The next day, Percy returned to the camp. According to Chiron, Percy was one of the only ten to even consider leaving the celebration. He was also the only one there with a means of returning without asking any camp officials for help.

Percy entered his cabin and saw something strange. Light was smelling a pair of boxers from Percy's hamper. She spotted him and stared for a few moments before speaking.

"It's exactly what it looks like," she explained, not embarrassed at all.

Percy sighed and sat down on his bed. Now that he was back at camp, he had a chance to think about what the end of the month had in store for him. He was going to get married, and to a goddess no less. And later on, down the line, they might even...

Percy shook his head, getting the wired thoughts out of his head. He had to focus. First, Artemis declares that they will get married at the end of the month, then Apollo introduces a large scale gambling ring, it didn't matter what Apollo called it, Percy knew a gambling ring when he saw one, and he practically challenges the girls in Percy's life to sleep with him before the others get the chance. Now, Percy felt as though he was once again just a pawn in a god sized game of chess. He needed guidance. He stood up and left the cabin, heading straight for the Big House.

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Artemis sat in a room in Athena's temple dedicated to architectural blueprints. Athena entered the room, carrying something covered in a dust covered tarp.

"It's been so long since I last used this," Athena commented, pulling the tarp off, revealing one of the oldest sewing machines in existence, "but my sister deserves nothing but the best for her wedding dress. Thank you for giving me the honor of making it."

"You're the greatest seamstress I know," Artemis commented, "besides, after everything that's happened, there's no way I'm going to let Aphrodite anywhere near this dress."

"Of course not," Athena smiled, "now, since this is a special occasion for you, I bet you want this dress to be,"

"Elegant yet practical," the two said simultaneously.

"You know me so well," Artemis smiled.

Athena opened a drawer in her work desk and pulled out some white paper. She took a pencil out of the drawer above the one with the paper and began designing the dress.

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Percy made his way up the stairs of the Big House, following the sound of paint slashing onto a canvas. He looked into an open doorway and saw a girl with frizzled red hair flinging paint onto a canvas. Her clothes were covered with just as much paint as the canvas. Percy chuckled at the sight. The girl heard him and looked his way.

"Percy!" She exclaimed, a big smile appearing on her face, made cuter by the paint splotches on her cheeks and forehead, "It's been a while."

"Yeah," Percy agreed, "sorry I haven't come to visit Rachel. I've just been so busy with,"

"Stop right there," Rachel interrupted, "I know all about your little harem. And before you ask, no, I will not be joining. I like being your friend and that's how I want it to stay."

"Agreed, but that's not why I'm here. I really just need a friend to talk to."

"Well then talk away," Rachel returned to her painting, "I'm all ears."

"OK, well, first things first, I'm getting married,"

"I know you and Annabeth love each other, but isn't it a little too soon?"

"To Artemis."

"Oh, way to go!"

"But, Apollo's turned this whole harem thing into a game where people bet on which girl, who has declared their love for me, will do whatever with me first."

"He turned it into a contest to see who will take your virginity, didn't he?"

"Basically. Yeah."

Rachel put her brush against her chin as she thought, not even caring about the green paint on it.

"How 'bout we become friends with benefits. That could solve,"

"Absolutely not!"

"Relax," Rachel chuckled, "I'm just joking."

"Please don't make jokes like that. It's really stressful on me."

"I think I see what's really bugging you."

"You do?"

"You want your first time to be with Annabeth but Artemis will be expecting you to save it for her. All these other girls don't matter, it's just between those two."

"And that's why it will be so difficult for me. I've loved Annabeth longer, but I've grown so close to Artemis. Been there for some of her lowest points."

"And now you love her?" She looked at Percy, who nodded, "Hmm. You know how people sometimes say "Follow your Heart"?"

"Yeah."

"Don't do that. Don't think too hard on it either. And you definitely shouldn't listen to your little buddy in your pants. Just listen to your gut. If there's anyone that choice will work for, it's you."

"Thanks Rachel," Percy turned to leave, "I really needed that."

"Anytime Percy," she flung more paint at the canvas before calling out, "and come visit more often!"

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Thalia checked on the Hunters while Artemis was busy. They were all in the training grounds behind Artemis' temple, witch was currently surrounded by tents as none of them felt they were worthy enough to sleep in their Mistress's temple. One of the senior Hunters was showing Selene how to properly throw a spear, but was immediately silenced when her years of training were outclassed by Selene's natural talent as she effortlessly threw an ice javelin through every swinging target and splitting the Hunter's spear clean in two.

"Was that good?" Selene asked in her innocent tone.

"That was better than any hunter, except for your mother of course," Zoe stepped out of the temple, much to Thalia's disdain.

"Excuse me," Thalia announced her presence, "but what gives you the right to speak to Lady Artemis' daughter, ex-Hunter?"

"What gives you the right to simply take the post I worked centuries to earn?" Zoe shot back.

The other girls stepped back, intimidated by the friction between the two. It was so intense, Zeus probably could have felt the sparks clashing between them.

"Lady Artemis may have given you permission to approach Percy, but I will never let you join his harem." Thalia glared at Zoe, After all, I'm family first and a Hunter second. With me around, you'll be lucky if you get to be his servant."

"Then it looks like I still have a goal," Zoe smirked.

"You'll need to get through me first."

"A simple task."

Thalia watched as Zoe returned to the temple. She then turned to Selene.

"Don't accept anything from her, got it?" She ordered.

"OK auntie," Selene nodded.

Why is it that drama always comes after a wedding is announced?