Once Upon A Time

Chapter 4 - If looks could kill, I'd be buried within seconds.

"Annabeth, you should start considering Percy as your husband. It has been two weeks since he came back and you haven't gone on a single date." Mother reproached while walking back and forth in the main room, a serious look on her regal features . If she kept going she would make a hole in the floor.

I thought about what she said. Well that was not exactly true since me and Percy hung out all the time, catching up and just behaving like kids in our own little world, trying to come up with something that will stop this foolishness. But I would not admit that to her. She would probably be mad that I hadn't told her or start the wedding bells. Either way, I was not taking a chance. These were uncharted waters right here folks.

"But how can I do that? We grew up together and we have a  connection that is nowhere close to what you want us to be and will never be. The transition you ask of me is difficult close to impossible. " I reasoned while trying to keep my voice leveled. This topic made me so angry that I had to control myself to not burst out in a fit of yelling.

" I understand dear... " She started.

" No! No, you don't. If you understood you would not force this on us. " I said my voice higher than usual. Control yourself, Annabeth.

" What has gotten into you young lady? I am your mother and queen and as the heir to this throne, you  have the duty to protect our kingdom to possible threats. Your marriage and the union of our kingdoms would bring a new era of development and stability that is desperately needed by our subjects. I honestly thought you would see this my way. " She shook her head, a look of disappointment crossing her delicate features.

I took a breath trying to calm myself.  " I do realize and understand everything you said mother and I see you point bu-"

" But nothing." She sliced through my words again, completely uninterested in my opinion. "This marriage will happen, you will obey me and Percy will obey his father. This has been decided long ago and it is not about to change because of your childish whims." She looked downright livid and  very much overwhelming.

I just stared at her dumbfounded. How on earth could my own mother not see things my way? But she couldn't understand what I was going through. She and my father wedded out of love and they are still happy. How can she not want the same for her own flesh and blood?

"Look Annabeth. " She started. "One day you will thank me for this."

I shook my head.

"Listen to me. You are special and so is Percy and you may not realize this yet but you are meant for each other." I mentally scoffed. "Yes you grew up together but that is not necessarily a setback , on the contrary. You have grown close and know everything about each other and care for one another more than anything else. And that my dear is the most solid base there is for a lifelong love, a strong base to build a life together . As I said you will thank me in the future. You are a smart young woman not only due to our gifts. You have insight and great strengths, probably greater than mine or our ancestors. You will realize everything as you grow older. But know this my dear, you will not be let down by this situation and you will realize this sooner or later . Alas, everything on its right time. "

With that she kissed my forehead and left the room leaving me behind . Well so much for Percy's plan. Hopefully he will succeed even though it's more than a long shot.

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Percy POV

There goes my genius plan of actually talking to our parents to find a solution. Mom wouldn't hear any of this, insisting that Annabeth and I were "meant to be" . Of course she'd say that. She absolutely adores Annabeth. However, I expected more from her. Traitor, traitor I say!