The Glass Slipper (Percabeth AU)

The Glass Slipper pt 5

"ANNABETH!" Shrieked Reyna. She sounded like a constipated eagle. I bolted upright, rubbing the ever present exhaustion from my eyes and staring into her eyes. They were inches away from mine.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?!" She demanded. "ALMOST NINE O'CLOCK!"

I got out of bed and walked towards my dresser, opening it and pulling out my usual drab clothes. "So?"

Her face turned red. "Mother is furious! You're as good as dead! The last time you slept in..."

"I'll be fine. I'll just avoid her. No biggie." I shrugged. "What's the worst she can do to me?"

Reyna flipped her hair and scoffed. "You really wanna know?" I followed her down the stairs and into the dining room, where Hera was pacing impatiently. I smacked myself. I had walked right into a trap.

"Annabeth," she said coldly. "I was going to be generous and allow you to attend the ball next week, but in light of your recent attitude, I have decided otherwise. You are hereby forbidden to attend the Prince's ball."

There was dead silence that filled the house. I fumed, how could she be so cruel to me after I spent my life serving her?! Before I could even stop myself, I let loose a heartbreaking scream and collapsed to the ground, utterly and emotionally wasted.

"Why, Hera?" I choked on my words. More sobs poured out. "Is my life not bad enough?"

She rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Please don't take this personally, Annabeth, sweetheart. I would never have made your life miserable if you would have just cooperated with me," she spat. "The only reason I'm forbidding you to go to the ball is so that Prince Perseus will fall for my girls. Why on Earth would I let you go if it meant you could win his heart?"

I must've looked like a disaster, because Hera laughed and Reyna snickered. I turned on her, standing and trying to look fierce. "You filthy little-"

"Ah, ah, ah," she clucked, swatting me away. "You wouldn't want to hurt your future queen!"

Hera looked smug and said to me, "You brought this upon yourself. Now go get your sister, Reyna. We mustn't be late for our dress fitting."

They exited the dining room, leaving me alone. I wished I could go too, but I would never forgive myself if I turned into one of them. But instead of moping around all day, I got out my anger by cleaning. Windows, floors, furniture, everything was scrubbed clean. It took me hours to complete and I was finishing just as my stepmother and sisters came back, each carrying a large box.

Calypso strode past me indifferently. Reyna examined the room distastefully and rolled her eyes. Hera ushered them to their bedrooms. I tried to smile, but I knew I didn't have it in me.