Warning of a sad chapter. I admit I cried a little when writing it myself.
Part 3.
Clarisse shook her head "no" she said looking at Pierre then back at Rupert "he can't be, he's meant to be coming here next week with Helen and Amelia"
Rupert looked at her "he's not coming Risse, he's gone" he looked down as he closed his eyes
"No" she said again shaking her head "Noooo" she screamed as what he was saying sunk in.
She started crying and screaming as her legs gave way and started falling to the floor, luckily the guard who was stood behind her saw her going and grabbed hold of her so she didn't hit the floor hard, he gently lowered her to the floor as she cried and Pierre rushed over to her. Rupert just stood in shock as the guards stood around not knowing what to do, the only noise you could hear is that of the Queen, crying.
After a few minutes she slowly stood up and rushed out the room.
"Mother" Pierre called after her as he stood up
"Leave her" Rupert replied as he looked at him
"But" Pierre gasped and saw the look in his Fathers eyes and backed down.
"Whoa" gasped Charlotte as she nearly bumped into Clarisse as she rushed around the corner
"Im sorry Charlotte" the Queen gasped and continued rushing to her suite
"Are you ok?" asked Charlotte after seeing she had been crying, she watched as she rushed into her suite and slammed the door behind her.
Charlotte wasn't sure what to do, she looked down the other end of the hall to see if anyone was following, then back at the Queens suite. She took a deep breath and slowly walked over to the door and gently knocked "Your Majesty" Charlotte said softly
"Leave me alone" Clarisse sobbed from inside the suite
Charlotte looked at the door and found herself trying the handle to see if it was unlocked, to her surprise it was and she slowly pushed it open. She wasn't thinking of what might happen but she knew the Queen needed someone right now. When she saw Clarisse sat on the couch sobbing into her hands she walked in, shutting the door quietly and rushed over to her, grabbing the box of tissues as she passed.
"whats happened?" Charlotte asked holding the box out for her and sat down beside her
Clarisse looked up and glared at her "you mean, you don't know?" she sniffed
Charlotte shook her head as Clarisse took a tissue "Know?" she watched as Clarisse started crying again "No what?"
"Oh Charlotte" she sobbed
"it's ok Your Majesty" she found herself wrapping her arms around her as she cried "I'm here" she said gently rubbing her back
It took a few minutes for Clarisse to accept the hug of her soon to be assistant and when she did, she just cried on her shoulder for a while, no words we're spoken. After a little while Clarisse managed to stop herself from crying, and kind of went into Royal mode, being strong. Charlotte handed her another tissue just in case and was worried for her Queen.
"I'm sorry I just came in after you told me to go away" Charlotte said watching her "I was worried about you and thought you might of needed a hug"
"thank you, and don't be sorry" Clarisse replied looking at her "It was a brave thing to do, most of the staff don't dare do that sort of thing" she studied her face for a moment "how come you did?"
Charlotte thought a second "well you looked very upset, I did wait to see if anyone was following you, and as I said I thought you might of needed a hug" she looked at her "I try to help people whenever I can, and knowing you needed someone I took a chance, whether it cost me my job I didn't care"
"it was very brave" Clarisse answered "don't worry, you still have your job"
"thank you" Charlotte answered
"No, thank you Charlotte" Clarisse said looking at her "I do believe we are going to get on just fine" she nodded a little
"I think so also" Charlotte replied watching as she wiped her eyes with the tissue, still very worried and unaware of what has happened.
"Tell me something Charlotte" Clarisse looked at her as she nodded "was you friends with Philippe too?" she asked looking at her "Pierre told me earlier that you are friends with him"
Charlotte nodded "I know Philippe yes, but I am more friends with Pierre" she answered "sorry I didn't tell you this morning"
Clarisse looked at her hands holding the tissue "that's ok" she said looking up "can I trust you?" she said looking back at Charlotte
"of course Your Majesty" Charlotte replied
"I am going to go and sit in Philippe's old room for a bit, can I trust that you won't tell anyone? Not Rupert or Pierre if they ask?" Clarisse asked
Charlotte nodded "of course Your Majesty, your secret is safe with me" she watched as Clarisse stood up
"thank you" she whispered and left the room
Charlotte sat a bit confused and still wondered what had happened, but decided to leave before the Prince or King found her sat in the Queen's suite. Heading downstairs she decided that what happened was to be kept secret too and noticed it was rather quiet around, when she saw Maggie she found out why and sat in shock.
After looking for his Mother for a little while he finally found her sleeping on Philippe's bed. He stood at the foot of it for a few minutes before moving around to the side and gently sat on the bed.
"Mother" Pierre said gently touching her arm
Clarisse stirred and opened her eyes "Philippe" she gasped as she lifted her head
"No its me, Pierre" replied Pierre sadly and watched as she sat up, moving back against the headboard "I've been looking for you"
"well you found me now" replied Clarisse
"I know it's a silly question Mother, but are you ok?" he asked
she nodded a little "as well as can be" she said looking up into his eyes then watched him as he looked around the room
"it sure has changed in here" he said looking back at her
"it's how he wanted it done, to be ready for their arrival next week" she said sadly and looked down at the teddy she had in her hand "now he will never get to see it" she sighed deeply
"Oh Mother" Pierre said watching her
They sat in silence for a few minutes, both not really knowing what to say.
"Oh" Pierre said making Clarisse jump a little "sorry Mother"
"that's ok" she said looking up at him "what was you going to say?"
"I was just going to say that I talked with Helen" he replied
"oh gosh Helen, is she ok? and what about Amelia?" she asked sitting up waiting for his answer
"they are both fine" he watched as she took a deep breath and sat back "they are staying at her parents house, I talked with Joseph too and he assures me that he has talked with the guards there and they have more security assigned to them at this time because of Amelia and who she is"
"that's good" Clarisse nodded
"I also reassured Helen that even though Philippe has gone, Amelia will always be supported and not to worry about that, she was a bit worried but I reassured her whatever Amelia needed to let us know and she will have it" Pierre said looking at Clarisse as she nodded "she said thank you"
Clarisse looked up at him "that's good, thank you Pierre"
"that's ok Mother" he took a deep breath "she also knows that Philippe will have to come back home, to be buried" he said sadly looking at his Mother "I told Helen that she and Amelia are welcome to stay here for as long as they needed, and are welcome anytime"
"thank you Pierre" Clarisse said looking at him with tears in her eyes
"it's ok Mother" he said taking her hand "I also hope you don't mind, but I told her that we would be sending Genovia 1 out to bring them back here whenever they are ready" he felt her squeeze his hand
"You did the right thing, I don't want them traveling on a public plane" she nodded as she closed her eyes making a couple tears escape
"Mother..." Pierre whispered as she started crying "i'm sorry Mother" he moved and hugged her
After a few minutes she pulled back and wiped her eyes "no its ok it needed to be done" she nodded as Pierre handed her a tissue "thank you"
"its ok" he said watching her "I haven't told Father yet, he locked himself in his suite"
"he did" Clarisse said looking up in surprise as he nodded "I will have to go and see if he's ok in a minute, thank you for telling me though" she patted his hand
"it's ok" Pierre said "Mother"
"yes darling" she said looking at him
"is it ok if I stay here tonight, I don't want to go back home just yet, not after the news today" Pierre asked
"Of course" she hugged him "you can stay as long as you want to, you no that"
"thank you" he whispered as they pulled apart
she forced a smile as she was standing up "I better go and get changed, this isn't really the best thing to wear at the present time" she said turning to look at him "I will see you in a bit?"
"of course" he turned on the bed and watched as she walked out.
After Clarisse was changed she took a deep breath and headed out her suite, she pulled up the door slowly and turned to walk down to Rupert's suite.
"Clari" came a whisper
She turned to see Joseph, her head of security walking towards her "Hello Joseph"
"how are you holding up?" he asked standing close to her
"as well as can be, I was actually just on my way to see Rupert" she said looking up at him "Pierre told me he locked himself in his suite" she looked away
"you no I am here for you right?" he asked putting his hand up onto her arm "always am" he whispered as he watched her move away slightly "what's wrong?"
"the walls have eyes" she said looking up into his eyes "but thank you" she whispered back and stepped back
"Clari" Joseph said seeing the fear and hurt in her eyes
"It's Clarisse, Joseph" she said and turned her back to him and slowly started walking away then stopped a few feet later, lowering her head trying to stop herself from crying
"Clarisse" Joseph said taking one step forward and stopped when she put her hand up to stop him from coming closer "let me go and check the King"
"No" she said turning her head side ways "I am fine" she whispered
"look at me and tell me that" Joseph whispered and watched as she put her hand on her stomach, took a deep breath and continued walking down the hall.
After a moment Clarisse reached Rupert's suite and gently knocked on the door "Rupert"
"leave me alone" he replied
"Please let me in" Clarisse answered and after a second the door opened "thank you" she said as she walked in and shut the door behind her and watched as he walked over and sat by the window with a drink in his hand "how much have you had to drink?" she asked walking over
"enough" he said and sipped his drink
she stood in front of him and took the glass from his hand and smelt it, taking a sip herself "Rupert" she said looking at him "that's neat" she watched as he just shrugged
"I don't care right now" he sighed slumping back in the chair
"Yes well I do" Clarisse snapped back as she slammed the glass down on the table beside him "you are not the only one whose lost him damn it" she said standing in front of him again "and do you see me drinking?" she felt guilty when Rupert started crying in front of her "oh, Rupert"
"i'm sorry" he sat up, grabbing hold of her waist bringing her closer and wrapped his arms around her waist as he cried resting his head against her stomach
Clarisse was taken by surprise at his actions and looked down at him "no need to be sorry" she whispered as she put one hand on his back and the other on the back of his head and started crying too.
After a while he let her go and she knelt down next to him, resting her arm over the top of his legs "we need to get through this together, not apart" She softly whispered as she reached up and wiped away his tears "we need to stay strong not just for ourselves or Pierre but for Helen and Amelia too"
"your right" Rupert whispered as he looked at her "and I am going to try and be strong for you all" he said putting his hand on the back of her head
"well, we can be strong together" she said kissing his other hand "I promise" he nodded in response
They sat in silence for a little while when Clarisse looked up at him.
"what's wrong?" Rupert asked looking down at her
she took a deep breath "you never said how he died?"
"I know" he answered "I can't tell you" he whispered
"I need to know Rupert, please tell me how he died" she said getting upset again
"I can't" he shook his head and closed his eyes "I just can't"
"Please" Clarisse begged as she started crying
"No" he said firmly and stood up as Clarisse gripped his hand "I Can't" he said in anger and pulled his hand away and stormed out, leaving Clarisse sat on the floor crying.