Her Prince (A Percabeth AU)

Chapter 2

Percy POV

I go looking for Annabeth in the library but, for the first time in many years I can't find her there. It'd be an understatement to say I'm worried. I scrunch my eyebrows together thinking of other possible places she could be at.
Suddenly, I smile at the memory that resurfaces.

Flashback to when they were 15

As always, it's my team versus annabeth's team while playing capture the flag. For once though, it seemed that our team was winning. I was running with the flag when I hear a high pitched scream. Annabeth! I run towards the sound and see Annabeth lying on the ground with a bleeding arm.
"What happened?!" I ask, panicked.
"I tripped and fell on one of these sharp rocks" she says, "pretty stupid of me huh?"
I scrunch my eyebrows inspecting the wound. She was bleeding heavily. I'm about to yell for help. "Hel-."
"You look cute when you scrunch your eyebrows like that" Annabeth cuts me off.
I look at her dazed state and blush as bright as the strawberries growing nearby. She called me cute! What am I supposed to do?! Say the truth and say I thought she looked breathtakingly gorgeous as always?
Thankfully, I'm saved from answering because Thalia chooses that moment to come over and check up on her...

Flashback over

I run a hand through my black hair probably messing it up more than it already was. I go down to the gardens hoping I'd find her there, but no such luck. The only other option, apart from the training ground would be her room but she's never there during these hours. It wouldn't hurt to try though.

I go up the stairs and suddenly spot Jason.
"Hey bro" He says.
"Hey bro." I reply, fist bumping him."Do you know where Annabeth is?" I ask.
"Yeah bro, I just saw her bursting out of Helen's office....she seemed kinda angry to be honest.." He says nervously.

Oh shit. She must have gotten into another argument with Helen.
"Did you see where she was headed?" I ask.
"Not really..she just ran straight out after storming off from Helen's office." He replies.

"Okay, thanks bro" I say gratefully, and run towards Helen's office. I slow my pace, listening intently for any source of sound. After a while I hear a couple sniffles coming from a cupboard that was way too large to be considered a cupboard in my opinion.

I knock. "Go away" I hear Annabeth say in between sniffles.
Not happening. I open the door and go inside only to find Annabeth sitting there with her knees pulled up to her chest and head between them.
"I told you to go away" she says, trying furiously to wipe away her tears. I know how much she hates looking weak.
"Have I ever been one to listen?" I ask, sitting beside her.
She lets out a soft chuckle. "No..." she says giving me a watery smile. I put up my arms inviting her for a hug. She glances at me and within less than a second she's hugging me tightly burying her face into my neck. I rub her back soothingly.
"Wanna tell me what's going on?" I ask her.

She doesn't say anything for a while and I start wondering if she's fallen asleep. I feel her shift in my arms till she's facing me with about a foot of space between us.
"Helen's forcing me to hold a selection." She says, not meeting my eyes.
"Huh? What's a selection?" I ask, confused. She rolls her eyes fondly.
"Honestly you're such a seaweed brain. Do you ever pay attention in history?" She asks me.
"You know I don't" I say, smiling cheekily.
"Of course, all you pay attention to is blue cookies" she says smirking at me.
"Heyy! That's not true! I pay attention to marine studies!.....And you!" I say, protesting.
A light pink color rises to her cheeks. "Yeah, Yeah sure" She says shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts.
At least I was able to make her smile..

She clears her throat. A stray tear falls down and she quickly wipes it away.
"So um...a selection is...something that is organized for m-members of the royal family to find....a possible groom or bride. In other words, a possible king or queen to rule the kingdom with. In m-my case.....26 men of all castes shall be selected from all around Illéa to win my hand in marriage. They will stay in the castle as long as it takes for me to decide the one I find the best....I must decide before the day I turn of age...."

I stare at her speechless. This can't be happening. An unfamiliar feeing rises up my stomach. "No..no way..that's less than three months" I whisper to myself. I see her trying to hold it together, putting up a strong facade. I put my arms around her again.
"I don't want to marry anyone Percy" she whispers.

"I don't want you to marry anyone either." I whisper back.
"Not until you want to, and nobody..... except me" I whisper the last part to myself.

Enjoy! Didn't expect to update so soon but...yea...
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Me, signing off for now!