Author's Note: here's the next chapter! Merry Christmas everyone!

The Princess Diaries belongs to Meg Cabot and Disney

They stopped holding hands as soon as they came into sight of the palace, and Joseph immediately dropped back several steps behind Clarisse- it wouldn't do for anyone to see the Head of Security walking beside Her Majesty. The gossips would go crazy, even if they were discussing some minor security issues…but there was already enough talk about them as it was….

Joseph stepped forward only once, to open the door for Clarisse, who walked silently through the door. They stood in the hallway for a moment, a slight embarrassed silence between them, before she gave him a brief smile and walked into her study, located nearby, to do some work before her meeting with Charlotte and Sebastian. Joseph, knowing that Clarisse wouldn't need him for a while, walked pensively towards the security room.

He didn't notice that Clarisse had stopped in her doorway, and was watching him walk away…

"Joseph, my man, where have you been?" came a familiar voice as Joseph walked into the room, and heading towards the jug on the bench- he was dying for a cup of coffee.

Joe turned around after putting the jug on, and his expression relaxed when he realised that it was Shades, half hidden by a computer screen, who had called out with him.

"I…I just went for a walk with Her Majesty," Joe said simply as he searched a nearby cupboard for a cup- some of the security boys didn't usually clean up after themselves, and he didn't like it that much. "Where's Lionel…I would have thought he would have been bugging you."

"No, I sent him off with James to keep an eye on Her Highness and Miss Moscovitz…I think they were going to play tennis…"

"He was annoying you that much?" Joe said as he poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. "Now you know how I feel when he's with me 24/7…or it feels like it," he teased, as Shades got up from the computer, and poured himself a cup of coffee too.

"So, why did you insist on leaving him here…I'm sure Her Majesty would have liked having him around!"

"I needed to talk to her about the cupboard incident with Her Highness and Lord Devereaux, and I didn't want young Lionel hanging around when I did that."

"Ohhh," Shades said with a look of understanding. "So, how did she take it?"

"It was only a minor incident, Shades. Everything is going to be fine…I just hated having to tell her that…she doesn't need it right now." Joe looked away, but Shades hadn't missed the concerned look in his eyes.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Joe. Her Highness is committed to this wedding, and soon we'll have a new Queen…not that our current one isn't great," he added hurriedly as Joe turned back to him with a raised eyebrow.

"It's just that Her Majesty needs other things in her life…."

Shades looked at him meaningfully, and Joseph laughed, getting the full gist of his meaning.

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He and Scott had worked together for almost ten years, and Joe had quickly realised that he could trust Shades with anything- even with his secret feelings for Clarisse. It had accidentally slipped out one day, when Joseph had admired a dress Clarisse had been wearing to a dinner, and Scott had looked at him with a smile.

"You really like her, don't you?"

Joe had pretended not to hear the question, but his heart sank when he realised that someone else knew his secret…it wouldn't be too long before the entire palace- even the entire country- knew his feelings for Clarisse…

But, to his surprise, Shades didn't say a word to anyone about it- in fact, he had pretended not to know anything about it when Joseph had asked him about it. Finally, however, he admitted that he knew, but then added:

"Why should I tell anyone about this, Joe? This isn't exactly anyone else's business…and I like and respect you not to tell anyone about this…."

It was then that Joe realised that Shades was a loyal friend- he wouldn't tell anyone about his feelings for Clarisse…..

Over the years, they had had several conversations on Clarisse, but Joe was still cautious with what he told anyone about her. He had witnessed several situations in his years at the palace, where servants had developed feelings for their employers- in all cases, it was Rupert- and he had seen the repercussions- they had been fired, and everyone else severely chastened. He had been disgusted to find that Rupert had been flattered, in some instances.

However, he found that it was increasingly difficult to keep his ever growing feelings a secret, particularly when he was promoted to Head of Security, and spent even more time with the object of his affection, and he had finally relaxed enough to confess to Shades…he didn't tell him every aspect of their relationship, but Shades was around enough to see what was going on. Joe had to admit, it was good to have someone on his side….

"I'm not the only one on your side, Joe," Shades had said one day, with an enigmatic smile, and Joe realised that it was becoming an open secret in the palace…..

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"I'm not sure she would agree with you in that respect, Scott, but I do- she needs more in life than work, work, work…." he trailed off as he suddenly remembered what he had done out in the garden half an hour before….he had asked the Queen of Genovia to be his wife! He had always wanted to do it, but there had always seemed to be something happening- the death of her beloved Phillipe, the trip to San Francisco to meet Mia, then the current crisis…the years had flown by too fast…But now, he realised that it had been the perfect time…she wouldn't be Queen in a month, and they would be free to follow their hearts….

He didn't realise that Shades had been talking to him until he felt a biscuit hit him on the face, and he abruptly came back to reality.

"What on earth did you do that for?" he complained, rubbing the spot where the biscuit had hit him.

"I was talking to you about the Princess's inspection of the troops, and you didn't answer my question…What is with you today? You're completely off the game today, and that's not you at all…what happened in the garden? Did you two have a fight?"

"No, not- nothing like that…it was lovely out there," Joe said quietly, realising that he had to tell Shades…he knew Shades would worm it out of him, and he wanted to tell someone...

"Come on, Joe…I know you're keeping something from me…" Shades teased, head cocked teasingly to one side.

"Alright, alright…I asked Clarisse that, once we're no longer Queen or Head of Security, respectively, maybe…we could bring our friendship out in the open…."

Joe reddened slightly, embarrassed that he was confessing one of the most intimate moments of his life to Shades….He looked down at his now empty coffee cup for a moment, before taking a quick glance at Shades. To his surprise, Shades wasn't laughing or teasing him…in fact, he was beaming happily at him.

"What?" Joe asked, a little confused at the obvious delight on his younger counterpart's face. Maybe, after ten years, he was finally going to start making fun of him…

"'Bring our friendship out into the open'….You asked her to marry you, didn't you?"

"That was what I was saying…but I didn't want to use those words exactly, with prying ears all around…But you didn't explain why you're grinning so much…"

"I'm grinning because you have FINALLY done what so many of us have been hoping you would do at least five years ago!" Shades said, chuckling softly at Joe's expression of horror.

"You haven't told anyone…have you?"

"No, but I'm not the only one who has noticed the looks and laughs you two exchange a million times a day! I'm not the only one who knows…and approves," he added quickly as Joe stared, thunderstruck, at Shades.

How many people knew about their 'friendship'? He was more concerned about Clarisse's reputation than his own…

"I…I….I…" he stuttered, for once completely lost for words, and Shades patted him reassuringly on the arm.

"It would be hard not to notice the two of you when you're together…she absolutely adores you, and you worship the ground she walks on…I'm just wondering why you didn't do it earlier…"

"I couldn't…there would have been too much ribbing about the Queen marrying belong her station…even now," Joe said thoughtfully, the euphoria of the proposal slowly wearing off, as another thought dawned. "I'm afraid that people are going to say that I'm marrying her to become a royal or that I'm not good enough for her…"

"You really shouldn't worry about what people say…actually you don't, except when it comes to her…She loves you, you're the one she always wants to have around…you don't see the way she lights up when you come into the room, or the looks she gives you…I have, and it's beautiful to see how much love is there…I don't think she ever cared as much about His Majesty as she does about you…"

Shades finished, and looked earnestly at him, and Joseph gave him a dry smile.

"Have you been reading some of those self help books or something? I don't think I've ever heard you say anything like that before."

"Well, this is an important moment, and you need to believe that you are the best thing that's happened to her- apart from Her Highness- and you can't let that go…So, what was her reaction?"

"I think I chose the wrong moment to ask- she's so preoccupied with the wedding at the moment, and Mia's training, and I just didn't think about that. She was very surprised…and it gave her the chance to think about herself, for once."

"Did she say yes or no?"

"She can't give me an answer yet…I think I put her on the spot, and she needs time to think…I can't blame her for that…I really didn't pick the best time to do it, but we were alone and…"

"She didn't say no," Shades said gently. "And I know, when she does make her choice, it won't be a choice…it will be a natural decision…yes…."

"I hope so," Joe said quietly, knowing that he was right, but still feeling something different could happen.

"But, I think this is absolutely fantastic," Shades said with a broad grin. "I've wanted this to happen for so many years…."

"But you can't talk to anyone about this….not even Charlotte," Joe said anxiously. Their relationship was already a cause for discussion around the palace, and he didn't want to cause a major riot over his proposal.

"I promise, Joe…you just have to let me know what she says…But I'm pretty sure I know what she's going to say."

"I will."

There was a long pause, before Scott stretched back at the computer screens.

"Uh oh, the Princess is back from her tennis match, so Lionel shouldn't be too far away…"

Joe groaned- he was Sebastian's nephew, and a nice boy, but he drove him crazy with the way he literally attached himself to him…he didn't have much privacy at all….

"Don't worry, there are some little jobs he can help me with," Shades said with a rueful smile as he stood up, and headed towards the door.

"Thanks Scott," Joe called after him with a relieved smile- he needed to have a slight break after what had happened that afternoon…..

He sipped his coffee and leaned back in his chair, appreciating the silence of the security room- he needed a little time to get his thoughts back in order. Clarisse would be in meetings for most of the afternoon, and it would give him time to calm down…He was secretly happy that he had done it, but he was also rather embarrassed that he had been so impulsive….

When he had first come to work at the palace, he had never imagined that it would happen-as a junior, he spent much of his first few months learning the ropes of the palace, and getting know the routine. He had only met the Queen a few times before he was permanently assigned to her, but he liked her when he did see her, even if it was mostly from the distance… He had never imagined how this all came about… in fact, he hadn't imagined the connection that would exist between them from the instant they talked to each other…..

"Joe, have I got a job for you!" his supervisor, and Head of Security, Thomas boomed as he strode into the security room, and glanced around for Joseph. He had been working at the palace for nearly eighteen months now, and it was time that he began to work much closer with the Queen. Thomas was very impressed with the young man, and he had begun to suspect that he would be training him to become, eventually, the Queen's Head of Security…

"Yes, sir!" Joe said, standing up from where he was sitting, nursing a cup of coffee, and bored out of his mind.

"I need you to escort Her Majesty around the garden…she would like to go for a walk, and I thought you would like to come with her…"

"How long does she usually walk around the garden?" Joe asked, ready to his duty, but a little disappointed that it wasn't for the King himself.

"Who knows," Thomas shrugged, sitting down heavily in the chair that Joe had vacated. "It may only be 10- 15 minutes or longer…But it really is a lovely garden, Joe, and she has had a lot of work done in there."

"She has?"


"Of course…you may not see her actually doing any of the gardening herself, but her garden is one of her passions…she really loves it. I thought it was about time that you had the chance to have a guided tour of the garden."

Thomas didn't add that Clarisse didn't particularly like any of the other men assigned to her, and she had requested Joseph particularly, although she didn't mention his name.

Joe was slightly nervous as he walked upstairs, and then went to the left to her private study. The doors were shut, but the guards opened one silently and he walked quietly in. She was still working at her desk, her personal assistant Jane sitting opposite her with a notebook and pen, and her maids hovering in a corner. Although Her Majesty didn't look up, Jane did, and Joe almost quailed at the black look she was giving him. She walked hastily over to him.

"Didn't Thomas tell you that you were supposed to wait outside until I came to find you?" she hissed angrily, and Joe shook his head quickly. Jane was in her mid fifties, with grey hair and dark eyes, and he was just scared looking at her.

"No he didn't…I'm sorry," he said quietly, trying to pretend that he wasn't intimidated by her and Jane rolled her eyes skyward in disgust.

"Well, GO and wait outside until Her Majesty is ready," she said with clenched teeth.

Just as he was about to turn to leave, Her Majesty lifted her head from her paperwork, and smiled. For a moment, Joe's heart almost stopped- it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen…

"Hello," she said in a soft and cultured voice, putting down her pen. "You must be my escort."


"Yes ma'am'" Joe said, before Jane interrupted him.

"He didn't realise that he was supposed to wait outside until I came to find him, ma'am," she said, smiling simperingly at Clarisse, and walking back towards her.

"That doesn't matter," the Queen said calmly. "I can understand what happened, and I really don't mind that it did."

"I'll be outside," Joe said, turning away again, before Clarisse stopped him with another warm smile, and stood up.


"That won't be necessary, I'm ready for my break now…I won't be too long, Jane," she said easily, walking past a clearly fuming Jane, and leading Joe out the doorway.

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"I love this time of the day…" she said, taking a deep breath of fresh air, and gazing around with obvious pleasure, before walking down the stairs and onto the manicured green lawns. Joe looked around him in awe- he had been incredibly impressed with the garden when he had seen it before, but it impressed him even more now knowing that the Queen was an active participant in all aspects of the garden. He followed her down into her rose garden, ready to look around, when she stopped and turned around, looking at him with her beautiful blue eyes.

"You're Joseph, aren't you?" she asked with a warm smile, and again Joe almost melted at her smile. He knew that she was considered one of the most beautiful women in Genovia but, at that moment, he knew she was the only beautiful woman in Genovia. She had beautiful, clear skin, soft blonde hair, a lovely figure after two children, a winning and wonderful smile, and the most striking pair of blue eyes he had ever seen…

He shook his head, and tried to concentrate on what the Queen was saying.

"Yes, ma'am," he said in a voice that sounded as though he swallowed a frog.

"How long have you been working here?" she asked, still standing facing him and gazing directly into his eyes. Joseph was embarrassed…here was the Queen of Genovia, a busy woman, and talking to him…a lowly security guard.

"About eighteen months, ma'am. I spent the first six months learning about the palace protocol, and then I've been around…"

"Yes, I've seen you," Clarisse chuckled softly. "I've seen you at many of the functions we've been attending or held. How did you find them all?"

"Fine…"he said easily, before her raised eyebrow made him change his mind. "Actually, rather boring," Joe couldn't believe what he had said, and he was almost expected her to tell him off, but he was surprised to hear her laugh.

'Thank goodness someone else thinks like that…I thought I was the only one!"

Joe looked at her in surprise, and she laughed even harder at his expression.

"What? Surely you can see that most of the guests are at least 14 years older than me…I guess I must have shocked you just then…"

"A little," Joe admitted, and she stopped laughing and turned to continue her walk. However, to Joe's surprise, she didn't continue her walk silently…she kept stopping to talk with him, and tell him about some of the flowers…It was well over an hour before she realised what the time was.

"I must get back, otherwise I will have more work to do tomorrow," she said with a sigh, before turning to Joseph. "Thank you for coming with me, Joseph. Most of the others usually don't like this…"


"It was a pleasure, Your Majesty, and if you ever want someone…" he stopped, realising how impertinent it sounded, but she smiled at him.

"I'd like that…"

Meanwhile, Clarisse was sitting at her desk, her notes and preparation for the next meeting with Charlotte and Sebastian spread all over her desk, but she wasn't looking at any of it…It was an important meeting, one of her final meetings before Mia took over as Queen in less than three weeks, but she somehow couldn't think beyond that afternoon…

Fiddling absentmindedly with her pen, she stared blankly out into the sun filled garden, reliving the moment that had just occurred out in the garden…the moment she had dreamed about for so long, and with the only man she had ever really, truly loved….

"It's time we brought our friendship out of the shadows," kept ringing in her head, and she couldn't get the phrase out of her mind…She loved it, particularly as they both knew that what they shared was far more than friendship, especially with the kisses, she thought with a shy smile to herself.

However, in order to keep the already wagging tongues of the palace, parliament and country still, it was best that they pretended it wasn't anymore than friendship. They both knew that their already close relationship was being discussed in the halls of parliament, but they didn't want to give them any ammunition….she cared about Joseph too much to allow them any of that.

She was grateful when Joseph had suggested that they be discreet, and keep their relationship (or 'friendship' as he called it) in darkness…..

"In the eyes of the country, you are married to a beloved King and it wouldn't do for you to have feelings for someone else…even if your husband is a well known playboy…."

"But they expect his wife to be a model of virtue, never doing anything wrong," Clarisse said with a sigh, resenting, not for the first time, that the country (but most particularly parliament) had double standards for their King and Queen.

The King was applauded and admired for his extramarital activities; yet, for Clarisse, she was expected to be a constant, loving and devoted wife, ever at his side and approving of everything he did….she disliked it intensely, but had accepted it….until Joseph came into her life…

"Never having a private life," she added wistfully, almost bitter, before Joseph took her hand and squeezed it gently.

'Don't worry….one day, you'll have all that, and not have to worry about what anyone says."

"If only I could, Joseph," she said softly- even when Phillipe succeeded Rupert onto the throne, she would still have to maintain a façade….

Yet, that afternoon, it had been such a momentous step in their relationship- she hadn't imagined that Joseph would have been happy to hide their romance for the rest of his life (and she knew she wouldn't…she would have wanted it out in the open), but it had been so unexpected….She couldn't help but notice that he had been extremely nervous when he had asked, and her heart had gone out to him, especially when he realised that it hadn't been the perfect time to propose…But she had loved the timing….if only she could have given him the answer he wanted, right then….the answer she wanted to give him….

She had never imagined, in her wildest dreams, that she would have fallen so deeply in love with her bodyguard…but he was more than a bodyguard, and always had been…Even when they first met, when he first joined the palace guards, she had felt a connection with him that seemed to go past anything she had ever known with Rupert…..

Clarisse hurriedly walked down the hallways- she had the feeling that she was going to be terribly late, and Rupert would not be pleased.

"The young men will have been waiting for you for at least half an hour, and you can reward them by being early," he said with a slightly chiding look when they had gone through the final plans at lunchtime.

"I'll be there on time," she said softly, determined not to let him down, but disliking the fact that he was talking to her like she was a child. They had been married 12 years, and the interest that he had initially shown her had become almost indifference…in fact, his indifference had begun about their fifth year of marriage. It was a lonely life, but she was used to it, and she had accepted that this would be her lot for the rest of her life.

"Are we going to be late?" she murmured to her personal assistant, Jane, who was striding two paces behind her. Jane was in her early fifties, and very efficient at her job, but Clarisse didn't particularly like her…Rupert, however, had felt that she would be a guiding influence on her during their early years at the palace. Clarisse hadn't had the courage to argue, but her next assistant would be younger, and less stern and remote…

"No, Your Majesty. I made sure that we left the suite ten minutes earlier than usual," Jane said with a slightly superior smile, which made Clarisse dislike her even more.

"Thank you, Jane," she said with a tight smile, and turned her mind to the task at hand. She and Rupert were about to meet the new security recruits for the palace- almost half of their current crew were about to retire, and Rupert had been enthusiastic about recruiting more. A group of 100 or more had been through the gruelling 6 week training session, and now Rupert and Clarisse were meeting the 30 successful candidates.

As they approached the main doorway- the men were waiting outside- she smoothed her linen skirt down, and saw that Rupert was waiting at the doorway for her. He turned and gave her a cool smile as she approached.

"Thank you for coming early, Clarisse. It's actually quite hot out there, and I don't want our men suffering for too long!" They waited for the doors to open, and their arrival to be announced, and they walked outside, onto the balcony, and then down the steps.

As Rupert had said, the line of 30 men were standing patiently to attention in the sun- and, to Clarisse's horror, they weren't wearing any hats!

Rupert, with Clarisse a step behind him, began at the end of the line, closest to the palace, as the Head of Security presented each man, who saluted to the royal couple and Rupert gave him a quick welcome before moving on. It was Clarisse's duty to give them a more welcoming smile, as if she was pleased to meet each one of them, and a soft 'Welcome to the Palace' before moving on… They were three people away from the end when the Head of Security said:

"Presenting Mr Joseph Bonnell."

Clarisse, momentarily distracted by the flies, missed the initial introduction, but when she met the dark eyes of the tall and handsome man in front of her, she suddenly felt a tingling sensation, followed by slight dizziness, but it wasn't from the heat…She was puzzled- she had been doing this for the past 5 years, and had never felt this reaction. She was usually pleased (or pretended) to meet them, but this was different…she actually wanted to get to know him, know everything about him and tell him everything about her. Before she could wonder about the feeling, Rupert had stopped to greet him.

"Joseph, welcome to the palace," he said jovially as the young man saluted him, before moving onto the next man. Clarisse stepped in front of him, and gave him a warm smile, still wondering about the feelings this man was making her feel- there was something about him that she instantly trusted…there was a connection that she couldn't explain, as she gazed at her with his dark eyes, and smiled slightly at her.

'Hello, Joseph. Welcome to the palace," Clarisse said softly, as Joseph saluted again, not realising that he only had to do it for the King. She smiled warmly at him, not wanting to move on but rather stop and talk, but she knew that there would be people gossiping if she stopped to talk.

So, with a feeling of regret, she followed her husband to the next man, but not forgetting the feelings he had stirred in her…a sense of connectedness…almost a silent bond…But that was ridiculous, she said sternly as she smiled vaguely at the next man. She didn't know him at all, and he would probably be working for Rupert anyway, so it didn't matter…Still……

She gave a slight start when she heard a sharp rap on the floor outside, and the doors swung open. She stopped fiddling with her pen, and stood up to greet her Prime Minister and her personal assistant, Charlotte.

"Prime Minister," she said formally, holding out her hand for him to kiss lightly, but her warm smile belied the formality of the situation- they had worked well together for eight years, and she liked him very much.

"Good afternoon Your Majesty," Sebastian, knowing the protocols that dictated meetings, said, accepting her proffered hand before sitting down at the chair she waved to.

"So," Clarisse said, sitting down and putting her glasses on, perusing the notes she had taken. "This meeting is about the upcoming coronation plans…and I would also like to let you know that I don't want to leave any of my work for Mia to finish. She's going to be busy enough as it is."

"Fair enough, Your Majesty, and I completely agree with you. So, onto the coronation…."

While Charlotte and Sebastian talked about details of the coronation, due to be held at least a week after the royal wedding, Clarisse tried to pay attention, but her thoughts continued to turn towards Joseph and his proposal…

"What do you think, Your Majesty?" Sebastian turned to Clarisse, and she almost jumped out of her skin when she realised that they were looking at her expectantly.

"I'm sorry, Sebastian, I missed that…What were you saying?" she asked with a slightly embarrassed smile, glancing down at her page of notes, and not understanding one word she had written. Sebastian and Charlotte exchanged a glance- it was clear that the Queen hadn't been paying attention, which rarely, if ever, occurred….

Charlotte looked at her with narrowed eyes as Sebastian repeated what he had said…it was obvious that something was going on with Clarisse…perhaps she was upset with Joseph…she knew that they had spent an hour in the garden…But she didn't look upset- in fact, she looked almost radiant…She had only seen that look whenever Joseph was around….Charlotte could still remember the first time she had seen Clarisse look at Joe like that- it had been so beautiful that she had felt like she had been intruding….

It had been just a normal day when Clarisse had very few public appearances, so she decided to complete the ever growing pile of paperwork that waited on her desk.

"Just when I think I have some sort of control over this, it suddenly grows again," Clarisse said with a dry smile.

Charlotte herself had spent most of the morning at her side, busily taking notes when necessary, sending the maids on errands or taking papers to be sent to the Prime Minister's office. She was exhausted, and could only imagine how the Queen was feeling…but she seemed to be indefatigable, continually signing papers and not even stopping for a break!

Charlotte had been working for the Queen for 2 years, but she had been impressed with what she had seen and heard- the Queen, if it was at all possible, worked harder than her husband! Rupert had a lot of meetings, and spent a lot of time travelling, but Clarisse always seemed to be doing the paperwork, or attending functions…Charlotte had been stunned at how much she did, and with such ease! However, she also knew that it was a way to fill the empty void in her life…

It seemed that she had everything- a handsome husband, two grown up boys, and living the life most people could only dream about- but Clarisse Renaldi was, in reality, very unhappy. Her husband was undeniably handsome, but he attracted many bevies of women, which he often used to his advantage, hurting Clarisse terribly. Her boys had grown up- and while Phillipe adored his mother, Pierre was much closer to his father, and rarely had time for her. As for her glamorous life in the palace, Clarisse was essentially a shy woman, and none of the glitz and glamour appealed to her- while Rupert loved it, she much preferred reading a good book, or gardening…It made Charlotte feel sad that Clarisse's life was so empty, but at least she had devoted Phillipe, and others such as herself, or Joseph Bonnell, working for her…

Joseph had recently been promoted to her Head of Security, and it was a promotion he deserved- he was always there when she needed him, and even times when she didn't, and it was obvious that the Queen trusted him. They were friends, and Charlotte was glad for that- it was obviously a lonely life as Rupert's wife, and Joseph seemed to give her some laughter.

"Is that it, Charlotte?" Clarisse asked as she signed the last paper and put her pen down carefully on the desk, before looking at her personal assistant with her clear, direct blue eyes.

"Yes, ma'am…everything has been done, and you're fully prepared for tomorrow's parliament session," Charlotte said a little stiffly, still wanting to make a good impression, but unaware of the fact that Clarisse was already impressed, and enjoyed working with her.

"Do I have any spare time at all?"


"Yes, ma'am- you have an hour between meetings," Charlotte said, walking around to begin collecting the papers Clarisse had signed.

"I see…Could you send Joseph in to see me, please?"


"No need to," came a voice from in front of them, and they both looked up to see Joseph, clad in black as usual, standing in the doorway. Charlotte finished collecting papers, and glanced at Clarisse to get dismissed, and the look she saw there almost took her breath away…she was looking at Joseph with such adoration and tenderness…she was smiling broadly at him, and Charlotte realised that, for her, there was no one else in the room. She glanced over at Joseph, and almost got teary eyed- he was looking at her with such warm and tender affection…Suddenly, Charlotte realised- they were in love with each other!

"Thank you…would you like to accompany me on a walk, Joseph?" Clarisse said, breaking the moment, and standing up from her desk.

"Yes I would…hello Charlotte," he said, finally realising that Charlotte was in the room.

"Hello, Joe," Clarisse said, blushing at the look she had happened to have intercepted, walking quietly towards the door.

"I should be back in 45 minutes, Charlotte," Clarisse called, and Charlotte nodded. She couldn't resist looking back for a moment, and she almost melted at the scene…he was teasing her in a gentle voice, and she laughed at him, looking at him with an expression of tenderness, before gently touching his face with her hand…It was beautiful to watch, but she realised that she had intruded enough on their privacy……

"I think we've covered everything for today," Sebastian said heartily, shutting his notebook with a bang. After they had caught her daydreaming, Clarisse had paid much more attention to the matter at hand, and both Charlotte and Sebastian were wondering whether they had dreamed that other moment.

"Thank you for coming in at such short notice, Sebastian…and, I'm sorry about before," Clarisse said, standing up and offering her hand to him again.

"It doesn't matter Your Majesty…you have got a lot on your mind at the moment, and I would be exactly the same if I were in your shoes," Sebastian said with an easygoing smile, and Clarisse felt slightly better.

"When is your meeting with Princess Mia?" she asked as she walked Sebastian to the door of her study.

"Tomorrow," Sebastian said, before saying goodbye to them both and exiting. Clarisse stared after him for a moment, before turning back to her desk, where Charlotte was still sitting in her chair, watching her.

"I'm sorry about before, Charlotte…I'm just tired, and there's so much…"she had the feeling she was rambling on a bit, but Charlotte was giving her a warm smile.

"Like Sebastian said, I completely understand…it's going to be a busy four weeks," she said, shutting her notepad and standing up.

"It is indeed," Clarisse sighed heavily, sitting back down in her chair and glancing at her desk for a moment. Clarisse hardly heard Charlotte's explanation, or her leaving, as she suddenly realised everything she had to do- not only continue running the country, but train Mia (at double speed) in all the necessary protocol to become Queen, plan a wedding and a coronation…and make a decision about her future with Joseph….How on earth could she make such a decision in such a chaotic time?

Charlotte, sensing that she was troubled, wanted to ask her what was wrong…whether it had anything to do with Joseph…but something held her back…

"I'll be back in ten minutes," she said softly, walking towards the door but when she looked back, she wasn't entire sure that Clarisse had heard her… she was looking out the window, lost in her own thoughts…