Let me explain the reason for my absence… My father passed away last October and I was unable to write again…

I want to thank everyone who continues to read, favorite and follow this story.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Kisses

Maria

C/J

Catherine remained in the operating room during the five hours that the surgery lasted. Despite not intervening in any clinical procedure, it had been the Queen's express wish and none of the other doctors objected or even showed displeasure. Pierre had also stayed at the Hospital. He was truly worried about Joseph and, on the other hand, he didn't want to leave his aunt alone. It was already past seven in the afternoon when Dr. Watson and Catherine came out of the operating room and joined Pierre.

"Prince Pierre, we have good news! The operation was a success! The bleeding was stopped and the tumor completely removed and, I am sure, without any complications for Sir Joseph!"

Pierre breathed a sigh of relief and, without hesitation, hugged the old doctor and his aunt.

"Thank you Dr. Watson and Dr. Catherine. I will always be grateful to you."

"I did nothing!" Catherine said with a smile.

"Of course you did. More than you can imagine! Dr. Watson, when can Joseph be transferred to the Palace?"

"I would like to have him under observation and to make sure that there are not going to be any complications, at least for three days."

"For sure. We will arrange for him to go to the palace in three days. Will he be able to receive visitors here?"

"Not today, but from tomorrow yes."

"Dr. Watson, I ask that you restrict his visits to just five people: my mother, Lady Catherine, myself, Charlotte and Scott. Nobody else! Joseph's recovery is very important to us. I don't even want to consider the possibility of receiving a visit that would increase his stress levels and cause any setback in his recovery."

"Don't worry, Your Highness. And within three days he will be in the safety of the Palace. Shall I inform Your Majesty of how the operation proceeded?"

"Yes please. My mother will ask a ton of questions that I don't know how to answer."

Indeed, Clarisse bombarded the doctor with every possible question about the operation and Joseph's recovery. When Pierre and Catherine entered the office, Clarisse was hanging up the phone, got up and hugged them both.

"Oh Mommy, poor Dr. Watson. You were on the phone with him for more than twenty minutes!" Pierre said, hugging his mother.

"I'm so relieved. Thank you for staying there. And thank you Catherine! You can't imagine how much safer I felt having you there!"

"The truth is, I didn't do anything, Clarisse. I was just looking…"

"But you were there and that means the world to me."

"Mommy, within three days, Joseph can be transferred to the palace…" Clarisse became visibly uncomfortable.

"I don't think he will want to return to the Palace."

"Of course he will. This is his house."

"Pierre, he told me more then once that he wasn't going to stay and that his decision was well considered. He stated that he would not be under the same roof as Mabrey…"

"I know, Mommy. But the circumstances were different."

Clarisse sat on the sofa and so did Pierre and Catherine.

"He's going to need all the support he can get."

"I know, Pierre, but Joseph is a stubborn man who doesn't like to depend on anyone. I don't want him to feel obligated to stay when he's recovered."

"I understand that but sending him home or letting him stay in the hospital doesn't seem like a sensible thing to do…"

"Obviously he won't be on his own. He will have the best doctors and nurses assisting him."

"But it is not the same…"

Clarisse got up and went to the window. For a few minutes, she just stared at the garden, without saying a word. Catherine and Pierre remained silent, knowing perfectly well the whirlwind of feelings that Clarisse was feeling.

"Very well then. He will stay at the Palace until he can return home without any risk to his health." And without waiting for a response from either of them, she left the office, leaving Pierre and Catherine not knowing what to say.

C/J

The next day, much to Clarisse's consternation, almost all the newspapers echoed a story told by one of Mabrey's friends. He had called all the newspapers, without identifying himself, saying that he had been a witness to an attack that Lady Frederica had suffered. He had told the newspapers that a group of Genovians had vehemently protested against the American Heir to the Throne of Genovia and that Lady Frederica had fiercely defended Princess Amelia. One of the protesters tried to attack her and Joseph got in front of his girlfriend. Of course all the newspapers made the subject the main headline, especially the part where Joseph is Frederica's boyfriend.

"This is ridiculous!" Scott said, throwing the newspaper on the desk.

"Ridiculous or not, it's the topic of the day. Protesters against the Princess… Frederica defends the Princess… Joseph defends Frederica… Joseph is Frederica's boyfriend… Joseph ends up in the hospital at risk of death… I don't even want to think about how Her Majesty will react."

"What will I react to, Charlotte?" Clarisse asked, entering the office and almost giving them both a heart attack.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. I didn't hear you come in."

"I noticed that." Clarisse replied with a smile. "What were you talking about?"

"About the newspapers, Your Majesty…"

Clarisse sat in front of the stack of newspapers and for a few minutes, she remained silent, reading the complete nonsense that the newspapers decided to publish. Charlotte and Scott looked at her in silence. None even dared to comment on the news. Not that it was necessary to make any comment but the silence in the office was too heavy. At least, no one suspected that Joseph had left the Palace and that, in some way, comforted Clarisse. Furthermore, the fact that the newspapers spoke of an alleged relationship between Joseph and Frederica would take away some strength from the blackmail that Pamela was carrying out. Clarisse put down the newspapers and her glasses. What a terrible way to start the day…

"I believe that this whole circus has the hand of Mabrey and Pamela. Amélia has not yet visited Genovia and they are trying to undermine public opinion against her. Please Charlotte, call the Press Secretary. I think we have to start thinking about the best way to discredit this charade. In three weeks Amélia is coming to Genovia for the first time and I want my people to welcome her with an open heart. She deserves an opportunity to show how charming and adorable she is."

"Of course Your Majesty."

"And Scott, prepare everything. I plan to visit Joseph before lunch time."

"But… Your Majesty…"

"Scott, Joseph has been my best friend for decades. The latest events don't make me forget that or that my best friend is fighting for his life in the hospital bed."

"But he left the Palace. Left you alone, Your Majesty. I thought…"

"I'm not like him, Scott. I won't turn away. Within two days he will be transferred to the Palace. Please ensure that his suite will have everything necessary for his complete recovery. If he wants to return to his house in the meantime, he will, obviously. But as long as he is dependent on others in his recovery, I believe this will be the best place for him to be. I'll change my clothes and be back in thirty minutes. Then we'll go to the hospital!" Clarisse's tone of voice left no room for any objections. She got up and left the office. The tears threatened to betray her and flow freely and Clarisse would not allow that. Not in front of her staff. In fact, not in front of anyone. The guards stationed in front of her suite barely had time to open the doors. Contrary to what she always did, Clarisse walked past them without saying a word. She passed through the living room and entered the private bedroom before hearing the suite doors close. She entered the bathroom, leaned against the door and let herself slide until she was sitting on the floor... And she cried. She cried what she should have cried when Joseph left the Palace. What she must have cried the day he collapsed in front of her. But most of all, she cried as she should have cried the day she realized she was hopelessly in love with him.

C/J

Pierre accompanied his mother to the hospital. Catherine didn't want to take the risk that, for some reason, someone would notice some similarity between the two. Since the newspapers came out that morning, the press camped next to the hospital as no member of the press was allowed entry. Scott had been warned about Frederica's presence inside the hospital and that she was causing a real scandal after being prevented from entering the floor where Joseph was hospitalized. Fiercely faithful to the Queen, he took care to make Clarisse go up in the elevator for the exclusive use of medical personnel, thus preventing the sisters from crossing paths. Joseph was still unconscious. Clarisse entered the room accompanied by Dr. Watson. Rupert and Philippe 's deaths were too present and the good Doctor didn't want to leave her alone. Clarisse entered first and stopped a few steps away from the bed. Seeing Joseph like this made her sick. Almost to the point of making her vomit. Dr. Watson noticed and approached her slowly.

"He will be fine, Your Majesty." He whispered. Clarisse closed her eyes and remained silent for a few seconds.

"He's my best friend, Dr. Watson. I can't lose him too!"

C/J

Even before he opened his eyes, he smelled her perfume... Sweet, soft, intoxicating. Slowly, he opened his eyes, trying to remember where he was. His vision was blurred, his head was spinning... He tried to sit up in bed but couldn't. Was he drunk? But what the hell was going on? He tried to sit down again but the result was the same. He closed his eyes again and took a deep breath.

"Don't try to get up yet. You've been unconscious for five days. It's natural that you don't feel well."

"Clarisse? Where are you? Where am I? What is going on?"

Clarisse pulled out the chair and sat down next to him.

"You're in your suite. Five days ago you had a brain hemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery."

"Am I in the Palace? Why can't I see you clearly?"

"Yes, you are. It is normal for your vision to take a few hours before you can see normally. In addition to having been unconscious for a long time, you were heavily sedated to aid your recovery. I must also tell you that the doctors managed to remove the tumor completely."

"Did he tell you?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, I only found out when you were at death's door."

"Forgive me, I know I should have told you…"

"That's not important right now."

"And why am I here?"

"Although the operation was a success and you will most likely not have any after-effects, the early stages of recovery are essential. I believe that here you have everything you need for your complete recovery. Staying in the hospital or alone at home didn't seem acceptable to me. But, obviously, you are free to leave the Palace whenever you wish." Clarisse answered him calmly, as if she were talking to any member of staff. Not coldly but distantly, with the walls very high around her.

Joseph did not respond. Little made sense at this point. Clarisse stood up and took the chair. "You have a nursing team near you 24 hours a day. Anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask. Now rest. The only thing that really matters is your recovery. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Clarisse…"

Joseph saw Clarisse's silhouette go to the door, stop for a second and leave. The pain he felt wasn't in his head, it was in his chest. Oh God, how much he loves this woman. And what he wouldn't give to be able to feel her hands on his cheek. To be able to feel her lips… Even if it was just once! You were stupid, old man. There are things that, once broken, can no longer be fixed…

Please, let me know what you think.

Kisses

Maria