Chapter Two
Annabeth
I don't need a guard. I have been trained how to protect myself all my life. I also carried a knife on my calf for the last five years. I am prepared for anything. I don't think my father remembers that I'm trained. I can't argue with him. He is the king after all.
I was trained by my cousins on my mother's side, Artemis and Apollo. The brother-sister pair are also going to train my half-brothers. Artemis and Apollo are way different from each other. Apollo is a laid back kind of person. He also flirts with all the girls in the castle. And then we have Artemis. She is a total opposite to her brother. Artemis is serious and strict most of the time. She also despises men, so flirting coming from her.
I look over at Commander Perseus Jackson. As he sleeps at the other side of the table I get a good look at him. He has shaggy raven colored hair. I've already noticed his bright sea green eyes. I look at the top half of his body. He has broad shoulders that pull his button down shirt taut over his chest. He has his sleeves rolled up. His nose looks like it has been broken at least twice. He has a dimple on his right cheek. He has a strong jawline with some stubble on it. He also has long spider leg like eyelashes splayed across his cheeks. I shiver at the thought of spiders.
I realize that I'm not doing what I can here for and that was to read. I wasn't doing that a moment ago. I was thinking about the commander. What has gotten into me? When did I start looking at boys? Besides even if I liked him I could never be with him. I'm more likely to get an arranged marriage with an old man. I cringe at this thought. I want to marry for love. Like that will ever happen. But one of my half-brothers are going to be king. I hope my father doesn't plan for me to get married any time soon.
All of sudden the doors fly open. Perseus jolts awake, wiping his mouth. My father walks in.
"Annabeth, I think I have found you a suitor," The king says.
"But father I'm only seventeen years old!" I stand up.
"Annabeth, I know you don't want to get married, but this could help the kingdom."
"But…"
"But nothing, Annabeth. He will come in a weeks' time. He is the Prince of France. When you marry him, we will have a peace treaty. We will end the threats of war with them." Perseus's eyes widen as he looks between my father and me.
"Father, I thought I wasn't important anymore. I thought my brothers are the ones who are going to rule this kingdom. Not me."
"Annabeth, I never said you weren't important…"
"It's how you act though." I then storm out of the room not caring if the commander follows me. I get to my chambers and close the door. I hold back the tears that threaten to fall. I don't want to get married! I want to marry for love.
I get to my room. I fling the door open. I stomp in and slam the door behind me. I am furious at my father. Why is marriage so important now? My father could have looked for suitors when I turned fourteen. But he waited. I sit on my bed confused because most girls are married by my age. I could have sat there forever.
Suddenly there is a knock at my door. Percy pokes his head in and says, "Someone is here to see you." Someone shoves him out of the way just as he finishes. In comes Thalia running towards me. I stand up and I brace myself. She hits me like a brick wall. I almost topple over.
In a thick Scottish accent she says, "I've missed you so much!" I hug her and laugh. I haven't seen Thalia in almost six months.
"What are you doing here?!"
"Am I not allowed to visit?" I laugh at this. "So, how are you?"
"I am well. How about yourself?"
"I am alright. Anyway, do you want to walk around in the palace gardens?"
"Sure," I state. We leave the room. As we walk down the hallway we see maids rushing around. Some are running different rooms with piles of clean linen. Others are dusting, cleaning windows, and sweeping.
"I wonder what's going on," Thalia says.
"It's probably for the ball."
"Annabeth, what ball? Why wasn't I told about this ball?"
"Because it was just announced this morning that I have a suitor," I grumble.
"Really? Who is he?"
"Thalia, I honestly don't know. All I know is that he is from France." We have finally made it outside. I was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic in there.
Thalia then turns around and looks Perseus. "Who are you?"
He studies her for a moment. "Commander Percy Jackson."
"Do you have any ideas who her suitor could be?"
He stops and thinks for a moment. "Yes, I have some ideas. There are only a few people suitable."
"Who are they?" I look in between the two of them.
"I'm not going to tell."
Thalia then looks confused. "What do you mean you not going to tell us?" She was getting annoyed.
"It would be best to wait and see for yourself. It could be someone totally different from what I say."
0o0o0o0o
A servant comes out and tells us it is time for supper. I really don't want to go. My father might bring up suitors again. I think I'm going to be sick.
I sit down next to my brothers, Bobby and Matthew. I eat in silence. My parents are talking to Thalia about the weather in Scotland this time of year. They were hoping to go on vacation sometime. Thalia uses her best manners and I'm impressed.
"Commander Jackson, you may eat with us," my father states.
"No, Your Highness, I'm alright."
"Don't argue with your king."
I don't know if it is a good idea to have the commander to eat with us. I mean he has eaten with my father before. But right now is not going to be good for him. He will probably get bombarded with political questions about the war. It wouldn't surprise me.
Hey guys,
This is my first story, so go easy on me. I finally got enough courage to upload one of my stories. Please favorite, follow, and review! It means the world to me.
Thanks,
Joanna
