Clarie, Cathie and Nannie: Chapter Ten

Arthur Mabrey have no idea what's happening in his life and sanity.

First, he got involved with a… young fella. Then he flew with her from Genovia to New York so he could spend Christmas with her. Though that's a lame excuse, he knew the real reason is to get away with his new duty as a part of Genovian Parliament.

If he's not in the new restaurant in New York, he must be somewhere between wanting to show Queen Clarisse Renaldi how to behave properly on the Parliament and wanting the Queen for his own lustful use.

On what completely blew his mind is that Nanny, Catherine's demonic children's caretaker, looks the same as the Queen.

Though he can completely point out who's who by judging their hair, the way they speak and the elegance they carry.. he can sometimes see some Queen Clarisse in Nanny.

Feeling dizzy as ever, Nanny is not the only woman in New York whom he can see as identical to the Genovian Queen… Leaving the restaurant bathroom, he have to blink twice when he saw someone who looked exactly like Queen Clarisse.

Her hair is much neater than Nanny and she's on the arms of an older man while talking to someone he recognized as the owner of the restaurant.

Blinking again, Mabrey stare at the woman while slowly walking his way back to the table where Catherine is talking with her girls while Nanny keeps the two in their manners.

"Vi-coin Mabrey, why are you staring at the woman?" Kay asked, sending him back to the table where everyone looked at him.

He looked at Nanny then back to the woman at the other table.

Yes they do look the same… or I'm just hallucinating? he thought, Or perhaps I'm obsessed with the Queen….

Looking where he kept his eyes for so long and repeatedly, Catherine's eyes widened and so as her mouth as she looked at Nannie then to the other woman two tables away.

Hillary and Kay looked at the other woman as well and Hillary told her nanny, "That woman over there looks like you, nanny.."

Nannie, who's incredibly uncomfortable with the Viscount's presence, finally looked at her back and gasped at the sight she saw.

Could it be… she thought as she observed the woman smile and communicate with others, Cathie or Clarie?

The woman looked at their direction and everyone, except for Nannie, looked away.

Nannie's eyes widened as well as her doppelganger. They both stood up and their table mates looked at them.

Mabrey almost faint as he switched from Nanny to the woman then back to Nanny.

Kay and Hillary exchanged looks as they watched Nanny look around then back at the woman.

Catherine, their mother, held Nannie's arm and motioned her to sit down. People from other tables are looking at the men beside the other women also told her to sit down.

Gary Howard looked around and also stared at the woman tables away, "She looked exactly like you, Cath. Do you think she's-"

"Her necklace…" Catherine breathed as she finished a whole glass of water, "What color is it?"

Gary and Tom looked back at Catherine's doppelganger and both stared at the pendant.

"Emerald."

"Green."

Catherine closed her eyes and steadied her breathing as she looked back at Nan, who's also looking at her while trying to eat.

Gary and Tom exchanged looks as Catherine stood up, "I'll go to the bathroom…"

The two men just nodded as they watched her walk away.

From the other table, Nannie watched the other woman walk straight to the lavatories. Looking at the woman's neck, Nannie's hand unconsciously found the green pendant around her. The woman doesn't have a pendant around her… but Nannie knew that she's either Cathie or Clarie.

Standing up, she excused herself and walked to the bathroom. Wiping her hands on her skirt as she opened the door and entered the restroom.

Hearing the door opened and closed, Catherine looked at the mirror and saw her sister looking back at her.

Her sister…

Spinning around, Catherine stared at the green pendant around Nan's neck and smiled, "I hope I'm not hallucinating…"

"Uh… me too." Nannie said and observed her, "Uh er- Well… where's yours?"

Her right hand finding her bare neck, Catherine choked, "Lost it during the impact… probably under the sea."

Looking around, Nannie turned back to her sister and stepped forward, "Clarie?"

"Cathie…" Catherine smiled, "Oh gosh.. It's really you, Nan?"

"Ow it's me.." Nannie smiled back as they both approached one another and hugged each other, "Wha, what 'appended? Where's Clarisse?"

Looking at her twin, Catherine gasped and burst into tears as Nanette stared at her confused.

"I'm sorry.. it's just-" Catherine brushed away her tears as she looked at Nan, "I- I thought you were dead… After the ship sunk and everything.. I'm trying to find you and Clarisse and then I found the mansion and that Philippe, mama and papa are dead and I really thought you're too and- Gosh.. I'm babbling."

"We-well…. It's fine to babble, Cathie… Oh my sainted Aunt Fanny! I can't believe it. I was also trying' to find you and I ain't got any clues except that the ship sunk and I went to London to find the mansion and I ain't found it so I gave up and… Oh my knickers! Philippe's- oh god…" Nannie tried to stop herself from trembling as Catherine hugged.

Catherine brushed her tears away and patted Nannie's back, "I can't believe I'll see you here of all places… Where have you been after all this time?"

Before Nannie could respond, the door opened and three teenagers entered the room. Nanette and Catherine exchanged looks and left as Catherine whispered, "I'm staying at The Plaza with my husband for a moment."

"And that's where I'm stayin' with my charges too.." Nannie whispered back.

"Charges?" Catherine looked from Nannie to the table where she come from and saw two children and two adults trying to avoid looking at them, "I thought they're your…"

"Awe… just the family I'm workin' with." Nannie blushed as she hugged Catherine, "We can have some tea in the Palm Court if you'd like. I still 'ave no idea what 'append years, years, years ago."

Smiling, Catherine tightened her hug and gripped Nan's hands, "Sure… Gosh I'm so excited!"

The two parted ways as Nannie sat back to her seat, bombarded with the girls' questions.

"Who is she, nanny?"

"Is she your evil twin?"

"Is she your sister?"

"Is she a nanny too?"

"Alright.. alright, pet. Now I just found my twin, not evil Kay.. And yes she's my sister… long lost sister… and no- I don't think she's a nanny too." Looking back at Cathie who's explaining things to her men company, she looked back at the two, "Now… why don't you two eat, eat, eat.. the food will get cold for lord's sake."

"Yes nanny.." the two chorused as Nannie looked at her employer, Catherine.

For once, she realized that her sister and employer share the same name.

"I- er.. would like to take some time off after this and probably tomorrow as well," Nannie mumbled, "I have an appointment with my sister."

"Oh.. take all the time you wanted, Nannie. I'm very sure you and your twin would have a lot of catching up to do." Catherine smiled.

Mabrey looked skeptical to Nannie before he asked, "Does your twin have a name, Nanny?"

"Catherine.." Nannie said.

Catherine looked at Nannie then glared to Mabrey, "I'm sure it's none of our business, Arthur…"

Before Nannie could react, Kay and Hillary echoed their mother.

"Yes! Vi-coin! And it's rude, rude, rude to ask Nanny personal information.." Kay glared.

"It's none of your business Viscount." Hillary sneered.

Before Nannie could speak, the waiter approached and asked if they needed anything else. Catherine said they'll only get the check as she and Arthur silently argue about who's going to pay.

"Nannie… if you don't mind… please bring the girls back at The Plaza… me and Arthur will just visit some place.." Catherine smiled as they left the restaurant.

"Awe… sure, pet." Nannie smiled as she took both Kay and Hillay out of the Viscount's atmosphere. The two sure do a great job of scaring the man away.

"Where are you going maman?" Kay asked, glaring at Arthur.

"Oh… nowhere.. Just some… adult stuff." The Viscount shrugged.

Kay and Hillary exchanged looks and turned to Nanny.

Nannie looked at the two with a firm gaze, "If it's adult, stuff… you two are not ought to know it. Now let's go, go go…"

She smiled at the two adults and took the girls hands as they crossed the road, meeting her twin at the entrance of The Plaza with her male company.

"Hello Nan!" Catherine smiled, "Oh this is Tom, my husband. Tom, you know my sister Nan."

"Oooh…. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tom." Nannie smiled as she shook hands with Tom, "These are Kay and 'illary, my charges. Kay, 'illary… my sister Catherine and her 'usband Tom."

Hillary stepped forward and shook their hands, "Bonjour! I'm Hillary. I'm five!"

"Bonjour! I'm Kay." Kay smiled shaking their hands, "And I'm six."

The doorman, Charles, looked at Nannie and her twin as he fainted.

Charlie, Charles' thirteen year-old son, tended to his father. Catherine tried to help but the boy smiled and shook his head, "Don't worry Nanny… this happens all the time."

Catherine and Nannie exchanged looks as Hillary shook her head, "That's not Nanny.. She's Nanny's twin."

"Oh really? Must be why pops fainted. He's smitten with Nanny and now he sees two of them, he collapsed.. Nice one Nanny! And Nanny's twin." Charlie said as he carried his father up.

Catherine gave Nannie a knowing look as Nannie shook her head. Kay and Hillary spoke with Tom about Catherine while Nannie and Catherine endured some stares and such from the other people around.

The two didn't mind at all, they just watched Tom deal with the girls.

"'ave you and Tom 'ave any children?" Nannie asked.

Shaking her head, Catherine sighed, "Oh I hope so…"

"Oh lord… I'm so sorry-" Nannie began as Catherine shook her head and hugged her.

"It's fine. It's fine."

They entered the east elevator, as they all were greeted by a wave of rushing people and barking dogs.

"Top floor, Freddie!" Hillary said.

"19th floor, please." Catherine mumbled and she quietly told Nan about her infertility while Kay and Hillary continued talking with Tom at the back.

"-it must be boring to work, work, work in a library. You have to be sooooo quiet. And the librarians are very very strict that one teenee tiny sound would make them so, so, so mad." Kay said as Tom chuckled.

"Well not this librarian, Kay. I just have to shush them and if they kept on making noise, I'll get them out. That's actually much better than not doing anything at all." he said.

Fred, the elevator man, smiled at Nannie and smirked at Catherine, "Ah~ I didn't know that your sister's visiting, Nannie."

Smiling back at him, Nannie leaned in to look at Fred, "I'm 'ere 'ere 'ere Frederick. And I didn't expect that either."

"Ha~ twin problems. Wait, I suddenly remembered, aren't you from the orpha-"

"It's a long story, Frederick." Nannie smiled as she nervously brush her hands to her skirt. Mouthing 'I'll tell you later.' as she looked at Kay and Hillary, "Now you two, ain't I told you that it's rude rude rude to ask too personal questions?"

"Oh~ it's not really personal, Nanette." Tom mumbled.

"Nanette?" Kay and Hillary asked in unison followed by a faint echo from Fred.

"Nan or Nannie will be fine, Tom. And the adult stuffs that they're asking is something their mother is supposed to answer." Nannie firmly said as she looked at the two, "You young ladies are in deep trouble."

"But Nanny! We thought you're on day off?" Kay asked as Hillary echoed, "Yes Nanny! You're on day off!"

"Yes, yes, yea... I am. And that also means that you two are to take care of Skiperdee and Skiperdoo plus Winnifred and Paul all night. No leavin' the suite unless The Plaza's on fire." Nannie said as she lowered herself, "If someone is to be asked about adult businesses, it's your mother."

"Why don't you just tell us, Nanny?" Kay asked.

Smiling, Nannie shook her head, "Spoiler Alert, it's a surprise and your mother will sack me if I told you two."

"Is it for my birthday? Oh how I love surprises!" Hillary exclaimed as she gave a dramatic turn, "What's the surprise for Nanny?"

Standing up, Nannie shrugged, "Oh- I ain't supposed to tell you that. I pinky promised to your mommy that I won't tell another soul."

The two started making assumptions as Nannie let out a sigh of relief. Catherine and Tom looked at her as she apologized.

"It's nothing really… it's kinda fun actually to be around children. Though it already exhaust me." Tom mumbled, "Must be my age-"

"Oh shut up, Tom! Age is just a number.." Catherine said.

"Yeah, Nannie. Age is just a number." Fred mumbled in Japanese as Nannie glared at him.

"What did he said?" Catherine whispered to Nannie who shrugged.

"By the way, Palm Court at 6?" Nannie asked.

Catherine looked at Tom who shrugged, "I don't mind you two hanging out. You need it anyways. I'll just take a nap while you're down there, Cath."

Catherine nodded as the bell rings and the elevator door opened. She hugs Nannie as she and Tom left the elevator.

"So I get it that the 'later' is canceled?" Fred said as the door closed.

Not looking at him, Nannie answered in Japanese, "I do think so."

Looking at her, Fred smirked, "Tomorrow then?"

"I don't think so." Nannie plainly said as the elevator bell ringed. Fred pressed a button as he mumbled:

"We have a deal."

Kay and Hillary looked at the two as Nannie put her hands on the still close elevator doors, "Open the door, Frederick."

"I took it seriously and I'm not fooling around, Nanette." Frederick frowned, his voice raising a little.

"Too bad I'm not as serious as you were," Nannie's watery eyes gave him a hint as she blinked them away and shook her head, "Never raise your voice at me, Frederick and never ever call me that."

Looking at Kay and Hillary, she turned her head back to the elevator door as she mumbled, "Will you just please open the door."

Fred looked at her as he slowly nodded, not to answer the question that's not really a question, but to understand how he overstepped their boundaries.

"I'm sorry, Nannie." he mumbled.

Nanny ignored him as she took the girls hands and quickly left the car and went straight to the suite.

Kay and Hillary remained quiet as Nannie tried to hold back a sob. They entered the suite as Nannie closed the door and mumbled, "You two, change your clothes and- just do what you want. I don't want any questions about what happened there… actually, I don't want to hear anymore about it. Okay?"

"You're crying, Nanny…" Kay mumbled, "It's scary…"

Nannie looked at the two as she kneeled down and hugged them, "Ow, I'm so, so, so sorry if I scare you two." she mumbled as she brushed away the tears, "And I feel a bit rawther warm. There."

"Are you angry with Freddie, Nanny? We can leave a bucket of spiders to torture him if you want?" Hillary said as Nannie laughed.

"Oh god no… No…. That's er- practice. Frederick's er- tryin' to teach his nephew William the -uh- art of acting. Yes- William's trying to be an actor so he and his uncle asked me for some advice." Nannie said, trying to convince the two.

"Wait- William's Freddie's nephew?" Hillary asked, "Why didn't I know that?"

"William told us that. Don't you know it? He's told us and Rachel that Freddie is his uncle." Kay said, "Aren't you paying attention?"

"I thought he was talking with Rachel so I paid attention to housekeeping." Hillary mumbled as Nannie left them to talk about 'kiddie stuffs'.

She felt so guilty for lying to them but she can't tell the whole truth of her relationship with Frederick to them either. She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. She doesn't get how people mistaken Catherine of her when it's clear that they have differences.

And let's start with my hair, she thought, Then my face- see I'm developing wrinkles and I'm just in my early forties.

Letting out a sigh, she took out the pins of her hair and fixed it. Pushing the uncertain thoughts aside as she tried to make herself positive by thinking of her sister.

Sister.

Oh my sainted Aunt Fanny, she thought as she let out a gasp, Cathie found me…


"Can't you believe it, Tom?" Catherine smiled as she brushed her hair, "Nan found me. God... I don't know what to say to her… what if I screw up?"

Her bright aura quickly turned into a frowning, worried and anxious one as she imagine her awkwardness affecting her relationship with her twin.

"Says a woman who charmed me with her screwing up," Tom smiled as he took away his shoes, "You will do fine, Cath. Believe me, upstairs, Nan is also thinking of the same thing."

Letting out a nervous sigh, Catherine stood up and pace around, "Oh I don't know. It's been thirty-five years since I saw her… and gosh I just can't.."

Taking out his other shoes, Tom stood up and hugged her, stopping her pacing, "Be calm, Catherine. You're completely fine. Nan likes you and- gosh… she's your sister, your twin. It's kind of a Christmas Miracle that you two found each other."

Sighing in relief, she smiled at him hugging him back, "Oh Tom…"

Letting out a chuckle, Tom patted her back as he chuckled, "You're going bipolar again, Cath."

"Oh am I? I'm sorry…" Cath mumbled as Tom laugh and kissed her forehead.

"Oh tush! I was kidding!" Tom said as he chuckled, "I've never seen you go bipolar before."

"I haven't either," Catherine smiled, "Or maybe I have but on working hours."

"Catherine Howard? Bipolar? I don't think so. It'll only happen when Willie got decided to stop bailing his brother out of jail. Poor guy… he's missing all the holiday funs." Tom mumbled, "He left a note... by the way, he said either the storm goes and let him pass or he'll spend all holidays stucked with his alcoholic brother and vile sister in law."

"What exactly did Willie said?" she asked.

"The storm destroys one of the wings of his plane and even if flights continues after the storm, he doesn't feel so comfortable in riding public planes, even first class, so he'll just stay to make some business decisions or something." Tom said as they broke their embrace, "Honestly I don't get that guy. What's his problem with public planes?"

"I think it's something along with the lines of 'what's your problem with apples?' oh- or… 'what's my problem with cooking?'" Catherine mumbled as she finished brushing her hair, "I do look presentable aren't I?"

"You always look presentable," Tom smiled as he collapsed in bed, "Even when you're naked!"

Catherine blushed as she straightened her skirt, "You flatter me enough despite my age."

"Of course I would… I'm older than you," Tom said as he yawned, "I might have that nap now."

"While I'm going to look where is this Palm Court." Catherine smiled as she kissed Tom, who's preparing to go behind the sheets, "Sleep well, darling."

"Wish you luck," Tom smiled as she smiled back and made her way to the door, "Oh and Cath…"

Catherine turned back and looked at him as he awkwardly pushed himself up, "Don't be too nervous. You'll do fine."

"I love you," Catherine mouthed as he mouth back 'I love you too'. Watching her leave as he fell asleep.


"Merry Christmas Nanny! And Nanny's twin!" Rachel said as she hopped out of their sight.

Nanny and Catherine smiled at her as the later said, "You're very well known around here."

"Nah! Just the perks of working for well-known troublemakers. I bet it's the same for you to your own hospital… being a well-known doctor," Nan said as she took a sip on her tea, feeling more comfortable than she ever was.

"Well it's not actually my hospital. But I admit… it's true tho." Catherine chuckled as she took a sip on her own, "How's life really Nannie? I'm quite sure there's more to adventurous children and everything."

"'onestly, Cathie? It sucks." Nannie mumbled while finishing her tea, "I can feel myself agin' a year everyday and with the children around, I feel like- I don't know- kinda 'ideous and unapproachable? Don't get me wron'- I love my job and the children. It's just that there are different perspectives in everythin' and sometimes I'm seeing the darker side of the coin."

"You're not aging that fast and you're never hideous… unapproachable, maybe but hideous is a big no-no, Nan." Catherine said, "I understand you though. I love working at a hospital but the stress level sometimes kills me. There are just moments that you'd feel exploding in… uh- how do we put this.."

"-resentment for ridiculous reason?" Nannie asked.

"Uh- yes! Something like that!" Catherine smiled, "Though resentment is a very heavy word."

"Well that's the only word I could think of describin' it.." Nan sighed, "'ave you ever felt that edge of being totally rude to someone you admire?"

Catherine finished her tea and thought for seconds before answering, "Once. Uh- I was having a rough day and Tom decided that it's a perfect time to annoy me, or so he thought. He declined every single meal I proposed we order and when I asked him, he'd said it's up to me. Then he'll 'accidentally' make a mess and would complain about a back ache or something so I would clean it."

"What 'appended after that?" Nannie asked.

"He slept on the couch for three weeks and didn't get to choose what he eats." Catherine smirked, "He did a lot of tactics to get himself back to the bed though."

"I imagine," Nan thought and looked at the entrance of the room as she saw Frederick enter with a woman by his side. She can't help but to glare at the way his hands were exactly holding her waist, and to how close they are walking beside each other.

Nanette Denise… you're being ridiculous, she thought, First of all, you indirectly dumped him. Second, you're basis of jealousy is completely- wait… I'm jealous?

Her heavy sigh and slight confused look made Catherine aware of something as she traced Nannie's eyes, seeing the elevator guy.

Fredrick right? she thought as she watch him laugh with the woman beside him. Looking back at her twin, Catherine didn't miss the slight 'pained from the bottom of my heart' look before it was masked by 'I'm being stupid' one.

"Shall we…. go somewhere else? The Court's gettin' busy during this time, and I don't really think sittin' for two 'ours with eight cup of tea is 'ealthy if we keep sittin'" Nannie said as she stood up, followed by Catherine who's already giving her knowing looks as they walked and passed the elevator man and his mysterious company's table.

Catherine can hear Nannie letting out a sigh as they left.

"Shall we walk to the stairs again or we opt for the elevator this time? I heard there's a new balcony installation at the 11th floor." Catherine said as Nannie took another glance back to the Palm Court before answering, "Elevator, I guess…"

Catherine kept looking at Nannie as she made a move to distract her, "Gosh! I'm so happy we're now together." She wrapped her hands around Nannie's waist as she rested her head to her twin's shoulders, "Baby Nancy is not that baby anymore."

Nannie smiled as they continued walking, not caring if people were giving them looks as they waited for the elevator door to open.

"Imagine seein' Clarie once these doors opened," Nannie mumbled as Catherine chuckled.

"I would definitely pinch myself a lot of times. Seeing you at that restaurant already get me think that I'm dreaming."

"Same here, Cathie…" Nannie whispered as the west elevator opened, "I wonder where would she be?"

"Oh wherever she is… I'm sure she's fine and having a wonderful time," Catherine said as they entered, "After all, she's the most matured out of the three of us."

"Oh my knickers…. I'm suddenly so excited once we found her." Nannie smiled.

"Same here, Nan. Same here.."


"What were you thinking about, my darling?" Rupert asked as he joined his wife to the balcony. His arms snaking around her waist as she remained watching the sunset.

He observed her stare to the horizon as her calm breathing gave him a hint that she's thinking deep of things. Making him slightly worried as the last time she did that, she ended up getting sick.

"My sisters," she mumbled as she took out another pendant on her pocket, "I wonder if they knew I'm alive… or if they're alive. What if they're looking for me? Am I really that hard to get recognized?"

"Not around America unless you speak. Your voice goes everywhere." Rupert joked as she looked at him and smiled.

He stroked her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead as he let her head rest on his chest, "I'm sure they're alive, hoping you are as well. If there's any consolation, I'm sure they're already looking for you. It's just unfortunate that unlike in England, Genovia is not very popular for civilians in other countries unless they're our neighbors."

Clarisse chuckled and sighed, "Rupert… I think I'm ready."

"Ready for what, darling?"

"For continuing the hunt. My dear brother, may he rest in peace, told in his letter that he has his best friend as his lawyer and confidant and helper for his sister hunts. If there's anyone who has clues, that's him, second to Philipp of course." Clarisse smiled, "And I don't think I should give my twins a hard time if they're really looking for me."

"But, darling…. you're condition-"

"-will never heal unless I find them. Rupert, it's been thirty-five years and my visions are going crazy. After that time with my brother… I fully remembered everything. I was hit on the stomach and was blown away by a second explosion. One of my sisters, Nanette, floats on the opposite side while the other, Catherine, floats and sinks and floats again. I don't know how I remembered that but the next thing I saw after that is Lord Grimaldo taking care of me." Clarisse breathed as she hugged him back, "Philipp said mom and dad initially died protecting the three of us. They let the water take us so we won't be trapped inside. I- They're my twins, Rupert… my sisters! My family!"

Rupert held her as she took deep breaths, letting her tears flow as he caressed her hair. Ever since it was revealed that she had Traumatic Brain Injury, she rarely shows any distress to him. Her main emotions are mostly shown to her bodyguard Joseph, whom Rupert quickly trusted.

.

"What do you know, Joseph?" he asked.

"Your Majesty-"

"I'm not talking to you as your employer, your prince or even future king.." he interjected, "I'm talking to you as Clarisse's future husband and as a friend."

The intern looked at him before taking a sigh and said, "I'm not saying that whatever I'll say was already proven, just a caution… You see, Your- Rupert... Lady Grimaldo looks like a friend of mine. Just like Lady Grimaldo, she has this pendant… only that it's the different color. Nan, that's her name, is an orphan and became the adoptive sister of my best friend. She was found at the sea when she was five and she told us stories about her twins and that their names are Clarisse and Catherine. She got no other clues though. She lived tragically yet she's the light wherever she goes."

"And…. where is this.. friend of yours?"

"Back in Chicago, sir. She's currently working as a nanny."

..

"Clarisse hasn't woken up yet. I appreciate your actions last night, though. Everyone apparently did." Rupert said as he set his glasses down, "Have you heard from your friend yet?"

"I've called her employer, they said she left to work with another country." Joseph grimly said, "And no one knows where she'd gone."

Rupert sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I talked to Lord Grimaldo, he said Clarisse is his foster child. Found her floating on the river beside his home in America, he said she suffered amnesia and it doesn't help that the only clue of her personality is the pendant."

Joseph looked at him and let out a sigh, "I'm very sorry your majesty."

"It's not your problem, Joseph." Rupert brushed as he leaned in to his desk, "Give me a favor though."

"What is it, sir?"

"Protect her." Rupert said, "Don't tell anything. In the meantime, I trust you and will pull some strings so you'll be permanent here in the palace. Clarisse seemed to trust you so much in her sleep, we're lucky someone can calm her."

"Tell me, your majesty," Joseph mumbled, "Are you saying we're to keep the information that I grew up with Lady Grimaldo's twin a secret to Lady Grimaldo herself?"

"Her physician said that this is not the first time she fainted. Her diagnosis was kept to her for ten years. Any triggering materials about her past that are brought back may cause her distress… especially if she's traumatized." Rupert said, "Now that we don't have any clues about her past, we can't do rash things. We are not to say anything that'll force her to remember."

"But we're not forcing her, Rupert. We're helping her-"

"Joseph, my man… Only Clarisse can help herself remember because we don't know how to. Even if you claim yourself knowledgeable with her twin, that's her twin and not her." Rupert sighed, "Remembering is a slow and painful process. It's ten times more if you suffered amnesia from traumatic events."

"I can't do it sir," Joseph said as he walked into Rupert's room,"It'll be wrong."

"What will be wrong, Joseph?"

"That! You two are to marry and I looked like Lady Grimaldo's another mister. The staff had been talking a lot recently and-"

Rupert laughed and shook his head as he stood up and patted Joseph's shoulders, "Oh Joseph. I have you know that the staff always talks to impressive interns in the way the impressive intern will leave. For sure you already know how vile the palace staff can be. You just have to be more friendly and show them your worth. If you can't really do it because of that then I'll fire them instead."

"But why am I to do it?"

"Because my dear fiancé found comfort in you. And believe me everyone who has a bodyguard should always feel that first and foremost." Rupert said, "And Clarisse will have my head if I replaced you with another man."

.

"You are right," Joseph said, "She did help herself remember."

Rupert didn't reply as he and Joseph watched his wife mourn from the balcony, reading her dead brother's letter.

"But you're wrong as well," Joseph breathed, "The pain of her trauma is never ten times, it's beyond that. She has her greatest fear, now mixed with grief and physical pain. Her head hitting something triggered everything and her bodyguard can no longer protect her from herself if he's restrained."

"Have you found her sister yet?"

"That's not my point, your Highness," Joseph said, "I could have talked to her about it without telling her I know Nan. I could have motivated her so the remembering will be easier. That way I could protect her…. That way she could have smoothly welcomed the things she lost."

.

Damn him for being right, Rupert thought as he caressed his wife's hair.

He knew he 'screw' things up, like how his youngest son put it, and he knew he have to make things right.

Right, he thought, For once I should do something that won't 'screw' everything…


A/N: AAAAAaaaa it's been a long time since I updated this and I'm so sorry for that! It's really just inspiration hit me hardly on this field and idk sometimes I'm onto it but sometimes it's too much, all I've done is stare and imagine. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! Please r&r and THANK YOU VERY MUCH!