Thank you so much for the reviews you've been leaving and to everyone who follows this story (it hasn't been added to favorites yet but...). It is very important to know if you are enjoying it. It gives me tremendous incentive to keep going.

Without further ado, let's move on to the third chapter!

Enjoy.

Kisses

Maria

C/J

"Actually, I don't have any urgent matters to deal with in our magnificent country, but I really had to talk to you. Our mother told me that you expelled her from the Palace. But try as I might, she wouldn't tell me why. Please, Clarisse, tell me what happened."

"I'm sorry Frederica, but this time our mother went beyond all the rules, all common sense. And I can't believe she didn't tell you."

Frederica made a shocked expression and put her hand on her chest.

"You don't believe me?"

"Frederica, I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't take a trip like this if you didn't have a good reason. Of course our mother told you." Frederica looked at Clarisse silently, uncomfortably. "Why did you come to Genovia anyway ?"

"Okay, okay. She told me, yes. Do you really have a granddaughter?"

"Yes I have. Her name is Amelia. She is Philippe's daughter and she is 15 years old." Clarisse said with a smile. Frederica was really amazed.

"But how come no one knew about her existence until now? In fact, from what I understand, no one knows about her existence at all."

"Because when Amelia was just a few months old, Philippe and Helen got divorced and chose to let Amelia have a normal childhood, staying with her mother. They didn't want any of us to have any contact with her. And me, Rupert and Pierre had to accept it."

"I understand… As for Mother wanting you to abdicate in my favor, I hope you know I had nothing to do with it."

"I didn't even care about that nonsense, Frederica."

"What about the fact that we might not be children of the same mother?"

"Honestly, I think it was a relief. We both know that our mother never loved me, isn't that right? In fact, judging by what she said, we might not even be children of the same father!"

"This is nonsense, Clarisse." Frederica was about to continue the conversation but glanced at her watch.

"My dear, I loved our conversation but I have to go. I have a very important dinner that could change my whole life!"

"Surely it must be very important." Clarisse said with a smile.

"It is. I'll tell you tomorrow. Who knows, maybe I'll spend the night at the Palace"…"

Clarisse was confused.

"Of course, you can spend the night at the Palace whenever you like."

"I know I do I thank you for that but today is different. .."

"I am not understanding you."

"I will tell you. Today I'm having dinner with my future husband!"

"Your future husband? I do not know thing about that. Not even that you were in a relationship."

"And I'm not but I'm going to do everything to become one. I've had a crush on your head of security for some time now. Clarisse, that man is my ideal. He's beautiful. It is sensual, sexy, has a magnificent body. He is polite, magnificent, a gentleman . And dance wonderfully well! And that voice... It makes me daydream. I know he is not in any relationship and I invited him to dinner. You are a lucky girl. You having that man following your every step... I don't understand is how you didn't drag him into your bed." Frederica looked at Clarisse and raised an eyebrow. "You never slept with him, did you?"

Clarisse was speechless.

"I beg your pardon ?"

"Please, don't get mad at me. I already realized that you don't. I'm leaving, I don't want to be late."

C/J

Joseph knew that accepting the invitation had not been a good idea but now things were becoming really difficult to manage. He had tried to keep the conversation as informal as possible throughout dinner, but Frederica continued to flirt with him shamelessly.

"I'm sure there's no woman who can resist you, Joe. I know I can't!"

"Frederica, I appreciate the compliment but we both know better. then that."

Frederica grabbed his hand and laced her fingers through his.

"Joe, what do you think if we explore this chemistry a little better between us?"

And here was what Joseph was really afraid of… Now what? How to tell a beautiful woman that he didn't have the slightest interest in her? Of course he could say 'sorry but I'm in love with your sister'… In love with Clarisse? Where did this come from? Yes, it was obvious that he felt an immense attraction for Clarisse but love? Is it really love? Probably yes. Since leaving the Palace, Joseph couldn't think of anything else... except the Queen.

"It flatters me very much to know that a lonely old man like me receives the attentions of such a beautiful woman but I am a loner. I live for my work and I don't see myself connected to anyone…"

"But I'm not asking you to marry me, Joe. I think we can have fun together, if you know what I mean..."

Joseph pulled her hand and kissed it.

"My dear Frederica, that would never be a good idea. It would end up going bad. And as pleasant as this dinner is proving to be, I'm afraid we're going to have to put an end to it. In half an hour, the shift changes and I have to be at the Palace. I hope you don't take me wrong ." Joseph was lying through his teeth but it was the only way to get rid of Frederica and still have time to go see how Clarisse was doing. However, Frederica was deeply irritated.

"Then we'd better leave. I don't want to leave my sister unprotected."

C/J

Clarisse had already tried everything to fall asleep but in vain.

"But what is the matter with me? He went to dinner with her, so what? " But Clarisse knew perfectly well that what kept her from falling asleep was… jealousy! Yes, she had to admit that she was jealous of her sister. With so many men in the world, why the hell had she chosen Joseph? What if he is also interested in her? What if they actually get married? This thought was enough to make her jump out of bed. It was as if a knot had been thrown in her stomach. She thought that between her and Joseph there was something different. He had always been kind, considerate, concerned about her, a good listener, a good adviser. Whenever his hands rested on the small of her back, it felt like they belonged there. When they danced together, she sensed a possessiveness about him that made her dream that maybe one day… And now he was having dinner with another woman. And it wasn't just any woman. She was a beautiful and elegant woman, rich, younger, single and… Determined to make him her future husband! Clarisse left the bedroom and went into the living room. She sat down on the sofa and asked for tea to be brought. Tea was always a good choice. Whatever happened between Joseph and Frederica, there was nothing she could do. After all, she was the Queen and, for ordinary mortals… Queens don't have feelings.

A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door and Clarisse got up.

"Come in , Olivia ."

The door opened and Joseph entered, carrying a tray of tea.

"Good night, Your …" Joseph looked at Clarisse and almost dropped the tray. Clarisse had left the room without wearing her robe and her nightgown, in black satin, molding all the curves of her body. The lace, also black, on the bodice, let the top of her breasts show. Joseph was unable to speak. He hardly even knew how to breathe.

"Joseph!" Clarisse said, remembering that no man had ever seen her in a nightgown. She wanted to run into the bedroom and put on her robe but she decided not to. Aware that he was staring at the Queen, Joseph lowered his eyes.

" I'm so sorry , your Majesty . I… I thought… I didn't…"

Clarisse let out a laugh.

"Oh Joseph. Give me a few seconds, please." And Clarisse did indeed go to the bedroom to put on her robe, and then came back. Joseph was still standing there, looking at the trey.

"Put the tray down on the table and join me. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, I do. Thank you."

Joseph set down the trey awkwardly and sat down on the end of the couch.

"I apologize, Joseph. I didn't count on you being back at the Palace, much less seeing you today. I am sorry that you saw this old Queen in less than proper attire."

Joseph really had to remember how to breathe. Clarisse's image made the task of controlling some of the natural reactions of the male body a herculean task. Fortunately, the fact that he was sitting down helped to hide certain evidence.

"Clarisse, of one thing I am sure… I will never forget this night!"

" That bad ?" she asked half-laughing, half-seriously, afraid that this incident had forever ruined the eventual possibility of Joseph having feelings for her. Joseph looked at her deeply and she felt a shiver run through her entire body.

"Clarisse, you took my breath away!"

Clarisse didn't answer, but she immediately felt herself blushing. To make sure Joseph didn't notice, she picked up the teapot and filled the cups.

Sooooooo?

What do you think?

30 sec to leave a review, please.

xoxo

Maria