"Ah!" Bianca hissed upon going outside after three days of remaining inside for the war counsel. She squinted, blinking rapidly as she stumbled towards the carriage that would take them back to the castle. She could hear the others in her family reacting similarly. Bianca was guided into the carriage by a coachman. She carefully felt the seat as she scooted down to the end of the seat, allowing herself to grow used to the bright light. She felt someone move down next to her. Bianca turned her head to see that it was Hazel, and then took her hand. Nico was directly across from them, while Demeter sat next to Hazel. Persephone, the children's stepmother and Hades' queen, sat next to Nico, Hades finally getting in after them. The Oracle and her attendant would ride behind them on two separate horses, and the advisor and general had their own carriage.

The journey back to the castle took some time. It was dull because it was proper for everyone to stay silent. But the children looked out the window until they entered civilized areas again, for as far as anyone could know, the royal family had not gone anywhere. This carriage looked like any normal noble's carriage.

After they'd arrived back at the castle, the children were led to their wing of castle by Demeter, and told to change clothes. The three met back in their old nursery/playroom to chatter with one another. However, this was cut short by a knock on the door.

"Yes?" Bianca answered. A servant opened the door, her head bowed.

"Princess Bianca, your presence is requested by his majesty, the king, in his office." She announced. Bianca frowned, standing up, and made her way over to the door. She glanced over her shoulder to make eye contact with her siblings to give them a shrug of confusion; her eyebrows furrowed. The door was carefully shut as soon as Bianca exited the room. She followed the servant through the many halls, up a flight of stairs, and to Hades' office. The servant timidly knocked on the door before opening it. "Princess Bianca, your majesty." She said, holding the door open so that Bianca could enter.

"Thank you. You may go." Hades told the servant. She curtsied before exiting the room, and then shut the door.

"What is it Papa?" Bianca inquired softly.

"The Oracle has requested that you have a private dinner with her and her attendant." Hades told her reluctantly.

"Why?" Bianca was confused. What would the mighty Oracle want with her? Bianca could understand the Oracle's liking for Perseus, she supposed, but she didn't see why she'd want to have dinner with Bianca.

"All she said was that she looks forward to talking with you." Hades informed her. "That's all I know."

"She knows of Nico, right?" Bianca asked anxiously. "She knows that I'm not your only child?"

"Of course, Bia." Hades sighed. "I do not know why she'd rather have dinner with you, but she may just want to get to know you. You have a couple of hours before your dinner. Please take Nico and Hazel into the courtyard. It's a beautiful day, and the fighting is far enough away. You may not get another chance to run around outside for a while."

"Yes Papa." Bianca nodded, having been dismissed. She made her way to the common room of the three siblings. "Papa told me that we can go into the courtyard." She announced. "We can run around outside." The three of them were dressed simply, as there was no need for lavish dress if they were merely going to play together or study. They were all wearing clothes that they could get dirty and run around in. Bianca wasn't wearing her circlet, as there was no need for her to. It was worn for formal purposes.

The siblings held hands with each other—Hazel in the middle—as they went to the courtyard; Demeter following at a distance behind them. When Bianca saw this, she felt a sinking in her gut. She wouldn't be allowed to run around with her siblings like a normal child. She'd be expected to either stroll around the courtyard or sit on a bench; like a lady. Servants did not enforce this. However, Demeter and Persephone were always reminding Bianca that she had to behave like a lady, for she was a princess. Bianca secretly yearned to be in Hazel's position. Her little sister wasn't given any expectations to act like a lady. Perhaps this was because of Hazel's age, or maybe it was because she wasn't considered a princess. Bianca didn't care about reasoning; she just cared that Hazel had so much more freedom than she, herself, did.

Bianca ended up walking around the courtyard, her steps faster than Demeter would have liked, but slow enough so that she could get away with it. The princess absorbed the sunshine, feeling the warmth on her skin, closing her eyes, and lifting her chin so that her whole face was graced with it. Yes, this was considered childish, but Bianca hadn't been able to be outside like this in so long… She opened her eyes after a moment to look around and regain her bearings. Nico and Hazel were fencing with wooden swords, laughing like they were children again. Bianca knew that they weren't nearly as pressured to grow up as much as she was. It was nice to see them with so few cares. It made her happier, and she felt as though as she needn't worry about their happiness. Frankly, Bianca yearned for the days of her childhood when she was young enough to run around and play like her siblings. She bore no burdens back then, for she was too young to fully understand her duty as a princess, or understand how she was supposed to behave. Ignorance was truly bliss, back then.

Demeter had left the courtyard for some reason. Upon seeing this, Bianca's eyes lit up, seizing the opportunity to pick up the third wooden sword, and approach the duel going on. To her, it was funny how Nico wanted to both grow up and be a strong hero of a prince, and also play childish games with Hazel. But perhaps this was him acting out his fantasies… She sighed, but put on a smile as she approached their swordfight.

"Don't think your fight will be so easy." She cautioned, getting into a confident and villainous character. "For you must both take me on." This was when Bianca laughed most. She was able to be rowdy and rambunctious.

"Are you so sure that you are such a worthy opponent?" Nico challenged.

"Hah! You must face me!" Hazel scoffed. The three proceeded to play fight, yelling things that felt true their characters.

As they played their game, Bianca happened to glance up and see a flash of red. She froze a second, seeing that the Oracle was watching them through a window. Bianca had to look away in order to resume her game with her siblings. She forgot to look back at the window until all three of them were out of breath, sitting in the grass. But then the Oracle was gone. Bianca frowned, but shrugged. It was common knowledge that the Oracle liked and was good with children. In fact, she put them over herself. She'd rather a baby be saved than be rescued herself. Perhaps that was why she was watching the three play together.

"Bianca, it's time to get ready." Demeter announced, approaching the three. "You two can keep playing for a while. "Your older sister just has to get ready for her private dinner with the Oracle." Bianca reluctantly stood, leaving her toy sword with her siblings as she slunk over to their governess, biting her lip as she wished that she could just be a child again. Around here, child meant free. Maturity meant rules and duties. Especially according to Demeter, who made Bianca clean up before dressing her in a fancy navy blue and gold velvet dress. She carefully brushed the princess's hair until it was neat, then pulling it out of her face and securing it that way before the circlet was placed on Bianca's head. Next powder was put on her face as to obscure blemishes. Demeter finished with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings. She looked Bianca over with a critical eye, and then nodded, gesturing for the princess to stand up and follow her out of the room. Bianca was silently led to her father's office. He quickly and quietly went over what he expected her to behave like while she was at her private dinner with the Oracle. Bianca nodded obediently; knowing this speech word for word. The same speech was given to her whenever they had important company. Basically, Bianca was to be submissive, respectful, and not to speak until addressed directly, and only then if what was said did require a reply. Bianca had mastered dining silently; not even letting her goblet make a sound when touching the table, or her utensils scraping the plate. She was supposed to be in the shadows, so in them she would stay; like a ghost. She'd even help them to fade her into the background as long as they left her alone. But now… Bianca was the one of focus. Not her father, and not her brother. But this was the Oracle. Of course she'd take an interest in Bianca. The woman was unpredictable, but nobody questioned her, for she was powerful.

Hades paused right outside of the private dining room, looking at Bianca with worry. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes with worry creasing his face. Bianca began to feel anxious now, looking right back into her father's eyes. Then Hades was gone, halfway down the hallway, and only walking further away from his daughter. Bianca exhaled, now alone for the first time in her life; only herself to rely upon. She turned to the wooden door, raising a fist to gently knock upon the door. She'd barely knocked once, when the voice of the Oracle called from within the room.

"Come on in Bianca, and shut the door behind you." The princess flinched; startled, and did as the Oracle told her to. The private dining room had an enormous fireplace with a rather large fire inside. The Oracle stood at the hearth, staring into the burning depths of the flames. The fire was a major source of light, apart from the torches on the walls. The table, in the middle of the room, was long, and set for them. There was food on it. A delicious looking feast. The two settings were on opposite sides of the table, but each was on the long side of the table; not the short, so that they could have a conversation like normal people at a not-as obnoxiously sized table. "Come closer. Your dress is lovely, by the way." The Oracle turned towards the princess, smiling warmly. Bianca was still nervous as she approached the red-haired woman. The Oracle was dressed simply, in a dress that was similar to that of a peasant, though cleaner and better made. She was always dressed this way, underneath cloaks and shawls. Nobody ever questioned this.

"Th-Thank you." Bianca murmured, almost inaudibly. "Yours, o mighty Oracle—"

"Is not nearly as nice." The Oracle finished in a deadpan, interrupting Bianca. "Oh god, sorry for interrupting you. That was awfully rude." The woman smiled sheepishly. "There's no need to try to appease or impress me. You don't need to follow your father's rules. In fact, you could slap me right now, and I would take no offense." Bianca involuntarily let out a gasp of horror at such a suggestion. The Oracle merely laughed. "Another thing, Bianca. Call me Rachel, seeing as that's my name, and I'm calling you by yours, with no title. We should be on common ground." Bianca found this strange. The Oracle—Rachel—had pushed aside formalities right away, unlike every other person she'd met. "You can speak in my presence, by the way." Rachel said dryly. "Just say what's on your mind, alright?"

"W-why did you request my presence at a private dinner?" Bianca asked softly. She wrung her fingers in her hands, biting her lip nervously.

"I've seen you at so many war counsels, pushed into the shadows, standing behind your father like a ghost. Your potential is being wasted, Bianca. You are the eldest of your family. It is customary for me to get to know the eldest children of the royal families." Bianca looked down at her shoes. "Just because you are a girl does not mean that you have no value. It just means that when people look at you, they will not see your real value and true potential. I grew up like that. Well, it was worse. I had nothing, and was just street scum. And then they found out that I had the Sight. Now I'm here, respected and practically worshipped. I want to give you a chance to prove to everyone what you can do and who you can be, if they would just pull their heads out of their asses." Bianca's eyes widened at the Oracle's choice of words.

"But… How can I prove to anyone my worth?" The princess asked, confused. "There are to be no royal weddings until after the war is over, unless it is truly needed, and even then, it depends on the circumstances. But if you were the one to call for it, then I suppose—"

"Oh no, nothing like that." Rachel scoffed, sounding appalled. "Bianca, you can be strong and powerful without a man. I'm talking about having you fight in the war." Bianca was shocked at this suggestion.

"Me? But women are not allowed to fight in the war." She pointed out, confused.

"Ah, that's what they say, but that doesn't mean that women aren't fighting in the war." The Oracle smiled knowingly. "The Hunters of Artemis, for instance."

"I thought that we weren't allowed to speak of them." Bianca hissed, her eyes bulging.

"That's what the kings say. But we cannot ignore them. What they contribute is very important to our side of the war. They've defeated so many giants since the war began. But they're not the only women fighting for us." Rachel pointed out. "We have the Amazon warriors. Many village women are dressing as men in order to fight in the armies, or just fighting for their villages when the giants come to them; protecting their families. Their children. Let's face it, Bianca. If these women hadn't fought for us, and just stood back to let the men do everything, we would have lost already."

"How could I possibly fight for us, like these women?" Bianca asked helplessly. "I don't know how to fight."

"That's where I'm going to help you, amongst other ways." Rachel smiled. "I'm going to teach you how."

"But my father would never allow that." The princess protested.

"He may be the king here, but I'm in charge." The Oracle said coolly. "Anyway, what he doesn't know won't hurt him." Bianca felt slightly scandalized, but the Oracle was the highest power over them. That was for good reason. She was the wisest, and somewhat of a god. The Oracle had looked the same since always. She'd been around for many years, and seen more than anyone could probably imagine. Perhaps it was the Sight… Yes, that had to be it. Though, Bianca didn't much want to fight. Not only did she not know how, but she was terrified of the prospect of learning. She'd probably die in her first real battle, right off the bat. "Bianca… Are you alright?" The Oracle asked softly and gently. Her demeanor had just become a thousand times warmer. The woman reached to gently touch Bianca's cheek with her fingertips.

"I… I don't want to fight." The princess whispered, a whimper lacing her voice. "I'm scared."

"Bianca, do you really think that none of the people who fight are afraid?" Rachel smiled sadly. "They're terrified, Bianca. That is why they are fighting to protect their loved ones." Realization dawned upon Bianca, her face relaxing, as she looked up, confused.

"So you want me to fight to protect Nico and Hazel?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrow with worry.

"Yes. I want you to protect your loved ones and your kingdom." Rachel said. "Bianca, I know you can do it. You are strong; you just haven't realized it. I have faith that you can protect your loved ones." Bianca let out a breath.

"This is a bit overwhelming." She murmured, bowing her head. Bianca inhaled, closing her eyes for a second to let everything process.

"This probably would be." Rachel chuckled. "After all, it was overwhelming to be worshiped so, once everyone found out that I had the Sight." She smiled sympathetically. "Come, let us dine, and you can think about it over a meal." The princess smiled with relief, looking up at the red haired woman. The Oracle gestured at the closest chair to them. As Bianca went to sit in it, Rachel walked around the table, and sat down across from Bianca. Their meal was peaceful and nice. Rachel asked about Bianca's daily life, but did not mention the fact that she wanted Bianca to fight. Not once during their meal. However, once they were finished, Rachel stood in front of the fireplace again, staring into the flames.

It was at this moment that the princess thought of everything she had done for the war so far as a princess—absolutely nothing except worry. Now, here was the Oracle telling her that she could help. She could learn to fight and protect her loved ones; her kingdom; her realm. Frankly, Bianca wanted to know what she could do. She wanted to see how strong she could one day be. If the Oracle had faith in her… And could lead her along this path… Bianca knew that she had to do this.

"Rachel?" The princess asked softly as she got up from her seat. Rachel looked away from the fire.

"Yes?" She responded, forming eye contact with Bianca.

"I need to fight. I want you to teach me how." The princess said evenly, hoping her voice would not tremble or quake. She needed to be strong. She had to do her duty towards her people.

"Our first lesson begins at midnight." Rachel informed her with a smile.


A/N: Feel free to let me know if you enjoyed.