Chapter Text
"Your Majesty?"
Asked Charlotte, walking into not very big office in Genovian consulate in San Francisco.
"Yes?"
"Considering what have happened few days prior, there are some people who are more than willing to interview you ma'am. One of them is.."
Charlotte made a short break to gather her thoughts. After all the Dragon Lady had had some reputation - even in Genovia.
"Well one of them is Miranda Priestly from Runway."
Clarisse raised her head sharply, already feeling pain in her neck, when she heard the infamous surname. Of course she knew who silver haired woman was. They had known each other - a little bit too well.
"What does she want?"
Queen tried her best not to lose her facade which she had been building all life, since that awful evening decades ago.
"Erm, she wants, I think.."
"You are rambling, Charlotte."
"I am sorry"
The younger woman apologised, giving 'Ice Queen' gentle smile.
"She wants an interview and photo shoots, ma'am."
She continued, feeling slightly nervous.
While everyone knew that after King Rupert 'King Rupert may he rest in peace" passed away and her son Philippe had died in terrible car accident, Queen would never give an interview - not to mention photo shoot - only Miranda fucking Priestly could be bold enough to ask for it.
"Could you please put me on line with her, though I will take the call in my suite?"
That was the last thing Clarisse wanted to do. Last time they spoke things got a bit complicated. Walking towards her chamber, Clarisse's mind wander to the last time they had seen each other.
Her long blond hair was hanging loosely down her back and hot tears were running down her face like little drops of rain which had been running down the glass. Her heart was breaking, her head pounding and still she hadn't said a word. Taking a sip of her tea she quickly brushed her tears away and put her best smile on.
Asked younger woman, who just got up from bed. She took small steps towards Clarisse who sat on the large windowsill.
"Me? Oh nothing, just thinking about this and that."
She smiled, tagging younger's woman hair behind her ears.
"Clari, I know you. You don't possibly think, I would have believed that rubbish, do you?"
Clarisse's heart started beating faster, knowing that her answer would destroyed every beautiful moment they had shared. She stood up and draw younger woman closer to her body. After a second, or two, her lips touched the other's. It was not passionate kiss nor was it fast. That was that one which said more that million words
Asked Miranda, trying to hold her sadness away from her already trembling voice.
"I have suspected from some time. I only got to know few weeks ago. I am getting married... to..soon-to-be King of Genovia"
Her voice tighten and few lonely tears went down her pale face. Without saying a word, Miranda turned around and disappeared.
When she arrived, she made herself comfortable on the armchair, taking off her shoes. Everything sounded so surreal, why would Miranda want to talk with her now? Clarisse knew that this damn interview was just an excuse for her. Since that evening years ago they both decided to finish the chapter between them. Was that love? She felt the butterflies in her stomach every time Miranda had touched her, she was happy every time she had heard her lovely voice. She was herself – Clarisse Bonnet, not Lady Clarisse everyone else wanted her to be.
"Hello?" She asked, picking up the phone.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
Miranda's voice was cold. It became as cold as Clarisse's voice.
"Good morning, Miranda. What do you want from me, if I may ask?"
Her voice was shaking, on the edge of crying.
"You do know what I want Clarisse..."
Shiver went down Queen's spine, hearing those words. The same words she had heard all those years ago.
"Clarisse?"
Soft voice called after her when she was leaving university's library.
"Would you like to come for a night cup to my room tonight?"
Miranda gave her the brightest smile, showing her perfectly white teeth.
"Yes.. I'd like that very much." Clarisse answers, turning to leave.
Her mind was on fire. She was excited, happy and bloody well nervous. Yes, they had flirted a little bit and sometimes touched hands - but until that night it was everything they'd done. Couple of hours later Clarisse knocked gently on Miranda's doors feeling as if she was going to die with excitement. After few seconds Miranda opened the door with the most amazing smile future Queen had ever seen.
"I am so happy you came!"
She smiled, hugging her friend.
“Yes, me too.”
She answered , walking through the doors.
Clarisse could feel her heart burning her chest and blood running through her veins , making her blush.
“Are you okay”
“Erm yeah, I am okay. I am sorry. That was some crazy day today.”
She smiled, sitting down on the floor like they used to do it all the time.
“Cup of tea, coffee or do we actually want wine?”
“Wine maybe? I don't feel like like tea today. Which, yes I know, is very surprising.”
Both women laughed softly, looking into each others' eyes.
They had known each other from University, even though there was few years between them. They both had studied History of Art and Political Science. They had met on the opening of exhibition about Genovian art. Clarisse being only true Genovian by that time at University host the event and they talked. Longer they had previously thought. About art. About history. About life. And about love. Shortly after they had become best friends...
“Yes, wine sounds best.”
Said Miranda, pouring them both glass of red wine. She sat next to Clarisse, crossing her ankles.
They hadn't felt the need for talking. They felt comfortable in each other company and sometimes silence was the best music that one could dream of. Loud heartbeats, labor breathing , blood running through the veins.
“What do you want Mirada, if I may ask?”
Bonnet asked, looking at her friends from behind her long lashes.
“You do know what I want Clarisse. More than anyone. And...”
She stopped taking her glass away from between Clarisse's fingers.
“and you want it too.”
Miranda brushed older woman hair away from her forehead and gently touched with her fingertips. Clarisse's skin was on fire. Her whole body was on fire, she could feel how red her cheeks are, how her hands are shaking, because suddenly she became wanton. Wet and wanton for young brunette named Miranda Priestly.
“God help me, I do.”
She closed the distance between them, kissing her softly parted lips. Within a moment the kiss become more fanatic and arousing.
“Well, it would be easier if you told me what you want because I am in no mood for guessing, Mrs Priestly.”
Anger had overwhelmed her voice, when she tried her best to sound normal and relaxed. But Clarisse could feel that she was “losing it”.
“What would you tell for a lunch so I could explain everything?'
“Fine but I am bloody well not flying in to New York just because you want to have lunch. I have work to do, as now whole world knows.”
“I am in San Francisco, as a matter of fact. Business trip but I thought I could come and say hi for the old friendship sake.”
Miranda smirked, and played with her short silver coloured hair.
“Tonigh. I am too busy through the day. Amelia needs help and I frankly have short time to get her ready.”
Said Clarisse, knowing that it would be a very long day ahead.
“Okay, meet me and Four Season. I will be waiting. And Clarisse? I am sorry for your lost...”
“Yes, thank you. See you then.”
She hung up on the phone, feeling hot tears running down her face.
'This is not good idea Clarisse.' She thought to herself, pouring fresh made tea into delicate china.