Courtly Love (a Percy Jackson AU)

In Which Lady Calypso is Compared to a Hedgehog

***Percy***
          I hadn't seen Lady Calypso in three years. At one point, we had been contracted to wed, but when my father discovered that her father was a traitor, that all ended. She had been spared and sent into exile at her father's manor-called Ogygia, but her father had been brutally executed-hung, drawn, and quartered. I could hardly fathom how disgusted she must feel to be here again. "Bring Lady Calypso in," I told Frank.
        My knight returned with Lady Calypso following him. As always, she looked polished and pretty with her toffee-colored hair and bright eyes. I was terrified by her arrival, but I had composed myself so I wouldn't sputter like I had just done with Lady Annabeth. "Sire, my manor has been attacked," Lady Calypso said, a tear streaking down her face. "I beg that thou offers me lodging. I have no where else to go."
I felt pity course through my heart. "Of course, lady," I said. "Thou is always welcome here."
She stiffened. "Even after my father's sinful treason?" she asked.
I nodded and she began to cry harder. I felt hot tears flow from my eyes, but I blinked them away. I needed to focus now. "Thou said intruders came?" I asked. "Does thou know whom attacked thine manor?"
"It was a group of rebels that supported my father, but were never punished," she answered. "The leader of the traitorous bunch is Lord Ugliano."
My mother gasped. "That man tried to couple with me before I met thine father," she told me.
I felt anger course through my veins. No one hurts my family and gets away unpunished. "Then, he will suffer double the consequences," I said. "He is a disloyal, sinful man!"
"He has taken over my manor," Lady Calypso added. "I believe that he may be trying to rally a group of rebels to overthrow thou."
I felt a work of worry wriggle through my stomach. "That man," I spat. "Is more violent than a rabbit."
I looked up at Lady Calypso, who was trying appear composed, but looked frightened. "Thou can stay in one of my spare rooms," I told her. "Gwendolyn, can you help the lady find one?"
My blonde maid curtsied and led Lady Calypso away. "Frank," I said, turning to my knight. "Can thou gather the other lords and ladies in attendance. Tell them to meet here."
Frank bowed. "As thou desires, sire," he said.
Half an hour later, the food had been cleared and my thoughts were on squashing down a rebellion and not how to court a French princess, though my mind strayed a couple times. Almost everyone was here, except for Lord Jason, Lord Octavian, and Princess Rachel. "Lady Calypso believes that the men are planning to attack this castle," I said. "I do not wish to be held under siege. I'd rather fight in the open."
        "Then, thou must act soon," Frank pointed out. "Lady Calypso's manor is just a half day's journey on horseback from here."
         "Does thou think I could muster soldiers in a timely fashion?" I asked.
          "That would be quite hard," Nico said.
"And the battle will injure many soldiers," the court physician, Will added.
"I must battle," I said. "It's for the stability of my kingdom."
"Then, thou should prepare the soldiers quickly," Annabeth told me.
I nodded and stood up. "Frank," I began, but hurried footfalls cut me off. It was Jason with Lady Calypso. "Sire," He said, executing a quick bow. "I have dreadful news. Princess Rachel has been kidnapped by Lord Octavian!"
"The Scottish princess has been captured?" I repeated, my chest beating rapidly in horror.
"Lord Octavian desires to wed Princess Rachel and make himself king of England and Scotland," Lady Calypso said.
"There's more," Lord Jason added. "I believe that Lord Ugliano is supporting him."
I bit back a few curse words. "This changes everything," I said. "I must retrieve the Scottish princess and put down this God-forsaken rebellion."
"And the traitors?" my advisor, Grover, asked.
"The traitors will rue the day that they ever harmed my subjects," I said.
*****
It was two days later and I was leaving soon with a small army. Most of my knights and lords were accompanying me, but my mother and the rest of the ladies would be safe with the protection of stationed guards. The palace blacksmith, Beckendorf, has been busy forging and repairing weapons for the battle and was staying behind. I had left my mother in charge, for she knew how to rule.
         My brother, Tyson, had pestered me unceasingly until I agreed that he could partake in the battle. I didn't want my younger brother to be hurt. I stopped by his room to check on him. I peered through the door and saw him with his hands clasped around a red-headed lady from court. "I'll return, Ella," he said softly.
        "Thou must return," she said. "With more books preferably. They say Lady Calypso's manor has 39 books. I should like to read them."
      He smiled and kissed her softly. I left, not wanting to interrupt him. I walked down the hallway and saw my court jester, Leo, arguing with Lady Calypso. She saw me and appealed for my help. "Sire, get this insufferable man away from me!" she said.
      "Insufferable, me?" Leo said. "Thou art as insufferable as a hedgehog. Thou might be comely, but thou art as prickly as a hedgehog."
     "I am not!" Calypso retorted as I walked off to leave them alone in their bickering.
      I almost ran into Lady Annabeth. For once, her lady-in-waiting wasn't beside her. "Thou art leaving without a goodbye?" she asked, her expression hard.
      I felt my face heat up like iron in the forge. "My apologies, my lady," I started to say.
        I thought she was going to take out a dagger and attack me. Instead, she kissed me. I was so surprised when she let go that I almost felt like I was being rocked by the waves of an ocean. Then, she walked off and left me confused, apprehensive, and somewhat hopeful.