A/N: I own nothing. Enjoy!
"So I heard you're having fun spending time with the Earl, Lady Annabeth."
Piper smirked at Annabeth as they browsed the Imperial library. No one but the royal family or invited guests could enter. The library was even bigger than the one in her family's mansion, which was known to hold countless books from the former Duchess Athena's love of knowledge. It was a rare opportunity for a lesser noble someone like Annabeth to visit, but Piper knew how Annabeth loved books. On that account, Annbeth decided she would not tease Piper back too much.
On second thought, nah. Only true friends could tease each other to the limits.
"Not as much fun as you've been having with my cousin. I'm surprised no one's walked in on you two yet. You should really tell Jason to keep his voice down."
"Yeek! How did you know that we've-"
Piper took one look at Annabeth's smug expression and shook her head exasperatedly.
"Well, then perhaps you should tell the Earl to leave his love bites in less conspicuous sites like your neck."
Annabeth's hand immediately flew to her neck. "W-what are you talking about?"
"I'm joking. You have nothing on your neck. But wow, Annabeth, you're even redder than me. So this means, things are starting to get really steamy with the Earl, huh?" Piper waggled her eyebrows.
"Not at all, I don't know what you mean."
Flashbacks of what happened in the carriage flew through her mind, as well as some other moments. Beat it, thought Annabeth to some memories that should not be mentioned.
"Pfft," Piper laughed, and Annabeth joined in. "How's your plan of seduction going on? I assume there's been progress recently." Piper pulled out a book to peruse.
"Well...it seems like it's working but..." Annabeth tapped her fingers on the spine of a brown leather book. "Somehow I feel like he's doing a counterattack and I'm the one who ends up flustered in the end. It's like my legs turn into jelly. Maybe it's to be expected, you know? It's not like I know how to properly seduce someone in the first place, anyways."
"Looks like the Earl isn't as easy as you thought."
"Ugh, I can barely keep up with him."
They rounded the corner to the next set of bookshelves.
"You say that, but you actually enjoy spending time with him, don't you? It's good that he's not making things easier for you. I never expected you to end up with some bland nobleman who would only make your life dull and uninteresting."
Annabeth smiled as her eyes laid upon some blue books. They were the exact same shade as the books Percy had gifted her on the architecture of the Atlantis Empire. A man who willingly listened to her ramble on and on about a topic he wasn't interested in and got her a present that was actually something she would enjoy? Sign her up!
"I like him a lot," she admitted. "But Piper, what are we looking for exactly?"
"A secret," Piper smiled.
Uh-oh. Whenever Piper smiled like that, Annabeth knew there was going to be trouble. Trouble that never actually got Piper in hot water, but caused the people around her some grief and awkward situations.
Piper looked around but no one else was there on account of her orders for the guards to stay outside the library.
"What are you being so cautious for?" Annabeth asked curiously. "You're not searching for black magic books again, are you? Because last time you did that, Leo ended up with a donkey tail and Jason practically naked but with kitten ears. Which trust me, I never wanted to see my cousin in that way again. Goodness knows how that image will attract people with those fetishes for human-beasts."
Piper made a face, which didn't really work since she was just too pretty. "No, we're not going there again. Jeez, why'd you have to bring those memories up? Now I'm going to think of what you said every time Jason and I-never mind. We're almost there."
The two arrived at a well-lit segment of the library. This section was immaculate, with comfortable armchairs for one to sit and read. "I made friends with some of the other ladies in the Emperor's harem, and they told me about this."
Piper pulled out a book triumphantly. Annabeth read the title and had to stifle a gasp that turned into a laugh. "The Passionate Endeavors of the Duchess and her Prince? Piper, aren't these banned racy books?"
The Olympus Kingdom had banned such books because the previous Emperors had deemed them unfit for society, which was super ironic since the former Emperors were always having affairs and indulging in wine-filled orgies with his harem. Annabeth had lost track six years ago of how many other Princes and Princesses from Emperor Zeus she was cousins with. She might have been tried for treason for such thoughts, but the Emperor Zeus really did like sticking it in anything that moved.
(like seriously, how much of Greek mythology is:
Zeus: I'm going to bang that
Others: Don't do that
Zeus with his newborn baby: sorry, you were saying something?
Hera: :( *takes it out on his kids
)
"Yes, but apparently the ladies of Imperial harem really like reading these novels. I'm assuming it's because they want to experience true love like in these novels. They're only ever allowed to love one man and that's the Emperor while he shares his bed with like twenty others. I feel fortunate because I trust Jason, and I know he would never do that. But it's okay to want to marry for love, too, Annabeth." Piper pushed the book and a few others into Annabeth's hands. "Plus, you might just learn a few seduction techniques from those."
Not listening to her protests, Piper pushed Annabeth towards some couches. Annabeth gave her friend a wry smile. "Fine, fine. But I'm getting you back for this."
"Haha, I'm sure you will. Now go read, oh smart one."
Humoring her friend, Annabeth curled up on the end of a couch and put her rowdy hair in a ponytail to concentrate. She was soon absorbed in the plot, which was surprising good for what many would consider a trashy romance novel. She squirmed in her seat slightly as she got to one of the more steamier scenes.
Then she detected movement among the bookshelves. Her lips curled up as she recognized the silhouette.
"Are you trying to sneak up on me again, Your Grace?" She called out.
Percy stepped out into view with a grin. He tossed his dark hair, shaking the locks over his forehead. "I wasn't sure how to make my presence known, my lady. You seemed so entranced in your novel that I didn't want to startle you, not in a library of all places."
"Well, eventually I'm going to get used to you popping up randomly all over the place." Annabeth scooted over so Percy could have some space on the couch. "What are you doing here?"
He settled down next to her. "Just came out of a council meeting with Jason. We were planning on looking for some research materials for some laws some noblemen wanted to implement."
"Oh my. I thought you had kelp for brains. Never realized you could read," she teased.
Percy looked mock-offended. "Kelp for brains?"
"Yes. Like a seaweed brain."
Percy poked her side. "Excuse you, I'll have you know that while I may not be as academically intelligent as the eldest daughter of the Chase family, I did decent on my schooling. And I certainly can read, such as picking out those architecture books for you."
Annabeth smiled, just imagining Percy strolling through a bookstore to personally choose a gift that she liked. "Thank you for those by the way. I really loved them!"
"Did you now? I'm glad." His grin grew wider as she pecked him on the cheek. "But if you like those books so much, then why are you reading...Sense and Sensuality of A Countess? My dear Lady Annabeth, is such an elegant and noble lady like you reading-?"
She gently thwacked him on the side with her book before he could mutter the word. "Shush, you fool. This is a library, keep your voice down."
Percy grinned. "No one else is here to hear us anyways. But I noticed you didn't deny what I said."
"It's for reasearch." Annabeth said primly.
"Research purposes?"
His face was much too close as he beamed down at her. Why was the Duke so damn handsome and distracting as he teased her? Those crystal green eyes were clearly laughing at her.
"Duchess Piper recommended it to me. Now hush and let me read, Seaweed Brain."
"Seaweed Brain? Instead of calling me Percy, you call me Seaweed Brain?"
Annabeth stuck her tongue out at him. Very unladylike, she knew. With that, she promptly settled back into her book, playfully ignore the Earl.
Percy settled dutifully besides her, but not a few seconds had passed before she felt him lay his head on her lap.
"Seaweed Brain?" Her voice held uncertainty. She scrutinized the area, but due to the library's banned nature, no servants were around.
"Shhh. Just let me rest while you read." Percy closed his eyes.
His breathing was calm, while Annabeth felt hers become more erratic. But he didn't pull any moves on her. If anything, she could always push him off and let his body feel what the floor was like. Annabeth hid her smile at this.
He wasn't disturbing her, so she could read in peace. But really, she found the intricacies of Percy's face to be far more interesting. It was rare that she got to look at his face this close and without any other distractions.
"Are you staring?" The Earl asked without even opening his eyes.
So he could feel her gaze on him. But she shouldn't be surprised at this point, shouldn't she? He was a military man after all. "Am I not allowed to stare?"
"If it's Lady Annabeth, then I don't mind." His lips curled up cheekily.
"Well, if Your Grace offers so graciously, then I will take you up on your generosity."
The Earl truly was a handsome man. A strong chin and sharp jawline, an aristocratic nose, and dark eyelashes that covered her favorite shade of green. He was lightly tanned, his skin free from any lesions of pox or malady. That tan had not dulled in the weeks that she had met him, probably since he trained his sword skills regularly under the sun. Annabeth could only imagine what a beauty his commoner mother had been to capture the Atlantis Empire's Emperor, to impart such good looks on her son.
The Atlantis Emperor Poseidon was known for his own green eyes and dark hair that were bestowed on his illegitimate son. Why Emperor Poseidon favored Earl Percy but never promoted his mother to the status of royal concubine, she didn't know.
Gently, Annabeth touched his hair. Percy didn't even flinch or change his breathing pattern as her fingers combed through his hair. Windswept but soft, the strands felt in her hand. Her fingers then traced down the sides of his face, feeling the curve of his cheekbone. Then, they drifted to his lips.
Percy caught her hand before it reached his lips. Still without opening his eyes, he pressed the palm of her hand to his lips. Annabeth held her breath as the Earl planted a delicate kiss on each of her fingers, as though worshiping every little piece of her. Her heart picked up the pace.
Dangerous. So dangerous.
She should run, run far away from this man before her. Annabeth had meant to ensnare this man, but somehow her little net had become a trap of her own making.
Every little word, every little action and breath that he made. All those were beginning to set off little firecrackers in her heart, though she herself did not recognize them at first.
For the first time, Annabeth felt unsure and perhaps a little...scared. Physical pain she could overcome. But emotional pain was not something her logical personality had ever dealt with.
If she were to ask Percy to marry her and she truly let her heart fall, then she was sure she would not escape unscathed.
"Annabeth?" Percy's eyes were wide open now with genuine concern. "Why do you have such a look in your eyes?"
"Did I?" She murmured.
It was Percy's turn to reach up and caress the side of her face in reassurance. "Will you tell me what's wrong?"
"Just some silly thoughts."
He didn't seem convinced by her wavering smile. Percy let it be for the moment as he studied her. Then he sat up from her lap before pulling her into an embrace.
"Your Grace..."
The Earl didn't answer but tucked her head into the crook of his neck. She clutched at the front of his coat, slightly shocked. Now she was the one who was sitting on his lap.
Percy held her hand, lacing her fingers with his. His hand was so warm, so comforting.
"I wish you could open up to me more."
Those words were whispered so quietly that Annabeth almost thought she was imagining them. She peered up at him, wondering what he was thinking. But his gaze was clear and steady.
"Ahem."
A quiet cough broke the pair apart. She caught sight of the sky blue dress Piper had been wearing. The Duchess had coughed in order to give them a warning before she appeared.
Annabeth quietly moved off of Percy's lap and he let her. The reassuring smile he gave her showered her with butterflies.
She was utterly and totally screwed.
