It's been about two weeks, and things are starting to calm down. The press are still trying to have Clarisse release a public comment about Rupert's mistress, but she keeps refusing. Joseph and Clarisse have been finding time to be together, be it a five minute walk through her rose gardens, or a drink at night that lasts a couple hours. This particular morning, Joseph was in the queen's office (as per usual,) but the king joined him. "Okay Joseph, it's been weeks. You have to tell me." Rupert said.

"Tell you what exactly, Sire?"

"Who is she? Is she on staff here?"

"She?" Joseph repeated.

"You know, the woman you've been dressing a little nicer for." Rupert gleamed at his old friend giving him a knowing smile.

"This is how I always dress." Joseph protested.

"You hate ties." Rupert said point-blank. "Yet for the past nearly month you've been wearing them. You've switched your leather jacket out to a suit jacket whenever you're indoors. If I know you like I think I do, you wouldn't just do that for anyone, especially not give up your jacket for someone. You must really love this woman. So come on, out with it. Who is she?"

"Sire, I honestly don't know what to say here." Joseph was trying to work out how to talk himself out of this one, when, of course, Clarisse picks that moment to walk in.

"You could tell me who." Rupert egged him on.

"Pardon?" Clarisse asked as she stepped closer to them.

"Ah, good morning darling. Would you mind helping me make a point to Joseph?"

"I suppose it depends on what point you're making. He is rather stubborn so he might not accept it even if I were to agree." Clarisse added.

"That's true." Rupert agreed. "But haven't you noticed that Joseph has changed how he dresses? He now wears a coat and tie, and not because he has to. I think he's in love with someone on staff, but he won't tell me who it is." Rupert explained proudly.

"I agree that Joseph has been wearing a full suit more often, but did it ever occur to you that perhaps it's because he's getting older and is changing?" She knew Joseph would get her back for that age comment, so she smiled widely at him as he slightly glared at her, not enough though to get the king's attention.

"No, there has to be a woman. I've known this man for quite some time. He's in love, he just won't tell me whom he's in love with."

"If I may Your Highness?" Joseph finally cut in and Rupert nodded. "Her Majesty is right on this one. Suits are far more respectable than a leather jacket."

"I don't believe that for a second Joseph. One day you'll accidentally let it slip." Rupert grinned.

"With all due respect Sire, wouldn't there first have to be someone for me to 'let it slip'?"

"He's got you there Rupert." Clarisse pipped up.

"Clarisse, the man is wearing cufflinks too. He's never been this proper for as long as I've known him."

"Maybe he's changed?"Clarisse offered.

"Or maybe a woman has changed him."

Clarisse sighed. "I tried Joseph."

"And I appreciate it, Your Majesty." He smiled a soft smile at her.

"Just promise me I'll know before your wedding day." Rupert finally gave in.

"If I ever do get married, you have my word Sire. But as of now, I really don't see that happening." Clarisse looked at Joseph and tried to hide how his words stung her. She knew that with Rupert, and with being queen, she wouldn't be able to give him everything. But she never thought about him getting married. Perhaps him setting down somewhere and having kids. She began to wonder if she was what was preventing him from having that. She was so deep in thought that she completely missed Rupert leaving the room and missed the first couple times Joseph called her name to try and snap her back to reality.

"Hmm?" She finally responded.

"I asked if you were okay." His eyes showed his worry and compassion for her, but she couldn't help but wonder if waiting around for a married queen, to perhaps never get to be with her, was truly what he wanted.

"I can't give you everything Joseph."

"Pardon?" He hadn't a clue as to where this came from, and he hoped she wasn't talking about what he thought she was.

"I might never be able to give you everything Joseph. Marriage. A family. You would miss out on these things because of me and it's unfair of me to ask this of you."

"But you are not asking. Clarisse, I could never marry someone I don't love, and no one will ever be you. I don't care if we will ever actually be together. What matters is that you know how I feel about you and you feel the same. Nothing else beyond that matters to me. I may never marry, or have my own kids, but, for me at lease, I don't think I could ever were it not out of love."

"Is this what you really want Joseph? To be with someone who may never be able to give you what you deserve?"

"It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." He quoted her favourite poet (Tennyson). "I'd risk everything for you, even knowing I may never be with you."

"Thank you Joseph." She nearly whispered and he took her hand and kissed it.

"Joseph?" a voice in his earpiece questioned.

Joseph pressed the button on him microphone. "Here."

"The king is requesting to see you."

He pressed the button again. "On my way." He then turned back to Clarisse. "It's the king asking for me." She nodded and watched him leave, before beginning with the stack of paperwork on her desk.

—

"Come." The king called, so Joseph slipped inside his office and closed the door. "That will be all." Rupert nodded to his personal security, and watched as he left the room swiftly, closing the door behind him. "Please, sit." Rupert gestured to the chair on the opposite side of the desk from him.

Joseph took a seat then finally said, "You asked for me, Sire?"

"I did. I was wondering, is Clarisse alright?"

"Pardon?" Joseph questioned.

"She seems, not like herself. Is she still angry about the baby?"

"Not to my knowledge Sire, though she refuses to speak to the press about it." Joseph offered.

"She isn't happy, is she Joseph?" He looked down at his folded hands on the desk.

"I'm not sure I follow."

"You out of anyone know that while in the palace we run in two different circles, as it were. We don't act as though we love each other, sometimes, we act as though we don't even know each other. Perhaps it's time she and I started acting as a married couple. I know she doesn't love me as her husband, nor I particularly love her as my wife, but perhaps it's time we learned to try. Tell me Joseph, if you were to try and win over Clarisse's heart, how would you do so?" Joseph felt like he was going to be sick, but, he was the king and though Joseph was in love with the queen, he knew it wasn't his place to ask for her love. The only person who had the right to ask for her love was her husband.

"I'm not entirely sure, Your Highness." Slipped out of his mouth before he thought about what he was saying. Of course he knew what the queen would love, but Joseph couldn't help this feeling of jealousy, even though he had no right to feel it.

"Hmm, perhaps I'll start with flowers. She likes lilies, right?"

"She hates lilies, roses are her favourites." Joseph replied.

"Yes of course," Rupert tried to act like he'd just forgotten, when really he didn't have a clue. "I suppose I'll start with roses. If you think of anything, please let me know Joseph."

Joseph nodded. "Yes, Your Highness." Joseph checked his watch. "If that is all, Sire, Her Majesty has a meeting in half an hour, so we must be off."

"Of course. Thank you Joseph." Joseph left the room and hated that he was jealous. Hated that he was now conscripted into helping the king win over his wife, and the woman Joseph's heart belonged to. But he knew that he had to do it, and the pain he'd feel from it would be worth it, just to see her smile.