It had been a long week for Percy. Between Annabeth taunting him during her courting with Prince Michael and Princess Drew flirting with him, he was counting down the days when they would leave. He just had to get through tonight. A ball was being thrown in honor of Prince Michael and Princess Drew. All the privileged would be attending. Percy was to be dressed in his formal uniform along with the other palace guards. The only upside was he should blend in with the other guards. It was going to be a long night.

Percy got Blackjack out of his stall that morning, like he did every morning and walked with him to the west gate that lead outside the city. Once they were outside, Blackjack took off. Percy watched as Blackjack became nothing more than a speck with a trail of dust behind him. The first time he did this, Percy thought that he would never see him again. But Blackjack always came back. But Percy always wondered if today was the day the stallion would come to his senses and just run. With Percy's care, Blackjack's back had healed completely. He had yet to actually ride him. He wasn't sure if it was because the stallion wasn't ready or he wasn't ready. When the stallion returned, he looked refreshed from his run. "Feel better?" Percy asked the horse.

Blackjack neighed in response.

Percy turned and walked with the horse back through the city. "That's good. Cause I've got escort duty all day and all night. So you need to behave while I'm gone. No biting the stable boy."

The horse made a sound that actually sounded like a snicker.

"Not funny."

They soon arrived at the stables and Percy made sure that Blackjack was secure. He remembered sleeping in the stable with Blackjack the first several nights to get him used to it. Thankfully he adapted quickly. His morning run helped though. Once Percy, was dressed for his duties he headed to the palace. It was busier than usual with the upcoming ball that evening. He made his way to his post outside of Princess Annabeth's door.

Annabeth was two breaths from tearing Drew to shreds.

"Please?" Drew put on her best pouty face that probably worked at home, but not with Annabeth.

"I've told you before, I do not tolerate your treatment of the staff, that includes Percy Jackson." Annabeth tried to contain the growl that surely came out.

"But he won't so much as move a muscle but at your command. If you told him to . . ."

"Enough!" Annabeth stood to her full height. "You will not lay one hand on him."

Drew's eyes widened at Annabeth's sudden outburst. Then Drew's eyes widened further as though she just had an idea strike her. "Annabeth! You little minx. All you had to tell me was that he was yours."

Annabeth sighed in frustration. "What are you talking about?"

"All this time, pretending to be all proper, I never suspected."

"I never!" Annabeth practically screamed in protest at the accusation.

"It's alright. Your secret's safe with me." She winked conspiracially at Annabeth as she got up and headed to the door. "And you don't need to worry. I won't threaten your territory." She said as she left. Percy was just outside the door and Drew gave him an approving look and then giggled at Annabeth's furious look as she closed the door.

Annabeth collapsed into her chair. She would definitely have to address that later. Right now she was just glad that at least she didn't have to worry about Percy being accosted by her all evening. She finished getting ready and left her room.

"Your highness." Percy automatically answered. "Queen Athena wishes to meet with you in her study."

"Thank you Sargent." Annabeth replied. Then in a lower voice she asked. "Any idea what for?"

"Sorry, no." Percy replied just as quietly.

Annabeth nodded in response. It was odd for her mother to call for her before breakfast, but she suspected that it was something that she wished to discuss with her in private, without guests overhearing. The queen's study wasn't far from her room, so it wasn't long before she arrived. When they arrived, Percy knocked for her.

"Enter." came the muffled reply through the door. Percy opened the door to let Annabeth enter. Annabeth immediately walked in to see her mother riffling through several papers. "Annabeth, please sit." Annabeth lowered herself into a chair as Percy shut the door behind her, leaving them alone. "How has it been going with Michael?"

"Fine." Annabeth shrugged. "He is more into the arts than politics."

"I accessed as much. I must admit, I did not expect so many wishing to court you after your involvement in the sea of monsters."

"Nor I."

"It seems that every prince is calling to come courting, excluding Poseidon's son, Prince Triton." She said as she looked through several papers. Annabeth assumed they were all letters. "Of course, he probably knows better than to come calling around here. Now, I don't mind them coming to visit, just not all at once. You are still young."

"Yes, mother."

"Speaking of youth. King Hades has just asked for you to visit his kingdom and meet his son, Prince Nico DiAngelo."

"Prince Nico?" No one had ever seen him. He was a bit of a mystery in the courts of Olympus.

"He is younger than you by four years, and really shouldn't be entering such propositions, but we can't really afford to pick a fight with Hades. So you will have to leave for Ephyra as soon as things are finalized with Michael."

"Why am I traveling? I thought that they were to come here? And is it safe to travel with war pending?"

"Normally, the suitor does the traveling. But you know how Hades is. His son is not permitted to leave the kingdom, thus you go to him. Not to mention he really is too young for all this. So just be nice. Nothing will come of it, I'm sure. As for the war, all reports say that Castellan's army is in the south and hasn't made any attempt to move. So traveling in the north should be safe enough."

"When do I leave?"

"A couple of days after Prince Michael takes his leave. And let's not mention your little expedition."

"Of course."

"I will arrange the arrival of all of your other suitors to come after your return." She eyed the pile of papers.

"Yes, mother."

"Good. Enjoy your morning with Michael."

"Thank you, mother." Annabeth rose from her seat and left the room. Percy followed close behind as Annabeth began to vent. "I can't believe I have to patter to these princes, while a war threatens to break any minute." She stopped and faced Percy, and said in a more calm tone. "We are to leave for Ephyra in three day's time. Will you please make the preparations."

"Yes, your highness." Percy replied.

She nodded and continued on her way down to breakfast, dreading seeing Drew again.

Percy was literally trying to stave off boredom. He stood in his place beside Annabeth's throne and he thought that he blended in well with the other guards lining the ballroom. But it really was the most boring job holding still and looking impassive. Annabeth was mingling with the royals, who supposedly wouldn't try anything in front of the queen, so Percy was forced to watch Annabeth from a distance as one guy after another put their arms around her twirling her around the floor. The queen smiled and nodded as she watched. He was just waiting for one sign to intervene. But nothing happened. The party didn't wind down until around one thirty in the morning. Percy was exhausted when he was dismissed and wanted nothing more than to just go to bed, so he was surprised to hear sounds coming from the arena when he walked by. Out of curiosity he entered it. He shouldn't have been surprised to see Princess Annabeth furiously attacking a dummy, but he was.

"Princess Annabeth?" He said disbelievingly.

"Percy." She smiled as she turned to face him. "They finally let you off. Ready for a spar?"

Percy raised his hands in surrender. "I'm afraid, I'll have to pass. I was just heading to bed. I'm surprised you are not doing the same."

She turned away. He could tell she was disappointed. "I will. I just needed something to stab."

"Did something happen? I waited for any type of signal . . ." Percy worried.

"No, no. Nothing inappropriate happened. Between you and my mother, no one would dare. No, I just dislike the false airs. I just needed to be me, for a little bit."

Percy had never seen her like this before. He hesitantly reached out a hand toward her before he realized what he was doing and quickly retracted it. "Uh, well, just don't stay up too late, your highness." Percy took a step back.

She turned to face him again. She had a small smile on her lips. "Thanks for checking on me. Get some rest, seaweed brain."

"Good night, wise girl." Percy smiled back. He walked to the edge of the arena and was about to leave when he turned, and despite his body demanding sleep watched Annabeth gracefully stab and slice at the dummy. She stayed for a few more minutes and then left the other side of the arena. Once Percy saw her safely away, he finally relented and went to bed.