"Joseph." Rupert said as he walked into Clarisse's office early the next morning.
"Your Highness," Joseph said as he bowed. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Yes actually." He paused as he looked around. "Clarisse isn't around?"
"Not yet, she will be here in another," He checked his watch. "three minutes though."
"Then I'll hurry. Next week is our anniversary and I need your help planning something special for her."
Joseph felt his stomach turn. "What did you have in mind?"
"That's the thing; we've been married for nearly nine years and I haven't a clue. Do you have any ideas?"
"I think I might have one or two, but she'll be here any second, so I can't get into it."
"Of course, I understand. Would it be alright if I left that to you?"
Just then, Clarisse walked in. "Of course Your Highness."
"Thank you Joseph." He then turned towards Clarisse. "Good morning, darling." He kissed her cheek.
"Good morning Rupert." She smiled as he made his way out of her office and closed the door after himself. "Good morning to you as well, Joseph." Her smile was even brighter as she said his name.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
"Joseph, about last night…"
He cut her off. "I'm so sorry, I was out of line. Forgive me." He bowed.
"No, you weren't Joseph. Do you regret kissing me last night?"
"Honestly?" He asked.
"Honestly." She nodded.
"Not in the slightest. You?"
"How could I regret what I've wanted to do for so long?" Joseph didn't know how to respond. All he could think of was how wrong it was, and how now the king wanted his help to romance Clarisse for their anniversary in a week's time. He then realized that kissing Clarisse was the worst thing he could ever do, for both her and himself. For her, should Rupert find out, anything could happen. For him, there too was what would happen if Rupert found out, but also, he'd had a taste of what he'd always wanted, and he couldn't help himself from wanting more.
"You have one appointment today outside of the palace at noon, so I'll be back at around eleven. The king asked for my help." She slowly nodded and let him leave. The twist of the knife in her heart was Joseph saying Rupert needed him. She felt Joseph distancing himself from her, and that only hurt her more. Maybe they would both feel better had she not said anything the night before, she thought.
"Clarisse." Rupert walked in and snapped her out of her thoughts. "No Joseph?" He questioned noticing the obvious lack of Joseph in the room.
"No, he had said you had asked for his assistance." She began to wonder if it was just a lie to get away from her.
"I did." He nodded. "But I didn't expect him to do it now." She felt slightly relieved, only slightly though. "Are you okay? You seem preoccupied."
"I'm fine, truly." She lied, but Rupert seemed to believe it.
"That's good then. There were some things I needed to talk to you about, and it really cannot wait. You may want to sit down." He tried to play off his numerous affairs as if they were nothing, but he couldn't play off that one of them was pregnant. He expected her to blow up, and be extremely furious, but she held her composure. It simply meant that the press would be harassing her, and her family for years to come. After far too long in Clarisse's opinion, Rupert finally left, which gave her time to sort everything out in her head. Rupert claimed to love her and said it wouldn't happen again. But she would need to figure out what she was going to say to the press when they began to ask questions. A knock at the door brought her back to reality.
"Come." She called and watched as Joseph stepped in, closing the door after himself.
"Your Majesty."
"Joseph, is there any chance I can postpone my meeting to a later date?"
"I can see what I can do." He walked swiftly over to the phone, made a few calls, then finally hung up. "Postponed for two weeks from today."
"Perfect."
"May I ask why?"
She gestured to the sofa across from her and waited until Joseph sat down. "This stays between you and I of course." He nodded, she knew he wouldn't say anything, but she felt better knowing his recognition. "One of Rupert's many affairs is carrying his child." She said matter-of-factly.
'That explains why he's trying so hard for their anniversary,' he thought. "I'm sorry Clarisse."
"I don't care that much Joseph. I just worry about Pierre and Philippe, and everything the press will say. I don't love him, Joseph. You know that." He nodded slowly. "I love you, Joseph. Not Rupert, not anyone else, I love you." His eyes shot up to meet hers. He wanted to believe it was just an illusion, or he misheard her, but he hadn't.
The words passed through his lips before his brain had time to think. "I love you too." She smiled and reached the short distance to take hold of his hand, and was pleasantly surprised when he didn't pull away. Joseph stood up and pulled her up with him.
"Joseph, will you please meet me tonight, so we can discuss everything?" Her eyes were slightly sad.
"I think that might be wise." He responded.