First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who has read, left a review and follows this story.

It means the world to me, believe me.

I hope you enjoy it.

Maria

Joseph knew perfectly well that something had gone terribly wrong. Over the years, he had witnessed some very unpleasant disagreements between mother and daughter, and never had Clarisse taken such a drastic stand. Although Pamela was not as frequent a visitor to the Palace as Frederica, her presence was always a source of hurt and sadness for the Queen. The last time they had argued was two weeks before the King's death. Pamela came to visit him and, instead of the expected "occasion" conversation, with encouraging words and an optimism that, even if it was not true, would always be welcome, Pamela tried to convince Rupert to spend some time at her house in Switzerland . That way Rupert could convalesce and be properly pampered. Pamela was clear enough to suggest that neither Clarisse nor Philippe or Pierre were truly committed to his convalescence, implying that he would understand then that Frederica was truly the woman he should have by his side. Rupert was deeply agitated and Clarisse and Philippe were furious. And even in this situation Clarisse took such a drastic attitude. Joseph really wanted to understand what had happened. He NEEDED to understand what was going on. Arriving in front of the office, he knocked softly on the door and got no response. He knocked again and nothing... The guard stationed at the entrance indicated that the Queen was inside. Joseph took a deep breath, opened the door and entered.

" your Majesty ?"

Clarisse was still sitting on the couch, looking absently. Joseph approached her.

" Your Majesty , is something wrong? I'm getting terribly worried. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Without moving and without looking at him, Clarisse answered in a low voice, almost in a whisper.

"I'm fine, Joseph. I would just like to be alone for a while."

" Certainly , Your Majesty . If you'll excuse me." He bowed his head slightly and left, heading straight for Charlotte's office.

"Charlotte, you know what happened between Her Majesty and her mother?"

"I have no idea, Joe. I know they argued because I could hear raised voices but I couldn't understand about what. The only thing she told me was to not pass any phone calls to her and to call Dr. Watson."

"Doctor Watson? But is she sick?" Now Joseph was starting to panic.

"I don't think so, Joe. But I have orders that, when he arrives, to send him in immediately and that they are not to be disturbed by anyone. Absolutely no one. "

"I can't understand nothing…" Joseph was interrupted by his cell phone vibrating.

"Here Joseph."

"Hello Joe. It's Frederica. How are you?"

"Frederica? What a pleasant surprise. I'm good and you?"

"I am immensely concerned. I was just on the phone with my mother and she told me that she had a huge argument with Clarisse and that my sister expelled her from the Palace. It's not like Clarisse to do such a thing. Do you know what happened? I'm really worried. I thought about calling my sister but I'm afraid she won't talk to me because of what happened with our mother…"

Despite being a beautiful woman, Frederica couldn't be compared to Clarisse. However, she had a very seductive voice and slightly similar to Clarisse's.

"I have no idea, Frederica. But try to talk to Her Majesty . Surely she will appreciate it."

"I will call her. Thank you for your kindness. When I get back to Genovia , I would love to have lunch with you. Do you accept my invitation?"

"It will be a pleasure to have lunch with such a beautiful woman."

"Is it a date then?"

"It's a date!"

"See you soon, darling."

"I can barely wait. Goodbye."

Charlotte looked at him with a smile.

"Dear?" she asked, with a roguish smile. Joseph looked at the phone he still had in his hand and smiled too.

"Don't let your imagination fly too high. I'm an old lone wolf."

"Old lone wolf? Just because you want to. Ninety percent of the women in this palace have a crush on you. And by the looks of it, you added one more to your long list of suitors."

"Frederica? I don't think so. She is a charming person. Only that."

"Only that? She was shamelessly flirting with you. Don't tell me you didn't understand that! Besides, you are single and so is she!"

"But you forgot one small detail…"

"A detail? I'm not getting it…"

"My heart already has an owner."

"Seriously? Since when? I've never seen you with anyone. You spend all your days in the Palace…"

Suddenly Joseph realized that he had said too much. I had to think fast.

"Yes. And truth. We are rarely together and when we see each other, it is here at the Palace."

"Oh my God. It's her.

"Charlotte, calm your imagination, please. And I don't want to talk about it anymore.

Without any of them notice, Clarisse had entered Charlotte's office and heard the entire conversation, as well as the phone call. And it was as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head. Joseph romantically involved with her sister? Clarisse didn't know what to think. In fact, Charlotte was right. They were both single. Joseph's love life only concerned him. He was under no obligation to tell her whether or not he was involved with Frederica. Clarisse decided to drop the subject and, not wanting either of them to think she was listening, made herself known. Charlotte was flustered and Joseph visibly uncomfortable.

"Charlotte, please ask for some tea and an aspirin, will you? Doctor Watson should arrive in five minutes. Please, send him in."

" Of course , Ma'am ."

" Your Majesty , is everything all right with you?" asked Joseph, with an apprehensive voice.

"Of course I am, Joseph. And if the question is why Dr. Watson is coming to me, don't worry. I have some things I want to discuss with him and that's why I asked him to come to the Palace." Clarisse replied, her expression harder than she intended.

C/J

"And this is the conversation we had, Dr. Watson. I don't know how to clear this up without anyone knowing and that's why I asked for your help. I don't know what to do or what to think. My mother has always been a cruel and cold person but this is not cruelty, she took pleasure in telling me that I am not her daughter." Clarisse took a deep breath and looked at the office window in an attempt to stop the tears from falling. " I want to do the DNA test but without anyone knowing. Not even my mother. Do you think it is possible?"

" Your Majesty , I am sorry that you are going through yet another ordeal. As you know, we have the blood of all your family members in the Palace. It's in storage just in case it's needed in an emergency so I'll take care of it myself. And don't worry, this matter will just stay between us. Within two days, I will give you a concrete answer."

"Thank you very much, Dr. I will be immensely grateful, whatever the outcome."

Joseph was looking forward to Dr. Watson leave the Queen's office in order to enter. He was terribly worried and wasn't going to leave without having answers. First her mother, now Dr. Watson… Something was very wrong and he was going to know what it was.

Clarisse leaned back in her chair and covered her face with her hands. Joseph and Frederica's phone call couldn't get out of her head. And to make matters worse, she was tremendously irritated about it. Which was utter nonsense, she thought. She had always wondered why Joseph had no personal life. He rarely leaves the Palace. And would the few hours he left be enough to maintain a relationship with someone? Clarisse was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear him enter.

"Clarisse?" he asked for the second time and making the Queen shudder slightly.

"Joseph, you scared me."

"I apologize. That was not my intention. Clarisse, I need to know what's going on with you. You know how much I worry about you."

"Do I really know?" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she immediately regretted it. Joseph looked at her confused.

"Of course you know. You were never just my Queen. You are someone very special to me!" But what's wrong with him? For the second time in a short time, he was talking too much. Control yourself old man .

"I'm all right, Joseph. I appreciate your concern but there's nothing you can do to help me…" At that moment, Joseph's phone began to vibrate. He ignored it, but Clarisse heard the faint sound.

"You can answer the phone, Joseph."

"It certainly won't be anything important, Clarisse."

"I insist, there is no need to not answer just because we are talking. Unless it's a private matter and you don't want to do it in front of me..."

"I have no secrets, my Queen ." And Joseph picked up the phone but immediately regretted it. Frederica.

" Hello ?"

" Hello Joe. After all, I have business in Genovia and I'll be there tomorrow. At the end of the afternoon I go to the Palace to say hello to my sister and then we will have dinner together. And I don't take a no for an answer, honey. See you tomorrow." And, before Joseph could even think of an answer, Frederica hung up the phone, leaving him stunned.

Clarisse suspected from Joseph's reaction that it must be Frederica but she didn't want to ask and Joseph didn't say anything either which, frankly, irritated her. To keep Joseph from thinking she was waiting for him to tell her who the phone had been, Clarisse got up, set down the pen she'd been using, and smiled.

"I will take advantage of this unusual lack of urgent work and call it a day. I will try to get some rest earlier the usual. Maybe I can sleep. It's been terrible days. Good night, Joseph."

Joseph was still a little lost with Frederica's invitation and didn't respond right away. It wasn't until Clarisse put her hand on the doorknob that he realized he still hadn't answered.

"Of course, Your Majesty . I'll escort you to your suite."

"It's not necessary, Joseph. Goodnight." And left leaving Joseph standing in front of her desk.

Soooooooo?

What do you think?

30 sec to leave a review, please.

xoxo

Maria