New Perspective

Chapter One: Piper's POV

"One day, you will be a fine ruler of this country."

Piper's father smiled down at her from his seat on his throne. Ever since she was a little girl, that was the phrase he would tell her, over and over again. One day, she'll rule this country. All the people, everything everywhere, will look up to her. When she was younger, the thought of it terrified her. Leave everything to daddy and mommy, they'll fix everything, they always did.

But now, as the time for her accepting the throne as her own approached, she was ready. She was ready to prove to everyone how strong of a ruler she could be. Just as great as her mother was when she was alive. Just as looked up to.

Piper pressed her lips together at the thought of her mom. She had so little memory of her, she was so young when it happened... so young when her mother left.

Piper pushed the thought out of her mind and finally nodded at her dad.

"I'm aware father, you've told me many time before," Piper replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

She was seventeen years old, meaning that she'd be taking the throne in three years on her birthday. Having a whole country as your birthday present... just great. Piper slumped back in her throne and sighed. Today was an awfully slow day. The whole building was usually bursting with activity, people coming in and out, the staff running around attending to their jobs.

But today, it was as if no one needed anything, which was strange, because the people of Lehpid always needed something. Her father must have noticed too. His face was full of confusion as he got up from his throne and walked down the steps.

"I need Gerard," he said firmly and loud enough for the staff to hear.

Footsteps were heard as the staff ran around searching for Gerard, who soon came down to the throne room with a nervous look on his face. The general scratched his head and gave the king a small smile.

"King Tristan, there's something I need to talk to you about..." the general paused when he realized Piper was looking at him.

Piper was no doubt, full of curiosity. In exactly three years, she would be dealing with stuff like this, and she wanted to learn how to deal with it now.

Sadly, Gerard didn't think she should be listening.

"How about we take this into the next room, king," Gerard said, still watching Piper.

Tristan, realizing what was going on, agreed, and followed Gerard to the next room over.

Piper let out a groan. She hated being left out of things, absolutely despised it. For some reason, her father thought her being left out was actually for the better.

An idea suddenly hit her. She looked around the room to be sure no one was coming anytime soon. She got up quietly and snuck out of the throne room through another door. She walked down the halls of the palace, carefully looking for her friend.

Piper stopped at the dining hall where she was sure she heard his voice, and it almost sounded like he was talking to someone. Piper raised her eyebrows and walked into the room.

"Sorry if I'm disturbing bu--," Piper stopped mid sentence when she saw the person in the room with Percy was the duchess, Annabeth.

It wasn't as if they were in a intimate position, they were just holding hands, but Piper didn't expect to see Annabeth right then and there, holding hands with her best friend. It was almost as if they were having a moment too, because the look on Percy's face wasn't a good one.

It was sort of sad, afraid, confused, all in one. The duchess' face wasn't any better. She held Percy's hand in hers, slowly circling her thumb around the middle in an attempt to console him. She had a bittersweet smile on her face and she was resting her head on Percy's shoulder.

As soon as they heard Piper's voice, they immediately jumped up.

"Princess," Annabeth said. Her voice wavered a bit, but not from surprise, definitely not.

Percy nodded her a greeting and turned to Annabeth again and whispered something in her ear. The blonde nodded and Percy and gave Piper a quick smile before leaving the dining hall.

As soon as she left, Piper crossed her arms across her chest, eyebrows still raised.

"How long has that been going on, Percy?" she asked.

Percy let out a small chuckle and shrugged, "Has what been going on?"

The princess glared at him, trying her best to scare the truth out of him. But of course, it would never work, the two of them knew each other for too long. Percy knew all her tricks and she knew all of his.

Piper sighed, knowing that she wouldn't be getting that out of him anytime soon.

"Whatever," Piper shook her head, "Do you at least know what's up with Gerard and my father?"

That's when Percy's face turned stormy again. His eyes flicked down to the floor and he gripped his sword that was sheathed at his side, the way he did when he was nervous.

"Um... I don't think I'm in the right to tell you Pipes," he said.

Piper frowned, "What do you mean you can't tell me? I should be allowed to know, Percy, and I can't believe you of all people can't tell me."

Percy sighed, "I could lose my job Piper, you know how hard I worked to become a knight."

"Tell me Percy," Piper continued, keeping her stance on the whole thing, "I won't let Gerard fire you, I promise!"

"I..."

"Percy."

"I don't think I can--."

"Percy."

"Are you sure--."

"Percy!"

The raven haired boy bit his lip and looked around to make sure no one was around, "Okay, fine, I'll tell you. Only because it'll make you shut up, though."

Piper rolled her eyes, "Fine. So...?"

His green eyes scanned the room again before looking back to Piper. He sighed and tightened his grip on his sword.

"King Jupiter has called war upon Lehpid."