.Heyllo guys! So here's the next chapter and let's see where this goes...
Thanks also to the people who enjoyed this story so far! Keep reading, guys.
The sky was dark over the kingdom, adding to the gloomy mood in the atmosphere. Umbrellas started to pop open amongst the crowd of people gathered aroung the grave of the queen as rain slowly started to trickle down from the dark clouds above.
The princess stood quietly at the front, beside her father. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and trailed down her cheeks. It had been four months since the day they found out about the queen's illness. Everyday if those four months Annabeth would sit at the side of her mother's bed and talk to her, comfort her, and give her the medicine she needs. Though it seemed Athena was the one comforting her daughter, because Annabeth always started to cry when she thought about her mother dying.
Annabeth was silent. She didn't speak, she made absoloutly no sound. Her grey eyes glistened with tears. She always hated it when someone she liked leaves her. She loved her mother, and now she's leaving permanently.
Annabeth watched with sad and misty eyes as her mother's body was being lowered into her grave. "I'll miss you." Annabeth whispered before she quickly rushed back into the castle.
She ran into the doors of the castle and rushed up the stairs, ignoring the concerned calls of her father behind her. She pushed open the door to her bedroom and threw herself onto her bed .
She wept into her sheets, clutching the blankets to her chest tightly. She didn't bother to change out of her black dress. She cried and cried, silent the whole time until she fell asleep.
She was going to miss her mother dearly.
Two years.
Two years since the death of Athena Chase.
Annabeth has never smiled, let alone laugh, ever since. Sure, there were those rare moments when she was alone in her room and she thought about her mother. A small, sad smile would show upon her face wich would disappear just as quickly as it appeared. No one, not even her father could make her smile or laugh truly.
The king had just recently remarried last month. Susan, the new queen, was very nice, but Annabeth still preferred her real mother. A real mother is something more different and special than a step-mother. Susan respected that, but the king always hoped Annabeth could love his new bride as a real mother. Maybe he even hoped Susan could replace Athena in his daughter's heart. Though he knew that was impossible and foolish. He just wanted his daughter to be happy and have a normal childhood with a complete family. She was just eight years old after all.
It was a normal summer morning, Annabeth was in her room getting dressed. She slipped on a greyish button-down long sleeved shirt, a pair of light brown pants, and an orange vest over her shirt. She wore her shoes and made her way out of her room and down to the throne room.
Ever since she turned eight, Annabeth was requested to join the king and queen in an audience for any new worker assigned to work inside the palace. It was a tradition in their kingdom to have the royal family have an audience with a new worker in the palace. Most of them were old workers or slaves from outside the palace but were trusted enough to be assigned inside the palace. And it was Annabeth's"pleasure" to meet them personally. Well, atleast that's how her father would put it.
Annabeth made her way down the grand stairs wich led to the throne room. As soon as she got to the bottom of the staircase she was greeted with the smiling face of her step-mother. Her short brown hair was decorated with a delicate crown on top of her head. Her blue eyes were friendly and kind. Annabeth was okay with her, but she still missed her real mother.
"Good morning, Annabeth!" Queen Susan greeted, a smile upon her face." Ready for the audience the new servants? I hear his son is with him. Maybe you could make a new friend."
Annabeth simply nodded, a blank expression on her face. The two made their way to the thrones. The largest one had a frame made of solid gold and cushoned with red-velvet seating. That was were King Frederick was currently seated. Next to it was a slightly smaller and identical throne for the queen. Annabeth took her seat on the smallest one. It was silver and had a gold and velvet cushon.
"Are you excited to meet the new servants, Annabeth?" The king greeted his daughter as she took her seat on her throne.
Annabeth simply nodded. "Yes. Let's get on with it. I have something to attend to later."
The king sighed, the smile on his face didn't waver. He knew she was just finishing a book she started reading yesterday. Honestly, he didn't even know a child her age would be so interested in books. He didn't even know if the books she was reading was even appropriate for her age.
"Milord," The voice of one of the guards interupted his thoughts."The new workers are here. Should I send them in?"
"Yes, yes. Go ahead." The king replied. The guard bowed respectfully and exited the doors.
The trumpets sounded as the grand oak and metal doors opened. A man who had black hair and sea-green eyes who looked about thirty years old walked into the throne room. He was followed by a boy who looked almost like a younger version of him. The boy looked about the princesse's age. He had sea-green eyes, jet black hair and playful yet kind features.
The two kneeled at the center of the room. "Your highnesses, it is an honor to be allowed to work here at the palace." The man said as they both stood up. "I am Poseidon Jackson, and this is my son, Percy."
The king nodded. "I will expect you will do your work as best you can and you can be trusted well with the work?"
"Yes, Milord." Poseidon replied. " My son will also help me here in my work, if that is allowed."
"Yes, yes. So long as he does not cause any trouble."
Poseidon smiled nervously. "Ofcourse, your highness." His son was known for getting into trouble. But only because he wanted to help.
Percy, the young boy smiled at the king and queen. He looked at the princess and smiled at her too. She just stared at him blankly. He didn't know why though. He just kept smiling at her, hopefully she'll smile back. She just frowned.
'Doesn't this girl know how to smile?' Percy thought. He hated negative atmposhperes. He always wanted everyone to smile and atleast show signs of being in a good mood. He didn't understand why this princess didn't smile.
Annabeth caught his sea-green eyes. They were playful and very joyful. And Annabeth somehow found it... annoying. Not at first though, she just found it strange. Why was he so cheerful? He was just assigned to do some effortful work for almost everyday and he's smiling so enthusiastically.
Annabeth gave him a scowl as her father and his father talked. The boy only raised a challenging eyebrow, his smile unwavering. Annabeth then gave the meanest scowl she could muster, but he just smirked.
Annabeth didn't know why but she was infuriated with this boy. He was challenging her. Annabeth crossed her arms and glared at him. He then stuck his tounge out at her. She didn't feel insulted though, she felt competetive. A feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. Mostly because all the servants never tried to make her smile and she kept alone in her room most of the time.
Annabeth then gave him the meanest and most evil glare/scowl she could muster. She was pretty sure her face showed a sign of pure death and darkness.
The boy's smile faltered and Annabeth swore he gulped. Annabeth won, she smiled a triumphant grin. Her arms crossed and she held her head up high. She was smiling, her face shown victory.
And for some reason the boy smiled back. Like he was accepting defeat and was happy about it. Annabeth liked victory.
"Annabeth..." Frederick spoke next to her. His face shown pure awe. She was smiling. Annabeth, the princess who had never ever smiled since two years ago, was now smiling.
The new workers had just been dismissed and the boy was leaving. He smiled at her and waved before exiting the doors with his father.
Annabeth frowned at her father. "What?" She questioned.
"You-you just..." The king muttered. She knew it was because this was the first time he'd ever seen her smile since... since then.
"Excuse me, father. I-uh, need to go somewhere." Annabeth said as she hopped off her throne. Something about that boy interested her. She intended to find out why.
But for now, she needed to finish that book she was reading.