Chapter 3

Joseph just stood there for a while, watching her distant figure. In one hand he so desperately wanted to go after her and give her a shoulder, but on the other hand, he knew she had to be alone. Yes, he knew she has to be alone, but he didn't expect it will last for days. As it come to light, it was a habit of her that she disappeared for days in her suite, or exactly in one particular room in her suite. This room was her secret hiding place, what was only for her, no-one ever stepped in, not even for cleaning. Nobody knew what is inside and what is she doing there, the only thing they knew, if she had a bad day, she will be surely there.

Joseph softly asked her to let him in a few times, but he did not succeed and he was more and more worried for her, because it meant she was really depressed. A few days passed when she finally came out, but she felt ashamed of her behavior. She knew Joseph just wanted to cheer her up a bit and when she ran away from that picnic, she perfectly could see in his eyes that he really felt sorry for her. She knew if they met, he would not let her to hide away from her problems. Fortunately or not, it didn't happen, because her husband caught her before she could meet him.

It was a usual argument between them with lots of shouting and screaming. His office door was wide open, so the half of the staff could hear everything. Joseph arrived nearly to the end of it. The King berated her, that he could never count on her, she always hide away in her little world, because she is depressed. They haven't slept together for ages, not to mention that she is so stupid and pitiable and... that was the moment when Joseph felt he heard enough and went in, standing between them. He just arrived at the right moment, before The King could do something he would regret. He just sighed angrily and left them...

Inside the office, Clarisse just crouched in a corner and she was crying desperately. A few days ago, she didn't even let Joseph to touch her teary face, but now as he drew her into his arms, she clung to him desperately. His closeness and loving arms slowly relaxed her. Actually, she didn't feel herself so secure in a long time, but now she started to fear of her own feelings, because she felt more and more about Joseph every day...

To be continued...