A/N: Hey everyone, I just want to say a big thank you to you all for reading the latest chapter on this new story and an even bigger thank you to Chelsietx, bee-327, HugeJulieAndrewsFan and Mary (guest) for taking the time to leave such lovely reviews for me. I really appreciate them and the continued support, as always! Thank you! Please do keep it coming!
Now on with the next chapter… Enjoy!
Hearing familiar footsteps approaching, Clarisse turned her head just a little to the side and smiled to herself. She knew it wouldn't be long before he would be out there joining her. "I was wondering when you would be out," she said.
"Well I would've come out sooner, but after your exchange with the Prime Minister I thought it best to give you a few moments," Joseph said as he slowly approached the Queen sitting on one of the pavilion stone benchs facing out to her rose garden and studied her a moment as she sat with her legs crossed and her arms resting across the top of her knee with her glass of champagne in one hand. "But I don't come empty-handed. I have brought you a slice of your delicious birthday cake out with me."
Smiling, Clarisse now turned her head and watched as he stood next to the end of the bench. "You didn't have to," she said and briefly looked down as she set her glass down on the bench next to her and uncrossed her legs. "I would have gotten a slice when I went back in."
"Well, you might have been a bit disappointed had I not brought this slice out for you now," he said, watching her place both of her hands down on the top of her knees and looked back up at him.
"Why?" She asked curiously. "Why would I have been disappointed?"
"Because you see, after the waiter had cut and given everyone who wanted some a slice, there was a few slices leftover, you know from the people who didn't want any," he said and she nodded, "and I spied two cake mad boys eyeing the remaining few slices, so I thought I better grab you a slice before it was to late and you don't get a chance to have any."
"Oh, well, in that case then, thank you," she said, smiling up at him as he stepped closer and extended his hand, holding the plate out to her.
"You're welcome," he smiled and bowed his head as she took the plate from him. Slipping his hands in his pants pockets, Joseph turned and looked up at the night sky with a contented sigh. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" He said after a moments silence.
"Yes it is. It's beautiful and clear. The perfect night for stargazing," Clarisse said and Joseph nodded in agreement as she cut a small bit of cake with the fork he had also brought out for her and popped it into her mouth as she glanced up at the night sky and briefly closed her eyes at the sweet taste. It was as smooth as velvet and very, very delicious. "Mmm, this cake is soooo good," she said and looked down at the cake on the plate in her hand as Joseph turned his head to look over at her with a smile.
"Aren't you glad that I brought you out a slice now?" He chuckled and continued to watch her for a few seconds more as she nodded and turned her head to look at him standing beside the bench.
"Oh I am, yes. Thank you so much," she smiled and looked back at the plate, to cut another small bit and popped it into her mouth.
"You are most welcome," he smiled and looked back up at the night sky. To let her enjoy her slice of cake in peace.
"Were the boys okay when you came out?" Clarisse asked after a few moments silence and watched as he turned to her sitting on the bench while removing his hands from his pants pockets.
"Yes, of course," he smiled as he walked slowly around her on the bench and sat down on it next to her, "would I have come out here had they not been okay?"
"That is true actually, you wouldn't have," Clarisse said with a small shake of her head and watched as he leant forward a little, to rest his elbows on top of his legs and put his hands together in front of him. "I know that I have already told you this a thousand times, but thank you again for everything that you have done for not only me over the last year, but for Pierre and Philippe too. I don't know what we would have done if it hadn't been for you."
"Honestly Clarisse, you don't need to thank me," he said, turning his head to look at her and watched as she crossed her legs once again, the plate still in her hands grasp, "you know I would do absolutely anything for you and those mischievous boys of yours. And I mean anything."
"Yes, I do," Clarisse nodded with a laugh and looked down at the last little bit of cake left on her plate before looking back up at him. "Did you manage to snag yourself a slice of this delicious cake?"
"No I didn't unfortunately, but it's okay," he said with a shake of his head and watched as she extended her hand, holding the plate towards him. "Oh no, I'm okay. You eat it, it is your cake after all."
"Go on, I insist," Clarisse smiled and moved her hand a little closer to him. "I promise that you'll like it."
"I'm sure I will," he replied with a smile and reluctantly took the plate from her. "But only if you're sure?"
"Absolutely, yes," Clarisse nodded and turned her head the other way, to pick up her drink from where she had placed it on the bench beside her a short time ago.
"Alright, thank you then," he smiled, and she nodded while looking back at him. Watched as he popped a bit of the cake in his mouth. "Mmm yes, this is delicious."
"Isn't it?" Clarisse smiled at him and took a long sip of her champagne before lowering her hand and resting her arm across the top of her leg once again as she sat a moment simply contemplating everything that had happened that day, everything that the Prime Minister had said to her earlier that afternoon in her office and looked up into the night sky with a somewhat sad sigh.
"What's wrong?" Joseph asked, turning his head to her and watching as she sat still a moment before finally turning to look at him. He knew that there was something bothering her, that there was something on her mind, from how quiet she had been all afternoon. But nothing could have prepared him for the words that came out of her mouth in reply.
"I'm getting married," she blurted, and he gasped, recoiled a little with shock.
"What?" He exclaimed in surprise. His heart sank at the thought of losing her all over again. "Since when?"
"Since the Prime Minister came to me this afternoon to tell me, today of all days, that in order for me to continue ruling as Queen of Genovia, then I would have to go through another arranged marriage." Clarisse said and watched as he sat open mouthed beside her. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you earlier, I have just been trying to process everything and what with the party this evening."
"Oh you don't need to apologise it's okay, I completely understand," Joseph said with a small nod. "But who do they expect you to marry?"
"I don't know," Clarisse replied with a shrug and looked back up at the night sky. "Charlotte is gathering a list of eligible gentlemen for me to go through tomorrow with my mother, but I basically have thirty days to find someone suitable and marry."
"Oh," Joseph said, the news hitting him like a ton of bricks, and his heart shattered all over again. Just like it did all those years ago when he discovered that she was to be wed to Rupert. "What happens if you don't? Or you can't find anyone suitable?"
"Then I will have no choice but to abdicate and my sister, Valérie and her husband, will take over," Clarisse said sadly and closed her eyes a moment as she tipped her head forward at the thought of them taking over. "I have fought so damn hard since I became Queen, I have been through so much. My sons have been through so much. And now I need to find someone suitable for all of us and remarry. If I don't then I lose absolutely everything. And my boys will lose what is rightfully theirs."
"Oh Clarisse, I am so sorry," Joseph said softly while turning to her a little on the bench and reaching his hand out onto her back. "Have you talked to them about it yet?"
"Not yet, no," Clarisse said with a shake of her head and looked up at him. "I just wanted to get through tonight first, then I'm going to sit them down in the morning and talk to them about it. But they only lost their father last year, and it breaks my heart that I now have to put them through this too."
"I know," Joseph nodded and smoothed his hand slowly up and down her back as he watched her take a sip of her champagne. "You never know this one might be the complete opposite to Rupert and actually be the one. Your longed for soul mate. And will be the best thing that ever happened to you and those boys of yours."
Oh, what he wouldn't give to be the one she married. They were, after all, a perfect match, but he knew it would never be. She would never pick him or say yes even if he asked. Especially since he didn't have a title, wasn't a nobleman. And as much as it pained him to tell her what he just did, he only wants the best for his best friend and her two sons.
"Here's hoping that he will be, because those boys deserve only the best after what they've been through," Clarisse nodded and looked down at her glass as she rested the bottom of it down on her thigh.
"You do too," he said, and she turned her head to look at him. "You all deserve the best. The world, in fact. And if he doesn't treat you right, whoever you choose, then he'll have me to answer too."
"Thank you, Joseph," Clarisse said sincerely and nodded as she looked back out at the night sky. "You know, if I didn't have Pierre and Philippe, then I would have walked away from it all after Rupert passed away. I would have gladly let Valérie and her husband take over."
"I know you would have," Joseph nodded and looked up at the night sky as it fell silent between them a moment.
"But I guess this is how it's gotta be," Clarisse said, contemplating a moment before looking back at Joseph. "If my great grandmother and her mother before her could both remarry and finally find their soul mates after losing their husbands, then so can I."
"Yes you can," Joseph nodded. "Just remember that you are a strong woman, Clarisse. You have shown that so many times over the years, and I know that you will get through this hurdle, too. Just like you always do."
"Thank you," Clarisse said and briefly rested her head on his shoulder. "That means so much to me."
"You're welcome," he said softly, his hand smoothing down her back as she sat back up right and looked at him. "And you know that I'll be right there beside you too, just like I always am. I got your back, Clarisse, I always have, and I always will, and I will never let any harm come to you or those boys."
"Thank you, Joseph. We are all truly blessed to have someone like you in our lives," Clarisse said and smiled at him.
"There's no other place I'd rather be," Joseph replied and it fell silent between them once again as they both looked up at the night sky and studied the blanket of beautiful stars twinkling above them.
"Right, I better get back inside and mingle before my guests start to wonder where I have got too," Clarisse said, breaking the silence several moments later and turned her head to Joseph sat beside her before leaning closer to kiss his cheek. Causing his heart rate to triple, just like it does, unbeknownst to her, every time she kissed his cheek. "Thank you for listening, I really appreciate it and for always having our backs."
"You don't need to thank me, but you are welcome," he nodded as she uncrossed her legs and stood up next to him.
"Here, have some champagne," she said while turning to him and handing him her half full glass of champagne. "I can't drink anymore, I need a clear head for the morning."
"Thanks, however I'm on duty so I can't drink it," he said, glancing down at the glass in one hand and the plate in his other hand before looking back up at her with a smile. "But I will bring it back in with the plate."
"It's only a little, it won't hurt," Clarisse smirked mischievously at him, "besides, I won't tell the boss if you don't."
Laughing, Joseph shook his head. "Oh I'm not going to say anything."
"Good," she laughed and studied him a brief moment. "Anyway, are you coming back in?"
"You go on in, and I will follow," Joseph smiled.
"Alright, see you in a little bit then," Clarisse smiled and turned to walk away.
Letting out a sigh, Joseph watched as she disappeared into the darkness of her gardens to make her way back to the Palace to rejoin her party. Oh, how he wished he could be honest with her. Tell her how he really felt about her, and had done for such a long time. But he knew, in his heart, that no good would come of it. If he did. So he vowed to remain quiet and keep his deepest secret to himself.
Standing in the doorway of her sons bedroom later that night, long after all the guests had gone and she had gotten changed for bed, Clarisse folded her arms while leaning against the doorframe and stared across the room at them sleeping in their beds. They had only lost their father last year. How on earth was she going to tell them that she had to bring someone new into their lives and remarry after everything they've been through.
She couldn't even begin to imagine what they would think of her, but the longer she stood there, staring at them and wanting only the best for them given what they had already been through she began to wonder if she should just abdicate and let her sister take over. Have a fresh start together and perhaps even move away from Genovia.
She really was in two minds over what to do, but letting out a sigh a moment a later, she shook her head ever so slightly and reached her hand out for the door handle, to close the door behind her to return to her suite when she was left surprised by Philippe speaking out to her. "Do you really have to get married?" He asked sleepily as she looked over at him.
"How do you know about that?" She asked as quietly as she could, as not to wake Pierre, and crept into the room.
"Because he was spying on you and Joseph talking out in the garden earlier this evening," Pierre said and watched as their mother stopped in the middle of their bedroom and looked over at him in surprise.
"You're both awake?" Clarisse exclaimed in surprise and looked from Pierre to Philippe, then back to Pierre again before shaking her head. "You should both be fast asleep. It's gone midnight."
"Sorry, mother," Philippe said sheepishly and sat up in his bed as his mother moved closer to him and carefully sat down on the edge of his bed. "So, do you really have to get married?"
"Firstly, that was very naughty of you, Philippe, for not only leaving the party when I told you to stay with your grandmother, but for ease dropping on a private conversation too. You know how I feel about that and spying," she said and glanced across at Pierre as he sat up in his bed before looking back at her youngest son. "And secondly, this wasn't how I wanted you both to find out, I was going to sit you both down in the morning and talk to you about it then. But yes, if I want to continue ruling as Queen, then I must remarry."
"Oh," Pierre said sadly and looked down at his hands as he put them together in his lap.
"What about Joseph?" Philippe said as both his mother and brother looked at him. "We already know him, and we like him." He nodded.
"Yes we do, he's so much fun," Pierre said and nodded in agreement as their mother looked over at him. "And you're already best friends and know each other really well."
"That's right, we do, but it wouldn't work with Joseph, darling," Clarisse said with a shake of her head.
"Why not? You can marry someone if you're already best friends, you know," Philippe said matter of factly as their mother looked back at him.
"I think he will make a great husband. He's so caring and protective," Pierre nodded. "Especially with us."
"Oh I don't doubt for one minute that he won't be, and whoever he does marry will be very lucky to have him as her husband, but unfortunately it won't be to me because he isn't someone considered a suitable husband for a Queen. He needs to be someone with a title and nobility." Clarisse said.
"But you're a Queen, you can marry anyone you want too," Philippe said.
"I am, yes, but it isn't as easy as that, darling," Clarisse said as she studied her youngest son a moment. "I can't just order him to marry me."
"Well I think that you should ask him because you won't know unless you try," Philippe said, and Clarisse shook her head with a small laugh. "Besides, I'm sure that he'll love to marry you and help us."
"I'm not asking him, Philippe. Now come on it's very late and time for you both to go back to sleep," Clarisse said as she got to her feet and turned to her youngest son as he settled back down under the covers. "We will talk more about it in the morning."
"Okay," Philippe nodded as Clarisse placed her hand down on the bed beside him and bent over to kiss his forehead. "Goodnight, mother. I love you."
"Goodnight, darling," Clarisse said as she gazed down into his big brown eyes and reached her other hand up to brush his hair out from his eyes. "I love you too."
Turning onto his side, Philippe watched as she walked over to his brothers bed and kissed him goodnight before making her way over to the door. "Straight to sleep now, okay?" She said, turning back to the room and reaching her hand out for the door handle.
"Alright mother," Pierre replied.
"We will," said Philippe.
"Goodnight," Clarisse said and closed up the door, where she stood a moment. Her hand still on the door handle of her sons bedroom. Contemplating what they had said a moment, and remembering Joseph's words earlier that night when he had told her, like he often did, that he would do absolutely anything for them, she began to wonder if he really would do absolutely anything for them.
But realising just how silly that idea really was and that she couldn't ask that of him, she shook her head and headed to her own suite to finally go to bed.