Author's note: Thanks to everyone who is enjoying this story- it's been great to write and develop. Almost reaching a critical point- who do you think kidnapped Mia?
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me- but to Disney and Meg Cabot.
The next three days passed slowly, and without incident- the police had very little to go on, and the one person that several people had mentioned as a suspect- Viscount Mabrey- had an alibi for his whereabouts at the time of Mia's kidnapping. News of Mia's disappearance had spread across the country, and Europe, like wildfire, and there were constant news headlines with the 'latest' on the drama, although they didn't have anything at all. Thus, since they had no 'real news', they had started making up rumours and theories that also spread, such as Mia had been killed, or spirited out of the country or, even worse, Clarisse had planned it all along so that she could go back onto the throne. Clarisse had been incredibly upset at that insinuation.
"How can they possibly say that about me? Their former Queen, who served them diligently for years, and the grandmother of their current Queen?" she cried to Joseph when they had heard it on the television. Joe reached out and put an arm around her.
"Don't worry, darling. I know that there are many people out there who don't believe that- and they are the people. It's only the media trying to stir things up!"
"But…but…with an intimation like that? I thought there was something call journalistic credibility…and this was way out of line!"
She knew that Joseph was right, it was the media stirring up things, but she also knew that they were after something else- she hadn't been seen in public since it had happened, and they wanted to see a reaction (any reaction) from her. She looked at Joseph pensively, and then stood up and walked over to her desk.
"What are you doing?" Joseph asked curiously as she pulled a piece of paper and a pen out of her top desk drawer.
Her desk was always neat and tidy, unlike her Mia, she remembered with a smile as she looked at the blank piece of paper.
"I'm going to write a message that Lily can release for me. I know that they all want me to go out and publicly address them, but I can't…" her mouth trembled for a moment. "So, this will be my way of showing them that I care."
"You don't owe them anything," Joseph said as he switched off the television and stood up. "You are a grandmother in great distress, and if the press doesn't understand that…tough biscuits!"
"Still, as acting Queen, I should give them some type of message….." She was absorbed in her writing for a few moments, and then put her pen down with a flourish.
"There! Can you read this for me?"
"It would be my pleasure….."
"There are no words to describe to how I, as a grandmother and Queen, am feeling at this moment. You are all missing a Queen, but I am missing my only granddaughter, whom I love dearly. This has been a terrible shock for all of us.
However, I hope that you will understand that I need time and space, but I hope that Her Majesty will soon be returned to us, happy, healthy and ready to continue her reign over Genovia, the country that she loves.
"I know it doesn't say much, but…."
"Clarisse, darling, it's to the point, and what everyone needs to hear- you are a grandmother missing her granddaughter and, as such you need time to adjust…I am very proud of you!"
He pulled her up out of her seat, and put his arms around her, kissing her gently.
"Thank you, Joseph," she smiled gently at him.
Helen and Patrick flew in from America on the second day after Mia's disappearance and, Clarisse had to admit, Helen was holding up remarkably well.
"I'm just grateful that everyone has been supportive," Helen said as she accepted a cup of tea from one of Clarisse's maids, and sank into a chair. "So, have there been any leads?"
"No," Clarisse said as she sat down in another chair. "There was one suspect- Viscount Mabrey- but he had an alibi for the afternoon of her disappearance. There has been no further word from the kidnappers, apart from the ransom demand."
"But why would anyone want to kidnap Mia? I mean, she may have introduced some radical new reforms in her first few months, but it has only improved Genovia. And then have someone kidnap her….that's what I don't understand."
"Neither do I, Helen, "Clarisse said with a sigh as the two women sipped their teas.
"How are Lily and Nicholas coping?"
Clarisse actually hadn't seen them very much- despite the encouraging words she still had the feeling that they were avoiding her because they felt that they had let her, and Mia down. Lily was doing her tasks automatically- she felt Mia's absence clearly, as she was working for her-, didn't argue with anyone, and spent the rest of her time pacing Mia's suite.
Nicholas, on the other hand, was still his normal self, but Clarisse could sense that he was missing her, and feeling guilty about what had happened. But all they, and everyone else could do, was wait…..
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. We're just going to have to keep a close eye on the borders," the chief of police said as he closed his folder and stood up from the table. It was the third daily conference they had had, and he had said the same thing the previous two days.
"Thank you, Inspector. I'm sure you will let us know if there are any new developments," Clarisse said calmly, hiding her irritation and despair. If the police couldn't find Mia, then what hope was there for ever finding her…and being so close to Christmas Eve, no less? Christmas was the day after tomorrow, and no one would be working on Christmas, even to find the missing Queen.
She waited until the chief and his two senior officers had disappeared, before sighing and sitting back down in her chair, reaching for a glass of water. The room was silent as everyone present tried to gather their thoughts over the latest ineffectual meeting. Apart from Clarisse and Joe, also present were Helen and Patrick, Lily, Nicholas, Shades, Charlotte and Sebastian Motez. Some of the parliament had tried to insist on attending these conferences but, as Sebastian had pointed out, they would receive any news through himself or Charlotte. Clarisse looked at each of them for a moment- none of them looked particularly satisfied with what they had heard.
Just then, Joseph, who had been sitting at her side, stood up and cleared his throat.
"I don't know what the rest of you think, but I'm beginning to think that the police are beginning to give up on finding her."
He didn't' look at Clarisse- he had told her what he had thought that morning, and she had agreed with him. She knew that he was worried about her- she had been on a constant roller coaster ride of emotions for the past three days- after her first terrible night of nightmares and tears, she felt more herself the following morning….
But doing Mia's jobs and not seeing her a million times a day (as she usually did) just made her feel depressed again and, every night, she had cried herself to sleep in Joseph's arms. She was grateful that everyone else thought that she was cool, calm and collected, but that only Joseph knew the truth.
She watched him as he glanced around the room- he had been such a rock and comfort to her in the past few days. He had kept her mind off the situation as much as possible, had brought her chocolate after yesterday's wearying session of parliament, and had stuck to her side like glue all day, keeping her calm. No one could protest about his presence in everything she was doing- they all knew that Clarisse relied on him, and needed him.
Joseph looked around the room- he could sense that Clarisse was irritated and depressed about the lack of clues and he was now, more than ever, determined to do some detective work of his own and find the young Queen himself. He had already discussed it with Sebastian, Nicholas and Shades, and they were both eager to help him. He had yet to break the news to Clarisse- now that Mia was missing, he didn't like leaving her alone and, although she was seemingly coping well, he knew that she was relying heavily on him.
"I have to agree with you, Joe," Sebastian began quietly. "Apart from Viscount Mabrey, the police have no other suspects- but what else can we do?"
"We cannot just sit here and let the police bumble around and do what they can, which isn't much," Nicholas, who had been sitting quietly, said, standing up from his side of the table. He still couldn't believe that Mia was missing, but what he was realising was that he wanted to be with her.
"What do you suggest we do, then?" Shades asked from his corner. "I know that this is extremely frustrating for everyone, but the police do know what they are doing."
He, too, was extremely frustrated, and was working alongside Joseph in making a plan, but he wasn't sure that Joe had told his wife his plan and, until then, he had to maintain a cool, reasoned response.
"I know you all don't like what the police are or are not doing," Clarisse spoke up. "But there is nothing else we can do at the moment. All we need to do is be patient."
But even she didn't believe the words she was speaking.
Just then, Nicholas's mobile phone went off, and he disappeared outside to answer it.
"I think it might be time to go and have a cup of tea," Clarisse stood up, followed by Lily, Helen and Charlotte, and began walking towards the door.
"Good idea!" Joe agreed, and Clarisse stood back and let the others go before her. Just then, Nicholas walked back into the room, looking perplexed.
'Could I speak to you for a moment, Joe?" he said in a low voice, and Joe nodded as he, Nicholas, Sebastian and Shades moved away from the chatting woman. Joe didn't notice that Clarisse had stopped talking, and was watching them carefully.
"I just got a phone call from Viscount Mabrey."
"What!?" the other three said in unison, but quietly.
"Yes, he rang and said 'I heard that the Queen was missing, and I wanted to see if I could do anything to help."
"What did you say?" Shades said quickly.
"I said that everything is organised, but that I appreciated the thought…" and he shuddered.
"I didn't mean that, though. Anyway, he wants me to come and see him tomorrow morning, around 10. He wants to patch things up between us."
Nicholas looked around at the three other men, and felt better when he saw that they were deep in thought.
"I thought that it was rather suspicious, as he hasn't been in touch with me for six months…." Suddenly, Joseph snapped out of his reflection and looked at Nicholas sharply.
"You're right- this is suspicious. I don't know what he's playing at, but I do know that you aren't going to see him alone. There is something more to this than meets the eye….I'm coming with you…."
"I'm coming too- I could always say that I have some final concluding items from parliament that I wished to discuss with him," Sebastian said decisively.
"Me too, boss," Shades piped up. "Do you want me to arrange a number of cars with some of my men?"
"I think so….but, Nicholas, we're going to have to talk about this later, in private…." Joe said, as he had glanced over to the women- who had not yet left the room- and noticed that Clarisse was watching them.
Later that night, in bed, Clarisse decided to broach the subject with Joseph- her curiosity had been piqued by that mysterious conversation between him, Sebastian and Nicholas. She had also been a little hurt that he had left her out, but she had her ways of getting things out of him…..
"Joseph?" she said, turning over to face him in the dark.
"Yes dear?"
"What are you and Sebastian planning?"
There was a slight pause as Joseph tried to think of a plausible lie- he knew that Clarisse had spotted them talking, away from the rest of them, and he silently cursed himself for not thinking about it earlier. Despite her depression and anguish over Mia, Clarisse was still a very sharp woman.
"We were just talking about going fishing once this has been sorted out…"and even he knew that Clarisse would see right through it immediately.
She chuckled softly in the dark.
"Fishing? In this weather? Joseph, surely you can do better than that!"
"Alright….." he stalled for a moment, then realised that he would have to tell her, particularly if they were away for most of the day. "Sebastian, Nicholas and I are going to Viscount Mabrey's….you were there when he got the call?"
"Yes!" She said excitedly, leaning up on one elbow, and looked down at him. "Do you think he has something to do with this?"
"Possibly- I mean, think about it. Mabrey hasn't contacted his nephew in over five months and now he suddenly wants to talk to him? I think that may be a little suspicious…..So, we're going out to see him tomorrow."
"I'm coming too," she said decisively, sitting up and turning her bedside light on. She smiled over at him, but he was unmoved- since the young Queen's (he sometimes had to remind himself that Mia was Queen) disappearance, Clarisse's safety had been his top priority.
"No, you're not…and don't flutter your beautiful blue eyes at me, it won't work this time!"
"Please?" she purred seductively, moving closer to him.
"Don't try that either, because it's not going to work," but, as always, her charm was beginning to melt him. Clarisse was smiling- she knew him just as well as he knew her, and she could tell that she was beginning to get to him.
"What will the weather be like?"
"Cold," Joe said firmly, hoping to put her off the trail.
"Well, I had better find something warm to wear!" she declared, before getting out of bed. "What time are we leaving?"
"Clarisse!" Joseph, still stunned from her first announcement, sat up on his side of the bed and switched on his light. "You aren't coming with us- this could get dangerous!"
"Why not?" she sounded like a petulant child, but she was still looking through her cupboard for something warm to wear- she had heard the weather report before, and it was going to be cold out at Viscount's place.
"Because….because, it's dangerous, and you don't know how Viscount Mabrey is going to react, or who else is going to be there!"
"So?" Clarisse turned from her cupboard and shrugged at him. "My granddaughter is missing, and if you're going somewhere where she may be, I'm coming with you."
"Now, darling," Joseph began in a conciliatory tone. "I don't think it's such a good idea for you to come out in this weather- it's predicted to be freezing tomorrow- and Helen may need you."
Clarisse turned and glared at him, more than a little annoyed. She loved him dearly, and appreciated all his attempts to protect her from harm, but if he thought that she wasn't going to be around when they found Mia….well, he had another think coming!
"Anyone would think that you don't want me to come at all!"
"It's not that, my love, it's just that security is already very tight around you, and I don't want to cause anymore incidents until we find Mia, safe and sound."
"Joseph Peter Bonnell…" she turned to face him, glowering, and he felt a little afraid- she only used his full name when she was really mad. "I am coming with you….otherwise….you can….you can…" she was searching desperately for something that she could hold against him. "You can sleep on the couch tonight!"
She grinned triumphantly at him, while he looked mildly shocked.
"You're trying to blackmail me, my darling wife! I thought you always said that Queens never stooped to blackmail or the like!"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," she said calmly, turning back to her cupboard. Joseph sighed heavily, and got out of bed, and walked over to her. He took the hanger out of her hand, and tossed it on a nearby chair while taking her hands.
"Clarisse, my darling," he began softly, leading back to her side of the bed. "I don't want to lose you…and who knows what Mabrey could do?"
"Joseph," she began calmly, but there was a tremble in her voice. "Mia is my only granddaughter, and my last link to Phillipe. Please understand me- my safety doesn't matter to me at the moment…all I want is to see her alive and well again. I know…I know tomorrow will be dangerous, but I….I can't let you go without me….."
He looked into her wide blue eyes, and felt himself melting- actually, he had been rather concerned how she would go without him there….and, if there was any danger, he would send her back to the palace with one of Shade's men. He sighed heavily
"Alright…on one condition. If there is one hint of danger, you are coming back to the palace with some of the guards, understand?"
Clarisse nodded, but he could tell that she was pleased with his decision.
"Now, since we're both going in the morning, I suggest that we get some sleep!"
By eight o'clock the next morning, Clarisse and Joe were ready and waiting for Sebastian, Shades and Nicholas in the front hall of the palace. Clarisse had left a message for the women that she was accompanying Joseph on his expedition, so she would be unavailable for the day.
When Joseph had informed Shades, he had been more than a little concerned.
"Doesn't she realise how much danger she herself would put herself in?"
"Yes, but you must understand that Mia is her only granddaughter and she doesn't want anything to happen to her. The safety and well being of Mia is tantamount to her- she loves her dearly- and I don't even want to consider the possibility of what could happen. Clarisse will be with me, so you don't have to worry about it."
"Fine," Shades shrugged, and went to prepare his men for another companion.
"So, how long will it take to get to Viscount Mabrey's estate? I haven't been there in a long time!" Clarisse asked, pacing the room, while Joseph, calm as a cucumber, sat patiently on the couch. He took her hand when she went past, and pulled her onto the couch next to him.
"It will take us about three hours, but we have also planned on how we are going to get in there….Nicholas has told us about a secret entrance at the back of the property and that's the way we're going to go in."
"Oh…" She was going to say more, but then the doors opened and in walked Sebastian, Shades, Nicholas….and Lily, all dressed warmly.
"Lily?" Clarisse said in surprise, although she should have known that Lily would go anywhere for Mia.
"Your Majesty?" Lily, equally surprised, said but she knew that Clarisse would do anything for Mia.
"Yes, we have got two more people coming with us," Joseph said to a slightly startled Sebastian, who quickly recovered.
"Right, well….Scott, do you have enough cars for everyone to go in?"
"Yes. My men are in three cars, but there are three for us…."
"Fine. Then let's go," Joe said briskly, taking Clarisse's hand and leading the group out of the suite.
