Chapter V

The Engaged Widow

As if there weren't enough problems in the castle. Chiron and Percy heard loud and clear what was announced at the gallows. How did the town crier get word of the assassination? It was a secret meant to stay secret until the assassin/terrorist group was caught. Who knows what the town might do with this information. There might be widespread panic or even demands of answers about this tragedy from King Poseidon who barely knew many details himself.

"Sire, we need to get you to safety." Chiron tugged at Percy's arm. Percy noticed he stopped and was staring at the town center through the stain-glass window. But it seemed Chiron was caught off guard as well as his face dropped two shades.

"Right." Percy nodded understandably. He continued to follow Chiron hastily. His mind wondered a bit. Why was there blood? Who that figure? Is that person the one responsible for telling the town crier the news? Is that person going to kill his father? Percy's eyes widened.

"We need to see my father, Chiron." Percy halted in his tracks. They were close to Percy's bedchambers now. No doubt Chiron was going to get Frank and maybe some others to protect him as he told the rest of the castle of what occurred.

"Why the bloody hell would we do that?" Chiron frowned. "I will see him after I get you to safety."

"No, don't you understand? The town crier… he must've been told by the Titans and the news to the entire town will probably serve as a distraction—"

"To murder the King." Chiron finished, eyes widening. "How is that possible? Our military is a juggernaut. We have the best security protecting the palace. How could the Titans successfully sneak into the palace walls without our knowledge?"

"How did they get past my uncle's security?" Percy questioned. "His military is better trained than ours, he was the force to be reckoned with."

Chiron sighed "There will be time for questions later. We need to protect your father. You might be right. The Titans probably infuriated our defenses and taking this chaotic opportunity to…" Chiron did not finish the thought. It was too solemn to even think about. But they both went in search for the king, preparing for the worst.

…

Annabeth and Rachel both watched in utter shock as the chaos ensued the village. The panic spread like wildfire. Who could blame them? King Zeus, dead? King Zeus was the brother of King Poseidon and together they served as allied nations. How did this happen? Annabeth never heard when she was going out complaints about Poseidon's brother and how he ruled. It was always praise and same with King Poseidon. It seemed almost like they were in an era of peace. So the demand of answers from the town crier fueled the air while there were cries of royalty lovers.

"…what?" Rachel dropped to the ground, holding her thumb. "K-King… Zeus…"

Annabeth had nothing to say. Although she never meant anyone close to royalty before, (A/N: Mwhahahahaha!) this seemed so depressing to her. A figure so high is the hierarchy with a lot of praise does not fall easy. Also, is this assassin on the loose? Were they working alone? So many questions buzzed through Annabeth's mind.

"H-How… did this…?" Rachel stared at the ground. "W-why would anyone…?"

Was this even concrete fact though? Maybe it was some sick prank. Annabeth doubted anyone would joke about something as drastic as this. And why hasn't there been any recent news from the king from this? The town crier goes on rumors and really never the king's word. And then there's the problems with refugees. If truly King Zeus has been assassinated surely there would be many refugees from Olympus, seeking aid here in Atlantis. Why hasn't there been refugees flooding the kingdom? Something didn't add up.

Besides refugees, there was the question of how exactly did the assassin manage to put an end to King Zeus's life. Annabeth heard Zeus back in his earlier as a prince did remarkable feats and had incredible strength. Although some might be a bluff. Someone might need skill to successfully take down the strong king and get past his military in the process. If someone really did want to kill a monarch, successfully doing it alone is a million in one chance that it would actually succeed. This assassin must've had help, probably on the inside too. Wait, Annabeth saw Percy enter the woods, the easiest way to get Olympus. Then he came into the manor shot and almost near death. What if the assassin and his friends surrounded the kingdom so no one could get in or out?

"ANNIE! RACHEL!" the thundering voice of Lady Hera broke Annabeth out of her train of thought. Annabeth reluctantly got up with Rachel trailing behind her, in tears, and they both quickly proceeded down the stairs. Annabeth made a mental note to ask Percy next time of exactly how he acquired that wound. Hopefully she would someday see him again. Now, she was starting to sound like a hopeless romantic.

"Where have you two been?!" Lady Hera greeted them with yelling. She looked much jumbled from her usual kept-together self. Maybe she was caught in the raging crowd. From the looks of it, she did and so did Drew. Drew was too busy fixing herself to worry about a snarky comment.

"We're sorry." Rachel said quietly.

Lady Hera sighed irritably "It doesn't matter. I have bigger concerns at the moment."

"We heard the town crier." Annabeth explained.

"Oh, that. Yes, now the ball that was supposed to be held at Olympus is now changed to be held here. That produces the problem. Poor Drew's dress is purple—"

"King Zeus is… dead, mother." Rachel interrupted, growing strength from her mother's caustic words. "And you're worried about that stupid ball?"

"Rachel!" Lady Hera shrieked. "How could you say that?! Before your attitude, you were excited for the ball. How are you not upset for the ball to be—?"

"I AM upset, but not for the ball. King Zeus, a monarch to be reckoned with, has been cut down. Can't you see mother? The whole town is in panic but all you're worried about is a ball so Drew can marry some sorry nobleman so you can do exactly what you did with Annabeth's father: rob him dry."

Lady Hera looked like she was about to explode "That's it, Rachel! You can expect no meals for the next two days! Double your chores!" Annabeth was glad Lady Hera didn't kill her but the look in her eyes showed no love anymore.

…

"Percy! What are you doing here?" King Poseidon was about to pull his hair out. Somehow word got out of his brother's death and now the town was in a panic. Not only that, but she was producing quite a problem. Then there was the whole stressful matter of the search for answers of the Titans whereabouts which according to the knights were nowhere to be found.

"Apologies, milord." Chiron spoke up before Percy could get out a word which is somewhat an impossible feat to do. They were all in King Poseidon's office. The study was rather small compared to the rest of the rooms in the castle but it served the king privacy. Percy remembered always running through here when he was little and yanking the azure hangings that covered the stone walls that held the family crest, a gold trident.

"Never mind, what is the pressing matter? You two look you've seen a ghost." Poseidon dropped his quill to give the upmost attention to Chiron and Percy. Percy felt at ease instantly from today's events. His father was always so calm and approachable. Percy wished someday he might be like that. Chiron began explaining though and immediately Poseidon's expression grew to a frown.

"Are you suggesting that Titans have successfully infiltrated our securities?" Poseidon drew from the explanation.

"They might have." Percy shrugged. "How do you think the town crier got news of King Zeus's assassination?"

Poseidon nodded "Well, if your theory on spies within our walls is correct then they probably will not strike for a while. I am now aware. But Percy, how did you come to that conclusion?"

"It just seemed odd, I guess. We were trying to keep the assassination a secret until we knew more and the only people that knew are a few within this castle."

"Makes logical sense…" Poseidon smiled proudly. "The only possible solution is more protection so I will increase security but however, we have another problem that needs to be addressed." The King stood up from his desk and motioned for Chiron and Percy to follow. Chiron looked as confused as Percy was. But they followed Poseidon anyway out of his office. Soon, two muscular guards joined them that always hovered around the King as like Frank does.

"As you know, the town is in a panic." Poseidon looked back as he walked through the hallways. "I need you, Percy to speak tomorrow."

"Why me?" Percy hated public speaking and his father knew that.

"I'm sorry Percy. I truly am but you are getting older. The people would like to see the future heir to the throne getting more involved. And also, the people might swallow the news better by a younger hand than me. For all they know, I could've done it. Also, it was my decision to keep this news from the public so in other words, you are blameless in this matter Percy."

"I'm guessing that's not all, milord." Chiron said.

"Yes…" Poseidon nodded, looking solemn. Chiron nor Percy knew what could make the king so sad. They followed until they reached a room that led to one of the countless bed chambers. The two guards opened the grand doors.

"Ah, your highness." A beautiful middle-aged woman greeted them as they entered. Percy gawked at the changes in the bed chamber. Usually they are white and blank like what inhabits them but it wasn't now. It was… pink and girly. Pink beds. Pink doilies. Pink drapes. Just everything was pink. The middle-aged woman was even dressed in a pink dress with pink lipstick. However, she was beautiful. With gorgeous blond curls and blue eyes as blue as the sea.

"We were just making some rearrangements. Since we are staying here for a while." The woman explained.

"Yes… I see you have…" Poseidon was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of pink also.

"And you must be Prince Perseus." The woman pleasantly smiled, although there was some sadness in those eyes. She shook Percy's hand nonetheless. "I am Queen Aphrodite of France. We were staying at Olympus but however…"

"Yes, we are dreadfully sorry about that." Poseidon sighed, feeling sorry for the Queen.

"How did you escape?" Percy asked. Thalia said to him that when they were escaping, they were basically running for their lives.

"Well… not many people in Olympus knew we were staying at the castle so that meant the Titans didn't know either. We were summoned by King Zeus for a surprise…"

"…We?" Chiron raised an eyebrow.

"France has been suffering for a long time. I am too tired and… old to produce an heir. Also, pregnancy does not do wonders to my body. My daughter is all I have. But France needs allies for we are having a food storage. I have done my fair share of charity to feed everyone but with no prevail. It only resulted in France falling into debt."

Percy looked at his father. Surely he wouldn't let people suffer like this. And there has been a surplus of food. Like father like son, they couldn't see someone fall without lending a hand. That's why Percy would help Annabeth stand up to that terrible old woman, Lady Hera. He hoped someday he could get Annabeth out of that chateau permanently.

"You said King Zeus summoned you for a surprise. What exactly was it?" Chiron looked anxiously at Percy. He caught onto something the prince didn't.

"Piper, can you come out dear?" Aphrodite called in the direction of the washroom. Percy heard the clicking of heels as someone stepped out of the washroom. Aphrodite's daughter walked to the center of the room where everyone was standing. Percy had to admit she was beautiful, even more than her mother. But she not as beautiful as Annabeth is. Piper had tan skin with raggedy brown hair that perfectly framed her face. She had eyes that seemed to change color depending on what she looked at. Piper wore a lilac dress with exotic violet jewelry with her hair in a sloppy braid that worked for her.

"Hello…" Piper rubbed her elbows as she looked at Percy.

"This is my daughter, Piper." Aphrodite continued, laying a reassuring hand on her daughter. "And… to help France, King Zeus agreed to become our ally as long as his son, Prince Jason could… marry my daughter. So, for Prince Jason's birthday ball, Piper was supposed to be announced as the prince's bride."

Wait… Percy needed a time out.

"Yes… so since of the recent events and considering that France does need help. I have decided…" The whole world seemed to stop for Percy. Piper seemed not very happy either about the idea. She's only doing this for her country.

"Percy, my son, you are now officially engaged." Poseidon said, making sure he was very much distance away for a sword swing, putting Chiron in the middle for a middle ground.

Ahh! Cliffhanger! Percy engaged to his best friend's fiancée?! WHAT?