Her Prince (A Percabeth AU)

Chapter 4

Percy POV

The guard approaches Annabeth calling her to Helen's office. I see her posture stiffen immediately.
She gives us a small nod showing us she would be fine. But I know her. I could tell she was anxious. She hated not knowing things.
She turns away and follows the guard.

I look at Thalia. An understanding passes between us.
It's funny how easily we were able to understand each other keeping in mind how much we fought.
We wait for a minute before following them. When we reach Helen's office and the door finally closes, we press our ears to the door.

"...applications have been sent all over the country. You'll pick the names in the Report. Different men of different castes from different provinces. Since we have 26 provinces, you shall choose 26 men. The highest caste is 1, which royalty. Since there are no other 1's in the kingdom apart from us, you shall choose from the remaining castes from 2 to 9. Six 2's, six 3's, four 4's, three 5's, two 6's, two 7's, two 8's, and one 9." I hear Helen say

"Stop it! Don't you think I know how it works already?!" I hear Annabeth yell.
"I am merely reminding you and informing you that the real process shall begin as soon as this Friday in front of national television." Helen says sternly.
The information beings to sink in. It was already Tuesday. Me and Thalia exchange wide eyed looks.

"The selection wasn't my choice. But, the least you can do is allow equal representation from each caste! I refuse to be a part of this unequal system of power play and dominance. If you want me to participate in this little "game" of yours I need to have some of my own terms."  Annabeth says. I feel a bit of pride swell in me. Of course that's one of the first things she would notice. She's always told me how one of the first things she'd do on becoming Queen would be removing the caste system.

"We are talking about your future husband here! We can't have every other "creature" roaming around looking for your hand in marriage." Helen says incredulously.
"You should've thought that before organizing the selection for me don't you think, mother?? 26 random men coming to the castle and yet you think it is the best way to find me a partner."

"It has worked for all of your ancestors, who is to say it won't work with you. Your father found me in his second selection."
Annabeth scoffs.

"Look Annie dear, I am willing to keep some of your own terms. But, they must be reasonable." Helen says in a sickly sweet voice.
"These are reasonable!" I hear Annabeth raise her voice. Things are going to get worse.

I motion for Thaila to go inside. "Get her out of there!" I mouth to her.
"How!?" She mouths back shaking her head helplessly.
I would've gone myself, but for some reason Helen hates my guts.
"Make something up" I mouth back. She glares at me but straightens herself and strides in anyways. I raise my eyebrows in shock.

Thalia really is something.

"I'm sorry your highness but Annabeth is needed for her..uh..classes" I face palm. That's the best excuse she could come up with? It's almost lunch time, who would believe she has classes at this time?
Apparently Helen isn't aware of the time so allows Annabeth to go.
"Ah great. This discussion was over anyway. Ask your maid to prepare a nice dress for the report this Friday. You need to look your best. If you have any reasonable terms of your own, let me know. Have a good day Annabeth." I hear footsteps coming towards the door.

I realize Annabeth is in good hands now so instead of waiting around, I go to meet Jason. It's a long shot, but it's worth a try.

—timeskip—

I go down to the garden holding the paper I'd gotten from Jason tightly in my hand. I take a seat on the bench fiddling with the pen in my hands.
I start filling in some of the blanks.

I feel someone take a seat beside me. I look up to see bright red curly hair.
"Hey Perce!" she says in a cheery voice.
I put the pen down and fold the paper. "Hey Rach, what brings you here?"
"I'd just come down to paint some of these flowers but saw you here looking so fiercely at a piece of paper that I actually thought you were studying!" She lets out a chuckle.
"Hey! I study!" I say indignantly.
"Sure you do" She says still smiling. I crack a smile of my own. "Anyways, what's that paper about?"

"Oh it's nothing, just something Chiron gave to me. I'm trying to work past my dyslexia." I say chuckling, not wanting to tell her the real reason for some reason.
"Oh! Do you want me to help?" She asks, still smiling. I take in her paint splattered clothes. I shake my head. "It's fine, it seems like you were busy" I say pointing to her clothes.
"Oh yeah um..I just brought my paints down..so some of them sorta slipped and...yup" she looks at the paint and smiles bashfully. "Anyways...uh perce?"
I hum in acknowledgement looking at the flowers growing beside me.
"Would you possibly be free today evenin-.."

"Percy! Just the man I've been looking for!" I turn around to see Conner, his curly hair full of twigs and petals.
"Did you hear Annabeth is having a selection?" He asks, as if it were top secret.

I force myself not to yell at him for reminding me. "Yeah I heard.." I say
"Wait really?" Rachel says, shocked. Conner nods his head really fast.
An emotion I can't recognize flashes across her face. "Wait so you knew, and you are NOT raging everywhere?" Conner asks me confused.

At least my inner battle and rage don't seem to be showing. That's good news.

"What are you talking about man?" I ask him, discretely putting the folded page in my pocket. Rachel is looking at me closely and Conner is giving me an "are you serious" look.
"I'm fine man, don't worry about me" Conner still looks confused and takes a look at Rachel. Rachel seems to be happy about something.
"Everything okay Rachel?" Conner asks.
"Yup. Dandy in fact. Anyways, I'll get going now, see you guys later."
I wave. So does Conner with a sort of dazed expression. "You like her don't you?" I ask him slyly.
"Pfft, no way man. Anyways I better get going too, see you later perce."
"uh huh..See ya" I say waving my hand.

I take out the now slightly wrinkled page. I fill in the rest of the details the best I can and take it back to Jason.
"Thanks bro. But could you not mention this to anyone else?" I say once he has the paper again.
His eyebrows go up. "Not even Piper?" I shake my head.
"Nope" I say popping the 'p'.
"Okay bro... no problem. See ya later" he says.
I nod and make my way to the dining area. Everyone including Annabeth was already seated. I shoot her a quick smile and sit down.
I pick on my food.

What if this wasn't a good idea? What if this ruins our friendship? What if I don't get selected?
Have I made the right decision, applying to be one of the suitors for Annabeth's selection..?

The answers to all those questions remain unknown.

Enjoy! Blue cookie again (::)

Me, signing off!