Okay, so thanks for the positive reviews guys, i'm really looking forward to writing this story, so i'm glad you like it so far

Annabeth was pulled away from her lonely despair by Martha only a few moments later. The nurse chided her for sitting on the floor in such a state. She soon recovered herself and set the terrifying thoughts to the back of her mind, filling it instead with her duties for the day. After a quick breakfast, Annabeth pulled a cloak around herself and walked from the castle – with a guard at her side – to visit the people of the city. It was a principal which her father had initially put into practice. And after his death, Athena had continued to hold in the upmost importance, Annabeth liked to think of it as a small way of commemorating her father's memory. She enjoyed speaking with the townspeople, walking through the market, exploring the winding never-ending streets of Olympia. And, when the guard's eyes were diverted, she gave what money or food she was carrying to those whom she could – those who needed it most desperately.

For, as in every city, there was poverty. The system could not exclude it; there would always be the rich and comfortable, and the poor and starving. Her mother would argue that some had to suffer for the majority to benefit. It was a concept which Annabeth struggled with. If she could then she would give all she had to the families she met, but she could not. And so she gave a little when she could.

With her guard dutifully at her side, Annabeth walked slowly through the market, purchasing a few trinkets before visiting several houses which branched away from the main street. Many people knew her well now, and she knew some like old friends; she had been visiting them since she was very young. Her father used to take her along with him on his visits into town.

'M'lady,' a woman with plump cheeks greeted her when she opened her door to Annabeth. 'So good to see you today.'

'And you Miss McLean, how are your family?'

'Quite well thank you.' She nodded. But the way she stood – defensively blocking the door, the set of her mouth, something in her eyes told Annabeth the woman was not telling the whole truth.

Annabeth turned to her guard, 'I want you to fetch me something from the market; a length of grey fabric for Martha.' She slipped a few coins into his hand. 'And do not deny yourself a visit to the tavern for your troubles while you're there.'

'Yes your majesty,' he dipped his head, an inkling of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

And he was gone Annabeth turned back to the woman and fixed her with a stern look.

'What are you keeping from me?'

'Oh Miss Chase, we are just strugglin' is all. Berty's come down with bit of cold. He'll be fine soon enough.'

'May I come in?'

'Oh I couldn't – the house, it's not proper…'

'Please Miss McLean, you would not keep me out in the cold would you?'

The woman sighed and stepped aside, allowing Annabeth to step into the small house. The room she now stood in clearly served as a kitchen and bedroom for a few of the family members. An old wood stove warmed the room, blankets and thin tattered cushions lay in one corner, an old wooden dresser stood against the wall, holding cracked plates and bowls and cups.

A girl Annabeth's age sat at the long table in the centre of the room, vigorously pounding dough into the surface, flour coated her hands and wrists, her face too was streaked with it. She looked up with a startled expression. Through the flour and general dirt of living in such poor conditions, Annabeth could see that the girl was beautiful, her eyes were a sparkling colour which Annabeth could not place, her hair was plaited choppily around her face.

'Mother,' she asked warily. 'Who is this?'

'This is the Princess Annabeth child, show some respect.'

The girl wiped her hands hastily on the front of her dress. 'My apologies—'

Annabeth shook her head. 'No please.' She turned back to the girl's mother, 'what can I do to help you.'

'No Miss please, I cannot take charity from you like a beggar.'

'I wish to help you,' she insisted.

'I do not wish for your pity—'

'Mother,' the girl interrupted. 'We need medicine.'

'I can get medicine for you.'

'Not for free Miss no,' the woman insisted.

'Mother! She can help us!'

'I will not take charity.'

'What deal can I offer to you?' Annabeth asked desperately; her guard would return for her soon. 'I wish to help you, there is work in the castle, if your daughter will take it?'

She turned to the girl who watched her mother biting her lip. 'Mother, I could. I can provide for us, I am already a burden to you.' And then, before her mother could answer, she turned to Annabeth. 'I will work at the castle for you Miss. I will, I can work well enough in the kitchens or cleaning?'

Annabeth smiled, 'of course, I will take you with me now, if you can come?'

The girl paused and then nodded, 'I will fetch my things.' And she turned and left the room in a hurry.

'Thank you miss, you offer too much generosity.'

'Not at all, I only wish I could help you more.'

A few moments later, the girl returned with a cloak around her shoulders and a small bag on her arm, she went to her mother to say her goodbyes, Annabeth turned away and waited for the girl outside where her guard was waiting for her. When Piper joined her a minute later, her face was flushed and her eyes were a little red.

'Sorry to keep you waiting Miss.'

'Not at all, and call me Annabeth please. What is your name?'

She nodded, 'Piper. And I can't thank you enough for this opportunity.'

Annabeth shook her head, 'I am glad to help Piper.'

Together, they made their way through the streets, talking quietly to each other. And despite their differences in birth and family, Annabeth found herself becoming fast friends with Piper, who spoke of her family with great reverence. Her father had died when she was young, like Annabeth's father had, and she had three younger sisters and one younger brother, who had recently fallen ill. Piper seemed like a kind person to Annabeth and fiercely loyal of her family, she was funny and sweet and soon began to relax around Annabeth.

On entering the castle, Piper fell silent, taking in its grandeur with an awed expression. Annabeth led her down to the kitchens where she found Martha.

'Martha this is Piper, she is here to fill the position you were enquiring about.'

Martha's lips pressed into a thin line. 'That was not your responsibility.'

'Nonetheless I have done it. You will instruct Piper of her duties and show her where her sleeping quarters are. I can trust that you will treat her well? My mother is expecting me.'

'Of course Annabeth, I wouldn't want to keep you. I'll take care of Miss Piper here.'

'Thank you Martha.'

With a smile and a nod to Piper, Annabeth left the kitchen in search of her mother for the second time that day. It was past midday by now and Athena usually wished for them to take lunch together. But today when Annabeth entered the smaller dining room in which they usually took lunch together, her mother was not sitting alone. Three other people sat with her; an older man with dark hair and a stern expression and a haughty-looking woman seated next to him. The third was a boy Annabeth's age, he had blonde hair cropped short, blue eyes and a kind face. He looked a little nervous and very much like he did not want to be there.

'Annabeth,' her mother greeted her with a tight smile. 'Here you are at last. We have guests; this is King Jupiter of the City of Rome and his wife Hera; they are visiting Olympus for the Rocales and have arrived early. And this is their son Jason.'

The emphasis on his name made it very clear that Annabeth would be expected to get to know Jason well. She swallowed and, with some effort, smiled around the room, her eyes falling on Jason last.

'It's so nice to meet you.'

She took an empty seat next to Jason, opposite his mother who fixed Annabeth with a stare which implied that she did not like her very much at all. Annabeth met her gaze levelly; refusing to back down, Hera eventually looked away towards Athena.

'How was your walk Annabeth?' her mother asked formally.

'Good thank you, I bought a few items in the market.'

'I hear you returned with something else as well.'

Her tone made Annabeth's insides squirm, news in the castle always travelled fast, she took a deep breath. 'Yes mother, a girl to work for us. Her family is struggling and she is quite capable of work.'

'How very innovative of you,' Hera drawled. 'A princess employing servants for the castle.'

Her tone and sneering expression gave Annabeth an urge to jump across the table and strangle the woman. Instead she took another calming breath and smiled at her.

'I pride myself on helping those less fortunate than myself. I think it is of the upmost importance to sustain a positive connection between ourselves and the people of our city. I would hate to find myself sitting upon a throne so far away from the people I rule over.'

Hera's expression hardened, the expression 'if looks could kill' came to mind as she glared at Annabeth, she held her gaze though until Athena cleared her throat and the Queen looked away. From the corner of her eyes, she could swear she saw Jason smirking at his cutlery.

When the food arrived, Piper was one of those carrying bowls of soup, already in a maid's uniform with her hair tied back and her hands and face scrubbed clean. Annabeth couldn't help but shoot her a smile which Piper returned nervously before allowing her gaze to linger on Jason for a moment.

When Piper and the other servant left, the five of them were left to eat in silence; only the scraping of spoons against bowls sounded through the room. Annabeth could hear her heartbeat in her ears, thudding relentlessly and quickly like the wings of a trapped bird. Her mother eventually broke the silence, speaking of the Rocales and who else would be arriving soon to stay at the castle to celebrate Annabeth's rise to the throne. Her voice became a distant noise to Annabeth as she nodded and smiled and ate her soup in silence. Queen Hera glanced at her continuously, King Jupiter kept his surely gaze on Athena and Jason mirrored Annabeth's actions, avoiding either of his parents' looks and eating his soup in silence.

Once the affair was over, Athena expressed her wish to speak with the King and Queen in her chamber, and instructed Annabeth to give Jason a tour of the castle. Annabeth held back a childish protest and smiled politely at Jason before leading him from the room.

They walked in silence for a while and Annabeth took the opportunity to observe him. He was half a foot taller than she was and walked with a confident, well-poised gait. He was handsome, in a traditional way, with the classic blue eyes and blonde hair. Annabeth could see why her mother might want her to get close to Jason – they would certainly look good together on the throne.

The city of Rome did not need a new king – Jason's older sister Thalia was in line for the throne; she had married the previous year and was eligible for the throne after her parents stepped down. And so Jason was in search of a wife – preferably a wife who would give him power, or rather his parents were for him. Annabeth could sympathise with his circumstances, but that didn't mean she wanted to marry him.

'So are you nervous?' he asked as they turned off the corridor and towards the Ballroom.

'Yes, I suppose I am. But I've been preparing for this for a long time.'

'I know how you feel,' he said quietly.

She couldn't help but smile sideways at him. 'Your sister hasn't come with you?'

'No, someone had to stay behind and she volunteered.' She couldn't help but notice a little bitterness in his voice. Was it towards Thalia? Or maybe at the fact that she could stay behind while he could not?

'Are you two close?'

He turned his head to look at her and smiled warmly. 'Yes we are, although Thalia is rather more outspoken towards our parents than I am.'

'Really?' she smiled, imagining Thalia rowing with her parents like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

'Yes, she can be quite dramatic sometimes. But I do love her,' he said fondly. 'I understand you are an only child?'

She stared straight ahead, feeling her heart drop in her chest. 'Yes I am,' her voice barely rose above a whisper.

'That must be lonely for you.'

'And this is the Ballroom,' Annabeth said hastily as they entered the grand room. 'Where the majority of the Rocales dances and dinners will be taking place.'

'Wow,' Jason murmured in appreciation.

Annabeth smiled. 'It's quite incredible isn't it. Those columns around the edge actually provide integral support, and the ceiling is the first glass dome ceiling to be used on such a large scale.'

Jason gazed up above them, his eyes searching the blue sky like he wished to escape there and fly amongst the clouds.

'Well,' she said after a moment. 'There is plenty more to see, let's continue with the tour.'

He came out of his trance and smiled at her, gesturing for her to lead the way.

no i wont be shipping jason and annabeth don't worry, your percabeth will come, just give me time

i may or may not include more characters from the books, im not sure yet though, i dont want it too crowded if you know what i mean

anyways, review lovelies x