Chapter 20:
Joseph raised his head and looked towards the sunlight peeking around the curtains of Clarisse's suite. The sun had risen two hours ago, but the pair remained where they had been for the past hours since Joseph first arrived in the suite.
Clarisse's sobs had died down, but Joseph could still feel the tears soaking into his shirt front and wetting his skin. Joseph's tears had finally dried as he accepted the painful events that had occurred, and built up the courage to go on. It was, after all, just another painful loss in another chapter of his life. One that would have an effect on the greatest number of people than ever before in his life, but still more on the woman in his arms.
"Clarisse we need to move," Joseph croaked, his voice raw from the tears.
Clarisse muttered something incomprehensively, so Joseph took lead and began to shuffle around on the floor. He twisted his legs around until he was able to push himself up off the floor whilst still holding Clarisse in his arms. She groaned from the stiffness of her muscles as he led them slowly over to the couch.
Sitting down carefully, Joseph tried to untangle himself from Clarisse's hold, but she would not budge. Not having the heart to force her, Joseph just leant back on the couch, allowing Clarisse to stretch out slightly as she leant against him, her face still pressed into his shirt.
He closed his eyes and allowed himself to doze slightly, feeling his lack of sleep catching up on him. They remained that way for about another half hour until Clarisse finally let go of his shirt.
She turned her head to the side, sighed deeply, and then wrapped her arms around his waist. Joseph looked down in surprise just to find Clarisse dozing off, her expression relaxed for the first time in hours.
He felt momentarily lost as a strange feeling for the woman came over him. He felt so protective of her, as he always had, but also a feeling that he would do anything for her; a feeling that he never wanted to leave her side. He didn't know where the feeling had come from, or whether it had been there the whole time, but looking down on the woman sleeping in his arms, Joseph knew that he would be with this woman for the rest of his life. Never would he let her suffer again.
Joseph was pulled from his thoughts when he heard a soft knock at the door. Knowing that it would be important, Joseph began to rub Clarisse's shoulder and call to her so she would wake.
Clarisse's eyes fluttered open only seconds later and she looked up at him with red, puffy eyes.
"What is it?" she gasped, sliding her arms out from around his waist and trying to sit up.
"Someone is at the door," Joseph replied softly, helping her sit before standing and going to the door himself, he rubbed a hand over his face as he went.
'I must look terrible,' Joseph thought to himself as he opened the door to reveal the palace physician; this man was all too familiar with the palace now.
"Ah, Joseph…Is Her Majesty awake? How is she coping?" the physician asked quietly, peering into the room before looking back at Joseph with concern.
Joseph opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by Clarisse.
"I'm quite all right now, thank you," Clarisse said as she sat on the couch, straightening out her clothes.
"Is there anything I can get you, Your Majesty?" the physician asked gently as he walked in after Joseph offered.
"No thank you, I am fine. I think I will just get some sleep now," Clarisse replied, her voice calm and in control; it was her looks that betrayed her.
She looked terrible, to put it nicely. She was red faced, puffy eyed, and her clothes were all rumpled, not to mention how her hair was sticking up all over.
She was clearly not all right but the point could not be forced.
"What about you Joseph? Is there anything that you need?" he then asked, turning to Joseph with a grave expression.
"Some sleeping pills would be great thanks," Joseph replied, looking towards Clarisse as he spoke. The physician got the point so handed over a small bottle of pills after shuffling through his bag briefly.
"Also Joseph, Charlotte wished me to inform you that a man named Shades is awaiting further orders from you. He is down in the security quarters," the physician said.
Clarisse looked up in confusion at this, ignoring the quiet good bye from the physician as he left them alone again.
"Where is Carlo?" she asked in a scared voice.
"He also did not make it. Along with the driver and young security guard," Joseph replied slowly, knowing he didn't have the chance to explain this to Clarisse earlier.
"Oh, Joseph," Clarisse said sympathetically, rising from the couch and moving towards him. She wrapped her arms around him, and held him tightly as he pressed his face into her neck.
"I am so sorry," she whispered, even more tears falling down her stained face.
Joseph didn't reply, rather he wrapped his arms around her body, pulling her close and keeping his face pressed to her neck. He breathed in her scent, bringing life to his shattered heart, before lifting his head and stepping out of her embrace.
Leading her back over to the couch and small table, Joseph leant down and poured out a glass of water. Tipping out a small pill from the bottle, he held them both out to Clarisse.
"You didn't get those for yourself did you?" Clarisse asked as she accepted the pill and water from Joseph.
"I can not rest yet," Joseph explained, smiling slightly as he tried to ease her burdens.
Clarisse smiled back sadly before she downed some water and swallowed the pill. She placed the glass back down on the table and straightened up to face Joseph.
"Good. Now you can sleep for a while and get the rest you need. You will not have to do anything today but I'm afraid there will be plans to make tomorrow," Joseph explained sympathetically.
"Best get to bed then," she yawned, looking over to the door to her private chamber.
Joseph threw caution into the wind as he took her arm in his and led her to her room himself. He pushed into the dark room, led her to the bed, and then helped her out of her dressing gown, before pulling the covers back for her.
Clarisse smiled thankfully as she climbed into the bed and settled down. She rolled onto her side and looked at him in silence, her features unreadable.
Joseph smiled, said a quiet good night before heading back to the door.
"Joseph?" he heard Clarisse say from the bed. Turning around, he found her sitting up and looking at him fearfully.
"Yes, Clarisse?" he asked, heading back over to the side of the bed.
"How will I do it? How will I go on?" Clarisse asked, her fear showing through her eyes clearly as she spoke.
Joseph reached over, pushed her back down gently, covered her over again, and smiled down at her.
"We will get through this together. One painful day at a time," Joseph reassured her before placing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Pulling back, Joseph could see she was finally drifting off to sleep. Running a hand down her face, Joseph stood, left the room, and closed the door quietly behind him.
Walking out of the suite and into the corridor, Joseph came across Olivia heading towards the Queens suite.
"Her Majesty is sleeping now, Olivia, but you should stay close by in case she needs you," Joseph instructed, still walking towards his own suite.
Going in briefly, Joseph splashed his face with water before changing his shirt again and heading straight back out.
He had work to do, people to give orders to, and plans to make. Today was going to be a long day but he would not rest until all that needed to be done was done.
OoOoOoOo
Two months later the Genovian Royal plane was landing in San Francisco with Her Majesty Queen Clarisse on board. She was in town for business, what that business actually was, no one but the Royal staff knew.
As she walked off the plane, the Head of Security, Joseph, could be seen glued to her side as usual. He appeared to have not left her side throughout all the events that had taken place in Genovia since the death of Crown Prince Phillippe. It was rumored that the man never slept, ate, or rested; but of course no one could believe something like that. He was only a man after all.
Queen Clarisse's now trademark appearance was not missed as she walked to her limo and entered it with Joseph's assistance before he took the front passenger seat. She was completely dressed in black with the only colour that of a small red design on her scarf which was wrapped around her neck. Her face was blank and expressionless as she ignored the many reporters near by. She was every bit the harsh, cold Queen that she was now said to be. No longer could the happy bubbly Queen Clarisse be seen…only her shell remained and Joseph protected it with his life.
Who knew what her presence in this city could mean?
A.N: Ok readers and reviewers, savor this chapter as it will be the last one you see in about a week. I'm going on holiday so won't be able to update until I get back. But when I do update, it will be set AFTER the time of the first Princess Diaries and FULL of romance! Yes! It's finally on its way! So might I suggest you watch the movie before reading my next update?
Please send a review my way as that will give me a happy send off for my holiday! Pretty please?