I don't know how much time has passed since I published the last chapter and I am very sorry for that.
I'm back to my favorite pair, C/J!
From now on, a special thank you to all who read, leave reviews , add to Fav and Follow !
Enjoy!
"No, no, no…. We've already reviewed all the cameras. He could only have left the city at the Cathedral. It's the last image we have." Joseph didn't take his eyes off the screen for a second. None of this makes sense. A car doesn't just disappear out of nowhere… "There has to be something that is slipping away from us…"
The entire Palace security team had only one role... To find the Queen.
"I'm sorry Boss , but we've already reviewed everything over ten times.!" Shades said , leaning back in his chair. A violent punch on the table made the whole team straighten up in their chairs.
"Look ten more times. I do not want to know. We have to find the Queen now!" If Joseph was already intimidating on a normal basis, with Clarisse in danger of life, he became truly unbearable. Juan, who was sitting in the corner of the room, got up and went to sit next to Joseph.
"Joseph, I completely understand how you feel, but all these men were trained by you. They are the best of the best. Have faith!"
Joseph looked at his cousin in silence. It's obvious he trusts men. But it is Clarisse's life that is at stake. That's the only thing that matters. How can Juan, who was never faithful to Sofia, understand how he feels? This anguish makes him sick. More than two hundred men incessantly search for the Queen and not a single clue. How is it possible that he allowed her life to be at risk a second time?
"I know, Juan. I know…" But Joseph was the expression of despair. It had been three days since Ruth had kidnapped Clarisse and he was still there... not knowing where to look...
C/J
Clarisse had lost track of days or hours. Since she had been locked in that room, the only light she'd seen was when, twice a day, a small opening in the door, flush with the floor, opened to leave a plate of truly disgusting food and a bottle of water. There was no sound… No footsteps, no voices. Just that twice-a-day routine. Clarisse tried, in vain, to remember how long it had taken her to get there. Though she didn't even have a clue what "over there" was. It could have taken minutes or days… She knew she was in a house. Probably old or uninhabited for years, because when she tried to feel her way around, she felt dust and cobwebs on her hands. Next to one of the walls was a bucket, which served as a bathroom.
"Oh Joseph... Where are you?" Clarisse couldn't hold back her tears. Didn't even try. For what? She was alone, God only knows where. And without the slightest idea who had done this and why.
C/J
Joseph entered the room and sat heavily on the couch. He covered his face with his hands and let the tears flow freely. What a nightmare. He didn't even dare talk to Amelia or Pierre. Clarisse, his Clarisse, the woman he loved more than life itself, could be seriously hurt, being mistreated, she could be dead… This thought made his heart so tight that he immediately jumped off the couch. A slight movement in the back of the room made him turn suddenly.
"Ruth!..." And in two steps he was beside her, pushed her against the wall and put a hand on her neck, almost making her suffocate.
"Tell me right now where she is!" He screamed completely mad with fury. Ruth tried in vain to get away from him. The strong hand squeezing her windpipe prevented her from speaking and breathing. Joseph saw this and released the pressure a little.
"Speak! I won't ask again!"
Ruth grabbed his wrist and tried to pull him away but failed. Joseph released her and backed away a little, afraid to kill her, such was his anger.
"Stupid. You almost killed me. I couldn't even breathe." She said trying to regain her breath and strength.
"And how did you get in here?"
Ruth walked seductively over to him but stopped when she saw the metallic look in Joseph's eyes.
"Have you forgotten that I was born in this Palace? I know all entrances and exits? Every secret passages? You are very naive…"
"Where is Clarisse?" Joseph was about to commit madness and murder her with his bare hands. Ruth took two steps back and took a deep breath…
"I have a proposal to make you… I don't want the throne. Clarisse has made sure no one cares that she is Queen…" But talking about Clarisse and the Throne, in the same sentence, was too much for Ruth. Fury quickly took hold of her. "They forget that she is not a Renaldi . That's a commoner. A simple commoner… But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that you will marry me!"
If not for the despair of not knowing about Clarisse, Joseph would have started to laugh, but knowing Ruth well, he preferred to keep the same expression and let her speak. Ruth looked at him silently, trying to figure out how much he was listening to her or not.
"It was ridiculously easy to kidnap my dear sister-in-law… And I can do it again! And there's nothing you can do to stop me. As you can imagine, I'm not alone, so think carefully about what I'm going to tell you… I'll tell you where Clarisse is, you go there, bring your Queen back, you're the hero and, within three days, marry me. You keep working here, I come to live with you, and you NEVER but NEVER touch her again. You're going to tell her that you've never been able to forget me , that you don't want to waste any more time and that you want me to live here with you, as is normal. You will be considerate and affectionate with me and not say a word of this conversation to anyone. If you don't keep your part of the deal, I swear I'll have her killed. And I assume the throne, as my brother's rightful heir!"
Joseph couldn't hide his horror at hearing her every word. This couldn't be happening. He couldn't let Ruth laugh at this. But on the other hand, could he risk anything happening to Clarisse? His happiness didn't matter, compared to Clarisse's life. However, he knew that if he went ahead with Ruth's plan, Clarisse would be torn apart… But she'll stay alive! Ruth took advantage of the distraction to approach the bedroom door.
"I'll call you in an hour and expect an answer."
Joseph heard the door close but didn't move. Marrying this horrible woman will be a small price to pay for Clarisse's life!
C/J
Clarisse opened her eyes and sat up in bed. Were they voices? Was someone there? Fear set in once more . She was trapped in a dead end room, at the mercy of anyone who walked through that door… The voices became clearer… Joseph? It really sounded like Joseph's voice… The desperation of wanting so much to see him again was making her imagine… Or maybe not… The door lock turned but the door stayed closed. A violent kick caused the door to swing open and slam against the wall. The light momentarily blinded Clarisse but hands, so well known, pulled her into an embrace she was beginning to doubt she would feel again.
"Joseph, I'm so happy to see you here!"
Joseph desperately wanted to kiss her but the presence of the other guards stopped him. He pulled her away from him for a few seconds, to see if she was hurt, and hugged her again.
" Your Majesty , you can't imagine how relieved I am that you are ok! Let me get you out of here"
When they returned, Clarisse was immediately seen by a new doctor, trusted by Joseph but with a guard present. He didn't want to take risks again. But from now on, the clock started ticking… Tic-Tac … Tic-Tac … Joseph knew he had until the end of the day to tell Clarisse that he was going to marry Ruth… And that she was coming to live in the palace! It was as if he died inside… He wanted to throw up, just thinking about it. And how was he going to be considerate or affectionate with that machiavellian woman? He couldn't help but wonder how he could get rid of her. What a nightmare! Clarisse had been looking at him for a few minutes. Something tormented him. But she decided to call him a third time.
"Your Majesty, I'm so sorry. I was distracted ."
"I realized that, Joseph. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing special, Your Majesty . Can I escort you to your suite?"
Clarisse nodded and started walking, followed by Joseph, who looked more like a condemned man walking to the gallows. When they entered the suite, Joseph closed the door and immediately Clarisse threw herself into his arms . Joseph couldn't even think and kissed her passionately. But then he remembered the conversation and gently pushed her away, much to Clarisse's surprise.
"Joseph, what's going on? You're scaring me…"
Joseph gently took her arm and led her to the sofa. She motioned for him to sit down but he stood in front of her. Clarisse was confused and scared.
"Joseph…"
"Clarisse, I need to tell you something… I know it will be very difficult for you to accept or understand…" If he had to tell, it was better to do it all at once. "I have to tell you something... About me and Ruth!" Clarisse rose immediately. She was going to interrupt him but he raised his hand and asked her to continue. "I will marry her in three days!"
Clarisse looked at him in shock and dropped onto the sofa. It was as if a knife had been stuck in her chest and then rotated to increase the pain. She couldn't be listening well...
"I'll carry on with all my duties unless you fire me, but I'd like her to come and live with me, at least for a while, until we find a house that suits us both. I know it won't be easy for you, but it's a request I make of you." Joseph felt sick saying these words. Clarisse was in shock, unable to even think. This couldn't be true… It was too much for her. How could Joseph be capable of such a thing? After everything they've been through… No… This was a joke…
"Joseph, this is a very bad joke! But what an idea…"
"Clarisse, please don't make things worse than they are!"
"I do not believe you! I do not believe you! I know you love me!"
"Ruth is the woman of my life and I never forgot her!" Joseph couldn't even look Clarisse in the eye.
"I do not believe! Why are you doing this to me, Joseph? Tell me you love her…" Clarisse stood up again and stood right in front of him. It took all of Joseph's strength not to grab her and kiss her.
"Of course I do…"
Clarisse felt herself dying inside. She moved closer to him and kissed him. Joseph responded with the same passion. Then Clarisse walked away and, with her heart completely broken, said:
"You don't love her, no! But it's your decision! Do what you want! When you leave, close the door, please. Good evening."
Then she turned, entered the room and closed the door, 'completely shattered.
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Kisses ,
Maria
