Thanks for those of you who reviewed the last chapter. I'll try to keep this one going...I'll also try to update some of my other fics so I hope you like this chapter it's got a lot of fun in it. I'm sorry if I focus a lot on her clothes but that's something a princess has to go through. Enjoy and Review! RawR :D!
Luke and I were sitting in the car across from Annabeth and Percy who didn't seem too mad. They were quiet for a moment until we were down the road a little ways away from the studio.
"That was ok for now but you two really need to amp up the romance." Percy said.
"Thalia you need to talk a little more it seemed like you were just there like a prop. When you did speak however you said exactly what you should have said." Annabeth said.
Luke and I nodded knowing that they were right. Later we would be shown our performance after we celebrated the announcement. Tonight dinner was a feast put on by my father. The thing that terrified me the most was that somewhere out there in the enemy kingdom, Kronos sat out there watching our every move and decided whether or not our love was real enough or he had to send an army to seize my kingdom.
I looked over at Luke who had his icy blue eyes fixed on me, "Look
I'm willing to put aside all of our past so we can save your father's kingdom but I can't do this alone."
I looked at him and blinked a couple times he was right, if this was going to work he needed me to work with him to really sell this, "Fine I'll work with you."
"Well you have my word that I'll try my hardest to save your father's kingdom." He smiled slightly.
I could remember Luke when we were younger. He did in fact save me from a burning carriage that my mother did die in. I remember that much before I passed out from the sheer pain of my injuries. There was a dragon and my mother and the whole fleet of guards that we had died in the accident. Somehow Luke had managed to pull me to safety. I remember him smiling when he found out that I was still alive and breathing and then three years later he left.
I sat around my room waiting for Mitchell who was supposed to prepare me for the feast tonight. Finally he arrived with a grin on his face, "A pleasure to see you once again my dear."
"Hi Mitchell." I smiled.
"So what do you have planned for me tonight? Is it another matching ensemble?" I asked him.
Mitchell chuckled, "Of course you're to match your fiancé, and Silena is taking care of him right now."
"So do I get to see this lovely outfit?" I asked.
Mitchell smiled, "After I do your hair and make-up."
I smiled and allowed him to do whatever he wanted to my hair and face. My hair ended up in a braid that my simple silver circlet had been woven into and once again I noticed my mother's hairpin stuck into the plait. My make-up was softer yet more dramatic than it had been earlier this today. My lips were a soft blue shade which oddly enough didn't look as weird as I thought it would've been. My blush was a soft pink color and my eye shadow was a dramatic silvery gray. My eyeliner though was the attraction. It swirled around my eyes creating what looked like a mask.
"Do you like it?" Mitchell asked.
I nodded, "It looks amazing."
"Now follow me it's time for your dress." He smiled.
I followed him through my closet where on a mannequin was my dress. It was a gorgeous dress, still simple and elegant. I looked at it and smiled, "Mitchell it's amazing."
"I figured that you would like it." He smiled.
The dress was made of black silk that gathered in the front showing off accent layers. It was a ball gown style dress that had a slight poof but not much. Though the silk and the poof wasn't the most amazing thing about the dress. The sash and the accents of the dress were designed to look like lightning. Everyone compares my eyes to the color of lightning. So I could understand why Mitchell had designed my dress in the way he did. I was always compared to lightning from the color of my eyes to my temper.
It looked even better on than it did on the mannequin, "Mitchell this is amazing!"
I threw my arms around him and gave him a tight hug, "This is truly the most beautiful thing I've ever worn!"
"I'm glad you like it." He smiled. Now I also understand why my nails were done to look like lightning that even flashed when the light hit it correctly.
The trumpets sounded to signify the beginning of the banquet, "Thalia you better get going, I'll be there tonight with Silena."
"Good." I smiled.
"I'm glad you feel that way, now go show them who you are." He smiled.
I did as he instructed and began to descend down the stairs. All eyes were on my and Luke stood at the foot of the stairs himself his jaw dropped in shock. He himself wore a classic tuxedo which seemed fitting for tonight's event but there was a twist his cummerbund and vest matched my dress. I reached the end of the stairs and he offered me his hand. I took it allowing him to wrap his warm hand around mine.
"You look amazing tonight." He smiled.
"As do you." I smiled.
"Well are you ready to face the critics?" he smiled.
The dinner tonight wasn't the biggest one we have to go through yet, it was one of many. This was the first, the easiest, where people from the city are to attend. Well important people from the city, like Drew and some of the others. Most of them I barely know but they seem very friendly and sincere when they congratulate Luke and I.
Drew walks over, she was still wearing what she wore earlier today but now her eyes are pink. She cooed when she saw me, "You're going to start trends Thalia."
I know she was referring to my dress, "My designer Mitchell is going to."
Drew smiled, "Well I came here to congratulate you two once again."
"Thank you it really does mean a lot to us." I smiled.
Luke now has his arm wrapped around me once again, "Yes thank you for having us on your show."
"And miss an opportunity like this?" Drew smiled.
Luke smiled, "Well we didn't think that our relationship would be so popular among the people."
Drew swooned, "Are you kidding me, people love to watch their princesses fall in love with a mysterious man. How did you two keep your relationship a secret for so long?"
"We didn't tell anyone in fear that my father would tear us apart." I whispered as if letting her know the true secret.
Drew made a small gasping noise, "For real?"
Luke nodded, "I couldn't think of a life without any contact with Thalia. Even if we didn't get to see one another we still had letters delivered."
"Really?" Drew asked with another scandalous gasp.
"Of course a world without contact with one another would've been horrible we had to find ways to communicate." I lied looking into Luke's eyes as I said it.
Luke smiled and leaned down before kissing me softly, "Of course."
Drew squealed and excused herself. Even after she was gone Luke didn't move away. He stayed there and stared into my eyes and I almost swear that the look in his was a look of endearment. Had Luke truly been in love with me? Would he still be if he knew that my love for him was only staged so I could save my father's kingdom?
Dinner was announced and Luke guided me to the table pulling out a chair for me and pushing it in once I had taken a seat. He sat next to me and made sure that he held my hand above the table. There were a few coos from the women around the table. Percy and Annabeth were seated across from us and I could see Mitchell and Silena talking to Drew most likely about our fashions.
"I missed you." He whispered.
"Did you?" I asked with a small smile.
"Of course I did." He grinned
Luke smiled and dinner was served. It was a nice dinner that consisted of my favorite creamy tomato, basil, and mozzarella soup prepared the way I like it; piping hot with fresh garlicky croutons. The next course was another common meal around my kingdom. It was a chicken dish that was served over pasta smothered with a creamy and cheesy white sauce and a chunky tomato sauce. Then for dessert there was my favorite custard. It was also my mother's favorite. It was a violent blue custard that was made from a berry that only grows once every two years. Over the top there is a crust made of caramelized sugar over the top. It was similar to crème Brule but different at the same time.
Luke kept idle chatter going throughout the meal allowing me to take a break and eat a bit. The way he was saying things almost had me believing that we were actually in love with one another. He was spinning wonderful tales of our love for one another over the years. Now I was seventeen and Luke was nineteen.
After dinner Luke walked me up to my room to bid me goodnight and make it look like we were sneaking off. He stopped at my door and smiled at me, "Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow for more matrimony fun."
I smiled, "Same to you."
Luke rested his forehead on mine and smiled, "I wish that this night could last forever."
"I think you can take it down a notch there's no one around." I whispered.
"I know I can but I don't want to." He smirked.
"Goodnight Luke." I whispered.
He held my hands that were resting on his chest and pulled me into a kiss. This kiss caught me off guard even more so than the kiss at dinner had. This kiss actually made me feel fuzzy inside.
He pulled away which caused me to whimper slightly, "I'll see you in the morning Thalia."
I pulled him back down and kissed him softly. He kissed me back and then he pulled away, "I should get to bed and so should you." He chuckled.
I blushed slightly I had no idea what had just come over me, "You're right I'll see you in the morning for breakfast."
"See you there." He smiled.
With that he disappeared down the hall and I disappeared into my own room. I carefully removed my dress and made sure that it was properly hung in my closet and then changed into my pajamas. It was a simple nightgown that fell down to my knees and had cap sleeves.
There was a knock on my door and I opened it allowing Annabeth to stroll in, "Whatever you two are up to keep doing it. Everyone was going crazy over it."
"We didn't really do anything." I said.
"Well Drew was raving over how cute you two were." She said.
"Ok keep doing what you two are up to." Annabeth said.
"Ok I guess we can keep it up." I shrugged.
"Well you better get some rest tomorrow will be a busy day." Annabeth smiled. There was another knock and Percy walked in, "Annabeth are you ready for bed?"
Annabeth nodded, "Goodnight Thalia."
She joined Percy who smiled and snaked his arm around her waist before giving her a kiss. I knew that one day Luke and I would possibly be doing the same thing because I was trying to save my kingdom.
Was it possible that maybe some day in the future I would love Luke the way Annabeth loved Percy? Was I going to be able to make it through this wedding without slipping up? Was I going to be able to keep this act going for the public and Kronos? Was I going to be able to handle the pressure?
I shook off the thoughts and tried to go to sleep. Just as I was really hitting the phase of deep sleep there was a knock on my door and the sound of my curtains being drawn. It didn't do much since I could already hear the pouring rain but Annabeth's sharp command to wake me did.
I shot straight out of bed and Annabeth rushed me downstairs for breakfast. Luke greeted me once I got down there with a small kiss and a quick hug, "Good morning angel."
"Good morning Luke." I smiled.
"Are you hungry?" he asked as he guided me to the table.
I nodded, "Famished."
"Well whatever's being served seems delicious." He said. We still had to act like we were in love to convince the party Kronos had sent with Luke.
"So today you'll be meeting with the bakers to talk about your cake and then after that you'll be working on your dance." Annabeth said.
"After that there'll be a private dinner for you two out on the balcony; which of course if a photo opt for you." Percy said.
"Well dinner with my wonderful fiancé would be nice." Luke smiled.
"Good because you'll be having a lot of those when you go get the approval from the other kingdoms." Annabeth said as she sipped on her steaming mug of coffee.
"Well I think we can handle that." I said as I took a bite of my fruit salad.
"Oh and Thalia after breakfast you have to meet with Mitchell for your outfit and the same goes for each event of the day." Annabeth said.
I nodded. I didn't mind spending time with Mitchell. I actually enjoyed getting to talk with him about things that were going on. He wasn't one for the ridiculous talk that goes on within the city he was a good listener. I finished my breakfast and went back upstairs for my meeting with Mitchell. Mitchell was waiting for me in my closet, "Good morning Thalia."
"Good morning Mitchell." I smiled.
"Are you ready for a big day?" he asked with a slight smile.
I nodded, "It should be fun."
"You'll get to taste tons of cakes." He smiled.
"Sounds good to me." I nodded.
"Well what are we going to do today?" he asked searching through my freshly stocked closet for my first out fit.
"I don't know what do you feel like doing?" I asked.
He ran his hand over the clothes and stopped on one dress, a dress that had belonged to my mother, "This is perfect."
It was a simple dress that I had loved on her when I was younger. It was a light mint green and it was made of a chiffon like fabric. He paired that with a simple pair of white lace flats. My hair was straightened and a small braid was pinned back with my mother's hairpin. My make-up was soft there was no eyeliner today.
"There you look fresh today." He smiled.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I could almost see my mother when I looked at the dress, "Thank you Mitchell."
"I'll see you later for dinner, I want you to wear this when you work on the dance." Mitchell smiled.
I nodded and Mitchell took me to meet up with Luke. Luke was in a simple mint green dress shirt and a pair of black slacks with black shoes. His blonde hair was lifted slightly off of his forehead and the minty green of the shirt really made his eyes look nice.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
I nodded, "Of course."
He smiled and took my hand, "Well then let us go my love."
The city was busy but we were let out at a small bakery, my favorite in the whole city. Luke and I smiled and waved at the people who were smiling and cheering for us. A little girl caught my attention. I let go of Luke and went to go say hi to her.
The little girl looked up at me and smiled, "Hi princess."
"You can call me Thalia now what's your name?" I asked her.
"I'm Kalli." She grinned.
I smiled and gave her a hug, "Well I hope to see you at my wedding Kalli."
She beamed at me and gave me a big hug, "Thank you Thalia."
"It's no problem Kalli."
Luke smiled after I walked back over to him and kissed me, "Where did that come from?"
"She was adorable." I muttered as he guided me to the door with his hand on the small of my back.
Inside the bakery the head pastry chef came out to greet me. She was a close friend of my mother's who had been a normal city slicker before she had met my dad.
"Thalia," she smiled and hugged me, "And this must be Luke." She hugged him as well.
"Hi Yvonne." I smiled.
"Well I hope you came hungry for cake." She smiled.
"Of course we did." Luke smiled his hand was still firmly secured on the small of my back.
"Well then follow me and we can start." Yvonne said brightly.
Luke and I followed her to a table she had set up with hundreds if different kinds of cakes. She motioned for us to sit at the chairs that were set at the head of the table and she sat with us.
After about three hours of cake tasting Luke and I decided that we liked the same cake I always had for my birthday. A simple chocolate cake laced with hints of vanilla, mocha, and raspberry. I was pleased to see Yvonne's face light up when Luke and I unanimously agreed on the same cake.
"What kind of style are you looking for in the decoration?" she asked.
"Something simple yet unforgettable." We replied in unison.
Yvonne smiled, "Well I have just the idea in mind but I'll keep the design a secret until your big day."
We nodded and she escorted us out the back entrance seeing as the front was still surrounded by people hoping to catch a glimpse of Luke and I.
"That cake was amazing." Luke said after an awkward beat of silence.
"It's my favorite." I nodded.
"Are you ready for dance?" Luke asked.
I shook my head, "Not after all of that cake."
He chuckled, "Same here."
Our dance instructors were the best in the city. They had already planned the dance the minute they had watched us announce our engagement. Tonya and Chance were very pleased when they received the phone call that my father wanted them to choreograph the dance. They had decided that our dance was going to symbolize lightning and storms. Watching them work through the motions was breath taking and they were extremely helpful when trying to get us on the floor.
We scheduled rehearsal time so we could have practice up until we had to go get the blessings of the other kingdoms. Finally I whisked away once we arrived back at the palace to my room where Mitchell was waiting for me.
"Well how was your day? Which cake did you end up choosing?" he asked.
"My favorite one." I replied.
"That's always a good choice." Mitchell smiled.
"I know it's your favorite too." I rolled my eyes.
"Of course it is." He smiled, "Now it's time to get you ready for your dinner with Luke."
I nodded and allowed him to put me through all of the things I was used to going through. Tonight he didn't change much just the dress and my shoes. I ended up in a rich purple dress that stopped in the front at my knees and fell to my ankles in the back. My shoes were gold and flat so that I was happy about. I figured that Luke would be dressed along the same theme.
I met Luke on the balcony and he smiled. This was going to be interesting. Everyone will most likely be snapping pictures from somewhere. I decided quickly that I better make this believable.