Clarisse, Joseph, and Charlotte were on their way from the hotel to Heathrow Airport by two-fifteen. They made good time and Clarisse and Joseph arrived at the VIP suite by three o'clock to check in and go through the security screening. Charlotte had managed to book two first class tickets, so Joseph could accompany the Queen as her bodyguard. The younger woman unfortunately would be seated in economy class, which meant she wasn't permitted in the VIP suite. She was waiting her turn at the ticket counter in the main part of the airport. When Clarisse and Joseph reached the VIP ticket counter, however, they discovered that the travel agent had booked two economy class tickets for them, rather than first class. The ticket agent made some calls to the airline, but was unable to find an alternative. Joseph tried to call Charlotte, but he only reached her voicemail.

"Normally we do not offer our services to passengers booked in economy class, but of course we will make an exception for Your Majesty and Mr. Romero. Your car will be here momentarily," the man at the counter told them.

"Thank you," she replied.

Joseph pulled her aside for a whispered conversation.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Clarisse?"

"It can't be that bad."

"We could book a flight for tomorrow and stay another day."

She rolled her eyes. "It's only a two-hour flight. I think I'll survive."

"As you wish."

"Anyway, I have a plan to give it one more try once we reach the airplane."

"Give what one more try?" he wanted to know.

"Getting better seats for us, of course!"

"Clarisse, if you're thinking about playing the queen card-"

"The queen card?" she interrupted.

"That's when you say, 'I am the Queen of Genovia and therefore you should give me what I want.'"

"What's wrong with that?"

"It's dangerous. You've only got me to protect you and if you advertise to the world that you are who you are, everyone will know it."

"I suppose that's why you told me to bring a scarf and sunglasses," she speculated.

He nodded. "Exactly."

"Your Majesty's car is here," the ticket agent told them. Clarisse and Joseph made their way outside to the limousine that would take them to their airplane. Once they were inside, she tied her scarf over her head.

"Does this look all right?" she asked.

"Beautiful, as always," he replied.

She tried to hide a smile, but was largely unsuccessful. "What about the sunglasses? It seems like they might make me stand out more."

"You may be right. Let's just go with the scarf for now."

Joseph sat still while Clarisse fiddled with her clothing and the scarf over her head. They reached the airplane and stepped out onto the tarmac. Most of the passengers had already boarded and they found their seats easily. Joseph scanned the crowd for Charlotte as Clarisse took her seat by the window. Joseph sat down beside her. They had fastened their seatbelts when Charlotte appeared.

"What are you doing back here?" she asked Joseph.

"Your travel agent friend put us in coach," he answered.

"Oh no! I'm in first class. I thought I had just received a free upgrade."

"I'm afraid it's we who have received a free downgrade," Clarisse remarked, her annoyance clear.

"Her Majesty must take my seat, and I'll sit here."

"Unfortunately, that's not possible," Joseph told her. "I'm not permitted to leave her unguarded in such a public place. We need two seats."

"Do you still think I shouldn't 'play the queen card,' as you say?"

"Please don't. But I will speak to the flight attendant about whether an extra seat might be had for my… colleague." He looked around at the crowded plane and bent to whisper in her ear. "Sunglasses, Clarisse." She took his advice and put the sunglasses on as he made his way forward. Charlotte took Joseph's seat.

"I'm so sorry about this, Your Ma-" she caught herself. "That is, ma'am. I'm not sure how the travel agent could have misunderstood me. I'll look into it as soon as we get home."

"Don't worry, Charlotte. I'm sure it wasn't your fault. And contrary to what Joseph may say, I will survive two hours on this crowded airplane. I'm not completely helpless."

Charlotte couldn't prevent a little giggle from escaping her. Only Joseph could speak so impertinently to the Queen and get away with it. Clarisse gave her a quelling look and she regained her composure. "I'm sorry ma'am," Charlotte apologized.

After a few minutes, Joseph returned with bad news; there were no seats available in first class. It was almost time for takeoff, so Charlotte made her way back to her own seat and Joseph fastened his seatbelt.

"Joseph, you're crowding me," Clarisse complained. "Move over, please."

He chuckled. "I'm afraid I can't move over. This is all the space we have in economy class."

"This is most uncomfortable. I hope people don't pay very much for a seat like this."

"Oh, you'd be surprised."

"Well, it's not so bad," she commented, trying to make the best of things. "At least you're not a stranger."

"That's very true."

"Are you tired, Joseph? I hope you can get some rest if you are."

He shook his head. "I will be falling down on the job if I sleep at all before we arrive in Genovia."

Clarisse knew he was right, but she was sorry that he'd been kept awake for so long. "You'll catch up on your sleep when we return, won't you?"

"Absolutely," he agreed. "Security is compromised by sleep deprivation."

"Would you mind terribly if I took a little nap?"

"Of course not, Clarisse, if you can get comfortable enough to sleep."

"Hmmm." She shifted in her seat, trying to find a comfortable position, and finally settled in and closed her eyes. She drifted in and out of consciousness and within about fifteen minutes, her head had come to rest on Joseph's shoulder. This was not unexpected; he would have felt some disappointment if she had not ended up in that posture at some point during the flight. After they had been in the air for a while, the flight attendants circulated throughout the plane serving drinks. Clarisse was still asleep when one of them pulled her cart to stop beside Joseph.

She pointed to Clarisse and spoke softly. "Will your wife want something to drink when she wakes up, sir?"

Joseph smiled a little. "White wine," he mouthed. "And water for me."

The attendant collected the exorbitant fee for the tiny bottle of wine and provided Joseph with their drinks and two plastic cups. He thanked her and poured himself some water, which he drank carefully to avoid disturbing his traveling companion. He looked around the cabin, inspecting it for security risks. There were many things that concerned him a little, but nothing out of the ordinary. All he had to do was stay awake, which was easier than it would have been had Clarisse not insisted on his taking a nap earlier. What an interesting day it had been. He would never forget it. How could he? He had kissed her and she had kissed him back. That was enough to make a day very memorable and gave him a great deal to think about.

Clarisse had not slept very long, but was happy to be leaning against Joseph's shoulder, so she kept still and quiet. She hadn't missed how he didn't correct the flight attendant's presumption that they were married, which led to some pleasant daydreams in which he was her husband and they were taking a carefree vacation together. She felt the danger of these fantastical meanderings of her mind, but she couldn't seem to control them. At last she sighed and opened her eyes, sitting up and rubbing her stiff neck.

"Uncomfortable?" Joseph asked.

"Yes, but I'll survive. What's this?" Clarisse gestured to the drinks on the tray in front of him.

"I thought you might like some wine." He carefully let down the tray in front of her and placed a cup and the tiny bottle of wine on it.

She looked skeptical, but unscrewed the cap and poured herself some wine. A hesitant sip passed muster, but she couldn't finish it. Joseph was amused by this. He ought to have expected it. How could a queen, accustomed to the finest of everything, enjoy a bottle of wine with a screw top? Still, he admired her for trying.

"You look very glamorous in those sunglasses. I hope we can keep you anonymous."

Clarisse looked doubtful. "Glamorous?"

He chuckled. "Either that or nursing a hangover."

"Why do you find this so funny?"

"Because the idea of you being intoxicated is beyond my imagination."

She smiled. "Good. I'm only sorry you spent ten euros on this wretched swill."

Joseph glanced quickly at her. If she knew how much he had paid for the bottle, she must have heard the flight attendant referring to her as his wife. She seemed unperturbed, however, which he chose to interpret as a good sign.

They were mostly silent for the rest of the flight, chatting briefly about mundane things. When they reached Pyrus, they met Charlotte in the boarding area and the three of them made their way to baggage claim. Clarisse marveled over the fact that their luggage was delivered seemingly by magic from the plane to the proper conveyor belt just in time for their arrival. At this time, several servants from the palace appeared and took charge of the bags. The three travelers got into the waiting car and were whisked back home. Clarisse removed her scarf and sunglasses on the way to the palace. Joseph didn't know what to make of what Shades had told him about yesterday's mix-up at the airport and Charlotte's part in it. He had questioned her before they left London, but she maintained that she knew nothing about it. She was notoriously bad at lying, but Shades was not much better, even with the sunglasses. Joseph had a feeling he might never know exactly what had really happened. However, his mind soon turned in another direction, wondering how he and Clarisse would continue from there. Something important had happened and he didn't think they could go back to the way they were before.

To be continued…

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