A/N: Many thanks to everyone for reading this story, and even bigger thanks to Riaam for leaving me a review for chapter two. All of your support is amazing and can't thank you enough.
I know that this story isn't everyones cup of tea, but I just fancied something different. It is after all only a story, fiction, just a bit of fun, even if it is an AU story.
Anyway, here's the next chapter...
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Awaking in the early hours, Clarisse tipped her head back as the man who's arms she lay snuggled in slowly awoke, giving each other a smile. However, before they had chance to say anything they both quickly sat up upon hearing Clarisse's name being called out.
"Who is that?" Clarisse whispered as she quickly climbed from the bed, grabbing her robe as she caught sight of the time "And at this hour."
"I have no idea." Joseph said, slipping his pants on.
"Clarisse?" Came the voice again.
"Oh no, no no... no." She exclaimed quietly and looked over at Joseph "It's Rupert's mother." She said, turning to walk over to the door "Stay in here, and finish getting dressed." She said turning back to him, walking backwards towards the door.
"Are you awake?" Beatrice called out, standing by the door just as Clarisse emerged while knotting the sash of her robe together. "You are awake, good." She nodded.
"Hello, mother." Clarisse exclaimed while stepping closer and kissed her cheek before stepping back and pulling the door up behind her. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
"I'm sorry, I had a call from Rupert's guard..." She began, watching her daughter in law closely. "Is everything alright, dear? You seem distracted?" She asked, clasping her hands together.
"No no, I'm fine." Clarisse nodded "Now what were you saying about Rupert?" She asked "Is he okay?"
"No actually, he had a fall and is sat waiting for an x-ray at the Royal Genovia hospital." Said Beatrice as she watched Clarisse raise her hands to her mouth. "I have my driver bringing the car around, we have to go and be with him."
"Of course," Clarisse nodded, lowering her hands "You go and wait downstairs, I will quickly get dressed and will meet you by the doors?"
"What's going on?" Beatrice asked, but before Clarisse had chance to answer Beatrice pushed her way past her and into the bedroom.
"Mother, wait!" Clarisse exclaimed and followed her into the bedroom. She was surprised to find Joseph had disappeared, along with the their discarded cloths that were forgotten about last night. Looking up, she watched her mother in law look around the room before turning to look back at her.
After looking at her for what felt like a life time to Clarisse, she finally made her way over to the door "I will meet you downstairs in fifteen minute's."
"Ok," Clarisse nodded, following her out into the suite and over to the door. After seeing her out, she locked the door and hurried back over to the bedroom. "Joseph?" She called out "Where are you?"
Slowly emerging from the closet, he looked across at Clarisse "That was close."
"Yes it was." Clarisse nodded, making her way over to her closet.
"What did she want at this hour?" He asked, following her back into the closet.
"Rupert's had a fall, I have to go and be with him at the hospital." She said, hunting for something to wear.
"Oh my god, is he ok?" He asked, standing in the doorway watching her.
"I don't know, we will find out more when we get to the hospital." She answered, looking over to him for several seconds before continuing on in her search to find something to wear. "I need to get dressed, and meet Beatrice downstairs."
"I understand." Joseph said, watching her before looking down for a moment "You're starting to regret last night now, aren't you?" He asked, looking back up at her as she stopped and looked over at him.
"No, far from it." She said walking over to him "It was wonderful... amazing infact, you made me come alive.." She said softly, putting her hands up to cup his face "You showed me love, you opened my eyes and after last night I can understand why you would think I am having regrets. If I could stay here with you then I would, but I can't.. I have to go, it's my duty." She whispered, running her thumb gently over his lips. "And if I'm not down there when she expects me, she will come looking for me and I really don't want her too do that."
"I know, I will let you get ready." He said, watching her step closer and kiss him.
"I will come and see you when we return." She said, stepping back.
"Ok, I will be waiting." He said giving her a smile before starting to make his way out the door.
"Joseph wait," Clarisse exclaimed and watched him reappear in the doorway "Maybe you should wait until I have left before you leave, just in case you get seen?" She suggested. "Especially seeings though she actually thought I was up to something, and actually searched my bedroom."
"Alright, I will wait." He said "Good job I thought about hiding then, wasn't it?" He said watching her as she nodded before getting back to finding something to wear.
After she was ready Clarisse made her way downstairs to meet Beatrice, leaving Joseph in her suite to go back to his own suite in a little while. However when she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw her driver waiting by the door but not Beatrice. And after fifteen minutes she finally appeared, and knowing it would do no good to complain about it, Clarisse kept her mouth shut as they left for the hospital.
When they arrived they were greeted by Rupert's guards and driver, who escorted them up to his room. And after an hour long wait, they were free to go after the x-ray's came back clear.
Returning home after the hospital, Clarisse stayed with Rupert in his suite for a while before returning to her own suite. And after deciding there was no point in going back to bed, she had a bath and got ready for her day. Having breakfast early, she set to doing the paperwork. Finishing it all a little before half nine. Surprised, she put her pen down and slipped of her glasses before looking up at her assistant, Isla.
"There, all done." She smiled, gathering up the last file and held it out to her assistant. "Thank you, Isla." She smiled and stood to her feet.
"You're welcome, Your Majesty." Isla smiled.
"It feels wonderful to be finished this early," She said, making her way over to her windows "And it's such a beautiful day outside too," She said, turning back to Isla "I think that will be all today, unless I have any meetings?" She asked.
Checking her diary, Isla looked back up at her Queen just a moment later "None today, Your Majesty." She answered.
"Then we are finished for the day," Clarisse smiled and looked towards the door as Joseph appeared.
"Very well, Your Majesty." Isla smiled and began walking over to the door, stopping however when she saw Joseph. "Good morning, Joseph." She smiled.
"Good morning, Isla." Joseph smiled politely and stepped aside for her to pass. "Are you going out?" He asked.
"I am, yes." Isla answered, putting her hand up to brush her hair back behind her ear, never taking her eyes from him once. "Thank you." She smiled, walking out.
Watching as Joseph closed the door behind her, "I do believe she has a thing for you." Clarisse smiled, teasing him as he turned and walked over to her.
"Nah, not Isla." He smiled, stepping in front of her.
"I'm telling you she has, the way she looks at you gives it away... you can't stand there and tell me you've never noticed." Clarisse exclaimed, smiling at him.
"I have never noticed before, beside's I'm not interested.. I have my sights set on someone else." He smirked, causing her to blush. "Are you blushing, my Queen?" He asked, teasing her as she laughed.
Studying his face a moment, Clarisse smiled "Would you like to take a walk? I would like to take a walk." She said, walking over to grab her coat and slipped it on while turning to him.
"I would love too, yes." He smiled.
"Wonderful." She smiled, leading the way out of her office.
As they began making their way across the path through the gardens, Rupert stood watching them from his balcony.
"I'm telling you, she was flustered when I went to inform her about you this morning. And even though I didn't see him in her suite while I was there, I saw him leave there a few moments after Clarisse had gone down." Beatrice said, standing beside her son as he continued to stare out at them. "Something is definitely going on." Coming to stand beside her son, she watched as her daughter in law walked away with her body guard.