Thanks to my readers and reviewers- it's been a while again!
The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me!
Her Majesty had wanted to attend Mia's college graduation the following June, but Sebastian and Joseph dissuaded her, for several important reasons- parliament was as restive as ever, and with an agreement in place for the Princess to ascend the throne at the end of the year, they were keen for her responsibilities to increase, as well as public appearances, and that summer was going to be far busier than previous years.
"It's as if they want to see how far they can push her," Joseph had muttered darkly to Charlotte upon seeing the adjusted summer schedule- of course, security had to be involved, and there had to be more this summer, as there were many guests flying in for the Princess's 21st birthday as well as the additional public appearances that the princess would have to do.
"How did she handle it when she heard about her 'not so quite' summer?" Charlotte asked curiously- Her Majesty had told her when she had told the Princess, and had said that she 'had handled it well', but maybe she had confided more in Joseph.
"She was really very reasonable- she sounded surprised, of course, but once Clarisse had explained it to her, she accepted it… she even professed that she was 'looking forward to it', but I bet she will change her mind once she had a session with the members of parliament."
"I'm sure she'll do fine," Charlotte said reassuringly. "I've seen her mature over the years and I'm sure she'll be fine."
"I have every confidence in her as well… but when dealing with those… jackals…"
"Tell me how you really feel," Charlotte teased gently. "Yes, some of them can be quite difficult, but I'm sure that things will change over time."
"I hope so."
0
Clarisse had been disappointed that she hadn't been able to fly to San Francisco for the college graduation, but it also made sense- there was a lot going on in the country, her schedule was going to be far busier than it had been in years, and she also didn't want to particularly leave parliament to its own devices, especially since the 'compromise' was reached the previous summer.
She had dreaded telling Mia- she would have preferred to tell her in person, but Mia had chosen to stay in America for Christmas that year, preparing for her final exams- but she had no choice- she had to be prepared- and she called her.
"Oh," was the first word out of Mia's mouth after Clarisse had explained everything to her- the meeting, the motion, and the compromise. "That's not good, is it."
"No, it's not good, my dear- and especially not good for you. I'm sorry that this has happened- I was hoping that they would give you some more time to prepare than just six months."
"Well….six months is better than coming back and immediately having a coronation ceremony," Mia said with a slight giggle in her voice and Clarisse was relieved- she was taking the news much better than she had expected. "You would definitely be busy if that was to happen….at least I get some time to get used to everyone else again."
"You're taking it much better than I expected," Clarisse said with surprise and this time the younger woman laughed.
"There's not much else I can do, is there? Besides, I have the feeling that my father would probably expect me to laugh it off, anyway. But… it's a little daunting, I'll have to admit that... I'm going to be Queen in less than a year…"
"Don't dwell on that fact… that's still a long way off…."
"I won't be dwelling on it… I'm more worried about my finals, if I'm being honest."
"You'll be fine, you're very bright and you'll do well."
Of course, she had been disappointed when Clarisse had informed her that she wouldn't be able to attend her graduation ceremony, but ultimately, understood- although her grandmother didn't inform her of the reasons why she wasn't able to attend the graduation.
"She's going to find out soon enough when she gets here," she said briskly to Charlotte.
Thus, it was Joseph who flew to America to attend the ceremony and bring Mia home.
"I'm sorry that you aren't able to go yourself," he said to Clarisse the morning of his departure. "You should have been able to go."
"As you said it yourself, things here are just too unsettled for me to leave… besides, I was at her high school graduation and that counts for something. Safe travels…" her voice lowered as he moved closer to her and gently caressed her cheek. "I will miss you."
"I will miss you too," he said huskily before he pulled her forward for a kiss.
000
"Congratulations, Princess," Joseph said on the way to the airport- he, along with her mother and stepfather, had witnessed her graduation ceremony and he had been impressed by the way she had handled herself during the ceremony. She had admitted shyly beforehand that she was worried that she would trip during the ceremony, but he had reassured her that 'you will be fine' and Joe was proved correct- and he was struck by her graceful movements as well as the dignity of her bearing, just like her grandmother, but he knew that the summers in Genovia had only partly contributed to her maturity. The simple answer was that the Princess was growing up, a thought that gave him a pang of regret- he liked the young woman that she'd become but he would always have a soft spot for the young teenager that he had met five years ago on their first trip to San Francisco.
"You look thoughtful," the subject in question broke into his thoughts and Joseph pulled himself back into the present to look over at the young woman. "What were you thinking about?"
"I was just thinking of how much you have grown up in the past five years… I can still remember our first meeting at the consulate…"
"I hope I would have grown up- surely I can't be clumsy for the rest of my life!" the Princess said with a laugh.
"But it was an endearing type of clumsiness… even your father was clumsy when he was young."
"I bet he didn't break wine glasses at a state dinner or cause a chain reaction that drenched one guest, put Sebastian's face in his food and propelled grapes against a portrait."
"Well, not exactly that… but, in retrospect, you have to admit that it was rather amusing."
"I guess," but the small smile on her face told him that she had long since gotten over the embarrassing incident and found it funny. "So…. What's first up when we get back to Genovia?"
"Your 21st birthday party tomorrow evening."
"Is it always a tradition to hold a 21st birthday ball?"
"For members of the royal family, yes it is…"
"Who will be there?"
"Most of parliament, a few others… and I believe that your grandmother has invited a few of the young ladies you got to know when you were there for the summer."
"Is there anything I need to do… talk to members of parliament, dance with the married men….?"
"Well," he cleared his throat. "There is one tradition that you need to fulfil… you need to dance with all the single parliamentarians at the ball."
There was a long silence in the car, Joseph not looking directly at Mia, before Mia swallowed hard.
"You have got to be joking… what is the purpose of that?"
"To meet all the members of parliament…."
"Joe," Mia began slowly. "You don't think… it's horribly old fashioned… but is me dancing with all the single men tomorrow night… is it a way to find a potential husband?"
"I… I'm not sure…." Joseph stammered awkwardly- until recently (well, the last heirs to the throne were male, there was no need for introductions, as the King had reasoned), it had been the traditional way for royal princesses to meet their future husband (Clarisse herself had been betrothed to Rupert since she was seven, he knew that) but he knew that Clarisse had found it tedious and old fashioned and he could only imagine what the Princess, a modern young woman, would think.
"Wow. Lily would totally lose it if she was forced to do that," Mia said finally, thoughtfully. "She doesn't have a lot of patience with guys normally… imagine having to dance with all of the single men in parliament…and some of those guys are really old, aren't they?"
"There are a few of mature years, but most of them are in their twenties and thirties."
"In one word- old," Mia giggled as Joseph gave her a look and she burst out laughing. "But… Princess…"
"There's nothing I can do it about it," she said with a shrug. "They're already forcing me to ascend the throne at the end of the year, I suppose they can force me to marry someone I barely know."
"No one can force you do anything you don't want to do," Joseph said firmly and this time, Mia gave him a sad, wise smile, seeming far older than her years.
"Not if you are the heir to the throne…" but before Joseph could say anything more, argue the point that her grandmother wouldn't force her to marry someone before she was ready, Mia looked out the window.
"Wow, Genovia One is here… I thought that Genovia One was usually for Grandma and members of parliament."
"But it's also for your use as well… consider it a graduation gift from me, your own private trip on the plane," he joked and Mia rolled her eyes at him but grinned back at him.
"Thanks, Joe."
000
Back in Genovia, the palace was a hive of activity- not only was the Princess returning that day but the Princess's 21st birthday was to be held the following evening, as well as an emergency session of parliament the day after that, which meant that Charlotte was busier than ever (even busier than the Queen, who had her normal paperwork, but was also being a hostess to the guests who had already arrived for the celebrations)- but she made sure that she was outside, waiting to greet the Princess (and Fat Louis) upon her arrival and even she was struck at how grown up and mature the Princess seemed to be as she emerged from the car, she suddenly seemed so different… so adult, so royal. She was going to make a fantastic Queen….
"Hi Charlotte!" she suddenly gave her a broad warm smile and the girl that she had been (and still was) suddenly emerged. "This is it… no more trips back to America for school!"
"Welcome home, Princess," she curtseyed to her briefly and Mia only beamed happily back at her- Charlotte knew that it bothered her that she (and Joe) had to curtsey to her, but she had finally understood that it was part of protocol, as well as a sign of their respect for her.
"Thank you, Charlotte. It's going to be strange living here all the time…" she said, looking pensive before her expression changed and lightened. "Where's Grandma?"
"At the moment, she's in a meeting with parliament but she bid me to take you to her suite- your suite is unfortunately not ready yet- and she will be with you as soon as possible."
"Oh… that's alright…. and the ball is… tonight?"
"Yes… if you are not too tired."
"No, I'm fine, I slept on the plane…. When will I start getting ready?"
"Her Majesty will let you know about that… the guests arrive at six, but you don't make your entrance until seven…. At this ball, you arrive unaccompanied," Charlotte explained as she led the way into the palace and up the stairs towards Her Majesty's suite.
"Oh… okay," and this time the Princess sounded less certain. "And I have to dance with all the single men in parliament as well… hopefully there is not too many of them."
"About fifteen, Your Highness- and they include representatives from other European countries… but after that, your evening is your own," Charlotte added reassuringly as they came towards the Queen's suite, where the guards opened one of the doors. "I will see you later this evening, Your Highness… and welcome home."
00000
The ball began with a slight hiccup- the Princess's bracelet flew off her wrist as she waved to the guests standing down in the ballroom below her- and there were some interesting moments with some of the guests (such as one who couldn't speak English, another who was too old to dance, another who preferred dancing by himself) as well as a very awkward moment when a waiter knocked the Princess's crown off her head and into the hands of the hovering Viscount Mabrey (and Charlotte could see the momentary triumphant expression on his face) but thankfully, things returned to normal and, once she had completed her 'duty dances', the Princess was clearly relieved to be able to join her friends.
"Quite a successful evening," Her Majesty couldn't help but comment quietly to Charlotte as the evening drew to a close as guest began to depart for the evening- for once, Her Majesty allowed them to leave before she did, a softening of the protocols that were normally associated with balls. "Mia did quite well with the dancing."
"Yes, she did," Charlotte agreed- she had watched her accept, with grace, a dance with a twelve year old boy, which again proved that she had the makings of a good Queen.
"What was happening with the waiter and Viscount Mabrey?"
"Oh, nothing- the waiter accidentally knocked the Princess's tiara off her head and Viscount Mabrey caught it."
"Hmm…" the Queen's tone was non-committal but Charlotte could sense that she wasn't happy at the thought he had been so close to the Princess and actually handled the tiara. "Where is Joseph, by the way?"
"I think he is just overseeing some of the departing guests… did you want me to find him?"
She had actually been quite mortified to be a witness to yet another tender scene between them- and that there were two guards that had also witnessed it, but she knew that they, along with her, would not say anything, but Charlotte was a little concerned that they were growing a little more open with their relationship (which was a good thing, in many respects, but in some ways, particularly with parliament being the way they were at the moment…) and she didn't want either of them hurt.
The Queen, clearly delighted that Joseph was back, couldn't resist twirling around in her low backed apricot coloured ball gown, teasing him "That a Queen is never late, everyone is early" and touching his cheek after he had kissed her gloved hand. Yes, it was clearer than ever that they were in love, and Charlotte herself hoped that one day, possibly very soon in the future, that they would be married. Until then, however…
"I am here, Your Majesty," came his voice from behind them, and both the Queen and Charlotte turned to see Joseph walking back towards them from the hallway.
"I think I'm ready to retire for the night, everyone else seems to be leaving… where is Mia?"
"She and some of her friends have already retired for the evening… she wished to bid you good night but seeing that you were speaking to the Prime Minister, so she passed the message on through me."
"I see… but I can imagine that she would be tired as well. Good night, Charlotte," she turned to Charlotte. "Thank you for this evening, it turned out very well. You may go."
"Thank you… good night, Your Majesty, good night, Joe," before she left the ball room- it had been a long evening and even she was relieved to be finished for the evening.
She couldn't help but glance around as she started towards the door- the guest had all but gone and the palace staff were already in the ballroom, starting the tidying up after the party- and she saw Her Majesty and Joseph exiting out of the ballroom, arm in arm, talking quietly together, and there was a moment when they paused for a moment for Joseph to lift her hand to his mouth and kiss it lightly.