The Forbidden Daughter
Hey loves! Sorry for the really late delay, but I had the mental writer's block. I want to post this as quickly as I can because it's Valentine's Day. I love you guys so much, you inspire me a lot when giving me reviews. It gives me more courage to continue writing this story. So I hope you enjoy this. ~;)
18th Century Dresses. The children of the Greek gods were wearing 18th Century Dresses. Well, you don't see that in a minor decathlon. In my opinion, it's just weird. Well, in a way in which they have to celebrate a victory – wearing 18th Century Dresses. But I shoved the thought away for awhile just as James and I got off the van.
The end of dusk made the hair on my skin go up at the sudden coldness; a wind was blowing like a mad hurricane that whipped my hair to the side. A lot of Campers were starting to get inside Long Island Strawberry Delivery Vans while Satyrs and Nymphs helped them up.
Chiron galloped up to us, wearing a black tuxedo without the pants. "I'm so glad you two came. The Ball will be starting in less than ten minutes. Do you think you can get dressed in the least of five minutes? Traffic in New York is quite heavy on Saturdays."
James and I both nodded. Before I could trudge up to my cabin, I noticed James glancing in different directions, as if looking for someone. I blinked at him and asked, "Who you looking for?"
James looked at me; his bottom lip left a bite mark which I haven't noticed since we left Olympus. "I can't find Lucy."
"Oh," was all I could say. I bit the right side of my bottom lip. Okay, so.. major conclusion: I'm not going to have a date in the Ball. Perfect.
"As for Lucy Russell," Chiron said in between our silence. "She is in the infirmary right now. She can't go to the Olympian Ball."
James' eyes widened. "What happened to her?"
"I think you can settle that later-"
"I want to know what happened to her." James pressed and I winced at the danger in the tone of his voice.
Chiron sighed and shook his head. "I simply don't know James. Just all of a sudden, Valerie from the Apollo cabin called me to check on what happened to Lucy because according to her – some poison entered really deep in her body which may take a few days – maybe even a month to heal."
"I have to go see her." James said as he took a step forward, but Chiron stopped him with one hand rose.
"You will see her when we get back to camp." Chiron said as he let his hand fall. "For now, you must get dressed."
"But-"
"I promise you will see her for the whole night if you wish," Chiron said. "But only until 11:00 P.M."
James sighed and gave up. "Alright."
Remember how my friend Carla told me to ignore him so I could move on? I can't believe I was a fool to even think about talking to him. Why didn't I just ignore him? Why didn't I just ignore him? I hate myself, gods I hate myself. There's no chance with James. He's crazy for Lucy, and it hurts. I thought I had a chance with him, but maybe he just makes girls think that way. And I was a victim of his crime.
He's in love with a girl who likes flowers, why can't he be in love with a girl who plays the guitar, yes and that's me. How can he even compare flowers to guitars? By the gods, why can't Eros just shoot him in the butt and make him fall for me? How much flaws do I have to change? How much-
"Ms. Miles." Chiron said as he cleared his throat. "I believe you should be getting dressed now."
"Oh," I said again. "Yeah, I will." I glanced for the last time at James who was asking a few campers if they've seen what happened to Lucy. I sighed and walked up to my cabin, pain in my heart.
"Oh, and Ms. Miles?" I heard Chiron add. I turned to look back.
"I hope you enjoy your surprise." Chiron smiled and galloped up to a Satyr who had a clipboard and pen. I hung my mouth open in an 'o', mimicking about Chiron's words. What surprise? I shrugged and thought, nah.
I lazily opened the door to my room and sighed tiredly as I switched open the lights. I settled my bags beside my tall mirror and grabbed a towel and a robe behind my door. Just a quick shower won't hurt; I don't even have to wear makeup to the ball. Seriously, on my Dad's meetings on premiere nights, even if my Dad's secretary Caryl forced me to wear makeup, I don't. The only time I wore makeup was when I joined Little Miss Pageant when I was seven and on my graduation, the rest never.
"Okay, so after getting claimed, just today you ignore me. Yep, Emily Mae Renaldi Miles, you just never change." I heard a girl say and my eyes snapped open just as I looked at the direction where the voice came. My mouth hung open as I stared at the girl sitting on my bed with three makeup kits. She was wearing a purple 18th Century Ball Gown and had her blonde hair pinned.
Carla twirled her hair with a finger as she smiled and said, "You don't mind if I barge inside your godly room just like this, right?"
"Ahh!" I squealed as I ran up to Carla and hugged her tight. "How on earth did you get here? Wait – oh my gods, you're a demi-god!" I pulled back and shook her shoulders. "You're a freaking demi-god?"
Carla laughed. "Daughter of Aphrodite, at your service."
"Oh my gods, you're a daughter of Aphrodite." I gasped. "How did this-"
"Okay, the camp is buzzing like a bee hive!" Carla said as she rose from her seat and paced around. "You're a daughter of Hera? This is classic, Ems! Hera never had any demi-god children, except you, I guess."
"Well, yeah."
"I can't believe Ryan Miles fell in love with Zeus' wife." Carla exaggerated as she threw her arms in the air. "I mean – it's like .. Wow."
"Um," I interrupted. "Are you going to splash me with a bunch of makeup or are you just going to continuing buzzing out all the Camp news?"
"Splash you with a bunch of makeup, of course darling!" Carla said as she smiled, showing her perfect white teeth. Carla, though I have to admit really was beautiful. But it's so weird that she's a daughter of Aphrodite since Carla hates boys.. well not that much I guess. "Now shower as quick as you could!"
So, I did. And maybe after 50 seconds, I was wearing my Lavender 18th Century Gown. Carla started with the makeup while I just sat there staring at my friend who magic my face away. Carla is a monster when it came to make-up's. Sometimes, it only takes her 30 seconds to finish a makeup, with the puckered red lips, blush and eye liner; she's a mad scientist in the category of make ups. Somebody give this girl an Oscar award.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on my door and it flew open by itself as Chiron entered the room. "We should be going now."
"Wait – I'm not yet done," Carla said. "And .." A dab of lipstick. "Done!" Carla grinned at Chiron. "What do you think?"
"She looks wonderful, dear." Chiron said. "Hurry now, girls. We're running late."
I rose from my seat as we followed Chiron outside the Cabin. I didn't even have to check what I looked like, but I know I look fine and I hope I just don't look like an 18th Century Barbie doll, that's just embarrassing. Just as Carla and I entered the van, I saw James walking with a girl from a distance. Great, he's finally found a date to replace -
"Lucy!" Chiron exclaimed surprisingly. "How on earth?"
"It was James-"
James grinned, "I just mixed up a bar of ambrosia and three drops of nectar, some chemicals."
"You played with chemicals?"
"I needed to make her better, didn't I?" James turned to Lucy who blushed deep red before getting kissed by James on the forehead, my stomach started to feel queasy.
Chiron shook his head. "Never mind, we'll talk about this later. Right now, you two get inside the van quickly."
James and Lucy hurried up to the Van as they climbed in and sat at the opposite direction. The whole trip to the Empire State Building had me disturbed completely because of James flirting Lucy. I sighed and Carla looked at me as we arrived in front of the Empire State Building.
I climbed down as Carla followed. She looked at me again and nudged me.
"Hey," she said. "You seem to have a love problem here. Care to explain?"
I looked at James and saw him helping Lucy down the Van. I shook my head and replied, "Maybe later. I don't feel like talking right now." I never feel like talking when I see them together.
"Suite yourself." She said as we all followed Chiron up inside the Empire State Building.
It took maybe most of our time to shove only ten campers inside the Elevator then another ten again; it almost made an hour I guess. Just as we arrived at the steps of Olympus, Chiron instructed us to choose partners and I frowned just hearing it.
I saw some Aphrodite girls snatching up some guys with dates already. I got out of the other Campers' way as they started finding partners. I tried to search for Carla but it was useless anyway, despite the 18th Century Dresses – I couldn't even see the view of Olympus.
"Found a date yet?" I heard James Andrews ask behind my back. I bit my lip and turned to look at him. Oh my gods. Why does he have to be so freaking handsome? Why does he have to love a girl who loves flowers and not a girl who loves the guitar? He was wearing the same tuxedos like the other boys but his hair was flicked to the right side straight like it's been put on some gel. He had his hands shoved inside his pockets and he was smirking at me.
"I don't need one." I tried to tell him firmly, but half-consciously failed to do so.
James grinned. "Yeah right."
"Don't you have Lucy waiting for you?" I asked him, almost raising my voice. I can't take this; I have to get away from him. I have to keep my distance from this dangerous, handsome, intoxicating .. wait, what did I just say? Intoxicating? Where in the name of Zeus did that come from? Oh dear, Carla help me!
"She said she wanted her half-brother Jeremy first. But she said she'll be dancing with me though." James explained and I rolled my eyes.
"So? What does this have to do with me-"
"Alright, those who have partners can now enter the doors!" I heard Chiron instruct from the west, but I didn't have time to look at him because the Campers started moving again and forming lines.
James walked up to me and kept an inch distance from me which almost caught my breath. He smiled and whispered in my ear, "I want you to be my date."
I caught my breath and asked, eyes blinking from the disbelief of what I heard. "What?"
James pulled away from my ear and flashed me a handsome smile. "I guess that's a yes."
"Wait no – I mean no, I didn't say I didn't want, it's just that – what about .. Lucy? She's going to go nuts when she finds out we – I mean you - .."
"Chill Ems," James said. "It's totally okay with her."
"It is?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"James and Emily, please hurry up." Chiron commanded.
"But-" James took my hand and pulled me to his side so close I almost kissed his cheek. When he saw my blush, he smirked and leaned down.
"You look ravenous." He whispered.
I lit up an eyebrow as I whispered back, "Do you mean ravishing?"
"I do." He said before pulling away but never slipping his hands off mine or even making some distance between us. And with that, we entered the Golden doors.
As expected, everything would be elegant and casual. But my eyes deceived me as I thought at the back of my mind, this is extravagant.
The room was designed with golden curtains, table sets and seats. Pillars were being snaked by a line of vines with red roses. The marble floors were polished clean that you could actually see your own reflection on it. At the end of the room were the Twelve Olympians' respected thrones, each and every one were seated just like I last saw them. Only they weren't wearing Greek togas, they were wearing 18th Century Dresses. Tuxedos were being worn by the gods and ball gowns for the goddesses. Why do I get the feeling I'm the only one who finds that weird enough?
The room was half crowded with different kinds of people. Half of them aren't even people. There were Centaurs, Satyrs and Nymphs everywhere. Demi-gods and minor godlings were lingering around. And believe it or not, they're all wearing 18th Century Dresses. I can't believe I'm the only one who finds it very weird and absurd for Greeks like us. Pachelbel Canon in D Major was being played which preferably suited an 18th Century accent.
The sounds of the violins were coming from the left top floor which I hadn't noticed since I got here. Up on the second floor were the Nine Muses playing violins, some in harps but most were playing the violin.
"Wow." I muttered and James looked at me.
"Yup, never gets old." He sighed.
I lit up an eyebrow. "You mean you've seen this before?"
James scratched the back of his head. "Well, I've imagined it in movies."
"In movies?"
"Yeah, you know that Percy Jackson Lightning Thief? Where they show the freaking awesome throne room? Imagine it with this."
I blinked but then let out a giggle. "You're creeping me out."
"Did it work?"
"Yes, it worked just as you planned."
James smiled. "I'm glad you're happy."
I smiled. "Why make me happy?"
"Well.." James shifted from foot to foot. "From my observation, you've been quite down these days."
"Wait – you observe?" I giggled. "I didn't expect that from a Son of Zeus."
"True, true." James nodded. "But I did somehow expect depression from a Daughter of Hera."
"Well, you can't blame her, can you?" I said as a matter of fact.
"Yeah.." He said slowly. "Maybe I can't.."
Suddenly, the sound of glass being dinged by a spoon resounded the throne room and the nine lovely Muses stopped playing and put down their violins and harps. We all looked at the direction where the glass was still being tapped by a spoon.
Zeus (a.k.a James Andrews' father and the King of the gods who wants to kill me because I'm a half-blood daughter of his wife and not his) stood from his throne with a golden goblet of nectar on his hand. He moved the spoon away from the tip of the goblet before clearing his throat.
"Gods, Goddesses, Half-Bloods, Nymphs, Satyrs, Centaurs and all kinds of creature in our Greek culture." The lord of Olympus' voice echoed the very large room. "Today, we celebrate liberty, joy and victory. Glory, if you may say so. How many years," He paused then went on. "Have we been preparing for such a battle? How many years have the Great Prophecy boggle our dreams and thoughts? Five. Five years of persistence, patience and courage. And to face the Titan army?"
Zeus sighed almost in defeat before looking at us, Half-Bloods. "And we hate to say it though, that we thank our children for helping us in this war." A loud roar of cheers echoed the room as boys from the Ares Cabin started making a riot, but was cut off when Zeus went on. "If it wasn't for them to take the Titan Army, the gods would have been nothing but ash right now. And so are you all."
The man beside Zeus who was wearing a blue tuxedo who I assumed was Poseidon cleared his throat at Zeus who rolled his eyes in mere defiance. "And now, may I present, the child in the Great Prophecy. The Hero of Olympus, Perseus Jackson. Son of Poseidon!"
Everyone cheered in the throne room as Percy walked up to the Olympians before bowing down before them. Zeus gave Percy his goblet of nectar as a few nymphs scurried up to Percy to wear him a golden wreath on his head. Percy smiled and waved the goblet as everyone cheered wildly like wild animals, well.. some of them if you know what I mean.
"To OLYMPUS!" Percy proclaimed.
"To OLYMPUS!" Everyone's voices echoed the room as everyone cheered.
"Let the celebration begin!" Zeus declared as the music started and the Muses played Medieval Fiddle (Vielle). A few people crammed at the sides while the ones who wanted to dance stayed at the middle. I sighed in relief, now I could go get myself a punch or some sweet little nectar, I'll –
"Where do you think you're going?" James Andrews had caught my wrist before I could take another step forward.
"To get some punch?" I asked reluctantly.
James grinned. "Now, that's not very nice to talk to your date in your first prom."
"Okay, first of all this isn't a prom. It's an 18th Century Ball and secondly I can't call you 'date' yet if we're not even together."
James flinched at the last line. "I'll go get some punch for you."
"No – you don't really have to – "
"I see you never let a man do your own responsibility." He said.
"Yes," I said. "And it doesn't matter if it's one of your 'observations'."
"Well, I never let a woman do their own responsibility. I do it for them."
I coughed. "Gentlemen."
James smirked that handsome.. oh gods. "Be right back."
Just as James was six.. seven..eight.. meters away from me, I sighed in belief. I don't think I was even breathing the whole time we were talking. I can't believe that I can't have him.. have all of him. It's so unfair, love is unfair. Gosh, I hate me being a Hopeless Romantic. It isn't right falling for James Andrews. Seriously, I heard records of him have almost, what? Eight girlfriends, including Lucy! Good gods, all of his Father's genes had come to him.
When James came back with the punch, we had a real conversation. It was really like a date, well only in an 18th Century Ball, that is. We started sharing interests like books, movies and bands. I found out that he can play Basketball and is an MVP player. I was like, "Oh my gods, are you serious?". We shared jokes and gossips, talked about Music and songs. Gladly, I mentioned that I play the guitar and rock at it. He was very impressed and really was asking me to teach him. I laughed a bit and blushed as I nodded my okay.
As I watch Lucy dance with her half-brother Jeremy to the tune of song, I thought about how lucky she is to have James as her boyfriend, only a little unlucky for James' quick interest with other girls like his father. Lucy is nice and I really like her, it's not that I hate her, really – I don't. I'm just jealous and bitter, that's all. What? Oh yeah, blame that on my Mother.
Just as James excused himself, the song finished and a whole new song played. The Muses switched from 18th Century Medieval to 21st Century Modern. They started playing Crazier by Taylor Swift. I was in a fit of finding James as quickly as I could, but then that just broke off just as I saw another group of Half-Bloods go on the floor. And my heart broke just as I saw James Andrews holding his darling Lucy in his arms as they started to sway into the song.
And with that, I ran out the doors of the throne room and didn't look back.
TO BE CONTINUED..
Oh, poor Emily. I'm really sorry if I made that ending really sad because I'm as sad as Emily is right now. It's Valentine's Day, mind you and I don't have one for myself, so yes I had to admit I base on my mood on Emily's mood a little bit. But I promise you, it was all part of the plan I'm writing for the whole plot. So, I hope you liked this really really short update and I hope you review your opinion. Your reviews will be replied if they were ever questions.
Again, Lucy Russell belongs to ilovemybestfriends who is an awesome inspiration. This story is dedicated to her. Because she, Emily and I are Hopeless Romantics. ;)
PS. I plan on writing maybe at least 2-4 songs in this story for the Chapters where Emily teaches James how to play the guitar. Tell me if it's okay with your guys, and if it is, please request some songs. Two songs for Emily to sing and two songs for James as well.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone and Happy Independence Day for those who are single like me. ;;)
-EMPG22HoPe. ;)
