The Arranged Marriage (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

One

PERCY WAS MORE than a little surprised when he was called to the conference room by his parents. They usually took care of all the technical things that came along with being royalty. So when he was dragged from his comfy bed at six a.m, he was tired, confused and just a little bit irritated.

Bleary eyed, he stumbled into the conference room, requesting a cup of coffee to someone he hoped was a maid. His legs felt like jelly and his mind was moving at the speed of a snail. So he didn't at first register the grim faces and pressed lips of his parents. He should have taken the hints before plopping into a chair next to someone he didn't immediately recognize. But when he did recognize the woman sitting next to him, he shot out of his chair, suddenly wide awake.

"What is she doing here?" He hissed, reeling.

"Athena is here on strict business orders. She is under oath that she will not harm any of us, and we have agreed that we won't hurt her either." Percy's mother explained, trying to sound upbeat, but by the set in her jaw and flatness in her eyes, she was obviously anything but happy.

Percy hesitantly sat next to his mother. Balancing on the edge of his chair, he set his jaw. "On what does this business matter refer to?" He asked, trying to keep the distaste from his voice.

"Percy, you know how we were telling you about the arranged marriage?" Percy's father spoke for the first time, his voice gruff with stress.

Percy wasn't sure what that had to do with Athena, but he answered anyways. "Yes, I recall the conversation."

"Well," Athena cleared her throat, standing from her seat, she locked eyes with Percy, "for the good of our countries," Athena paused a sneer settling on her face, "that we bond them in marriage."

Again, Percy did not immediately register what Athena was saying. "Let me get this straight," Percy eyes Athena suspiciously, "You, Athena Chase, Queen of Athens, our arch nemesis for thousands of years, wants to make peace with us.....Crete."

"Yes. For the good of all of our citizens." Athena said.

"How do you propose we do so?" Percy asked.

Athena's eyes widened. "He really is pretty dull is he not?"

Percy blanched. "Is there something I'm missing?"

"The marriage agreement! That is how we will bond our countries!" Athena shouted, a light gleaming in her eyes.

"How will that-" Percy suddenly realized what was happening. "Oh."

Then, all at once, anger bubbled to the surface. "No! I won't do it! I'm not marrying your stupid daughter!" Percy insisted.

"Percy," His mom's voice was hoarse, "Honey, please. You know our country can't afford another war. Athens has the resources that can make our country flourish. Besides, you need a powerful wife to rule by your side when you are coronated."

Percy's eyes flitted across the faces in the room. His mother's face was full of sad hope. His father's was made of stone, but by the lines in his jaw, he showed raw stress and anxiety. Athena was grinning leisurely like a Cheshire Cat.

"I'll do it." Percy said quietly. His mother began thanking him over and over again, but Percy stopped her-"If," he said, "and only if this alliance works. If Athens makes the slightest move towards Crete, I'm done. And we will wage a war. I will be King of Crete in precisely a year."

Athena's face hardened in what almost looked like respect. "Understood."

"Then let me see the Peace Treaty." Percy looked Athena in the eye.