Hey everyone, thank you so much for reading and leaving wonderful reviews on the first chapter of this new story :) I really appreciate it. Now after I posted the first chapter a few more ideas popped into my head for day 1, so here they are.
Please enjoy, and remember any feedback/reviews is and always will be much appreciated :) thank you.
Day 1 - Part 2 - The Ball.
Standing in front of the mirror in her closet after getting ready for the ball, Clarisse smoothed her hands down the front of the dress to smooth it out before turning from side to side to check herself. It was a new dress, one that she'd had made specially for tonight's ball and one that fitted her just perfectly. It was however a little more revealing than usual with its plunge v neck line that showed a little bit more cleavage than she would normally show, but she felt comfortable and that was the main thing.
"Mother?" Philippe called from his mothers suite.
"Yes darling, I'm just coming," Clarisse called out and had one last look at herself before walking out to Philippe in her suite. Standing in her bedroom doorway, she watched him a moment as he moved to stand at the open french doors with his hands in his pants pockets. "How do I look?" She asked as she entered the room and done a twirl as Philippe turned to look over at her.
"Wow, mother," Philippe said and smiled, "you look great."
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled and clasped her hands together in front of her. "So are you ready for your first official royal engagement?"
"I am," he nodded and smiled, "but we can't really say it's my first official engagement when I have done many of these events before."
"That is true," she smiled and watched her son a moment, "but it's your first one since we announced your take over next year."
"Touché, mother, touché," he laughed and nodded while looking away for a moment. "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course you can," she smiled with a nod.
"Is it true that you are going away with Joseph in the morning?" He asked.
"Well yes, I am, I was going to tell you this evening but how did you find out?" She asked.
"Oh I heard Joseph and Charlotte talking about it earlier," he said and watched as she walked over to stand by the open french doors. "You do know that he has a thing for you, don't you?"
"Excuse me?" She laughed as she turned her head to look over at him, "he does not have a thing for me."
"He does, there's been rumours going around the palace for years," he said and slipped his hands back in his pockets as he watched her look back out of the open doors. "I'm surprised you haven't heard about them."
"No, I haven't heard any such rumours," she lied, she had heard about the rumours, and seen the way he looked at her when he thought no one was watching, but had always brushed it off because the truth was, over the years she had found him incredibly handsome herself but being married she could never act on her feelings.
"Oh I see, well he fell in love with you the first moment he met you apparently," he said and turned to sit down in one of the armchairs as Clarisse turned her head to look over at him. "Me and Pierre thought you knew, what with you becoming closer this last few months."
"Yes, that is true we have grown closer but only as friends," she said and turned to him. "He has been there a lot for me, for us all, since your father passed away."
"I know he has and we are grateful to him for that," he nodded as someone knocked on the door.
"Ahh that will be Joseph now, coming to let us know that they are ready for us downstairs," Clarisse said as she started walking over to get the door.
"Mother, wait," Philippe exclaimed and watched as she turned to him, "just a minute, Joseph." He called out.
"Whatever is the matter?" Clarisse exclaimed as she watched her son walk over to stand in front of her.
"Are you absolutely sure it's a good idea to go away with him tomorrow? I mean I know that you are friends and he's your head of security, but with these rumours already going around surely you two going away with no other staff will only start more rumours." He said quietly.
"Then let them," she said and found herself smiling, "we have nothing to hide."
"I know, but I'm just worried about you," Philippe said as he looked into his mothers eyes, "especially if it gets out and reaches the papers, they can be mean at times you know."
"Oh I know that and I also know that you are worried about me but I am sixty three years old, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, darling," Clarisse said as she reached her hand up to cup her sons cheek.
"Alright," he reluctantly nodded and put his hand up, placing it on top of hers, "I just don't want to see you get hurt that's all."
"I know darling, but I promise I will be fine," she said and reached up to give him a quick hug before pulling back to look in his eyes. Eyes just like his fathers, "now come on, our guests are waiting."
Later That Evening.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Joseph said softly as he slowly approached the Queen standing out on the back balcony and watched as she turned to him.
"I knew you wouldn't be far behind," she smiled and turned back to overlook the palace garden. "Honestly I am fine, I just needed some air."
"Are you sure?" He asked as he stood beside her and placed his hands on the balustrade in front of them. "I saw you talking with Mabrey right before you came out here."
"Yes, Mabrey," she nodded while turning back to the palace and leant back against the balustrade, "you know that man is in a whole league of his own, because there is no one else in this world that can drive me as crazy as he can."
"Oh really?" He laughed and turned his head to look at her, "what's he done now?" He asked.
"What hasn't he done?" She said and stared a long moment at the palace before turning to look back out at the view of her garden. "Tonight, he wants to know if I will ever remarry."
"He what?" He exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah," she nodded and looked down at the wedding ring Rupert had given her all those years ago. "Rupert wanted me to remarry."
"He did?" Joseph said softly and watched as she nodded.
"But when do I have time to find a husband?" She said and looked up at him, "anyway, that's enough of that. Tonight is going well, don't you think?" She asked, quickly changing the subject and looked back out at the garden.
"It is, yes," he nodded and watched her a moment before turning to the side, resting his hip against the balustrade while looking over at the palace. "Prince Philippe is doing well too tonight."
"Oh he is, isn't he?" She said and smiled while turning back to the palace. "He has come such along way since his fathers passing thirteen months ago, that I am quite looking forward to seeing him succeed." Clarisse said confidently.
"We all are," Joseph nodded as their eyes met.
"Anyway," she said, pulling her gaze from his and took two steps forward before turning back to him. "I think we should go back in before the other security guards realise I'm missing." She laughed.
Later That Night.
"Well thank you for walking me back to my suite, Joseph," Clarisse smiled as they stopped outside her door and turned to one another.
"You are most welcome," he smiled, "now go and get a good night sleep, because we will be leaving as soon as we are both ready in the morning."
"Leaving?" Clarisse asked and shook her head in confusion.
"Yes, for our trip?" He smiled.
"Oh yes of course, I had completely forgot all about that," she exclaimed and put her hand up onto her forehead. "Goodness, I haven't even packed yet."
"Oh dear," he laughed.
"I better go and do that now before I go to bed," she said and turned to her door, opening it before turning back to him. "Should I pack anything specific?"
"Just comfortable cloths and shoes, in case you would like to take a walk," he smiled.
"Alright," she nodded and smiled at him. "Thank you and I'll see you in the morning."
"Yes, you will," he said and smiled as she walked into her suite and turned back to him. "Goodnight."
"Yes, goodnight," she smiled and closed the door.
Smiling to himself, Joseph turned and made his way to his own suite down the hall.