A/N: I own nothing. Enjoy!
Some things stayed the same after that night, and some things didn't.
Their trip to the Atlantis Empire was delayed for a few days, as the Iron Maiden had to be repaired and scrubbed clean that not a single trace of Baron Rodrick's attack remained.
Baron Rodrick's body was never found. Scraps of the clothing he wore with dark bloodstains were lifted from the seas after the storm had passed. His wives and daughters didn't seem to mind much though. After his funeral was held, they opened the doors to investigators, letting Jason and his team track down the illegal dealings and partners of the late Baron Rodrick.
"It'll take months," Percy said. "But I think his family and other victims will have some closure at least."
"It'll be a long road." Annabeth snuggled closer to Percy.
These days, they didn't like to be too far apart from each other. Even when Percy was giving commands to his sailors or just simply having a cup of tea, he liked to hold Annabeth's hand or be simply near her.
Being on the seas didn't agree with her initially, not until the help of Rachel's seasick medicine. She had to be careful with the exact dosage, unless she wanted to be knocked out for an hour again.
She could see why Percy enjoyed being on the ocean. When the storm passed, it had left stunningly clear skies with sunshine that brightened everything it touched with warmth.
Out of the corner of her eyes, Annabeth could see Percy at the prow of the ship, his jet black hair flying in the wind like a halo. He turned around and saw her staring, the corner of his lips quirking up. He looked less like an Earl, and more of a sea captain with his military overcoat exchanged for just a white shirt and black pants. With his sword at his side and the top two buttons of his shirt unbuttoned, he looked just like a pirate, except the buried treasure he had stolen was her heart.
When they reached the Atlantis Empire, she was mesmerized by the stunning coral reefs in the shores that surrounded every island. Even the tiniest island, about the size of her mansion, was covered in gorgeous vegetation.
As they reached land, Percy had to remind her to eat as she marveled over the beautiful structures and architecture of the Atlantis Empire. Her excitement was only dampened when they reached the royal palace of the Atlantis Empire.
"Rise, my son."
Beside her, she felt Percy get up from his kneeling position.
Once more, the booming voice called out. "Rise as well, Countess Annabeth, daughter of Duchess Athena."
Annabeth rose, meeting the piercing but kind gaze of King Poseidon.
The ruler of Atlantis had inky black hair, his green eyes crinkling in mirth and warmth. Those eyes were just like Percy's, Annabeth decided. A wild beard covered the rest of his tanned face, but couldn't hide the same crooked grin that the King shared with her husband.
That was where the similarities ended. King Poseidon was objectively handsome, but it was clear Percy owed his aristocratic good looks from his mother.
Queen Amphitrite nodded on the throne placed beside her husband. She was starkly beautiful, with a air of regalness that someone could only be born with.
With a start, Annabeth realized Percy's stepmother's skin was tinged with blue. She was of merpeople descent.
"My brother, welcome home."
The heir to the throne shared the same dark hair and green eyes, though his seemed to glow more green than his father's and half-brother's. The dark hair and hue of the eyes must be a family trait, Annabeth noted. He, too, had a green tinge to his skin.
"Crown Prince Triton." Percy's tone was respectful, but indicated how distant they were.
Prince Triton observed her, but his gaze was more curious and not looking as though she were a threat.
"What a beautiful wife you have brought home," Queen Amphitrite stated.
"Thank you for the kind words, Your Majesty." Annabeth returned. The Queen had sounded disappointed.
"A fine lady for my son, indeed. Your participation in the capture and reveal of Baron Rodrick Ducaine of the Olympian Kingdom has not gone unnoticed." King Poseidon praised. "His misdeeds have also touched the waters of the Atlantis Empire, and it is thanks to you two that the people of our lands can remain safe."
That dinner was the strangest affair for Annabeth, and she had been in plenty of eccentric situations. The Queen and Prince Triton were outright courteous to her, whereas she had expected outright rejection from their attitudes. If it wasn't for Percy's presence beside her and for King Poseidon's gregariousness, she wasn't sure what she would have done.
But she guessed at the Queen's true feelings of her when she entered their assigned bed chambers and found four naked women on the bed.
"Let me guess. I suppose you lot weren't sent to entertain me in bed but my husband?" Annabeth said dryly.
Three of the women had at least the decency to look abashed. The fourth, however, looked Annabeth up and down. "Where is the Earl?" The woman demanded haughtily.
"I don't think my husband's whereabouts are your concern. What you should be concerned, however, is your trespassing in our bed chambers." Annabeth launched her standard death glare.
"T-the Queen has given us permission herself," the woman announce hastily.
Annabeth cursed her husband's stepmother. Seriously? The woman was less mature than the Lords Travis and Connor Stoll, and that was saying something.
"Annabeth, love, have you seen-oh my gods." Percy took one look at the bed and immediately turned around, his bare back facing the women. He had good survival instincts, she'll give him that.
"What are you looking for, Percy?" Annabeth said calmly.
"My shirt. It disappeared from the bath." He mumbled.
Annabeth looked down at herself, where she was wearing his shirt unbuttoned and nothing else. Not keeping her eyes off the women, she ran a hand down Percy's chest. The heated look Percy sent her made her smile.
"Ladies, if you'll excuse us, my husband and I have things to do tonight. Unless you'd prefer to watch." Annabeth hinted.
This time all the ladies Queen Amphitrite had sent blushed before scrambling off the bed to exit the room. The fourth one, the one with the haughty tone, paused before leaving.
"I suppose your body isn't too bad, though it's not as gorgeous as mine. If you ever consider leaving your husband..." The lady drawled and looked Annabeth up and down. She winked before exiting.
"Did that noblewoman just try to seduce you?" Percy asked, indignantly. "Right in front of me, your husband?"
Annabeth laughed, pulling Percy to the bed. His jealousy was quite endearing. His jealousy soon vanished when she showed him just how devoted she was to their marriage.
Breakfast the next morning was a bit intense, with Prince Triton refusing to look at Annabeth's eyes. Apparently he was a bit of a prude and was too embarrassed at the kiss marks on her neck. Queen Amphitrite feigned an excuse of feeling ill to leave breakfast early, while Poseidon just hid his smiles behind his tea. Like father, like son.
Meeting Percy's mother was a breath of fresh air compared to the Royal Atlantis Family. Before Annabeth could even get out a word, his mother had pulled her in for a warm hug. When was the last time she had been embraced so tenderly by a mother? Tears threatened to pour over her eyes.
When Percy held his baby sister Estelle in his arms, cooing at the babbling noises she made, Annabeth touched her own flat belly. He would make an excellent father. At the rate Percy and she were going, he'd probably become one soon.
What if she'd never decided to seduce the Earl? Would she be feeling so blissful as she was right now?
"Hmm, Jason would have still introduced us regardless." Percy mused. "I suppose our courting would have been much slower, and certainly more appropriate. Probably become friends first, lovers later."
Annabeth scowled. "I would have still received a marriage proposal from that bastard."
"But I'm sure you would have made a plan to finagle your way out of that marriage."
"You're right. Join the Huntresses of Artemis, most likely."
Now it was Percy's turn to frown.
"You would have lost out on a great wife, Your Grace," joked Annabeth.
"Not even funny," Percy complained. "Not funny at all."
And when the Earl kissed his wife, Annabeth decided her plans worked out after all.
A/N: When one journey ends, other paths will open. Thanks for being by my side on this adventure, my readers. There's been over 10,000 visitors from 77 different countries who visited this one particular story. Isn't it fantastic to think about all the other adventurers who were by your side experiencing the same story?
I'm sure some of you may be thinking: "There's so much potential for where this story can go. Why stop at this point?" Well, ladies and gents and nonbinary alien folk (gotta be inclusive of the outer space neighbors not contained in area 51), I've decided that this is where the story should end. Too many chapters leads to other arcs, and I actually didn't intend for this story to have too much of a plot. But I assure you there will be other stories to enjoy from me, with actual character development this time lol.
If you liked this story, be on the look out for the next update of my PJO published story:
1. Bride of the Sea God
Upcoming Stories to look out for:
1. Passionate Romance of a Duchess and Her Prince
Summary: When Prince Jason is ordered to head to war, he has to leave behind his first love. When he returns victorious, he finds her no longer the teenage girl but a widowed young woman who still sets his heart aflame with every look. The short companion sequel to How to Seduce an Earl.
2. Scandal
Summary: When it comes to the ghosts of her past, Annabeth's solution is to run away. But when her informants end up corpses, she finds running away no longer an option. As an investigative journalist, she knows she must connect the dots before she becomes the next one to end up dead. But what can be more dangerous than trusting the hot shot detective whose favorite hobby is to make her frustrated in more ways than just one?
Idk which story I should release first. Y'all choose!