Special thanks to RevSue for previewing this chapter for me and for your wonderful ideas and input. Also, Monker, NikNik4, ProperlyPrim18, mainer2121, and Prettycrazy for your continued support to keep telling the story - I really appreciate it! Also thanks to lyrics . com (had to put the spaces in to get it to take) for providing the words to the song listed in the chapter (it saved me a lot of time from having to keep listening to the song and typing the words! LOL)
Please note that this chapter is very long and should contain a little something for everyone - there's romance, humor, angst, and adult themes (consider yourself warned) so I hope you find something you like in here!
Ok, enough chit chat - on with the story...
Chapter 7: Dinner and Deception
The afternoon had been uneventful…well outside of the royal suite it had been uneventful anyway. Joseph and Clarisse had spent the afternoon enjoying the fruit and each other (that's a story for another time) and being hidden away from all the preparations for dinner that night.
Nicholas had arrived promptly at 7 p.m. for dinner dressed in a dark blue suit. Mia was dressed in a simple cut royal blue dress that flared out slightly around her knee. Clarisse was dressed in a teal dress that brought out the blue in her eyes, and Joseph, of course, was in black.
After the customary greetings, the four made their way to the dining room.
"I do believe, Nicholas, that we must be two of the luckiest men alive." Joseph began with a smile as he admired his wife walking with Mia a few steps ahead of them.
Nicholas smiled and responded, "Indeed we are."
The compliments got them an over the shoulder smile from both ladies as they entered the dining room. Clarisse made sure that she was seated across the table from Joseph rather than next to him for dinner, "I'd rather not take any chances with you trying to make me drop my spoon again."
"I wouldn't dream of it, my dear."
Mia and Nicholas just looked at each other with confused looks as Joseph chuckled. So Clarisse sat next to Nicholas and Mia sat across from him next to Joseph. It definitely wasn't the way Mia had it planned, but figured it best not to debate that with her Grandmother right then.
The conversation drifted to the subject of the upcoming coronation and all of the plans that were being made and last minute details that had to be taken care of. Finally, as the last course was being served, Mia couldn't take the waiting anymore.
"Grandma, I thought we agreed that we would discuss the relationship between Nicholas and me tonight."
"Well, proceed my dear. What is it you would like to discuss?"
"Ok, well" she shot a look to Nicholas across the table for encouragement; he smiled and squeezed her hand. "It's just that we love each other and really want to be together and I know what you're going to say but we really, really do love and care for each other and, just a few days ago, you were willing to have me marry someone whom I didn't love for the sake of my country and while I was willing to go through with that, which, oh my gosh, thank goodness I didn't have to…"
As Mia continued talking at an increasingly fast pace, Clarisse just watched in amazement wondering when she was going to take a breath. She smiled and waited patiently for Mia to come up for air.
"…and so, having said all of that, I think it would be ok for Nicholas and me to get engaged. I'm not saying we would marry right away, but we would like to get engaged. Wow that was a mouthful!"
Joseph couldn't help himself, "Indeed it was, Princess."
"And Nicholas, what do you have to say about all of this?" Clarisse turned to the young man.
He stumbled a little bit under the gaze that she was giving him although it was plastered with a nice smile; he knew she expected the truth in his response.
"Well, your majesty... (he paused and then smiled) I don't think I could say it any better than Mia just did."
With this, Clarisse burst out in laughter. "No, I doubt that you could, Nicholas. My granddaughter certainly has a way with words – generally using a lot of them in fast succession is her preferred method of delivery." Everyone chuckled, except Mia, of course.
"I don't think that was very funny. Who's sassing who now Grandma?" She tried to sound serious, but her lips were turning up into a smile even as she finished her sentence.
"Ah, doesn't feel too good when it's the other way around? Does it, my love?"
"Ok, point made. Grandma – 1, Mia – 0. But seriously, Grandma, what do you think about all of this?"
"Honestly my dear, I believe that if you two are as much in love as you say you are, then getting to know each other a little more and waiting a year to allow the country to get used to you as Queen and you to get used to your role as Queen is not too long to wait."
"I understand, Grandma, but I'm afraid." Mia turned very serious now as did the rest of her dinner companions at her words.
Clarisse took her hand across the table. "What could you possibly be afraid of dear? Joseph and I would never let anything happen to you."
"Never mind. I shouldn't have said anything."
Joseph interrupted now. "Princess…Mia…what is it?"
She finally blurted it out, "How do I know something isn't going to happen that keeps us apart like it did you and Grandma for so many years? Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy that you two are finally together – but Joe, I gotta be honest, I don't think I'm as patient as you are and I'm not sure Nicholas would be either." She seemed relieved to have that burden off of her chest.
There was silence for a moment as everyone tried to absorb what she had just said. Finally Clarisse stood up and walked around the table to where she was. She pulled Mia up to stand by her so she could look her directly in the eye as she spoke.
"Mia, the situation between Joseph and me…well, it was unique. It was another time. I was already married to someone – and not just anyone, but the King. We were not free to love each other as you and Nicholas are. I had a lifetime of duty to country and others drilled into me. And, although I don't doubt your sense of duty, the duty required of you is far different than was required of me; and, of Joseph. As I said to you on what was to be your wedding day, I made my choices – duty to country over duty to self; you, however, are in the wonderful position of being able to achieve both. Besides," she moved over to Joseph and took his hand. "I am the luckiest woman in the world that Joseph waited for me. I'm everything I am because he loves me and I can't imagine one second of my life – past, present, or future without him in it."
The tears were glistening in Mia's eyes. "I know Grandma – and you're right. I guess I just needed some reassurance."
Clarisse gave Mia a quick hug. "Now, enough worry for the moment – shall we dance?"
Mia perked up a bit, "Only if I get to pick the music."
"Oh dear." Clarisse and Joseph both said in unison as they walked arm in arm to the dance floor.
Mia came back a few minutes later after making the selections.
"Ok, Grandma, you and Joe go first. I picked out something very special for you."
Joseph stood and turned to Clarisse as the first strains of music filled the room. "Shall we, my love?"
"I would love to."
As they began dancing, Clarisse leaned into Joseph. "What song is this? I think I've heard it before, but it's been awhile."
"I believe Celine Dion sings this – it's a song called "Because You Loved Me"
As they continued to move in time to the music, Clarisse listened intently to the words:
For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through - through it all
As she listened, her heart was filled with love for the man who had always stood by her and been a true friend bringing truth and joy to her life. She moved even closer to him as they danced.
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
Across the room, Mia and Nicholas watched as the two moved across the dance floor to the powerful words. Their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke of years of friendship and love. Nicholas was the first to speak, although it was not more than a whisper to Mia.
"I want you to look at me some day the way she looks at him. If that means we wait a bit to let our relationship develop into something that's even half as strong as that – it will most certainly be worth the wait."
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
As the song repeated the chorus a few more times, Mia watched as they moved together as one. She knew this came from a lifetime spent together through both good times and bad. She leaned over and kissed Nicholas on the cheek. "Yes, yes it will."
The dancing continued into the evening and ended when Mia tried to teach everyone some of her dancing styles. Clarisse could only shake her head. "If that's what they're calling dancing these days, my dear. I will pass. I prefer to dance in the arms of a man, not floundering about all by myself to music I don't understand." Everyone had laughed at the image of Clarisse "floundering about".
Mia walked out with Nicholas to say good night.
"Joseph, let's take a walk. It's such a beautiful night."
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Let me grab your wrap and we'll be on our way."
He put his wrap around her shoulders and his arm around her waist as they strolled along the palace grounds. They were just conversing about Mia and Nicholas and young love when Clarisse stopped dead in her tracks.
Joseph stopped abruptly as well since he had his arm around her. One look at her face caused his stomach to lurch in his throat. "What's wrong, Clarisse. You look like you've just seen a ghost."
She didn't speak. She just kept staring straight ahead. Finally, Joseph followed her gaze to see what held her in such a trance. As his eyes followed the path of hers, his heart sank as he saw the object of her stare. It was the greenhouse. He knew it was going to be a long night.
Back in time (but not so long ago)
After hearing her tell him, once again, that she was putting duty ahead of herself – ahead of him – ahead of them, it was all he could do to get out of the room without exploding. Years of emotions that were hidden away and controlled for so very long were now threatening to erupt inside of him like a volcano. He had been angry before, but never had he been this angry – so angry he wanted to hit something - anything that would provide release from all of this pressure building inside of him. After storming out of the room, he had stewed and simmered – just below boiling – in his suite until darkness descended around the castle and he decided he had to get out and find something to help deal with these emotions. He went for a walk – a very brisk walk trying to use up some of the negative energy that now threatened to destroy him from within.
He checked with security first to determine the whereabouts of Clarisse and Mia as he had no desire to interact with either of them right now. Clarisse…well for obvious reasons; and Mia, because he didn't want to have to explain himself and she had enough on her plate with her wedding approaching only a couple of days away.
The night air hit his face and cooled his exterior but did nothing to alleviate the boiling point inside of him. He strode around the grounds almost in a haze until he came to an abrupt stop. He found himself directly in front of the greenhouse that contained her majesty's roses – the same greenhouse where they had first decided to be friends – real friends. That seemed so many years - a lifetime ago now…
He decided to go in – maybe going back to where it all started would bring him some peace and help him come to terms with what was going on in present day.
He was wrong…
The scent of the flowers evoked powerful memories and reminded him of her – all of the wonderful things about her. Then the realization that it was never to be – never would she trade her passion for her country and these roses for her passion for him. She had told him once that these were her passion, but he had foolishly thought that a warm bodied man who worshipped the ground she walked on would be an acceptable substitute…apparently he thought wrong. Although he was lost in his anger and misery, his fine tuned senses heard the door close quietly behind him. He whirled around with anger spilling from every pore of his being – he looked at her and reigning himself in as much as he could said, "What are you doing here?"
"This is where I need to be" was the soft reply.
"Why?"
"Because it is my duty."
"Duty?" The statement had left him momentarily confused – but after thinking about it for no more than a few moments, he understood what she was saying to him.
"Does anyone else know you are here?" He stressed the "anyone" part.
"No - and that is the way it should remain." Her voice was uncharacteristically calm considering the look of pain and anger on his face.
"I can't be responsible for my actions – you should leave."
"You have been responsible for far too long – this is about my responsibility to take care of the ones I love and would do anything for." She had closed the gap between them and placed her hand on his cheek.
That was his undoing. Seeing the look in her eyes and knowing that something had to be done if there was any hope of salvaging the relationship, he allowed all of the pain and anger he was experiencing to spill out of him. He grabbed her and pushed her back so she was pressed against the wall of the greenhouse. His kisses were insistent and hard as he placed them along her neck and shoulder. He reached down to begin to undo the buttons of her blouse, but grew impatient and ripped the delicate material causing the buttons to fly in many directions. His hands grabbed the soft flesh of her breasts and his head dipped down to taste the valley between them. He pulled them to the ground – discarding his shirt he rolled on top of her feeling her skin against his. He continued his barrage of kisses along her exposed skin until he could sense nothing else but her and the scent of the roses that surrounded them. He moved enough to pull her skirt up exposing her long beautiful legs. The panties were torn away and he began a less than gentle exploration of her womanhood. Her tears had not been registering on his radar but when she let out a small cry as a result of his hands – he stopped cold.
Looking down at the woman lying beneath him, he saw really for the first time the lengths she was willing to go to – the pain she was willing to endure to see this through.
He sat up – pulling her skirt back down and pulling her up.
"Why?" she asked quietly.
"I'm so sorry – I just can't do this. I appreciate your willingness to do this, but it's just not me. I'm so sorry that I hurt you." The tears spilled freely now and the sobs were racking his body.
She moved over closer to him and just held him for awhile. After the sobbing finally stopped, he looked up at her. He had a new appreciation for her and her sense of loyalty – however misguided it was - to someone she cared very much about.
"Why Charlotte? Why did you come here tonight? What did you hope to accomplish?"
The tears were flowing from her now. "I just thought if you used me as a substitute to release some of your emotions, that maybe you could then find a way to make this work. I know you love her, Joe and she does love you – I see it in her eyes. She just doesn't know how to handle it right now."
"And you thought by my sleeping with you, it would make things better?" He seemed a little confused. "Don't get me wrong, you're a beautiful woman, but…"
"I never thought of it as you would be sleeping with me, but rather using my body – pretending it was her."
"Thank you Charlotte…thank you for - well - everything. I hope Her Majesty truly appreciates the lengths you are willing to go to for her. We, no I guess I, will find a way to make this work out. I'll be retiring soon anyway – perhaps time apart will allow me a fresh start."
Charlotte now stood and putting back on what was left of her blouse and wiping her face off with some water from the hose. "You don't really believe that do you, Joe?"
"No, Charlotte…no I don't – but one can always hope, right?" He tried a smile, but somehow it didn't reach his eyes. "We should probably leave now – the time is right for the security rotation that we can get to the secret passageway unseen and back into the castle unnoticed.
As they exited the greenhouse, Joseph had been correct that security was not around. However in their haste to get into the secret tunnel before security came back around, neither noticed that Her Majesty was standing in shock only a few feet in the opposite direction they were headed…
