A big thank you to my lovely reviewers aserene, Shakayla, CJmynixMG and Mrs. Della Mason for your wonderful reviews they are greatly appreciate. Once again a HUGE thank you to my lovely beta Shakayla, thank you so much for using your precious time on me!!! She is the reason this is readable!!! So when you read this next part remember to thank her for doing it.
Now yours truly will retire to my bed and let you read in peace and quiet.
Enjoy!!!
Happy times...
Finally things are going as they should. The education and caretaker system we developed is working perfectly. The King seems healthier than ever before and the Queen has been away for three months for what she referred to as convalescence. She claimed it was to cope with everything that happened. She just returned a few weeks ago. Everything else seems to be practically perfect in every way.
We have now been married for one year, eight months and thirteen days and we couldn't be happier. Everything has been absolutely fantastic, other than a few disagreements with the Queen. Our first disagreement with her was about five months ago. The Queen suddenly decided that we should no longer stay in the suite we had lived in since our wedding. So, while we were out riding, she had a large portion of contents of our suite moved to another one. While this, in and of itself was an imposition, she also didn't find it necessary to tell us even though she had the opportunity later in the day during afternoon tea.
During tea, she mostly spoke with Rupert about what his father was planning to propose to parliament sometime during the following week. She asked him to lend support to his Father's proposal – an argument ensued. Rupert's main point was that he didn't want to publicly support the proposal as he didn't agree with it. I didn't pay too much attention to their conversation as I had learned to focus on the gardens and the work being done in them by the horticulture people. The Queen had long since convinced me that she didn't have any interest in speaking with me in a social manner, so I passed my time admiring the beautiful grounds. I have come to love the palace gardens and I enjoy spending time in them, much to the apparent regret of Joseph and Jacob. My guess is that wearing black and standing quietly in the hot sun is part of why they don't find it as pleasant as I do. They are both great, though, as they say they don't mind. I think at times I catch a look in their eyes that says something different.
I did pay enough attention, however, to know that the Queen didn't even mention that nothing of ours would be in our "old" room. She didn't even find it necessary to mention when Rupert suggested that we run up to the room to change out of our riding gear into something more comfortable.
As we started up the stairs, we heard the Queen's voice behind us, "Stop that ridiculous hand holding; it's sickening. Rupert do not forget the meeting I have arranged for you tomorrow morning!" She admonished softly, but firmly.
"Mother, this is my wife and I love her dearly. I will hold her hand until SHE tells me not to!" He stated.
She huffed and turned around very offended, which only led to bigger smiles on both our faces. We continued on our way to our suite. Upon our arrival, the doormen opened the doors for us. The minute the doors closed, I was in Rupert's arms kissing him like there was no tomorrow. Because we were distracted, it wasn't until Rupert moved us to the bed that we noticed our suite didn't look familiar. Additionally, we heard a cough that made us break apart. A new maid that neither of us had ever seen before was standing there doing her best to avert her gaze away from our display of affection.
"I'm sorry, your highnesses; but I was told that I should strip the bed - the painters have orders to paint the room tonight." She said very politely.
"I beg your pardon…painters? What? Why if I may ask? Who ordered that?" Rupert asked her fast.
"The Queen, your highness; she asked us to move all your things another floor up." She curtsied while answering.
"Her Majesty! Hmm…Do you know why?" He questioned.
"Her Majesty said something about that since no heirs were on the way from your highnesses there was no need for you to stay in this suite that has a nursery connected." She answered softly.
"So she just moved us out?" He asked and the maid nodded.
She continued, "I don't wish to be rude; but would it be possible for you to continue in another room so I can finish up here. I fear I may receive a severe ear bashing from the Queen if I haven't finished in time." Her tone was pleading.
Rupert and I both nodded. We rose from our position on the bed and walked to our closet which we found completely empty. Our sitting room was completely different as well as the room that was to be the nursery. We had been using it for our paperwork, presents, or something that needed our attention. Everything had been moved.
This caused Rupert to grab the phone and call his mothers office, "I want our suite back as it was. You have no right to move us anywhere. Am I clear?" He yelled into the phone before he slammed it down, which made me jump slightly. I walked over to him and ran my hands over his shoulders and down his back then around his midsection so I could hug him from behind. I felt him relax and put his hands on mine squeezing them softly. I rested my head on his back after planting a kiss there, "Remember what you said to me, darling? A baby will make it all better; and that will be soon, at least I hope." I reassured him softly and felt him nod.
"I know Clarisse, I know; but she is really pushing me to my limits of control." He shared.
I nodded my understanding. The maid came into the sitting room and curtsied, "Your highnesses, do you want to have the cream or the lavender silk bedding on? The Queen wanted me to inquire. She has asked us to move it all back here." She asked, almost sighing in frustration.
"Lavender, thank you; I am sorry for your inconvenience over the Queen's ideas!" I apologized as I could feel that Rupert wasn't up to dealing with matters such as this right now. The maid nodded slightly and then left. We followed and were pleased to learn that we could get back in our suite in less than two hours.
The next time we clashed with the Queen occurred when she was about to leave for her convalescence. She decided and advised us four days before she left that we…meaning Rupert and I, should throw her a farewell ball. We quickly informed her that we didn't have the time for doing such things as we were in the middle of planning for a combined kindergarten and nursery.
She was not swayed, however, and determined that it was more important to have this ball; so she planned it herself. She planned every detail and advised us that we were to report to The Glass Ballroom at 7 p.m. sharp. She also instructed that I was to wear a light purple dress that would be in our room the day of the ball along with the flowers for Rupert's jacket. We were both in awe of her efficiency – it only took her five and a half hours to arrange a ball. Because it seemed to mean so much to her, even though we didn't have time for it, we attended the ball.
Despite all of her careful attention to detail, she failed to inform us that her arrangements included Rupert and me hosting this farewell ball for the Queen.
"Here you are, my dear. You just have time to read it!" She said as she handed Rupert a welcome speech.
"Mother, why have you arranged this? We told you we didn't have time for it; and, to be honest, we were planning on leaving early. Now we can't; we have to stay until the very last guest leaves!" He asked, annoyed.
"Oh dear, you can still leave early, just tell everyone to leave!" The Queen said while looking at her reflection in the nearby mirror.
"Mother, you know we can't do that!" I said, looking between Rupert and the King, who was just sitting in a chair waiting.
"Of course you can, you are still newlyweds, everyone will understand." She snared.
"What does that mean?" Rupert asked.
"As newlyweds and the heirs to the Genovian throne and, due to the fact that you have produced no additional heirs yet, the guests will understand that you've left to try!" She said sweetly.
"Mother! Do you really think that we will leave, allowing the people think that we left just to have sex!" Rupert loudly stated.
"I do not see anything wrong with that my dear. Your father and I did that in the beginning of our marriage! And Rupert, please do not use that word, it sounds so vulgar." She hissed.
"Sounds so vulgar? What do you call your suggestion that we give the impression that we can't control ourselves for even a few hours and must leave for our bedchambers to have relations? That mother - is vulgar! I will; no, we will do this one thing for you so we don't leave the impression that you are a woman who had to arrange a ball for herself. Once we do this for you, we do not want to hear anything further from you on any matter that we do not ask you about first!" Rupert hurled at her.
"Fine! Shall we?" She asked, looking at the King who simply nodded as he rose.
We stayed until the last guest left and then slowly made our way upstairs. I dismissed my maids and undressed myself, pulling on a nightgown. I honestly don't remember how I got to bed. I actually think that Rupert carried me from the bathroom; but I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. The next morning, our wake-up call came when the maids drew the curtains back. As we roused from sleep, one of the maids handed Rupert an envelope. He opened it and read the note inscribed on the small piece of paper, "You have six months and then I will no longer keep quiet."
Rupert crumpled the paper and threw it away, "She does not set the limit!" He muttered
"Sorry darling, I couldn't hear you." I softly asked.
"I just said that my mother will not set a time limit for when we are to have a child!" He said and gestured towards the piece of paper.
"Thank you my love!" I said and kissed him deeply.
He returned the kiss, pulling the sheet up over our heads. He let his hands run down my body, giving each and every place the right attention. When his hands went to pull my slip up, I was sold. We ended up not getting out of bed until an hour later.
During the Queen's absence, we had three very peaceful months. We settled into a normal routine while she was gone which continued up until the day before the Queen returned. Tension fell over the palace as everyone was walking on eggshells. The staff wanted everything to be perfect, spotless and completely to the Queen's satisfaction.
She had advised that she, personally, would be inspecting everyone and everything on her return, including Rupert and myself. It seemed so strange that I didn't believe Rupert when he first told me, "Darling are you ready for the inspection in two hours?" Rupert asked lightly when he poked his head in my office.
"Inspection? Who is going to inspect me?" I replied, winking at him.
"Oh darling, I'm sorry to disappoint you; but it is not me. Although I would love to; but my mother is retuning today. You didn't forget, did you?" He asked entering the office completely.
"Oh that is right. I have been wondering all morning what that red alarm note was in my calendar. So your mother returns today and she wants to inspect me?" I questioned.
"Yes; but not only you, everybody…well except my father. And, if she inspects him…I don't want to know about it," he joked. "Not to change the subject, but are you ready for my cousin's wedding?" He asked as he sat down in the large chair by the fireplace.
"I don't know. I'm not sure if I want to wear the light pink suit with the small hat or the crème coloured suit with the larger hat to church. But I do know that I want to wear the coral coloured dress that the dressmaker finished just this morning for the wedding party." I eagerly shared and sat down in front of him.
"This is so typical of you darling; and I love you for it! Just let me know what colour flower I should wear when you decide, ok?" He joked and leaned forward and pecked my cheek
"I will. Now go and get ready for your mother's inspection!" I said and pushed him out of my office, giving his buttock a light slap.
We presented ourselves for the inspection upon the Queen's return. It lasted all of five minutes; but she didn't say a thing. True to her word, she didn't ask anything either. Of course, she had promised to not say anything for the next six months and only three had gone by. The only thing she said was 'yes, thank you' when Rupert said that she looked good and well rested. She then retired to her and the King's suite and we didn't see her again that day.
We attended the wedding of Rupert's cousin two weeks after the Queen returned. I couldn't remember him from my own wedding; but Rupert confirmed that he had been there. I decided on my crème coloured suit and the large hat. Right before we left for the ceremony, Rupert shared that he was very happy with my choice of attire. Apparently that colour reminds him of me on our wedding day.
As we were seated in the church waiting for the wedding to begin, I passed the time looking around in the church and noticed an older man at the altar. I elbowed Rupert slightly, "Rupert, who is that up at the altar?" I asked.
"That is my cousin." He laughed quietly.
"But he looks so…much older than I expected!" I said, trying to be diplomatic.
"He is darling; he is fifty four. Believe it or not, this is his first wedding." He told me in a whisper.
Suddenly the wedding march started and everyone rose to their feet. I got up too fast and felt very dizzy. Rupert steadied me and held my arm. As the door opened, a young woman…not much older than me…made her way up the aisle. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. To think that someone my age would even think about marrying someone that much older…but, as they say, love is blind.
The ceremony was fairly uneventful and was moving along slowly. Because it was taking so long for everything to get started, Rupert and I passed the time quietly discussing the decorations inside the church and he told me a little bit about the people around us. A quick look to either side told us that we weren't the only ones that were trying to pass the time with talking. Then as on cue, we all fell silent when the priest finally took the pulpit to begin the wedding ceremony. I tried to remain quiet; but I had something on my mind that I had wanted to share for a little while. In retrospect, I guess I said it at the wrong, yet right time, "I'm pregnant!" I leaned in and whispered to Rupert.
"What?" Rupert responded loudly.
Unfortunately, his 'what' came right after the bride had said 'I do'. Everybody turned to look at us. I hid behind my large hat and Rupert tried discretely to divert the attention and apologized to the bridal couple. And, of course, the Queen was LESS than pleased. After a few tense moments, however, the wedding continued where we had interrupted it.
Rupert turned back to look at me, "Are you really pregnant, darling?" He whispered. I simply nodded and smiled at him.
He took my hand and brought it to his lips. He continued to hold my hand even after it separated from his lips. Our joined hands rested on his thigh until the ceremony ended. After the newlyweds left the church for their carriage ride around town, the guests were allowed to leave the church. As soon as we got up and started walking, Rupert put his arm around my back with his hand resting on the top of my hip. We nodded politely at the people we knew and also many that we didn't know.
When we got to our car, Joseph was standing at the door ready to open it. Rupert hesitated, though, and turned around so he was in front of me. He ran his hands down my arms and looked me straight in the eye, "Clarisse, do you know how much I love you at this moment?" Rupert asked.
"Hopefully as much as I love you; but please feel free to share as I would love to hear how much!" I vainly said and received a good laugh from Rupert.
"Well, I love you more today than I did yesterday; but I will love you even more tomorrow!" he said and kissed me fully on the lips. When we finally parted, he looked at me and tilted his head.
"What Rupert?" I asked.
"You know, I believe that you are somewhat glowing!" He said
"Thank you, I think!" I shyly said.
"Joseph, my wife is expecting so let us get her to the hotel so she can have a little rest before the rest of the wedding." Rupert said to Joseph while looking at me and running the backside of his hand softly down my cheek.
Once we were seated in the car, Joseph turned around and offered sincerely, "Congratulations, your highnesses!"
"Thank you, Joseph!" I replied.
"Thank you, Joseph; but do know, you're sworn to secrecy…so not a word!" Rupert reminded.
"Of course, your Highness!" Joseph said and turned back around looking for a sign that we could leave. Rupert and I talked in hushed tones as he touched my lower stomach lightly. We both smiled at the shared thought we just had.
"Your highness? I have to inquire, just as an aside… When this news is made official, I will not only be protecting the Crown Princess; but also the future heir to the Genovian throne, correct?" Joseph paused.
"You will be protecting my wife and my child even before the news is shared; I hope you understand that from now on that I will need you to take even better care, if possible, of her!" Rupert said and looked lovingly at me.
"I do understand and certainly will do that, your Highness. My question is, though, will I get paid double for guarding twice as many people?" Joseph joked.
Both Rupert and I broke out in a hearty laughter along with Joseph. Soon after, we left for the hotel. Once in our room, however, we never had a minute of peace and quite to enjoy. And even though we couldn't talk about my pregnancy out loud just yet, I could see on Rupert's face that he was happier than ever before.
We had just changed to our formal attire when the door burst open and in strode the Queen, "What on earth did you two have to discuss during that ceremony that was so important that an outburst like that was necessary?" She yelled.
"Nothing, Mother." Rupert answered her calmly.
"Nothing! Nothing…so you tell me that you two interrupted and embarrassed the entire family for nothing. I saw the two of you chat during the ceremony; I saw you kissing as though you were in private right outside the church…what exactly do you think you are doing!" She asked coldly.
"We were simply discussing the fact that James is considerably older than the young woman he married. Everyone thinks it's crazy; but no one would dare say such a thing. I'm afraid our discussion of that fact got a little out of hand. Happy?" He replied just as cold.
The Queen turned on her heels and left in a hurry; we were finally alone for the first time since arriving back at our hotel suite. Rupert used the time efficiently. He threw his arms around me and kissed me deeply, letting his hands roam all over my body, carefully…as to not ruin my dress.
"Clarisse, I'm so honoured and extremely happy that we are having a child!" He said.
"I'm sorry I sprang it on you at such an inopportune time and place. I had actually planed to tell you later; but the wedding was so boring, I couldn't wait one more days!" I admitted.
"Don't be sorry darling it was the perfect time! I will always remember how, when and where you told me." He kissed me on the lips once again softly.
We enjoyed ourselves immensely at the wedding party; we talked and danced and had a great dinner. We didn't leave until three in the morning. When we finally got back to our hotel we were so tired that everything was just thrown on the floor. We retired to the bed and got into our spooning position with Rupert putting a protective hand over my lover abdomen. I placed my small hand on top of his and we both fell asleep.
We have now been trying to find the perfect time to send out a press release with the news of the pregnancy; but it will have to wait a little while as we still have to tell the family yet. Most importantly, we haven't informed the Queen yet. We hope that once she learns of the news, she then finally will be happy.
To be continued...
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