Perseus was at the gates of Athens.
A Spartan warrior.
At the gates of Athens.
To meet his betrothed.
A young woman, about his age, 16 perhaps, and an older man walked toward him. He noticed the clasp on his tunic, it was exquisitely made, befitting of a king. Perseus bowed to his soon-to-be father-in-law, then allowed himself his first look at his betrothed.
She had gray eyes, eyes that seemed to hold much wisdom, yet had a certain spark, as a Spartan, perseus recognized that spark immediately; it was the look of one used to getting what they want, on nothing but their own merit. It was the spark of a leader.
In that moment perseus realized that his father may have had an alternate motive in sending him to Athens, rather than nikolas inheriting both Athens and Sparta; he thought that perseus would be a better match for this girl, nikolas liked his women to be able to be molded to his will, perseus wanted one to stand up to him, one to think for herself, and tell him when he was wrong.
He saw this all in her eyes.
Annabeth looked at her husband-to-be, and was impressed.
He bowed to her father, showing that he was insolent, which impressed the Athenian princess, but, from her expectations, impressed would not be difficult.
Then their eyes met.
Perseus' sea green eyes were hard, cold, as befitted a Spartan warrior, but there was something else there that, as an Athenian scholar, annabeth recognized immediately. It was a spark of intelligence, not what she expected of a Spartan.
In that moment annabeth realized that her father may have chosen perseus for more than political reasons. Athenian men expected their woman to be easily broken, perhaps he thought none but a Spartan could tame her.
But that spark, maybe he wouldn't want her tamed, maybe, just maybe, he wanted her to be strong.