Chapter 2

Thalia smiled as she waved Annabeth and Piper over. The two were practically sisters to her so why shouldn't they get such fine residence as she did?

Of course the principia only had servant rooms which consisted of cots, even with the added royal wing. So Thalia had taken it upon herself to share her luxurious room with the two sister-in-laws whom she called sisters. Thalia knew a secret. She knew Annabeth had never loved Octavian. Pluto, even she didn't like her scheming, deceased, weasel of a brother. At least something good had come out of the marriage. She had been able to spend much more time with her childhood friend along with her little sister.

She smirked as she thought of how Jason had reacted when he heard Piper was going to live with them one year ago. Only Piper and Jason were left in the dark about how much one liked the other.

Thalia smiled. She was glad her father had allowed the two sisters to stay in the palace with them. Ever since Octavian had requested Annabeth be his bride, the Emperor had developed a father daughter relationship with the bride and her sister. Of course he wouldn't have forced her away from Thalia.

Annabeth was glad as well for obvious reasons and also because her sister, Piper, now had a place to stay. Octavian had wanted to send the younger sister away before he had died and Annabeth had been stressed for months trying to convince him otherwise. Though cruel, she had been glad Octavian died, besides the fact that she never loved him.

But now Annabeth was here, freezing in the wintry weather of Gaul upon Thalia's wish to bring her and Piper along when the Emperor had brought the prince and princess.

"Gods Annabeth, why does it have to be so cold?" Thalia complained, rubbing her hands together.

Annabeth chuckled at the shivering girl. "Because it's Gaul, honestly I don't understand how those barbarians can stand this winter. Just imagine it, living here all year round!"

"I'm imagining it and it ain't pretty," Piper said.

"Ah, nothings pretty except you in your eyes Pipes," Thalia smirked playfully.

Piper glared and looked like she was about to retort but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. The girls turned to see a servant girl nervously peaking in. "My lady Annabeth? I'm sorry to interrupt but the Emperor has requested you."

Annabeth nodded and followed the girl out of the room, leaving Thalia and Piper to get ready for bed.

Annabeth wondered what the emperor could possibly want. He must be as tired as her from the long journey. She made her way to the throne room and saw the Emperor smiling kindly at her. Annabeth made to sit to his left but he shook his head and gestured for her to follow him. They walked through the halls of the principia to the Emperor's personal bedchamber where her father gestured for to sit next to him on a couch.

"What is it you have called me for father?" she questioned.

The Emperor smiled. "My dear, do you know why I brought you and your brother with along with me on this trip to Gaul?"

She shook her head. "My time as emperor is coming to an end. I knew General Perseus would be able to secure the lands of these barbarians and for that I am proud. I have been working towards this all my life. As young man I dreamt of conquest and I said to myself, 'young lad, when you become emperor you will make Rome greater than ever before.'" The Emperor stood up and began pacing as Annabeth watched her father confusedly.

The old man paced slowly as he reminisced his youth. "I had several goals set for my life. One, to have a beautiful family," the old man said smiling at his "daughter". "Two, to conquer the lands of the barbarians. To make Rome greater and larger. These first two, I have fulfilled." He paused in his pacing and took a breath. He sat next to Annabeth again and folded his hands. He looked at Annabeth and she noticed something she had never realized before in all the times she had looked into the emperor's eyes. Seagreen eyes. Eyes that held the ocean. A strange thing it was since Romans were not large worshippers of the ocean. They feared Neptune. A curious thing that the Emperor, who was treated like one with the blood of a god, had the eyes of the sea. A even more curious thing is that she had seen it another time that day; in the eyes of the young general.

Was it possible that they could be related? she thought. Her thoughts were interrupted by the Emperor's voice. "Annabeth?"

The young woman returned her attention to her father's words. "What?"

The Emperor chuckled. "I didn't say anything. Your eyes glazed over. I hope I'm not too boring."

Annabeth smiled and hugged the man who had cared for her from when she was young. "Not at all, carry on."

"Throughout my life I had loved the greatness of Rome but I knew one day, corruption would seize it. Which is why I have decided to end the monarchy."

Annabeth stared at him in disbelief. "What?"

"Rome is to be a republic. Triton will not be emperor."

Annabeth knit her eyebrows in confusion. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because my dear, Thalia would not be able to handle what I am saying next. I am dying."

Her eyes widened. "You're dying?"

He nodded. "My time is approaching and one of my last wishes is that Rome be made a republic. And you Annabeth Chase, daughter of Minerva, I know that you will be able to insure this. Thalia would not. She wouldn't be able to understand my predicament. Triton...Triton would not accept this."

He placed a hand on Annabeth's shoulder and her eyes began to tear up. She hated being like this, weak. But she couldn't stop a tear from trickling down her cheek as her father figure smiled sadly at her. He kissed her forehead. "Good night my dear. Do not tell your Thalia, Piper or Triton about this conversation. Sleep well."

Annabeth kissed the emperor's cheek and exited the room. Little did she know that Triton had entered the room but a moment after she left.