Chapter 5: Mourning A King
The experience of love making with Joe yesterday, had been painful for Clarisse. Joseph tried to be as gentle as possible. He knew she had to be hurting from what Rupert had done to her during the rape. Unfortunately, while Clarisse was sleeping Joe disappeared. She took a bath later on that day to ease the pain. It helped somewhat. She had to pull herself together. There would be many things to do in the upcoming week of mourning for the king. Clarisse knew she would have to make appearances as the mourning queen. Even though she was not in love with Rupert. She still considered him her best friend, even after what he did. She did not wish him any ill will to die. She would make it through this though; because Joseph would be there with her.
'Today is the day of the family funeral,' thought Clarisse as she lay there eating breakfast. Phillipe would be coming home from his vacation in Switzerland early for the funeral. Pierre would be coming from his parish in Spain. She spoke to the boys the morning after Rupert's death. Neither of them were to upset. They considered him an ass. They knew though that they had a duty to their country of Genovia. 'I am sure they will have questions when they get home today,' thought Clarisse.
"Charlotte, where is Joseph?" asked Clarisse as Charlotte entered her bedchamber. "He went to pick up the princes at the airport your Majesty," replied Charlotte. "Thank you," said Clarisse somberly. "How are you this morning your Majesty? I have been worried about you after the other night," said Charlotte worriedly. "I am fine. I am really going to miss him Charlotte. I might not have loved him as a husband, but he truly was a good friend," said Clarisse practically in tears. Charlotte threw all of the formalness to the wind and hugged her queen. Clarisse hugged Charlotte back, and just sat their weeping. They sat this way for a good 10 minutes. "Your majesty, if there is anything else you need just let me know," said Charlotte while wiping away the tears that were falling.
Clarisse decided it was time to get up, and face the world. She needed to get out of bed, and get dressed before the boys came home. She applied her own makeup, and started to get dressed. Then it hit her, all of the emotions came crashing down at once. She was relieved, depressed, Hurt, and mournful all at once. She dropped to the floor not being able to get control of herself. At that moment, Joseph came up to her suite and walked into her bedchamber not finding her in the sitting room. He came upon Clarisse crouched on the floor shaking, and crying uncontrollably. He sat down beside her, and put his arms around her, and started to speak to her quietly. Finally with Joseph's help Clarisse was able to bring her emotions under control.
"Joseph, are the boys here?" asked Clarisse taking a tissue and wiping at her eyes. "Yes, Clarisse I told them I would go and find you to come down," said Joseph worriedly. 'I have never seen her in such distress,' thought Joseph. "I need to go down, and greet them," said Clarisse getting up and straightening herself. "Are you sure your ready?" asked Joseph unsure that she was. She just nodded trying to smile.
Clarisse and Joseph made their way towards the staircase. Joseph pulled Clarisse to the side for a moment, "if you need anything just let me know." Clarisse gave him a quick hug, and mouthed 'I love you very much.' He mouthed back, 'I love you to.'
Clarisse walked down the staircase then and right into the arms of her two sons. "Oh how I have missed the two of you," said Clarisse while hugging both boys tight to her. "You two just tower over me," said Clarisse. "Well mom that makes it so much easier for me to pick you up, and twirl you around," said Pierre as he picked her up and swung around with her. "It is this way so I can reach things you can't," said Phillipe. "Have you boys had any lunch yet," asked Clarisse while corralling them toward the dining area. "No, we haven't and we are starved," said the brothers hungrily.
After lunch was finished clarisse showed Pierre to his old suite, while Phillipe went to his room. "Dinner is at 5, and we need to leave for the funeral home at 6:30."