Chapter 14: PERCY POV

It's been one week since the, ah, little seen at my mom's apartment. All I can say is that, I'm a lucky guy. Very. I'm lucky to have Annabeth, who forgives me every time I mess up and keeps on loving me. But this 'taking it slow' thing is killing me; I want to kiss her so bad and feel her soft, blonde hair in my fingers. But I give her space. We need to take it slow, no matter how excruciating it is. I'll admit I'm a little embarrassed that Annabeth caught me crying but I guess it was worth it.

"What's wrong Percy?" Annabeth jarred me back to reality. I smiled at her and shook my head. Her stormy grey eyes bore into me and I have the feeling she knows what I was thinking about. She doesn't press me, though. We decided to take a walk on the seashore, keeping enough distance between us even if I want to hold her hand in mine. As we walk, I think about what happened earlier today.

I just woke up when an Iris message pops up above the water fountain in my cabin. I quickly deposited a golden drachma and my father's face appeared.

"Father?" I ask, intrigued.

"Son" he said. "I need you to meet me today. There is a matter I would like to discuss with you. Privately."

"Um, okay." I said.

"And let's keep this quiet until I speak with you, okay?" he said and he disconnected with a sad smile, like he knows I won't like it. He better say something good.

"Percy?" Annabeth pulls me into reality again and I flush in embarrassment. "Are you okay? You've been very...thoughtful today."

"Uh sorry. I was just...thinking."

"Do you have anything to say?" Damn, she's smart. I shook my head again and paid close attention to whatever she was saying.
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"Where are you, dad?" I mutter as I wait for my father in his throne room. It's been about an hour since I came here and still no sign of him. I finally decided to give up when he burst through the grand doors, into the room and apologizes for being late.

"My apologies" he said and I nod. I want this over with.

"You wanted to see me."

"Yes" he said and makes himself comfortable in his throne. I can't shake the thought that maybe one day I'll be sitting in that very fancy throne.

"Son" he began. "Every throne must have a heir and a heir must have someone wise, someone to guide you in difficult times. My boy, if you are to be my heir, you will need to get a wife." Burning hells, what is going on?

"I know you are young" he said, holding up his hand, before I could object. "I know you will object. But this is necessary. You fail to see the bigger picture, Percy. That is dangerous." Me? Fail to see the bigger picture? Look who's talking. Does he know about me and Annabeth? Does he know how broken my heart was a few days ago? Does he know that I nearly died of heartache?

"I will let you think on this. Go get yourself a fine lady. Dismissed." he said and vanished. Gods, why me? Why did I even agree to be the damn heir in the first place? Annabeth will definitely break up with me for the second time and who knows what condition I'll be in. I can't bear all this. I need to go find Annabeth.

[You all get a double update!]