Author's Note: back to doing this story again… just needed a little space from it! Anyway, I'm looking forward to finishing this as well!

The song lyrics are from 'Your Crowning Glory', sung by Julie, Raven and Anne Hathaway, from the second soundtrack (That, along with the wedding, is my favourite part of the film!)

The Princess Diaries doesn't belong to me

As the days rolled by, the pressure increased tenfold on both Clarisse and Mia. Clarisse was used to it- in fact, she often thrived on it- but she knew that Mia wasn't, which made everything all the worse… particularly when Viscount Mabrey and his nephew were present, breathing down her neck, and waiting for her to make a mistake. Mia never complained, but Clarisse couldn't help but feel that the treatment she was receiving was rather unfair. It made her all the more grateful that Lily was there- Lily wouldn't put up with any nonsense from Lord Devereaux, and she had made her feelings on him known when she had found out that he was threatening Mia's throne.

"That dirty, rotten…" she cried loudly, only cutting off her diatribe when she realised that Mia's grandmother was in the room.

The first official duty on the calendar for the Princess was the horse riding inspection, and she was clearly nervous and apprehensive about the entire process. Clarisse was unable to attend the inspection, having to attend another boring meeting in the parliament room, but she made Joseph promise that he would protect her at any cost.

"I know Mabrey and his nephew will be there, and I can safely say that Arthur will try and do what he can to make her life difficult," Clarisse said as she buttoned her jacket, and took her notebooks and pens from her nearby maids.

"Just look after her, Joseph," she looked anxiously at Joseph as she walked through the door of her study, and he smiled reassuringly at her- he was more than a little concerned himself, but he didn't want to let Clarisse know that. He wanted to give her a reassuring squeeze of the hand, just to tell her that he wouldn't let anything happen, but there were still people around in the study.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will."

000

The uneasy feeling in Clarisse's stomach didn't dissipate for the duration of the meeting, and

when she opened the doors to her study again after the meeting, she knew that something had happened as Joseph stood there with a grave look on his face.

"What happened, Joseph?" she asked patiently as they walked out towards the maze.

"Well… the Princess didn't complete the inspection… Sandy got spooked somehow, and she ended up leaving the ceremony early…"

"Oh dear," Clarisse said, feeling Mia's plight more than ever, before noticing that Joseph was holding what seemed to be a plastic snake in one hand.

"Tell me the truth, Joseph- what exactly happened out there?" she asked as they stepped out onto the balcony, the crowds long since disappeared.

"You won't like this… but Viscount Mabrey apparently bribed the groom to hold one of these in Sandy's vision," he waved the toy snake at her.

"As we both know, Sandy doesn't like snakes… and he got spooked… and then, I tried to help her down, and….everyone found out about Herbie….. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Clarisse sighed heavily, gazing out at her maze. "So, was it deliberate sabotage?"

"Yes… but I've just seen him disappear into the stables, so if you will excuse me…."

"Tell Mia that I'm here," she called as he quickly hurried away, and he waved a hand back to her to tell her that he had heard.

Clarisse's heart ached even more when she saw the tear stained face of her granddaughter walk towards her, her two ladies maids walking several paces behind her.

"I'm sorry, Grandma… I don't know what happened!" Mia babbled when they were close, but Clarisse only held up her hand patiently.

"Don't worry, Mia… all horses get spooked at one time or another… believe me, it has happened to me before- and you were very lucky you didn't get thrown off the horse!" Clarisse had no intention of telling Mia about Joseph's suspicions- she had enough on her plate as it was.

"But what about… Herbie?" Mia whimpered slightly, and Clarisse took her hands in her own and squeezed tightly.

"That doesn't matter … in fact, now that certain parliamentarians realise that we can't ride side saddle, maybe this will make them finally change that tradition!"

"But I wanted to do my best for you…." Mia's eyes filled with tears again.

"You did do your best for your first time at doing something like this… and like I said, horses can be unpredictable… Now, why don't you go and get changed, and have some ice cream… I believe that the chefs have stocked up with some of your favourites…" Clarisse said with a teasing smile, and Mia managed to smile wanly at her.

"Thank you… you're not mad at me?"

"Of course not, darling… it was an accident… now go and relax!"

Clarisse smiled as she watched Mia disappear into the palace, before turning, the smile disappearing off her face as she spotted Viscount Mabrey stalking past the balcony, not taking the slightest notice of anyone around him. Joseph appeared at her side seconds later, and she looked at him expectantly.

"I just merely confirmed what I had suspected- he was the culprit behind the rubber snake… I don't think he will be doing that again soon," he chuckled lightly, trying not to show the anger he was still feeling against Mabrey.

Not only had he tried to undermine the Princess, but he had made an insinuation that Joseph hoped would not spread too quickly. He had no intention of telling Clarisse about their confrontation- she had enough to deal with- but he realised that his proposal may have come at the right time… people were beginning to talk, and he wanted, more than ever, to protect Clarisse from the slander…

But his confrontation with Mabrey had brought to the surface (again) their mutual dislike for each other… it had begun long before the Princess and the throne business…

Joe was rapidly rising in the ranks of Her Majesty's security guards over the past few years- he was a hard worker, loyal and dedicated, and it hadn't failed to escape the attention of the Queen.

"Surely you must have a few men that are jealous of what you're doing?" Clarisse asked teasingly one day as they strolled in the garden and Joe only laughed bashfully.

"Most of them are good men, ma'am, and fine security guards… but it takes someone very dedicated to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

"I think your dedication might be a contributing factor in you being considered as my replacement Head of Security… surely you knew that Thomas was retiring?" she added when she saw the surprised look on his face.

"Yes, but I thought that there would be other, more qualified candidates…" Joe was rather embarrassed, and even more so when Clarisse smiled at him.

"But there are qualified candidates- and I'm looking at one of them… I don't know whether I should be telling you this, but Thomas has recommended you to me, and I'm very much inclined to accept his recommendation."

"Wouldn't you need to discuss it with His Majesty?"


"No, you would be MY Head of Security, not his … Why? Are you trying to get out of it?" she teased.

He was about to answer her when they heard voices approaching them, and Joe looked up to see Rupert and Arthur Mabrey walking down the garden toward them. Joseph quickly went back to his normal position, 2 steps behind her, and noted that she visibly tensed up… not that he could blame her.

"There you are, Clarisse! We were wondering where you were!" Rupert called jovially, ignoring Joe completely as they stopped in front of Clarisse. "We tried looking for you inside, but your assistant said you might be out here!"


"Yes, I thought that it was such a nice day…" Clarisse smiled weakly before Arthur stepped forward and took her hand in his. "Good afternoon, Viscount Mabrey… I trust you are well."

She had to battle not to snatch her hand back, but he only brushed it with his lips, before grinning up at her with lecherous brown eyes, and even Joseph couldn't fail to see the obvious lust in his eyes… and the obvious revulsion in her expression.

"I'm very well, Your Majesty, and I must say that you're looking as beautiful as ever! Rupert, how on earth do you manage to keep up with her?"

The compliment fell emptily off his lips, and neither Clarisse nor Joseph could fail to mistake the insolence in his voice.

"I try… but she is rather lovely, isn't she?" Rupert laughed, either quite unaware or feigning ignorance at his friend's feelings for his wife. "Anyway darling, Arthur insisted we come and see whether you were still attending the parliamentarian dinner tonight."


"Yes, I was planning on it," Clarisse said quietly, looking directly from one man to the other. If she felt intimidated by either of them, she was doing a good job of hiding it.

"It's a pity that you and I won't be sitting close together… you're always such an intelligent woman to talk to," Mabrey said in an oily tone, and Joseph suddenly knew what was going on… Rupert didn't care that his friend was hitting on his wife and Clarisse was vaguely unnerved and very uncomfortable about the whole situation.

"Well, we'll see you later then," Rupert kissed her cheek, but Clarisse managed to avoid being close to Mabrey, who only smirked as they walked away. As soon as they disappeared, she turned away from Joseph for a moment, feeling violated, as Joseph gazed after the men for a moment. Viscount Mabrey hadn't made his designs on Clarisse very discreet, and he didn't like the fact that he had somehow managed to intimidate her.

"That man… that man…" Clarisse murmured to herself as Joseph shyly reached for her hand, surprised to feel that it was shaking.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, worried about her reaction, and she looked up at him after a moment.

"I'll be alright… you will be at the dinner tonight, won't you?"

"Just keep me away," Joe joked, and was relieved to see Clarisse laugh along with him, but he secretly vowed to keep a very close eye on the Viscount tonight…

"Clarisse…" he said softly, and she looked at him trustingly for a moment. "I promise that I will protect you from that man…"

"Thank you," she said softly, trusting him more than anyone else she knew, and liking the fact that she could. Joe, however, was rather grim about the whole situation… tonight would prove what he was or wasn't thinking… he only hoped it wasn't true…

00000000

The dinner went well- Clarisse was her usually charming self as even Rupert threw a few proud glances her way, and Joseph was pleased to see that the Mabreys were seated as far away from her as possible. After dinner was the usual tradition of dancing in the ballroom, and as Joe watched the King lead the Queen onto the floor, he had to admit that they were a very attractive couple as they waltzed around the room. He was less pleased, however, when he saw that the Viscount was first in line for the next dance with the Queen.

"Keep a close watch on him," Thomas said as they stood in the doorway. "We've already had several incidents with him and other young women … But if he happens to follow her outside, I give you full permission to do what is necessary to protect the Queen."

Unfortunately, Thomas's prediction proved to be true- when Clarisse disappeared out onto the balcony, Joseph naturally followed, but he wasn't at all happy when Viscount Mabrey headed out before him. Clarisse was standing on the balcony, gazing up at the stars, and the Viscount quickly stood close to her and she almost drew away in disgust- she could smell the liquor on his breath.

"Your Majesty, you are a very attractive woman… I was wondering why you and I…"


"You are a married man, Viscount Mabrey, and I am your Queen- it is inappropriate to talk to me like that," came Clarisse's calm reply, and Joseph (from his hiding spot) couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Oh come on… you don't think that your husband has remained true to you, do you? He's a bad boy, like me, and I know you like bad boys…" he laughed drunkenly into her ear, moving closer to her as she slowly moved away from him.

"What he does his own business," she said calmly as Mabrey continued to move closer, and he slowly pressed his hand down on her closest gloved hand.

"But surely wouldn't you want revenge… I know…" but the rest of his answer was drowned out as Paul and Joe leapt out from their hiding place, and wrestled Mabrey away from the Queen.

"What on earth are you doing? We were talking!" Mabrey bellowed as the two security guards walked him out towards the front, and waved for his car. Joseph was literally shaking with anger and he was hard pressed not to knock him out.

"You were not talking to the Queen, you were harassing her… and if I ever see you get that close to her again, you are going to have me to answer to," Joe growled angrily into his ear as Mabrey's car arrived in front of them. The Viscount glared up at him, anger visible in every line of his face.

"I'd watch my back if I were you, Bonnell… I'm sure His Majesty wouldn't like the fact that you manhandled one of his friends!"

Paul watched them leave as Joseph went back to find Clarisse still standing on the balcony, obviously very shaken up, but also very relieved.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, trying not to invade her space, but Clarisse closed the gap by moving next to him.

"I'm fine… I suspected he would try it again… that's the third time…"


"What?!" Joseph growled, suddenly enraged again, and Clarisse shrugged.

"It happens when he's been drinking… but…" she shivered at the thought of what could have happened. "Thank goodness you were there…"


"Would you like a hug before you go back in?" Joe, surprised at himself, asked shyly and she looked at him for a moment, before smiling slightly.

"Yes, please… and thank you…"

"I promised I would protect you… and I will… always…" he murmured into her hair.

"I know what you're thinking," Clarisse's soft voice brought him back to reality, and he looked from the garden to her face as she smiled tenderly at him. "Believe me, his ambitions have grown since then… he wants the crown more than anything!" she said as they walked back inside, and headed towards her study. Joseph didn't say a word until they were safely in the study, and the doors were closed.

"He's a snake… I don't know why His Majesty put up with him!"

"I suppose Rupert liked him… But that night, I thought you were going to hit the roof!"

"Don't you think I was justified if I did? He was trying to hit on you!"

"Alright, he did deserve that… but I thought you were going to hit him!"

"I wish I had, but then I definitely would have got the sack then… As it was, His Majesty wasn't all that pleased that I forcibly removed one of his friends from the party!"

"Both Thomas and I vouched for you… and, I don't think I told you this, but Phillipe found out about it and he told his father off, and said that you were doing your job… Even if he had tried to fire you, Phillipe and I wouldn't have let him do it!" Clarisse chuckled, and Joe couldn't help but smile along with her.

"Well, everyone now (and then) knows not to mess around with my girl…" he trailed off as he realised that it sounded very much like what he had told Mabrey in the stables, and Clarisse looked up with a grin.

"Is that what you told him in the stables? Is that why he seemed furious when he left?" she asked eagerly, but Joe only smiled enigmatically as he headed towards the door- he suddenly remembered he needed to debrief with the others.

"I'll leave that to your overactive imagination!" he called over his shoulder, and the last sound he heard as he left was her laughter.

Two days later was, if at all possible, even worse- while hosting a successful garden party for the parliamentarians, Mia managed to disappear with young Lord Devereaux, fall into a fountain with him and come face to face, dripping wet, with an exasperated Clarisse.

"Do I want to know?" Clarisse asked pointedly as Mia, eyes averted to the ground had the grace to look ashamed.

"I don't think so," Mia managed to muttered as she walked past her towards the waiting towels.

Clarisse, for once, had had enough- not only did she have Mia's wedding and coronation to plan, as well as her other duties, but Joseph was expecting an answer from her soon… So, it was inevitable that she finally exploded with her granddaughter that night, culminating with Mia storming out of the suite, followed quickly by Maurice, and Clarisse was filled with regret almost at once.

She looked around the suite- she had poured herself a cup of tea, hoping to have had a quiet evening with Mia, but she didn't even feel like staying in the suite at the moment… After a quick glance at her watch, which told her it was just after 9:30, she made a split second decision and walked out of her suite. Two minutes later, she was knocking on a plain, mahogany coloured door, which opened to reveal Joseph, clad in his pyjamas.

"Did you want to have a cup of tea in the kitchen?" Clarisse asked restlessly, and Joseph could tell that she needed someone to talk to.

"Of course… just let me grab my bathrobe…"

0000000

"You look like you've got the world on your shoulders," Joe said sympathetically as Clarisse sat down at the table, and he walked over to switch the kettle on. "What happened this evening?"

"Mia and I had an argument…" Clarisse hid her face in her hands for a moment, sighing heavily. "I told her off about what happened this afternoon, and she didn't take it very well…"

"You have to admit, though, it was rather funny that they fell into the fountain together!"

"Not exactly what I would call funny, Joseph," Clarisse said grimly, before sighing again. "I have to admit, though, I'm usually more tolerant of what she does… she already has so many people judging her according to what she does, and I didn't exactly help…"

"You're both under quite a bit of pressure at the moment, Clarisse. It's natural that you're snapping a bit at each other… families do do that, remember?" Joe said calmly as he set two mugs and the sugar on the table, before walking over to the refrigerator. "I'm sure Mia knows that you've got her best interests as heart…"

"That's just it, Joseph, I don't know whether I do or not! She's about to marry a man that she barely knows, just for the sake of parliament, and I'm just standing aside and letting her do this! Phillipe wouldn't approve of this, I know that!"

"But he would understand that this is the best way to keep the throne in the family… do you think he would want it in the hands of Viscount Mabrey… or, even worse, the Von Trokans?"

"No," Clarisse admitted with a rueful smile, remembering the numerous run-ins her son had had with both parties. "But Joseph… an arranged marriage? It's so old fashioned …"

"We both agree on that score… but, at the moment, there is nothing we can do about it," Joe brought the teapot to the table, and she began pouring out two cups.

"Did you want something to eat? I think there's a chocolate cake in the fridge…"

"Yes, I think chocolate cake would be perfect for this time of night," Clarisse beamed at him, feeling much better now that she had vented with Joseph.

"Chocolate cake seems to bring people together… as you and I would clearly remember that time we had that massive argument, and we eventually ended up here!"

"Oh yes," Clarisse laughed out loud. "That was a good one… What was it about, exactly?"

"Something you very rarely did- disappearing into the palace grounds without anyone accompanying you!"

"Yes… and you were simply furious at me!"

Clarisse sighed heavily as she replaced the lid on her pen, and sat it carefully on the desk, before leaning back in her chair. She had been in meetings most of the day, and she had spent the last hour perusing and signing papers, and she was now thoroughly sick of it. It was usually Rupert's job to do most of the reading and signing, but he hadn't been well lately, and she had been the natural choice to help out, particularly as Pierre was disappearing plenty of times, and Phillipe was busy with his own plans. Rupert, however, was confident that he would be up and about directly- it had only been a mild case of the flu. Although Clarisse had agreed, there was something more to it… he was coming down with more and more infections, and it was taking longer for him to recover.

Now, she was relieved that paperwork was over for the day, and she was free to do what she wanted… in fact, she wanted be out in the garden for a while, and on her own… The only problem was that she had to have someone accompany her, which annoyed her- although it was usually Joseph, and she adored his company, but even the thought of him was unbearable…

Thinking hard, she looked around the room- thankfully her study doors were closed, so no one would disturb her- and her eyes stopped on the wood panelled wall beside her… no one knew that there was a secret passageway that led directly out to the garden… If only…No, she told herself sternly, she couldn't do that- not to Joseph who worked so hard for her, but…she needed time out of the palace, and this would be the only way she could do it… she wouldn't be that long…

00000

She stepped out into the fresh air, breathing in the fragrant scents from her garden, and Clarisse knew she had made the right decision… she felt invigorated just being there! It was such a peaceful place, and no one else was particularly interested in it, so it had become, over the years, her sanctuary from the insanity that often reigned in the palace. Thankfully, she realised as she looked around, none of the gardeners were working anywhere near her, and she knew that she was far enough away from the palace and the cameras…

She enjoyed her time strolling around the garden, looking at her beloved flowers, and she even sat down in her pagoda for a little while, just enjoying the peace and quiet of the place, before she regretfully decided to head back to the palace before anyone realised she was missing… Unfortunately, as she stood up and stretched, she noticed a tall, black clad figure striding quickly towards her… it was Joseph.

"Ah," Clarisse said sheepishly when he finally stood in front of her, arms crossed and looking rather cross. She tried smiling sheepishly at him, but his expression remained stony.

"I'm sorry Joseph… I should have told someone where I was going…"


"You should have told me, Your Majesty. I am your Head of Security, remember?" She almost winced at his icy tone- if he was calling her 'Her Majesty' then he really must be mad.

"Yes, I know I should have… but I've been in meetings all day, and I just wanted some space from everything." Clarisse said apologetically, but his expression didn't change. "I simply had had it!"

"Your Majesty, we have protocol and procedures in place for a reason- for YOUR safety."

"I know that," Clarisse said softly, not at all appreciating the fact he was treating her like a child.

"How would it look if some lunatic managed to make his way in here, and shoot you or take you hostage?"


"I think you're being a little over dramatic, Joseph," Clarisse said, hiding a smile, but Joe just glared at her.

"I'm not, and it's about time you realised the truth. Just because everyone seems to be on their best behaviour when they're around you, it does not mean that one of them might not pull out a gun on you!"


"I'm not completely stupid, Joseph," Clarisse said in a dangerously soft voice. "I am well aware of the dangers that being Queen entails, and I don't need a lecture from my Head of Security!"

"Someone has to tell you…"


"This is the first and only time I've done this, Joseph, and I really think you should give me a break about it! You're acting as though I went driving around the country on my own!" Clarisse cried exasperatedly, but she was surprised to realise that she was getting angry.

"No, but you need to realise that there are people here who are in charge of your safety, and they are trying to do their jobs! You were actually quite selfish doing that!"


"Oh really?" Clarisse finally shouted angrily, fed up at being told what to do by everyone around her- Rupert, Joseph, parliament… and her own staff! She accepted it as part of her role in life, but she also longed for a little independence. "I'm selfish? How dare you say that to me? You are treading a very fine line Joseph Bonnell!"

She stopped for a moment, to catch her breath, and Joseph was watching her, calming down from his shock at her disappearance, but still rather angry at her.

"Maybe you should step into my shoes for a day, Joseph, and realise that my job is harder than everyone seems to think it is! I have to put up with doing work that my husband should be doing (as well as turning a blind eye to his extramarital activities), my every move is watched by impersonal men in black suits, parliament wants me to accept their conservative views, and I even had to listen to my staff telling me WHAT I SHOULD DO! Does that sound like much fun to you?"

"No, it doesn't," Joe said in a calmer tone. "But you need to realise…"

"Oh shut up, Joseph! If I have to be told one more time what I need to realise something else, I will explode! You've got it easy- all you have to is make sure that someone is keeping on an eye on me all the time, like a child! You don't know what it's like to me, and you don't even care… you just pretend to care!"

"That's not true, Clarisse… I do care about you, and what happens to you," Joe said quietly, and Clarisse only gave him a snort of disbelief. "I do know you, Clarisse Renaldi… more than anyone else in this palace, and definitely more than your own husband! Why do you think everyone seems to relate to Rupert more? Because they see you as an ice maiden who won't let anyone in- and no one likes that! I very much doubt even Rupert has seen the best side of you because you've shut it all away… not that I blame you… but, I'm the only one who has seen the real you!"

He stopped suddenly, realising how hurtful his comments were, and he saw that Clarisse looked as though she had been slapped. He took a deep breath and walked slowly towards her.

"I do understand…" he began softly, but she turned away from him.

"Oh, leave me alone!" she shouted over her shoulder, and began stalking back towards the palace, even angrier than when she was before. But she suddenly realised that Joseph was right… no one knew the real her…

0000

Clarisse sighed as she turned over in bed for the fifth time that night- it was, admittedly, a rather warm night, but she couldn't sleep even when the air conditioning was on… She couldn't forget what Joseph had said to her that afternoon- she had been selfish for disappearing without letting anyone know, and that people couldn't relate to her because she was seen as cold… She knew it was the truth, but it had shaken her up to have someone actually tell her that!

But how can I let someone into my heart when all they want to do is hurt me? She argued with herself in her head, and she couldn't think of a single reason why people wouldn't hurt her… but, if she was really honest, there was someone who had never hurt her, and she had let in… Joseph…

She sighed again as she sat up in bed and switched on her light- she couldn't sleep, and it wasn't about the heat… she felt guilty and bad that she had yelled at Joseph, when he was only doing her job. She had been furious at the time but, in retrospect, she knew he was right… She hated the thought that they weren't speaking- at least he was a friendly face in a mostly Rupert allied palace, and she needed all the friendly faces she could get. She knew that it was late- Joseph would probably be asleep- but she wanted to make up… and the way she knew she could get through was through his favourite food- chocolate cake!

The palace was very quiet as she quietly crept downstairs and headed towards the kitchen. As she stood in front of the door, she thought she heard noises from inside, but she walked in…to find Joe preparing a tray of two cups, a teapot and a slab of chocolate cake.

"What are you doing here?" they asked together, frozen on the spot, and Joe grinned guiltily.

"I thought that I would make a peace offering… I was hoping that you weren't asleep when I brought it up…" he waved to the tray, and Clarisse smiled as she sat down in a chair next to the tray.

"That's what I was going to do!"

"Well, since we're both here, we might as well have our cake here!" Joe said jovially, sitting down opposite her and unloading the tray.

"Joseph…" Clarisse began softly, watching him pour the tea, and distribute the cake between two plates. "I'm sorry I yelled at you this afternoon… you were right, I shouldn't have disappeared without letting you know where I was, but I just had to get out…"

"I understand," Joe said as he slid one plate over to her, and gave her an understanding look. "I'm sorry too… I didn't mean to let that get so out of control, but I was worried about where you were…and I definitely didn't mean what I said about you being an ice maiden…"

"But it's the truth, isn't it?" Clarisse smiled sadly over at him. "I am cool and distant, and I should let people in, but… I've had so many people pretend to be my friend over the years, and then betray my confidence… is it any wonder that I don't let people in?"

"Well, it's their problem if they don't know the real you… I know people- including your own husband- have hurt you deeply, Clarisse, but you can't let that stop you from showing people how truly wonderful you really are," Joe said softly as he moved to the chair next to her, and she smiled tearfully over at him.

"How is it that I can never stay mad at you for long?"

"I'm too charming for you," Joe joked and she laughed.

"That could be it- I always had a weak spot for handsome, charming men… but there is someone who I have let into my life… and my heart," she added softly, looking meaningfully at him, and he only blushed.

By the time the bridal shower rolled around, a few days before the wedding, Mia and Clarisse had made up, and everything was back on track…But, better than that, Mia had a project on which she could focus on after her wedding and coronation- the building of a new children's shelter. During the parade, Mia had stopped it to visit some of the waving children in the crowds, and was horrified to discover that the shelter was close to being closed permanently.

"They can't do that!" Mia stormed on the way back to the palace. "Those poor children already don't have a home of their own, but then to lose the only home they've ever known… Grandma, we've got to do something!"

"Yes dear, but what do you suggest we do?" Clarisse asked mildly, and Mia furrowed her brow for a moment before her eyes lit up.

"I know! We can raise the money to build a new shelter… and, until we're able to do that, the children can stay in the Winter Palace… it's unfair that I should have two homes, and they have none."

"Whatever you do, you will have my full support," Clarisse smiled proudly at the girl, and laughed as she watched Mia literally race into the palace, Lily hot on her heels, almost as soon as the car stopped.

"Whatever you do, parliament is in for a few surprises!" she laughed softly to herself.

"She's a good girl, though, and she did the right thing to see the children," came a voice from behind her, and Clarisse smiled at Joseph.

"I was rather surprised, but I was proud of her too… it's exactly what Phillipe would have done."

0000

Before he knew it, the palace was soon full of giggling Princesses, and Joe couldn't help but watch the surfing mattress adventure from his television screen. His heart began racing when he saw Clarisse walk slowly up the stairs, and laughed with pleasure when he saw her easily 'fly' down the slide. He walked quietly around the front of the palace to stand on the balcony to watch the talent part of the evening, and was rather surprised when he heard Lily announce that the last act of the evening was 'Her Majesty!". He laughed softly as Clarisse protested weakly, but he knew that she wouldn't mind doing it… and he was right as she waved her hands to silence the group, before singing:

"Some girls are fair
Some are jolly and fit
Some have a well-bred air
Or a well-honed wit

Each one's a jewel
With a singular shine
A work of art
With it's own rare design…"

He watched, awestruck, as she walked towards her granddaughter and hold out her hands for the stunned Mia. There was a genuinely warm relationship between the two, and it always delighted Joe to see their close bond. He chuckled softly to himself when the music sped up, and he saw the stunned reaction on her face.

As he listened to her sing, Joe was almost in tears- it had been such a long time since she had really sung… but she had surprised everyone at Mia's eighteenth birthday by getting up and singing again- something she hadn't done since Phillipe had died. She had sung two songs- one of Mia's favourites, and the other one of her favourite songs…

"What did you do?" He heard her call to Mia as the music sped up, and the relief was obvious on her face when Mia's friend, Asana, raced up onto the mini stage with her.

After she had finished the song, the standing ovation making her blush, Clarisse couldn't believe that she hadn't done it- she very rarely sung anymore, but it had given Mia so much pleasure, as was obvious when she walked over to her and hugged her.

"You're a naughty, naughty girl!" Clarisse wagged a finger at her, but she wasn't at all angry. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shadow standing unobtrusively in the doorway, and she smiled tenderly at him before he slipped outside, unnoticed by everyone else… she knew that Joseph loved to hear her sing, and it was almost as much for him as it was for Mia…