realise just yet what's going on in her life. She felt a discomfort but it would disappear every time she'd look in his eyes. Outside it would be as if nothing was going on, somehow her eyes would betray her; she's struggling against an inner fight between deciding either to let go, open up and live her life with the man she loves; the man that loves her in return or break both their heart and explain him how it was a mistake…

They walked hand in hand around the city, trying to find their way back to their hotel, as they were exhausted from hiking.

"Do you think we'll live long enough to…" Clarisse paused, not daring to think of the familial tone she's just used with him as if they'd been together forever. She let go of Joseph's hand and as he was about to grab her hand back, Clarisse stopped him and turned around to go toward the policeman. Placing her jacket neatly, she took a deep breath and began to speak to him.

"Guter Nachmittag der Herr. Könnten Sie uns zeigen, wo dieses Hotel ist?" The gentleman answered her and when she turned back facing Joseph, she saw that he had his startled look. Forcing herself not to smile, Clarisse put both her hands firmly on her hips and looked directly at him.

"What, do I seem grossly incompetent to you?" She told him on a teasing tone that got herself to burst into a laughter Joseph had never heard before neither had the Queen of Genovia, Clarisse Renaldi. Coming back to reality and scolding her clothes and directed Joseph toward their hotel, appalled at what she had just done.

II