Clarisse and Joseph turned back from Spain, three days later. Joseph's mother was much better but still unable to travel and her stay at the palace was delayed until next month.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty, Joseph! I hope you enjoy the fly!" Said Charlotte.
"Thank you, Charlotte. It's so good to be back!"
"Your Majesty, I will check with Shades at the security office. If you excuse me..."
"Of course, Joseph! Charlotte, let's start the day, shall we?"
"Well… Your Majesty… There's someone… Well… The Princess..."
"Charlotte? What's the matter with Amelia?"
"Ho no, no, no, Your Majesty! There's nothing wrong with Princess Mia. But Princess Ruth should be here before lunch… I'm sorry..."
"Ruth? But why?" Clarisse sat in the chair bluntly. Ruth was Rupert's younger sister and a fierce opposition to Rupert's marriage to Clarisse. 'Royal's are always royal's and Clarisse was a commoner!' Needless to say, Clarisse was no fondness at Ruth. When Philippe was born, Ruth moved to Stockholm and never return to Genovia, not even to Rupert or Philippe's funeral.
"She request King Rupert's suite…"
"What? Over my death body, Charlotte! She's a guest. An unwelcome guest but a guest. Ask Mrs Kont to get her a room..."
"A room, Ma'am?"
"Yes, Charlotte, a room. This is my house and she's stray where I say!"
"Of course, Your Majesty!" A knock on the door interrupted the conversation between the two woman.
"Am I interrupting something?"
"No Joseph. Please come in."
"There's something wrong? You looked pale." Joseph approached Clarisse and touched his forehead with his hand. Charlotte look down and blushed.
"I'm… Well, Your Majesty, I'm… I go..."
"Charlotte, stay please. You know our secret, so… Please stay. Your are a most dear friend and we trust you." Said Clarisse.
"Joseph, do you know Princess Ruth?"
"Princess Ruth? King Rupert's sister?"
"Yes!"
"No, Clarisse. I don't even remember Rupert had a sister. Ruth… I had a girlfriend called Ruth..."
"You do?"
"Yes, at university. In London. And when she's arrive?" Clarisse rose and walked forward the window.
"soon..."
"Clarisse? what's the matter, dear?" Joseph approached Clarisse and grabbed his arms around her waist.
"She's a nightmare, Joseph. She made my life miserable while she lived here. And I would rather not have to deal with her."
"Then don't!"
"I can't, Joseph. she's my sister in law. I have no choice..." Clarisse turn around in Joseph's arm, and dropped her head into his shoulder. Charlotte smiled shyly. She love deeply her monarch and to witness the love of both and know that they trust in her filled her with happiness. After all, she was the only person who could confirm that the Queen and the Head of Security had a romantic affair… Yes, Charlotte was a special person… Joseph and Charlotte heard the announcement of the arrival of the Princess in the headpiece. Joseph kissed Clarisse softly on the lips and returned to its usual position, between the desk and the sofa, a few steps away from her, clawed hands in front of him, serious face and back straight.
"I will wait at the foyer, Your Majesty." Said Charlotte.
"Thank you, Charlotte." Clarisse sat at the desk and looked at Joseph.
"Well, my love, it will not be easy…"
Joseph smiled…
"It will be alright my dear! I will be here for you. Always!"
Seconds later, Charlotte knock on the door.
"Excuse me, Your..." But Ruth step into the office, without warning.
"Out of my way!" And pushed Charlotte unceremoniously. Clarisse rose immediately in rage.
"Ruth! How dare you? This is not your house anymore!"
"Clarisse! This is my brother's house! You must..." But then, she saw a pale Joseph.
"Ruth..." Said Joseph in a whisper. Clarisse looked at him and then to Ruth…
"Joseph, my love!" Ruth ran to him, threw herself into his arms and kissed him. Charlotte dropped the tablet and Clarisse dropped the jaw. Joseph immediately raised his arms, making very clear he did not want to touch her and then grabbed her shoulders and pushed her.
"What the hell… Ruth? Don't you ever touch me again! what's the matter with you? I'm sorry Your Majesty..."
"What? Joseph? Are you push me away? How dare you?"
"Princess Ruth, your behavior is being very unreasonable! I'm the Head of Security of Her Majesty, Queen Clarisse. Not a college boy..."
"I see… So, Clarisse do you threw him in to your bed? He's an exquisite lover… Believe me!" Joseph was mortified, Charlotte speechless and Clarisse furious.
"Excuse me? If you think I'm gonna tolerate your behavior, your wrong. If you have any unfinished issues with my Head of Security, please use his time off. Now, if you excuse me, Mrs Kont will lead you to your room."
"I know perfectly well where is Rupert's suite."
"Charlotte, please call Mrs. Kont. And you will not stay at my husband's suite..."
"Excuse me? I'm your sister in law!"
"Yes and an unwelcome guest. If you wanna stay, it will be where I say."
"Of course! And you..." Talking to Charlotte "Bring me coffee and a croissant."
"Don't you never, ever talk to Charlotte like that. She's my friend, not your employee! Charlotte, please be a dear and call Mrs Kont."
Until Mrs Kont enter at the office, no one said a word… Three or four minutes of heavy silence. Once again, Ruth walk toward Joseph, but he walked in the opposite direction.
"So shy… I like it! I like it a lot, dear! We have time, don't worry. I still remember all your… hot spots..."
"Mrs Kont, if you takes another minute, I will kill her..." thought Clarisse. Fortunately, Mrs Kont only take a few seconds…
"Your Majesty. Princess Ruth."
"Mrs Kont, if you please, escort Princess Ruth to her room, and ask kitchen to bring her coffee and a croissant."
"Of course, Your Majesty! If you excuse me… Princess Ruth, please come with me."
When the door closed, Clarice plopped down in the chair. In the same second, Joseph was next to her and so do Charlotte. Clarice covered her face with her hands, trying to hide the tears.
"Clarisse, I'm..."
"Don't touch me!" Clarisse rose and leave the office, slamming the door. Joseph was about to go after her but Charlotte, grabbed his arm.
"Joe, give her time. I can't imagine how she is feeling. I heard stories about the Princess … And she's really a bitch. you have to understand that hear another woman talk intimately about the man you love is not easy… Is it really true?"
"Yes… But that was almost fourty years ago, Charlotte. And I don´t even know she's Rupert's sister! I must find Clarisse, Charlotte!"
"I know, Joe. Make her understand, please. She's lost..." Joseph press his headpiece.
"Shades, can you find Her Majesty?"
"Yes, Boss. She's on her suite."
"Thank you, Shades. That's all."
"Wish me luck, Charlotte!"
"You don't need luck… You have her love!"
Joseph looked at Charlotte… She's a young woman, but so loyal, so true, so loving ... A true friend and a fierce defender of Clarice. He hugged her…
"Thank you, Charlotte!"
"Now go!"
Clarisse entered the room and locked the door. Her heart was beating so fast that she thought he was going to rip his chest. For heavens sake, with so many men in the world, why Ruth had to sleep with Joseph? Why? And why was she here? And why now? This is madness, pure madness! She leaned against the door and closed her eyes… A few minutes later, a soft knock on the door, frightened her. It was Joseph but she didn't answer. Then, another one… without a sound, she recoil a few steps.
"Your Majesty, I need a word with you… Please." Joseph was getting scared... Clarisse always answer the door… In a lower voice, he tried again.
"Clarisse, if you don't open the door, I will assume you're in danger and I break the door!"
Well, he probably will do it… So, It is better not to risk… And Clarisse unlatched the door and walked over to the couch. Joseph locked the door and stayed behind her, but without touching her.
"Clarisse, my love… I'm sorry! I didn't know..."
"I know, Joseph. It was I how should ask for forgiveness… I'm sorry!"
"Dear, don't… come here.!" And he hold her tight against his chest. Clarisse dropped her head in his shoulder and let the tears run freely.
"And now? What are we going to do with her in here?" Asked Clarisse.
"And why should we change something? Please Clarisse, don't run away from me. I can't loose you. Please!"
"You don't loose me, Joseph. But that bitch…"
"Your Majesty?" You swears beautifully!" Joseph laugh.
"You're an incorrigible man! I have to calm myself to realize what she wants. I'm sure is something…"
The phone ring…
"Hello?"
"Her Majesty, Princess Ruth, requires a dinner with you today, at 7:30h. Is it possible?"
Clarisse took a deep breath.
"Yes, Charlotte. And you and Joseph will dine with us, if that's ok with both of you..."
Clarisse looked at Joseph and he nodded.
"Of course, Your Majesty. It will be my pleasure. I don't like Princess Ruth neither. And thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Ho Charlotte! It's a dinner… a boring dinner!"
"No Your Majesty. I wasn't talking about the dinner… I was talking about the way you rose up against you sister in law, just to defend myself. Your Majesty… I will died for you, without thinking about it!"
"Charlotte… Dear Charlotte!" And again, the tears run free at Clarisse's face...
