"There was another rebel attack on the royal palace today, just a few hours ago. The royals and their guests were in the dining hall when this happened at exactly 2:30 PM.

The rebels attacked the eastern wing, where the dining hall is. But fortunately, it was just a small attack and no one was hurt. A few bricks were thrown at the windows but no guns were used. The rebels fled when they saw the guards..."

Percy sighed and switched off the television. Another attack. These attacks are the signs of something big. Very big. And it is very very close.

The Prince ran a hand through his hair as he plopped down on his bed. He looked towards the window through which he could see the sun setting over L.A. A beautiful sight really. But Percy couldn't bring himself to admire it.

With the weight of the kingdom on his shoulder, one could rarely enjoy the mesmerizing creations of Nature.

There was a light knock on his door and a soft voice called out to him.

"Percy?"

The voice instantly brought a smile on his face, despite everything.

"Come in!" He yelled tired but slightly cheerful.

Percy heard the doors to his chambers open and close. After a seconds the curtains of his bedroom was pushed aside by a tall, blonde girl in an uniform of the Palace maids. She was carrying a tray of what looked like crackers, blue cookies, ham burgers and cola. The Prince smiled at his best friend as she placed the tray on his bedside table.

"Hey." Percy said sitting up on his bed.

"Hi." Annabeth replied sitting down next to him. "How're you holding up?"

"The usual" was his reply with a sigh. His eyes fell on the maids arms. Something white was peeking out from her sleeve. Annabeth saw him looking and quickly pulled her sleeve down to cover up the bandage.

But Percy had already seen it.

"What happened?!" He asked, taking her arm and pushing up the sleeve to reveal a bloody bandage.

Annabeth sighed. With the responsibilities of the kingdom already on his shoulders, the last thing Annabeth wanted Percy to do, was worry about a little cut she got.

"I'm fine. Its just- when the first brick flew in, I was right near the window it came through and a piece of glass got me on the arm. Its nothing big, really." She said.

Her friend did not look very happy about it. He was closely inspecting the bandages.

"They are not really well done." He murmured.

Annabeth smiled and said softly, "What do you expect? They'll treat a maid well?"

Percy's scowl deepened. He got up and reached into his drawer to bring out a first aid kit, buried deep under documents and folders. He redid the bandages gazing intently at the girl's arm. After finishing he put away the kit and pulled her into a hug.

Don't blush! She thought furiously to herself.

But when they pulled apart, their cheeks were slightly tinted.

"I brought you some snacks", Annabeth said gesturing to the tray she brought.

"You didn't really have a good lunch."

Percy grinned and reached out for a cookie and scorfed it down in a very un-princely manner. He offered some to Annabeth and together they finished the snacks in no time.

"So what are you planning to do now?" She asked.

"About what?" Percy asked innocently but caved in when he received the look from his friend.

"I don't know. Increase the security, try to find the rebel base, be alert. What else can we do, really?"

"You were saying something about—"

"Do you really think my father would ever agree to that?"

"He could." Annabeth said hopefully but knew it was never to be.

Percy scoffed and looked away. "Even it he did agree, what are the chances the Council will agree to it? Zero."

Annabeth knew that a rant was coming up so she prepared herself to be a very attentive audience.

"They say if I'm to be the king one day, I should be able to make big decisions and when I try to even a tiny one, they'll be like,'Just a little change to that plan and it would be perfect, Your Highness." And BOOM! My whole plan is something different. If they don't want to listen to me, why do they even expect me to be present in the meeting?!"

Percy went on for about a half hour with Annabeth adding aggressive comments towards the Council here and there to support her best friend.

At last Percy stopped and glared at the floor, hands in his jet black hair.

"Percy?" Annabeth said softly. When he looked up, she extended her hands towards him. It looked like the wires holding Percy up snapped together and Percy slouched. He reached out and took her hands and laid his head on her lap, looking very much lie a lost puppy. He looked at her, his beautiful sea-green eyes filled with unshed tread of frustration.

"My people are dying, Annabeth. They are dying of hunger and rebel attacks. They are suffering because of lack of education and unemployment. And I can't do anything. I–"

"You are doing everything you can." Annabeth piped in softly. "Its not you fault."

He closed his eyes, a single tear rolling down his face. It broke her heart to see him like this.

After a while, Percy said in a small voice, "Sing for me?"

Annabeth smiled. She couldn't really sing. But she knew he was talking about their song.

When they were five, they had a sleep over in Percy's room. It was stormy night and he was afraid of thunderstorms. So Annabeth took it upon herself to make him comfortable.

She sung him a song about how grandma used to wear her armour. It was actually a campfire song, but she turned it into a lullaby.

The next morning, Queen Sally, Percy's mom, found them in a very adorable position. Percy with his head on Annabeth's lap, and her body hunched over his.

Ever since them, it was their song. Whenever one of them needed comfort, the other would sing to him or her.

Annabeth sang in a soft, tender voice which lulled Percy to a deep sleep.

When he woke up, it was dinner time. Annabeth had left with a note on his table saying—

"You drool in your sleep, Seaweed Brain.

–Wise Girl

Percy smiled at the old nicknames they'd given to each other when they were kids.

He got ready for dinner. He would've had it in his room (he had a lot of work left), but as usual there were some guests and he had to be present. Now his best hopes were Annabeth would be in the Dinning Hall. If not, he didn't known how he would survive another boring meal.

Dinner was fine. Annabeth was there, so it was bearable. He was getting ready for bed when there was a knock on the door.

Before he could say anything the chamber doors opened a he knew who it was.

Father.

Percy quickly rushed to the living room and saw King Gabe Ugliano standing there in a golden suit and pink tie. He was a fat man with thinning straw coloured hair, crooked teeth and beady brown eyes.

He was not Percy's real father. The Ugliano dynasty had ruled the kingdom of Atlantica for 70 years. When King Gabe held his selection, he used to be handsome and had fallen in love with Queen Sally Jackson. After 3 years into their marriage, it was found out that King Gabe was incapable of producing heirs. So the Queen was forced to conceive a child with another man as adoption is considered foul in Atlantica.

The name and identity of the man was kept a secret and Perseus was born after 1 year of trying. As he did not carry the Ugliano blood, he was named to his mother's blood. Jackson.

Gabe was never happy about Percy. He liked to ignore his existence. But sometimes was forced to acknowledged it. This was clearly one of those times.

"Your Majesty." Percy bowed.

Gabe shot him a look of disgust before saying, "Listen boy. What I'm about to tell you something very important. There'll be no arguments about it. Clear?"

Percy nodded.

"We're holding a Selection for you." He said. Percy nearly fell down. He had expected some stupid budget cut or something. This was unimaginable.

"You're what?!" He asked hastily adding a 'sir' after it.

"Holding a Selection for you." Gabe said irritated. "And your little maid– what's her name? Anniebell. She's participating."

Percy almost fell down again.

"What?!"

"Get you ears checked you worthless pig! Anniebedda is participating in your selection. She'll be our spy. Telling us if any girl's acting suspicious."

Percy was still dazed.

"B-but father–"

"No buts. This is happening. Its final. We're announcing it on the report tomorrow."

And with that that the King walked out of the chambers, leaving Percy shocked sputtering.