Her Prince (A Percabeth AU)

Chapter 5

Annabeth's dress for the report is above :) Please refer to these as it's hard for me to describe dresses and stuff- but I'll try my level best xD

Annabeth POV

I pace around the library fiddling with my bead neckless. It's an odd habit I had developed over the years. It was something I did whenever I was nervous.
But in my defense.....there was a lot to be nervous about today.
Despite my attempts at protest against the selection, I had no choice but to go through with it.

And now today was the report.
The day I will pick my suitors in front of live national television.
The day I may possibly be picking the next king for our country.
The last day before my life will be dominated by men.
The day I choose someone who may possibly be my...husband.

I keep telling myself it'll be okay. But it's becoming harder to believe with each passing second. I look down at the bead I was fiddling with. It was the one from the year Percy came to live in the castle. The year I gave him his own neckless. The one with the blue trident. The one that symbolizes the beginning of our friendship.

I close my eyes and sit down on the floor leaning against a bookshelf trying to compose myself. How could I marry any one when I was confused about my own feelings towards Percy. I've had a crush on him ever since we were young. But I was over it by now.
Or at least I thought I was over it.

It's hard to envision a guy (if any) apart from Percy by my side.
But now it seems as if I have no choice.
It's unlikely that Percy even filled in the form...

I suddenly look up to avoid the tears threatening to fall down with all the overwhelming emotions pent up inside me.

Since when have I become so weak? So pathetically weak. I grit my teeth and wipe my eyes. That's enough. There's nothing I can do to change it so no point going over it. I brush off my pants and get up.
I look at the time. Just two more hours till the report. My maids would kill me if I arrived any later so I pick up my book and make way to my room.

I take quick strides and pass Jason on the way. He shoots me a quick reassuring smile and I force a smile myself. I enter my room. The first person I see is Hazel. She comes over and gives me hug probably sensing my mood. I wrap my hands around her petite frame.

They show me the dress Piper left earlier in the day. It's a beautiful grey sleeveless dress with pale pink flowers embroidered at the front and ruffles in its skirt. It's not too fancy but enough for the report. Once again Piper's outdone herself. I see a small note peeking out.
It'll bring out your eyes ;) ~P

I smile, the first genuine one today. I make a mental note to thank her when I see her.
Hazel, Astoria and Eli bustle around working on getting me ready. They work on my makeup.
They hide the dark circles under my eyes and outline them with grey eyeshadow. They put on some mascara and eyeliner. They put on some baby pink lip balm and add some light blush.

When they're done, I look in the mirror and see myself, but somehow not me at all. I thank them and they put me in the dress. They put my hair into a fancy hairdo ending in an elegant bun. I put on the owl earrings my biological mother gave me, and my bead neckless, two things that I hardly ever change.
I put on the grey heels they give me silently dreading how long I'll have to wear them.

I go to the designated area where we have our report every Friday. Father and Helen are already sitting there and Bobby and Mathew are playing tag with each other. My father gets up and engulfs me in a hug.
"You look so beautiful darling" He says, "you're growing up so fast"
I resist the urge to scoff. You're the one who's forcing me to grow up. "Thank you father." I say, faking a smile.
I hear Apollo telling us all to take our seats. I take a seat next to Helen. The count down begins.
3...2...1...and we're live! Here we go..

Apollo begins with his usual humor. Then the usual, calling my father for the latest reports, about the country, about the other kingdoms and the rebel activities takes place. I catch Piper's eyes behind the curtain standing near Jason. I shoot her a quick grateful smile nodding to my dress. She winks at me and smiles.
I look behind her and see Percy playing with his hands looking really nervous or some reason. His eyes lock on mine, he shoots his lopsided grin and I bite my lip to keep from smiling hard myself. He gives me a glance saying you can do it. Don't worry. I nod slightly.

"And now I believe our princess has some very important news to share with you all!" I hear Apollo say.
I get up and walk to the stand and plaster a fake smile onto my face.
"I do indeed Apollo, thank you. Good evening everyone, as many of you might be knowing, I am soon to turn 18. And to honor my transition into adulthood and soon become queen my mother has suggested I hold a selection. Many of you already know this of course as forms had already been sent out to all eligible men in the country who may wish to fight for my hand in marriage and later become....king" somehow I'm able to get all the words out without the smile leaving my face. A hush falls out in the hall.

"We have received those forms back and today I shall be drawing out the names for those who have been selected." I nod behind the curtain and Jason comes out with a set of different bowls for different castes.
One by one I pick the number if slips allotted for each caste. I wanted to pick equal number of men from each caste but I know I'd regret it later if I did. Helen made that much clear.
1 man with 9 as a caste.
2 men with 8
2 men with 7
2 men with 6
3 men with 5
4 men with 4
6 men with 3 and
6 men with 2.

I open the slips and start announcing the names one by one nervousness flowing through my veins, each time a man's picture flashing on the screen.
"Eddie Hawthorn, 9"
"Micheal Allen, 8"
"Aiden Martinez, 8"
"Austin Carter, 7"
"Victor Creevy, 7"
I go on listing the names. Some even catching my eye, like Grayson, a 5, and Tyler, a 4.
"Luke Castellan, 3" a handsome guy with blond hair and striking blue eyes appears on the screen.

Every time a name is announced people 'ooh' and 'ahh'. One would think they were suitors for them, not me.
One by one I go through each caste. I finally reach 2. I hesitate for a second. Would Percy have entered his name? Even if he did, would there even be a chance he got selected?

Woah there Annabeth.. don't get too ahead with the fantasies in your head. Don't get too hopeful, you know the odds aren't in your favor (fandom reference anyone? ;P)

One by one, slowly I announce each name in the slip. My heart keeps sinking deeper and deeper.
I open the second last slip.
"Kevin Jeffery, 2" I keep the fake smile plastered on me and give polite applause with the rest of the crowd like every other time I announced one, not letting anyone see the inner battle in me as his picture appears on the screen.

I see Percy from the corner of my eyes not smiling, nor clapping with the rest of them. His hands are closed up in fists and he has a wild look in his eyes.

I pick up the last slip. Slowly opening it, not wanting to see what's written inside. When I finally open it, I let my face go neutral. I steal a quick glance at Percy who seems to be going out. I look directly into the cameras and ignore the name Andrew so perfectly written on the paper.

I take a deep breath and crumple the paper in my hands and throw it into the dustbin like the rest of them. I smile.

"Perseus Jackson, 2"

Guys please vote if you're like this. It's demotivating to see so many people reading this but 0 votes in the chapters. I appreciate you reading this, trust me I really do.
But please gimme some motivation to write on. Thanks
Hope you liked the chapter! List of all the selected gonna be in the next chapter :)

Me, signing off.