Annabeth was getting annoyed with Ankita. She was really taking the lady thing too seriously. Did she have to add a 'Miss' after every sentence she spoke? Did she have to be so formal? Apparently yes. And it annoyed Annabeth to no end. And it had just been a day.

Yesterday, Annabeth and her maids had discussed themes. Apparently, the Selected were supposed to have a different theme for each week and it would be one of the main topics of the weekly interviews.

After much arguing, they had settled upon 'spring'. Then the girls had taken Annabeth's measures and Ankita and Lizzy had set off to work on her dress for the next day while Hazel helped her settle in.

Dinner had been uneventful. She had caught Percy staring a few times and had managed to smirk through her blush.

Now, as she got dressed for a new day, she had retreated to silence, tired of hearing Ankita calling her 'Miss' and forcing the other maids to do so too.

"Hazel she's a Lady, a noble. Give her some respect."

"She is my friend too!"

"She is not the same anymore!"

Finally Annabeth broke.

"You know," she said, "I was a slave two days ago. And I'm still the same. The King told me to enter this thing just to give him inside information on the girls. I will never be a real Selected. Just because the Prince pulled out a chit with my name on it doesn't mean I'm a different a person now. All this is so weird to me cause all my life I've been the one of you. And now, you are acting like I'm one of those people we both hate so much! Believe me, I'm not one of those snobby bitches who think they own us."

After her little speech, there is absolute silence for a moment before Ankita spoke again.

"I'm sorry, Milady. But it is only proper. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. But I'm afraid I- we, are not allowed to call you by name. But if you wish, regard you as 'Lady'. That is all the compromise I can make." She bowed down her head before looking up at Annabeth and suddenly, she sees it.

Ankita is not stubborn, she's desperate. She must be on probation. Now, being a slave is no fun but being a slave with no master is even more no fun. See, there's a difference between a freed slave and a fired slave. Freed slaves are more or less, accepted in the society. Fired slaves are hung by their necks.

"Okay," Annabeth whispered and Ankita knew that she understood.

She smiled at the blonde, who smiled back.

It was quiet after that, which gave Annabeth the time to look at her dress properly for the first time.. It was a navy blue, floor length gown with pink, white and blue flowers drawn at bottom, rising up and stopping near her knees. Simple yet beautiful.

Annabeth added her mother's earrings and the girls did some light make up before moving on to her hair. It was pulled into a stylish ponytail, all curled up again.

She remembers what Percy said yesterday and blushes.

I like it better when its curly.

"Thinking of a certain someone?" Lizzy teased, noticing the redness. "We didn't really need to add the artificial blush. You always go red around him anyways."

Annabeth glared at her but didn't deny it.

∆¶¶¶∆

Percy asked her out. They were going on a date. Annabeth was happy.

It happened during breakfast.

"So Lady Rachel, do you like the food?" Percy asked. Annabeth looked up from her chocolate covered strawberry, startled, just like every other Selected.

Rachel Dare, who was sitting beside Sir Waters, looked at Percy with wide eyes before swallowing her bite without chewing.

"Yes of course, Your Highness." She said surprisingly confident. "Its delicious."

"I'm glad." Percy replied smiling. "Here, try this corned beef." Annabeth was suddenly not so hungry anymore. She knew what Percy was doing and as much as she wanted to be supportive, she couldn't help the unease flowing through her veins.

Rachel took some if it on her plate and took a bite.

"So, what do you say?" He asked.

Rachel smiled and nodded. "It's die for."

"Really? I'm glad you like it." Percy paused shortly and then spoke again. "So do you think I can get a date for suggesting this delicacy to you?"

Annabeth fisted her fists under the table. She knew Percy had to ask someone on a date, sooner or later. But she had hoped against hope that he would ask her on the first date (and preferably on every date he had).

Rachel, face almost as red as her hair, looked surprised, but nodded. "It will be my pleasure."

Percy smile. Annabeth clenched her jaw.

"The pleasure's all mine." He said before going back to his food, carrying on a polite conversation with Rachel.

So yes. Annabeth was happy for Percy. Really. She wasn't heartbroken, sad and frustrated. She was happy.

∆¶¶¶∆

Annabeth was planning to spend the rest of her day in her room. She grabbed a book - "Pride and Prejudices" from the shelf and plopped down on her bed to read it for the sixth time. It was one of the few books she owned. A birthday gift from Percy.

Percy.

The exact person she was trying to forget.

She angrily shoved it back into the shelf and grabbed another one. "Perry Johnson and the Greek Heroes". A beaten up version that used to belong to her father.

The first chapter was about Perseus. Percy's name sake.

Annabeth threw it on the bed and grabbed another one. "Harry potter and The Philosopher's Stone." A nice servant had given it to her when she was eleven. Ron's brother's name was Percy.

Annabeth let out a small yelp of frustration and smashed the book on the table before storming away to stand at the balcony, ignoring Lizzy and Hazel's raised eyebrows (Ankita had gone to the Tailoring Room to fetch some fabric for her dress for the ball.)

She stood at the balcony and stared at the pink and red patches of roses when two figures appeared among them

One had hair redder than the roses. She was wearing a short green frock that reached up to her knees. The other one had jet black hair Annabeth knew so well. He was wearing a tailored navy blue suit that showed off his well built figure. Though it was not visible from this distance she knew that under those locks of dark hair were bright eyes which had miniature seas captured in them.

Percy and Rachel on their date.

Annabeth slammed the door just late enough to see them throw their heads back to laugh. She stood behind the closed doors for a while, breathing heavily.

"Annabeth?" Hazel asked tentatively from behind her. "Are you okay?"

Annabeth turned around sharply. "Yes. I'm fine," she said curtly and stormed towards the bed again and pulled out her notebook from the shelf. She started to draw furiously, not knowing what was going to come out of it.

When she was done, she looked at her work. It was a three storey building with perfect measurements. With a jolt she realized she'd drawn the orphanage Percy was planning on building in Corolina.

She sighed, giving up and laid down on her bed. Why did everything she did have to lead up to Percy? Not even a week into the Selection and she is already a mess.

He's done so much for me. And I can't even be slightly happy for him. I couldn't even be a bit supportive. He needs me to do one job for him and I can't do it properly. How much more worthless can I be?

Annabeth sighed again and sat up to grab the notebook where she had designed so many buildings. It was again, just because of Percy that she knew so much about architecture.

When she was about ten, she'd told Percy about her dream of becoming an architect. And Percy being Percy, had requested Sally to arranged classes for her. And Sally being Sally, had instantly arranged for Architecture classes for the little girl. She'd stopped classes just a few years ago, when she became too busy being a full time slave to the Palace.

Sighing again, Annabeth decided to help the girls. Ankita had brought a beautiful silk and nets. They were working on her dress for the next day as well as the ball. Annabeth helped them and surprisingly, had fun. They never mentioned Percy's date or her odd behavior and Annabeth could almost pretend that she was again a slave and the Selection wasn't happening.

They were almost done with the day dress when there was a knock on the door.

Annabeth excused herself from the dressing room to open the door. But as it turned out to be, the person was already inside the room. It was the one and only, Gabe Ugliano. He was wearing a banana green suit with a baby blue shirt underneath along with a neon yellow vest. His tie was pink. His crown sat heavily on his head, glinting almost evilly.

"G-your Majesty?" Annabeth said, confused. Why would the King be here?

Gabe looked at her like she was a worm.

"Bow to me you filthy waste of space." He said through gritted teeth. Annabeth quickly dropped into a deep curtsey. She was used to these slangs. The King did not tell her to stop bowing, so she didn't.

"I came to take report. Lady Rachel is a prestigious Two, her chances of being a rebel is almost nonexistent. But one can never be too careful. What are your reports on her?" Gabe asked not even looking at her.

Annabeth froze. With a small voice she said, "I-I don't really h-have any reports on her y-yet."

Gabe turned slowly to look and the girl at his feet. After a moment his leg came to her jaw, pushing the girl to the ground. Annabeth yelped and caught herself on her hands.

Gabe grabbed hold of her hair and pulled her to her feet to slap her. He smashed her cheek on the wall.

"Listen to me you (censored)." Gabe fisted her skirt and hitched it up to her her knee and grabbed her bare thigh, digging his fingers in. Annabeth held her breath to stop a sob from wrecking her body.

"You will do your job properly or I'll destroy you. You have one job and if you fail it, let's just say there are worse things than death." And with that, the King walked out of the room, leaving a crumpled Annabeth to lie on the ground, crying silently.

It wasn't the first time something like this had happened but one could never get used to it.

Soon the girls came to check on Annabeth. When they found her crumped on the floor, silent tears running down her face, they immediately helped her up and sat them on the bed.

They didn't ask questions. Because they understood. They went through the same thing.

∆¶¶¶∆

Percy's date with Rachel was alright. Lady Dare was a creative and passionate young woman who loved to draw. She was fierce and ambitious and that added to her good looks.

But all throughout the date, Percy couldn't help but think of Annabeth. It was clear that he liked his best friend as more than just a friend. He always had. And going on a date with someone else felt like betraying himself as well as Annabeth.

So he did the thing he did every time he felt confused or lost. He went to Annabeth. Of course he couldn't tell what exactly his problem was but at least he could be happy.

He knocked on her door and after a few seconds, Hazel opened. Percy expected her to grin like usual, but all she got was a small smile, a look of disappointment in her eyes.

"Annabeth, Percy's here!" Hazel yelled in to the room, which confused Percy even more. She would usually just usher him in, add a few embarrassing comments maybe. Maybe it was because Annabeth was a Selected now.

Said Selected appeared behind Hazel and welcomed Percy in. But he couldn't help but think that something was wrong with her.

So when they were seated on her new bed, and the maids had dispatched to the dressing room, Percy asked, "What's wrong, Annabeth?"

Annabeth, who did not meet his eyes, said, "Why would anything be wrong?"

Percy frowned and placed a hand on her cheek to turn her head towards him. Her eyes were slightly red, indicating she'd been crying, which worried Percy even more.

"Beth, you've been crying. I can tell. So please tell me what's wrong?" Percy said, gentle yet firm.

Annabeth stared at him for a moment before her lower lip started to tremble and nose swelled. Percy instantly pulled her into a tight hug. She let out a small sob and held tightly onto him. Percy held just as tightly as she cried on.

After she'd calmed down, Percy laid her onto the pillow, propping himself on his elbow, so that he could look down at the blonde.

"What is it, Beth?"

Annabeth shook her head and buried her head in the pillow. Percy sighed, not wanting to push her.

They sat in silence for a while, which was broken by Annabeth.

"How was your date?"

Percy sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Eh. It was okay. But I-" Percy desperately wanted to tell her how he felt. He wanted to tell her that he wants to be with her. That he has the biggest crush on her. But he was afraid of ruining their friendship, he was afraid of rejection, afraid that she'll be disgusted.

"You what?" Annabeth asked gently. Percy didn't reply for a moment, then spoke.

"It felt... not exactly wrong but... not right. I felt like something was...off? Like... missing. Something was missing." Annabeth raised her eyebrows at him, making him laugh nervously.

"I mean, Rachel is alright. She's creative, fierce, open minded, independent and strong. She also has a good sense of humour. But she's just not..." You Percy wanted to say, but the word seemed to be stuck in his throat, chocking him.

Annabeth just nodded and sat up. "Maybe its because you don't know her very well yet," she suggested. Percy gave her a small smile.

"Anyway," Annabeth said, sensing Percy's discomfort. "I have something you should see."

She reached out to pick up the notebook from the corner of the bed. She flipped a few pages before thrusting it into his hands. On the page was a very professional illustration of a three storey building.

Annabeth's passion towards architecture is truly inspiring. But with the current cast system, she won't be able to pursue her dreams. Her caste would restrict her from a job she truly deserved and it broke Percy's heart.

"Its a design for the orphanage in Corolina," she said. "The one you were planning on building."

Percy smiled down at it and smiled. "Its perfect," he said softly. "I love it!"

Annabeth beamed at him and suddenly he noticed the little dark colour peeking out from under her skin of her jaw.

Percy stared at it for a few seconds before realizing what it really was. A bruise. His sharp intake of breathe seemed to echo through the silent room.

"Annabeth," he whispered cupping her cheek. "What is this?" The man ran his thumb over Annabeth's jaw, where the skin was slightly purple.

Annabeth stared at him with wide eyes, before leaning into his touch, eyes closing.

"Gabe came to me today, a few hours ago," She said quietly.

Percy clenched his free hand. Of course it had to be Smelly Gabe.

"Why?" He asked, deadly calm. Annabeth noticed his clenched fists and laid a gentle hand on it, before taking a deep breathe.

"He wanted reports on R-Rachel and I didn't have any cause I didn't know you were gonna ask her out. So he..." She trailed off, knowing he understood.

Percy's rage was overcome by guilt. How could he let this happen?! How could he be so stupid?! So careless?! He should've told Annabeth about his date. Should've given her time to get some information on Rachel. Should've -

"Hey," Annabeth said gently. "Its not your fault. I should've socialised more."

Percy shook his head mournfully and gazed at the bruise of her jaw, which was mostly covered up with makeup.

"Where else did he hit you?" Percy asked in a whisper. Annabeth sighed and moved away.

"Here." She said moving the hand on her jaw to the side of her head, where there was a small bump.

Percy smoothed his hand over it, before looking at Annabeth straight into her eyes. He leaned forward, never breaking his gaze.

Annabeth's heart rate was going a mile per second. Percy was so close she could see the blue ring that surrounded the sea green in his beautiful eyes. They were brewing up a storm, a tsunami that would take her in, swallow her whole. But at the same time, there were gentle waves, playing with her, tickling her feet, calming her heart, soul and body.

He leaned in more and more and more and more. Annabeth couldn't help but glance down at his lips, so pink, so full, so beautiful. She wondered if they would be as soft as they were the last time she kissed them. They looked like they would be.

He leaned closer and closer and closer and - there was a sudden gentle push on her cheek that caused her to look side ways, away from his piercing gaze. She felt his lips press to the bump on her head.

"There. Better." His voice was low and deep.

He pulled away and Annabeth turned to look at him again, still in stock. Then he leaned in again to kiss the bruise on her jaw, ever so gentle yet, firm.

He lingered there for a moment, his breath hitting her nose. His lips were painful closed to hers. She just have to lean in an inch to feel his soft, pink pair of lips upon hers. Just a bit-

Percy pulled back slowly and sighed. Annabeth stayed frozen for a moment before clearing her throat.

"I'm sorry." Percy murmured and she got a feeling he wasn't apologizing for Gabe.

They stayed quite for a minute or two and it wasn't their usual comfortable silence. But it wasn't uncomfortable either. Nothing could ever be uncomfortable with him.

"So, how is Sally? I haven't really talked to her in ages." Annabeth said to start up a conversation.

"She's alright I guess. But stressed. With the new increase in taxes, there are riots in Hudson, Lokedon, Ottaro, Atlin, Waverley, Yukon and Belcourt. So there's a lot of pressure on her... BUT. She's making us a few cookies tomorrow for breakfast. No Selected shall go home without tasting the magical cookies of Queen Sally."

Annabeth snorted. "Oh please. As if we are gonna get any. No Selected shall go home without seeing Prince Perseus Jackson devour all the cookies alone, leaving the rest to mourn them. Yes, that's how cruel he is."

"Hey!" And just like that, they were themselves again, happy and bantering. But that didn't stop the flutter in both their chests, from the little kisses.