It had been nearly two weeks since Josh had checked in with his father and brother, and during that two weeks, a lot had happened that had changed things. While he didn't want to share every detail of his growing relationship with Dru, he needed his father's advice, and maybe more importantly, his support and approval. While Dru took care of her own business with her uncle and Xoren, Josh returned to the cottage he was staying in on Maple Grove, allowing them both a few hours of privacy to reconnect with their families before they rejoined one another later.

He showered and changed his clothes and got an overnight bag ready for the evening, with every intention on spending the night at Dru's, whether it was a good idea or not. But first things first. It took a few minutes for the call to go through, as Josh nervously waited on the other end for his father to answer.

While ordinarily it could take up to twenty minutes to get through to the Duke's personal line, today Josh was put through immediately. Evidently his father had been waiting for him to call. The Duke answered from his seat by the window in his office, where he had been studiously ignoring a pile of paperwork that needed to be looked at for the past hour or so in favor of watching Jamie fail miserably at archery with amusing consequences. "Hello?"

"Hey, Dad, it's me," Josh started. Well, of course it was him. Who else would it be? "Sorry I haven't called in a while. I've been pretty busy." He knew that excuse sounded lame and told his father nothing, but at least, it was honest. "How are you? How's Jamie?" he asked, sounding a little bit nervous.

"Josh, what wonderful timing you have!" Duke Oliver sounded genuinely pleased to hear from his youngest son, tearing his eyes away from the pig's ear his eldest was making of the archery course to give Josh his full attention. "I've been well, thank you for asking. Stupidly busy with the security arrangements for the Trooping of the Color, of course, but aren't I always?" He glanced through the window once again and chuckled. "Your brother has just shot the nose off that appalling statue of some goddess or other in the rose garden, would you believe" Somehow I don't think Jamie was made to be an archer."

Josh winced at that bit of news, chuckling a little. "Maybe you should take the bow away from him before he hurts himself," he suggested. Josh had always been better at athletics than his older brother, though Jamie had excelled at most everything else.

"I suggested he should try something easier," the duke chuckled. "Perhaps knitting. But he is trying to impress Lady Alyssa Grigori, and you know how much she likes a man with a few lethal skills." His grin was audible as he adjusted his tie, turning away from the window properly. "And how is Rhy'Din treating you, son' How has your performance been going" I understand you opened last Monday."

"Maybe he should try impressing her with poetry," Josh suggested with a smile in his voice that his father would be able to hear across the many miles that separated them. It was good to hear his father's voice again and to imagine his brother's romantic exploits. "I'm sure you have already read the reviews, Dad." Reviews which consisted of glowing praise for all involved. "A lively production," one critic wrote. "Tons of fun for the whole family," wrote another. "Exuberates joy," said yet another. And the praise went on and on, not only for the principals, but the entire cast.

"Reviews only tell me how the show is being received, not how you are enjoying it," his father scoffed cheerfully, deftly switching handsets to a wireless one. He'd heard the nerves in his son's voice when Josh had said hello - he wouldn't be so high in the government of the country if he couldn't tell when he might need to seek secure privacy at a moment's notice. "If I could snatch the time away, I would have come to see it myself, but the ceremonial season is upon us. So tell me ....how do you like being God King of all Egypt?"

"No, you didn't listen to me," his father said, still calm, but forceful in his own way. He needed his son to understand this before any kind of teaching could take place. "I said nothing about singing and dancing. I spoke of acting, of taking on a character, and I spoke of understanding the theatrical, how a production is staged. Surely you have noticed by now that the young lady is at least two different personalities in one form' There is Drusilla, and there is the Princess Royale. Stop jumping to conclusions, and think about that."

"Well, yes, but..." Josh broke off again, giving himself time to consider this. His father wasn't wrong. He had already made this observation about Dru, and in truth, he could be two distinct personalities himself, perhaps more. There was the Josh that had grown up a duke's son and who understood protocol and proper behavior, and there was the Josh that was a student and an actor and a son and a brother and a friend. Two very different people rolled into one. "But..." he started, unable to argue that fact with his father, though he still didn't believe himself capable.

"Before everything, you are my son," Duke Oliver pointed out, refusing to let Josh talk himself out of having this confidence in himself. "Your mother and I raised both you and your brother to move in these circles, to understand this world before others. You have at your fingertips the skills needed to navigate the arena you are hoping to enter. And before you try to tell me you don't know what is going on right now in that arena, let me assure you that no one knows exactly what is happening at all times. That is why the Prince has a personal secretary; it is why the princess has her aide. You are not required to know everything, but to take the advice of those closest to you, whose job it is to know such things and make sure you are informed. Do you understand?"

"Yes, but..." There was that but again. He understood all that, but he had no secretary or aide. He had no one to help him through this, to tell him what he needed to know before he needed to know it. "What do I do to prepare myself better" I never expected this would happen. I mean, I knew it was a possibility, but that's all. I don't know anything about politics. What if Parliament doesn't think I'm capable" What if they're right?"

"When it comes to matters of the monarch's lifetime happiness, Parliament is never right - you should remember that at all costs," his father assured him firmly. "Josh, you navigate politics every day. Every social group, regardless of their rank or station, has their own set of politics - the people you need to keep on side to have an easier time of it, the people who have innovative ideas and should be encouraged, the people who cause trouble for trouble's sake. That is politics, but reduced down to its most basic level. You are capable of navigating the higher levels. I know you are, and you will not be without support. What I can do is keep you informed of the movements of the various factions within Parliament and the Ministry, the high level players in Tirisano. I can send you information on their histories, and certain case studies of historical events that have lent precedence to the way things are done now. These are all things that the princess herself is studying as we speak - while she may have ceased attending college in Rhy'Din, she is still enrolled nominally in university here, and she is expected to attain a certain understanding of the way the country works. You might even be able to study together."

He listened carefully to everything his father was telling him, quietly absorbing and considering every word, a little relieved that his father was willing to help him navigate his way through the political maze that was at the heart of Tirisano's government. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he wanted to be there at Dru's side, not only because he loved her, but also because he loved the country that was his homeland. The possibility that he'd be able to share in Dru's studies put his mind further at ease. He had nearly a year to prepare. Would a year be enough' "I think I'd like that. I know I have a lot to learn. If I'm going to do this, I want to do it right."

"You don't need a university degree to be able to handle Tirisano politics," the duke assured him quietly. "When the time comes, you will given a personal secretary. You will have a security advisor. You will have an entire team of people assigned to keep you in the loop, to make sure you are never without the information you need. And to be a functioning monarch ....all you need is a basic understanding, and a keen mind able to solve problems. You already have that, Josh. I believe you can do it."

Once again, Josh listened to his father's words, knowing his father had faith in him, even if he doubted himself and his own abilities. Another thought came to mind, something that had occurred to him over the course of the last few weeks as he and Dru grew closer. "You knew this would happen, didn't you? Or at least, you were hoping it would happen." The question wasn't asked in an accusatory or angry tone of voice; Josh was merely curious.

"I couldn't have known, Josh." But there was a tone of resignation in his father's voice as he sighed quietly. "I hoped," he admitted, never one to be dishonest with his children. "Knowing what I know of you, and of her, I thought that you were suited to one another. You were right, Josh, I could have sent Jamie to Rhy'Din. I asked you because ....because you deserved the chance to find out if there was a lifetime of friendship or love with her, before the country starts poking and pulling you apart with their interest."

They had never lied to each other, and they weren't about to start now. Josh believed his father had always had his best interests at heart, even now, even if this was not the life Josh had ever planned for or expected. He sighed again, resigned to the choice he and Dru had made even more so now that he knew his father believed in him and had even hoped for this. "So, what happens now" She won't let Parliament choose for her. We're determined to be together, no matter what recommendation they make."

"All right." Just like that, he had his father on his side, and he could be certain that the duke would do everything in his power to smooth the way for them. "I will speak to her uncle, as soon as I can assure true privacy with him, and make sure he knows to keep your name on the list at all costs. I am inclined to send a tutor to Rhy'Din to assist with the reading material I am going to be sending your way - I'm sure the princess will appreciate someone to badger with endless questions as well. I will inform your brother of your intention; he can be relied upon to subtly influence the younger nobility without being caught at it. Let's see, what else? I believe there is a list of Tirisano's most eligible bachelors coming up - fairly sure you and your brother will be on it - and I can drop a few hints among the press that will open up speculation and encourage the people to start thinking seriously about whether or not Parliament should have a say in the princess' choice of a husband. Healthy debate never hurt anyone, did it?" His grin was audible as he relaxed, all these things easy to accomplish within a matter of days. "Does that suit?"

Josh could tell from his father's voice that he'd pleased the old man, that he was even excited about the prospect of preparing both his son and the princess for their roles as future leaders. There was just one last question he needed answered. "What about the theater?" he asked, uncertainly, the question encompassing not just Josh's involvement in the Shanachie, but also the degree he was pursuing with the University.