Chapter 4: Christmas 2001
December 24, 2001
At the Libet Winter Palace, preparations were in full swing. A huge fir tree had been set up in the hall, another in the living room, there were garlands everywhere and ribbons were strategically scattered as well. Joseph was on his way to the Queen's suite. As he entered, he saw her sitting at her desk and she was smiling at him.
"Hello Joseph."
"Your Majesty. Merry Christmas." Joseph said as he took her hand to guide her to the sofa in his suite, then kissed her tenderly.
"Merry Christmas to you too, my dear Joseph." She replied, smiling.
"I thought I'd give you my Christmas present now." Joseph added.
"Already, but a gift exchange is planned with Mia, Pierre and the employees tonight."
"Yes, I have a gift for that exchange too. But since we have to be discreet about our feelings for each other, I thought it was better this way."
"Considerate." She commented before kissing him tenderly.
Joseph pulled out a pretty little flat box, made of blue velvet.
"Here it is, my dear." He said, wrapping his arm around her hip.
"Oh Joseph."
She opened the box and gasped.
"Oh wow Joseph looks absolutely gorgeous."
The box contained a silver pendant necklace, with a beautiful sapphire, surrounded by small diamonds, as a pendant.
"When I saw it, I immediately thought of you. I know how much you appreciate sapphires, I couldn't help myself. And since I know it wouldn't be appropriate for me to give you such a gift, I'm giving it to you now, out of sight. » Joseph said as he tied the pendant around Clarisse's neck.
"Thank you Joseph." Clarisse said before moving towards him for another kiss.
"Now, Your Majesty, how about we go see the big decorated trees downstairs?"
"Are they finished?"
"Yes, everyone worked very hard." Joseph said as he placed his hand on Clarisse's lower back to guide her through the castle walls.
Later, after the Christmas Eve meal, the employees and the royal family were all gathered in the large living room of the castle. They were all chatting over drinks. Some of the employees were on vacation in their family, but there were always several who stayed. Of course, they were entitled to a bonus for their presence. Prince Pierre stood up to speak.
"Well, everyone, I suggest we start our gift exchange now, then it will be time for the big Christmas Eve toast."
Several gifts had been given, when it was Clarisse's turn to give a gift, Joseph's.
"Here is for you, Joseph." She said, giving him a beautifully wrapped box.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He carefully unwrapped the gift. Inside, he pulled out a dreamcatcher that was obviously handmade.
"I got this from a native craft store we visited on our last trip to Canada. It is authentic and handmade. Apparently, the turquoise stones inside the net prevent accidents. I thought it would be perfect in your new Jaguar." »
"I think I'm already looking forward to my next vacation in Spain to go and install it. Thank you, Majesty, it's magnificent."
"Is your Jaguar there?" Pierre asked, interested.
"Yes, it's stored in the garage of my mother's house. It's more useful to me there than here. Here I travel in the royal vehicles. It's part of the perks of my job." Joseph explained.
"You'll have to come and show it to us one day Joe." Shades said.
"I wouldn't fail to do so." He replied.
Joseph took out what was left in the box. A nice pale gray Hermès shirt.
"You've been wearing black for too long. But I took care to choose a color that would suit you, besides black I mean."
Joseph smiled at the reference.
"Thank you Majesty, I think this has just become my favorite shirt.
It was then Joseph's turn to hand over his gift for Clarisse.
Clarisse carefully unwrapped the box. She then took out a pretty three-wick candle with a wooden lid. She read the label.
"Spanish Autumn." She said before smelling the candle.
"Oh, but what a delicious smell. Thank you Joseph, I love it."
"This is a handmade candle that I got from an artisan in the north of Spain. The smell reminds me a lot of the smell of the northern Spanish forests in autumn. I knew you would like it." Joseph explained.
Clarisse then took out a beautiful scarf. She recognized it immediately.
"Oh Joseph, it's the scarf from that Spanish designer that I saw in that magazine the other day."
"Yes, I knew you wanted it, so the last time I visited my family, I jumped at the chance."
"Thank you Joseph, these are fantastic gifts."