addlogcon: Thank you very much for the review, I´ll post the next part now and in the third there´ll be a phone conversation that brings a little light into the whole problem :)
chickenwriter: Ohhh, thank you, can give that right back ;) But of course, that´s the whole point, isn´t it... LOL
JUJUChick16: I´m very sorry for causing you such a trauma ;), don´t worry, won´t be so bad- yeah, well, Clarisse- our sweet control freak...
So thanks everyone, here´s part two!
"Obviously this went a little more smoothly."
Clarisse turned around at the sound of the low male voice behind her.
"Yes, it did- where have you been all day?"
"You mean apart from driving the princess to school and picking her up again?"
Josef asked, keeping the sarcasm in his voice reduced to the tiniest hint but Clarisse caught it all the same.
"I know you are not happy with me asking that of you but you are the only one I would trust with her."
"I´m honored, Your Majesty" Josef bowed to her and Clarisse playfully slapped his shoulder.
"Stop it, I don´t like being made fun of and you know that."
"Of course I do, that´s why it is so amusing" he replied smoothly, then glanced at his watch.
"It´s almost time for dinner, do you want to go outside a bit before getting changed?"
"That sounds lovely, it´s so hot in here."
They made their way outside into the gardens, Clarisse aware of Josef´s eyes on her and the sensation made her feel even hotter in her black dress.
"She´s a sweet girl" the queen said, trying to break the silence, "she just needs a lot of guidance."
"There´s time" Josef shrugged as he lead the way over to a bench next to some particular lovely rose bushes.
"I know, it´s just- I have to make her presentable before Rupert sees her, you know how he is."
Josef laughed, obviously amused at the though of the King being confronted with Amelia and Clarisse could certainly see what was so funny, her husband was an outspoken perfectionist and had made their son´s suffer endlessly in his attempt to get through to them how important a perfect appearance was and now he had Amelia as a granddaughter.
"I have to call him later, he will want to hear all about her" Clarisse mused, she had sat down on the bench next to Josef and was now toying with her scarf.
Josef didn´t say anything and Clarisse looked up- for a moment she thought there was something like annoyance in her friend´s eyes but it was gone instantly, replaced by the usual expression of polite interest.
"Of course, Your Majesty, his Highness will be delighted to hear from you."
"Josef, are you all right?"
"Of course, what makes you ask that?"
"I don´t know, it was just- are you sure?"
"Yes- we should get inside, your guests will be here in about an hour."