A.N: Sorry for the delayed update everyone! But when you feel as tired as I do every single day, then you would also find it difficult to gather the energy to sit and write. Grrr…I hate sitting right now! It's so uncomfortable!

But enough negativity! Here is the next chapter that I'm sure you have all been waiting for so desperately! (Sorry it is so short!)

Chapter 25:

Joseph hummed a happy tune as he strolled down the corridor towards Her Majesties office. He was in an unbelievably cheerful mood this morning; compared to the fuming, sticky grey man he was the day before.

So what had happened between those times that put everything back into place for him? It would soon be obvious when he entered the flustered office.

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"Good morning, Charlotte, how is Her Majesty this morning?" Joseph asked the red faced, flustered assistant upon entering the office.

"JOSEPH!" a voice bellowed from across the room, and Joseph was stunned to find it was Her Majesty herself.

Never had he seen her fuming the way she was; Joseph observed her carefully as he softly made his way towards her desk. She was standing with her palms flat on the desk top and glaring at him through fiery eyes.

"How dare you, Joseph," Clarisse whispered dangerously.

Joseph lifted an eyebrow and opened his mouth to speak when there was a low whistle from the couch. Looking over Joseph found Mia shaking her head in amusement at the sight of Joseph being scolded by his Queen.

"No one should seek revenge on the Queen, Joe, you should know that," Mia said with a cheeky grin, appearing to be thoroughly enjoying the morning so far.

"I do not know what –" Joseph began.

"DON'T YOU DARE DENY IT!" Clarisse yelled at him, coming from around her desk and striding up to him.

"I know it was you, Joseph, so don't try the 'Mr. Innocent'," Clarisse almost hissed as she stood before him and folded her arms, apparently still very angry.

Joseph just remained completely relaxed as he folded his own arms, and leant back slightly, looking at her calmly.

"And what is it that I have done?" he asked quietly, his voice soothing.

"You," Clarisse thrust her finger forward and hit his chest, "Tied my doors together in the small area between my private chambers and lounge so I could not leave my chambers, and no one could let me out from the lounge end!"

Here Mia attempted to stifle a giggle.

"But where I am confused, is how on earth you managed to tie those doors together and then get out yourself! How did you do it?" Clarisse asked, throwing her hands up in confusion.

"A magician never tells his tricks," Was Joseph's simple reply, leaving Clarisse stunned.

He glanced over to Charlotte and Mia, finding them staring in amazement at the pair and how Joseph seemed to have left their Queen speechless.

Looking back to Clarisse, he noticed she was still staring at him, but her look had softened slightly.

"Joseph, I no longer care how you did it, but I am ordering you to go and fix it immediately," Clarisse said quietly as she moved back around behind her desk and sat down.

Joseph noticed that Charlotte pressed her finger to her ear piece and said something softly, before bowing out of the room. He watched her go before turning back to Clarisse.

"You mean the doors are still tied together? How on earth, may I ask, did you get out ma'am?" Joseph asked, trying to hide his knowing grin; he already knew the answer, even before she opened her mouth to answer.

"I had to be escorted through the window and down to the courtyard below," Clarisse answered, a slight blush creeping up her porcelain cheeks.

"Well, rest assured ma'am, as I shall go and fix the problem before you know it," Joseph said smoothly, bowing politely.

"There better not be any more funny business or I shall have you thrown from the palace," Clarisse said coolly, though Joseph could tell she was relieved.

"Of course not," Joseph smiled reassuringly, before turning to go.

As he headed towards the door, Joseph chuckled silently, shaking his head.

"Ka mau te wehi," he muttered under his breath, but still loud enough for Clarisse to hear him.

"What was that?" Clarisse asked him in clear Maori.

Joseph noticed the confused look on Mia's face and realized she didn't know of the language.

"Just saying that I love you, my dear," Joseph replied with a serious expression, but his eyes twinkling madly at his love.

Joseph heard the door open behind him as he watched Clarisse's expression burst into a smile as his words filled her heart. She only had eyes for him as she spoke with a smile.

"And I love you, no matter what mischief you get up to."

Joseph smiled happily, before turning to leave the office to follow his monarch's orders.

He stopped dead in his tracks once he saw who had entered the office with Charlotte.

"Hello, Joseph, surprised to see me?" Marama asked with a grin, using English.

"Marama, how lovely to see you again," Clarisse said suddenly from behind Joseph, in perfect Maori.

"Please excuse me, Your Majesty, but I do not speak fluent Maori," Marama said with a bow, in polite English.

Clarisse looked rather stunned at this comment as she clearly remembered Joseph telling her that Marama was the woman whom had taught Joseph fluent Maori. Joseph stepped forward before Clarisse could answer.

"Please excuse us, ma'am, we will let you get back to your work," Joseph said smoothly, bowing quickly.

"Of course," Clarisse smiled tightly, waving her hand for them to leave, and walking dazedly back to her chair.

Joseph smiled just as tightly, as he held the door open for Marama as she walked out and he followed close behind.

"Don't say a word," Joseph ordered in Maori, leading Marama hurriedly down the corridor to his own suite.

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"Wow, Joseph…this is some situation you have got yourself into," Marama said, shaking her head in amazement after hearing the story of Joseph and Clarisse.

Joseph had taken Marama to his own suite where they had the privacy to talk about what she had just observed, and most of what had lead up to that in the past years.

"Will you swear to keep this to yourself, Marama? You must promise me that you will remain silent," Joseph asked seriously, already trusting his friend, but needing that verbal reassurance.

"Of course, Joseph, I swear that no one will hear this from me," Marama replied just as seriously before breaking into a soft smile.

"Solana will be so pleased, Joseph."

Joseph was surprised to hear this from his friend, so just smiled in return, knowing that she was right; Solana would be pleased to know that Joseph had moved on and wasn't still mourning her loss.

"But tell me, Joseph, do you really love her? Because this better be all worth it; imagine the trouble you could get into if anyone was to find out," Marama asked seriously, concern crowding her features as she thought about it.

"I love her so very much, Marama, more than words can express," Joseph replied passionately, the love he had for his Queen shining out for Marama to see.

Marama smiled, leaning forward and patting Joseph's hand.

"Good," was all she said, but Joseph could tell she was relieved beyond words.

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"Thank you so very much for allowing me to visit at the palace," Marama said graciously as she bowed before Clarisse.

"My pleasure, Marama, as it is good to have someone visit Joseph once in a while. He seems to never leave the palace these days," Clarisse said warmly, looking over at Joseph with a smile.

Joseph had been able to speak with Clarisse briefly before they were interrupted to tell her that yes, Marama knew but also that she would be keeping it to herself. She would protect their secret so they had nothing to fear.

Marama also smiled at Joseph, seeing how happy he was with Clarisse, and how their love seemed so beautifully natural.

"Yes he is very committed isn't he?" Marama smiled knowingly at the two.

Before either could answer, she spoke again.

"But I must be going now as my husband is waiting for me back at our hotel."

"Of course," Clarisse smiled, standing as Joseph moved to escort Marama from the palace.

"Enjoy the remainder of your stay here in Genovia, and you are welcome to visit us at the palace again," she added, accepting the bows from Joseph and Marama.

Joseph took Marama's arm and led her towards the door where he would then show her from the palace.

Just as they reached the door, Marama turned around again, facing the Queen.

"He loves you very much, Your Majesty, and if it is God's will then he will let it come to pass," Marama said in perfect Maori, a smile spread upon her features.

Clarisse looked on, stunned, as Marama took Joseph's arm and they left the room, leaving Clarisse to gather herself together.

Everything was slowly falling into place, and it seemed nothing would get in the way of Joseph and Clarisse's love.

Little did they know that the destruction of their love would actually come from somewhere much, much closer.

A.N: So how was that? If you are wondering about the 'area' I was talking about when Joseph tied Clarisse's doors together, watch PD2 in the scene where Clarisse is telling Mia off (in Clarisse's suite). You will see what I mean then! (I hope I have that right…)