Jeffrey laid on his bed with his earbuds in listening to music. He sighed as he rolled onto his side, his uncle had been on him lately about preparing him to run the nation. He wanted to be more involved or at least shadow a meeting or something. But instead, Uncle Rupert would lecture him about why the castes are important and other conservative views. He was tired of it and just needed some time to recharge. He sighed as he realised he should probably read one of the books his uncle had gotten for him. He sat up in bed and frowned when he saw Callum digging through some of his stuff.
"Hey!" Jeffrey shouted as he removed his earbuds. "Get out of my room!"
Jeffrey watched as Callum grabbed something, then ran out of the room. What did he take? Jeffrey thought as he jumped to his feet. He booked it after Callum, who was halfway down the hall.
"Get back here!" Jeffrey yelled as he followed his brother.
"Cut it out!" a guard yelled.
Jeffrey ignored him as he kept running after his younger brother, eventually he cornered Callum. Jeffrey wrapped an arm around Callum's neck, trapping him in a headlock.
"Let go!" Callum shouted.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of my room?!" Jeffrey yelled as he tightened his grip. Callum tried to push his brother away to no avail. "What did you take?" Jeffrey demanded as a guard appeared in the corner of the hallway.
"Release your brother, Prince Jeffery," the guard commanded.
"Not until he gives back whatever he took!" Jeffrey exclaimed.
"Fine, I'll give it back!" Callum said.
Jeffrey released his hold on Callum and Callum took a step back. He dug into his pocket and pulled a pocketknife with a wooden cover with the initials D.S. engraved into it.
"That was dad's!" Jeffrey said angrily as he snatched it back. "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch my stuff!" He went to shove Callum, but the guard stepped in between the two boys.
"I just wanted to look at it!" Callum said. "I have nothing of dad's."
"That's not my problem," Jeffrey said as he stuffed the pocketknife in his pocket.
"You're a jerk!" Callum huffed as he stormed off.
"Stay out of my room!" Jeffrey yelled after him. He couldn't believe it, he had told Callum countless times to stay out of his room but still his younger brother continued to go in it. He sighed as he glanced at the guard, he knew the guard would tell his mother about the fight and he really didn't want to get in trouble. He just hoped that Uncle Rupert wouldn't find out.
Annalise gathered her children in the Women's Room to discuss the fight that had occurred that morning. Jeffrey and Callum sat on opposite ends of the couch, Callum had his arms crossed while Jeffrey sat forward in his seat, playing with his dagger.
"So, which one of you would like to tell me what happened?" Annalise asked.
"Callum started it!" Jeffrey said as he sat upright. "He's always coming into my room and messing around with my stuff!"
"I was just looking at it!" Callum exclaimed.
"No, you weren't, you took it from my room!" Jeffrey snapped.
"Enough, boys," Annalise said. "Callum, you know you're not supposed to enter your brother's room without permission. Jeffrey, next time get me, don't go chasing your brother throughout the palace. This is a place of business, what if we had visiting dignitaries?"
"I'm in trouble?" Jeffrey asked angrily as he stood. "He's the one who needs to stay out of my room!"
"No one's in trouble," Annalise said with a sigh. "Callum, go to your lesson, you're late and I'd like to speak to your brother."
"Sorry, mom," Callum said as he stood.
Annalise smiled slightly, "It's okay, sweetheart. Just go on to your lesson."
Callum nodded as he hugged his mother before leaving the room. Annalise turned her attention to Jeffrey as the door to the room closed.
"I think your brother just wants to spend more time with you, you two used to play together all the time." Annalise said.
"Yeah, that was before I grew up and Uncle Rupert started mentoring me," Jeffrey said bitterly.
"Mentoring you?" Annalise asked, confused. She had denied Rupert's request to tutor Jeffrey in matters of state, did he go behind her back?
Jeffrey nodded, "After my lessons he gives me extra politics lessons and he's given me a bunch of books to read."
"I see," Annalise said as she pursed her lips. She would have to pay Rupert a visit later. "I don't want you paying too much attention to what your Uncle Rupert says."
"Why not?" Jeffrey asked, confused.
"He's trying to influence your world views, but I want you to come up with your own ideals." Annalise said. "You don't have to go to your extra lessons with Uncle Rupert, okay?"
"You should tell him that," Jeffrey said.
"Oh, trust me, I will." Annalise said with a tight smile. She couldn't believe that Rupert went behind her back after she specifically told him not to. She couldn't wait until his time as regent came to an end and her son took over the country
Annalise strode into Rupert's office and closed the door behind her. Rupert glanced up from the report that he was reading and offered her a smile.
"And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Rupert asked.
"Jeffrey has told me that you've been tutoring him in matters of state, after I explicitly asked you not to," Annalise accused as she narrowed her brown eyes at him.
Rupert sighed, "I admit, I have been. He's fourteen, it's about time that he learned these things for himself."
"And are you teaching him all political views, or just the ones that line up with your agenda?" Annalise questioned.
Rupert stood, "I am teaching your son what he needs to know to become the leader that Darren wanted him to be. Jeffrey is soft as he is, he'll never last a day as king."
"I think my son is stronger than you think." Annalise said as she crossed her arms. "This ends now, Rupert. Enough pushing your conservative agenda onto him, he needs to learn about the entire political spectrum, he already has a politics tutor, there is no need for you to instruct him further."
"With all due respect, Queen Mother, I have no intention of stopping my lessons with your son, nor do you have the pull to stop me." Rupert said as he approached Annalise. "You are not the Queen anymore you are a Queen without a king, you do not rule this country I do. Until Jeffrey comes of age he is one of my subjects and I will do with him as I see fit."
Annalise glared at him, "You may be the regent, but I am his mother. It's up to me what he learns and what he does not and I will not allow you to manipulate him into becoming your puppet!"
"And what are you going to do to stop me?" Rupert questioned.
Annalise smiled, "Don't test me, Rupert."
"I think you should treasure what time you have left with your son, Annalise." Rupert said as he sat back down.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Annalise demanded.
"You'll see." Rupert said as he turned his attention back to the report on his desk. "Oh, and close the door on your way out."
Annalise left the room and slammed it behind her. Rupert smirked to himself as he leaned back in his chair. Annalise would learn the hard way not to cross him, all he had to do was put his plan into action. Besides, soon the Dowager Queen would be too distracted by her Selection to intervene when it came to her children.