A/N Apologies, my beloved readers~ Here is the chappie!

"We're here," Leo's voice pulled me out of my thoughts as he parked in the worker's lot.

I unbuckled myself and hopped out. This side of the castle looked all too familiar. The parking lot bordered the woods where Luke, Thalia and I used to play as kids. This was the side of the Palace he snuck in through. This is where it all started.

A tight knot formed in my stomach and my shoulders involuntarily tensed. I followed Leo through the entrance, wary of anyone who saw us. I kept my head down and my hand itched to get my knife.

"Annabeth? Kingdom to Annabeth," Leo waved his hands in front of my face. I blinked and swatted his hands away.

"Jeez, I'm listening. What?"

"I said the girls' locker room is on the right, but I'm going to head left, because… well I'm a guy," he said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Okay, thanks," I chuckled.

The locker room reminded me of those stereotypical high school ones, only glorified. Blue lockers lined the walls but instead of benches, there were plush couches and chairs. I think it was also supposed to double as a break room.

"Annabeth?" someone called. I looked in the direction the voice came from and saw Selina.

"Hey Selina!" I walked over.

"It's good to see you here. See? I knew you'd make it," she smiled.

"Thanks, you too. Umm, I didn't actually get a locker or anything yesterday… do you know who I should ask?"

"Ask Katie. She should be over there," Selina pointed to the left.

I thanked her and went to find Katie. I found her sitting and filling out papers in the corner. "Hey," I waved, then curtsied after remembering I should be doing that more.

"Hello Annabeth. Do you need anything?"

"Um, I didn't get a locker yesterday or a uniform," I chuckled nervously.

She raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

I nodded. She put down her clipboard and walked to the door beside her chair.

After unlocking it, she walked through and gestured for me to follow. The walk-in closet was like a mini-outlet hidden in the walls. Uniforms lined the walls from floor to ceiling.

Katie looked at me and said, "You seem like a medium/small."

I didn't know how to respond in a polite way so I just nodded and followed her. We walked to the far wall and she started picking out each piece: collared shirt, skirt, socks and shoes. The navy blue and white combination made it look like a preppy school uniform, but the grey and sea green added the Kingdom's touch. Not to mention the Royal's emblem was embroidered where the chest pocket would normally be.

I was never against uniforms, but then again, I liked the comfort of my own clothes. What worried me the most was the skirt and how it may be restricting in some situations. "Katie, I saw some pants near the entrance… are those part of the uniform by any chance?"

She finished folding up my uniform and walked over to the front of the closet, visibility confused until she saw what I was talking about. "Oh these. They are for the kitchens and architecture branches because in those cases a skirt could be a potential hazard," she explained.

See? I'm not the only one who thinks women's clothes undermine their ability to defend themselves.

I plastered an understanding look onto my face. "Oh, I see. Since I am in the architecture branch, do you think I could wear pants instead." I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to be Percy's slave anymore based on what he said yesterday about how he wouldn't see after that night.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "But you won't be building very much since you are a girl." Excuse me? I think the Palace's twisted norms go beyond modern slavery into downright stereotypical accusations.

"But I would like to help as much as I can and if they need builders, then I would volunteer. Can I wear pants just in case I need to build?" I pleaded with my eyes.

After hesitating, she said, "Alright, I guess so."

"Yes! Thank you!"

"But, if any of the Royals say anything about it, then you must come here so we can get you the proper attire. Understand?"

"Understood."

She packed up my uniform, sans the skirt, and went to grab a pair of pants. We walked towards the front, and I looked back at all the clothes. It would be such a shame if someone were to set these on fire, I thought. Then I followed Katie out the door.

I got a locker, apparently they don't have locks here, and went to go put my stuff away. Everyone besides Katie and I were gone seeing that it was 9:05. I wasn't too worried about being late though, because I could just blame Percy for not showing me the lockers and Sally would eat it up.

Once I changed into the uniform, I shut the locker and headed out. I'm off to my dream job, I thought. Though pranking Percy sounded fun, I had wanted to be an architect for my whole life. This was my chance, even if for only a week. A week in paradise, one might say, but with pockets full of hell around every corner. I had to be careful. Never let your guard down.

I nearly crashed into someone when I pushed the locker room door open. "Watch where you're-" I mumbled under my breath before I looked up to see Sally. "Oh! My apologies Your Highness," I exclaimed with a deep bow.

Much to my relief, she seemed amused. "It's no biggie, Annabeth. Come with me, though."

Uh oh. Why does it feel like I'm being walked to the principal's office? I wrack my brain to figure out what I did wrong this time… and who I could blame to get out of it. Sally led me up the blue velvet staircase, just like last night.

"I'm sure you're curious as to what I'm going to tell you," she said without looking back.

"Yes, Your Highness," I replied, proud to have remembered the petty title.

"Sally, remember?" Oh, right.

She reached the end of the staircase and waited for me to catch up. We walked side-by-side and she kept her voice low. "I want to apologize for the entirety of yesterday. I know Percy didn't give the best first impression, and there are no excuses for his behavior."

I nodded my head, not sure where this was going. We kept walking… right past the architecture and design room.

"Originally, I thought to transfer you to the A&D branch after yesterday seeing how things were going, but Percy requested for you to stay, so I've decided to let things play out," she explained.

I've never heard so much bullshit in one sentence before, I thought. First off, Percy was the one who begged Sally to kick me out after yesterday. Second, Percy didn't request me to come back. Even after everything that happened yesterday, I still felt like he hated me.

Not to mention I was a little sad about my crushed childhood dream job. There was no way to get around this because the 'plan' was the transfer after next week. It would make me seem strangely eager not being able to hold out a few more days to be in the A&D branch, no matter how excited I felt.

Sally studied my face and I realized I had to act happy. "That sounds like a great plan," I said. I tried to sound confident, but the words came out more weak than ever.

Her face fell slightly and I felt bad. "Don't worry. If he starts acting up again, or if things don't work out, then I'll make sure to transfer you ASAP. Also, when he's in meetings you can head over there. Deal?"

"Deal," I said with a triumphant smile.

We reached his door and stopped. Sally placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned in. "I sincerely thank you for this. I know he can be a little much sometimes, but he's a good person deep down, you just have to be patient," she whispered.

I nodded and she smiled. "I'll see you later, Sally."

She walked back down the hall and around the corner. I realized that I was probably too informal with her and shook my head. Everything about the Palace was confusing.

I looked at the stupid double doors and barged in.

Percy was sitting on the couch watching TV, but jumped when I came in. I swear I saw him smile though. "Have you ever heard of knocking before?"

"Nope." I walked over to the dining table where freshly baked blue cookies waited for me.

"You're late," he stated. I glanced at the oven clock. It read 9:23. Eh, not too bad.

I shrugged and stuffed a cookie into my mouth expecting him to say something, but he didn't. An empty plate laid on the coffee table in front of him and I realized he already ate some. Did he make extra for me?

Regardless of his reasons, I didn't care. After grabbing the plate, I went over to plop down on the edge of the couch, as far away from Percy as possible. He was watching some sort of cooking show. I've vaguely remembered it as some cross-kingdom competition that's been going on for decades.

Percy was fully engrossed in the show. He leaned forward with his forearms on his knees and studied the TV. It was kind of cute. Wait, what? I slapped my face.

He whipped around at the sound. "Did you just slap yourself?"

I was just as surprised as he was. "I guess?"

"You guess?"

I glared at him. "You wanna be next?"

He put his hands up. "I was just asking." I yawned and stretched my arms.

"What's your schedule for today?"

"Dunno," he shrugged. "Piper usually tells me."

"Spoiled brat you are, huh?" I reached for another cookie, but he grabbed the plate. I got up and tried to take it back but he raised it higher.

I stood up and so did he, but he towered over me. "Say that again."

"Spoiled brat you are, huh?" I repeated.

He raised his eyebrow, as if surprised. "Huh, you actually said it again," he muttered. What did you expect, buddy?

Noticing he was slightly distracted, I yelled, "BRENDA BURNT HER FROSTING!"

He turned his attention to the TV and I lunged for the cookies.

"What? Brenda got eliminated last week," he retorted, but I already had the cookies.

"Whatever. It was the first thing I could think of."

He looked over at me. "That determined to get the cookies, I see. Good to know someone enjoys my cooking."

I nearly choked. "What?" The cookie in my mouth muffles the word.

"Shoot!" he exclaimed. "I have a meeting at 9:30 with the kitchens' staff."

"Well, yikes," I read the clock, "You're five minutes late."

He ran to the door and yelled, "No shiz Sherlock!"

I yelled back, "I believe the correct word is 'shit'!"

He turned around, no doubt about to reprimand me for swearing under the Palace roof. But before he could say anything, I pointed to his clothes, "Nice pants. I always liked Finding Nemo as a kid."

His face turned slightly red and he ran back to his closet to change. I chuckled. Maybe this isn't so bad…

He slid back into the room on his socks and put on his shoes. The Palace was so big that people wore their shoes inside. In my opinion, it felt less homey that way.

After Percy ran off to the kitchens, I ventured through his room/apartment.

Down the hall, he had his actual bedroom as well as a bathroom and a walk-in closet. Lots of pictures and drawings lined the walls, likely Sally's decision. Almost all were at the beach or had something to do with the ocean.

In addition, he had an "office" which he clearly didn't use because dust covered the shelves. I searched for any security cameras, but there were none. Right, no one would dare to hurt the King.

I decided to visit the A&D room to see if that guy from yesterday was there. He looked exactly like Luke which scared me, but I was also curious. A part of me was comforted but another was unsettled.

When I got there, the room was empty. I assumed that they moved to the building site and finished planning that morning. Since no one was there, I set out to find a couple things I needed: glue and scissors.

Once I got them, I headed to the kitchens. If all went well, no one would be in the kitchens because of the meeting with Percy.

I was right, so getting an egg and a bag full of salt wasn't hard.

As soon as I finished, I heard footsteps approaching from the other end. The meeting must be over.

I hurried out of the kitchen, up the stairs, down the hall, and around the corner until I got to Percy's room. He was probably on his way, so I quickly ran to the kitchen, then the bathroom, to set everything up.

Not a second later, the door opened and Percy came in. I was sitting on the couch trying to look casual while eating the last of the cookies. He didn't suspect a thing.

"Anything interesting happen?" he nodded his head towards the TV.

I nodded. "Todd slipped on a stick of butter and broke his arm, Gary burned his elbow and Samantha ran into the oven. They all got sent to the hospital," I deadpanned.

He believed me at the beginning, but quickly realized I was joking. "Quite the episode then," he smirked.

"Yup."

"So you just stayed here the entire time?"

I thought about it for a second then decided, "Yup."

"You hesitated."

"Did not."

"Did to."

"Did not."

"Did to."

"I'm going to take a nap, so have a nice day."

"Did to. Wait what?"

I curled up on the couch. "You heard me. I had like, three hours of sleep thanks to you. Just wake me up at 5pm."

"Umm, okay, I guess."

I smirked. "Goodnight." The last thing I saw was a confused Percy trying to decide whether he should let me sleep or report me.

A second later, my eyes fluttered open. I squinted because of the sunlight that pierced through the window. A blanket had been draped on top of me which kept me warm. I wrapped myself into a blanket burrito and wattled over to the kitchen to get some water.

"And the sleeping beauty awakens," a voice said from behind me.

"Shut up before I splash you with water," I threatened, without looking back.

"Part of me wants to keep teasing you, but another part of me knows you're going to follow through and I don't want to get wet."

I turned around. "I'm glad you've learned."

"By the way, it's 5:30. You should probably get going," he pointed out.

"Hey! I told you to wake me up at 5. I don't want to be here any longer than I have to. I demand overtime pay," I yelled.

"J-jeez," he sputtered. Oops, I must have thrown the water at him out of anger.

Before he came to his senses, I ran to the door and slipped on my shoes. "Where are you going?" he called out.

"Home, duh," I replied.

He walked over, with no cup full of water, much to my relief. "Okay," he said awkwardly.

I gave him a salute and opened the door. "Don't take a shower until tomorrow morning, make sure to sleep on the left side of the bed and lastly, I expect cookies waiting for me tomorrow."

"Huh?"

I closed the door behind me. "See ya!"

Phew. Day 2 down, three to go.

A/N Ngl, this one was so exciting to write, I was giggling as if I was reading it for the first time! Love the pranks by our angsty Annabeth.

Anyways, share your thoughts in the review section and I'll see you all next week!