We're starting a new story! This is a crossover between Percy Jackson and The Selection by Kiera Cass. But you technically don't need to read the Selection to read this. However, it will make more sense if you do so. Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson (Rick Riordan) or The Selection (Kiera Cass). Thank you!
"Annabeth? Are you awake?" yelled Helen from the downstairs. "Get down here! We have a letter, and it's addressed to the entire family!"
I knew that it couldn't be any ordinary letter, we got them every day. It wouldn't make any sense for my stepmother to call me down for that. And unfortunately, I had my suspicions as to what that letter could say.
I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed. Why today? I knew what had arrived in the mail. As I walked down the tiny, steep stairs of my home, I saw her waving an official-looking letter. Just like that, my suspicions were confirmed. There was a palace seal holding the letter closed, and that proved me correct.
Helen beckoned me over with her other hand, grasping the message firmly in the other. Her manicure nearly matched the color of the palace seal, both deep purples. I eyed the letter. The envelope was tinted blue, with the large plum-colored seal placed directly in the center. The letter looked elegant but was actually bulging at the seams. There must've been a large quantity of paper inside.
She handed me the envelope but interrupted the silence before I could tear away the wax seal. "Well, go on then! Open it!" she demanded. A flash of annoyance crossed my mind, as that was what I was doing. But I followed her instructions and carefully peeled away the wax. But the moment that I opened up the letter, Helen snatched it away. She ripped out the paper inside.
The paper unfolded at her fingertips. When Helen saw it, her eyes went wide. I caught a trace of a smile in her jaw. By now, the entire family had filed into the room and taken seats in chairs around the fireplace. Bobby and Matthew were guiltily eavesdropping, pretending to play with some toy robots. My father was listening in too, but he was reading the paper simultaneously.
Helen began reading aloud so that everybody in the room could hear. "To the House of Chase," she announced. The twins leaned forward, no longer pretending to play. My father lowered his newspaper.
"The recent census has confirmed that a single woman between the ages of sixteen and twenty currently resides in your home," she continued. That was me.
Bobby stage-whispered to me "Annabeth! That's you, cause you're seventeen!" Wow, thanks, Bobby. I didn't know that, I thought to myself.
"We would like to make you aware of an upcoming opportunity to honor the great nation of Illéa," sang out my stepmother. She eyed me to see my reaction. "Our beloved prince, Perseus Jackson, is coming of age this month. As he ventures into this new part of his life, he hopes to move forward with a partner, to marry a true Daughter of Illéa. If your eligible daughter, sister, or charge is interested in possibly becoming the bride of the Prince and adored princess of Illéa, please fill out the enclosed form and return it to your local Province Services Office."
By now, my father was listening completely. He seemed slightly shocked, wary, but slightly understanding. Strange combination. Helen continued. "One woman from each Province will be drawn at random to meet the prince. Participants will be housed at the lovely Illéa palace in Angeles for the duration of their stay. Their families will be generously compensated-" I could literally see the greed in her eyes- "For their services to the royal family."
She continued to drone on, but I lost interest in listening. I collapsed into the plush chair behind me and blocked out her voice. I caught my father staring at me, looking inquisitive. He was gauging my reaction to the letter. I purposefully plastered on an interesting face to make him happier.
As Helen finished, my father cleared his throat and fixed his gaze upon her. "Helen and Annabeth, could I speak with you both for a moment?" Bobby and Matthew groaned when he pointedly stared at them, and they dragged themselves off the floor and into another room.
Frederick stared at us both for an awkward amount of time before speaking. "Annabeth, what do you think about this… recent development?"
Whilst I was glad that he asked for my opinion, but I knew it would be overlooked. Nevertheless, I spoke. "Dad, you know what I think about this. I find it ridiculous that you guys want me to attempt to be the wife of a One. I don't want to compete in a place where the most shallow, selfish girls get chosen. I will be kicked out on the first day."
Helen narrowed her eyes. "Then go. There is nearly no chance that you will be picked anyways. But if you did, imagine the possibilities!" Her volume had increased, and I felt like she would be shouting at me soon.
I was hoping my dad wouldn't pick sides, but he did. And of course, he supported Helen. "Annabeth… well, you know that we are not doing well financially. Not to mention your talents lie outside of this caste. Even if you left the first day, we would still get a lot of money."
His words struck a chord inside me, and I felt moved to his argument. My father was incredibly persuasive when he wanted to be. Still, I put up a fight. "Dad, I don't want to enter for money. I would only enter for the prince because the crown doesn't interest me. But I have no love for Prince Perseus either. He is probably dull and unintelligent."
Helen's voice got sugary, but I could see through her facade. "But honey, what if he wasn't? I would never ask you to marry somebody that was beneath you, but what if he isn't? Wouldn't that be worth it?"
"No," I repeated. "Even if he were a good man, I could never be a queen. You both know it."
My dad closed his eyes for a moment, then gradually opened them. His eyes were sympathetic, but a little bit hard. "Bethie… you would make a wonderful queen. Your thoughts and interests and ideas are perfect for a monarch that I feel this country needs. If you don't want the crown, you can make the choice to leave it, to not take it. But what harm does it do to try?" he whispered.
A stray tear wandered down my cheek, but I rubbed it into my rough sleeve before it reached my chin. "I suppose… but what if I got in?"
Frederick responded gently, "Then it would be okay. It's just like sampling a new food. It could be worth it." That was all it took for us to slowly cave into a hug. I hugged my father, then Helen joined in. Funnily, I wasn't as bothered by her presence as before. We stayed that way for a while and then broke off to go to sleep.
When I climbed back into bed, I glanced out the tiny window. It had been boarded up a while ago on the outside. I leaned into the glass and took a deep breath. When I breathed out, it caused a large smudge mark in the glass. I peeked out through a tiny hole between the boards on the outer side of the window and looked over my yard.
Who knew? Maybe this was one of my last days to look through my window. Maybe this was one of my last days here.
I fell asleep to the sound of the ticking hand of a clock. In my dreams, I saw the pile of paperwork on the table that I would do tomorrow. Those papers would determine my future, but only if I allowed them to do so. My decision was obvious, but I still found myself with doubts.
Hello peoples! Sorry that I have been inactive for so long, but I'm back again with a new story. Constructive criticism is welcome, but no flaming. Please take the time to review, I really appreciate it. See you next time!
-Meistar