A week later, the gardens were a buzz with activity, Annalise's and Darren's extended family had gathered to the palace to celebrate Jeffrey's birthday. The only glaring exception was Rupert, who was not allowed around the young prince. Annalise walked with her sons to the gardens, Callum was excited to see his cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Jeffry, on the other hand, seemed indifferent like always.
"I expect you to behave, Jeffrey," Annalise said sternly as they reached the gardens.
"Yeah, yeah," Jeffrey said, annoyed.
"I mean it," Annalise said.
"Did they have to come?" Jeffrey asked, as he saw one of the Elite walk by.
"Yes, they did," Annalise answered with a sigh. She nudged Callum to run along which he did. "I know you don't like it, but one of them is going to win, you can't avoid them forever."
"I can sure as hell try," Jeffrey muttered under his breath.
Annalise brought a hand to her temple, "Just…go play with your cousins or something."
Jeffrey walked away without another word and Annalise sighed as she crossed her arms. When is he going to come around? She thought.
"Annalise, I've been looking for you," Came the all too familiar voice of her father-in-law, Atticus Schreave.
"Atticus," Annalise said with a smile. "How are you?"
"I'm well, thank you," Atticus replied. "I can see that Jeffrey is still…reluctant about your Selection."
Annalise nodded, "Callum's over the moon with joy, but I can't seem to get through to Jeff."
"He'll adjust, he'll have to," Atticus said. "I would like to apologize for Rupert's actions, what he put you and Jeffrey through was atrocious and crossed the line."
"Thank you," Annalise said. "I just can't believe how he treated Jeffrey."
"Nor can I, his behaviour was simply appalling," Atticus agreed. "But while I have you here, I would like to meet your Selected, well, what's left of them, that is. You're being quite decisive I must say, narrowing it down to six after a week."
"Well, one went hands on with Jeffrey, another made Callum cry because they were being too harsh and the other two seemed reluctant to parent them, I'm not always going to want to play bad cop," Annalise said with a sigh.
"Guess they made your decision easier," Atticus said. "Are the boys okay?"
Annalise nodded, "They're tough kids, they're fine."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it." Atticus said as he offered Annalise his arm. "So, who should I meet first?"
"Since when have you taken an interest in my Selection?" Annalise asked as she took his arm.
Atticus smiled slightly, "My dear, whoever wins will play a role in raising my grandsons, I take that very seriously."
Annalise thought for a moment, "You can meet Joel first, I'll go get him." She said.
Atticus nodded as he watched Annalise disappear into the gardens. She returned a few moments later with Joel who extended his hand towards the previous monarch.
"I would just like to offer my condolences on the loss of your son," Joel said.
"Thank you very much," Atticus said. "I'm going to be spending some time getting to know you and your competition, as I'm very much invested in this Selection. If you win, you'll not only win my daughter-in-law's hand, but you'll also be responsible for helping to raise the young princes. Do you feel that you're up for the task?"
"Considering that I've raised one son and have two teenager daughters, I believe so," Joel replied.
Atticus nodded, "Very good, but successfully raising a prince is vastly different than raising a regular child. Tell me, what traits do you value most in a king?"
Joel glanced at Annalise who gave him an apologetic look but nodded for him to answer the question.
"I value kindness, fairness and leadership. A king must be able to lead his people to a bright future, be good to his people and remain free of any biases when dealing with the people and others," Joel answered.
"And how would you prepare Jeffrey to fulfill those values and prepare him for his role as king? It seems like quite the big shoes to fill."
"I would be a father first and foremost, as I believe that with King Darren's death Jeffrey is lacking a positive male role model in his life, I can't prepare him all by myself, nor can Annalise as neither one of us have been a ruler so there would be a tutor involved, but I would oversee the tutor and add on my own advice." Joel explained curtly. "Is that all the questions you have for me?"
"That will be all, thank you, Joel," Atticus said with a smile.
Annalise kissed Joel on the cheek before he walked away. "Well, what did you think of him?"
"He seems a little too…idealistic," Atticus replied delicately. "Who am I meeting next?"
Atticus worked his way through the Selected, until it was down to Greg. Greg nodded his head towards Atticus and the two shook hands.
"I've been asking everyone the same questions, to be fair," Atticus explained. "This will just take a few moments of your time."
Greg nodded, a little nervous to be in the presence of the former king.
"What traits do you value most in a king?" Atticus asked.
"The ability to protect the people and to uphold law and order in Illéa," Greg answered.
"Just what I'd expect from a military man, and how will you ensure that Jeffrey exemplifies those values?" Atticus asked, then took a sip of wine.
"I would help Jeffrey by making sure he realizes that a king's number one responsibility is to see that his people are protected from all dangers, both foreign and domestic." Greg replied.
"Very good, thank you, Greg," Atticus said.
Annalise smiled at Greg as she took his arm and led him away from Atticus.
"He didn't seem too impressed." Greg said as he scratched his head.
Annalise smiled, "He's like that with everyone, trust me, you did fine. Besides, he'll weigh in on all of you, but he forgets one thing, the choice of who I marry is mine to make, not his."
"You're pretty brave, standing up to the retired king," Greg said.
"I've known Atticus for years; he doesn't scare me anymore. Besides, he's not the king, what can he do?"
Greg nodded, "I guess you're right."
"You did well though," Annalise said. "Atticus values law and order above most other attributes of a king, especially given our troubling times."
"Thank you, Rupert really needs to get that business with the rebels sorted out, before there's another attack on the palace."
Annalise nodded, "And what do you think the best approach is?"
"I think you need to show strength and sue for peace," Greg replied.
"I think we should negotiate peace as well, but Rupert won't concede on anything," Annalise said. She sighed, "I'm just glad he's not an influence on Jeffrey anymore."
"As am I, how is Jeffrey doing?"
Annalise frowned, "As far as I can tell he's still using drugs and being belligerent towards the Selected, his therapy is helping but only a bit. I don't know what to do with him, nothing seems to be working."
"You know Annalise, my daughter Jane was acting out a lot when the divorce happened. She was nowhere near as belligerent as Jeffrey, but she knew how to push your buttons. One day, I sat her down and explained to her that sometimes, bad things happen to good people & you can't change it. You can either be grumpy about and push people away or you can learn to live with it and lean on the people who care about you."
Annalise sighed, "I think we're past the point of talking, I've talked to him about this multiple times...it's just everything I do doesn't seem to be working. I can't keep punishing him because that just makes him act out more."
"Maybe there's more to it…have you thought about maybe getting him a psych evaluation? His mental health could be in trouble, even more so after what Rupert did to him?" Greg asked reluctantly.
"I could try that, thanks Greg," Annalise said.
"I know Jeffrey ain't one for talking, but if you want to talk, I'm here and I mean that sincerely, not just because I'm a selected." Greg insisted politely.
"Thank you," Annalise said again, then kissed him on the cheek.
Jeffrey was playing with his cousins, throwing a football around when Atticus approached them. They all flocked towards their grandfather who spent some time talking with his grandchildren before he pulled Jeffrey aside.
"It's time you and I had a little chat," Atticus said as he placed a hand on Jeffrey's shoulder. Jeffrey frowned as he was led inside of the palace and into his father's old study, the same room where he had spent so much miserable time with his Uncle Rupert.
"Have a seat, Jeffrey," Atticus said as he sat on one of the leather armchairs. Jeffrey reluctantly sat across from him.
"Am I in trouble?" Jeffrey asked nervously.
"What do you think, Jeffrey?" Atticus questioned. "You've been using drugs and your treatment of your mother's Selected is downright appalling."
"I don't care," Jeffrey said angrily. "I didn't want her to host this Selection, that's her fault."
Atticus frowned, "It's normal for you to be unhappy about this, that I understand, however, your behaviour is simply unacceptable."
"So? What are you gonna do about it?" Jeffrey asked.
"Watch your attitude," Atticus snapped. "I am taking over the regency from your uncle, I'm going to be around a lot more and I expect that you will treat me with the respect that I deserve."
"Sorry," Jeffrey said quietly.
"I expect the drug use to stop, do I make myself clear?" Atticus said sternly. "You're fourteen, and not only that you're the future King of Illéa, do you think your drug use is appropriate?"
Jeffrey shook his head, "But I need it."
"For what?" Atticus questioned, softening his tone.
Jeffrey averted his gaze, "You wouldn't get it…"
"You've been through a lot, Jeffrey, and I can't begin to understand what you're going through, but drugs aren't the way to cope. Do you think your father would want you wasting your time smoking dope?"
Jeffrey shrugged, "It doesn't really matter what he'd want, he's dead."
"Let me rephrase this, if I don't see a turn around in your behaviour I will ensure that you are deemed unfit to rule and your birth right will go to your brother. Do I make myself clear?" Atticus said sternly.
"That's not fair!" Jeffrey cried.
"It is fair, Jeffrey, and it's the way things are going to be," Atticus said as he narrowed his eyes on the teen. "Who has been supplying you with the drugs?"
"Officer Haynes…" Jeffrey trailed off as he crossed his arms.
"Thank you for being so forthcoming with that information, I will see to it that he's removed from his post immediately and fully charged for his crimes." Atticus said as he stood. "Your Uncle told me about your…boyfriend."
Jeffrey's stomach tightened as he glanced up at his grandfather, shit, he thought.
"I do not agree with how he handled that…delicate situation and have a surprise for you." Atticus said, then stepped out of the room. He returned a few moments later, with Ethan following behind him.
"Ethan?" Jeffrey asked, surprised to see the sixteen-year-old.
"Hey," Ethan said as he stepped into the room.
"I'll leave you two to get caught up," Atticus said, then left the room.
"I'm sorry that your uncle caught us, it was all my fault," Ethan said.
Jeffrey shook his head, "It wasn't your fault; besides it was probably bound to happen anyway…"
"So…how have you been?" Ethan asked.
Jeffrey shrugged, "I've been fine," he lied. "What about you?"
"I've been okay," Ethan said.
"Are you back? For good?" Jeffrey asked.
"Yeah, your grandfather offered my dad his job back," Ethan replied.
Jeffrey smiled, "Good, I missed you."
"I missed you too," Ethan said.
Atticus returned to the room, "I'm afraid I'm not done talking with my grandson, can we have the room?"
Ethan nodded, "I'll see you around, Jeffrey."
"See ya," Jeffrey said.
Atticus waited until Ethan had left the room to turn his attention to his grandson, "I will see an improvement in your behaviour, you will treat the Selected with respect and you will stop partaking in marijuana use. In exchange, I will give a seat at the table. Do we have a deal?"
"I'll get to sit in on meetings?" Jeffrey asked.
"Yes, so long as you can behave yourself. You will listen, learn and observe." Atticus replied as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine, we have a deal," Jeffrey said quietly, left with no other choice.
"Good, now go enjoy your birthday party," Atticus said, and Jeffrey started to walk away. "Oh…and Jeffrey?"
"Yeah?" Jeffrey asked as he paused at the door.
"I would advise you not to come out to the public quite yet," Atticus said. "You still have a lot to prove, and there will be those that will be…less than thrilled about your sexuality. Do you understand?"
"Yeah," Jeffrey said his voice tight. "I understand perfectly."