Spies-in-Training: A Royal Problem | Percabeth AU

Chapter 4: Arrival

Annabeth's POV
As we pulled up in front of the castle, I stared up at it in awe. (picture above) It was... perfect. There was no other word for it. The castle had the same basic structure you would expect a castle to have, but this castle was... different, somehow. It was huge and majestic. It had seven dominating towers, reaching high into the sky, connected by reinforced, massive walls which were painted a peach color. The towers were the same color, with the tips being a pretty shade of rose-red. The castle was elegant and beautiful. I could easily imagine it as a castle in some story or fairytale, but it was real, and it was right in front of me.

I really loved architecture, and looking up at the castle, I couldn't help but be awestruck by the sheer amount of hard work and brainstorming it must have taken to build this castle. I had a strong urge to ask someone for the blueprints of this castle, but I restrained myself. I was here for one thing, and one thing only. I could not allow myself to get distracted.

The elegant golden gates opened for us and we drove in, stopping in front of the castle, and we all filed out of the car. (Except for Eric, he had gotten out at the gates and was waiting with the guards there because apparently the Queen had wanted to speak to him before he started his 'training'.

As we got out, we were greeted by the Royal Family themselves, who had apparently been waiting for our arrival. The King and Queen were the only ones who knew the real reason we were here, though. No one else knew, not even the Princes and Princess, since we didn't want to endanger them by getting them involved in our mission.

"Ah, you're here!" Queen Sally exclaimed. "Welcome, everyone!" Queen Sally was a pretty woman who had crinkles near her eyes that indicated that she must smile a lot. She had brown eyes and seemed to be very kind.

I was the first to reply. "Thank you, Your Majesty. It's a pleasure to be here," I said, dropping into a curtsy.

"Oh, no need for all that formal nonsense," she scoffed. "Call me Sally, dear. After all, your mother and I are very close friends." She winked at me.

"Er... thank you, Sally," I replied. I didn't expect the Queen to be this nice to someone she barely knew, although I suppose she may have been acting. After all, she was supposed to be best friends with my mother.

Then King Paul stepped forward. He was good-looking, I suppose, with longish salt-and-pepper hair and dark brown eyes. "Hello everyone, good to finally see you. We've heard a lot about you from your mother. This is my stepson, Percy." He gestured towards a boy standing next to him.

Prince Percy was the same age as me, 12 years old. He was scrawny, with a mop of messy black hair that looked as though he hadn't brushed it that morning. He had sea-green eyes that resembled the sea on a calm day. He caught my eyes and offered me a lopsided grin. I turned away, unimpressed.

"And this is my other stepson, Tyson." Prince Tyson stepped forward. He was 10 years old but was big for his age. He had curly brown hair and warm brown eyes. He smiled around at us all.

"And here is my daughter, Zoë." Princess Zoë was 9 years old. She was a cute little girl, with dark brown eyes like her father, and dark black hair. She grinned endearingly at us. "Hi!" She welcomed us. I couldn't help but smile back at her and return the greeting.

"Well, let's not wait here all day!" Sally exclaimed. "Come on in, all of you. I'll leave the Percy and Tyson to show you around. Zoë, you can go too, if you'd like. I need to go speak with someone now. I'll be back in a few minutes. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my rooms." With that, she hurried off to where Eric was waiting.

"I must return to my duties as well," King Paul sighed. "It was nice meeting all of you," he added to us.

"It was nice to meet you too, King Paul," Piper replied.