Once again you amazed me with your reviews. Thank you so very much! I am so glad that people enjoy my little story. :) I hope you will like this chapter as well and if there is any advice you can give me, feel free to do so. -Maya

CHAPTER 5

Charlotte was in her majesties office when Clarisse stormed in.

"Your majesty,"she almost jumped. Clarisse's face held pain and sadness but anger as well.

The Queen was troubled and her assistant didn't know how to help her or what to do.

"Your majesty?" she walked over to Clarisse and looked at her.

"Charlotte, I need to meet with Parliament as soon as possible,"she said and Charlotte knew something was wrong. Clarisse started pacing back and forth while Charlotte made a note of her Queen's request.

What was going on?Charlotte thought.

Although they had become good friends, she didn't dare ask about the matter.

"There is a meeting scheduled for later this afternoon, your majesty. Would you like me to cancel it? That would make room..." Clarisse interrupted, "Very well then. Cancel it and make me an appointment with Parliament," she said, a bit annoyed. Charlotte's facial expression changed and Clarisse saw that her assistant was getting frightened. She sighed for a moment.

Get yourself together, Clarisse, She thought.

Turning her gaze to the poor, young woman standing a few feet from her she immediately felt sorry for using such a tone. The poor woman was scribbling as fast as she could in her notebook and she really deserved to be informed. Afterall, Charlotte did mean a lot to Clarisse.

"Oh Charlotte, I apologize...,"she said and moved her hand as soon as Charlotte tried to interrupt,"...please let me finish." Letting the Queen continue, she held her notebook against herself and listened.

"I apologize for my behavior. Mia wishes to cancel the wedding and I have to discuss the marriage law with Parliament before such a thing can be done."

Charlotte smiled politely.

"Thank you, your majesty. I will do my best to schedule a meeting for you and please, if there is anything else that I can do..."she smiled and Clarisse gently touched her arm.

"Thank you, Charlotte."

Her assistant leaves her alone in the office and gets on the phone with Parliament members immediately.

Meanwhile, Clarisse was sitting on the sofa in her office and closed her eyes for a moment. She didn't noticed Joseph walking in and watching her. What was going on with her? How could she have yelled at Charlotte? She couldn't stand to see that sad look on Mia's face any longer and was willing to do anything she could to help...no matter how impossible it seemed.

Clarisse got up and walked to the window, still unaware of Joseph's presence. She let out a big sigh and then felt hands on her hips. A bit startled but not alarmed, she knew that touch and familiar scent...Joseph.

"What is the matter, my dear,"he spoke gently near her ear.

"Oh Joseph, I do not think it can be done but I don't wish to disappoint Mia,"she said, leaning back against him.

"The important thing is that you are trying,"he said and held her tighter, if that was even possible.

"Joseph, do try to let me breathe, will you love?"she teased. His arms loosened as he laughed lightly. She turned around in his arms and leaned her head against him.
How lucky could a woman get to have someone as wonderful as Joseph. He made her forget about her troubles, even if for a moment, and she was beyond grateful. Standing in her office in his arms was better than any treatment for relaxation. Joseph was the only treatment she needed. Chuckling to herself, she smiled against his chest and sighed.

"Feeling better, my darling?"he asked softly.

"Yes...thank you,"she replied, not ready to let go. "Could we just stay like this forever?"she held him tighter.

"I wish we could but you will have to move eventually,"he teased. Clarisse looked up into his eyes and saw the love he had for her. She smiled and leaned in for a kiss. Her troubles were long forgotten, the headache that was forming earlier was gone and she couldn't get enough of him.
Minutes later, their lips parted and she frowned.

"I thought you wanted me to let you breathe,"he teased once again.

"These moments are allowed to take my breath away...and they do,"she said before attacking his lips. Her tongue loved to slide along his bottom lip and it did so often. He smiled against her lips and lowered his hands to her lower back. She pressed her hips against his, which only ment one thing.

"Now, my darling?"he asked but before she could answer, Charlotte walked into the office. She always seemed to walk in on them.

"Oh I apologize, your majesty,"she said, turning red. Clarisse wasn't going to hide their relationship any longer.

"That's quite alright, Charlotte. I ment to introduce you to my fiance sooner or later,"she smiled and Charlotte's eyes widened.

"Oh...con...congratulations. I must say it's about time, your majesty,"she smiled at them and they looked at each other. Maybe they weren't keeping it in the shadows as well as they thought.

"Please forgive me but I have made you an appointment with Parliament for tomorrow, your majesty."

"Oh wonderful, thank you,"Clarisse smiled gratefully at her assistant. "Would you mind letting Mia know as well, please?"

"Of course, right away your majesty,"Charlotte bowed and left the room.

"I suppose duty calls. I must get ready for tomorrow and there are a few more papers awaiting my signature,"she sighed, looking at the pile on her desk.

"Of course," he bowed slightly, teasing her. She chuckled. "Oh and Joseph...I shall need a room inspection for tonight,"she winked at him as he smiled and bowed before leaving her to her work.

Well, that's chapter 5, my dears. :) I will get to work on chapter 6 as soon as possible. I'm running out of ideas but maybe Sidney and I can come up with something for chapter 6. :) Please do leave reviews and always be honest with me. Thank you so much!-Maya