Hey guys. Okay, so I know the story has progressed a bit too fast in the first two chapters. I'll try to even up the story pace from this chapter on. Have fun reading!

Percy only went with his father to the palace because he wanted to help in the work. They've moved to this place in the kingdom because their farm in the country side was destroyed by the army of the neighbouring kingdom. They worked in the palace because getting home wouldn't be a problem, since the house they are living in is in the "servant' den". The "servants' den" was basically a group of ordinary peasant houses clumped together on the outside walls of the castle.

And Percy only came with his father since the law states all persons who would work in the castle must have an audience with the royal family. He didn't expect to lose in a silent fight with the princess. An evil, scary, princess who hates smiling. Percy didn't even know why.
After the audience with the royal family, Percy and his father were supposed to meet a worker in the castle to show them around, who was also Percy's cousin. Well, that's what he was told.

Poseidon exited the huge castle doors with his son behind him. They made their way toward the courtyard in front of the castle. The courtyard had a bit of a gloomy environment. The grass was fine and the hedges were well trimmed and they formed sort of small mazes all around the courtyard. In the middle was a lake that had a small stone bridge that arched right to the other side. The waters seemed gloomy and kind of dirty, with small patches of moss forming around the edges and… was that sea-weed by the lake? Well that was out of place.

Standing there at the foot of the bridge was a girl with short, uneven dark hair. Much like Percy's but longer. She wore a normal maid's dress, a white long sleeved shirt tucked into a skirt, though hers seemed it was hand cut unt just below her knees. And from the looks of it, Percy knew she had cut it by herself.
When the girl finally noticed the two approaching, a small smile replaced her bored expression. "You two are finally here, huh?" She said, amusement in her voice. She looked about fourteen, quite young to be serving at the palace. But then again, there was Percy…

"Thalia!'' Poseidon exclaimed, a smile on his face.
"Uncle Poseidon, good to see you too." Thalia greeted. Then she turned to Percy, her electric blue eyes seemed to examine him, wich made Percy a bit uncomfortable. "So you must be Percy." She finally said. "Percy, this is your cousin, Thalia." Poseidon said. "She's been living here in the kingdom. Her mother, uh, passed away about three years ago."

Thalia looked a bit uncomfortable with that note, but she still kept a guarded expression. "Yes, yes. So, I guess I should tour you around the palace now, huh?"

Percy's older cousin led them around the palace for a while. She showed them the kingdom, training arena for the soldiers, the barracks and the kitchen. They then continued their tour inside the palace. "And these are the bedrooms." Thalia said when they got to a certain floor. "These rooms over here are used for any royal guests, or anyone the royal family pleases to stay there. And over there," Thalia pointed to a door wich was quite grand. It was oak and painted silver and white. "Is the princess's bedroom. Don't disturb her, okay?"

"Why?" Percy suddenly blurted out. He was still confused with the fact that this princess didin't like smiles.
Thalia turned to him, with a mysterious glint in her electric blue eyes. "You really want to know?"
"Uh…" Percy was double thinking this story-telling session.
"Well, you know that the king recently remarried the current queen, Susan. Right?" Thalia continued. Percy nodded. His mom had walked him through on that several times. "Well, before, the first queen, Athena was very close with her daughter, the princess. She used to smile and laugh a lot along with her mother. Every night, Athena would tell her daughter a story. Every day, the queen would cook her a special breakfast. Until one day, the queen got ill. The doctors couldn't cure her and well… she passed away. The princess never smiled since. No one ever tried after they found it was useless. So just… don't try."
There was a long silence after Thalia's little story. Finally Percy spoke. "Oh. So…Yeah. I get it." Percy gazed at the door of the princess's bedroom. He made her smile earlier this morning, and he will make her smile again. He didn't know why, but he was determined to do so, despite Thalia's warnings. Maybe it was Percy's habit for defying rules, but still.

Thalia nodded and carried on with the tour. While she was speaking Poseidon leaned close to his son's ear. "You're going to try, aren't you?"Percy only grinned cheekily at him. Poseidon sighed, yet he was smiling. "Sometimes I don't know if I would be disappointed or proud."
"I'd go for proud." Percy replied, smiling as well. They continued to tour for the rest of the day. Yeah, when the time comes.

Annabeth sighed as she closed the book. She finally reached the ending. Eh, she knew the prince would die in the end. She closed the book and stood up from her seat. "Finished already, Annabeth?" The librarian said as she strolled over with a basket of books. The librarian was a nice lady who was about fifty years old. Her name was Pheobe. She wore spectacles on the bridge of her nose and an ordinary modest dress.

Annabeth nodded. "Yes, thank you." Annabeth handed over her book, a blank expression on her face. "Do you have any other good book I can read?" Pheobe thought for a while. "Well-"
"You know what? Maybe next time. Thank you." Annabeth cut her off. She hopped of her seat and strolled out the library doors. She turned a corner and heard voices from the other end of the hallway. She recognized the one speaking. It was one of the castle maids… was her name…? Yes, Thalia. That was it. Thalia. Annabeth liked her. She helped her out when she needed certain things and was quite nice to her.

Annabeh saw she was being followed by two people. Ah, yes. The new servants and… the boy. Him again.
"Princess." Thalia bowed when she noticed her. The boy and his father bowed too. When the boy spotted her, he smiled and waved. Annabeth simply nodded an continued on her way.
"Well that was rude," Annabeth heard the boy say behind her. "Yeah. Not smiling." Annabeth sighed and shook her head lightly. He was intentionally making her hear this. And she could also tell Thalia just smacked his face from the significant "Ow!" from the boy and the "Stop it, you two.'' From the father.
Annabeth simply shrugged it off and went on her way.
Percy sighed in defeat. But he wouldn't give up.

Well that wraps it up. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and keep reading! Feel free to review and give any suggestions and such. Reviews encourage me to write more! Thank you all! Please, REVIEW.
-Apollo'sEpicDaughter