A/N: I own nothing but the plot. Enjoy!


Annabeth ran back into her home, a giddy feeling in her chest. She was behaving like a daydreamer, a silly girl, when she was supposed to be the logical one. One look at her parents' face dimmed that feeling. They had followed her and Percy back home in their carriage.

Darn, she had been delicately avoiding her parents all evening at the engagement party.

"Annabeth. That was Earl Perseus Jackson, if I'm correct?" Her father inquired.

"Yes, you are correct," she said slowly, preparing for an argument.

"Baron Rodrick asked for your hand earlier," her stepmother murmured. "But if you're seeing the Earl..."

"Baron Rodrick asked for my hand? That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," she snapped.

"Annabeth!" Her father warned. "While I dislike the thought of an union with Baron Rodrick, I'm not sure the Earl of Atlantis is a better choice, either. Don't protest, Annabeth, just listen for now! It is no secret that the Earl has made it exclusively clear that he is not looking for a wife. We've heard the rumors that he has had a numerous number of women in the past."

Annabeth winced internally. That part of the rumor she did not like to stomach. Jason did tell her that Percy had had lovers before, but did not currently have any. Was the Earl considering making her one of those lovers before casting her off? A small seed of jealousy was blooming as she thought of Percy with another woman.

Quickly she waved it off. Why was she feeling so jealous anyways?

"Rumors are just all that, rumors based on hearsay. That's still much better than being married to a man who already has three wives and has fathered children!"

Her stepmother held her palm to her forehead as if feeling a headache coming on. "Frederick dear, Annabeth. It is quite late for all of us. Why don't we all rest for the night and discuss about this in the morning with a clear mind?"

Annabeth didn't wait for her father's reply as she strode quickly to her bedroom.

Ugh, that damned Baron Rodrick. And her father just had to bring up Percy's past. Well, the past was the past, and it was Annebth's choice to strike a path for her future.

Even Percy had to marry someday, even if he didn't want to right now. Could she hold off her impending marriage until he was ready?

No. Her father may not like Baron Rodrick at all, but if push came to shove, Baron Rodrick could use his strong financial power to force her father into accepting the marriage. The Emperor would have to agree, but she didn't want to burden Jason even more by asking him to interfere. Annabeth was done running away. She had to strike now and convince Percy.

It wasn't horrible to marry her, Annabeth reasoned. Percy had thought she was pretty, so physical attraction was there. She was entertaining to talk to, or so she hoped, and she wouldn't bother Percy needlessly about useless things like jewels and baubles. Jason had obviously put a favorable impression of her to Percy, thank the gods for her loyal cousin. So Percy would know she wasn't a extravagant spender who would badger him needlessly for unnecessary clothes or jewelry.

Even if he didn't want to marry right away, just having the engagement would be enough. They could postpone the wedding for years until they were ready. Frankly, even she wasn't sure if she was ready for marriage yet.

Breakfast the next morning seemed a little forced, as if the adults around the table were preparing in the calm before the storm. Only her twin brothers didn't seem to pay attention to the tension in the air.

Only when the twins went away for their daily lessons did her parents begin to say anything to Annabeth.

"Annabeth, dear, what is your intention with the Earl?" Her father asked outright.

Annabeth sipped her tea calmly. Earl Gray. She wished she was still drinking that light and refreshing blueberry and pomegranate tea at Percy's. "We're seeing each other, I suppose."

Her father closed his eyes, mumbling a prayer.

"Annabeth. You suppose?" Her stepmother prompted.

She gritted her teeth. "We're seeing each other, with interest."

"But is this interest going anywhere? What about your reputation? If the Earl does not continue seeing you, no other man will seek out your hand." Her father drunk his tea nervously.

"It's stupid to think that all a woman can accomplish in this society is marriage." Annabeth resisted the urge to slam her stepmother's good china teacup down in its saucer. "You taught me that, Father, by tutoring me just as well as my brothers. All the books and knowledge I've gathered, just why can't my accomplishments be acknowledged equally as that of a man's?"

"I know, sweetheart. Perhaps one day in the future, but that is not what the world is like."

Her stepmother furrowed her eyebrows. "I can understand your feelings, Annabeth, but then why all this dilly-dallying with the Earl of Atlantis?"

"Even if I don't want to marry, I'll still be forced to in the end," Annabeth said bitterly. "And I'd rather choose my own husband, and certainly not someone like Baron Rodrick."

"But to choose the Earl of Atlantis, all those rumors-"

"Crown Prince Jason has bestowed the highest honors on the Earl Perseus Jackson." Annabeth's voice cut through her father's protests. "I was taught to never judge a person by the words surrounding him or her, only by actions, and so far he has shown himself to be nothing like those rumors. You taught me that, Father."

"Ah, yes, so I did." Baron Chase rubbed his nose bridge resignedly.

"Perhaps the Earl is not so bad, Frederick dear." Her stepmother commented.

Annabeth blinked. She had expected the Baroness to be a bit more opposed. She had lined up more counterarguments to fling should her parents object, but if her stepmother could be brought to her side, then perhaps she needn't use those arguments.

"He is wealthy, and judging by what we observed last night at the ball, he seems to have quite a steady head on his shoulder. Honestly, I thought we would never find Annabeth halfway decent, but now that such a fortune has fallen onto our lap, shouldn't we take it?" Her stepmother reasoned.

Her father sighed. "I suppose you're right. I just don't like the thought of my daughter with any man...never mind. Do be careful, Annabeth. We're still not sure that the Earl wants a marriage after all. Unless, you can confirm..." His voice trailed off.

Annabeth winced. She couldn't completely confirm that. Luckily, the butler knocked on the door to get their attention. It was time for the jousting tournament. Never had Annabeth been so happy for a social event.

Annabeth sat with Duchess Piper underneath the Imperial tent set up for the royal women to view the men's jousting. The seats were normally reserved for female members of royalty such as the Emperor's wives, but a special invitation was extended to the future Crown Princess who invited Annabeth in turn.

Pointed stares of envy stabbed into Annabeth's back. There were quite a few women who were vying for the coveted spot that Annabeth was currently occupying.

"That's one of the seats the Prince's future concubine is supposed to sit on, isn't it?" One jealous viscount's daughter hissed.

"Perhaps Crown Prince Jason is considering Lady Annabeth as a consort? They have always spent time together, even as children."

"I highly doubt that. Wasn't she seen with that dashing Earl of Atlantis recently at the Crown Prince's engagement ball?"

More whispering from the other noble ladies gathered.

"Well, first cousins marrying isn't something that's unheard of. I bet Duchess Piper deliberately made sure no one sits in the seats next to her! What a witch of a woman, making sure that only she occupies Crown Prince Jason's time!"

"Duchess Piper? More like Duchess Viper!"

"Really? My elder brother is one of His Highness' royal attendants, and he said Crown Prince Jason has never invited a single woman to be his concubine."

"If it weren't for her, I'm sure the Prince would have asked me to be his wife, or at the very least, a noble consort!"

"You? As if! That spot would have been reserved for me!"

Annabeth barely stifled an eye roll. Didn't they realize that if they wanted to become Jason's concubine, wouldn't they not badmouth Piper in front of her?

Piper smiled serenely at her, not caring about the venomous drippings coming from the other snakes-er noble women. Fortunately for Piper, her sweet and upright personality coupled with her calm temperament had won her many allies. Already a group made of Piper's supporters were engaging in verbal spat with her detractors.

Today, Piper's choppy brown hair was done in an simple array of braids with white feathers woven into her hair. Last night at the ball, Piper had worn another set of feathers and delicate beads in her hair, which the noble women were already beginning to copy.

Hypocrites, the lot of them. Many of the noblewomen could easily badmouth Piper, yet in a heartbeat they would emulate her.

"It's fine, Annabeth. The news just needs to take time to hit them," Piper said calmly. The future Crown Princess set a mere glance at the faction of women who noticed her stare and crumpled underneath it. "It's kind of fun seeing which ones changed their attitudes towards me. It's a good way of plucking out the unnecessary weeds from the future flowers who will serve the Imperial court."

"My, my, Piper. You do have a catty side to you."

"I'm not as well-versed in swordfighting as you are, but I can use words as my weapon of choice."

Annabeth chinked her teacup with Piper's. "I'll drink to that, my dear friend."

A shout went up on the jousting fields. The winner of the round took off his helmet and dismounted his horse. General Luke accepted the rose awarded and immediately went over to Thalia. Thalia muttered something, most likely about she could easily pummel Luke in a jousting tournament and that his opponent was a weakling. Luke grinned as he tucked the flower behind her ear.

That grin used to make Annabeth's stomach do somersaults, but now she just felt happy seeing her friends get along.

"You're sure you don't feel anything anymore?" Piper teased. She was one of the very few to know of Annabeth's former crush on the General.

"I'm sure. I was like seven back then." Besides, now a certain crooked smile from a green eyed man was making her feel more jumpy and nervous than she had ever felt before.

"Oh, I see. Has a certain Earl caught your fancy then?" Piper smirked.

Annabeth groaned. "You know, I can't even tease you back for having that severe crush on Jason since you're getting married to him. Not fun at all. Besides, you know I'm only aiming for a marriage of my own decision."

"I know, Annabeth. It's okay to let down your guard sometimes, you know?" Piper smiled. "It looks like the Earl is fighting this round."

They turned their attention back to the tournament. Instead of the golden eagle crest of the Olympian Kingdom, the Earl bore the crest of the Atlantis Empire, a trident respondent in a green background. The Earl's tall figure was leaner than his opponent, a well seasoned and muscled veteran of the battle, Lord Charles Beckendorf. Annabeth was slightly nervous. Although the Earl was an excellent horseman, Beckendorf's extremely built form was an advantage over equestrian skills.

"Ready, start!"

Had anyone blinked, they would have missed what would have happened. The crowd gasped as a body thudded onto the ground.

"H-how? How did he move so fast?" Piper dropped her fan onto the floor in surprise.

Annabeth released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Despite her years of etiquette training, her back slouched slightly against the backrest of her chair. "I guess that's why people call him 'Monster of the Seas' or 'Stormbringer'. He knew he couldn't beat Lord Beckendorf in terms of strength, but he does have speed."

"Excellent analyzing skills." Crown Prince Jason strode over, placing the three roses from the three jousting matches he had won on Piper's lap. "In addition to the superior speed, he has the better technique. As long as he strikes first, Percy should win. And trust me, he always wins."

A lady descended from the stands and rushed to the fallen man's side. Lord Beckendorf picked himself up from the ground, assuring Countess Silena that he was alright. Percy and his opponent shook hands. It was obvious from their demeanor that they were good comrades.

"Well, between you and him, who would win?" Piper asked innocently.

Annabeth smothered a laugh. The Duchess was an expert at instigating such questions. No wonder Jason was so easily ensnared.

Jason grumbled as he sat down next to his fiancee. "We're evenly matched. I brought you three roses, and you didn't comment on any of them?" He complained.

Okaaaay, time to look away from the flirting couple. Trouble was, she was getting a front row seat to their flirtation unlike being three hundred feet away like last time. People close by were beginning to notice. Annabeth caught sight of Thalia miming the throw up motion behind Jason.

"Ahem."

A dainty red rose was suddenly held before her eyes.


A/N: How are ya'll liking this so far? Been sick for the past week, so please bear with me.