I have decided that two children, well actually three if you count in my husband, is a hard task to handle. That, along with being the regent of Genovia one week and back as the heirs to the throne the next just to be thrown in as the regent the following week. It wears you down. Along with all my patronages, there just isn't enough time during the day to get everything done. Most importantly, though, my children still remember who I am and I do get to see my husband every night…right before he passes out in the bed.
Rupert has been working so hard for the past several months. His father, King Albert, continues to have health issues. This has been very hard on Rupert; and on us as a family. With his added responsibilities handling things for his father, it has put extra stress on us in general. He tries to see the positive in all of this and sees this as training for when the King is no longer here and Rupert and I will be King and Queen. Secretly, I hope he gets better at managing his time. We see him in the morning; and, if I'm lucky, I get to see him at lunch. The children feel fortunate if they get to see him at dinner. However, he usually has a huge stack of papers at his side which he alternates between signing his name and putting the fork in his mouth.
I feel very sorry for him and I try to help him out as much as possible. Unfortunately, though, there are some things that I, as a woman, am not allowed to participate in…at least according to Parliament. Even when Rupert insists on me joining in on the discussion, they refuse. They even go so far as to make it clear that he is only in session due to his father's bad health and he has not right to insist that they discuss things with a woman. Parliament insists that, if he wanted or needed me there, it casts doubt as to his ability to rule a country. When he comes to bed after days like that, he always snuggles up close and tells me that he needs to hold me…right now.
Christelle had just turned one when he experienced the worst day he had had in a long time. It had been overwhelming and his energy was completely gone by the time we reached bedtime. The day began by him learning that the vet at the stables having to euthanize Rupert's favourite mare because of old age. It had been very difficult for him to let her go; but he knew it was for the best. "Oh God, Clarisse, she was a present for me when I was born." Rupert softly spoke.
"She has done well and you've experienced many things together - you've been more than good to her. I even think you've spoiled her more than me!" I said trying to bring a smile to his saddened face. I was successful.
"I know; but you are a lot nicer to snuggle up to!" He said with the smile still on his handsome face; but he never turned to look at me. When the vet walked out from the stables his hand tightened around mine. I pulled at his arm and lead him back to our suite so we would be there when Pierre came running in.
After breakfast, he had been in session with Parliament where they continued to question his ability to rule. The did not try to hide their concern and had been debating back and forth where or not to let the Chevalier family or the Von Troken family take over the throne after King Albert Renaldi.
Rupert had requested my presence since this also involved me to a certain extent; but he was told that a woman was not allowed to be at one of these sessions unless Parliament unanimously agreed. He had then just sat there listening to all these so called wise men.
At lunch time he had come to my office and gave me a short, but precise, recap of the session. He knelt down beside my chair and looked up at me. "I love you, Clarisse and I always will. I hope you will always love me too, even if Parliament decides not to let me follow in my father's footsteps." He almost begged me.
"Of course I will, Rupert; it is my duty as your wife to stand by you at all times." I said as I cupped his cheek.
Rupert rose halfway to place his lips upon mine. At first it was a soft kiss; but then he pressed into me further and traced his tongue along my lower lip. That was his way of asking for permission to slip past the swollen gates of my lips to meet my tongue. Permission was granted and soon we were lost in our kisses. His hand trailed from my back around to cup my breast, running his thumb over the buds causing them to strain to their fullest. After he teased some more, his hand travelled down my body to my hip which he lightly squeezed. He then let his hand run down my thigh to my knee where his hand disappeared up under my skirt.
His fingertips reached my panty line and he still hadn't received complaints from me. He hastily removed his hand and scooped me up in his arms to be carried to the small sitting arrangement where he placed me and quickly returned his hand to under my skirt. Just as he reached my panties again, a knock was heard at the door. Rupert looked at me and sighed. He pulled me up with him and we made sure we looked presentable before anyone entered.
"Your Highness, the Italian ambassador is in your office waiting for you." Rupert's aide advised.
"Thank you. Please tell him I will be with him in a few minutes." He breathed out.
His aide walked out and closed the door as Rupert turned back to me. "I'm sorry my love, I promise you I will have more time for us soon!" He said as he cupped my face in his hands.
"I know darling. Now go be King and then I will meet you in the bedroom tonight…just don't expect to be allowed to be king there!" I winked at him and we broke out in a hearty laugh.
He had left my office with a smile on his face that had not been present for a long time. He was called back into a meeting with Parliament after that and didn't make it in time for dinner or late night tea. So I tucked in Pierre and Christelle and went to our suite with the last of my paperwork for the day. I didn't realise that I had been reading proposals for hours when Rupert tiptoed through our door. He looked so drained. I felt so very sorry for him. "Darling I'm right here." I softly spoke as not to startle him.
"Oh you haven't gone to bed yet. What a pleasant surprise!" He said, trying to sound energetic.
"Really? Why is that so pleasant?" I questioned.
"Because, I really need you now." He sounded defeated.
"You need me?" I didn't quite know what he meant and looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"NO. NO, it's not that…I just really need you." He said as he sat down beside me and took my hands in his. He lifted them to his mouth and placed feather light kisses to each finger.
"Then please do enlighten me as to what you need my assistance for?" I smiled at him and gave him a small kiss.
"Parliament wanted to know if we were going to have more children. I told them not at the moment and not until we feel as though we will have the time for another child. They informed me they want another Renaldi heir, preferably male. Since Pierre could end up abdicating his claim to the throne. Also, according to Parliament, Christelle will probably marry out of Genovia to a foreign diplomat to enhance the relationship with that particular country. So, if that should happen, then there will be no Renaldi heir left to take over. They want to ensure that doesn't happen. Or…we could just sign our own abdication papers and then Parliament will vote on who will get the throne." Rupert drew a hard breath.
"Darling, what if you just promise Parliament another Renaldi heir, but not until I'm ready for it. Will that satisfy them?" I suggested.
"I attempted that, even without discussing it with you; but apparently they want a pregnancy now." He sighed.
"Well I don't!" I said, as I quickly stood up and walked over to the huge window overlooking the palace garden.
Rupert came up behind me and slipped his arms around me and placed his chin on my shoulder. "I know, love, I know. Not even thinking about another child right now; however, do you want to continue our "lunch"?" He whispered.
I looked at him, gave him a wicked smile and slightly nodded. He scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bed. I stopped his progress though and asked for a few minutes to freshen up. I smiled and watched as he lay back on the bed with his hands behind his head as he watched me leave. That was exactly the position I found him in when I returned from our bathroom. He was sound asleep. I couldn't help but smile at him and think of him as a child; he looked very innocent as he lay there. I pulled the duvet up to his chin, climbed in next to him and hugged his waist. As my body nestled close to his, I could almost feel how worn down he was.
In November the world seemed to change. The American President was assassinated. Every country seemed to up their standards with security; and, of course, their efforts to secure the people and rulers in their country. The Genovian Parliament decided that the royal family should have even more security than ever before; they wanted to make sure they had a great ruler. They knew King Albert's style, but were uncertain of Rupert's. They continued to voice their concern over his ability to rule. The fact that we had not produced another male heir at their wish was seen as a weakness in their future king. If he couldn't command his wife, then how was he supposed to command a country? They never took the opportunity to ask if this was a mutual agreement we had nor did they seem to care.
Parliament kept pressuring Rupert for another heir, and somehow he managed to keep them at bay with the promise that another heir soon would be announced. One day, however, that wasn't enough for Parliament. He barged into my office. "Clarisse! Clarisse, you have to hang up and come with me to meet with Parliament right this minute!" Rupert declared.
"I'm sorry, Andrea, apparently my husband is in desperate need of me right this moment. Yes, I will call you later!" I said and hung up the phone "Rupert, what on earth is the matter?" I questioned as I leaned forward on my desk.
"You have to come with me to Parliament right now!" He demanded again.
"Rupert, why? I have so much work left here that I….." He cut me off by pulling me by the hand.
"Clarisse, if you don't come with me to Parliament right this minute, there is a possibility that the Renaldi family will not be the reigning family for much longer!" He desperately shared.
"What? Why?" He wasn't making any sense. Why do I need to be present in Parliament for that discussion? Wouldn't that be something you or your father would handle?" I asked.
"Yes, but you are the only one they want to hear from at this point!" He said as we reached the door to the room that housed the Parliament.
I raised my head and straightened my back even more than it already was and entered as soon as my husband opened the door. Everyone stood, out of respect, as we came in. I immediately addressed them, not waiting for an official introduction "Gentlemen, it has come to my attention that you have an interest in both my and my husband's private life and choices. You want another male Renaldi heir and you want it now. While I understand your desire to ensure the future of your country, I want to provide you with a small update from our private lives. While we have every intention of having more children, we are not prepared to do so now.
We have been privileged to already have two beautiful children. We are very interested in getting to know them as parents should know their children. It is our belief that having more children at this point will hinder that." I stated firmly and confidently.
I continued. "I must also say that I feel insulted that you question the motives and interests of both me and your Prince and future King. We have only the best of interests for Genovia which is why we have decided to wait on having another child. Having the best of interest for Genovia involves us being able to be here for Genovia and for our own little family to the fullest. If we do not have the time to bring up the children in the true Genovian spirit, then how can we mould a perfect ruler for you when the time comes? If the promise of another heir as soon as our lives allows isn't enough, then perhaps we should abdicate our rights to assume the throne right now. Thank you." My voice was strong and, perhaps, even angry as I finished. I let out a small sigh before making sure I had looked at each member once then I walked away with a look of confidence.
As soon as the door closed behind us, I wrapped my arms around Rupert's neck and tried to breathe correctly.
"You did marvellous, darling!" Rupert said and ran his hands over my back and soothed my body in an effort to relax me.
"Thank you! I love you!" I said and pulled his lips to mine for a brief moment.
A week later, Parliament agreed to give us some more time and not pressure us for more children. This did not please the Queen as she saw it as a sign of weakness from Rupert that he couldn't control me and make me give him another son. I'm so lucky, though, that I have married a man that treats me with dignity and respect; one who value my opinion and one who agrees with me.
My darling little girl is now two years old. We have started discussing child number three; but it is still only in the discussion phase. We've made an agreement, though, that we will have one more child within the next three years. Parliament has asked Rupert to refrain from bringing me, or any other woman, into session with Parliament again; but he dismissed it right away. He argued that it was healthy for Genovia and for democracy that a woman's point of view be heard as well.
They were not persuaded and stood by the 'we've never done it that way before…' position. Rupert simply replied by explaining, "You do not know what you've been missing!" He continued with, "that will change as soon as I'm your sovereign" I sure hope he is able to follow through when the time comes; although I hope that it isn't anytime soon. With how busy he has been and all the demands on our private life now, I can only imagine what it will be like when he is King. If that is the way it's going to be, a small part of me would have preferred that Parliament didn't approve of our decision to wait and just dispose of us as the future ruling monarchs. Thanks to my convincing argument, however, we were still scheduled to someday be the future King and Queen of Genovia.