"So ladies." Victoria said as she stopped in front of the Media Room. "In this room are waiting a few reporters. They will take a few photos of each of you and ask you a few basic questions."

The girls all gasped in horror and started protesting.

"Why is this so sudden?!"

"I refuse to."

"I'm gonna be sick!"

"I'm not camera ready!"

The last one had come from Drew of course. Annabeth, on the other hand, was transfixed in fear, face as white as chalk.

"Quite all!" Victoria scolded. "If you are to become the next Queen, these sudden interviews will be very common. So get used to it if you plan to win the Selection."

The girls quiet down, looking grim, scared and sick at the same time. Except for Drew of course. She just looked miffed.

"Very well." Victoria opened the doors and instantly blinding flashes made the girls squint.

After their eyes had adjusted and the flashes had stopped, Miss Victoria led them to the couches in the left corner of the room.

On the right, a few couches had been set up along with lights and and mikes. Jade, the Royal Photographer, was giving instructions to a few maids and butlers.

"Sit here ladies." Victoria said motioning to the couches. The girls did so.

"Now." She clapped her hands and a maid, Annabeth had seen, but didn't know the name of, came rushing their way, with a tray.

"I will hand you your name tags. You are to wear these everyday, until we reach to the Elites. I'll call your names and you'll raise your hand when you name is called. Clear?"

The girls all nodded and Miss Victoria started to call out their names.

Annabeth's name was called at the very last. After that, Miss Victoria said, "There is a number written in front of your name as you can see." Annabeth looked at the golden, metal tag and sure enough there was a '35' written before 'Annabeth Chase' in black letters.

"These numbers will be your roll numbers. In every event, you will be called according to your numbers. First will be Lady 1, that is Lady Piper and the last, Lady 35, is Lady Annabeth. Lady Piper, you'll come to the set up when you're called and Lady 2 will be prepared. After your interview is completed, you will go out of the room, where a maid will be waiting, to guide you to the dining hall. Understood?"

The ladies nodded again and Victoria walked away towards the set up.

Annabeth, remembering her job, decided to socialize. Her eyes fell upon Piper McLean, who was shifting nervously in her seat.

"Hi." Annabeth settled beside her. Piper looked a bit surprised but smiled.

"Hey." She said turning her body around to be comfortable.

"Piper right?"

"Yeah. And you are Annabeth."

Annabeth smiled. Piper was nice. She was the daughter of the movie star, Tristan McLean. She didn't like bragging about it though.

She was easy to talk to and the duo was soon joined by Katie Gardener who was extremely sweet too. In no time, their group consisted of 6 people. Annabeth, Piper, Katie, Lou and Lacy, who was Piper's twin, was chatting away happily and Annabeth didn't find them to be likely to be Rebels.

"Lady Piper?" Victoria called out from the other side of the room.

"Wish me luck." Piper whispered as she got up. Her friends smiled and did so.

After about 1 hour, it was almost breakfast time and only Annabeth's interview was left.

When she was called, she nervously went over to the set up. Jade smiled at her encouragingly and gestured for her to sit down on the light yellow couch.

Annabeth did so and Jade said, "Good morning Lady Annabeth."

Annabeth was too nervous to say anything so she nodded.

"I'll take a few photos before Jane asks you a few basic questions." Jade said, referring to her twin sister and Royal Interviewer. Annabeth nodded again.

A few blinding flashes later, Jane started the interview.

Annabeth tried to smile throughout.

"So, Lady Annabeth. How are you feeling?" Jane asked.

Annabeth decided to be honest because she was pretty sure she was doing a bad job hiding her feelings.

"I'm nervous. But excited. This is nerve wrecking and exhilarating at the same time."

"Of course it is. Are you enjoying your time so far?"

"Ya. Yes, it'd quiet fun. I've met so many nice people here."

"I'm glad. What do you think of the Prince?"

He's the sweetest, smartest, most handsome, most caring, most lovable and most dorky person I've ever met.

"I think he is really smart and kind. He would be a wonderful King." If his stepfather stops interfering.

"Yes of course." A cruel smile curved itself on Jane's lips.

"Do you think he'd be a good kisser?"

Annabeth flushed red. Of course Jane would ask that. She was the one who saw them. So many years ago.

"Uh- I- I..." Annabeth paused before saying, "Well we'll have to wait to find that out."

Jane smirked but moved on.

"Well thank you for your cooperation Lady Annabeth. Have a good day."

The camera switched off and Annabeth sighed, then glared at Jane, who giggled.

"You little traitor!" Annabeth whisper yelled.

Jane laughed and bowed down dramatically.

"Wait wait wait wait." Jade said stepping in front of them. "You and Percy kissed?!"

Annabeth looked down blushing. That was the answer Jade needed.

"When? Why? What? How?" She bombarded the Lady with questions.

Annabeth was about to answer when the double boors cracked opened and a guard, the one stationed outside the MR, poked her head in.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but Lady Annabeth needs to go to breakfast."

Revealed, said Lady got up and waved to the twins before exiting the room.

No maid was there to guide her. Typical. But Annabeth knew the Palace like the back of her hand, so she had no trouble finding her way.

When she reached the dining hall, Victoria was waiting for her.

"Now Lady. When you get in, curtsey to the Royals. The King will ask you to introduce yourself. Say your name, caste and district and sit down in your assigned seat, which is the only empty seat at this moment." Victoria said.

Annabeth nodded and a guard opened the door for her. As she entered, all heads turned towards her.

Annabeth felt a bit insecure as she curtsied. But then she caught Percy's eye.

Looking back to it, Percy was pretty sure he looked extremely stupid. But at that moment, the only thought his seaweed filled brain could form was wow.

Annabeth looked stunning. He'd never seen her in anything but her uniform or casual jeans and T-shirt.

This ready-to-get-on-screen Annabeth was something new.

Her eyes met his and he couldn't look way from her intense stare. He could feel his cheeks grow warn slightly when she smirked.

"Introduce yourself." The King's booming voice made Annabeth jumped slightly and looked at Gabe.

"I am Annabeth Chase, 6, from Las Angles."

The King glared at her fiercely before his eyes dropped down to her chest. Percy had the urge to stand protectively in front of his best friend.

"Take a seat, Lady Annabeth." Gabe said, his eyes still on her chest.

Annabeth, looking extremely uncomfortable, scurried over to the only empty seat, at the end of the table.

Once she was seated, Gabe stood up and boomed, "Let the feast begin!"

Dramatically, all the doors of the of the dinner hall opened at the same time.

In came short lines of maids carrying large platter covered dishes.

Percy resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The servants and slaves did a graceful twirl and placed the dishes on along the centre of the table, in a straight line, before curtseying/ bowing and standing behind the chairs. And they did this in sync.

The Selected looked surprised and impressed while Annabeth was looking at the dish in front of her disapprovingly.

She caught Percy staring and he raised his eyebrows.

What is it?

She glanced at the platter in front of her and then back at him.

The platter is an inch too far from that one.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head at her antics. He remembered Annabeth coming to his room all those years ago, complaining about how useless and pathetic the serving waltz was, when she was learning to do it.

Now, she is the best at it.

"Welcome to the Palace, dear ladies." Gabe said grabbing everyone's attention again. "I thank you all for coming here, to the Prince's Selection. This feast is held in his honor as well as yours. I hope you enjoy your stay in my humble abode. Congratulations and all the best. Now without further ado, let's proceed with breakfast."

Every person at the table clapped politely. After it died down, Queen Sally clapped her hands twice and servants surged forward together and removed the platters to reveal various colourful dishes arranged decoratively.

The maids stepped forward and placed the dishes and spoons in front of each person and served them with the first dish.

No Selected talked and breakfast was silent until when everyone was finished eating.

Percy stood up and tapped his spoon against his glass of orange juice and said, "I welcome you all to the Palace. I hope you enjoyed your first feast. Now that everyone is full, I'll have to ask you a little favor."

Every Selected listened cautiously.

"As you can see, a sitting arrangement is made at that end of the hall." He waved towards the set up of white couches in one corner.

"I'll call your names one by one and you'll come to me. Its just to get to know you and your hobbies, family etcetera etcetera. Lady Piper, please follow me."

Percy waited for a dazed Piper to stand up before extending his elbow to her as his hands were too clammy.

Annabeth watched them go and noticed Percy's nervous look. Stifling a laugh, she started to talk to Bianca Di Angelo, who was sitting across from her.

Soon Piper came back with a blush and a smile plastered to her face. It made Annabeth's stomach fill with an uneasy feeling.

Annabeth's name was called at the very last. She walked over to Percy, who winked at her. She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that spread over her lips.

"Good morning, milady." He said, taking her hand in his, to kiss her knuckles, before sitting down with her, still holding her hand.

Annabeth hoped that she wasn't blushing, but the warmth on her cheeks said otherwise.

"Is this how you've been greeting everyone else?" She asked, raising her eyebrows skeptically.

Percy's smirk instantly fell off his face and he asked urgently, "Why? Is there something wrong? Oh shit I didn't mess up, did I? Although the milady thing is a first, but–"

"Percy." Annabeth cut him off laughing. "I'm just messing with you. Its– its nice." She said smiling.

Percy sighed in relief before glaring at the woman in front of him.

"Not funny Beth."

"Oh yes it is." Was the reply.

Percy shook his head before asking, "So, how's it going?"

"Well its a bit strange to you know, get a make over." Annabeth said. "And all the attention and the interview got me sweating. I met my Dad though. It was since. He gas me these earnings. They were my mother's. I wanted to feel closer to her so I wore them. And– Percy?" She stopped talking when she noticed the blank stare and dopey smile the Prince was giving her.

"Percy!" She said, a bit louder.

Said Prince jolted up before blushing.

"Sorry. I zoned out. What were you saying?"

Annabeth gave him a look and continued.

"Well I got to know a few girls and none of them gave off a rebel vibe. I don't like that Dre–"

"Can I touch it?"

Annabeth stopped, surprised by Percy's sudden interjection.

"What?"

Percy blushed bright red and looked down.

"I uh I meant um uh y-your hair. It looks different. I mean its straight now. Its usually curly and bouncy. And now its–"

Annabeth's loud laugh echoed throughout the hall, making everyone turn towards them.

"Yes you can touch it Seaweed Brain." She said once she'd calmed down and everyone had turned back to what they were doing.

Percy blushed again and reached forward to touch a straight lock of hair.

Annabeth hoped she wasn't as red as she felt. But Percy was redder so she didn't really mind.

"Yeah- uhm" Percy said clearing her throat and leaning back. "I like it better when its curly though. Its more lively." He said shyly.

"I'll keep that in mind." Annabeth said looking down to hide her smile. "So... What about you? What do you think of the other girls?"

"Mmm. They're okay. Some of them are really interesting and nice. While the others are just...not my type you could say."

Annabeth nodded and tried to keep the bitterness out of her face. Really interesting and nice. Was she interesting and nice?

After a few more minutes of talking/ joking around, Annabeth and Percy returned to their respective seat.

The King rises again and cleared his throat to get some attention.

"Dear Ladies. Thank you for attending this feast. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you enjoy your stay here. I have a few announcements to make, and then you'd be free to go.

"First Miss Victoria will be soon starting Royal Etiquettes classes with you. Second, you will have an interview at the end of each week, similar to the one you just had. And last but not the least, the Opening Ball will take place at the end of this week, on Sunday."

The girls sat in stunned silence, no one daring to say anything, just nodding along.

Gabe dismissed the dazed Selected and Victoria led them to their rooms. They were on the third floor.

"Now, I would like to mention a few rules here." Ms. Victoria said, pausing and turning around at the beginning of the hallway. "The Fourth floor is where the Royal Chambers are and it is strictly out of bounds until and unless you have a pass. Your boundaries are the third floor. Number two: you are not allowed to wear casual clothes outside your rooms. Number three: you shall not come out of your rooms after 10:00 PM without Royal permissions. Today you will stay in your rooms. You shall have lunch there. Dinner is at 7 PM and you have to come down to the Dinning Hall for it. That's it for now. Any questions?"

When she didn't receive any response, she nodded and waved for them to follow her.

Annabeth got the last room, with a 35 written on the door. She pushed it open and was instantly greeted by a big hug.

"OhmygodsohmygodsohmygodsohmyGODS!"

The little bundle of energy was hugging Annabeth too tight.

"Hazel?!" Annabeth exclaimed.

The petty girl let go of her and beamed brightly. Her gold eyes were shining brightly as usual and her dark skin had a slight dust of pink in it. She'd probably talked to Frank earlier.

"The one and only!"

Annabeth got over her initial shock and hugged her friend again.

"When did you get back?! And why didn't you meet me?!"

Hazel, Annabeth's roommate for the past three years, had been gone for three weeks, with Lady Sequin, Queen Sally's cousin, to Tanzania to visit her son and daughter in-law.

"Oh I came back today, early in the morning and was immediately told that I will be serving you!"

In spite of Hazel's enthusiastic voice, Annabeth's smile fell. The idea of her friend serving her was sickening.

Hazel's didn't seem to notice it as she kept talking until someone cleared their throat from inside the room.

Annabeth looked over Hazel's head, as the shorter girl whirled around.

The room was fairly big, though not even as huge as Percy's bedroom alone. Maybe 1/10th of his chambers. It had soft cream coloured walls, one of which had large windows and a door leading to a balcony. Opposite to it was a queen size beg, with crimson drapes and golden-white sheets spread over it, a silvery golden blanket folded neatly at the foot. On one side was a small table, with a night lamp on it. The adjacent wall had two white doors, probably leading to the bathroom and dressing room. There was a small desk in the corner, along with an empty book shelf.

Standing in beside the large, soft looking bed, were two women in maids uniform.

The one with straight, dark blue hair, one side shaved carefully to form a beautiful pattern, looked boarded and amused at the same time. Her light green eyes rimmed with thick black eyeliner, danced with mirth.

Annabeth wondered how she got the money to buy eyeliner and style her hair like that. She'd always hated her hair, and wanted to do something creative with it. But she never had the money as slaves did not get salaries. This girl was most probably a servant, with minimum but just enough salary.

But the tall woman beside her was obviously a slave. Her gaunt cheeks and torn uniform said that. But instead of that, she was beautiful. Her dark brown skin had this glow to it that most slaves didn't have. Her midnight black hair was pulled into a tight, angry bun. Her gold eyes were a shade or two brighter than Hazel's, but unlike Hazel, her eyes didn't have any warmth or joy in them. She wore an expression of disbelief and shock as well as horror.

"Hello." Annabeth said politely.

The taller girl immediately sunk into a deep curtsy, dragging the blue-haired girl with her.

"Good afternoon, Miss. Welcome to your room." Said the first girl. Annabeth, startled by this behavior, stared for a moment, before looking at Hazel for help. She just smirked and sank into a mocking curtsy.

Annabeth cleared her throat before speaking again. "Please don't do that. There is no need."

Blue Hair and Hazel sprung to their feet while Gold Eyes got up uncertainly, before glaring at Hazel.

"I apologize for our companion's...overexcited behavior, Miss." She said moving her gaze to Annabeth. "I don't know what she was thinking."

"Oh its alright. We're very good friends." Annabeth said, still unsure.

"I'm Ankita and this is Lizzy." Gold Eyes said.

"Wassup?" Blue Hair, Lizzy said. Ankita gasped but before she could say anything, Annabeth interrupted. "Nothing much. Just getting used to not beinng treated like shit all the time."

Lizzy laughed loudly at that. Ankita was still looking horrified and Hazel was trying hard not to laugh.

She ushered the blonde in and sat her on the bed.

"Oh Annabeth, I'm so happy for you! You and Percy finally getting together and getting married and having kids and seeing them grow up and get married and–"

"Hazel!" Annabeth squeaked, her cheeks redder than a setting sun. But she wasn't the only one who had squeaked.

Standing at the doorway was none other than the Prince, who was also very red in face. Upon seeing him, Ankita sank down into a deep curtsy and almost touched her forehead to the ground. Lizzy followed suit, but not going as low.

Hazel on the other hand, just waved at him. "Hey Perce!"

Ankita's head snapped towards the little girl and stared at her, horrified.

"Hey Haze." Percy said still blushing. Then glancing at the still bowing maids, he told them that its okay. They scrambled up but kept their gazes at the ground.

Oh God this can't be happening to me. Annabeth thought. Why did he have to hear that? Why?

"Glad to see you again." Percy said.

"Yeah you too." Hazel said quickly. "But I don't assume you came to meet me."

Percy blushed harder and shook his head, sneaking a glace at Annabeth.

"I'm sorry. Didn't know you were back."

"Oh that's okay. I know you have a lot going on." Hazel said gently. "But if you ever need some dating advice, you know where to find me!"

Percy smiled. "Thanks Hazel. I think I'll need your help a lot now."

"And it will always be given to you." She reassured. "Now, I think I would let you talk to the person you came for."

Annabeth and Percy both blushed (again).

"Come in, Percy." The Lady said.

"Nah, I have to go soon. Got a meeting in a few minutes. Just... I forgot to tell you something earlier."

"What is it?"

Percy hesitated a bit, blushed a bit before saying, "You're beautiful." He threw a small smile at her before scurrying away.

Let's just say Hazel's squeal was ear splitting. And Annabeth may or may not have had a small smile and liight blush on her face for the rest of the day.