Joseph woke up two hours later, with a knock on the door. He stood up, slowly to not disturb Clarisse and walk to the door.

"Miguel? Is mama…?"

"Mama is ok, Joe, but Shades need to talk to you."

Joseph get out of the room and Miguel stayed near the door.

"Tell me, Shades."

"I'm sorry Boss, but someone tell the press… They know the queen is here… And they know she's arrived alone… with you… And…" Shades showed the morning newspaper to Joseph. In the front page was a picture from him, walking hand in hand with Clarisse. The picture was taken with a mobile phone and was blurred. Clarisse was in sunglasses and stared at the floor.

"That's all right, Shades. Don't let anyone enter this floor."

"I don't!" And Shades leave.

Joseph looked at Miguel. Isabel and Laura joined them.

"Joe, can we help? It's weird but the lobby is full of reporters. They went crazy when they learned that Clarisse was here." Said Laura.

"What's the problem she's with you? You're single…"

"Miguel, stop it! Clarisse trusted us. She's trusted you! And none of you can tell a single word about what you saw… Please! Until Mia settle as Queen of Genovia, our relationship must be a secret."

"You can have my word, Joe!" Said Miguel. Isabel and Laura nodded. Joseph is the oldest son of Maria. He left home very young but always maintained contact with his family. After Rupert's dead, Clarisse convinced him to bring his family to Genovia, a few times a year, at Christmas, Easter, summer, birthdays… And Joseph loved her even more for this!

"We must think at something… I need a solution… I can't allow them to drag her into a scandal…"

Clarisse wake up and sat on the bed, scared. The room was dark, with a strange smell… and she was alone…

"Joseph?" The door opened and Joseph rush into the room. He sat beside her and hugged her.

"I'm here, Clarisse! Please, rest. You need it." And kissed her gently on the lips.

"I can get use to that, my love. How is your mother?"

"Still in surgery. We must have to wait. Clarisse, darling, do you want something to eat?"

"yes, please. We must call Helena. She's probably concerned about us and your mother. Where are your brothers?" She stand up and fixed her skirt and her hair.

"Am I, ok?" asked maidenly.

"Yes… wait… Is this…" He grabbed her by her waist and kissed her with passion, fear, love…

"Mmmm, I think you're ok, now!" Clarisse smile on his lips.

"Don't tease me, Joseph…"

"Is this a threat, Your Majesty?" He move away a bit of her shirt, from her shoulder and give her a small nibble.

"Joseph… This is so good…"

"I can't resist you! I… want… you…!"

"Dear… not now…!" And she turned away.

"We should join with your brothers…!"

"Really? I rather prefer be here with you."

"Come, my love. Do you want tea? And don't forgot… I'm hungry." Clarisse was completely at ease with is brothers

"Clarisse, wait… I have something to show you…" And he gave her the newspaper.

"They know…" She was really upset. She know what will happen in the next session of parliament… She know what will be written on the newspapers… why she is caught in these holidays? Why she let her feelings for Joseph take care of her? And now, she have a scandal to take care…

"Clarisse? Dear…" She approached the window and Joseph stayed still, without a word.

"I'm sorry, Clarisse. This is all my fault…!" She turned around and walked toward him.

"No! Don't say it! It's not your fault! All this circus is because of me… they own me and there's nothing I can do…"

"My dear, we will think in a solution, you'll see…" And he hugged her around the waist. She rest her head in his chest and close her eyes.

"I must call Helena and Charlotte, my love. But first, a tea!" She kiss him gently on the lips! They joined at the others in the chamber.

"Hello, Clarisse. Did you sleep well?" Ask Laura. "Your guards are almost crazy with the press. I don't know how you can handle this…"

Clarisse and Joseph sat at a sofa.

"Any news about mama?"

"No Joe. We must wait…" Clarisse took the conversation between brothers and phoned Helena and then to Charlotte.

"Your Majesty, I have some bad news…"

"I know, Charlotte. The press got a picture of me and Joseph!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! And the Viscount Mabbrey wants an audience with you, Ma'am. I don't know what to do."

"Don't do or say nothing. Give me an hour. I must think a solution. I call you back, Charlotte."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"Well…?" Say Joseph sitting beside her.

"Well… Mabbrey want's an audience with me… that snake…"

"Your Ma… Clarisse…"

"Yes, Laura?"

"I was thinking… this is all because of a picture… and by the way, blurred."

"Yes. We can say so…"

"I have one idea… please, get up!" Clarisse raise and Laura stand beside her. Joseph was shocked with Laura's orders.

"we are the same height and our hair has an identical color…"

"Please, continue…"

"No one can have one hundred percent sure, is that you in that picture. What if… we create a plausible illusion?"

"Yes! You became me!" said Clarisse with a big smile.

"Wait… I don't…"

"Joseph, please. Let Laura tell us all her idea."

"I'm sorry, Laura. Please continue…"

"Ok. So, Clarisse has to leave the hospital without been notice. We change clothes and I cut my hair. My husband is paramedic. We can talk to him and he bring a litter. Clarisse leaves the hospital, in an ambulance, with an oxygen mask on her face and no one will figure it out. And you call the palace and they bring a limousine and Clothes. Carlos will meet them and it seems Clarisse's came from Genovia…"

"No, no, no. no! Clarisse don't leave us without security. No way…"

"Joseph…"

"No Clarisse. This is crazy. I don't…"

"Joseph, please. It's a wonderful idea. No one knows it's me, I'm in no danger. I send for Charlotte. Please Joseph, you know Laura is right. It's our best chance. Please!"

"And I can ask Jose to help Carlos. thus only family knows."

"Good idea, Isabel. Joseph, can we do it? I must call Carlos and Isabel will cut my hair. We don't have much time…"

"I know, Laura, but…" He looked at Clarisse. If something goes wrong…

"Joseph." Clarisse grabbed his hands "This is my decision! I want to do it. Please, let me try. I don't want to lose you, my love!"

"Clarisse, what if…"

"Don't say it! Now, let me call Charlotte. For the first time, I rule my life!"

"Excuse me…" Said the doctor.

"Any news? This is taking a long time…" Said Joseph

"Well, the operation was a success. We can stop the internal bleeding and another injuries. She must return to the room within three hours."

"thank you so much, doctor!"

When the doctor leaves the chamber, they started with the plan. Isabel cut Laura's hair, Laura call her husband and explain all the plan, Clarisse call Charlotte, Joseph go to the director office to explain him the plan and take care of the details and Miguel call Isabel's husband. In half an hour, Carlos and Jose arrived at the floor, uniformed as paramedics and with a litter.

"Are you ready, your Majesty?"

"No Carlos. We must wait until Charlotte reach the boarder. She will call me then! And call me Clarisse, please!"

"Of course. I brought bandages to hide the hair. We can not take any chances. The press don't talk anything but in you! A lady… Elsie something, offered two thousand euros for pictures of you both."

"That woman…" said Clarisse but Joseph phone ring.

"It's Charlotte, dear."

"Thank you. Hello, Charlotte. All right. We leave now." She hang up.

"Clarisse, my dear… Please, promise me you will do it according to the plan." He grabbed her by the waist.

"I promise, love! I will be back soon. Thank you all!"

Laura hugged Clarisse.

"That's what family are for! And you look wonderful in my jeans!" Clarisse laugh.

"It's the first time I wear one of these."

Carlos and Jose prepare Clarisse and Joseph lay her in the litter.

"I love you" whisper Joseph

"I love you!" Said Clarisse. "It's time!" and Joseph kissed her before Carlos bring the oxygen mask. She closed her eyes… the little jump in the litter, made her dizzy.

"It's ok, Clarisse. We leave the elevator in ten seconds, then close your eyes, because the press is all over the place."

"Thank you!". And she close her eyes. the noise at the hospital entrance, was terrible, scary… what if they recognized her? Seconds later, she felt cold. Then she felt the litter rise and heard the door's closed.

"We make it, Clarisse! Do you want call Joseph? But stay down, please."

"Joseph? We make it, dear!"

"Clarisse, dear, I'm so happy. Call me again before you are on your way back."

"I will"

Meanwhile, at the hospital…

"Laura, you must look down, as if you are hide. And stay very close to me. I'm sure as soon as they see me, they will think you're the Queen."

"Don't worry, Joe."

An hour later…

"It's time, sister! Let's go!"

Joseph and Laura left by a side door and, in a second, the press notice. Laura pretended to hide her head in Joseph's chest.

"Your Majesty! Are you having an affair with your HoS?

"Your Majesty…"

Joseph turned back to the hospital and then, all the press turn around… a Limousine with the Genovia's flag arrives at the front door. The security team made a cordon between the limo and the entrance of the hospital. Reporters and photographers looked at each others. Maybe Prince Pierre… And when the Queen left the limousine… there was silence!