"What did my dad say?" Persi asked as the senate erupted into chaos. "Oh, nothing, just the father-girlfriend talk." Persi smiled knowingly, as the senators began standing and yelling out their questions.

Oh boy, this was gonna take a while.

—

Time skip: after the senate meeting

Persi POV

"Well, that was quite the handful." I grumbled, and Hazel snickered besides me. The senators were dispersing, idle chatter filling the air and echoing off the domed roof of the senate house. Drew was right besides me, my hand in hers as we walked towards the exit.

"So, what about the muffins?" I asked, and Drew snorted while Hazel glared at me. "I think Hazel has something to say about that," Drew said, as Hazel Halte din her tracks and placed her hands on her hips.

"Jackson!" Hazel huffed, annoyed. "I told you, no muffins until you've been accepted! We can't have you running around-Octavian would have a field day gathering evidence to kick you out!"

"Aw, come on Haze, it's just muffins…please?"

"No! That's final! I don't want to see one of my only friends get booted out over muffins." Hazel replied, annoyed at me.

"Okay, okay, fine. No muffins until I pass, but promise me that you'll bring me to the best muffin shop in new Rome." Hazel nodded slightly, her glare softening as she resumed her stride, me and Drew trailing behind her.

"Hazel's so cuteeeee…" Drew whined, "she's like a cute cuddly teddy that I just wanna hug soo bad."

Hazel glared at Drew for a bit, before Drew batted her eyes at Hazel and made puppy eyes. Hazel's expression softened, but sent a final glare at Drew before huffing and turning around.

"Drew, don't make fun of Haze. She's a good friend." Drew nodded, before she leaned against me as we walked. Drew and I were similar in height, with her at around 5'6 and me at 5'5, and she could lay her head comfortably on my shoulder if she wanted. Though…I really wasn't sure why she was leaning on my armor, which would be very uncomfortable to her.

"Drew! Persi!" A voice behind us yelled, "can you spare a few moments?"

Turning, I expected it to be a legionnaire or a Senator, but what I saw made me open my mouth in shock. The female praetor was walking briskly behind us, her cape billowing behind her.

"Haze!" I called out, and she spun around before noticing the praetor. "Praetor Reyna!" She said, bowing slightly to show respect. The praetor, Reyna, scoffed and waved at her to stand. "Hazel, how many times did I tell you not to bow?"

"But-but it's respectful-"

"Hazel, I don't demand respect. It is earned, not granted." I nodded at the praetor to show my agreement, but at the sight of this, her eyes narrowed slightly before resuming a stoic mask.

"Hazel. Before you lead them to the colosseum, would you mind if I occupy them for a bit?"

"No, praetor Reyna. I'll leave you three to entertain yourselves, I suppose?"

"That's appreciated, Hazel. Thank you." Reyna said, before she beckoned us to follow her. Hazel gave us a look that said 'behave' before she turned and walked away.

We walked down the path leading from New Rome to the barracks in silence. Next to me, Drew had an arm loped into mine, and was fighting nervously. I figured that it was fine, since she-and I-were being singled out by the leader of the camp, and it definitely would be nerve-wracking. I just hoped she wouldn't fall back to her rude and bitchy mask if anything happened.

We walked past the gates to the barrack, and then turned towards a building with a purple flag hanging from the entrance. In the center was the camp Jupiter symbol-a laurel wreath with the letters SPQR in the center. In front of the columns at the sides of the entrance, two legionnaires stood at attention. With a wave of her hand, Reyna dismissed them and they scurried off.

As I studied the praetor, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was familiar, and that I had seen her before. But as I wracked my brain, I couldn't figure out where or when. Her olive brown skin and her dark brown hair was familiar, and her obsidian black eyes held something in them that I remembered from some time ago. They were fierce and calculating, but there seemed to be something that was missing. And her name…Reyna. I swear I had heard that from somewhere…but where?

Or was I just overthinking things?

Before we knew it, we were inside the building, the 'Principia' as she called it, and stopped in front of a Mahogany desk in a large, beautiful and well-lit room. Atop the desk were stacks of paperwork, and there was a small rounded bath at the far side of the room, near the bed that was some distance away from the desk. Two chairs sat in front of the desk, while a more detailed and impressive chair stood behind it. A couch was also placed in front of the desk, it's back to the wall. Above it hung the camp flag (I assumed it was, since I was seeing for the third time now), and an empty display stand stood in a corner, gathering dust.

"Sit." Reyna ordered, and we took the seats in front of the desk. "So, I'll cut right to the chase." She began, and I grinned internally. Finally, someone who was in the leadership ranks and not fucking around with diplomatically approaches and political manuvering.

"Who, exactly, are you? And why did you visit camp Jupiter?" Reyna asked. Drew and I shared a look, before I spoke.

"Praetor Reyna. Since your approach was admirably blunt, I shall give you a straightforward answer. As you know, we are Greek, and lived in a camp all too similar to here, camp half-blood." At this, Reyna chuckled slightly, though a cold gleam still remained in her dark orbs. "I have been there for years-Drew even longer. After the battle of Manhattan, in which we Greeks protected Olympus and saved it from destruction, I was shunned and singled out from others-not because of my actions, but because of a person's ill will towards me, who had the intelligence and ability to manipulate campers by words, and twisted the truth or exaggerated moments that I still regret to this day. Long story short, she manipulated my image into one that was ugly, harsh and evil, and I became an outcast."

"Sounds like Octavian to me," Reyna mused, before gesturing at me to continue.

"I left camp without notifying almost every camer after being singled out and shunned. Or, in more straightforward terms, betrayed. Drew here…you can let her explain herself." I finished, and nodded at Drew.

"I…I experienced the same thing." Drew said. "Weeks, almost a month after Persi disappeared-at least it was a disappearance to many of us-a new group of demigods arrived at our camp. Back there, I was shunned and bullied, and I sort of uh…" Drew broke off, and I resumed her part from here.

"She basically developed a facade, to stop herself from being hurt and assert dominance over others." I said, and Drew nodded gratefully.

"Yeah, that. Anyway, after the new campers came, one being a daughter of Aphro-sorry, Venus, who had the ability to charmspeak and was in all manners, a better leader than I was, I got pushed out of power and bullied, shunned by my cabin mates. It was my own actions biting back at my ass, if you will. Since I had nothing else to lose-those idiots decided I was useless and irrelevant-I decided to leave camp, and hopefully find Persi as well."

Reyna nodded thoughtfully, before she spoke up. "So, both of you were pushed away by your old families. One was framed, while the other was already an outcast to begin with. I can see how coming over to the west coast to start a new life, and getting as far away as your old homes, is a lucrative choice…but how did you find us? And why us?"

"Well…my patrons helped me. Weeks after I left, I was ambushed, almost died and the only way to save me was to do a blood adoption, to rekindle the family part within me so I could fight back. After that, I was made a champion of Artemis, and after mastering my powers, was sent to rescue her." I said, pointing at Drew. "We then met up, spend a few hours getting to know each other, and then we're sent to train with Lady Lupa, to begin this new phase in our lives."

Reyna nodded again, before speaking. "So to conclude…you lost a home and decided to find one here. Well, I'd gladly accept you both with open arms, but I have a question for you." Reyna said, looking directly at me. "Do I look familiar to you? And before you lie-know that my dogs," she whistled and two metallic hounds appeared at her side, "Argentum and Aurum, will rip you apart if you lie." To emphasise the point, the metallic hounds growled.

"You? I…I believe we've met somewhere, sometime. Probably when I was on a quest, since I don't recall you ever being at camp. But…I'm not really sure who you are. You are familiar though…I just can't place my thoughts on who." I answered truthfully, and the dogs stayed put.

"Very well…you seem to speak the truth."

"Seem?" I protested. "Weren't your hounds-"

"-enough proof? Yes, but I'd like to inform you on something, and it would have confirmed my suspicions if you weren't truthful." Reyna stood up before she continued. "I, the praetor of the Twelfth Legion fulminata, am Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano, daughter of bellona, and ex-servant of Circe."

I must've gasped loudly, as Drew looked at me confused. "…what?" She asked, and I shot her a look that said, 'later'. "Rey-Praetor Reyna, I'm so, so sorry for destroying Circe's island, and leaving you behind to fend for your fate…but it was either the end of us, or that. I…I understand now, how painful the loss of a home can be…please forgive me, please." I muttered, the memories of the quest in the sea of monsters rearing up in my mind,

"Hmph. At least you still remember." Reyna huffed, before she continued, "all is forgiven. From what I deduced, you were on a quest to get the Golden Fleece, to save someone-or something-important. I respect that. Now that you've lost a home and I've lost a home, I think we're even. Let's hope that you find a home here too, like I did." A smile crossed her face as she continued. "So, now that that's over, let's prepare you two for your combat trials."

"Thank you, Praetor," I said as I stood up and nodded, with Drew hastily doing the same. "No problem, Persi, Drew. Also, call me Reyna. I am not some stone-faced leader who demands respect-rather, I'd like to be a kind and courageous leader, so that I may be an inspiration, a beacon of guidance, instead of a stone with orders carved onto it."

I smiled at that. "I see. I admire your leadership skills…Reyna. I can see how you've become a great leader in such a short amount of time." I said as I locked eyes with her. Her eyes still held that fierce and calculating look, but there was also something shining through. Kindness and compassion.

"Thank you, Persi. You're a great warrior from what I can see, and I thank you for your praises. I'm sure you'll do well in the upcoming trials, silver Valkyrie." She remarked with a smile while I looked at her, confused.

"How did you know?"

"Oh, the emblem on your chest plate. I might not be Norse, but I've read enough Norse mythology to know that it's the symbol of the Valkyries. And I must say that you certainly have the ferocity and prowess of one." She said, and I blushed. She took this all in with a smile. "Now, I believe you should set off to prepare for the trials. Good luck." She said, and we nodded before heading out.

"Oh, by the way, Reyna?" I said, pausing halfway towards the door. "You look beautiful when you smile. You should do that more often." She blushed and turned to face the windows, and I allowed a fleeting smirk to form on my lips while Drew looked at me knowingly.

Stepping out of the room, I shot one last glance into the room. Reyna stood there, hands at her hips, as she gazed out of the window. The sunlight illuminated her features, and the edges seemed to glow. Her dark brown hair alone in the sunlight, and her features seemed softened, while shimmering light danced across the edges of her armor.

She looked like a regal princess.

—

3rd person/Reyna POV

Persis Jackson.

The girl that destroyed her life.

The girl that apparently helped save the world.

The girl that lost her home she worked hard to protect.

Reyna didn't know what to think. She hated the girl, hated her for ruining a perfect life on Circe's island, hated her for making herself and her sister suffer under the hands of the pirates of Edward Teach, hated her for forcing them apart just as they established their new life.

But again, this was all in the last. She couldn't change it.

Persi had obviously changed. So had she.

In the years that had followed, she had grown to find a new family. She now had Rome as her family, her residence, and Persi had seemingly found comfort in Drew while her home rejected her.

But today…when she looked into those eyes she was so dreaded to see again, when she studied her figure when she walked into the senate house…all she could feel was indifference.

And perhaps…a slight pull towards her.

Reyna remembered seeing those sea green and crimson eyes. The sea green orb swirled with power, while the crimson eye burned with a gentle fire. Her honey brown hair with Raven roots complimented her natural tan, and her features somehow were more delicate, more beautiful…more desirable.

Reyna knew that she swung both ways. She had crushed on Gwen when she first joined the legion, then Jason, then…someone else unimportant. But she wasn't sure if she wanted to even accept her heart's gravitation towards this girl who ruined her old life…

…and gave her a new one.

She had shown up in silver armor, with the symbol of the Valkyries, out of all the things she could choose, emblazoned on the center of her chest plate. Her shimmering blue cape fluttered behind her, and her silver armor shone and radiated power.

Her stature was casual, yet an air of caution and danger lingered around her. Her eyes constantly darted around, analysing everything in her path. A fierce and cold look shone through her eyes, but she could see the loving look she gave to her girlfriend when she looked at her.

Gods, she was so smitten with this girl after seeing her again years later.

And as the senate exploded in questions, she had handled it with order and discipline, like a true Roman leader. Her stance radiated confidence, and her responses were clipped and on-point.

Hell, even Octavian was stumped by her response and rendered unable to speak.

After the senate meeting, she had wanted to meet Persi personally. She got Drew and Persi into the Principia, questioned them and studied them some more. Her suspicion was confirmed-Persi had known what she was doing when she destroyed the island, and even had the inhabitants in mind when she did that.

But she forgave her. After all, she was happy in Rome now. Without Persi destroying her original home, she certainly would never have arrived in Rome, instead being stuck on Circe's island for eternity.

Then something surprising happened. Before Persi left, she turned to her and spoke one sentence that left her stunned.

"You look beautiful when you smile. You should do that more often."

No one ever told her she was beautiful. No one ever complimented her smile. To the Romans, her citizens, she was always the harsh yet caring ruler of Rome. She rarely smiled, and she wouldn't let anyone who disrespected her go without a punishment.

But for some reason, that single sentence melted her heart. She could feel blood rush up to her cheeks as she turned to look out of the window.

She didn't know what to do.

Should she pursue her heart's desires? But wouldn't that be too rash, too quick? Wouldn't it drive Persi away from her current relationship?

Did she want to ruin Persi's relationship?

Reyna doubted her own abilities. She doubted her own beauty, she doubted her own love, she doubted her own trust.

Truthfully, she doubted herself.

She was scared. Afraid. She feared that she would be sucked down the whirlpool of love again, just to be rejected, broken, left behind.

Venus' words rang in her ears, clear as day.

"You shall not find solace in any demigod."

Why did Venus make her life so hard?

As she turned away from the window and prepared to fix her armor before she set off on the small trek to the colosseum, a voice spoke in her head.

"I only said you wouldn't find solace in a demigod. Who said anything about a demigoddess?"

But…wouldn't that cause Persi to end her current relationship?

"Who said my daughter and Persi won't accept another into their lives?"

Wait…Venus? Reyna stood stock still, before a small laughter rang out in her head.

"Go, praetor of Rome, and attend the trials. Then, we shall talk, and help you realize your true desires."

Sighing, she went back to fixing her armor. For now, she would put her own personal feelings behind. Rome would always come first, and her personal feelings could wait.

So could Persi and Drew.

—

A/N: Chapter 11 is done!

I just realized that there's too little interaction between Drew and Persi. I know that the romance between them is not well written, but I figured since they had true love that blossomed, they didn't rely on kisses, sex and cuddles. I believe that they'd be happy by simply being in each other's company.

Also, lemme know if this chapter was good. I tried to have Reyna realize her feelings between her and Persi, but I suck hard in this area. I know that this chapter is short, around 3K words only, but I didn't want to include another scene for now.

Anyway, the next chapter will have some action. Stay tuned, and I hope to see you there!