Six Months Ago

Queen Tyra paced back and forth, it was awful news, but not nearly as awful as it would have been had she actually loved her husband. During King Leopold's Selection she had sunk her claws into him, and well, the rest went down in history. But now, she knew her control was slipping. Brain cancer, he'd be declared unfit to rule in no time and her pesky, bleeding heart son would take over as Regent. Unless, she smirked at the idea. She'd have no time convincing her husband to make her regent, and besides, Beckett was hardly equipped to rule, having spent the last five years in the marine corps. Tyra grabbed her eye drops, tilted her head back and applied them to both eyes. She had to look heart broken, didn't she? Tyra made her way to her husband's room, where he sat in bed, clearly stunned by the news.

"They just told me, my love," Tyra said as sat beside her husband on the bed, then wiped at her eyes. "Did they say how long?"

"Six months," Leopold breathed out. He buried his head in his hands as Tyra rubbed his back soothingly.

"We'll make the most of it," Tyra said, moving her hand to his thigh and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I want to recall Beckett, have him rule in my stead, I want to enjoy my final months," Leopold said as he straightened. He glanced at his wife, as if seeking her approval.

Tyra resisted the urge to smile, she had him right where she wanted him, and she didn't even have to try anymore. It had taken her years to get to this point, everyone knew she was the power behind the crown.

"I'm not sure that's wise, darling," Tyra said, stroking her husband's thigh with her tumb. "Beckett is still green, and besides, he's spent the last five years taking orders, not giving them. Do we really think he's up to the task, especially with no wife beside him?"

Leopold sighed. "I suppose you're right, but he'll have to rule eventually. It is best to give him more time. But who then?"

"I know this may not be entirely traditional, but why not me?" Tyra questioned, resting her head on her husband's shoulder. "I've been by your side all these years, I've watched and learned from you, and I could teach Beckett as well, when the time is right."

Silence filled the room as Leopold thought it over. It was tempting to break it, to plead her case even more, but the longer the silence lasted, the more likely her husband was to cave.

"Very well, then, I will appoint you Queen Regent," Leopold decided.

"Thank you, my love. I will do my best to serve my country," Tyra said, feigning modesty. Soon she would be free to make whatever constitutional changes she wanted to, and she would do everything in her power to delay her son becoming King. "I don't think we should tell the children, why make them worry?"

Leopold nodded. "I do believe that's for the best, Beckett would want to return, and Giselle would only worry."

Tyra smiled sadly at her husband, well as sadly as she could manage. She was getting everything she always wanted, now she just had to find a way to keep that power.

Present Day

Prince Beckett was furious, to say the least. He had been on the front lines, fighting for his country and for the past six months, his father had been slowly dying. And now that he was on death's door his mother extended him the courtesy of welcoming him back to the palace. He knew she was the one behind his military service, even though his father had presented it as his idea, she was behind everything. After arriving back in Illéa, he went straight to the hospital wing. There, he found his younger sister sitting by their father's bedside, of course his father was sleeping.

"How long has he been like this?" Beckett asked softly as he leaned against the door frame, arms crossed. The last thing he wanted to do was wake his father, but he did want to at least say goodbye.

"A few hours," Giselle responded, tucking her light red hair behind her ear. "I just feel like if I leave something bad will happen."

Beckett didn't have to ask what that something bad was, he knew she meant him dying. He couldn't help but feel the same way, like if they left their father would have nothing pulling them to this earth. "How long has he been bedridden?"

"Almost a week," Giselle admitted, glancing up at her brother. "I begged mother to recall you, I truly did."

Beckett pursed his lips. "Leave mother to me." he said decidedly, he knew the games his mother played, and was the only one in the family who saw right through them.

"You should rest, you must be tired from your travels," Giselle said.

"I am," Beckett admitted, he hadn't even changed out of his uniform, just rushed straight to his father. "I'll keep you company a while longer, then we should both go get something to eat."

They remained that way for two hours, keeping a quiet vigil over their father. But seconds after they left the room, he passed. It was tough for both siblings to cope with, knowing had they stayed for a few more moments they could have been with their father as he took his final breath. Beckett had little time to grieve in the moment, however, as his mother called him into what was now her office. He had at least changed into black and saw that his mother had the decency to do the same.

"We need to have a chat about our next steps," Tyra said delicately. "I know you may not be ready for this conversation, but-"

"I don't believe my next steps concern you," Beckett retorted.

"Oh, but they do, because you will remain nothing but a prince until the day you marry, I saw to that," Tyra said, not bothering with the niceties, they never worked on Beckett, he only responded to force.

"I beg your pardon?" Beckett asked. He knew the constitution inside and out, and that was not a part of it.

"Constitutional amendments happen all the time, Beckett. This one just happens to prohibit you from ruling until you are wed, we must secure the line of succession, afterall."

"How convenient for you that this requires you to rule even longer," Beckett said as he crossed his arms. "You won't get away with this, mother."

"Oh, but I already have. To keep up with appearances, I will allow you to host a Selection, after a generous amount of time to grieve, say four months?" Tyra suggested, tilting her head to the side.

Beckett clenched his jaw, he knew he had no legs to stand on. Sure, the public would expect a Selection with his return to royal duties, but they would also expect him to mourn his father. He decided not to dignify his mother with a response, and made his way out of the room. He had too much going on to get into a pointless power struggle with his mother.

Hello! And welcome to my SYOC!

This will be a female selection, all to win the heart of Prince Beckett. If you're interested in making a characters please PM me asking for the form. Or check out my profile for the form!

Thanks!

Baby Bear