The next morning, Joseph was surprised when he walked into Clarisse's office to find she was already there. "You're early." He commented with a small smile.
"Much to do today, Joseph." She didn't look up, so Joseph just went over to her planner to see what outings she had and when. As he approached her desk and reached out for the planner, Clarisse looked up at him and gave him one of her brightest smiles. "Good morning, Joseph." She whispered and said in a way that sounded far to sensual to just be a greeting.
"And to you as well, my queen." He replied as he lifted up her planner to study it. He looked it over once, then set it back down and walked over to his desk.
"That was quick." She mused. "I thought that because I had so many things today it might take you a good five minutes to go over the schedule."
"I have a great memory. All I need to do is look over it once and I've got it." He smiled as she looked up at him.
"I might have to put your memory to good use one day." She smirked then looked back down at her paperwork.
'This definitely isn't innocent anymore.' Joseph thought.
The door opened, and Joseph looked up to see the king walk in. Joseph was immediately on his feet and bowed. "Good morning Your Highness." Joseph said.
"Good morning, Joseph." Rupert nodded in his direction, as he walked over to Clarisse. "Good morning Clarisse. Busy?"
She set her pen down and by the look in her eyes, Joseph could tell that she didn't welcome the distraction, but she wore a soft smile that could convince just about anyone else. "You needed something?" She ignored his question.
"Actually, yes. Joseph," Rupert began and turned to look at Joseph as Joseph bowed again. "I have an assignment for you."
"Yes Sire?"
"I've decided that I would rather have my chief of security looking out for myself. I believe that our second in command is more than capable of taking care of the queen."
"No." Clarisse stood and basically growled, thus getting the king to turn back to her is surprise.
"No?" He questioned. "Last I checked, I was the king." A sly, almost evil grin slipped across the king's mouth. Joseph looked at the queen and saw how visible she allowed her pain. Joseph knew now, without a shadow of a doubt, that the king had seen Clarisse leave his suite the night before, and now this was punishment for it.
"Yes Sire." Joseph bowed, and saw Clarisse's jaw drop.
"Joseph…?" She was dumbfounded.
"I will do as I'm told." Was all Joseph could say, he couldn't look at her again, her pained looks were like being stabbed in the heart. Joseph watched as his second in command walked in and took his place standing against the wall.
"Come Joseph." Rupert demanded as he made his way out of Clarisse's office. Joseph reluctantly followed the king out and closed the door after himself.
I know this chapter was short, but there's a lot more to come!