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Clarisse genuinely wanted to scold herself for primping in front of the mirror but his imminent return had rendered her stupid and giddy. She hadn't had the chance to see him before he'd left for Geneva and so their interlude in the garage had been the last time she'd properly spoken to him. The days in between she had felt nervous, stomach clenched, because she knew that it had to go smoothly for her daughter. If not she would have to return to Genovia and the thought of confronting Rupert with her daughter's crimes was unbearable.

He'd taken Anna to Paris, where she was to visit with Magda and her husband until, at least, the term at finishing school was over.

Clarisse was conveniently ignoring the fact that her Head of Security's sister had just taken in a young woman who had nothing to do with her. Or she knew.

Magda probably knew and if Joseph had told her, then so be it.

"You look lovely today," Rupert walked towards her.

"Thank you," she smiled genuinely, "How are you?"

"Tired," he responded, "So bloody tired."

"Remember when I was really ill, a long time ago?"

He nodded and sat down at the breakfast table, "Yes."

"Well you made me see the doctor," she said, "See a doctor."

"Right, no arguments," he answered, but it turned into a terrible cough.

"I'll arrange it."

Clarisse poured him some tea and waited for the coughing jag to dissipate. It took a while though and when it was over he looked greyer than he had before.

"How's Anna?"

She tried to clear any tension from her voice, "Well, good."

"Maybe we should bring her back home."

She was surprised that he'd even suggested it. Rupert hadn't been overly fond of having any of the children around the palace; he believed independence made a better monarch than mollycoddling.

It pained her to acknowledge that he was right. In his case, and in the case of so many others, it had bred a cold monarch too.

And of course there were other reasons he might not want Anna home. she swallowed her fear.

"No," she pulled the newspaper towards her, "No, I think she is happy where she is."

"Alright."

There was a comfortable silence then, the silence of a couple who'd spent a long time married but no time in love.

She knew Joseph was arriving late afternoon but she had a growing bundle of paperwork to try and climb and a number of public appearances to arrange. She would have rushed to meet him, perhaps, if she hadn't been aware that it was both ludicrous and gossip-inducing. So she exiled herself to her office to await his arrival.

"So the choice is between a new hospital and a new pier?"

"Violetta smiled, "That's the choice."

"I'll take the hospital, Phillippe can have the pier," she said, "He'll much prefer that."

She stopped for a moment and sat back.

"Violetta, please stop for a moment."

The secretary did as she was asked and placed her pen atop the desk's surface.

"You're leaving at the end of this week, for pastures new, and I-"

"Your Majesty, please…."

Clarisse held up a hand to silence the other woman. This had been difficult enough without having to make herself heard.

"I want to say thank you for everything. For everything you saw…and didn't see," she pulled the drawer open at her side and pulled out a small box, "I wanted to give you a token of my appreciation. Not from the crown, not from the government, but from me."

She watched as the secretary opened the diamond pendant.

"I am so grateful, Your Majesty, but you didn't need to…"

"I wanted to," she said simply, "And no one will ever be quite as wonderful as you have been with me."

"Thank you," Violetta's voice was just a little weaker, "I am so grateful."

"Ah, not at all," she felt awkward now, "Charlotte is visiting tomorrow?"

"Yes, yes," Violetta smiled, "She's very good. The Colonel and I found her very suitable."

"Well you are the people I trust most," she smiled, "I-"

The doors were pushed open by the guards and it took a moment for Joseph to appear. He looked tired, happy but tired.

He bowed lowly.

"Your Majesty."

"Colonel Romerro," she remained behind the desk, "Are you well?"

"Yes," he approached the desk, "Hello Violetta."

"Hello Joseph," her secretary stood up, "If you'll forgive me Your Majesty but I said to Charlotte I'd phone her."

"Ah, of course," Clarisse smiled, "Of course."

They both watched her go.

"How was-"

"How are-"

They laughed, a little awkwardly, as both began to speak. She hadn't expected the excitement flowing between them; it had been so long since anything but tension that for this to be the first emotion between them was unusual.

"I missed you," he said, "Really missed you."

"Come," she motioned towards the sitting area, "Come and tell me about her. How is she?"

"Happier to be in Paris than she was in Switzerland."

She smiled with relief and felt it travel from her head to her toes.

"She's so beautiful Clarisse," he sounded wistful almost, "She's funny and clever and beautiful and- and…"

"And?"

"And she's just wonderful. She's just like you. Less polite, it has to be said, but truly wonderful."

He seemed bashful for a moment and she saw someone emerging that she hadn't seen for years. He had grown so serious and gruff that it was difficult to remember that once upon a time, they had been giddy in each other's presence.

"You don't mean that," she accused lightly because his praise made her self-conscious.

"I do," he murmured, "I do."

"She's wild. She is nothing like me."

"So would you have been, if it hadn't been for this life," he said softly, "You have that in you."

She laughed richly, "Now that is crazy."

"A harsh accusation," he reached out and pulled her to him, "Maybe true."

She laughed a little then settled in his arms. It felt natural and ordinary, as if nearly twenty years of nothing but agony was gone in an instant.

"I think Rupert is ill, Joseph," she said quietly.

She hadn't wanted to sound awkward but she did anyway. He stalled for a moment and considered her words.

"No, actually," she said softly, before he spoke, "I know he is ill."

"What are you going to do?"

It was such a pragmatic, sensible question yet it floored her.

"I- I do not know."

"Please do not worry," he touched his lips to her temple, "It will be okay."

She heard hope in his voice. It would have been so easy to be angry or offended but she could hardly react that way when hope was thrumming in her own heart.

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