"Good morning, my love!"
Clarisse awoke, slowly, smiling at the feeling of the warm body next to her. She belong to him, that's for sure!
"Good morning, Sir. Did you sleep well?"
"Well, wonderfully. But I'm pretty sure we can do better than this…" he pull her into his arms, nuzzling her neck.
"Joseph… That's a wonderful way to start a day but… I'm getting late and so do you! Up, up, up!"
"Stay with me, Clarisse. Forget the Parliament, forget the world and stay with me, love."
He was tenderly kissing her shoulder, her back and them her breast. He taste her nipple and licked, suckled…
"Oh… Joseph… Don't… Stop it, please. Go on, up! Don't tease me!"
"You're an evil woman, you know?"
"Yes I am and so do you! Now, my love…" She turn into his embrace and kiss him.
"Up, up, up… I know!"
When they both made the way out of the bed, a soft knock came…
"Your Majesty? Good morning!"
"Ahh, Olivia! Good morning Olivia. I'm… I'm fully awake, thank you. And I will take breakfast in the kitchen."
Clarisse step out to the bedroom and closed the door immediately.
"You don't need me, Your Majesty?"
"No, Olivia. Thank you!"
"If you excuse me, Your Majesty…"
"Of course, Olivia." She bow and leave the suite.
"You can came now!" Said Clarisse.
"Well, at least, I'm perfectly awake now!" Joseph laugh and, when he passed Clarisse he gave her a pat on her bottom.
"Hey… You're a dead man, Joseph!"
"Maybe… But that feels so good, dear!" He grabbed her in his arms…
"Joseph, put me down…"
Clinging tightly, he entered the bathroom and after the shower running ...
"Joseph… Don't you dare…"
"My queen… I want you…"
"Later, my love. Later! Now, would you be a dear and… let me take a shower, please? Alone?"
"Damn, woman! I can't denied you anything! I will leave you now, but later…"
"Later, dear! Go, please. Now!" She kissed him and pushed him out of the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, Joseph was again at the door of Clarisse suite. He gave a gentle knock and, to his surprise, Clarisse opened the door and left.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
"Good morning, Joseph. We're late ..."
"I AM LATE, Your Majesty! But Queens are NEVER late ..." She laughed and touched his cheek softly.
They walk in silence until the kitchen ... Joseph two steps behind her ... But the silence was general ... not heard the maids ... The guards were at their posts but unusually restless ... Strange ...
"How unusual!" Clarisse said.
"In fact, it is!"
"I'll be ..."
"No, Joseph. Let's take the breakfast first. Then we have Parliament, so this will have to wait."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
But the mystery is unraveled badly when they went into the kitchen ...
"Mabrey!" Clarisse was completely surprised and extraordinary annoyed with Viscount presence.
Mabrey and Ruth rose.
"Princess, I didn't expect to have breakfast with Her Majesty and your boyfriend…"
"Me neither, Artur. Good morning, my dear sister in law. Good morning my love."
Neither Joseph nor Clarice answered.
"Olivia, do you care to bring our breakfast to my office, please?"
"Certainly, Your Majesty!"
"Clarisse! How rude…!" Said Ruth indignantly.
"Artur was my gest! I'll accompany him to the Parliament session."
"Perhaps he was your gest, but… THIS IS NOT YOUR HOUSE! So, from now on, I expect you to end with invitations. This is my house and I hope you do not forget it!"
And there she was, The Ice Queen at her best! And no one said a word…
When they step into her office, Clarisse almost scream!
"I wish I can make her disappear… And she and Mabrey…"
"Well, at least we know what's wrong this morning… And now, my dear, after Olivia left our breakfast, you need to relax… Today, Parliament will be tough…"
"You are right, Joseph. As always…"
"Gentleman, please. We have a video-call from the Greek Embassy, at the US. I ask you silence," Said the Prime-Minister.
"Good morning, Ambassador!"
"Good morning Your Majesty, Gentleman…I just came to wish you a good day. I will Pass the word to former King Constantine. Your Majesty…"
"Good morning, your Majesty!"
"Good morning Constantine. How is your wife and your children?"
"Very well, Clarisse, thank you… Ho… Princess Ruth… I'm sorry I didn't know you are there."
"King Constantine!" Said Ruth
"So, Constantine, to what do we owe this pleasure?"
"Your Majesty, as you well know, the "Blood Agreement" with the Hellenic Crown celebrates two hundred years in four days."
"Of course I remember! Genovia and Greece share a blood pact… A friendship for ever!"
"Indeed, my Queen! To celebrate properly, our diligent Ambassador organized a reaffirmation ceremony. Despite being very short notice, I want to send the invitation to you, your granddaughter, Princess Ruth, the Von Troken and Viscount Mabrey. It's a small but very significant ceremony. I Hope we can count on all of you!"
"We will talk about it and, in a few hours, we will give our answer to Greek Embassy. Constantine, It was a pleasure to talk to you. Send my regards to your wife and kids, please. And say hello to Irene too. I didn't see her in years."
"I will. And send my regards to Joseph. He still is your Head of Security?"
"Yes, he is! He's the best!"
"Goodbye, Your Majesty, Princess and gentleman. I see you four days from now!"
"I hope so. Goodbye!"
"Well, that's very unusual, Gentleman." Said Mabrey.
"The Blood Agreement was an important milestone in our history, Viscount. In my opinion, we should accept the invitation." Said Lord Palimore.
"But only with four day's advance? I don't think that was very wise… But decline is not a option also!"
"You're probably right. Prime-Minister." Said Clarisse.
"Your Majesty… Is there a problem about sharing Genovia I?" Asked Mabrey with a smile.
"Mabrey, you know perfectly well that was not a question. There is no need for went two planes to the same destination."
Ruth rose and get out the door… Clarisse looked immediately ... On the other side of the door was Joseph! A mixture of anger and jealousy, burned her chest and the only thing she want's is go after him right now. She trusted him… But she's NOT trusted HER! Seconds later, Joseph walked through the door, and stand position there. Ok, Clarisse, turn off the alarm! He's there… for you!
"And will Baron Von Troken accept?" Asked Lord Palimore.
"I'm sure he will, Lord Palimore. And I'm very pleased with the Greek Embassy. They demonstrate great respect for tradition and the blood ... The weight of the crown requires the strength of a royal blood! After all, Royals are always Royals." Said Mabrey standing in front of the Queem.
Clarisse looked at him without a word. She knew perfectly well that Mabrey wanted to provoke a confrontation, but she would not leave…
"Prime-Minister, please inform the Greek Embassy, that we'll be honored to attend the Ceremony."
"I will, Lord Palimore."
"The session is closed! " Said the Prime-Minister.
Clarisse rose and left the room, followed by Joseph, two steeps behind.
"Clarisse…" He whisperer.
"I know, Joseph. I know! I trust you!"
"Thank you!"
When they reach the first staircase from the palace, Ruth joined them and put her hands on Joseph's arms.
"My love! It's hard to get you."
"Princess Ruth… Let go of my arm, please. I don't intend to be rude, but if I have to, then I will!"
"Joseph? Why are you talking to me like that? That old bitch…"
That's it! Now she's gone too far… with one hand on her throat, Joseph pinned her up, against the wall.
"DON'T YOU NEVER, EVER SPEACK TO HER MAJESTY LIKE THAT! I WILL KILL YOU! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
"Joseph please, leave her. Please. She's not worth it! Joseph…" Clarisse stand between him and her. Ruth was scared. Very scared. Joseph opened his hand and stepped back.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty!"
"It's alright. I understand you." Clarice was back to Ruth and not returned.
"Please, Joseph, lunch with me. I like your company! Shall we go now?"
"It will be my pleasure, Your Majesty!"
Ruth was leaning to the wall a few more minutes. Joseph was dangerous. Very dangerous!
Four day's after, the Baron and Baroness Von Troken was the firsts to arrive at Genovia I.
"I'm sorry, Sir, but I can't allow you to enter the plane without Her Majesty."
"That's an outrage. Who does she think she is?" Said the Baron and the pilot, unable to hide a smile, he replied:
"I'm sorry, Sir! I thought you know that this plane belongs to the royal family. And that She is the Queen! Look, there comes Her Majesty! Please, Sir, step aside… Good Morning Your Majesty, Joseph, Princess Ruth! I hope you all enjoyed the flight."
"Thank you, Michael. I hope so too! Where is Viscount Mabrey?"
"I don't know Ma'am!"
Joseph phone rigs…
"I tell her, Charlotte! Thank you. We will see you in a few days. Have some fun!"
"What's the matter, Joseph?" Asked Clarisse.
"I have some sad news, Your Majesty…"
"Joseph…"
"The Viscount car was off the road, on the way to the airport. The Viscount has only a few bruises, but did not feel able to make such a long journey. I'm so sad, Ma'am…"
Clarisse laugh and slapped him in the arm.
"Joseph, you scared me!"
"I do not know how I can take this trip without my dear Viscount! "
"Pour dear…" And they laugh again.
"What a despicable taste for a queen." Said Agnes, the Baroness.
"You are absolutely right, Agnes! But remember… One day, you will be queen!"
The commander announces the departure and they all sat down and tightened their belts.
