Chapter 2

Author's note: Hi everybody! Thanks to aserene, eac-dudette, bluegirl-783, Zsulie ,OSUSprinks and Kristi-Julie for all the lovely reviews!Thank you girls:-) And Thanks Laura! You're the best!:-) This a special story a little bit of Hungary with lots of mystery!Hello magyar csajok!Kérlek köszönjetek be,akár csak egy review erejéig! Köszi!:-)

The next two days passed quickly with packing and organizing. Now they had just landed in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary…

Joseph's car waited for them near the plane… and they got in…

Joseph was sitting in the driver's seat with Clarisse on his side… They started the journey to the past… to Joseph's past…

'How are you feeling darling?' asked Joseph with a smile and looked at Clarisse for a moment

'I'm quite excited. The last two days were a complete chaos, the packing and… and everything else…'answered Clarisse as they arrived at the highway

'Yeah I know. But you won't regret this journey.' smiled Joseph

'I know, but… but I didn't even ask where we are going? '

'Oh, I'm sorry darling. We're going to Keszthely.' said Joseph with a twinkle in his eyes

'To… where?... Quess…?'

'To Keszthely darling. Try to pronounce it! Keszthely.'smiled Joseph

'Keszthely.'

'That's it! Perfect darling! Like you were born here.'

'Thank you.' smiled Clarisse ' And where is this Keszthely?'

'It's near the Lake Balaton. We have to drive about 3 hours from here.'

'Oh yes, the Balaton…they called it 'the Hungarian Sea'.' Smiled Clarisse

'Yes exactly. You're not bad in geography darling.'

'Oh I like geography and you know I was a few times in Budapest with Rupert.'

'Yes of course I know it. 'said Joseph softly

'I love Budapest… The jewellery box of Europe… oh, such a beautiful city.With all the old houses and the castle of Buda…Can we stay a little here before we go back to Genovia?'

'Of course if you want. Sorry that we go straight to Keszthely, but I'm so excited I want to show you everything…'

'You don't have to sorry for Joseph. I'm very curious. Now please tell me about your home, the city, your mother… I want to know everything…'

'All right. First of all…Keszthely is a little town near the Lake Balaton, but in Hungary we just say Balaton, in slang it's 'Balcsi' Haha.' laughed Joseph

'Balcsi?' asked Clarisse 'It's sounds funny.'

'Yes, you're right.'laughed Joseph 'So my family… well my mother's great-great grandfather had become a nobleman in 1625. He got our estate for his servings from Ferdinand II. Then he built a castle on it, and my family lived there for nearly 400 years. The castle is very close to the Balaton. Oh the Balaton … I love it… usually I'm just sitting there and watching the water… it's simply beautiful, you'll see it yourself.'smiled Joseph

'I'm longing to see it.' smiled Clarisse and squeezed his hand

'You'll love it… So when I was born, my mother lived there with my father who was a Spanish diplomat, but they had to move to Spain after the WWII. 'Cos as you know aristocrats were not welcomed in Hungary. About 20 years ago I've got back my herritage, and I wanted to live here, but I met you a week after I decided to move to Hungary so I stayed in Genovia.'

'Oh Joseph! I've never known about this… I love you so.'smiled Clarisse and Joseph kissed her

'I love you too.'

'Hey, keep your eye on the road Sir!' Clarisse teased him

'As you ordered my queen. But it's not an easy thing, 'cos you are too far from me.'

'Oh we can help on it!' smiled Clarisse and snuggled into Joseph's arms, now Joseph was driving with one hand, 'cos with the other he held her tight…

Soon Clarisse fell asleep in his arms 'cos she was very tired, and when she woke up, they've already arrived.

As she opened her eyes she lost her breath… they were front of the castle…

'Oh my God Joseph! It's… it's breathtaking!... And it's huge, you didn't mentioned it… it's bigger than the Genovian Palace!' said Clarisse and took Joseph's hand, who helped her out

'I'm glad you like it darling. Now it's your home too.' smiled Joseph and kissed her

'Oh Joseph I love it!' smiled Clarisse when the butler stepped closer to greet them…

'Üdvözlöm Uram itthon.' said the butler as he bowed

'Köszönöm. Nagyon jó érzés újra itthon lenni.' smiled Joseph

'Khm.'

'Oh sorry darling. I forget you don't understand a word of it. It's a little hard for me, but I'll do my best. This is my butler Alfred… and Alfred this is my wife Clarisse.'

'Does he…'started Clarisse

'Yes Madam. I speak English. Let me welcome you in the castle. I hope you'll enjoy your stay. If you need anything just let me know.' said the butler as he bowed again

'Thank you Alfred.That's very kind of you.' smiled Clarisse

'Well we should go inside. I'll show you the estate later.'smiled Joseph

'Ok.'smiled Clarisse and they walked hand in hand towards the front door…

As Clarisse stepped in she suddenly stopped and started gasping for breath…

'Clarisse! Are you all right? You look like who's seen a ghost.' worried Joseph

'Yes… I'm all right… just…'

'What was it?'

'I really don't know. Suddenly I felt I can't breath… I… I don't know…I think I'm a bit tired.'

'Of course. I think you have to lay down a little.' said Joseph while he gently stroked her arm

'You're right. I'll rest a bit.' smiled Clarisse softly

'Let me…'said Joseph and lifted her up

'Joseph! Put me down! I'm not sick!'

'But I want to take my beautiful wife to the bedroom. Any protest?'

'No darling.No.' Clarisse smiled and let him take her to the bedroom…

Joseph covered her carefully and kissed her forhead…

'Sweet dreams my love.'said Joseph softly

'I love you.' smiled Clarisse and soon she fell asleep…

OOOOOOOO

About two hours later she was fresh again, so she started looking for Joseph… She found him in the hall…

'Oh hello darling. Are you already awake?' asked Joseph

'Yes. I'm much better so I want to see your famous lake.' smiled Clarisse and ran down on the stairs into Joseph's arms

'Do you really feel yourself better?' asked Joseph and held her tight

'Yes believe me.'smiled Clarisse 'Now take me to the Balaton.'

'Right. Come with me.'said Joseph with a smile and lead her out…

They walked hand in hand down the path…

'Well darling you have to know something.' smiled Joseph

'Really? What is it?'

'There is a tradition here… everytime we arrive we say Hello to the lake. And say Good bye when we go away.'

'What? It's ridiculous!' laughed Clarisse

'Don't say that. Just try it when we arrive. Believe me, if you see the Balaton, you will understand this tradition.'

'Ok. 'smiled Clarisse and kissed him 'Are we far away from the lake?'asked Clarisse

'No. Just a few steps. ' answered Joseph when Alfred caught them

'Uram! Uram! Elnézést de ez a fax most jött és alá kéne írnia, sürgős.'said Alfred

'Persze adja csak ide.' said Joseph and took the paper

'What is it darling?' asked Clarisse

'Oh sorry. This fax's just arrived I have to sign it, it's urgent. Wait a little, it shoudn't take a minute.'smiled Joseph and turned back to Alfred… but she was already gone…

… She felt that an invisible power was leading her… After a few meters she stepped from behind the trees and suddenly she saw it… the Balaton… It was magnificent… She hadnever seen anything so beautiful in her whole life…

And a familiar feeling seized her…

'Clarisse.'said Joseph softly as he found her 'I thought you will wait for me… Clarisse!'

But she didn't answer she just stared at the lake… she was far away…

'Clarisse! Are you all right?' asked Joseph softly

But she didn't move just continued stared at the lake and whispered something:

'I've arrived home.'

To be continued…

Author's Note:Let me know what you think! The next chapters will be very exciting:-) Did you realize how much he loves her?