Chapter 2: The Realisation.
The Following Week.
Standing in the food pantry, Queen Clarisse studied the items on the shelves trying to find something tasty to eat when she heard voices. Turning she was about to appear, making them aware that she was in presence but something told her to stop. The topic of conversation was Joseph and her ears perked at the name. Moving quietly she stood behind the door, listening to as much of it as she could.
As she listened to the maids talking and gushing over how handsome, strong and fit he looked she found herself smiling and biting her bottom lip at the thought. Closing her eyes, she remembered the day she was watching him helping out in the garden one very hot afternoon several summers ago, he had removed his shirt hours ago and was tanning nicely. Beads of sweat dripped down over his browning skin as he worked, unaware that she, like every other female at the Palace on that day was watching him.
Opening her eyes moments later, she continued to listen when suddenly it hit her, it hit her hard. Stumbling back against the wall, her heart racing as she realised that she had feelings for her best friend, and it would appear she had had them for a long time without even realising. Covering her mouth with the back of her hand, trying not to give it away that she was hiding, and listening to their conversation she tried her best to calm herself, before being caught.
Hearing them giggle and their footsteps moving away from her several moments later, she waited for the door to close before she finally stepped out from the pantry. Her mouth dry she hurried over, grabbing a glass she poured herself a glass of water and drank it down before putting the glass back down on the counter beside the sink. Tipping her head forward, she closed her eyes as guilt filled her.
She don't know how she done it, but she did. She had managed to get from the kitchens up to her suite without being seen, sure she would have been seen on the security cameras, but she managed it without seeing anyone in person. And after leaning back against the door for a moment she began to pace her suite, stopping every now and then to scold herself. One time she stopped by the window, placing one hand on her tummy and the other on her cheek, wondering whatever she was going to do now.
Hearing a knock on her suite door, she turned her head to the side "Come in." She called out and looked down at her hands with a sigh as she put them together, still trying to work out what she was going to do.
Entering her suite, Joseph stopped when he saw her with her back to him. "Clarisse, is everything alright?" He asked, watching her as she spun around in surprise.
"Joseph," She exclaimed, slowly lowering her hands down. "Yes, everything is fine. Why wouldn't it be?" She asked while moving to stand behind one of the armchairs.
"Are you sure?" He asked and watched as she nodded. "Alright," He said and watched as she lowered her gaze down to his hand.
"What's that?" She asked, averting her gaze back up to his face as he looked down.
"Oh," He said, looking back up at her. "I need to talk to you about something, I wondered if you had a moment?"
"Of course," She nodded "You better had come in, then." She said and watched as he nodded and turned back to the door.
Closing the door, he turned back to Clarisse as she watched. "Jasmine and I are giving it another go," He said after a moment.
"You are?" She exclaimed and watched as he nodded "Well that's great, I'm so happy for you both." She smiled.
"Thank you," He nodded while taking the envelope in both his hands and looked down at it momentarily before carrying on. "I really want it to work this time, I do love her and want to be with her."
"Well of course, you both make a fine couple." Clarisse smiled, nodding ever so slightly.
"And the only way for me to do that..." He said, pausing as their eyes met.
"Yes?" Clarisse asked after a moment and watched as he looked down at the envelope in his hands once again.
Taking a deep breath, he continued. "The only way for us to really make it work, and to be happy together is for me to... is for me to resign." He said, watching as her face fell.
"You want to quit?" She asked, surprised as she tried to take in what he had just said.
"Yes, this is my letter of resignation." He said while walking around to the coffee table and placing it down as she watched. "I will work my months notice, then will leave from there." He said and watched as she shook her head, beginning to pace the room once again. "I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me, and I do hope because we have been friends since we were children that our friendship continues." He said, watching her.
"Must you really leave?" She asked, coming to a stop and turning to him.
"I must," He nodded "If I want it to work with Jasmine I see no other choice." He answered, walking around to her. "It pains me, because everyone here is like family to me, including you." He said softly, coming to stand in front of her. "I will miss everyone a lot, especially you." He whispered, studying her face as she looked away. "You're getting your happy ending.."
"And you deserve yours too?" Clarisse finished sadly while looking down at her hands as he continued to watch her.
"Yes," He nodded, his heart breaking. "I have wasted most of my life waiting for that special someone, I'm afraid that my ship has sailed, that I have left it all to late... but I am going to try and make it work, I just can't wait anymore, if I do then it will be too late." He said, watching her as she looked up into his eyes.
"Ok," She nodded and brushed a bit of her hair back behind her ear as she took a deep breath. "If you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave. You can go today," She said and looked away. "I will pay you for the month, if that's what you really want." She said, looking back up into his eyes.
"No, it's not what I want. This isn't what I wanted at all, but I can not wait anymore!" He exclaimed, watching her walk away from him.
Turning, she looked over at him. "Go, make an honest woman of Jasmine and don't forget our invite." She said, forcing a smile before looking down.
He had known her long enough to know not to answer her back, so as his heart broke he walked out. And upon hearing the door closing, Clarisse looked up at it, staring for a moment before moving to sit down on the sofa, his resignation letter in her hands.
Later That Day.
After loading his car, Joseph stood looking at the Palace a moment before opening the car door to climb in, only stopping when he heard his name being called. Looking up he saw Pierre jogging towards him.
"Where you going Joe?" He asked, coming to stand beside him and seeing his car filled up, he looked at him in surprise "Are you leaving?" He exclaimed.
"Yes, me and Jasmine are giving it another go, and I believe the only way I can make it work is to leave and move on." Joseph answered, looking at the young lad as he stood with his hands on his hips, just like his mother.
"That's great and all, but what about mother?" He asked.
"What about her?" He asked, turning to him. "She doesn't know how I feel, and she doesn't need to know. I have another chance with Jasmine, Pierre, and I'm going to take it. I waited long enough, and she's moving on with Edward, it's time for me to move on too."
"It will break her heart if you leave, you two are best friends."
"I know, and we always will be..."
"You know," Pierre interrupted. "A saying my grandfather always used to say, Death is hard, but leaving is worse." He said and watched as Joseph looked up at him. "You never know when death is around the corner, but leaving you do. You're making that choice, breaking everyones hearts because you did."
"Pierre, I have to go. I have to move on." Joseph said and turned back to his car.
"Please don't go, if not for mother then for all of us and this place." Pierre begged, really hoping he would stay. "Tell mother how you feel and stop her from marrying Edward, please." He begged.
Turning back to Pierre, he shook his head "I can't do that Pierre, he makes her happy and I can't interfere with that."
"But you will make her happy too, doesn't that count for something?" Pierre exclaimed and watched as he climbed in the car. "If you don't tell her, then I will."
Not saying anything, he just closed his door and drove away. He wasn't sure if that had meaning, or if he would actually tell her or not. All he knew was that he couldn't wait any longer, and if he did tell her then he would deal with it if and when it happens.
From across the gardens, Clarisse had been stood watching as her son and best friend talked. Even when Joseph drove away she watched her son as he stood watching the car before finally going inside after it had disappeared out of sight. From being so far away she had no idea what they had said, she didn't want to know if she was honest, all she did know however was that her best friend had left and she would miss him, a lot.
That Night.
After being unable to sleep, Clarisse climbed from the bed and grabbed her robe as she made her way through to the suite. Turning on the lamp beside the sofa, she sat down and tucked her legs up under her as she thought about everything that happened that day, unaware that Edward was stood in the doorway of the bedroom watching her.
"Penny for your thoughts?" He said, slowly making his way over to her as she looked up at him.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" She asked.
"No, I haven't been able to sleep, much like you." He said as he come to stand in front of her "I've been worried about you." He said softly while leaning over and kissed her before moving to sit beside her.
"I'm sorry," She said softly and moved to snuggle up to him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Are you thinking about Joseph?" He asked, resting his chin gently on top of her head.
"I am," She nodded, extending her arm around his waist.
"It will be ok, you know? You still have me and the boys." He said, rubbing her arm as she nodded.
"I know," She answered sadly, staring across the room.