We'll Make It Work. Promise

The Ball and Perfect Encounter

Percy took one glance around his palace grounds. Seeing the coast clear, he unsaddled Blackjack and sneaked into the stables.

"You know that you really shouldn't go out every night like that. You'll get in big trouble."

Percy whipped around but calmed when he saw that it was only Grover, his best friend.

"Dude, you scared me." he growled playfully before brushing down his steed. Grover laughed and helped put away the saddle.

"I won't tell but you need to be more careful. As I caught you, it could have been someone else."

"I know, thanks."

"Did you hear about the ball your parents are hosting in your honor?"

"What ball?" Percy halted and stared at his friend in disbelief. "Grover, do you know something that I should know?"

Grover gulped and looked nervously at his feet.

"Grover?"

"Your parents arranged for you to marry the princess and heir of Athens, Percy."

Percy glared at the wall.
How dare they!
He silently cursed and managed to calm himself down...just as his guards came in.

"Sire, what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I decided to come see my horse, if I may."

"Of coarse, your highness. Goodnight."

The guard left the two friends alone.

"That was close." Grover breathed and muttered something about "death of me" under his breath.

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Percy nervously fiddled with his royal seal as the guests began to arrive.
He turned to Grover, who stood faithfully by his side.

"Tell me again, why the freaking hell did I even agree to this?"

"Because you will meet your beloved bride, your highness." Grover chuckled and gave a once-over the crowd. "I wouldn't doubt that she would be arriving any time now."

"How do you know?" Percy asked incredulously. "Do you have some weird voice in your head that says so?"

"No." Grover laughed quietly. "But I do have Beckendorf in my ear piece saying that her carriage is approaching."

"Same thing." Percy murmured under his breath and internally groaned.
Rachel Elizabeth Dare, in her full glory, was quickly closing the space between them.

"Percy!"

"Gotta go. Cover me?" Percy asked as he slipped away through the crowd.

"Always."

Percy carefully made his way to the other side, making sure he didn't step on anyone's toes or dress. He had done this once and never was able to have a decent conversation with the Lady Hera ever since.

He had been a piece of eligible royal meat ever since he turned seventeen. Now almost every single princess in all of Greece was after him like puppy dogs.
He hoped that his bride, whoever she was, wasn't any of those easy, head-over-heels in love girls who only cared about makeup and the latest fashion.
As much as it would seem strange, he hoped that she had never heard of him before.

Maybe things would be easier.

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he almost missed the name of the latest arrival.

Almost.

"Her royal Highness the Princess Annabeth of Athens and the future Queen of Atlantis."

Percy felt his heart stop as he saw her.

Oh.

My.

Gods.