"You're sure this Selection is a good idea, sir?" Blair, Rupert's personal assistant asked as they made their way through the halls of the palace. She was tall and thin with strawberry blonde hair.

"It couldn't have come at a more perfect time." Rupert said as he opened the door to the king's private office, which was his to use until his nephew came of age to rule. "The provinces are rebelling more and more; we need something to distract the people from their poverty and squaller. The Selection is the perfect tool to utilize."

"I suppose so, but this will only work for so long," Blair said.

"Don't worry, we'll be imposing martial law in the areas where rebellions are the strongest." Rupert said as he took his seat in the large mahogany desk. He ran a hand through his dark brown hair. "We won't show any weakness, we will crush these uprisings. These peasants want an end to the castes? We'll show them that the castes are the least of their worries."

Blair nodded, "I'll get right on it, sir. But what about the boy? How does he feel about all of this?"

"He sympathizes with the castes, he has his mother's idealism in him." Rupert sighed. "I'm working on him, I'm going to get him to read Illéa's dairy, maybe that'll knock some sense into him."

"The castes are the glue that holds this country together, he needs to understand that," Blair said. "If he dissolves the castes we'll have anarchy on our hands."

"Bring the boy to me, and Gregory's journal. It's time we had a talk." Rupert said.

"Right away, sir." Blair said as she left the room.

Rupert poured himself a glass of whiskey as he waited for Prince Jeffrey. The boy was strong willed and it would take a lot to get him to listen to reason. He didn't have to wait long, soon the fourteen-year-old was brought into his office with Blair following him behind him. The light brown haired boy didn't look happy to be interrupted from whatever it was he was doing, but he complied all the same.

"Jeffrey, I have an assignment for you." Rupert said as he stood. He held out his hand and Blair handed him Illéa's journal.

"Don't I have enough work to do?" Jeffrey complained.

"You are the future King of Illéa, Jeffrey. Your training starts now. There's rebellions in the provinces and the country is heading down a dangerous road. If we don't get them under control, between the rebels and our war with the German Federation our forces will be stretched too thin." Rupert said firmly as he wrapped an arm around the boy. "You're young and you want to have fun, I understand that. But one of my most important roles as regent is getting you prepared to rule on your own one day, and that training starts with this." He said as he held out Gregory Illéa's journal.

"What's this?" Jeffrey asked as he took the journal and glanced at it.

"It's the journal of Gregory Illéa, the founder of our great nation and your distant cousin. You will read it and submit a report to me with your thoughts on it. It's about time you understand how the castes came to be," Rupert replied.

Jeffrey groaned, more homework? He thought miserably, he had enough lessons to keep up with as it was.

"Why do I have to read it? Can't you just tell me?" Jeffrey asked.

Rupert shook his head, "You need to understand your country's past in order to contribute to its future, you will read the journal. I want a report on it when you're done," Rupert replied.

Jeffrey nodded as he glanced at the thick volume in front of him. This is going to take ages to read, and it's probably boring he thought.

"Very good." Rupert said as he clapped Jeffrey on the back.

"What about the rebellions?" Jeffrey asked. "Have they been handled?"

"There is no need to worry about the pesky little rebels, I have everything under control," Rupert assured the young prince.

"But they're getting worse, I've read the news," Jeffrey insisted, wanting to be included in the decision-making process for once.

"Jeffrey, your job right now is to focus on your studies, leave the country to me," Rupert said.

Jeffrey sighed, "Fine."

"Get started on reading that journal, we'll be discussing it at great length." Rupert instructed as he made his way to his desk.

Jeffrey nodded as he left the room.

"Do you think that will work?" Blair asked. "He still has his mother's influence, she wanted Darren to get rid of the castes as well."

"Leave his mother to me." Rupert said as he leaned back in his chair. He had a plan to keep his charitable sister-in-law from corrupting the young prince's mind any further. He just had to put it into action.

"Don't worry about Jeffrey, I'm sure he'll come around." Rupert said, as he and the Dowager Queen walked through the gardens.

"I just hope that he behaves himself during the Selection." Annalise said as she ran her hand through a bush.

"I'm sure he will," Rupert said. "His training is coming along well, he's excelling in most of his classes and his tutors are very impressed with him."

"He's a bright boy." Annalise said with a proud smile.

"Although I am concerned about some of his anti caste sentiments." Rupert said as he stopped walking. He turned to face Annalise. "I recall a time when you called for their removal as well."

"It just doesn't make sense to me for our people to be divided based on a number," Annalise said. "Everyone should be equal, everyone should have the opportunity to make their own fortunes, choose their own paths. No one should be imprisoned by their caste."

Rupert nodded, "A touching sentiment, but the castes provide order and structure for our society," He argued. "I know the caste system seems unfair, but the castes are what holds our fragile country together. But I don't think either one of us should be influencing Jeffrey's political opinions, but rather let him come to his own conclusions."

A smile played at Annalise's lips, "And is that why you're having him read Gregory's diary?"

"Yes, it's important for him to understand his past so he can make sense of the present," Rupert replied. "Have you read them?"

Annalise shook her head, "No, but my son has told me that you've assigned him some homework. Next time I would like it if you consulted me on this matter."

"My duty is to the realm, dear sister, and I will do anything to protect it, even if that means going behind your back as you perceive it." Rupert said.

"He is my son," Annalise argued.

"And I am Lord Regent, it is my duty to prepare him to rule the country, and that means that he must fully understand his history. I will not budge on this matter," Rupert said firmly.

Annalise sighed, she knew there was little she could do to stop Rupert from pushing his conservative views onto Jeffrey. She had hoped that with her son's reign would come a new era, but now she wasn't so sure. What if he read Gregory's diary and changed his mind about the dissolving the castes?

"The rebellions are getting worse, what pray tell is your plan to address this issue?" Annalise asked. She knew her children were anxious by the worsening attacks, especially Jeffrey who was starting to have nightmares again. Even though he wouldn't admit it, Annalise knew that he was having them.

"I have everything under control, just focus on your Selection," Rupert assured his sister-in-law. "Tomorrow you will address the nation and announce your Selection."

Annalise simply nodded. She hated being pushed aside like this, but even when she was Queen Consort her opinions were often overlooked by her husband, and now his brother was doing the same to her. She sighed as she turned and made her way inside, she was only the Queen Mother now, she had less political pull than she liked and knew that before long there would be little she could do to help her son navigate the murky waters that was Illéa political life.