The Rise - Chapter 23

Jessica walks Leon to the front door after the end of dinner and their conversation. They were alone as Leon was on the steps outside of the house under the dark cloudy sky.

“We only work together to the point that we surpass Sinclair and George. Once we’re sure of that, it’s every person for themselves. That’s my condition.” said Jessica

Leon nods

Leon and Jessica understood that working together in the election doesn’t necessarily only mean planning and coordinating with each other. Since it’s often more important to play the players than the game itself. Focusing on the candidates and predicting and countering their moves will prove effective in an election. Thus Jessica and Leon have essentially agreed to not play against each other and overcome any common obstacles that may arise from George and Sinclair, together rather than alone.

Back in the Twint’s home, Mrs. Twint and Tony (Mr.Twint) are talking in the kitchen whilst Jessica was helping clean up.

“I don’t get it, why would you agree to something like that? Even if Leon makes a good case, it’s still Hilda Cottonwood backing you. You can win without his help for sure.” said Tony

“It’s not that simple dear.” said Mrs. Twint with a smile looking at her daughter affectionately “Isn’t it Jessica?”

Jessica turns towards her mother trying to hold in her frown, then takes a deep breath and walks out of the kitchen.

“It is okay for us to let Leon play with our daughter’s emotions like that? All for his own gain.” said Tony whispering loudly at Mrs. Twint

“He’s a good boy, Tony, we know him well. Besides, I still think those two are meant for each other.” she said finishing up the dishes that Jessica had left cleaning midway

“Talia. He’s Alexander Lapuzi’s son, who might just become the next Prime Minister, he hangs out with Tundra kids, he’s from a different world to us. He’s not for our daughter.” said Tony shaking his head defeatedly.

“That’s something for them to decide.” said Talia, Mrs. Twint, leaving the conversation at that.

…

That night in the home of one of the senior Shadow Council members, Gideon Faraday, sat four other elite members at a fireplace. This was an unofficial meeting. As more and more shadow council members are being discovered as royalists with the recent threat of rebellion from Thomas Vinzent, certain council members meet in secret in order to avoid being spied on by royalists. This was a group of purist shadow council members with deep rooted anti-royal sentiments.

“Last on the agenda. The Unitare election.” said one of the members holding a notebook and a pencil going through a checklist

“For God’s sake, get rid of that royalist pig principle and let Hilda choose her winner like she always does” said another man with a large cigar

“Unfortunately only the Minister of Education can fire the traitor principle, and she herself is refusing. Our sources are certain she’s a royalist.” said the man holding the notebook

“They’re coming out of every corner like roaches, some of my closest peers turned out to be royalist scum.” said another man with his legs crossed holding a glass of sparkling water

“We just have to sit back and trust Hilda can win it with her little puppet and end this nonsense before Thomas gets any wind in his sail.” said a woman with dark red hair

Gideon rubs his chin as the four members eagerly await for him to say something. He smiles while in thought.

“Interesting she’s not backing her own grandson. Perhaps we can intervene in that regard.” he said

“We questioned Hilda’s way of raising her daughter in the past with her cold hearted approach. And look how she turned out. We should not tamper with Hilda’s methods” said the man with the notebook

Gideon lays back into his large red leather wooden chair.

“Jessica was different, she only had one parent raising her. Whereas Leon, he has Alexander as his father and we cannot ignore his influence over his son. If we lose control over Leon like we did with Alexander, that’ll be a huge blow for the council.” said Gideon

Gideon was the only one in the council that would dare to question Hilda’s authority. Had she not been around, he would’ve surely been the most powerful person in the country. Although he questions her methods, he still had immense loyalty to her, as she’s the reason he is where he is today – the head of the Secret Services for the past twenty years.

“What do you propose we do?” said the woman with the red hair

“The poor boy probably doesn’t know he’s more of a prince than Thomas Vinzent himself. We show him what’s at his disposal and provide any help he needs for the election.” said Gideon as he out-stretches his hand slightly then brings it back into a fist “In a time where his parents abandoned him, he will remember our generosity and support, making him trust us.”

“I still think we should let Hilda and her daughter deal with their children as they see fit. It is not our place to interfere with family issues.” insisted the man with the notebook.

“We’ll put it to a vote.” said the man with the cigar. He then raises his arm and says “I’m in favor, let’s take in the boy and turn him into a man.”

The man with the notebook keeps his hand down “I’m against it. We know what happens when we invoke Hilda’s wrath.”

The man with the sparkling water raises his glass in favor “For the prince” he said

The woman with the red hair keeps her hand down “Growth is only valuable if it comes from within, let the boy be” she said

Finally Gideon smiling, raises his hand “Well it seems it’s three against two in favor. I’ll meet with Leon personally and get this started.”