Royally Screwed

Chapter 12

~Annabeth~

You know that emotion that you feel when something or somone you care about is taken away from you, and you feel almost... empty? Like you're in despair, but without any visible emotional breakdowns?

When you're so full of that emotion, that you cannot do anything but sit or stand still in mild shock and disbelief? Like a piece of you had been taken away?

Hollow.

That's what I felt when I saw Percy, my Percy, being dragged over the cobblestone streets like a rag doll. I felt hollow.

I eventually broke out of my shocked trance and realized I had been slung over a guard's shoulder. I pounded on his back while screaming, "What are you doing to him? Let him go!"

"No can do, princess," the guard who was carrying me replied. "He's a criminal."

Fresh, salty tears streamed down my cheeks, and I wiped them away with the palm of my hand. I protested (mainly by kicking and screaming) all the way to the palace. The palace that I never thought I'd step foot in again.

It still looked the same as when I was kidnapped; white marble columns gleamed in the morning sunlight, and terraces of the same color stuck out on all sides of the enormous building. I couldn't see much through my vision, since it was blurry from tears, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of the balcony that led to my bedroom.

The guards dragged off Percy in the direction of the dungeons, while the guard who carried me deposited me in my room. I wiped the tears off my cheeks and sat cross-legged on my bed until Piper and Hazel barged into the room, looking flustered.

I glanced around at my room, almost numb to my surroundings. It had been more than a month since I've had my own bed, a legitimate bed with feather pillows and soft sheets. My vanity looked just as I had left it: neat and tidy with everything where it should be... organizing was sort of a habit of mine. A large bookshelf overflowed with books (mostly about architecture) as usual, and the silver curtains were drawn aside, revealing the balcony; the same balcony where Percy had taken me.

Ignoring Piper and Hazel's questions, I rose from my position on the bed and gently closed the curtains, blocking the balcony from being visible from here.

"Annabeth! Where have you been? We've been worried sick!" Hazel exclaimed, sitting beside me on the bed after I returned to my cross-legged position.

"I..." I began, then more tears start falling. Both of my friends engulf me in hugs, and I realize just how lucky I am to have best friends like them. If only I could have both Percy and my friends.

"Percy," I manage to choke out. "We talked, and he apologized, and I- and we- and I-I love him!"

Piper cocks her head in confusion, her multicolored eyes turning multiple shades of purple and green. Hazel looks like she's in a shocked trance. "What was that?" She finally says.

I sigh and start from the beginning, explaining how Percy and I were best friends before our argument, then how he kidnapped me and we got together. It felt twice as painful repeating what had just occurred outside previously in my story.

"Wow," they both simultaneously said, and I nodded dejectedly.

"Annie," I glared at Piper. She knows I hate the nickname. "Sorry, Annabeth." She corrects, and I smile slightly. She rolls her eyes and continues, "you have to convince your parents to let him out."

I immediately thought against it. My parents never took my opinions into account; why would they start now? But I know I have to do this for Percy. I nodded at Piper, and she squealed and hugged me. "True love for the win!"

I laughed and hugged back. "Your Aphrodite is showing, Pipes."

Piper glared at me. Her mother, Aphrodite, was a sucker for romance. She always wore the most frilly pink dresses, and Piper hated it. Whenever Piper liked something that was related to romance, or even so much as squealed, we would always tease her. Good times.

Piper and Hazel left me to get dressed, and I drew a bath. Yes, I draw my own baths. I do not, under any circumstance, rely solely on servants.

The bath was relaxing after three weeks of nonstop dirt and rocks, which had somehow become the best three weeks of my life; I had experienced real freedom, and I loved every second of it. This brought back memories of Percy and I, and until I get him out of the dungeons, I can't bear to think of it.

I swallow the lump in my throat and scrub myself clean. I then hop out of the tub and find one of my more casual dresses to wear, a simple white summer dress. Even though it reaches the ground, like all of my dresses do, it is still the most casual one I have.

I walk confidently into the throne room, lifting up the front of my dress so I don't trip (you only make that mistake once). My mother and father turn to me and both break into grins.

It was then that I noticed my mother's stomach had grown. Not a lot, but it almost looked like a baby bump. A small one, but still there.

"Oh, Annabeth, we've been worried sick!" She rushed up and kissed me on the forehead, while my father pulled me into a hug.

"Uh, mom?"

My mother pulls away and wipes a tear. "Oh dear, I'm sorry. It's just these hormones— wait a second, you don't know, do you?"

I crossed my arms. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

Athena smiled warmly at me (for once) and nodded, rubbing her hand on her stomach absentmindedly. "That's my daughter, always figuring things out."

I blushed, not exactly used to being complimented by my mother. I asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

My mother smiled excitedly at me, the first real smile I think I have ever seen from her. "Twin boys!"

I hug her, being wary of her slightly expanded belly, and squeal a little. Two little brothers! I've always wanted brothers! But I have a mission. I have to stay on track. "Mom? Can I ask you a favor?"

Athena looked at me curiously, but nodded to urge me on.

"Set Percy free."

My mother's eyes widened. "Why ever would you want to do that, sweetie? He kidnapped you and steals from the village!"

"He only does that to survive!"

"The kingdom is almost bankrupt!"

"He not only feeds himself, but his family, and his friends' families too!"

"Stealing is still against the law. As the princess, you should know that!"

"But mom, I-I love him!"

All shouting in the room stops as my words echo through the air. Both of my parents, and the few servants in the room, are staring at me in shock.

"Pardon me?" My mom asks, her voice hardening.

"I love him."

Athena purses her lips, forming a tight line. "Personal feelings cannot excuse anyone from the law. Perseus Jackson must be executed."

I gasped. It felt like I had been hit in the chest with cement. My Percy... is sentenced to death? I feel tears in the corners of my eyes, and they spill out before I can blink them away. Soon, tears are running freely down my cheeks, yet again.

I can't help but think that it's totally unfair. Percy only steals because he has to; he'll die otherwise, and so will his mother, step-father, Thalia, Nico, Leo, the Stolls, and Nico's and Leo's sweethearts, Sarah and Briana. Without stealing food to live, they would all die.

I glare at my mother, mustering allof my courage and putting as much venom as I can into my voice: "The law should not execute people for trying to survive."

I turn on my heel, and march swiftly to the door on the other side of the room, my white dress swishing around my feet.

"Where are you going?" My mother yells after me.

I turn back and narrow my eyes. "To visit Percy."

*shocked gasp* Percy's in prison! What's Annabeth gonna do?