bluegirl-783: Thank you- well, they´ll find SOME ways to be alone ;) Well, I DO think that pears are very very bad, I despise them, so I´ll make sure to do lots of pear bashing, why couldn´t they have stuck with Meg Cabot´s olive oil idea, I LIKE olive oil- well, however, thank you for reviewing as always :D

Liesel Meminger: Hey- aw, I know that problem, stupid graduation is getting to me- yeah, being creative when it comes to pears is not my strong side, I rather try not to think of them too often... Lol, send me a pic of that shirt, all right? ;)

JUJUChick16: Oh, good, welcome to the club then- I thought it was funny having Clarisse try to get ways around eating pears, I mean they eat them ALL the time, so it must be really stressful to avoid them- Thank you!

green dame: Well, personally I´m absolutely sure they have had an affair ever since they came back from San Francisco, I mean they aren´t teenagers who feel awkward about admitting feelings or about having a sexual relationship, they are both mature adults and I simply can´t see them not living up to their feelings- that´s just my point of view of course but in my stories it´s always fact that they are a couple if the plot is set after the first movie. I´m sorry it took so long, graduation really isn´t fun!

Regina-sp: Aw, thank you so much, please keep reading and reviewing then :D

Sorry for the delay, I´ll try to be quicker again in future!

Clarisse watched Mia pick at her dessert, feeling sorry for the girl.

She had quickly swallowed the few slices of pears that had been on her plate and washed them down with the delicious wine, then had started on the cheese which was much more enjoyable than the pears.

She had stored several boxes of chocolates in her room and was looking forward to have some once she was back upstairs.

She waited until Mia was safely immersed in a discussion with Charlotte before leaning over to Josef.

"How are we going to do this?"

"Easy- I´ll bring some hot chocolate up with me."

Clarisse tried to hide her smile of anticipation and continued to sip her wine until Josef excused himself, wishing them all a pleasant night and announcing that he would have to check the installation of the new cameras that had been delivered that afternoon.

The queen waited for some minutes, then she very obviously stifled a yawn for both Mia and Charlotte to see.

"I think I will go to bed- I´ll see you at half past eight in your riding dress, Mia."

The princess groaned and hid her face in her hands, earning herself a stern glance from the queen.

"Posture, Amelia- Charlotte, I´d like to have the report for my meeting with Sebastian on my desk at eight tomorrow, is that possible?"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"Thank you- goodnight, you two- and Mia, don´t stay up too long, I can´t having you fall off your horse tomorrow."

"Yes, Grandma- sleep tight and don´t let the bedbugs bite you."

"I don´t hope we have those here, Darling but thank you."

--

"Finally, I was starting to wonder if I should come and look for you" Josef teased her as she closed the door behind herself and Clarisse smiled lovingly.

"Very funny, I had to make it convincing that I was tired after all- and I had to remind Mia of her riding lesson in the morning, she was rather determined to forget about it."

"I´m sure you didn´t let her get away with it- so we are in for another hour of fun?"

"Yes, we are- did you bring the hot chocolate?"

"Of course, my Darling- let´s get some chocolate out of your secret hiding place."

The queen smirked as she walked over to her desk and unlocked one of the drawers to take a large box of chocolates out of it before following Josef over to the couch.

"Actually I´m surprised she´s not more enthusiastic, I thought horse- back- riding would be just her thing."

"Well, rocks don´t tend to throw you off I suppose- do you want marshmallows?"

"Of course I do- and yes, I think you are right- perhaps we should get her her own horse."

"You think that would make her warm up to it?"

"She doesn´t have a choice, she has to warm up to it and it might be good if we let her choose a horse she actually likes and that is young enough to learn with her."

Josef nodded slowly while taking a sip of hot chocolate.

"You are having a point- there´s nothing on your schedule except for dinner with the German ambassador, so we could go looking for a horse at your stud farm in the morning and stay most of the day."

"That´s a good idea- I´ll have Mia informed about the change of plans tomorrow, I suppose she´s either on the phone or watching TV now."

"Most likely she is- more chocolate?"

He lifted a piece of nougat out of the box and held it up for Clarisse who took it from him, smiling as the sweet chocolate melted on her tongue.

"The perfect choice" she flirted, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"I always make the perfect choice, you of all people should know about that."

"I´m afraid I can´t follow you" the queen sighed dreamily as she leaned against the sofa, her face resting in her hand.

"Well, there´s this lady- she´s practically perfect and she´s my most perfect choice."

"Oh?"

"Yes- then there´s my job of course- I´d say it´s the most interesting job in the world- and the most important on top of that."

"And what makes it so important?"

"I´m guarding this perfect woman I was talking about."

"What a wonderful coincidence- you are right, you most certainly are good at making perfect choices."

"Would it be another perfect choice if I would kiss you right now?"

"Absolutely."

--

"Good morning, Darling."

"Oh, hi Grandma- why aren´t you dressed yet?"

"I am, we´ve changed our plans- we are going to pick out a horse for you."

"We- what?"

"You have heard quite correctly- I think it´s a good idea, you can bond with your horse, form a real relationship."

"Uh- ok, if you think so- so we are going now?"

"Yes- Josef will be driving us up there."

"You do have normal horses there, right- no mustangs, no Caprice, just a nice horse that likes scared princesses?"

"Don´t worry, Darling, we´ll find just the perfect match for you- now come on, Josef will be waiting for us outside already."

--

"See, they already are best friends" Josef stated, watching the princess talk animatedly to the chestnut next to her.

"Obviously- though I would have preferred it if she hadn´t insisted on naming her after her favorite movie."

"You have never even seen Grease, have you?"

"No- why, have you?"

"I admit I´m guilty- Mia forced me."

Clarisse started to laugh as Josef tried to look hurt but he quickly gave up and joined into her mirth.

"It´s not such a bad movie after all- the music is really good actually."

"Tell that to the poor horse, she had such a nice name and now she´ll have to get used to Sandy."

"She will get over it- we should leave now, it´s getting rather late and I believe you have paper work to do before you change for dinner."

"Yes, I really do- Amelia, come on, say goodbye, we´ll have her brought to the palace tomorrow."

"Sure, Grandma!"

The princess called back while the queen took Josef´s arm and started to walk back towards the limousine waiting for them outside the stables.

Mia caught up with them a few minutes later, looking a lot happier than she had that morning.

"She´s gorgeous, isn´t she- what are we going to do now?"

Josef held open the door for the queen, then accompanied Mia around the car.

"Her Majesty has paper work to do and then I will drive her down to Pyrus for dinner, I believe that leaves you to do whatever you want."

"Oh, fab, I need to call Lily- thanks, Joe."

Josef closed the door behind Mia, then got into the front seat next to the driver.