Annalise Schreave smiled at her children, she had gathered them into the Women's Room for a special announcement. They sat in the centre of the room, Annalise and her brother-in-law Rupert sat on one couch, and her sons Jeffrey and Callum sat across from them.
"Boys, I know it's been hard on you since your father's death," Annalise started as she tucked her brown hair behind her ear. "But I was thinking it's time that we move on, it's been five years since your father passed, and I think it's about time that I host a Selection."
She watched both of her sons reactions closely. Callum, her ten-year-old thought for a moment before he smiled and nodded. Her fourteen-year-old, Jeffrey, on the other hand scowled.
"No," Jeffrey said. He crossed his arms. "I don't want you to hold a Selection."
"Jeffrey, I know this is hard for you but-"
"But what? You don't care what I think and you're going to do it anyway?" Jeffrey snapped.
"Don't talk to your mother like that," Rupert scolded.
Jeffrey rolled his eyes and slumped in his seat, "Whatever."
"I think it's a good idea," Callum pipped up. "I mean, I miss dad and everything but I wouldn't mind having a stepdad."
"Traitor," Jeffrey muttered under his breath.
"Jeff, I know this is hard for you, you and your father were very close." Annalise said as she rested a hand on her son's knee. "But I need to move on. I need to meet someone, I need to have another husband."
Jeffrey sighed and rubbed his face, "Are you asking us, or are you telling us?"
"I'm telling you," Annalise said firmly. She had put herself aside and put her children first for five long lonely years. She had been a wonderful mother in the midst of her grief, and she wasn't even sure how she did it. Now it was time for her children to sacrifice for her, no matter how hard it would be.
"You can't honestly expect your mother to spend the rest of her life as a widow," Rupert spoke up.
"That's not what I'm saying," Jeffrey said, getting frustrated. "I just don't want her to host a Selection."
"Jeffrey, sweetheart, I know this is going to be a big change for you, but it's time we moved on." Annalise said as she gave his knee a little squeeze.
Jeffrey sighed, "Then host your damn Selection."
"Watch your language," Annalise scolded.
"Can I go now?" Jeffrey asked as he stood.
"Go do your homework," Rupert said with a sigh.
Jeffrey rolled his eyes as he left the room. He slammed the door shut behind him and Annalise frowned.
"He'll come around," Rupert said.
"I hope so." Annalise said with a sigh. She wasn't sure how she expected her children to take the news of her Selection, but this wasn't what she had in mind. She had hoped that they would be supportive of her endeavor to find a new husband and was glad that Callum seemed to be on board.
Later that afternoon, Jeffrey was in the gardens, throwing stones into the pond when his uncle approached him. He couldn't believe his mother would host a Selection without his approval. He felt so betrayed, he didn't want a stepfather, things were fine the way they were. He wasn't ready for his whole life to get turned upside down again.
"I want you to apologize to your mother." Rupert said as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"Why?" Jeffrey demanded as he threw another stone. "She's the one trying to replace dad!"
Rupert placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, "She's not trying to replace your father, no one can do that."
"Then why the hell is she hosting a Selection?" Jeffrey asked angrily.
Rupert cuffed him on the side of the head, "Language," he scolded. "Listen, I watched your mother put you and your brother first for years, she was hurting but she kept it all inside to be strong for you two. Now it's your time to be strong for your mother. I don't care if you're unhappy about this, but you will support your mother in this Selection and you will be a gracious host to your guests."
Jeffrey rolled his eyes, "Her guests. I want nothing to do with them."
"Listen to me, young man," Rupert said firmly as he gave Jeffrey's shoulder a little squeeze. "You will do as you're told, you are the future king of Illéa, you will not sulk like a child whose toy got taken away from him. I expect more from you. You will set a good example for your brother and you will conduct yourself accordingly."
Jeffrey sighed as he crossed his arms, "I'm not sulking."
"Yes, you are, and it stops now," Rupert said as he removed his hand from the teen's shoulder. "Go get ready for dinner."
"I'll take dinner in my room." Jeffrey said indifferently.
"No, you will join your family in the dining hall, you will not sit in your room and pout because you didn't get your way." Rupert said firmly.
Jeffrey glared at him, "You can't tell me what to do."
"I can until you turn eighteen, go wash up for dinner." Rupert said, unaffected by the boy's attitude.
Jeffrey sighed and made his way indoors and Rupert followed after him. He knew the boy would come around eventually, it was just a matter of time.