Manipulation

Leon was at home having dinner with his father and grandfather, Tim, in the kitchen. The black cat that Leon let into the home was in the corner of the kitchen eating from a bowl and purring loudly. Leon had stopped eating for a while, lost in thought. His father, Alexander, notices.

"How are you handling the election?" asked Alexander

Leon snaps out of his thoughts and looks at his father.

"I'm losing pretty badly, and I don't know if there's anything I can do to catch up in time."

His father continued eating

"The feeling of imminent defeat and not being able to do anything. It's frustrating. Have you ever been in that situation?" asked Leon

"Of course, but you learn how to cope. Never accept defeat, but always accept the reasons for it." said Alexander

"I understand your philosophy dad, but I haven't lost yet, and I don't intend to." said Leon

"I've seen enough elections to know that schools, districts and even the nation, they all have similarities. People are the same, and I have to admit Leon, the way that things are, you won't be able to win." said Alexander as emphatically as he could.

Leon locks eyes with his father, then looks away feeling deflated. He knew deep down it was true, and he wanted more than anything that his father show him any kind of encouragement. But those words, sharp and truthful, hurt.

"Why aren't you and mother worried about Thomas and the royals?" asked Leon in semi-frustration

"We are, but this is something for Hilda to deal with. If a nation is invaded, the generals follow the orders of the king, but they will never act on their own. Until Hilda asks anything from us, we have no choice but to let her deal with things." replied Alexander

"I don't understand, you could help by backing me in the election." said Leon

"And what kind of help can we give you Leon?" asked Alexander rhetorically

"Without mother's advice, I would be in last place in this election." said Leon determined

"Advice can only go so far, and frankly, at this stage, I don't think there's anything we can do to help. And even if we could, this is a valuable chance for you to grow." said Alexander

"What's more important right now, my growth or squashing a rebellion?" said Leon swiftly

"The election is not as important as you think it is, Leon" said Alexander

"And that's exactly why this doesn't add up, Elizabeth already told me something about how winning the election is just a Plan E. But why would grandmother go through all the trouble of getting Jessica Twint into the election?" asked Leon

Alexander kept silent

"Because she's a manipulative little bi-"

"Dad." said Alexander cutting off his father, Tim.

Leon looked at his grandfather Tim curiously.

"You know it's true" he said with his crispy aging voice "She did the same thing with you and her daughter." continued Tim

Leon looks at his father waiting for an elaboration. Alexander sighs.

"After me and your mother starting seeing each other, your grandmother became very 'interested' in me. She tried to monitor me and nurture me to become an ideal partner for her daughter without me realizing." said Alexander

"Most parents will just express disapproval of their children's lovers, but this woman doesn't care who her children fall for, she'll just mold them into whatever she wants." added Tim.

"So she recruited Jessica into Unitare to facilitate us getting together...?" asked Leon still confused

"There's a reason why she brought Jessica directly into politics, maybe she thought that would make Jessica more appealing to you. But more importantly, she's probably trying to mold Jessica into a partner that's suited for you." said Alexander reluctantly

"What?" said Leon appalled

"She thinks her blood is divine compared to us mortals, she thought my son couldn't keep up with Jessica because she believed her daughter was inherently superior. And the psycho thinks the same thing about you and that lovely little girl Mrs. Twint" said Tim.

Leon looks to his side as his eyes wildly vibrate in shock. He then looks up at his father.

"But we're not dating anymore. This doesn't make sense." said Leon still in disbelief.

Alexander paused and looked at Leon remorsefully.

"She only took interest in me after I stopped seeing your mother." said Alexander.

There was a sudden knock at the door. Leon was still frozen, unable to move. His father got up to answer the door.

"Leon, Justin is here." said Alexander

Leon slowly turned his head towards the kitchen door. He saw his father standing next to Justin. He immediately noticed Justin's semi-scrunched up face looking directly at him sharply.

"We need to talk." said Justin in a heavy tone.