A.N: Thank you for all the lovely reviews I received! I adore getting reviews, especially the ones that tell me what the reader enjoyed about the chapter. They are so helpful!

Oh, by the way, I don't have a spell check on the programme I was using to type both this chapter and the next. Please forgive me of any mistakes!

Here is the long awaited update!

Chapter 11:

Joseph paced the silent corridor for the fifth time. He couldn't stand still any longer, not since Prince Pierre had left his parents' suite in a fury. At first, he had wanted to go after the Prince, but upon hearing the argument that was happening inside the suite, Joseph thought it best to stick to his duty.

He didn't want an irate King Rupert on his heels.

So Joseph stayed. But the argument had stopped some time before, leaving the corridor silent, and Joseph couldn't stand it. Deep down, he wanted to know what had happened so he could try to help the 16 year old Prince, but then the other side of him told him to 'mind his own business' and not interfere in Royal business. He was only a security gaurd after all.

But still, that didn't stop the helpless feeling creeping through his mind as he waited in frustrated silence outside Their Majesties suite.

Suddenly, the door opened as Queen Clarisse walked out, taking much care to close the door quietly.

"Your Majesty," Joseph bowed, stopping in his tracks.

Queen Clarisse turned to him with a surprised expression, her hand briefly covering her heart before dropping to her side once more.

"Oh, Joseph, you startled me," she smiled, trying to ease the concern on Josephs face.

Joseph remained silent, but longing to find out what had just happened in the suite. Queen Clarisse must have seen his thoughts upon his face as she sighed in resignation.

Just then Carlo came up to take Josephs position. Due to Her Majesty being there, Joseph was unable to warn Carlo about how irate King Rupert may be when he emerge's from his suite.

"King Rupert is resting for now, but when he emerges, please take care around him. His mood is quite delicate," Queen Clarisse informed Melas, sharing a knowing glance with Joseph.

Aparently she realised he must have heard the whole thing.

"Joseph, walk with me," Queen Clarisse demanded.

"Certainly, Your Majesty," Joseph bowed, before walking briskly down the corridor at Her Majesty's side.

Queen Clarisse didn't speak until they had left the palace and entered the sunlit gardens. It wasn't until they were walking through the dense gardens paths that she turned to Joseph.

"I assume you heard the argument King Rupert had with my son?" Her Majesty asked, her words clipped short by her frustration.

"I heard that there was a confrontation, Your Majesty, but not the words that were spoken," Joseph spoke carefully, not wanting to set her off.

"I see," she nodded sharply, still striding through the gardens, a destination clearly in mind.

They rounded a corner and were face to face with the glasshouse, filled with Her Majesty's favourite flowers.

Pushing the door open before her, Queen Clarisse swept into the stuffy room. She picked up a spray bottle and set to work.

Joseph bowed, ready to depart when she threw the bottle down and clenched her fists in frustration.

"Why does Rupert have to be so bent on following Royal traditions?" she asked in a fierce tone, facing away from Joseph.

"He does what is best for the country," Joseph answered, not knowing whether or not the question was aimed at him.

"But not what is best for his family," Her Majesty retorted, spinning to face him.

"He is so bent on keeping the tradition that the first born will continue his rule, that he doesn't even realise how miserable Pierre is," Her Majesty began to pace.

Joseph then realised what the argument had been about. Pierre does not wish to become King, but Rupert would not hear of it. Joseph shifted slightly, well aware that this should not be his business.

"His Majesty has never dealt with this before, perhaps he is just uncertain how to approach the problem," Joseph offered, not wanting to offend His Majesty in front of his wife.

"But the problem is Rupert! Don't you see? Pierre does not wish to be King, but Phillippe does. What is so difficult about letting a very small tradition slip slightly to allow what his boys want? Why can't he give them their happiness?" Queen Clarisse almost pleaded.

At that very moment, she did not look like the 39-year-old that she was, she looked more like a lost young girl. Joseph felt his heart clench in sympathy and helplessness as her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"What is it that Pierre wishes to do? If I may be so bold to ask," Joseph asked quietly, letting all his sympathy for her dilema shine through his eyes.

"He wants to join the church," she stated quietly, smiling at the simplicty of it all.

Joseph raised an eyebrow in surprise; he had not quite expected that.

"Is there anything I can do?" Joseph offered, knowing Her Majesty must have told him all this for a reason.

Queen Clarisse looked up, smiling through watery eyes, and nodding gently.

"I thought that due to having experience with working with youth, that you could perhaps talk to Pierre? Make sure he doesn't do anything rash, but also not back down from what he wants in life," Her Majesty explained, her eyes begging him to accept.

Smiling at her in reasurance, Joseph nodded in agreement, willing to help his distressed Queen as best he could.

Her Majesty sighed in relief, closing her eyes and allowing one tear to slide down her cheek before wiping it away. She fell silent, clasping her hands before her, her head bowed.

"Thank you, Joseph," she said quietly, not looking up.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Joseph spoke softly also, not wanting to cause her any more stress.

He bowed gently, before turning on his heel and walking out to find Pierre. He would give Her Majesty some privacy to gather herself together, and to adjust her appearance if needed.

Joseph felt a lightness in spirit as he walked away, knowing that he was finally able to help the Royal family in more than just his duty.

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"Thank you for your coucil, Joseph. I appreciate your advice," Prince Pierre said graciously.

Joseph had found the young Prince praying by himself outside beside the lake. They had been discussing Pierre's future and what he wanted to do for the past hour. He was unwilling to speak to Joseph about it at first, until Joseph told him that Her Majesty wanted him to help. That's when Pierre had finally let it all slip, including his frustration at his father for not letting him do what his heart desired.

They discussed these feelings that Pierre was experiencing and how he could control them, as well as stop them from coming. They discussed how Pierre could approach this topic with his father from now on, and just how he can make his opinion be heard. All in all, they discussed everything that was troubling Prince Pierre.

At the end of it, Joseph knew that he had just developed a strong relationship with Prince Pierre, and that he would now always be a part of his affairs.

"Shall we return to the palace, Your Higness? Her Majesty will be wanting to speak to you no doubt," Joseph suggested, knowing how anxious Queen Clarisse will be in seeing how her son was coping.

"Of course, Joseph," Prince Pierre said, sounding beyond his years.

The two stood from the place they were seated, and began the walk back to the palace side by side.

But as they neared the palace, they came across Prince Phillippe. The 14-year-old was walking along, aparently deep in thought.

As they came nearer, Prince Phillippe looked up and noticed them for the first time.

"Hey Joe!" Phillippe exclaimed, excited to see his mentor.

"Your Highness," Joseph acknowledged, giving him a quick wink.

"I want you to help me plan something," he said, looking sideways at his brother.

Joseph knew that Pierre often told his parents of Phillippe's tricks. Why he did that, Joseph was yet to find out. Perhaps jealousy because although Phillippe had a tendency to be very 'annoying' he still appeared to be the favourite of the palace staff. Maybe Joseph could help solve that...

"Only if Prince Pierre can also help, Your Highness," Joseph said seriously, pulling out his glasses and putting them on.

This seemed to have the desired effect as Prince Phillippe nodded quickly, much to the pleasure of his older brother.

"Good," Joseph stated, placing a hand on each boys shoulder and leading them towards the palace.

"We need some privacy for this discussion," Joseph said very seriously, looking around suspiciously.

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