To say the next few days were hard for Annabeth would be the understatement of the century.
Agrippina, furious about Annabeth's relationship with Percy, punished her in many terrible ways. For example, Agrippina took Annabeth's privilege to move around alone. She was under constant watch by other slaves or even guards. She didn't get real food anymore, just water and molded slices of bread, and each morning she was whipped in Agrippina's private chambers while the devilish Majesty watched.
It wasn't just that Agrippina hurt her physically, no, she also had to embarrass Annabeth in front of every slave by branding the Latin word for shame, pudor, into her forearm. Annabeth hadn't cried but it still had hurt very much and every slave had heard about her disgraceful deeds since Agrippina let the soldier that branded Annabeth tell the whole story to the others as to prevent that none of them would ever dare to do the same.
But Annabeth knew what Agrippina was aiming for. To hurt her pride and sadly she had done this very successfully.
Annabeth had let go of hope for herself but she still hoped that Percy met a better fate than she did. She didn't want him to be punished or embarrassed over their slip.
He hadn't talked to her since that night. She hadn't even seen him and two weeks had already passed. She forced herself to believe she would never see him again. Maybe he was too embarrassed to return to her or maybe he just didn't want her anymore.
Whichever was the case, Annabeth had to face the fact that she would be stuck with Agrippina. Alone.
She would never be able to leave if by flight or death. The guards watching her wouldn't let her commit suicide however much she pleaded. They'd grin at her, spit into her face and then laugh while they pushed her to get back to work.
Annabeth had finally enough of her life and she couldn't do anything about it.
Over the third week after the incident, Agrippina's hate against Annabeth eased. Mainly because she was busy, trying to find out what Nero was up to.
Even though Agrippina had tortured her to get the entire truth, Annabeth had always stuck to the story that she had left the quarters on her own. She had searched for Percy and then the two of them would have visited the pool and nothing more had happened.
The guard who had brought Annabeth into the whole thing visited her once telling her that the Emperor was satisfied with her performance. She had proven that she was worthy to keep such a secret.
Of course, Annabeth didn't give a crap about Nero at that time. She had simply nodded at the guard and he had left. Since then nothing had happened.
In the fourth week, Agrippina forced Annabeth to work in the kitchen as her personal server. She was supposed to watch over the chefs and make sure that none of them made something stupid. Then she had to take the food to Agrippina who would send her back into the kitchen as often as she could so that Annabeth's feet felt like stone when she lay down.
Tonight, she was especially annoying.
Her dinner had only begun ten minutes ago and Annabeth was already running back from her seventh visit at the kitchen. Just to bring the royal Annoyance extra fish sauce.
Annabeth slowed her pace down when she came closer to Agrippina's dining room and as she stepped into the torchlight, she almost fainted on the spot.
Right opposite to Agrippina stood Jason wearing an expansive looking toga and a big, fat gold ring on his middle finger. If Annabeth hadn't known better, she'd say he was a senator, one of Rome's most important politicians.
"And here she comes," Agrippina said from her seat. "You got my fish sauce."
Annabeth still staring at Jason in awe, nodded confusedly and went to hand over the required sauce. While Agrippina enjoyed her food, Annabeth sneaked glances at Jason.
He would catch her eye and gave her the faintest of a smile that warmed Annabeth down to the feet. And it wasn't until then that she realized, she actually trusted Jason. A Roman soldier.
Annabeth looked at him and he nodded reassuringly.
She hoped he was here to get her out.
"Go on," Agrippina said smacking. "Ask him why he is here."
Annabeth swallowed hard but she knew better than to remain silent when Agrippina had given an order. "Why are you here, soldier?"
Jason didn't look at her, his electric blue eyes were fixed upon Annabeth's mistress. "I am here to offer you a deal, My Majesty."
"Oh how exciting!" Agrippina said. "I am sure a non-important soldier of my son's has a lot of things I might desire."
Annabeth swallowed again. Her throat stayed dry.
"My Majesty, as I have heard this slave of yours," he pointed at Annabeth. "has been a shame with one of my companions. I feel responsible and offer you to buy the slave so she can work for me."
Agrippina threw the bird's bone on the plate and laced her greasy fingers. "You want to take the slave because you feel responsible, huh?"
Just say yes!, Annabeth wanted to scream. Instead, she shifted uncomfortably besides her mistress.
Jason didn't seem the slightest at unease, "Yes, my Lady. My companions are my responsibilities. If they do injustice, the fault is upon me not them."
"Very noble," Agrippina said and leaned back in her chair. With her long old fingers, she fished for uneaten meat between her teeth. "I must say this is very noble of you, Soldier, but I must reject your offer."
Annabeth's hands clenched into fists. She was holding her breath trying not to burst out in tears or scream some Greek insults at her mistress.
In the meanwhile, Jason stood at the table unmoved. "My Lady, I think I must insist. This is my fault, if you wish I can get My Lady a new slave."
"Oh yes I am sure you can. If necessary I could get one on my own even but I don't want to give her away. She is …" Agrippina grabbed Annabeth's wrists covering them in grease. "… such a great slave. I cannot let my favorite go like this."
Annabeth wanted to cry and leash out. She wanted to kick Agrippina in her stupid face and maybe suffocate her with a pillow even though that would be too nice as a death.
Annabeth didn't know if Agrippina noticed but Jason's hand was glistening with sweat and his fingers were trembling slightly. "If My Lady wishes so, I- I am happy to leave it be."
"Oh yes, I am sure. We are such good friends Annabella, aren't we?" The old witch stroke over Annabeth's hair and face, but Annabeth didn't show any emotion.
She would never give Agrippina this satisfaction.
"Now, my dear, escort the young man to the door, will you?" Agrippina returned to her food with a satisfied smile on her face.
Annabeth nodded and walked out of the room, Jason following closely behind her. They didn't talk until they had passed two corners and even then, they only dared to speak in hushed tones.
"Annabeth, I hope you know I didn't mean what I said about you being a shame," Jason whispered while they walked down a small staircase. Annabeth had chosen the extra long way back to the entrance. She probably had to sprint back so Agrippina wouldn't notice.
"I hoped so," she whispered back to him. "Why did you come here, anyway?"
"Why I came here?" Jason asked slightly surprised by her question. "We want to get you out of course."
Annabeth felt herself warming up.
No one had ever helped her. Especially not like this.
Jason took her silence as sign of distrust. "Look, Annabeth, Percy is going crazy because of guilt-"
"That's ridiculous. He shouldn't be so hard on himself. It was my fault. I should have known that there were guards watching us." Annabeth sighed.
He raised an eyebrow. "That's why you got caught?"
She nodded resigned. "I don't know when exactly but at some point, the guards saw that someone was in the terminal bath. They glanced through one of the windows, spotted me and Percy, and like the good little puppies they are, they went off and told everything Agrippina who hurried the fastest she could to the slaves' chambers. I should have known it. Or at least seen the guards. This is all my fault."
Jason patted my shoulder. "I think it was pretty reckless from both of you, but well- things happen when you are- you know- in love."
That comment didn't make Annabeth feel any better. She still thought her misdoing caused the situation and she felt terribly sorry for putting this onto Percy's shoulders as well.
"Thank you for the try." Annabeth said and looked at Jason.
His expression became hard. "I don't like that she is so persistent."
"She loves to torture me. The last weeks were the worst of my life, but don't tell Percy. I don't want to hurt him even more," Annabeth sighed.
She rubbed over her eyes tiredly. It had been a terrible day.
Jason laughed bitterly. "I don't think this is even possible. He is beating himself up about the situation. He's going crazy because he can't help you."
Even though some girls might think that was sweet of him, Annabeth didn't feel comfortable with this piece of information at all. She wanted Percy to be happy. She wanted him to forget about her.
Annabeth hadn't realized that they had already reached the entrance. Guards were standing outside, she could hear them laughing. The stars were gleaming in the sky and the moon was shining brightly. It was such a beautiful night but Annabeth felt as if she could never be happy about something like this again.
"Jason?" she whispered.
The young soldier turned his eyes to her and Annabeth felt touched to see the frustration and disappointment in them.
"Jason, maybe you should tell Percy to let go of-"
"No," Jason said vehemently. "We are not giving up on you, yet."
He looked over to the guards outside but both of them were busy with telling each other jokes. Apparently Rome's discipline was on vacation today.
Jason grabbed Annabeth's arm and pulled her out of the torchlight. "In a few days, there is another meeting at the big palace."
Annabeth understood immediately: Nero was having another convention to discuss the plans to kill his mother.
"I arranged that they send after you again. We will be there, Annabeth, and afterwards we can find a solution, okay?" his eyes pleaded with her. "Please, don't give up on this."
Annabeth sighed but whispered. "We can try."
Jason pressed her hand one time. "We see you in a few days then."
Annabeth pressed his hand in return. "Thank you, Jason."
He gave her a last smile and then, walked out of the hall, the fabric of his toga flickering in the wind. Annabeth watched after him for a moment until she remembered Agrippina upstairs.
While sprinting back to the dining room, she thought about Jason and about the fact that she, Annabeth from Athens, had actually befriended a Roman.
IT'S PERCY'S BIRTHDAY, YIPPPIEE! AND PERCABETH'S ANNIVERSARY! and luke died today along with Kronos but whatever
If you wanna celebrate, come to and join the PERCAPOCALYPSE! So many great new fanart and one-shots.
Everyone just take blue cookies:(::) (::) (::)
The review corner:
Knightlark
That's why I love ancient history so much. It's basically just a few thousand years of crazy kings and emperors and a bunch of killing and power fights! Thanks for the review!
thein273
Don't feel like an idiot :D I was already worried you might take it the wrong way that I corrected you. Even though Agrippina is a minor player (as you put it) in history, I'm still fascinated by her. I mean for a woman in these times, she was seriously badass. She cheated and murdered her way to the top only to end up being killed by her own creation. I also love the relationship with Nero and the fact that he tried to kill her so often with so well-thought schemes (like the boat construction) - and then he ended up sending his guards to stab her. I don't know, I just find this so hilarious.
Thanks for the review and I try to stay as close as possible to reality.
PJoHoOFan
NOW IT HAS SIX CHAPTERS OF AWESOMENESS! ENJOY!
ADayWithNoLaughterIsADayWasted
Yes! A cliffy! I love them so much! (but only when I use them, not when certain troll-authors think they have to be sassy and end certain books with stupid, cruel, painful, heartbreaking cliffhangers *sobs in the corner*)
ThereWillOnlyEverBeOneMe
What really? :D no big deal! You are such an awesome follower, reviewer and apparently writer, that I didn't mind at all to read through your stories!
WiseGirlandSeaweedBrain
Oh my god, what an awesome name you got! be honest how many people did you beat up for it?
Thanks for the review!
xXxThe Queen of HeartsxXx
Really? Because I spent so much time on it! I suck so much at these kind of stuff, but I wanted something with the name of the story on it. Thank you, anyway!
AnonymousAngel1999
Hahaha, your review made my day :D glad that you like the story! Thanks for the review!