It's been a few weeks and everything is fading back to normal around the castle. Rupert's affair is soon to give birth now but is under the constant protection of a member of the security team. Clarisse and Joseph are still engaging in their hidden romance, even if it's just a glance across the room and they catch each others eyes. They're both happy, and hating the relationship too. They're happy to be with one another, but hating to hide it, and hating the few moments they actually have. Rupert has stopped asking for Joseph's assistance in wooing his wife, and Clarisse has agreed to join him once a week for a romantic dinner in his suite, or rather, as romantic as he can make it. Joseph's second-in-command has still been reporting back to Rupert, but there's never been anything new to report, no lines crossed.

"Joseph?"

"Clarisse?" He looked up at her from across the room, only in moments like this, when it was only them did he dare use her first name, especially when she seemed upset, he found that it seemed to comfort her somehow. "What's wrong?"

"Rupert's been leaving the palace everyday at the same time." She stood and looked out the window as she heard his footsteps come to a stop beside her. "He doesn't have meetings, but he just leaves. Where does he go?" He turned to look at her as she dared a look back at him. She knew just by the look on his face, so she looked back out the window and watched Rupert get into the car, but noticed that Joseph's second-in-command was not with him. "When is the baby due?"

"Two days."

"Who is supposed to be watching Rupert?"

"My second of course." He was confused, she knew the answer, but why was she asking?

"Then why is he not with Rupert?"

"What?" Joseph took a step closer to the window and noticed that someone else was taking the king, and his second was nowhere to be seen. "One moment." Joseph was now rather upset, he trained this man, and yet he was failing his duties, so Joseph took it personally. He opened the door to find his second-in-command with his ear pressed to the door. Joseph grabbled him by his jacket and pulled him into the office, slamming the door shut behind them.

"Why are you not with the king?!"

"I, um…"

"Answer me!" Joseph pulled tighter at his jacket.

"Joseph, calm down." Clarisse said from behind him. "I'm sure there's a good reason."

Joseph released his jacket with a little bit of a push. "Why are you not with the king?" Joseph repeated much more calmly.

"He gave me an assignment." The man choked out, obviously scared of the wrath of Joseph.

"What assignment is so important to leave him unprotected?" Joseph nearly growled.

"Um…" He stammered.

"Answer him." Clarisse said calmly yet demandingly as she walked up to stand beside Joseph.

"I've been asked to keep surveillance."

"For what purpose? Wy wasn't I notified?" Joseph wouldn't let up.

"I'm not sure why, the king didn't say."

"What are you keeping watch of?" Clarisse asked.

"Um…" He gulped audibly trying not to make eye contact with either of them.

"Yes?" Clarisse was starting to get a littler frustrated too, but unlike Joseph, she hid it well.

"His Highness has asked me to watch over Joseph, My Queen." He bowed his head but still refused to make eye contact.

"Me? What did I do?!"

"What all have you told the king?" Clarisse asked. "What specifically are you looking for?"

"I'm unsure. All I've told the king thus far is that Joseph is more that fulfilling his duties."

"Joseph? Please give us a minute." Clarisse turned her head to look at him.

"You're Majesty, I don't think—"

"Joseph."

He sighed. "Very well. I'll be just outside." With that, he left and closed the door after himself.

"Please, take a seat." Clarisse gestured to one of the chairs by her desk, as she took a seat back in her chair. Reluctantly, the man took a seat, and finally looked up to meet the queen's eyes. "How long have you been watching Joseph?"

"Nearly four weeks." He answered weakly.

"To what extent?"

"Only until he returns to his suite at night."

"Why?" She probed.

"To ensure that his work is done properly."

"Do you know this for certain?" She tried again.

"No, I don't, Your Highness. However it seems to be the only logical thing. Joseph does his work, and does it well, but that's the only thing he ever seems to do, so what else could it be?"

"I see your point. Thank you."

"Your Highness, I wasn't supposed to mention it to anyone, yourself included, so if—"

"I understand. Thank you." He bowed then left and Joseph stormed in and slammed the door after himself. "Joseph, please calm down."

"How can I when I'm under suspicion by the king?"

"Joseph, please." Her frustration now showing through the tone of her voice.

"You're right, I'm sorry." He stated, not wanted to push her farther.

She sighed then turned to look at him. "You have a right to be mad." She agreed. "But we don't know the full story just yet. It's best not to jump to conclusions." She made her way back over to the window and stared at the front gates.

"Clarisse?" Joseph stood and watched her, he'd never seen her like this and he was truthfully more afraid of her than worried for her at this point.

"I think I understand." She said after a long pause.

"Understand what, exactly?"

"She's about to give birth, Joseph." Clarisse replied, as if that were somehow supposed to answer his question.

"I don't follow."

She then turned to look at him. "It's all about the Renaldi name. He had an affair that has lead to this."

"And? What does that have to do with having someone tailing me constantly?"

"If I were to— if we were to… The Renaldi name would be finished."

"But he thinks I'm seeing a fellow staff member."

"Keep letting him think that. It might just work."

"What might work? You're not giving me much here to go off of."

She walked over to him and was only inches away. "Do you trust me?" She finally asked.

"With my life."

That took her back because of the irony— he was the one who was to be protecting her life, not the other way around. "Let Rupert believe you're seeing someone on staff. I'll deal with Rupert."

I know it's been a while since I've posted more for this story. But I hope this makes up for it. More is coming soon!