A/N: It has been a long time between stories, I'm sorry about that- work and writers block hasn't helped- but here we go again!

It was two months after the momentous week that had combined a royal wedding (although not necessarily the wedding and marriage that was expected) and the coronation of a new monarch and, finally, Genovia was finally beginning to settle down.

Her Majesty Queen Amelia Renaldi was finally finding her feet, the transition period having been less difficult than she had expected (thanks to her grandmother, Sebastian Motaz and her uncle), she had already found her feet in parliament and in public appearances, starting with the upgrade of the Pyrus orphanage and, in private, she was getting to know Nicholas Devereaux much better and finding that she really, really did like him, with the feeling that there was the potential was there for it to develop further…

Yes, she was busy (and Mia had to admit that she liked it) but there was another question that she had been pondering in her brief free moments in her busy schedule, and it was about her grandmother and her new husband, her former Head of Security, Joseph Bonnell…

It had been an enormous surprise to Mia- she hadn't suspected anything in the slightest- and while it had taken the country a little while to come around, it was obvious that most of the palace staff had suspected (Charlotte had turned red and started stammering when Mia had questioned her after the wedding) but, all in all, everyone agreed that, after the summer they had experienced, they deserved all the happiness in the world and they had clearly loved each other for a long, long time…

Yes, her grandmother had admitted on the day of the wedding that she had only 'really' loved one man, a man who wasn't her bodyguard but was the second person closest to her, her personal bodyguard and Mia had been very surprised (although, in retrospect, she wondered whether she hadn't really had an inkling, considering how close they were, that they had a dance at each formal gathering Mia had attended) but admiring as well-, they were clearly very clever and very discreet…

But she couldn't help but wondering about their relationship, starting when they had first met and how they had taken to each other… was it love at first sight, or something different?

Mia couldn't imagine that it had been love at first sight- Joe had been her personal bodyguard for close to 40 years and it would have been difficult for them to keep their feelings to themselves, particularly as, Mia knew, her grandmother took her marriage vows very, very seriously and Joseph had always been seriously professional and protective of the Queen, but yet… Mia was still very interested in 'their story', or just the barest details, she didn't want to know more intimate details of the relationship… but how could she ask them? Should she ask them?

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Meanwhile, Clarisse Renaldi Bonnell was in love, almost like a teenager giddy with love, who didn't care who knew it, although she only cared that the people that really meant a lot to her knew and approved.

It was still difficult to believe, even two months on, that she and Joseph were actually married, actually 'allowed' to be together (not that they were seeking permission from anyone!) and that it had seemingly been accepted by the country… it was almost as if she expected it all to collapse or she was going to wake up and find out it had all been a beautiful dream…

"You're too pessimistic," Mia, Joseph and Pierre had all informed her over the years, in different circumstances, but Clarisse herself considered herself a realist, which she considered an important quality when being queen of a country. But, there was another side of that wished that she was less realist, more optimist.

"You are an optimist in many ways," Joseph had reassured her when she had confessed her thoughts.

"But not in the same way as you, Mia, Pierre and definitely not like Pierre," she had replied, hating herself for being vulnerable- she had been taught (and learnt the hard way through her marriage to Rupert Renaldi) that showing vulnerability was the worst thing she could do- but Joseph had chuckled slightly as he wrapped his arms around her.

"No, not like the rest of us, but I wouldn't want you any other way," he murmured into her ear before slowly turning her in his arms.

Clarisse smiled at the thought as she gazed out the suite windows at her garden- autumn was passing, winter was approaching, and she knew that the gardens weren't as lush as they were in summer, but she still loved the scene and looking out. It was something she had done occasionally when she had needed a break from paperwork, but hadn't had the opportunity, really, for the past few months (especially over the summer) but now she had the luxury of being able to do it whenever she wanted…

"Hello, my dear wife," suddenly came from the doorway and Clarisse turned to see Joseph, wearing black trousers and grey shirt, but no tie (at Clarisse's insistence), walking slowly towards her, giving her the same, familiar, warm, sexy smile.

"Daydreaming again, my dear?" he said, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Queens do not daydream," she said with mock hauteur but she was smiling at him.

"Maybe not, but former Queens do… so, what were you thinking about?"

"How much I enjoy looking out in my gardens, even when it's autumn or winter."

"Yes, you do have a lovely view from the gardens."

"Remember how you used to find following me around the gardens irritating?" Clarisse teased as she turned to him with a smile.

"I remember nothing of the sort," Joseph pretended to feign ignorance but the twinkle in his eyes told her that he remembered.

"Yes, you do. You used to slouch and scowl and mutter into your radio as you followed me around the garden."

"Well… maybe it got a little boring when I first started on the job…."

"You were expecting to guard the King, I know, and you found out that you were guarding me instead, I can understand your disappointment."

"Disappointment that I soon got over," he said, raising her hand to his lips. "I discovered it was far more fascinating to guard the Queen," he looked at her meaningfully and Clarisse couldn't help but blush at his gaze.

"How fortunate for me," she managed to say with a coy smile.

"How fortunate for both of us," he emphasised the words. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

"Indeed we have," she agreed as she leaned back into his arms and they gazed back into the darkening garden.

"Do you remember the first time we met?"

"Do I remember? Do I remember? You bet I do…" Clarisse couldn't help but chuckle ruefully- that had definitely a meeting to remember!