Shades grabbed the gun, but refused to handcuff Joseph.

"Never in my lifetime, Boss."

Juan Carlos, Michael and Paul went down immediately. The confusion was settled. Shades covered Mabrey's trunk and head with his coat and called an ambulance. Mabrey's guards were waiting for instructions, but none of them took a position that could jeopardize the safety of anyone inside the parliament.

"This session is suspended until tomorrow," Sebastian announced.

"Shades, you'll have to accompany me to the Police Station. Only the authorization of a Judge will allow me to await trial at home. "

"I'll go with you," said Juan Carlos.

"It is not necessary, John. My men know what to do. "

"But I'm your cousin!" Joseph smiled and squeezed his hand. Michael went with them too and Paul returned with Sofia and Mia to the Palace.

"Where's my grandmother?" Mia asked to Charlotte.

"It's in the bedroom, Princess. She went to take a shower and then she'll be seen by the doctor. "

"By the doctor?"

"As a precaution, Princess."

Sophie hugged a frightened Mia.

"Let's go up? I'll walk you to Clarisse's room. " Mia just nood her head. When they entered the room, Silvia and Agnes were sitting on the couch.

"I'm very stressed. But what is happening? And where have they taken Joseph again? "

"Calm down, Silvia. You can not be upset. Think about the baby." Sofia said. "My husband and yours are with him." Silvia blushed when Sophie said Michael was her husband. Sounded good! Mia went to her grandmother in the bathroom.

"Mia ? What are you doing here? "

"I wanted to make sure you were fine, Grandma..." Clarisse smiled.

"What will it take to teach you to knock on the door? And since you're there, hand me the towel. "

"What is going to happen to Joseph, grandma?" Clarisse was silent for a few moments.

"I do think nothing will happen. Joseph only prevented Mabrey from killing me. Any Judge will understand that ... "

Meanwhile at the police station:

"Please accompany me. The prosecutor is collecting the testimony of Baron Van Troken and is coming to collect yours. "

"Harry is testifying? But why? He did not even go to Parliament today, " said Michael.

"It may be that these months on that island have made him change. People change, believe me. "

"Unfortunately, I think that's not his case, Juan. And I hope I'm wrong, but this guy is preparing something. "

And it did not take ten minutes to confirm Joseph's suspicions ... When the prosecutor entered the room, he greeted Joseph first and frowned.

"What does that mean, John?" Joseph asked. The prosecutor had just complimented the remaining three friends and sat down opposite Joseph.

"To be the queen's right arm, bring you some enemies, my friend. Harry Van Troken, has said that, on several occasions, he has heard you swear that if you left the island alive, the first thing you would do would be to assassinate Artur Mabrey. And that Her Majesty, the Queen, supported you unconditionally, having worked out a plan to assassinate Arthur without consequences, allowing you to be free and Her Majesty reclaiming the throne ... "

"I suppose you do not believe such nonsense ..."

"Of course not. But the testimony will have to be delivered to the Judge ... "

"Of course ... I was not suggesting that it was not!"

"I know. Well, let's get your testimony too. Somebody else?"

"Me too!" Said Michael and Juan Carlos at the same time.

"I can attest to what happened on the island."

"And I can attest to Joseph's character."

"This will not be necessary, for all judges know who he is, but it is only a precaution."

Three hours later, the four men were back at the palace. Life slowly resumed normalcy, and both the Queen and all her staff and friends returned to the upper floors of the palace. Mia was the first to see the car arrive and ran to the entrance. Clarisse desperately wanted to do the same but the presence of Sebastian and several members of Parliament prevented her. She took a deep breath and had to resign herself to waiting. Minutes later, Joseph and Juan Carlos entered Clarisse's office. Joseph barely hid his frustration when he saw that Clarisse was accompanied. But duty spoke louder and he bowed to the Queen.

"Your Majesty. Gentleman's. "

"Joseph, I'm so relieved to see you here," said Clarisse. Sebastian stepped forward and immediately squeezed his hand.

"So, my friend, ready to return to your post? In three days we will hold a ceremony to bring Her Majesty to the throne. The whole world has to know that Queen Clarisse is back to the throne of Genovia, safe and sound! "

"The Viscount's death may darken the ceremony ..." said Lord Palimore.

"Darken the ceremony? I do not believe. Ever since we left Parliament that my phone does not stop with congratulations. People on the street clap their hands! "

"I know, Prime Minister, but it will seem like a premeditated act."

"Lord Palimore, I hope you have no doubt as to how Joseph acted. If he had not fired, I would not be here for sure. " Clarisse said and approached Lord Palimore. Then she inclined her neck slightly and the old President of Parliament distinctly saw the cut, albeit superficial, on Clarisse's neck.

"I was not doubting, Your Majesty. I was just asking a question that your enemies could state. "

"If we were in my country, Joseph was being carried on the shoulders like a hero," said Juan Carlos.

"And here it should be the same. Joseph is a hero! " Saied Clarisse.

Joseph smiled.

"You're too kind, Your Majesty!" Clarisse approached him, grabbed his hands and squeezed them.

"I've lost count of how many times you've saved my life, Joseph! Juan Carlos is right! " At that moment, Charlotte enters the office.

"Your Majesty, I think you have to see this." And turned on the television. Everyone approached to see ... Harry gave an interview to Elsie Kentworthy.

"Of course I fear for my life too! My wife is in the palace under threat of death. I tried to persuade her to run away with me but she's too scared. Joseph is a terrifying man who uses the most cruel methods to maintain his power! Even today, I wake up with cold sweats when I remember how he murdered poor Princess Ruth. Peace to her soul! ... " The silence in the room was broken by a" WHAT ? " from Clarisse, Joseph and Michael.

Elsie continue…

"He murdered King Rupert's sister? And this is the man who occupies the highest position in the defense of our Country! Dear Genovians, we have to act quickly! This man KILLED our dear King Mabrey! And within three days, Queen Clarisse is back on the throne. Don't you think it's too many coincidences? Who will be the next to be "removed" from the path of Her Majesty? Probably Baron Van Troken and me! And then Princess Mia! This Queen's thirst for power is frightening. My friends, if anything happens to me, you know who it was! This interview is over for now. We'll be back soon! I beg you to pray for our esteemed King Mabrey! "

Nobody could say a word! Lord Palimore and Lord Gerome sat down. Sebastian stood beside Joseph. He was afraid Joseph would lose his mind and do something against Harry.

"Your Majesty, the best thing to do is ignore. This is absolutely ridiculous. Elsie is a staunch defender of Mabrey and the Baron wants the throne of Genovia ever since he was born!" Said Lord Palimore.

"I know, Lord Palimore, but I am deeply stressed by this. So many lies because of the power he thinks he has, if he's King! "

"No one believes in these nonsense ..."

"I know most people do not believe it, but there are always those who have doubts. And exposing Joseph to this situation is insulting him. "

"Your Majesty, I beg you not to worry about me. I do not mind about this clown. And if he was not a coward, I would settle accounts with him immediately! "

Clarisse approached him and rubbed his arm.

"He's not worth a single hair of yours, Joseph. Charlotte, please contact the Spanish Navy and ask for the exact location of where we were found. Find the island where we have been, and after asking for permission, raise stone to stone, but I want you to exhale Ruth's body and have a forensic team do an autopsy. And I want it all in two days. I have the feeling that Harry and Elsie are going to prepare a different celebration for my return to the throne.

"I'll deal with it immediately, Your Majesty. I also want to tell you that Princess Amelia and your guests are waiting for your presence for dinner."

"Thank you, Charlotte."

Meanwhile Sebastian and the other members of Parliament got up and started to leave. Juan Carlos and Michael also went out to give Joseph and Clarisse some privacy.

"I was not expecting this," Clarisse said, hugging Joseph. "But first tell me how you ran with the Judge."

Joseph hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

"It went well, my love. The judge was an old friend of mine and he read Harry's statement calmly. But he knows I would never fire if I was not forced to. It went well and that's what matters. I can not get the picture of that knife around your neck from my mind. "

Clarisse kissed him.

"Joseph, I love you but now let's have dinner! I'm starving." And he laughed. " At night, if we can, we'll talk about the rest."

"If we can? I do not understand ... "

"Dear Joseph, I make intentions of making love to you and of being very tired ..."

Joseph laughed!

"Believe me, Your Majesty, that I will do my best!"

Thank you so much for your patience with me.

Leave me a review, if you don't mind.

I would love to know your opinion.

Kisses

Maria