Hi guys, me again. It's been so long since I last posted, as usual. *sigh* At least I stuck to my plan: posting once a week. Though my chapters still have to get longer. Yeah, probably next time.
Anyway, my title is different. Sounds smoother, too. I also did some research, so hopefully this'll be more accurate. I'll edit the other chapters over the weekend.
Oh yeah, and none of the places are real, because I'm not that thorough.
Last note, I don't ship Lukabeth, I'm not that weird. If you look closely you'll see how platonic it actually is, and if you wait a little bit you'll see what a real ship is like. ;)
Enjoy!
When the Westfield Manor came into view, alarm and panic surged through Annabeth's heart. Her breathing shallowed slightly as the apex of her youth neared closer and closer to the carriage.
There was no reason for this fear, however. The Westfield Manor was alighted with the flames of a thousand candles. A long line of aristocrats in their finest outfits trickled through the vast doorframe, their jewels sparkling in the moonlight. Her plain diamond necklace suddenly felt cold on her collarbones.
The richly dressed footman pulled the door open and offered Annabeth a hand. She accepted it, daintily stepping of the carriage. Her eyes automatically flickered to the identical one behind her. It was some old Athena tradition for the debuting girls to ride alone, and she missed the comforting pats from Malcolm. All she caught was the feathery hat from one of her sisters. She turned back to the path leading into the manor, perfected her posture, patiently waited her turn inside.
"Lady Annabeth Chase Athena, daughter of The Most Honorable Duchess Athena!" the announcer proclaimed, his cheeks puffing out as he yelled. Heads swiveled at the notable surnames and titles. Ladies looked at her gown appraisingly and almost jealously while gentleman developed eager smiles. Annabeth was already used to large crowds, and this was one of the few times a lady could remain the center of attention, so she flashed a bright smile and waved. Then she slowly curtsied and demurely made her way down the carpeted stairs. She could feel many eyes on her as she took one careful step after another, lifting her heavy skirts.
The Westfield Manor looked stunning on this important night. The giant chandelier's carved crystals glittered and the marble floor was freshly polished. A twirling and dancing crowd whirled around the ballroom, sending thick cotton petticoats and expensive waistcoat flaps flying in every direction. Strings of elegant music hung in the air over frivolous hats. Delicate slippers grazed the floor at the same time as heavy men's boots in a bizarre yet harmonious song. Yards upon yards of lace and velvet pieced together the bodices of the ladies and breeches for the lords. Gloves of the cleanest ivory rested on narrow waists and broad shoulders. The precious jewels hanging around the women's necks and arms could bring a small town of fishermen to dukedom. The air was scented with flowery perfume and strong cologne that ultimately symbolized unity.
Annabeth gazed across the merry pompadour, wondering where to start in the thick crowd. Suddenly a familiar pair of sky blue eyes found her.
"Luke," she breathed happily, wanting to rush up and hug him. But the thick cluster of elderly ladies in the corner were already eyeing them, ready to judge and gossip.
"Annabeth," he answered in the same fashion, grinning down at her. "You look beautiful."
She blushed and flooded her arms across her partially bare chest. "Well, you look the most handsome, per usual."
Actually, Luke looked especially handsome tonight. His broad shoulders were covered in a finely spun overcoat, and his starched white shirt was paler than snow. The silk cravat at his throat brought out his bright eyes. His sunlight-colored hair was cleanly brushed-which only happened at formal events-and Annabeth had an extremely unladylike urge to touch it. The scar that stretched across his face seemed like a quiet reminder of a distant world.
He told her small, gloved hands in his. "You're always be the most beautiful to me, Annabeth. May I have your first dance?"
She beamed at him. "Of course." He reached for the small piece of paper dangling from her wrist on a shiny gray ribbon, her dance card, and neatly jotted down his name: Luke Castellan. He never included his family surname and all Annabeth knew about was a bitter fight between him and his father.
Then he guided her in the crowd and they fell into the smooth, easy dance with lilting tones. Annabeth's smile soared along with the high notes when Luke pulled her close to his chest and offered her an intense gaze. Of course, he had to release her just as quickly afterwards. Annabeth absentmindedly wondered why boisterous dances still required couples.
The dance ended far too soon. Luke gave her a quick bow, his eyes glittering with mischief, and disappeared among the dark coats. She trailed the edges of the crowd like she was taught and soon another potential suitor stepped up to her. "Greetings, Lady Athena. I am William Burton, the Earl of Perryton."
Her mind almost immediately slipped into what Athena would think. From his title and lack of familial icons, he was a "mortal", what outsiders from her large family were referred to as. Yes, she had egotistical relatives.
Perryton was not a large estate either, so not wealthy enough for the likes of their family. Probably only made a few thousand a grand.
He was somewhat handsome, and fairly young, though. Nice nose and forehead, but plain eyes.
Annabeth internally shook her head free of her mother's critical thoughts. Now her view of this hopeful suitor was ruined. "Greetings to you too. How are you this evening?" The constantly used formal words slipped from her tongue like silk.
"I am well. And you?"
"I am fine too." She gave him a small smile. This caused his eyes to glow a little brighter.
"May I have the next dance?" He offhandedly gestured to the musicians preparing for the quadrille.
Annabeth smiled to herself at his awkwardness. "Of course," she answered, holding out her wrist. He scrawled his full title down on the dance card, and it looked like a toddler's compared to Luke's neat writing. She pushed the comparison out of her head and let him lead her back onto the dance floor.
He was a clumsy and bashful dancer, exclaiming "Oh!" if his toes bumped hers or if he elbowed her stiff side, which happened quite often. Annabeth found an affectionate smile on her face when the last notes faded away. She would've liked becoming acquaintances with him, but of course Athena wouldn't approve.
The rest of the dances passed similarly, but no other mortal dared approach her. She suspected a number of people involved in that. Lord Rodriguez took one of her dances and she cast nervous looks towards an irritated Clarisse the whole time. She would have to speak to Silena later about extinguishing her temper. One of the younger boys of the Hephaestus family asked her for a dance with fire-red cheeks. He was short and curly-haired and surprisingly funny. He cracked several jokes before the song even began and made a total fool of himself dancing. Annabeth had to excuse herself to the powder room in case she burst out laughing. He seemed fearless, though he did twitch the whole time.
And, of course, Luke took two more of her dances. This should've caused the ladies in the corner to gasp and topple to the floor in shock, but everyone knew how close they already were. Thalia, their mutual friend, claimed them to be engaged with a wrinkled nose. He was still ever the gentleman, touching her with feather-light fingers and never holding her too long. Annabeth could not put off her fond smile.
She found Piper during the breaks between dances. She was in a gorgeous scarlet gown with wide mutton-leg sleeves. Her corset pulled her already-slim waist into a perfect hourglasses figure that every lady dreamed of. Her dark braided bun was threaded with diamonds and rubies to match her dress were wrapped around her wrists. Heart-shaped jewels, signets of her family, hung from her ears and slender neck. Even her makeup was done differently in the mysterious ways of Aphrodite and she looked like a vision in the flickering candlelight.
"You look like the most beautiful lady in this room, Lady Piper." She told her, giving her a hug.
Piper smiled humbly. "Please, your dress bests every other piece here. And look at how fair your locks are!"
She knew Piper was discreetly referring to the blond color. Her friend had always been envious of Annabeth's pale skin and straw locks and despised her own chocolate-colored hair. But even if society looked down upon Piper's honey-brown skin, Annabeth thought it all extremely beautiful.
"Your locks are the fairest, Piper. They look so rich and smooth!" She looped her arms around her. "Now, to more pressing matters. What was your dance with Jason like?"
She sighed dreamily and they delved into continuous discussion.
Time slowly crawled by and Annabeth spotted the musicians picking their instruments for the last dance. She bid Piper goodbye entered the crowd of flurrying skirts, hoping to find a perfect suitor for the last dance. She saw a sensible young man look her way and was about to head over when someone took her wrist.
She turned and saw a dark head bent over her dance card, scribbling away. She gently pulled her hand away and saw gigantic, messy scrawl on the thin slip of paper. "Lrod Perseus Jackson Poseidon.…" and then a handful of misspelled estate names. There was a giant smudge of ink in the corner.
She was too horrified by the spelling that she didn't even recognize the name at first. Then alarm blazed through her head. Poseidon? Perseus? Those names were considered evil in her home. Memories of Athena snarling about Poseidon's behavior at the dinner table and a tall, cocky boy laughing at Malcolm flashed before her eyes.
She slowly looked up, trying not to panic. Her eyes met vivid pools of ocean. Her breath stuck in her chest. Those eyes were such a beautiful color, of swirling waves with unreadable emotions rising from its depths to the surface. Of emerald waves under the sun, drawing the tide back and forth. They were so bright they burned through the fading light and slipped warmth inside her.
Suddenly long, dark eyelashes flashed across the two infinities of color. She jerked, startled from the other world those eyes brought her into. Her eyes slowly picked up on a jaw that stole a heartbeat, silky black hair, and…... a teasing smirk.
Defiance surged into her mind. A frown tugged at her lips before she managed to hold it back. What was he smirking at?
"Good evening, Lady Annabeth Chase Athena." His smirk only widened as he emphasized her family name. "How are you?"
She stared at him, slack-jawed. "You know very well, Lord Jackson, of our family feud. I do not appreciate you taking a spot on my dance card without my permission nor grabbing me. I will not stand to see my reputation shredded because my last dance was with a profound enemy. Please go find another partner while I remove your name from my card."
His eyes sparkled, almost dangerously. "Can you refuse a dance from a pleasant, high-ranking gentleman? And this is the last dance, so you need an important partner." The ladies from the corner had their eyes bugging out comically as they watched and strained to hear.
Annabeth tossed around the etiquette for this in her mind. He was right, she could not refuse this offer from a proper gentleman. But he was highly disregarded by her family. She searched the room for Malcolm or maybe even Athena to sort things out when Lord Poseidon wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into the center of the crowd. Everyone parted, their eyes wide as they saw Lord Poseidon's blue cravat and Annabeth's gray dress and put things together. They were a very odd couple.
But then the music started and Lord Poseidon expertly guided Annabeth to the rhythm. She stood against his chest, still in shock.
When the dance was over, he actually had the bravery to tenderly touch her cheek. "I'll see you another time, Lady Athena." And then his brilliant green eyes watched her all the way to her carriage.
Okay I'm done yay bye I'm too tired for my usual signoff.