The next day, Annabeth found herself feeling less like—herself.

She found there was an unfamiliar heaviness weighing her down, a gloom settling around her. It wasn't a mystery where it had come from. She knew hearing Rachel's story had affected her more than she was willing to admit.

Annabeth had decided the night prior, while laying in bed, staring aimlessly at the ceiling, that she would allow her sister the space she had requested. Annabeth trusted Rachel, even if Rachel didn't trust her. And so she should trust Rachel in regard to Percy. Even if she didn't wholly approve, she would grant her respect and be civil—respecting the Duke would be a skill she would acquire once they were married.

Yes, she decided. That was enough. She would already be holding herself back, there was no point in completely crushing her fun.

Sometime midday, just as Annabeth was going outside to practice archery, hoping to rid herself of any pent up emotions, her mother called upon her, wishing to speak to her in the royal dormitory. Despite her strong desire to do so, Annabeth could not refuse.

"Annabeth," were her mother's first words upon her entry.

"Yes?" the blonde inquired, painting her expression with a pleasant smile, but the Queen barely looked up. Instead, she continued rustling through several letters piled on her desk.

"Rachel and the Duke's engagement banquet will be held next week, to celebrate this beautiful union."

Annabeth scoffed, and was rewarded with a pointed look from her mother.

"You will be on your best behavior, won't you?" the Queen breathed, sounding exasperated. She had paused her previous tasks to watch Annabeth with narrowed eyes.

"Of course, mother," Annabeth replied with a sigh, her eyes drifting to the extraordinarily adorned canopy bed to her right.

"Good," her mother nodded. "And don't think I didn't hear about the incident in the gardens," she snapped, standing up suddenly.

"It was an accident," Annabeth lied, though the attempt was weak. "It won't happen again," she added as she met her mother's sharp gaze.

"Correct. It shall not," the Queen asserted. "There will be dozens of dignitaries in attendance. Do not embarrass this family with your feeble attempts at detective work."

"I have no plans of embarrassing the family," Annabeth breathed through gritted teeth, "nor have I ever in the past. I only ever wanted to protect Rachel."

"Mhm," her mother hummed, disbelieving. She turned back and paced to her desk before taking a seat, careful to cross her ankles. "I have had your gown prepared in advance. It will be delivered to your quarters tonight."

"Is that all?" Annabeth asked after a period of silence.

"Yes," the Queen stated simply.

"Thank you," the blonde bowed her head before turning to exit.

"Remember your place, Annabeth," her mom called out to her before she was able to reach the doors.

Annabeth's hands hovered at her sides, her fingers twitching into fists as she dug her nails into her palms. She took a deep breath, her footsteps faltering as she considered returning a comment—No.

She was holding herself back. She had self-control. She would not be the child they clearly thought she was. It wasn't worth it—this wasn't worth it.

Annabeth was done talking. Until she had evidence and documentation of wrongdoing, she wouldn't bother her family with her detective work.

...

Upon exiting her mother's room, she ran into Rachel in the hallway. She was wearing a deep teal dress and her red curls were loose and wild. The sight reminded Annabeth of when they were younger, of childlike innocence that had been robbed from them.

Rachel's everpresent smile widened at the sight of her sister.

"Annabeth!" she called excitedly, rushing towards her. Her guards clambered behind her, trying to keep up.

"Rachel," Annabeth returned the sweet expression. She loved seeing her sister so carefree. It suited her.

"Did you hear?" Rachel questioned eagerly, taking Annabeth's hands in her own. She was shaking in animation. "My engagement banquet is just a week away!"

"So I hear," Annabeth laughed. "I must admit," she stated, having now committed to her new motto. Rachel's happiness wasn't worth ruining over a suspicion, "I was worried about Percy, at first." His name was bile against her tongue. It felt sickening and foreign and unknown and exciting and—

"But now?" Rachel hid a hopeful expression behind tight lips.

"I believe I was worried for nothing," Annabeth revealed.

Rachel squealed, squeezing her sister's hands with fervor.

"He's been nothing but perfect," Annabeth continued. "And I wouldn't expect anything less from your fiance."

"I can barely say the word without—without—" Rachel's chest swelled, her voice permeating with enthusiasm. "It's a dream come true. I never—I never thought this could happen for me. I thought it was wishful thinking, but maybe not."

"See," Annabeth grinned. Her heart hurt at the sight of her sister almost in tears with excitement. "Even princesses get happily ever afters."

"Oh, Annabeth," Rachel sighed. "If only I could see you this happy."

"I will be," blonde assured her, drawing her close. "One day. Once Luke and I are married, we will both be perfectly content."

If her sister detected any doubt in her words she didn't show it.

"I must go," Rachel breathed, her smile never leaving her lips even as she spoke. "Mother has laid out several gowns for me to choose from!"

"Go then," Annabeth laughed, pushing her sister in the direction of her room. "Go!" she insisted again when Rachel didn't move.

"Let's take a walk tonight—" Rachel began before pausing. "Wait no, I promised Percy—"

"Tomorrow," Annabeth said quickly, shooing her away. "I'll see you then."

Her sister beamed at the blonde before skipping off to try on her many engagement dresses. Annabeth watched as she leaped down the hallway, the bounce never leaving her step. She wondered how someone so pure could have grown up in this castle. The kingdom would never meet a kinder Queen than Queen Rachel, Annabeth had no doubt about it.

...

Annabeth tried her best to put the impending banquet out of her head. Instead, she resolved to think of the future, tried to remember that one day she would have a voice in issues that actually mattered. Her train of thought inevitably brought her back to the library, with a new purpose this time.

If her sister would not listen to her about Percy, surely, she would listen to her when it came to policy and strategy. That would be her focus for the future—until Percy inevitably made an irrevocable mistake, of course.

Annabeth stepped into the enormous, spacious room lined with books and felt an odd calm rush over her. She was peaceful here. It was always the same, always a safe space, no matter the circumstances.

Her gaze traced the expanse of titles, mentally ticking off the titles she'd already covered. She felt a sort of foolish freedom as she noticed one she hadn't read. She stepped onto her tiptoes and wrapped her fingers around the rough leather, tugging it off the shelf. It fell into her arms, the thick pages shifting at the movement. She smiled before continuing along her usual path, collecting any works that caught her eye.

She was nearly ready, requiring only one more volume before taking her usual seat in the corner of the great room. She held all the usual topics, but something unusual snagged her attention. The book was positioned at eyesight, hastily placed on the shelf. It was a beautiful mix of gold and royal blue that Annabeth recognized immediately as the title Rachel always read before bed. She wondered why it was here. Had she returned it?

Annabeth picked the book up on the shelf and attempted to flip through it but found herself unable to complete the task while holding a stack of books in her other arm. She could practically feel her servant who she'd asked to wait by the door itching to help. Rather than trying again and making a scene, Annabeth piled the work on top of her others and made her way to her preferred reading spot.

Once she was seated, she reached for Rachel's favorite. It was surprisingly short. Annabeth wondered how many times Rachel had managed to read it. She must have it memorized after so many years. She had just turned the first page when she heard the loud boom of the library doors opening. She glanced up from the volume, surprised to see anyone else reading so late.

Her surprise quickly turned to annoyance at the sight of the entrant.

"Your Highness," Percy greeted with a smirk as his gaze caught hers. "Rachel wasn't exaggerating when she said you practically live in here."

"And how would you—" Annabeth caught herself, snapping her mouth shut, remembering the promise she'd made to be cordial with her sister's fiance. "I like to read," she declared finally.

It was neutral. Not nice, not rude, not—anything really, just a fact.

"Never would have thought you a romantic," he grinned, nodding towards the book in her hands.

She tried to decode his tone, unsure whether it was meant mockingly.

"Venomous character and all—"

Yes, mocking. Definitely mocking.

"Watch your tongue, Duke," Annabeth cut him off. She had promised to be nice, not to allow him to insult her. "I would be careful to assume anything when it comes to your future sister in law."

"So we're family now," Percy mused with a smirk. He sauntered towards her but stopped a few feet short, examining the titles on the shelf to her left. "I haven't seen you in a few days. And just when I was beginning to tolerate your presence."

"Hm," Annabeth hummed sweetly, painting a smile on her face. He was trying to get a rise out of her. There could be no other reason for him to speak to her so frankly.

"Does this mean you've given up your crusade against me?" Percy asked, reaching for a book. Annabeth strained her eyes, noting it was a work on philosophy.

"And what if I have?" she answered impartially, flipping a page in her book even though they both knew she wasn't reading.

"Then you wouldn't be the princess I've heard so much about, after all," he condemned.

Annabeth fingers tightened around the bound leather, her breath faltering in her chest.

She couldn't stand it anymore. She slammed her book shut, setting it down next to her. If she'd looked up, she might have seen his smile only widen at her action. But she could barely register the room around her as she felt a familiar fire erupt blaze her.

"And who has been supplying you with such vivid and exciting descriptions of me," Annabeth questioned, standing up to face him. She was struck for a second by how tall he was standing before her now. She wondered how she hadn't noticed before when they'd danced. Nevertheless, she stood her ground, stepping onto her tiptoes below her dress.

"Oh," Percy feigned a puzzled look, the volume he'd chosen settling in the curve of his arm. "Just friends here and there, passing acquaintances."

"And you trust them to provide you a fair picture," Annabeth pressed, stepping towards him.

"They have so far," he disclosed, his dark messy hair shading his roguish eyes. His grin was far too wide for the blonde's liking.

Annabeth scoffed loudly, unable to control the urge to roll her eyes. "I still don't trust you," the blonde told him directly, narrowing her eyes at him as he attempted to look perfectly oblivious to her implication. "But I trust my sister, and I know she is stronger than to let you destroy her."

"Powerful words," Percy smiled mockingly at the sentiment, putting his hand over his heart as he took another step towards her. They were nearly a foot away from each other now. "And, if I may, why, dear sister-in-law, don't you trust me?"

"I thought it obvious," Annabeth laughed, holding her chin up high, meeting his gaze if only to watch his reaction to her words. "I know what you did."

"How dreadfully ominous," Percy blinked, looking perfectly unamused. "Do you always speak in riddles?"

"Must be all the reading," Annabeth suggested lightly. She was forced to crane her neck up to look him in the eyes. She watched them crinkle at the corners at her words and felt oddly accomplished. Before she had to consider where exactly the feeling stemmed from, he was taking another step closer.

"Whatever could you be referring to?" Percy wondered out loud. "Duke Dohlov's death, perhaps?"

Annabeth concealed her shock at his candor. He clearly meant to intimidate her. His size and proximity were evidence enough of that, but he had a strong presence about him. Something about his stance that felt powerful and contentious and combative and—exciting.

She merely nodded, feeling her heart race incredibly unfairly at the suggestion. Her eyes carefully trained on him, not willing to be the first to lose.

"His death was not at my hands," he mocked offense, though the curve of his suggested something else entirely. "In fact, I am insulted at the insinuation."

"I'm certain you are," Annabeth breathed, unsure what to say next, caught off-guard by his near admission to the murder of another Duke.

"I must say," Percy continued, cautious not to break their gaze. "I am extraordinarily excited to meet his suitor of yours. I can only wonder who your parents have convinced to marry you."

"I hope you won't be here long enough to meet him," Annabeth retorted with a stiff smile. The mention of Luke had spiked something in her brain, something that sensed danger at the realization that the young Duke clearly knew more about her than he was letting on. "He's in Andalucia until further notice," she added, attempting to look as confident as possible, hoping he would retire the subject. She did not need another incentive to begin contention—his mere face was more than enough.

"Oh," Percy paused, but she could hear the smile in his voice. "Haven't you heard." Her heart halted, waiting as she felt his words wash over her. "He's been invited to the engagement party. Odd that he didn't tell you."

Percy smirked, cocking his head slightly to the side as he examined her expression. She knew he'd caught her momentary delay.

"I'm sure it was meant to be a pleasant surprise," Annabeth attempted, recovering quickly from the shocking revelation. "Pity you had to ruin it."

Luke was returning. He was returning and no one had thought to inform her—not her mother, not her sister, not her soon-to-be fiance.

"Tragic, really," Percy lamented with a malicious simper, finally breaking their eye contact to look her up and down venomously. "I suppose I'll have to find another way to surprise you then, won't I?"

"Goodnight, Duke," Annabeth dismissed harshly. She turned her back on him, swallowing thickly as she made her way back to her chair and sat down.

"Goodnight, your highness," he returned with a bow of his head.

Annabeth picked back up her book and began flipping through it, pretending not to notice as he turned and exited the room without another word.

Even after he'd left, the clicking of his heels, the timbre of his voice, the meaning behind his words, all seemed to echo in the room around her. And just like that, her safe space felt trespassed by his very presence.

He was—he was—

She groaned loudly at the realization, calling for her servant to gather the books and take them back to her bedroom. At least that was still safe.


a/n: lots more to come (hopefully)

love yall

p.s. promise to work on treason soon, just want to get ahead of this and FB

p.p.s. did not edit, be kind to me. ill do it l8r