A.N: And look! Another quick update! I'm on a roll!

Chapter 16:

"What can I do for you, Joe?" a depressed Phillippe asked from his chair in the library.

"You can sit up and listen to what I have to say, that is all," Joseph replied, growing annoyed with the Prince for being so uncaring.

"Joe, I've been lectured by Father, so I don't need it from you," Phillippe answered gruffly.

"Well, maybe if you started acting your age, and listen to what I have to say, you will find that it is not actually about you," Joseph snapped.

Phillippe looked up, shocked to hear Joseph speak to him in such a manner.

"What is it you are going to tell me then?" Phillippe asked in defiance.

"I am going to tell you about my life. About how I came to be here, now, standing in front of you," Joseph replied, clasping his hands behind his back and standing straighter.

"Why?" Phillippe frowned, sensing a catch.

"So you can then use my experiences to help in your own decision. Borrowing my experiences for yourself in a way I suppose," Joseph smiled, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"You're not going to make the decision for me?" Phillippe asked, eyebrows raised, his curiosity peaked.

"A man can only make his own choices, Phillippe," Joseph said seriously.

"Not everyone at the palace agrees with you there," Phillippe muttered darkly.

Joseph ignored the stab at King Rupert and waited for Phillippe to give him permission to speak.

"Well – " Phillippe started but the library door opened as Queen, no, Clarisse walked in.

"Your Majesty," Joseph said immediately, bowing in her direction.

"Oh, I'm sorry am I interrupting something?" Clarisse asked, glancing at Joseph before looking to her son for him to answer.

"It is all right, Mother. Joseph, can she stay?" Phillippe asked, looking more a child than he ever had.

Joseph looked over to Clarisse briefly before he turned back to Phillippe.

"Certainly. She has heard most of this anyway, but I'm sure it'll help to have more support," He smiled, showing he accepted.

"Come sit with me, Mother. Joseph is about to share his life's story with me," Phillippe said, looking cheerful.

Clarisse sat down on the chair beside Phillippe's and waited in silence with her hands clasped upon her knee. She looked up at Joseph, indicating he begin.

"Now, all I ask is that you keep any questions you may have until the end, ok?" Joseph asked, raising an eyebrow in question.

"Yes, sir," Phillippe replied with a grin. Clarisse nodded.

Joseph then proceeded to tell of his past. He spoke of all that occurred from as far back as he could remember. He went on for hours, late into the night, speaking of Diego (which Clarisse showed she remembered by the sad bowing of her head as Joseph mentioned him), of all his homes he had lived in, and even the death of his Mother, Isabel.

When speaking of Isabel, Joseph couldn't help but notice the tears pouring down Clarisse's face as she looked at him. She wasn't even trying to hide the fact that Joseph's past was breaking her heart. She covered her mouth as he talked of holding his mother for the last time, and the words that she spoke to him.

But Joseph trudged on. He spoke of his happy university years, of the people he met and the friends he made. He then moved into another familiar area to Clarisse; the story of Solana and their lost baby, Luca.

Joseph watched Phillippe's expressions carefully here as this was the defining moment. This was where their lives were very similar.

He spoke of their quick wedding, their brief life together, before speaking quietly of Solana's still born child, Luca, and then her own death closely following. He watched as understanding dawned over Phillippe's face as he realized just how similar this was to his own life, but also how much worse it was. At least, if Phillippe was to leave his wife and child, then at least he would know they were still alive and well.

He could still see them in secret if he had to, and could still keep in contact. That is what Joseph wanted to portray to him, to tell him that it wouldn't be all that bad. But also that if he did choose to stay with them, then how wonderful it could truly be.

Joseph ended his life story by briefly telling of how he coped after the loss of his family, and where that had taken him now. He spoke of how it had definitely helped him later in life, including his ability to help and get to know both Phillippe and Pierre. He told him that through it all, he had learnt a lot. He had learned how to live by experiencing so much death around him.

"So much pain," Phillippe murmured hoarsely, shaking his head once Joseph had finished.

"Learning is not child's play; we cannot learn without pain," Joseph commented, finally sitting down on the couch opposite the Royals.

Phillippe smirked at Josephs comment.

"More Aristotle."

Joseph laughed lightly, shaking his head and sharing a knowing glance with Clarisse; King Rupert had often quoted Aristotle to his sons.

"I've only just realized what it truly means though," Phillippe muttered, deep in thought.

"Well, I will leave you now to think over what I have said, and you may approach me tomorrow morning if you need to discuss it further. Is that fine with you?" Joseph asked, showing he was willing to stay.

"Yes, thank you, Joseph," Phillippe answered distractedly.

"I too will leave you, dearest. But please don't stay up too much longer. It's already 2am," Clarisse spoke smoothly, leaning over and pressing a kiss to her son's forehead.

"Yes, Mother," Phillippe rolled his eyes.

They all knew he would not be getting any rest tonight.

Joseph held the door open for Clarisse before following her out into the dimly lit corridor. He stepped up beside her and began the walk to her suite, silently offering to escort her there.

He had only just rounded the corner into the corridor that lead to the Royal suites when he noticed she had stopped just behind him.

Turning back to her, Joseph was shocked to find more tears pouring down Clarisse's face in earnest. He quickly stepped up to her and placed his hand on her arm, just below her shoulder.

"Are you all right, Clarisse?" Joseph asked with genuine concern.

"I'm sorry Joseph but that was just so sad. I can't believe just how much you have been through," Clarisse sniffed, not worried that she wasn't being Queen-like in Joseph's presence.

Joseph didn't know what to say; so he just nodded. What does one say to their monarch when they are crying over someone else's misfortune?

"It is nothing," Joseph smiled, trying to ease her overwhelming compassion.

"How can you say that?" Clarisse asked, shocked at his acceptance.

"Clarisse, I have dealt with it already. I have moved on from all the pain and suffering I have endured in my life, and I am now better off with having been through it. It made me who I am today," Joseph explained, smiling even more to show he was being honest with her.

"It's ok," he said simply, squeezing her upper arm slightly before dropping his hand.

Clarisse just smiled back at him, nodded, and then wiped her eyes before starting to walk down the corridor towards her suite, Joseph at her side.

"It seems to me that you have had some remarkable women in your life," Clarisse commented in a soft voice.

"Yes, I have. First my mother, then Marama and Solana, and now you," he commented quietly, a grin spreading over his face at the compliment to his monarch.

"Oh, Joseph, really," Clarisse retorted, turning to Joseph to see if he was sassing her.

"Yes, really, Clarisse," Joseph replied bowing his head slightly in respect.

"You really are a great Queen, and a wonderful Mother to both of your boys. It amazes me that you can do everything for your country whilst also meeting the needs and wants of your sons," Joseph commented, walking beside Clarisse until she stopped at her suite.

"Thank you, Joseph," Clarisse finally answered, seeming at a loss for words.

"My pleasure," Joseph replied before bowing and turning on his heel to go to his own suite. His feet were aching for him to lie down.

"Joseph?" Clarisse called from behind him as he moved off.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Joseph asked, turning back to her with his hands behind his back.

At Clarisse's look, Joseph chuckled.

"Sorry…Yes, Clarisse?"

"Thank you for speaking with Phillippe, it has helped a lot from what I saw," Clarisse said, smiling and nodding her thanks.

"Anytime, Clarisse," Joseph replied before walking off again towards a well deserved sleep.

He smiled to himself as he approached his door; Clarisse really was amazing and never ceased to surprise him with the depths of her heart. She was clearly a friend worth having.

But now was the time to sleep. Joseph couldn't help thinking that tomorrow was going to be quite a day, and that he would need to have a sharp mind. He would get as much sleep as he could before reporting to Her Majesty.

Tomorrow would just be another day that he will be offering his services as servant and friend.

OoOoOoOo

The next day, it was formally announced that Prince Phillippe was now going to work at his Fathers side until it was time for him to take the throne. He would become King instead of his older brother Pierre. Prince Pierre had now completely abdicated and was now preparing to serve in the church. A dream he had wanted to live his entire life.

Queen Clarisse appeared even happier to all the staff in the palace than she ever had before in her life and also seemed closer to her husband and sons than before Pierre's abdication. She put even more of her heart and soul into serving her country, and even gave many of the palace staff promotions that had taken a long time in coming. Everyone loved to be around the Queen these days.

And Joseph was as happy as ever. He had been informed that Carlo was to work close by Melas so he could take on more responsibility for the Palace security, as he was to take Melas' place in becoming Head of Security. Joseph was also informed that he would then be working immediately below Carlo as second in command. A promotion that Joseph had obviously seen coming but was still honoured to receive it.

So life at the palace moved on, with much happiness and improvement. All those at the palace fell back into their daily routines and felt comfortable where they were at as all the pieces fell into place. The Royal Palace of Genovia was definitely the place to be now. Even on King Rupert's bad days!

Little did they all know that pain and destruction was only around the bend…

A.N: Well? What do you all think? Please send me a review!