addlogcon: Yeah, awkward is just the think to say about this story- thanks for the review :D
bluegirl-783: Thank you- hm, actually I´m not sure yet- well, I´ll have to work that out obviously... Charlotte is just soooo cute, isn´t she- thank you!
Prettycrazy: Thank you- hehe, I can just see her acting like that- well, I´m trying to keep adding those little things, it makes the characters more unique, at least I feel it does, so I´m glad you notice and like it- yes, I´m looking forward to that too ;)
JUJUChick16: Yes- I admit that wasn´t really subtle... ;) Thank you!
Clarisse shuddered as she dried her hands, she hated that slimy guy but he simply was the best and she needed the best, Amelia had to look presentable, even though Clarisse almost felt a shamed to be thinking this- wasn´t it much more important that the girl was feeling comfortable with herself?
"You´re looking troubled, what´s wrong?"
The queen smiled at Josef in the mirror before turning around.
"It´s about Paolo- I´m sure he´ll succeed admirably but I feel a little guilty not to have asked her at all if she even wants to change."
"It can´t be helped, can it- you can hardly let her attend the dinner like that, as long as she agrees to represent her country she will have to live up to being in the spotlight."
"Yes- well, there´s still a chance that she will be happy about it, isn´t there?"
"There is of course- are you going back upstairs straight away?"
"I wanted to stop by the kitchen first, I´m planning to have tea once Amelia is ready."
"You mean you want an excuse to distract Paolo from stealing any more of your precious time."
"Obviously- where have you been?"
"I was on the phone to the prime minister, I wanted to inform him that I´ll pick him up at the airport tomorrow personally, you know they are rather nervous when they are traveling with Marissa."
"Thoughtful like always" the queen smiled as she led the way down the stairs and towards the kitchen.
"Do you think there´s a chance we can sneak away later? I could come with you when you´re driving Mia home- I´d really like to see a little more of the city."
Josef looked thoughtful.
"I suppose we can think of something- I´ll check it out and let you know after tea."
Clarisse smiled warmly back at him.
"Thank you, Josef."
--
"Are you coming with us? Like that?"
Mia asked as Clarisse descended the stairs and walked towards the limousine.
"As a matter of fact I am- though I have no idea where I´m going afterwards, my dear bodyguard wouldn´t tell me, all he did tell me was to dress in an evening gown."
She glared playfully at Josef who grinned back.
"You have to learn some patience, Your Majesty- you asked me to find something you could do tonight and I have."
"Or Joe only wanted to see you in that dress- I could understand that" Mia stated innocently before getting into the car, missing the look Clarisse exchanged with Josef.
"You are looking absolutely spectacular" Josef whispered into the queen´s ear as he held open the door for her.
"Thank you" she replied quietly, then she got into the back seat next to her granddaughter, smoothing out her salmon pink dress.
To the queen´s relief Amelia seemed to be rather content with her new looks and Clarisse thought that the girl looked really lovely.
They took the princess home, then Josef pulled back out onto the street.
"Are you telling me where we are going now?"
"You asked me at dinner already- five times."
"Well, you didn´t say anything- are you sure I´m not overdressed?"
"No, don´t worry, you look absolutely perfect."
"And what about you?"
"I´m wearing a white shirt and a bow tie underneath this- and my tux jacket is in the boot."
"Your tux? All right, tell me where we are going, right now- oh, wait, the opera?"
Josef nodded and Clarisse sighed happily.
"Oh Josef, that´s just wonderful, I so regretted that I wouldn´t have time to go there."
--
Josef had arranged for them to be led to their box early before most of the guests had even arrived to avoid too much attention- the queen´s visit to San Francisco had been a topic in every magazine and paper in the previous week after all.
They ordered champagne and settled into their seats, overlooking the theatre.
"It´s beautiful, isn´t it?"
"Yes- not half as much as you, though."
The queen smiled tenderly, her hand cupping her lover´s cheek.
"Thank you, Josef- I´m so happy to be here with you."
"Me too- am I right in thinking that you havn´t been to the opera at all since London last year?"
"You are- I missed it but there simply was no time- we really should try and do something about the opera in Pyrus, bring it up to international standard."
"And already you found something new you can devote your attention to- I should warn Charlotte."
Clarisse chuckled.
"You are right, I sound like last week when I made her order those fountains- but Charlotte is much more interested in music than in flowers, so maybe she´ll even like the idea."
--
Josef helped Clarisse out of the limousine in front of the consulate and handed to key to one of the doormen who had bowed respectfully when the queen passed him.
"I´ll accompany Her Majesty inside, could you take the limo to the garage?"
The man nodded.
"Sure, Joe- had a good time?"
"It was nice, great music- don´t try to pretend you´re interested in that, Ian, the only events you ever go to willingly are rock concerts."
The other man grinned.
"You got me- well, have a good night."
Josef climbed the steps and found Clarisse waiting for him in the lobby.
"Is there anyone you aren´t on speaking terms with?"
"Not that I´m aware of- I like to know everyone, I´m less nervous when I know who´s close to you."
"I see- perhaps I should make an effort and stop calling them gardening people or culinary people- it´s not exactly respectful, is it."
"Well, I suppose if you want to have your employees respect you you have to seem a little distant- besides you do know the names of your maids and your housekeeper- well and of Charlotte and your security, that should be enough."
"I´m glad you said that- it would be horrible to try and remember them all" the queen admitted a little guiltily.
"Anytime, I always try to make you feel better- shall we get a cup of tea from the kitchen?"
"Yes, that sounds nice- we should get to bed then though, it´s really late."
"What are you planning to do with Mia tomorrow?"
"Oh, this and that, a little waving, a little public talking- public talking in private that is."
"Interesting idea- you are aware that the princess does have some- issues- when it comes to that kind of thing?"
"She told me about that- well, we´ll see what we can do, I´ll start with letting her read Shakespeare, that shouldn´t be too bad."