This chapter is a bit short compared to C1. I don't know if I am happy with how it turned out. But I decided to post it anyway and see where this is going from here. I will try to have a fixed moment in the week to write on this to keep up some progress.

2. The wango

The reason Joseph had asked Clarisse to dance with him was because he knew that she was struggling with her feelings lately. She waited for years to finally see and get to know her granddaughter. She was happy because of that. At the same time there was an internal fight going on between the Queen of Genovia and the woman Clarisse. A fight for attention between educating the heir into a proper princess and getting to know her granddaughter on a personal level.

But it was a fact that getting to know Amelia brought joy to the Queen. Every member of staff noticed that the Queen was more relaxed and more talkative then she had been the past year.

It was probably only Joseph who realised that there was a second struggle going on inside the head of the most powerful woman of Genovia. King Rupert only passed away a year ago. To an outsider a year might seem long. But when you have to say goodbye to your husband that you lived together with for many years, a year is nothing.

The loss of a partner was one thing. But the loss of a child… Parents should not survive their children. Ever since Philippe died that had cut a hole that could not be restored.

While dancing on autopilot, Joseph looked down on Clarisse. He realised that she was a beautiful woman. She felt warm under his hands, even trough the fabric of her black attire. He hoped that his remark about her wearing black for too long would push her in the right direction. The direction of letting go the past, and while still respecting her husband moving on with her life. Enjoy the pleasure of seeing her granddaughter every day and not feeling guilty about the happiness that she felt because of that.

Clarisse noticed that Joseph was looking at her. And she realised that se did not minder. It had a calming affect on her. It felt good to just dance and have soothing physical contact. Even though it was not a dance for lovers, there was a romantic atmosphere in the air. Clarisse found that she missed the contact with Joseph already. That confused her. Was she attracted to Joseph?

Before she could give it more serious thought the song ended and the next one started to play. Both Clarisse and Joseph stopped dancing and they stepped backwards to create some distance between them.

Whereas they had been quiet during the dance Joseph started speaking. "Respect the dead Clarisse, but don't forget to live today. Don't feel guilty about the joy you feel when you see the princess".

Clarisse managed to shake her confusion off for the moment and produced a smile. "I know I should move on. But it's not easy for an old woman to put the past away easily."

"You are not that old" Joseph replied.

"I'm a grandmother, so yes, I am old." Clarisse said.

Joseph smiled back.

"Thank you for your words Joseph. This battle is going on inside me for some time now. But now that I hear from you to live today, I think I dare to take the step and start enjoying more."

Clarisse moved and walked over to the table to gather the documents she had been working on before the dance. "Even though dancing is quite relaxing, I am afraid we both should focus our attention back to work. Amelia makes me happier than I have been in months. But still there is a lot of work to do before the Renaldi bloodline is safe."

Joseph was sorry that the nice moment of personal talk was over. But he knew Clarisse was right. So, he picked up the subject that he wanted to discuss.

"Well about work. As discussed, I wrote a plan which makes it possible for me to concentrate more on the security planning and less on the execution of it. It's almost finished. When would you like to go over it so that you know the details?"

Clarisse kept looking at the documents in front of her. "When? Well for the answer to that questions I would suggest that you consult Charlotte. But I would say somewhere to coming two weeks."

Josepg nodded in response.

"I must say that I will miss you being around as bodyguard. But I understand that it's normal for people in security business to stop with the physical work at a certain age."

Joseph looked from Clarisse to his shoes and back and doubted for a second. He could just let the subject be. But he knew he had to address it at some point in time. Better do it now.

"Clarisse. There is another reason that it's a bad idea that I continue to be your bodyguard."

She looked up from the table in surprise.

"It's unsafe and therefore unwise that bodyguards befriend their employer. When an unsafe situation occurs, the security guard must act based on protocol and not based on a personal relationship."

Joseph held his breath while waiting for this news to sink in. They both knew that they developed a friendship lately. But it was never mentioned out loud.

Clarisse was silent for a second. She was thinking that at least her feeling that their connection grew was not one sided. Then she replied in a soft voice. "I am glad to have you as a friend. I feel stupid that I did not realise the safety risk myself. I am glad you did."

"Well that is part of the job I would say" Joseph replied calmly. But inside his head something snapped into place. She acknowledged their friendship! Now that it was out in the open it was a relief

"Is it an issue that you stay on as head of security?" Clarisse hoped that the answer on her question would be no. The idea of saying goodbye to Joseph was not a nice idea.

Joseph saw the uneasiness spreading across the Queens face and was happy that he could give a reassuring answer. "No that won't be a problem when I leave the execution of the safety measures to others." He got serious. His insight was important, but the decision remained with Clarisse. "But when you have any doubts…"

She interrupted "I can count on it that you have all the plans double checked by someone else?"

"Yes of course, as always, but when you feel…."

"Let's just move on then. And I guess you will still remind me when I try to undermine my security?"

While Charlotte came walking into the ballroom Clarisse and Joseph both looked in her direction. Joseph was somehow both sad and relieved that this meeting was over and replied, "You can count on that."

"Your majesty, it's almost time for your 6 o'clock meeting" Charlotte mentioned.

"Ah yes of course. If you can pick up those documents and put them in the right folders? I will walk ahead to the meeting room."

Clarisse turned to Joseph and asked, "how long will it take before the new security measure are in place?"

"At least until we are back in Genovia. I need to pick men from the existing team and get them worked in on their new positions. It will take a month or so before everyone is settled."

Clarisse nodded her approval and with that she said her goodbyes to Joseph and made her way across the consulate towards her meeting.

The idea that she now officially had a new friend make her feel happy and content. The little tingling feeling of romance that had been in the air during her dance with Joseph made her feel confused. Oh, come on she reminder herself, you are the Queen for heavens sake! You have managed series of difficult speeches, grumpy men from parliament and the death of your son. What are you worrying about? It was just one silly dance, not a love declaration.