A/N: Thanks to all my readers and reviewers- you all rock!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Charlotte looked around the security hub in genuine surprise, taken aback at the people present but also surprised that these people had taken the time to be present to celebrate her birthday, and it wasn't even a milestone birthday! It was just after dinner and she was about to leave for the night, but Joseph had insisted on her stepping into the security hub, as he had something important to discuss with her in regards to Her Majesty's schedule for the following day.
"You seem a little surprised," Joseph said as he stepped forward once the cheering and clapping had ceased and Charlotte only smiled sheepishly.
"I wasn't exactly expecting this… not that I don't appreciate it," she added hastily as she looked around at the people present- Joseph, Scott, His Royal Highness Prince Phillipe, some of the security team, Her Majesty's personal maids, Mrs Cowt (the housekeeper) and two staff from the kitchen- and noticed that they were surrounding a table with a large pink coloured cake ("courtesy of the chefs from the kitchen," one of the palace staff said quickly when she set eyes on it) as well as a small pile of gifts next to it. "I just thought…."
"I know it seems that we don't celebrate birthdays around here," Joseph continued with a grin. "Or not the milestone birthdays, anyway, but their Royal Highnesses," he waved towards Prince Phillipe standing behind him. "Insisted."
"Really?" Charlotte looked at him in curiosity and Prince Phillipe grinned.
"Really," he affirmed. "Actually, it was my brother's suggestion- and he makes his apologies as he had to accompany Father to a session of my parliament- but I was more than happy to get everything organised….and our Mother also wished for this to occur."
"Her Majesty….?" Charlotte was speechless and Phillipe nodded.
"Indeed- and she too has passed on her apologies…."
"She too had to go to parliament, I know."
"But she did want us to have this… you have become a very valuable member of the palace staff and we all wished to show you our appreciation for you."
"Stop it," Charlotte blushed, not wishing to cause any resentment with the other members of staff, as she said to Joseph a little later when the party had dispersed and Joseph was walking her out to her waiting car.
"Nonsense, no one could or would resent you. Her Majesty highly regards you, as do the young princes and most of the staff and I think was a fantastic idea on Prince Pierre's behalf."
"But…"
"No arguments, Charlotte," he turned to look at her mock sternly. "You need to stop feeling so insecure about your position here- you are a terrific young woman who does her job well and tonight was just a sign of our appreciation."
"Thank you," Charlotte blushed again- it was hard to believe that people thought well of her, but she had to appreciate the gesture- and she did.
"Happy birthday Charlotte," Joseph said suddenly, lifting one of her hands up to his lips, kissing it lightly. "Enjoy the rest of your evening," he said before he turned and walked back up towards the palace.
000
Six months later, however, there was another major scandal, one which not only threatened the marriage of their Majesties but also the future of the Renaldi claim to the throne- Prince Pierre Renaldi decided to abdicate and dedicate the rest of his life to the church.
There had been rumours for several years, particularly since he had returned from college and had started his own royal responsibilities, but there had been murmurs that the young Prince wasn't showing much interest in his duties and tried to avoid attending parliament when he could, and while the King had shown a remarkable amount of tolerance in the beginning, arguing that the 'boy needs a little time to settle back into Genovia and living back at the palace' but in the past year or so, he had been showing more and more impatience towards his eldest son, which had often produced tension between the King and Queen, not that Charlotte knew anything of what was going on between husband and wife but she could sense it in their interactions and the often heated arguments that she had heard through closed doors.
She could have asked Joseph about it, seeing that he spent almost, if not more, time with the Queen as she did, but…Charlotte had the feeling that the subject was one that could not be approached by her… or anyone.
Scott was ever on the prowl for gossip, and while he often had titbits that she hadn't heard (and she usually heard most things from the Queen's maids, although she never passed it on, much to Scott's chagrin), she was firmly insistent that she knew nothing about Joseph and Her Majesty… not that there was anything to discuss, she thought.
"Oh come on, Charlotte! You work closely with Her Majesty and you and Joe are friends…" Shades argued as he sat on the edge of Charlotte's desk- Joseph had sent him with paperwork that Charlotte needed to peruse and then he couldn't resist stopping for a chat.
"We're colleagues," she corrected him, although it was true- they were friends, she felt comfortable with him (although not enough to ask any questions about Her Majesty) and knew that, from the beginning, he had kept an eye on her.
"Friends, and you know I'm right," he countered.
"So what?"
"I'm just saying… you work closely with both of them… surely you have observed something between them…."
"Scott! Her Majesty is married!"
"Hasn't stopped His Majesty, has it?"
"Scott," Charlotte stopped and frowned at him severely. "That's not fair and I'm not going to sit here and listen to any more of your slanderous gossip. Thank you for the paperwork and let Joseph know I'll have it back to him by the end of the day."
However, she had heard continuing gossip about the relationship of Her Majesty and her husband and while Charlotte tried to discourage it by pretending not to listen, or to gently chiding whoever was passing on the information ("that's not true and neither of their Majesties would appreciate gossip being spread around the palace about them") and it desisted for a time, there were still constant rumours continuing to bubble under the surface- and she had to admit that His Majesty's behaviour wasn't helping him in the slightest… not that she was judging… not that Charlotte couldn't admit that she was on Her Majesty's side, and not just because she was working for her… it was also because she liked and respected her.
But all of that paled into significance upon the morning of Prince Pierre's announcement of his abdication, although the palace had been a cesspool of tension, anger and hatred for weeks beforehand as the prince struggled with his decision and the King, not at all pleased at his eldest son's indecision (in fact he was icily furious), stormed around the palace, shouting at everyone he came into contact with, but saving his real anger for his wife, clearly blaming her for Pierre changing his mind about his future role.
"How can the Crown Prince of Genovia decide that he wants to give up the one role that he was groomed for since his birth for the….church?" he was heard to mutter on more than one occasion, but it was clear that he blamed his wife for their son's decision, something that Charlotte found incredibly unfair.
Unfortunately, his attitude spilled over towards the people working around him and their attitudes coloured their interactions with the members of Her Majesty's team.
"I don't know how you could work for a woman who encourages her son, the future of Genovia, to abdicate for the church?" came one such snide remark from His Majesty's personal assistant, and while it angered Charlotte, she remained calm.
"I work for Her Majesty because she is the Queen of our country, a lady I like and respect and nothing you will do or say will change my opinion of her."
"You don't know what you're talking about, you're just an assistant to a Consort Queen…" he sniffed before stalking out of the room, colliding with Joseph entering the room.
"Hello Joe," Charlotte said with a warm smile- they had long since agreed to call each other 'Joe' and 'Charlotte' which had helped their developing relationship.
"What did Anton the idiotic assistant want?" Joseph looked annoyed and Charlotte was surprised- he was usually good natured and returned the greeting with a responding smile.
"Just giving me some papers….you… didn't hear him, did you?"
"Yes, I just managed to… what a jerk!"
"You didn't hear what I said...?"
"I did and I truly appreciate what you said, as will Her Majesty."
"You're not going to tell her, are you?" Charlotte suddenly sounded anxious. "She already has enough on her plate at the moment, I don't want to add anything more to her plate."
"You don't want her to know that you're being loyal to her and defending her to Anton the idiot?"
"No…she knows that I'm loyal to her- I hope- but I don't want her to know that there is ill will between the members of staff… please, Joe, don't tell her."
"Alright, I won't… but you're a good girl, Charlotte, and it's true- Her Majesty does appreciate your loyalty…and I appreciate your protectiveness, it's good that there are people who genuinely care about Her Majesty…" before he continued on his way across the study and gently knocked on the study door, entering when bidden, Her Majesty's voice a muffled sound.
0
"What were you and Charlotte talking about?" Her Majesty inquired moments later as Joseph sank into the chair opposite her desk, as she took off her glasses and sank back in her chair.
"Nothing in particular."
"I also heard something about 'Anton the idiot'… what was that about?"
"Oh, Anton was just being difficult with Charlotte that was all. He can be quite sexist and chauvinistic… as you very well know… hence he works very well with His Majesty."
"Joseph," she looked at him gently but with a sad expression on her face. "I know my staff and Rupert's staff aren't on the best of terms."
"Nonsense, Rupert is just…."
"Joseph." It was only one word but Joseph knew that from the expression on her face and tone of her voice that Her Majesty meant business- and while he had promised Charlotte that he wouldn't say a word, he also couldn't fight the sad big blue eyes on the opposite of the desk.
"Yes, Anton was being silly… but Charlotte stood up to him and told him off for his disloyalty to you."
"She did?" Her Majesty looked touched, but not surprised- she knew that Charlotte was unquestionably loyal and she was happy that she had Charlotte on her side, not to mention the fact that she liked and respected the younger woman.
"She did… she's very protective of you."
"Really?"
"Really- she really likes and respects you… that's what she told Anton… but she didn't want me to say anything to you."
"Why on earth not?"
"She felt that you already had enough to worry about without knowing about problems between staff."
"That's very thoughtful of her," Clarisse said softly, looking away for a moment and blinking hard, Joseph sitting in his chair patiently until she had pulled herself together- he knew that she didn't like showing vulnerability too much, until she looked back at him. "I won't let her know that you said anything to her… but thank you, Joseph," and they exchanged a warm look before Joseph decided to break the silence and the look- things were too intense at the palace at the moment to even consider what was occurring between them.
"How are things?" he asked gently and she looked away for a moment before looking back at him, her expression tired and drawn.
"As you would expect… the announcement will be going ahead as planned…."
0
On the morning of the announcement, Charlotte had been at the palace since five in the morning (she had been doing a lot of overtime in the last few weeks, since the Prince had decided to abdicate, not that she didn't mind), making last minute preparations for the press conference that, simultaneously occurring with the announcement, would confirm that Prince Pierre Renaldi was abdicating and his younger brother would become Crown Prince. There wasn't a great deal left to do, but she liked being ready and prepared- it was going to be a long and difficult day for the royal family and she wanted to ensure that she was there for them… specifically, Her Majesty.
"Good morning, Charlotte, you're up and about early," she heard a voice from the doorway and she turned to see a tired looking Prince Pierre standing there, already dressed.
"Your Royal Highness…" she began to curtsey but he held up a hand.
"Please, Charlotte, you don't have to do that anymore. I signed the necessary paperwork last night, so I'm technically not a Prince of Genovia anymore."
"But you will always be a royal prince, no matter what you say or do," Charlotte said softly and Prince Pierre smiled at her wryly.
"Thank you, Charlotte."
"Is there anything I can do for you… Prince Pierre?"
"Aside from calling me Pierre from now on?"
"I don't think that would be appropriate."
"I think so, and I would appreciate it if you did so, not that I will be here for much longer." He looked so sad and so weary that Charlotte's heart went out to him and she knew that she couldn't deny him his simple request.
"Alright… Pierre. Why won't you be here for very long?"
"As soon as the press conference is over, I'll be leaving for the airport- I am starting theology college in Scotland on Monday…."
"Is it true…" she began but stopped- she couldn't ask the question, it was inappropriate.
"Is it true….what?" Pierre looked puzzled.
"Nothing."
"Is it true… that my father has banished me from Genovia?"
"Y-yes…." She stammered- blasted maids, she shouldn't have listened to them- but he gave her a small smile.
"Not officially, but he's made it clear that I won't be welcome for a long time to come."
"That's awful!" Charlotte frowned, disgusted at the attitude of the King.
"That's my father," he said with a slightly bitter smile. "I've long since accepted his attitude… and, speaking of my father, I have a favour to ask of you."
"Oh?"
"Not in regards to my father, but my mother."
"Oh?"
"Could you please look after her?"
"Look…after her?"
"Yes, look after her… we both know my father will be difficult on her for the next few months and Phillipe will be busy with his new duties… and I know that you care about her…"
"I… I don't know what to say…."
"Please, Charlotte?" he moved closer to her and reached out to take her hand for a moment. "She may seem strong and capable, but she's also vulnerable….and I know that you and Joe, as well as her maids, will look after her… will you, Charlotte?"
"I will," she vowed, looking up into his intense blue eyes, so much like his mother's and knew that she would do what she could to look after her.
000
As Charlotte had expected, the day was intense and chaotic- the press went wild with the statement and the press conference, peppering the Prince with questions, but all too soon he was being spirited away to the airport and the atmosphere in the palace settled down… somewhat, although Charlotte, who had been present at the press conference, had seen the look of anger and hatred that the King had shot at the Queen.
"That was intense," Prince Phillipe said afterwards when he came into Charlotte's office- the Queen had locked herself away in her study after the press conference and His Majesty had disappeared who knows where, while the palace staff tried to pretend that it was still a normal day in the palace.
"Indeed it was," Charlotte agreed- there was paperwork that had to be perused and filed but she had the feeling that Her Majesty wouldn't be in the mood to do anything, and Joseph had informed her that she could go home early, but she felt that she should stay, just in case.
"I can't imagine not having my brother here at the palace," Prince Phillipe sank down into the chair opposite hers and Charlotte suddenly realised that the vulnerable young man wanted to talk.
"That will be difficult."
"I didn't want to be Crown Prince," he ran a hand through his dark hair. "It was never part of my plan."
"What was your plan?" Charlotte asked gently, hoping that she wasn't intruding into his life but it was clear that he wanted to talk.
"I was thinking of joining the army, maybe doing a little more further education… I had some ideas to start a charity or foundation… but that's all gone down the hill," he buried his head in his hands and Charlotte was momentarily frozen between not doing anything and comforting him- he was obviously upset- but before she could do anything, he lifted his head up again. "I'm sorry, Charlotte, I shouldn't be saying anything like this to you…"
"It's alright, I don't mind… and as for your plans, I don't think you should give them up… they may not happen now, but they could happen eventually, and I would more than happy to help with your ideas for building a charity."
"Thank you, Charlotte," he suddenly grinned at her and Charlotte was momentarily taken aback by his wide and charming smile, but she knew that she only liked him as a friend (if it was possible to consider him a friend, but he obviously did) before the sound of the study doors opened and out stepped Her Majesty, her posture still as straight and as formal as ever but her expression was tired and weary, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Phillipe! Charlotte! I didn't expect to see either of you here!" she said in surprise as the younger two stood up from their chairs.
"I just dropped by to see if you wanted to go for a walk around the garden, Maman," said Phillipe.
"I just wanted to stay and see if you needed anything," Charlotte offered as Her Majesty walked towards them and took Phillipe's arm in his, caressing his cheek with one hand for a moment.
"You're both very thoughtful… Phillipe, yes, I would love to go for a walk; and Charlotte… please go home. You've done quite enough for today."
"Yes ma'am," Charlottes said politely as mother and son made their way towards the office door before Her Majesty stopped and turned back to Charlotte.
"Charlotte."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"I just wanted to thank you for your loyalty, hard work, consideration and compassion today, and for the past few weeks- it's been a difficult time for all of us but I do appreciate everything you have done… thank you."
"It was my pleasure, Your Majesty," Charlotte said softly and, as mother and son left the room, she realised that she had been telling the truth- it had been hard work, but it HAD been a pleasure.