Edward sat on the lounge chair in his office reading over reports. He sighed as he set down the report and rubbed his eyes. His days were always long, but lately they had felt longer. It was easier for him to drown himself in work than deal with the reality of the fact that his wife was gone, and soon he'd have to replace her. Tyler had spoken to him when he had returned from his girlfriend's and given him his blessing. Edward had secretly been hoping that one of them would say no, to give him an excuse not to do it. Sure, he felt ready, but that was until he realised just how much work this was going to be. On top of running a nation and raising teenagers he would have to date. He didn't know how he was going to do this. He himself had no siblings, all he could do was ask his sister-in-law Cassidy to lend a helping hand. Edward knew that she'd do it, but still, it was a big ask. She had a family of her own, with children younger than his own. A knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced at his watch, this was either urgent, or it was one of his kids.

"Come in," Edward called.

The door swung open and Anna stepped into the room. Edward smiled at his eldest, her light brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, and he could tell by looking into her blue eyes that she wanted something.

"To what do I owe the honour of this visit?" Edward asked with a smile. His children rarely interrupted him in his office, but knew they were more than welcome to if there was an emergency, or lately, if they just needed to talk.

"Is this a good time?" Anna asked as she glanced at the mountain of paperwork that covered the glass coffee table her father was currently resting his feet on.

"For you? Always." Edward said as he beckoned her closer.

Anna smiled and approached her father. She perched on a couch in front of him and smoothed out her dress. "I've been thinking about this for a while, and I would like to step into my royal duties."

Edward raised an eyebrow at this. "What?" He wasn't prepared for her to ask for that. Freya had made her wishes concerning their children quite clear, they were not to take on royal duties until they turned eighteen. She wanted them to have as much of a normal childhood as they could.

Anna gave her father a look. "Dad, I'll be eighteen in a matter of months, and since mom died her charities haven't been touched, all of her work is going to waste. I figured I could switch to homeschooling and take over her charity work."

Edward exhaled a sigh he didn't realise he had been holding, "I'm not going to stop you from doing this if it's what you really want to do. But are you really ready to be in the public eye? For your every move to be scrutinised by the public?"

Anna nodded. "I am, it was always going to happen anyways, and I want to, I have to, for mom."

Edward thought for a moment. As his heir, Anna shouldn't be concerning herself too much with charity projects, not to the extent that a consort would, but it was a good stepping stone. Besides, who knew what his new wife would want to do? Would she want to take over Freya's projects or start her own?

"All right," Edward relented. "Think about it over the weekend, and if you still want to on Monday, then I'll make the arrangements."

"Thank you, dad," Anna said with a grin. "Also, can I appear on the Report tonight?"

"I thought we agreed to wait till Monday?" Edward reminded her.

Anna rolled her eyes playfully. "I just have to sit there, it's not like I'm giving a speech."

"Fine," Edward said with a small smile. "You'd better go get ready then."

Anna's eyes lit up with excitement as she jumped from her seat. She then composed herself and smiled. "Thanks, dad."

"Of course." Edward said, then waved her off. He didn't want to be rude, but he himself had to prepare for the Report, and he wasn't sure exactly what he was going to say.

Edward had asked Tyler if he wanted to start appearing on the Report as well, but he unsurprisingly had declined. Edward worried about what would happen when Tyler had to step up and become a working royal, as he always tended to avoid the limelight and in the rare instances where he had to make public appearances he kept close to his mother and let her handle most of the talking. Though, he could always get an actual job, but he was only fifteen, that was a discussion for much later. When Anna entered the studio, Edward's jaw almost dropped. He had never seen his daughter so dressed up, and she looked, mature, regal, and every bit the future queen she was going to be. Anna wore a luxe gown in a fitted mermaid silhouette which featured a soft tip-of-shoulder neckline designed with stunning beaded appliqués on layers of organza, tulle and taffeta. Her light brown hair was pulled back in a braided low updo.

"You look beautiful, Anna," Edward said with a smile.

"Thanks, dad," Anna said. She glanced in the audience, just behind the cameras and saw her younger brother. She wasn't surprised to see him there, but had kind of hoped she wouldn't be doing this alone.

"You're sure you want to do this?" Edward asked.

Anna nodded. "Of course, it's time I step up."

"Well then, after you, Your Highness," Edward said, and motioned to the stage.

Anna smiled back at her father as she walked towards the stage and took her seat. Edward followed behind her and took his, and soon enough the Report was in full swing. Edward and his advisors gave the country updates on the various issues at hand. And soon, it was time for the announcement he had been dreading. He glanced one last time at Tyler, he knew he had Anna's full support, but Tyler was harder to read, and, the teen refused to make eye contact with him. It's too late to call it off, the forms just went out this afternoon, Edward thought.

"Ladies of Illéa, I have a very important announcement for you tonight. After much thought and deliberation, I have decided that it's time to remarry. I believe that this is what's best for my children, myself, and of course our fine nation. All women between the ages of thirty-two to thirty-eight are welcome to apply for my Selection. I understand that some of you may have children, and if required the palace will help make arrangements for them during your stay here. I welcome you all to apply to my Selection and look forward to meeting those of you who are chosen to come to the palace." Edward said. "And that resumes this evening's report, thank you so much for watching."

As soon as the cameras were off, Edward felt panic set in. Is Ty actually okay with this? He thought. He walked toward his son, who was just about to leave, and caught him by the arm.

"Ty, we need to talk," Edward said, expression stern.

Tyler let out a breath. "What?"

"Did you lie to me? Are you not on board with this?" Edward demanded, he didn't care if he made a scene, Tyler wasn't a liar, why start now?

"I didn't lie." Tyler said with a shrug. "It's…it's just a lot to process."

Edward stared at his son for a moment, unsure if he was being honest. He knew Freya would be able to tell if he were being honest or not, but Edward had no clue.

"Can I eat in my room?" Tyler asked.

"No, you'll eat with us, and we're not done talking about this," Edward said firmly.

Tyler scoffed. "Aren't we? Even if I lied, what does it matter? You just promised the nation a Selection, it's too late to back down."