Nico sighed as he approached his cousin. He had found him on the beach, perched on the edge of a rock with his feet dangling just above the waves. He had a melancholic look on his face, nothing like the joyful expression Nico was used seeing on his cousin's face.

"Percy! Cousin! I have been looking all over for you! What's wrong?" Nico asked in a concerned voice.

"Oh Nico! I don't know anything any more! I'm never hungry or thirsty, and time has lost all meaning!" Percy groaned.

Nico smiled knowingly. He should have known that women were the only thing that could get such a reaction from his cousin.

"Ah! So you are in love?" he smirked.

"No Nico! I am out of love!" Percy moaned, holding his head in his hands. Nico gave him a bemused look.

"I love someone! But sadly, they do not love me back!" he explained.

Nico nodded in understanding. "So who is it that has managed to resist your charms and gotten you in such a state?"

"A woman, Nico! A woman!" Percy answered, sighing. Nico gave an exasperated groan and rolled his eyes.

"Yes, and what is the name of this woman!" he asked slowly.

"Annabeth"

Nico froze. "What! Are you mad! Annabeth Chase of the House of Athena! Whose allegiance is to the House of Zeus! Is that the Annabeth you speak of!" he exclaimed frantically.

"Yes Nico! Is there any other Annabeth? She is so sweet, and her beauty is divine! Alas! She has taken a vow of maidenhood! Never to be touched by a man! Oh how my heart aches for her!" Percy sighed wistfully.

Nico shook his head. It was clear that his cousin wanted the girl. And when Percy wanted something, he had to get it. But this time, he couldn't have what he wanted. Nico had to turn his cousin's mind away from Annabeth.

"Cousin, you must forget about Annabeth. It will do you no good to keep wanting her!" Nico told his cousin dutifully.

"How Nico? Teach me how!" Percy looked at his cousin pleadingly.

"Look at other women!" Nico suggested.

"I cannot Nico! Their beauty only reminds me of how Annabeth is so much prettier! Leave Nico! You cannot teach me to forget!" Percy moaned.

Nico sighed. It was hopeless. He would try again later. For now, he would leave and let his cousin mope.

"Okay Percy. I will leave you. But I will make you forget, somehow! Farewell cousin!"

In his study, Zeus thought about the new law.

"Well, at least old Poseidon is bound by it as well. Perhaps this will do the city good," he muttered to himself.

Just then, a servant entered the room.

"Lord Zeus, Count Jason is here to see you," he announced, bowing. Zeus nodded and the servant left to fetch the Count. Jason was one of the men who had asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. Zeus thought that he would be a good suitor, the final decision would be up to his daughter.

"Ah Count Jason! It is a pleasure to see you again. How may I help you?" Zeus asked as Jason took a seat.

"My Lord, I have come in regards to my proposition. Have you decided yet?" Jason asked.

"Jason, I stand by my decision. I have no problems with you marrying my daughter, but you have to wait until my daughter decides. You have to make her fall in love with you!" Zeus answered calmly.

"But how do I do that My Lord?" Jason asked desperately.

"I know! I am hosting a masquerade ball soon as a tradition. You should attend the ball and spend some time with my daughter. Charm her with excellent dancing skills and poetic speech. You do that, and I guarantee you that she will be head over heels for you by the end of the night!" Zeus suggested.

Jason nodded in agreement. "Yes My Lord! I shall do as you say and make your daughter my bride!" With that, he left.

Zeus then turned to the servant, Pollux.

"You! Go to the market and tell all these people on the list that they are welcome to my ball tonight! Quickly now!" Zeus handed Pollux a scroll and sent him off.

Percy, Nico and their close friend, Leo, were walking through the market.

"Perce, I gotta say, I completely agree with Nico. You're killing yourself man! You need to quit with your moping and look at other women! Look! There are so many wonderful pretty girls around you! You are Percy Jackson! You can get any girl you want and instead, you go for the one that you cannot have! What is wrong with you man!" Leo told Percy with an incredulous expression.

"Aye, that's what I've been telling him! But the stubborn fool won't listen!" Nico exclaimed.

"Oh, neither of you can understand! I am being tortured! I have been thrown in prison! There is no food nor water and day after day, I am tormented by my captures! It is madness – and hello, who are you, good sir?" while Percy was speaking, a man had approached them.

He was a bit short and had blonde hair and purplish-blue eyes. He wore a pale tunic and had a scroll in his hand.

"Hello good sir. My name is Pollux. Might I ask you a question?" he asked Percy, bowing his head slightly.

"You may ask my good man, but I can't guarantee an answer," Percy replied.

"Do you know how to read?" Pollux asked, smiling slightly.

"Aye, I can read. Do you wish for me to read you the misery in my life?" Percy answered bitterly.

"No sir, I wish for you to read what is on this paper," Pollux handed Percy the scroll.

"As it is once again the time of the year, I shall be hosting the traditional ball in the name of the divine. All who are listed here are personally invited to attend the ball. They may bring friends with them as this is a joyous occasion.

Sir Atlas and his daughters

Count Will and his beautiful sisters

Hestia

Lady Aphrodite and her daughters

Lady Athena

Demeter and her daughter

Thalia and her sister Zoe

Leo and his brother Beckendorf

My niece Annabeth and her brother Malcolm

Count Hermes and his sons

Sir Triton and my son Apollo

Heracles and the lively Hebe

All are asked to be present for this grand feast!" Percy read.

"My that is a nice group of people. Who is hosting this ball?" Nico asked.

"My master, the great and rich Zeus of course!" Pollux exclaimed.

"Zeus you say?" Percy remarked.

"Yes! And if you don't belong to the house of Poseidon, please come along to enjoy this grand occasion! Thank you and goodbye gentlemen!" Pollux gave a small bow and went on his way.

"Say, I've just had a grand idea! My name is on that list and so are Connor and Travis'. And we're allowed to bring friends! So let's all go to the party! No will no that you two are of the house of Poseidon because it's a masquerade ball!" Leo exclaimed.

"That's a magnificent idea! And while we're there, Percy can see that there are much prettier girls than Annabeth! Such as the daughters of Atlas, or the sisters of Count Will!" Nico grinned in agreement.

Percy sighed. "The world has been a duller place after I saw her beauty. And you think you can show me a woman more beautiful than my Annabeth? My eyes do not lie to me Nico!"

"Oh come on! You decided that she was beautiful when there was no one else around! Give your eyes a chance to wonder and compare her beauty to others!" Nico pleaded.

"Fine! I'll go! But only because I can see my fair Annabeth there and not so that I can compare her beauty to others!" Percy relented.

"Awesome! Let me get Grover and the twins and we'll all go together on horseback!" Leo grinned and slung an arm over the other two's shoulders. They continued to make plans as they left the market.

Lady Hera briskly walked up the stairs to her daughter's room.

"Artemis! Artemis! Where are you!" she called.

"I'm here mother! With Aunt Demeter!" Artemis called back from her balcony. She walked back into her room where her mother was waiting. Her Aunt was perched on the bed, chatting lively with her mother.

"Oh Artemis! You won't believe what news your mother just gave me!" Demeter said excitedly.

"What news did she tell you Aunt?" Artemis asked curiously.

"First you must tell me something Artemis. What do you think of marriage?" her mother asked leading her to the bed.

"I don't really know. I am only sixteen. I haven't really thought about it much. Why do you ask?" Artemis answered truthfully.

"Well, you know that a lot of men have been asking for your hand in marriage. Just recently, Count Jason put in his request. Your father told him that it would be up to you to decide on whether or not you accept his proposal!" Lady Hera told her daughter excitedly.

"Oh child! Count Jason is a handsome man! Smooth blonde hair and gorgeous blue eyes. A body that looks like it could be sculpted out of marble! Not to mention how rich he is! You would be incredibly happy with him!" Demeter put in.

"Well, I will not marry someone who I do not love. But I suppose it wouldn't be too bad," Artemis answered slowly.

"So what do you say? Can you love this gentleman? You will see him tonight. Spend some time with him. Marvel at his looks. He is single, a bride will make him perfect! Many find him handsome and admire him! You marry him, and you shall get the same admiration! You will lose nothing if you agree!" Lady Hera persuaded.

"Lose something! If anything, you will receive more! Jason is an incredibly rich man! And all his possessions will become yours!" Demeter agreed enthusiastically.

"But I shall become a possession of his in return! Never the less, I agree to spend some time with him and will try to fall in love with him. But I warn you now, if I do not like what I see, then he shall no longer be a suitor for my hand! I promise you that I will do my best, but it shall not be my fault if his actions repel me!" Artemis announced frowning slightly.

"Wonderful! Now I have picked out an excellent dress for you to wear! My dear, you are bursting with beauty! I shall not allow you to hide it! Tonight, you shall show the world what a beautiful lady you are growing to be!" her mother declared happily.

Just then, Pollux entered the room.

"My Lady, you husband has sent me to fetch you. The guests are beginning to arrive! The rooms have been cleaned and polished, the servants are clean and ready to serve! A glorious feast has been prepared by the cooks! The palace has been lit with candles and coloured lights! A sweet and calming aroma drifts through the air! Your peacock gown has been laid on your bed with golden sandals and a shimmering mask. My Lord asks for you to get ready. Your people are waiting!" Pollux reported.

"Quick! Demeter! Get Artemis ready! I have laid out her clothes. I must go get ready! Artemis! Remember what we have discussed! Now, go! Get ready! The court awaits us! Tonight! You shall find love my dear!" Lady Hera kissed her daughter and left the room.

Immediately, Demeter escorted Artemis to her bathroom and began to get her ready.

"Oh this is exciting! I shall change into my dress soon! Don't worry my dear! My daughter Katie will be here soon and so will your friends! This shall b ea night to remember!" Demeter exclaimed.

As soon as they were both ready, a guard escorted them to the ballroom. This was definitely going to be a night to remember.