A few days later.

After breakfast Clarisse headed to her office to get a start on the paper work that needed to be dealt with.

"Ok, Grandma." Amelia said coming into her office with a yawn "I am here, what do we have planned today." she asked slumping in the chair opposite Clarisse.

"Did you have fun last night?" Clarisse asked while putting the pen down and looked at her.

"Yeah it was awesome, you should of come with us." Amelia smiled.

"Maybe next time," Clarisse smiled while looking at her "Today however, I have meetings and a few other things I need to do while you catch up on some reading," she said nodding towards the coffee table full of books.

Amelia looked over then looked back at Clarisse "You can't be serious?" she exclaimed.

"Indeed I am," Clarisse nodded "You haven't been here for a couple years training, you need to catch up Amelia." Clarisse exclaimed while picking up her pen "You can read them anywhere in the Palace, its up to you where." she smiled at her a second then looked back down at her paper work.

"This is unfair Grandma, I have a good memory you know?" Amelia exclaimed while standing up and walked over to the coffee table.

"I know, but this needs to be done Amelia or you won't be ready in 3 months." Clarisse sighed "Please don't say another word about it, I will win this so you might as well just give up right now and do it." she said watching her pick up a couple books.

"But it's so lovely out there today, why can't we go out and enjoy the lovely sunshine." Amelia exclaimed while looking at her.

"Of course you can go out and enjoy the sunshine." Clarisse smiled as Amelia looked hopeful "With those books," she smiled as Amelia gasped.

"That's not fair," Amelia gasped.

"Nothing is fair Amelia," She said standing up "Unless you don't want to take over of course?" she asked putting her hands together in front of her "If that's the case you can put the books down and go and enjoy yourself with the family," she sighed while shaking her head and moved over to the shelves behind her.

"Grandma," Amelia whispered "You know I want to take over, I am passionate about this you know that." She added.

"Then start acting like it Amelia," Clarisse said turning around to look at her "Or the Renaldi's face loosing the crown, something that has been in their line for many many years." Clarisse said looking back to the books "Something I have fought so hard to keep in the line, all my time to be wasted."

"Grandma," Amelia sighed while grabbing books "Ok look I am going to read now," she sat on the couch and started reading "See." she held up the book as Clarisse looked over.

"Well not here, I have a meeting in here soon." Clarisse said looking back at the shelves and moved to her desk.

"Ok, I will go up to my suite then." She said grabbing a pile of books "I will be back for those." she said hurrying out the office as Clarisse sat back down.

"Clarisse," Joseph whispered while pushing up the door and walked over to her.

"Did you hear that?" she asked while looking at him.

"Yes I did," he answered while standing next to her.

"She's not going to be ready, is she?" Clarisse asked him as he sat on the edge of her desk "All this hard work for nothing," she sighed while closing her eyes.

"She will be ready," he said lowering his hand putting his fingers under her chin and gently lifted her head to look at him "Open your eyes, please?" he whispered as she slowly opened them.

"She won't be ready," she sighed.

"She will be, have a little faith baby," he whispered while leaning forward and kissed her softly "Doesn't she remind you of her father when he was growing up?" he asked while sitting up and took her hand.

"Yes she does, that's why I'm worried." She said looking up at him "I know she will be ok, it will just take time." she whispered while nodding.

"I know, just like it did with you of course," he couldn't help but chuckle as she gasped "Don't look at me like that either you, you know I'm right." he cupped her face "Admit it?" he smirked and kissed her a couple times.

"A Queen never admits anything she doesn't want to." she answered while looking into his eyes getting caught up in the moment she slowly stood up and kissed him while wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pinning her to him.

Amelia appeared at the door, seeing them having a moment she smiled while stepping back and watched as Clarisse moved her hand on to the top of Joseph's shoulder as he moved one of his hands up, tangling it in her hair as they shared the kiss.

Amelia couldn't help but smile as they stopped and started whispering something to each other, she couldn't hear what was being said though she tried to hear it just wasn't possible. After a few moments she looked over to see Clarisse laughing as Joseph grabbed hold of her hands, while watching her.

Knowing she had to get the books, she moved back to walk in as to show she had just came down but accidentally made the door move as she stepped back, with a gasp she quickly covered her mouth.

"Whose there?" Clarisse snapped while stepping away from Joseph as he stood up and turned to the door.

Amelia took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she stepped into her office "Just me Grandma," she said not looking over "I just came to get the other books."

"How long have you been stood there for?" Clarisse asked.

"Not very long," She answered while shaking her head.

"You know it's rude to spy, don't you Amelia?" Clarisse asked as Amelia slowly nodded "Get your books and disappear," Clarisse snapped while sitting down.

"Clarisse," Joseph gasped while looking at her as Amelia stood in shock.

"What?" She said looking at him.

"She wasn't doing any harm," Joseph said as Amelia gathered her books.

"She was spying Joseph, I find that wrong." Clarisse snapped and looked at Amelia.

"Don't worry Grandma, I will disappear!" Amelia answered and rushed out the door.

"I think you need to go and apologize," Joseph said looking down at Clarisse.

She sat watching him for a moment then nodded "Send for her for me please?" she asked.

"Are you going to be nice?" he asked "Or are you going to have to go and try this day again before I send for her?" he asked while raising his eyebrow.

"Just send for her please," Clarisse asked.

"What's wrong with you today?" he asked as she looked at him.

"Nothing," she said shaking her head.

"Don't lie to me Clarisse," He answered while walking over to the door "Just remember something, she doesn't have to do this for you, but she is." he watched as she gasped "Remember that," he said and walked away.

"Don't you dare walk away from me," Clarisse snapped rushing over to the door "Joseph." she snapped "Arrh!" she exclaimed and walked back over to her desk and sat down.

As she waited she ran everything through her mind what Joseph had said, deep in thought when a knock came to the door, she looked over at it for a second as they knocked again.

"Come in," Clarisse answered while standing up and walked over to the couch.

"You wanted to see me?" Amelia said coming in and shut the door behind her.

"I did, please come sit with me?" she asked as Amelia slowly walked over.

"Are you going to tell me to disappear again? or moan at me for something else?" Amelia asked.

"No," Clarisse shook her head and sat down "Please," she motioned for her to sit "I wanted to apologize," she started while watching Amelia sit down "I snapped and I shouldn't of."

"Ok," Amelia whispered.

"I'm just under a lot of pressure right now, and for a while I got scared at how you responded to the books earlier, I have worked so hard on keeping the crown in the family, keeping it where it belongs." Clarisse said while looking at her "I feared the worst, but..." she started and looked at Amelia.

"But, what?" Amelia asked.

"If you don't want to become Queen then please tell me now, so I can hand it over to someone else?" she asked with a lump in her throat, her heart racing and what the answer might be.

They sat in silence for a few moments when Clarisse moved her hand onto Amelia's knee to get her attention.

"Look at me darling?" Clarisse whispered and watched as she slowly looked up "I will understand if you don't want to do this," she moved her hand and cupped her cheek "I will support you whatever you decide, I promise."

"Thank you Grandma," Amelia nodded and looked back down as Clarisse pulled her hand away placing it on her chest fearing the worst.

After a few more minutes, Amelia sat up and moved to the edge of the couch.

"I want to do this, not just for the Renaldi's sake, not just for you but for my Father too." Amelia nodded "I promise I will start taking things seriously from this moment on." she said taking Clarisse's hands "I will need your help though?" she asked lifting her head and made eye contact "Please?"

"Of course," Clarisse nodded while putting her hands up and cupped her Granddaughters face "Anything you want," she moved closer and hugged her while closing her eyes as she started crying "I promise."

"Aww don't cry," Amelia whispered while rubbing her back.

"I'm crying because I'm happy," Clarisse exclaimed while pulling back and took her hands again "Well that and the fact you've just shamed me and made me realize I was a..." she paused while looking at her "Well that I was a bitch to you and for that I'm sorry," she said hugging her.

"Don't worry Grandma," Amelia exclaimed and wrapped her arms around her "We all have days when we are off, it's totally cool." she whispered "We are totally cool, so don't worry about it." She added as Clarisse lifted her head "Love you Grandma," she smiled.

"I love you too, and thank you so much." she cupped her face "You've made me so proud, you know that?" she asked "And I know your Father would be proud too." she nodded as a couple tears escaped her eyes.

"Lets do this for him?" she asked "What do you say?" she whispered as she started crying too.

"Yes I agree." Clarisse nodded while moving forward and hugged her again.

Joseph stood smiling at the door deciding to leave them alone for a while he pulled it up and stood guard to make sure they won't be disturbed. Not long after Amelia came out and headed upstairs to read her books leaving Clarisse alone to get ready for her meeting.

After lunch with the family Clarisse headed back to her office to make a couple calls.

"Knock Knock." Joseph smiled from the door as she waved him in and watched as she put her hand up covering the end of the phone.

"Give me one minute," she smiled at him as he nodded, she carried on with the call as he moved sitting at her desk.

He watched her the whole time she was on the phone then grinned when she hung up.

"Now what can I do for you?" she asked.

"Remember we have another viewing today?" he asked while standing up "At house number 4?" he smiled while walking around and stood behind her.

"Of course, how could I forget that?" she laughed while opening her drawer and grabbed the paper work as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Lets see what this one has, shall we?" he smiled while leaning over her a little placing his hand on the desk next to the paper work.

She smiled and started reading it out "Ok, the house contains, on the ground floor." she smiled and carried on "Large living room, small sitting room, study, TV room, dining room, equipped US-style kitchen, spacious veranda, small sitting room, summer dining room, 3 bedrooms with bathroom, dressing rooms." she said and looked at Joseph for a few seconds.

He started reading the rest as she looked back down at the paper work "And top floor, spacious master bedroom opening onto 2 terraces and jacuzzi," he smiled back at Clarisse "Mmm that sounds great," he laughed as she playfully slapped his arm.

"Behave you," she teased and carried on reading "Nice bathroom and numerous dressing rooms, 1 guest bedroom with dressing room, bathroom and terrace."

"And to finish it of we also have on the property a luxury 2-roomed apartment, huge cinema room, great for the kids and Grandchildren when they visit." he smiled back at her as she nodded "Plus it has an alarm system with cameras, which is just perfect for us." he nodded "Also all these other things too," he said pointing to them.

"This I think has to be the best one," she said picking up the paper work and slumped back in her chair as he moved and crouched down beside her, putting his arm over her lap "And look at those stunning pictures?" she asked showing him.

"Look at that bed," he laughed while pointing to it.

"Joseph," Clarisse exclaimed "Behave, please?" she said looking back at the paper work.

"Shall we go and check it out then?" he asked.

"Ok," she nodded and watched him stand up.

"Great," he took her hand as she stood up "It's like our own little castle." he chuckled.

"I agree," she smiled putting the paper work on the table "Let me go and change my shoes and I will be with you." she kissed him then walked off.

When she came back down they left and headed to see the house, meeting Joseph's friend there. However when they returned they came into the hall to find Sasha stood in the hall.

"Hey Sasha," Clarisse smiled putting her bag down.

"I have been sent out here to tell you that Pierre is holding a family meeting," Sasha said as Clarisse and Joseph looked over at her in surprise "In your office." she said and walked off.

Clarisse and Joseph looked at each other then walked into her office find Pierre, Charlotte, Amelia, Sofia and Olivia sat looking at them.

"What's this?" Pierre asked while holding up the paper work of the house.

"Ah." Clarisse answered as Joseph put his hands on her the side of her shoulders.

"It's a house listing what does it look like?" Joseph said as they all looked at him.

"Your planning on moving?" Pierre asked.

Clarisse took a deep breath and nodded "Yes," she said letting it out as they all gasped "We wasn't going to say anything yet, but yes that is correct." she said looking at them "Once Amelia has taken over we will move on," she said as Amelia stood up.

"No No No!" she exclaimed "I refuse to take over if that's going to happen,"

"Amelia?" Clarisse gasped.

"NO!" She snapped "I will NOT take over if it means you moving away, I will go back to San Fran, For GOOD!" she exclaimed and ran out the room.

"Amelia," Clarisse exclaimed as everyone looked at each other.

To Be Continued...