Annalise straightened out Jeffrey's tie, then smooth down the shoulders of his blazer. Jeffrey frowned as she did so and Annalise pulled him into a tight hug.
"I know this is hard for you, Jeff, but I need to do this for me," Annalise said softly.
"Mom, let go!" Jeffrey complained as he looked around the studio, people were looking.
Annalise smiled as she pulled away and planted a kiss on Jeffrey's forehead, careful not to smudge any lipstick.
"Gross," Jeffrey complained as Annalise turned her attention to Callum. She straightened out his suit and fixed his tie then gave him a hug, which Callum returned with a small smile.
"You two look so handsome," Annalise said with a smile.
"You look really pretty too, mom," Callum said.
Annalise grinned as she looked down at her dark purple dress. It was a light and flowy dress with a slit in the thigh, making Annalise look like the mature and renowned Queen that she was.
"Do you have to do this?" Jeffrey asked. "It's not too late to back out now…"
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but my decision is final." Annalise said, her smile faltering slightly. She had hoped Jeffrey would be on board and made a mental note to spend more time with him before everything started.
Jeffrey frowned and turned away from his mother. Annalise frowned, "Jeff-" she started to say, but stopped when Rupert approached.
"It's almost time, are you ready?" Rupert asked. He placed a hand on Jeffrey's shoulder, but the fourteen-year-old shrugged him off.
Annalise nodded as she gave Jeffrey one last glance, she felt bad for going through with this knowing how much it bothered him, but she knew that if she didn't do it now then she never would. Rupert gave Jeffrey a stern look and Jeffrey averted his gaze.
"Let's just get this over with." Jeffrey said with a sigh.
The royal family took their seats on the platform in the studio. Rupert and Annalise took their seats on the middle of the platform while Jeffrey sat beside his uncle and Callum sat beside his mother. Jeffrey slumped in his seat, but with one look from Rupert he straightened up and looked every bit the prince he was, though his frown gave away his discontent at his situation.
Rupert kicked off The Report with announcements from the crown, updating the citizens on the various rebellions as well as their government's plan to address them. He also updated the people on the war with the German Federation, which everyone listened to eagerly. He downplayed both events and assured the people that everything was under control. Jeffrey hung on every word he said, and Annalise wanted to reach out and reassure him of his safety, but from where she sat she couldn't, she also didn't want to embarrass him on national television.
"And now, we have a very special message from my sister-in-law," Rupert said. He stepped down from the podium and took his seat beside Jeffrey. Annalise smiled as she approached the podium. The microphone was adjusted to her height and she smoothed out her dress before she addressed the nation.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Annalise said into the microphone. "I am very pleased to announce that after much thought and consideration I will be hosting a Selection." Annalise paused to take a breath. "This is something that I have thought long and hard about, as you all know we lost my beloved husband in a rebel attack five years ago, and I have decided that it's time for me to remarry. I am looking to welcome someone new into my life and into my family, which is why I will be inviting the men of Illéa between the ages of thirty-seven and forty-five to compete for my hand in marriage. If you are interested in applying to my Selection please fill out your application form and drop it off at your local post office." She finished with a smile. She stepped down from the podium and took her seat with her family. That concluded the report and the royal family stood as soon as the cameras went off.
"Can I take dinner in my room?" Jeffrey asked as he crossed his arms.
"Of course you can, sweet heart," Annalise said, before Rupert could respond. "But I want to talk to you before bed."
"Do we have to?" Jeffrey asked with a sigh.
"Yes, we do," Annalise replied. She ruffled her son's hair and smirked when he groaned and pushed her hand away.
"Stop it, I'm not a baby." Jeffrey said as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. He walked off and Rupert sighed.
"You shouldn't let him sulk," Rupert said. He watched Jeffrey leave with a frown.
"He's dealing with a lot," Annalise said. She glanced at Rupert, "I can parent my children just fine, thank you very much."
"If he was just your child, I'd drop it. But that's the future king of Illéa we're talking about, I need more time with him." Rupert said. "I would like to start tutoring him on matters of state."
"Absolutely not, he's only fourteen!" Annalise objected. Rupert got away with enough, Annalise didn't need Jeffrey spending countess hours a day with him. Her son wasn't his puppet to mold. "I know exactly what you're planning, Rupert." She accused as she pointed a finger at him.
"He has to learn it at some point, Annalise." Rupert said as they walked towards the dining hall.
"All of this can wait," Annalise said firmly. "He's already reading Gregory Illéa's diary which I do not approve of." She had given him enough sway with her son.
"As you wish," Rupert said with a strained smile. He would just have to find another way to get through to the Crown Prince.
Later that evening Annalise went to her son's room, she opened the door and frowned at the sight of him propped out in bed reading and taking notes on Gregory Illéa's diary. She knocked on the door and Jeffrey looked up at her with the ghost of a smile.
"Hi, sweetie," Annalise greeted as she entered the room.
"Hi, mom," Jeffrey said as he sat up in bed.
Annalise sat on the edge of the bed, "I think it's time that we had a talk."
Jeffrey nodded as he closed his book.
"I know that you're not ready for me to host a Selection, and I really wish that you were," Annalise said. She reached out for his hand, but Jeffrey pulled it away.
"I just don't want you to replace dad," Jeffrey said as he stared at his blankets.
Annalise sighed slightly, "I'm not replacing your father, Jeffrey, no one can do that." She said as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "But I do need to move on and remarry, it's been five long years and I've been so lonely. I need an ally in this palace."
Jeffrey frowned, "Fine, have your Selection, but don't expect me to be on board with this."
"I have the basic expectation that you will behave yourself," Annalise said. "I won't marry someone you hate, but you need to at least give my suitors a chance."
"I don't want to give them a chance!" Jeffrey exclaimed.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but you don't have a say in the matter." Annalise said sternly. "I expect you to put your best foot forward when it comes to meeting my Selected, I want you on your best behaviour."
"Whatever," Jeffrey said as he laid back in his bed. He crossed his arms, this wasn't fair, he didn't want his mother to remarry.
"Jeffrey, how are you doing?" Annalise asked tenderly. She was concerned by the large bags under his eyes. "You've been even more distant lately, are you having nightmares again?"
Jeffrey shook his head, "I just haven't been sleeping well."
"Is there anything you want to talk about?"
Jeffrey shook his head again.
"At least let me get you a sleep aid," Annalise said gently.
"Fine," Jeffrey relented.
Annalise placed a kiss on his forehead and grinned as Jeffrey groaned.
"Mom, stop it!" he complained.
"I've made an appointment with your therapist, I want you to start seeing him again," Analise said softly as she stroked her son's hair.
"I guess that's a good idea." Jeffrey admitted with a sigh.
"Thank you, darling." Annalise said with a smile.
She stood and made her way out of the room with a sigh. She wished her son would open up to her more, but he was a closed book. She just wished there was some way to get through to him, but his therapist seemed to be able to do just that and she would rather him talk to a paid professional than no one at all.