𝑹𝒆𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 [𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧]

28- Repercussions

1 October, 2396

I didn't feel remorseful when I went to my room. My maids greeted me with applause. I flinched and took a step back at the sudden appreciation after barely surviving elimination.

"Oh my god, miss. You were wonderful." Janet said, tearing up a bit.

"Yes," Katrina spoke. "I guess you were okay."

"Oh please Katrina."Kriss said, smiling. "She really showed the council and the king. Bet the public is really pleased with her right now."

"What makes you say that?"

"Did you not see how the children reacted? They never stand up to their parents like that, you must be very valuable to them." Katrina said.

Before I could respond, there was a knock on my door. Percy entered.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked directly.

"Percy I was scared, I-"

"After everything Annabeth? You were still scared? Did I really fail this relationship to that extent where I couldn't even develop feelings of trust and establish transparency?" He asked, sounding genuinely hurt.

"Percy-" I didn't know what to say, I should've told him, especially since it concerned him directly. Percy held his head in his hands.

"You can send me home, I deserve it now. I crossed the line." I said, unable to restrain my tears as they slid down my cheeks.

"Annabeth," Percy said, his voice a bit softer. "Please don't cry."

I sniffled, and tried to follow his command. I failed and burst into tears once more. Percy inched closer, and snaked an arm around me, pulling me into him.

"Shhh," he soothed. "It's going to be fine. I love you, and I'm not going to leave you. And even if the council members somehow coerce me, I'll resign." He offered, and looked up, my eyes significantly drier.

"You would do that for me?" I asked.

"Nah," he joked. "I'm just kidding." I laughed and elbowed him in the ribs.

"Seaweed Brain," I scolded, and he laughed, kissing the top of my head.

"I'm sorry." I muttered after a while. "I really should have told you."

"Yeah well, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that, I'm glad we can work past that." He said, caressing my shoulder.

"Now," he looked at me. "Let's talk business. Where did you find the journal?"

I sighed. Complete transparency. "Your mom gave it to me."

Percy smiled a bit. An idea entered my brain. "That's why Gabe wanted it to so bad, he wanted to destroy it. But your mom had kept it hidden for all these years." I told him.

Percy smiled wider, but it disappeared. "Gabe still has the journal." He said, like he'd dropped a valuable item into a well.

"Percy," I said, my voice amused. "We know the truth, it's useless now, ...or not... since the people of Illéa might demand the truth. " I added.

"That's a minor issue, right now, we have to worry about Gabe, and somehow make it to the new year." Percy said, looking stressed.

"That's not going to be easy. And we have Rebels to worry about to, Northerners have mysteriously gotten quiet, and the Southerners are only growing, and their spy is keeping them updated too, considering they know about what happened in the news tonight." He said, his forehead creased.
"Rumor has it, that their going to attack at the choosing day."

"That would suck for you." I joked.

"And you." He countered with a smile.

*^*^*^*^*^**^*^*

13 October, 2396

"Annabeth." Jason appeared in my doorway.

"Are they telling me to go home?" I asked, fearing the worst.

"I'm not sure." He responded truthfully. "But the king wants you in his office."

I rolled my eyes, making Jason chuckle. "Why though?" I asked, as he accompanied me.

"Wish I knew."

"I don't enjoy being kept in the dark, Grace." I said, as we approached the office.

"I swear I don't know, but I don't have a good feeling about it." He said, deliberately trying to tease me.

"Jason." I whined, and he knocked on the door. Percy answered it, and greeted me with a smile, that I returned.

"If it isn't the manipulative baboon." The king said the moment I entered.

"Ah," Percy mimicked. "If it isn't new fan favourite."

Gabe scowled like Percy had just rubbed salt in his wounds. I wondered what Percy had done to dilute Gabe, since by the looks of it, Percy hadn't been beaten for months.

"What?" I asked, rounding on Percy. He quietly handed me the Illéa Daily newspaper. I read the article under the Selection section.

ANNABETH CHASE: SAVIOR OR ANTI ILLÉAN REVOLUTIONARY?

After her awe inspiring speech on Friday. People have now been inclined toward the Prince's favourite member of the Elite. Since Lady Annabeth has addressed the most popular concern among the general population, citizens of the lower castes have been referring to her as their savior.

Members of the higher castes have not given a positive reaction, and among Twos and Threes, there has been plenty of outcry on her words. They call for her immediate removal from the Selection, but even they know that Annabeth Chase is no little Five, but a woman of great moral, and certainly great power, and the majority of Illéa certainly hopes to see her as the queen in a few months time.

I didn't respond, and put the magazine back on Gabriel's desk. "It seems," I spoke. "You were wrong. The country stands united behind me."

"You have no idea who you're messing with, Annabeth Chase." The king warned.

"You sound desperate." I said, trying to purposefully make him angry.

"Why you little-" the king said, and regained his composure.

"Regardless of your desperation, your majesty, there is no way you can stop me from winning this now. With the support of both the public, and hopefully the council, not mention Percy, you know we will succeed."

He stared at me angrily, it wasn't the first time he'd done that, but for the first time I could see he was intimidated.