A.N: Thank you all readers who reviewed the last chapter! I appreciate the effort you make in keeping me happy! And also your help in motivating me to finish this ever growing fiction. Also, I've just noticed that I stuffed up Carlo's name again! The poor man…his name is 'Carlo' not 'Carlos'. Sorry for the confusion folks!

So here is the next update…

Chapter 15:

The palace was in utter chaos. Twenty two year old Prince Pierre had abdicated the throne two days earlier, without warning. His Majesty King Rupert was furious. He tried to make Pierre take his word back but it was already too late; the entire country of Genovia already knew.

Twenty year old Prince Phillippe had been brought back from the USA as soon as it had occurred, but King Rupert also seemed furious with him as well. There was just no pleasing the King and the staff seemed to be forever doing something wrong, putting themselves under King Rupert's wrath.

And Joseph was also at a loss. Prince Pierre had not confided in him with what he was about to do and Phillippe hadn't confided in him since he left to go to the university in the states. For the first time, he was out of the Royal family loop, so was unsure what he was to do or whether he should approach one of them.

Queen Clarisse had stayed out of sight since Pierre had made his formal announcement, and many even said that she had not even emerged from her quarters. But Joseph knew that she was meeting with Phillippe at this very moment and that in half an hour she had sent word for Joseph to be there. Why he was summoned, he did not know, especially considering it was going to be in Queen Clarisse's private suite. It was clearly a private meeting that Joseph seemed to be mistakenly invited to. But also he knew that Queen Clarisse often did things without others understanding her moves until after it had occurred.

So Joseph was pacing around the security room, waiting for the time to come when he had to report to Her Majesty, and also (hopefully) find out what had been going on around the palace as of late.

Joseph tried to distract himself by thinking about the constant updates he had been receiving from Marama ever since their meeting two years previously.

Joseph had received the call from Marama later that night, after Queen Clarisse had left his room silently. He had found out everywhere she had visited in Europe, and also told her of all that had occurred since arriving in Genovia. He told her of his quick promotions, much to her excitement, and the friendships he'd made. What he didn't tell her was just how close he had grown to the Royal family, as he thought that would not be fair to their privacy. He also knew that Marama would have far too many questions about their private lives if he did that.

After that night, he had not seen or heard from Marama, until he received a letter from her six months later. She had told him of her arrival back in New Zealand a few months before hand, and that she had finally met 'the man of her dreams'. She had gone into great depth of how they had met (he ran into her in the botanic gardens of the small city she was living in; quite literally) and how they had met up in the same place for many weeks until one day he finally asked to have lunch with her.

They then went out on many more dates, got to know each other much better, and found that they really were very alike. They had now (at the time of the letter) been together for three months and she sounded as if they were getting very serious.

So it was no surprise to Joseph when he later (just two months ago) received a phone call late at night from a cheerful Marama telling him of her recent engagement to Richard Pohuta. He was very pleased for her, and congratulated her on such an achievement. She, of course, made a joke out of it by saying that she had threatened Richard that she would wax all the hair off his body if he did not propose to her. Joseph knew this was just an ecstatic Marama talking and that it didn't really happen at all. She really was quite the comedian.

Marama had also offered to invite Joseph along to the wedding (that was to happen this month) but he had to decline. It was just too difficult for him to take time off to go to New Zealand, so she would just have to send him a video and letter, letting him know how it all went. He wanted the moment of her tripping over her dress whilst walking down the aisle on tape. She threatened to come over to Genovia to slap him for that one, but he reminded her that she had a wedding to plan.

Feeling himself relax at the memories, Joseph took a deep breath and released it slowly before checking his watch for the time.

"Just ten minutes to go," he muttered to himself, straightening his clothing for the hundredth time, and pacing again.

OoOoOoOo

"Come in, Joseph," he heard Queen Clarisse call out from behind the closed door of her suite.

Letting himself in, Joseph took note of how somber and silent both Royals not only appeared, but sounded. Phillippe passed him on his way out of the suite, and only very briefly made eye contact with Joseph.

Phillippe looked defeated; a fact that shocked Joseph.

"Joseph, am I right to assume that you have no idea why you are here?" Queen Clarisse asked him once Phillippe had left and shut the door.

"You are, Your Majesty," Joseph replied, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Well I suggest you sit down then, as this will take some time to explain," Her Majesty sighed, indicating the seat opposite her on the other side of a small table.

Her Majesty then proceeded to explain to Joseph the events that had taken place that had caused such upset in the Royal palace, especially for King Rupert. She talked of Phillippe's recent revelation to his parents of his secret marriage to a young woman, Helen Thermopolis, the month before being called back to Genovia. She spoke of how he had just found out the day before yesterday that she was also pregnant with their child, and grandchild to King Rupert and Queen Clarisse; a revelation neither of them were happy to hear.

The problem was that Miss Thermopolis had no desire to become the next Queen of Genovia, a complication that neither Prince Phillippe nor Helen herself had foreseen when they had decided to marry. This was due to the fact that all believed Pierre to be the next King, until he formally abdicated, leaving the crown in his brothers' hands.

For the first time in his life, Phillippe did not want the crown. He no longer desired to be King as he now had a loving wife whom he wanted to stay with in San Francisco. And now with a child also along the way, the matter was even more complicated.

"There is no way to convince the girl to take the crown?" Joseph asked, knowing the answer already.

"She refuses. No matter what Phillippe says, she won't accept; she refuses to leave her country and become something she has no desire to be," Queen Clarisse explained with much frustration as she ran her hand through her hair.

"And what of Phillippe? How is he coping with all this?" Joseph asked carefully, knowing this was dangerous grounds.

Queen Clarisse sighed, an immense look of sadness for her son enveloping her features. She looked up and held Joseph's gaze before speaking quietly.

"He is heartbroken. He desperately wants her to join him here in Genovia but she won't. He's tried everything, and now with the child on its way…" Her Majesty faded out, shaking her head gently.

"I do not know what to do for him. The country, and parliament, must not learn of this so I can make sure of that. But otherwise I've just let him know that I'll support him with what ever decision he makes, and let him know that it is his decision to make; not mine, and not Rupert's. But it is still the hardest decision he has ever had to make," Queen Clarisse held up both hands either side of her, palms upwards.

"On one hand, he has the love of his life, and one chance to have a happy family with little to no complications. While on the other he has the love of his country and his desire to rule in his fathers place. His difficulty is having to choose between them."

Joseph nodded sadly, finally understanding what was really going on in the Royal family. He also realized that Phillippe must be suffering badly, especially at the thought of possibly losing his new found family.

"What would you like me to do?" Joseph asked simply, making eye contact with Her Majesty again.

"Ever the eager servant," she smiled warmly and thankfully.

Joseph just smiled back, awaiting her answer so he could have an excuse to speak with the Prince privately.

"I would like you to speak with him. Not make a decision for him, but help him understand that he has support from people around him. I know you have a lot of wisdom in these matters, and that you know what it is like to go on without loved ones," at this Queen Clarisse and Joseph shared a very knowing glance, "And that we can still go on, no matter how much it may hurt at first."

Joseph nodded absentmindedly, thinking about how he would approach the topic with Phillippe, and how much he should share with him. All of it would probably be best if he wanted to rebuild the profound sense of trust they had once had. Yes, he would tell Phillippe everything about losing his family and loved ones, so then Phillippe can use that to help him make the decision.

"Does Prince Phillippe know that you are telling me this?" Joseph asked, deciding to o straight to the point.

"Yes he does. He actually asked me to inform you of what is going on. He seemed too distracted to do it himself," Her Majesty explained.

"I see…" Joseph replied quietly, staring at the wall behind his Queen as he concentrated on what he had to do.

"Thank you for informing me, Your Majesty. If you will excuse me, I will now go and speak with Prince Phillippe," Joseph said, bringing his gaze back to his monarch.

"Yes, of course," Her Majesty stated, standing to show he could go.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Joseph also stood, bowing his head gently.

Turning on his heel and walking to the door, Joseph was stopped as he reached for the door handle.

"Joseph?" Her Majesty asked from behind him.

"Yes, ma'am?" He asked as he turned back to his Queen.

"I believe that now you are so trusted and immersed within my family, that I can allow you to just call me Clarisse. But only in private mind you," Queen Clarisse suggested with a smile.

"Certainly, Your Majesty," Joseph answered immediately, feeling very honoured.

"What did I just say?" Clarisse chuckled, raising an eyebrow and smiling.

"Of course…Clarisse," Joseph replied, grinning at the strange feeling it created to be conversing with her so personally.

"Thank you, Joseph, and good luck," Her Majesty, no, Clarisse said, turning and sitting back down on her soft chair.

Joseph just nodded before leaving to find Phillippe.

Walking down the corridor, Joseph mouthed the foreign name to himself.

Clarisse.

How strange it felt on his tongue, but also how special. He really had accomplished a lot in the palace if he was now included as almost part of the Royal Family. Queen, no, just Clarisse must count him as a true friend; a fact that warmed his heart more than he thought ever possible. But upon thinking about it, he didn't know what he would do without having her around every day of his life. She knew more about him than most at the palace, all except Carlos which was amazing as she knew about the same.

She had become one of his dearest friends whilst working here at the palace, but he would never admit it; not unless she asked.

But enough of that, he had to find Phillippe. He would try Phillippe's suite first and go from there…

Walking off down the corridor, Joseph received many frowns from all staff as to why he was grinning at such a deadly time.

'It's all thanks to Clarisse,' Joseph thought to himself with a satisfied grin as he walked along in peace.

She really is a remarkable woman.

A.N: Ok so what do you think? I realize that you were probably expecting to receive more of Marama or sweet Rupert, but there just wasn't any room for either of them here in this chapter. Marama will not appear in this story much from now on, but there will be more sweet Rupert to come…he'll have his moment…But please review!