Annabeth's POV: 

The royal family of Italy had just walked in. There was a girl around my age with them. She had gorgeous red hair and she was beautiful. She must be the princess.

" Good Afternoon, King Fredrick, Queen Athena and Princess Annabeth." The King said

" Good Afternoon to you too your majesties.

The adults went to get caught up while the girl and I sat down.

" Hi, what's your name? I never knew that the King and Queen had a daughter."

" Its complicated. I just leaned a week ago myself. I was adopted and used to live in the village but then I learned that they were my original family. My name is Rachel. " she said, Her voice was a bit bitter, but I don't know why.

" Nice to meet you Rachel. What do you like to do?"

" I like to paint, sing and do...things"

" I also like to sing, I play the piano, I do horseback riding and other things."

" I've heard about your selection. How are things going? Did any boys grab your attention?"

" Things are going well so far. There are around 5 boys that seem to be a good choice. But only two of them have grabbed my attention. I don't love them yet but they are more interesting then the rest."

" Would you care to tell who they are?"

" I am sorry, but I cant tell you without asking them first."

" It's ok" she still talked in a bitter voice.

" Do you want me to lead you to your room?"

" Sure"

I lead her to her room and decided to go change so that I can go to training in time.

I went to my room and changed my clothes. I called Hazel to come with me since she is also a demigod. I brought Thalia, Reyna and Piper with me too.

" How's your day been?" Piper asked me

" Oh you know, meeting with the royal family of Italy and talking with their princess who seems to hate me."

" Oh, rough. Why do you think she hates you" Thalia asked

" You know me Thals, I am a great judge of character. Besides, she was talking in a bitter voice."

" I don't know why she would hate your. Unless she is jealous that your have a lot of boys competing for you."

" She can hold a selection of her own if she wants"

" Well, I Guess thats true" Thalia said. The boys started to walk towards us and joined in on our conversation.

" Besides, I am sure a lot of boys would love to marry her. She is very beautiful" piper said

" Yeah, thats what everyone cares about these days. The looks not the personality" I said

" What's the princess' name?" Leo asked

" Her name is Rachel Elizabeth Dare" I looked at Percy but he suddenly seemed interested in his shoes. I'll have to ask him about that later.

" How about we go and start training?" Percy asked. I reckoned he was trying to change the subject but I don't know why.

"Sure"

We all walked into the secret room after I opened it.

"Who knows how to sword fight well?" Piper asked

Percy, Jason, Frank , Nico and Leo raised their hands. I raised my hand

" I learned some techniques and moves from Percy but I still need practice." I said

" Yeah, I am not that good yet"

" Same with the McShizzle"Leo said

We all just stared at him

" What? Don't you like my new name?"

" No, not at all" Thalia scolded him

" Nico, since when do you know how to sword fight?" I asked

" Ever since what happened with umm... you know, I started to secretly practice with one or two of the guards. They are my friends now" Nico walked around and everyone except for Thalia and Piper looked at me curiously because those two already knew what happened.

" Later" I mouthed to them

" Lets just start practicing" I said

" Ok. Lets split up into groups. Love birds, you go together with Leo and Nico . Piper, Jason, Frank and Hazel go together and Reyna and I will go together" Thalia said

" Just to make sure , Percy and Annabeth are the love birds right?" Leo said

I started to blush and I could see that Percy was too.

" Ah, they even blush together" Piper said

" Ok, lets start" I said, trying to change the subject

" Whatever you want, Your Highness. " Leo said while smirking.

We practiced different techniques and new battle tactics for about 2 hours. We were all fast learners, probably because we were demigods.

" I think that we have practiced enough today. Same time and place tomorrow?" I said

" Sure" Hazel said

As Nico walked away. I called for the rest.

" You guys want to know what happened with Nico?"

" Yes" Percy said

" When he was 12, along with Piper, Thalia and I, he had a sister named Bianca. She was older than him and would take care of him, especially since their parents were gone. Then, one day the rebels attacked. They had cornered Nico, Bianca and I. Bianca hugged us, said she loved Nico then pushed us into one of the safe rooms. By the time we got out of the safe room, we saw Bianca battling a few rebels. She disarmed two of them but then one stabbed her before we could help or do anything. She... didn't make it. Ever since then Nico has been distant and sadder. He has recently felt better." I explained

" Oh" all of the boys and Reyna had sincere expressions on their faces

" I think we should all go get ready for lunch" I said

We all headed towards our rooms. However, I went towards Percy's room.

I knocked on the door.

" Good Afternoon, Your Highness"

" Good Afternoon to you too Erik. May I have a word with Percy?"

" Yes" he left the room and closed the door.

I walked in to find Percy sitting on his bed talking with someone. They didn't realize that I was there.He was also eating something but it looked...blue?

" Hey, if you can have a whole castle for yourself,I can eat blue cookies"

" Haha, you're funny" It was Clarisse. She was talking in the way that cute 9 years old do

"Ok ok, what do you call a duck that steals?"


" I don't know"

" A robber ducky!"

Both Percy and Clarisse burst out in laughter. I don't know whether it was from how silly the answer was or from just them laughing at Percy's attempt at saying a joke.

" Haha. Thanks for letting me come in Percy. I tend to get lonely around here" Wait why does she get lonely?

" Sure thing. But, why do you get lonely?"

" Well, ever since Malcolm.... Uh yeah, Anna has been very busy with her royal duties and the selection, and I barely have time to spend with her. Also, there isn't anyone my aground here." Clarisse spoke in a sad voice and I felt really guilty and heartbroken.I guess I did forget about her.

"Oh. Well, you're free to come here anytime you want, princess. You know, you remind me a lot of my brother.His name is Tyson and he is your age. You two would get along really well together." Percy said

" Yeah, we might. But, my parents barely allow visitors from the village to come over. They have been very protective since what happened."

" I guess that makes sence"

" So, do you like my sister?" I was going to choke on my breath because of what Clarisse asked. I never knew that Clarisse was that type of girl.

" Um. W-What? I don't. We are just friends" I knew that Percy was lying. I learned how to read peoples emotions and expressions well and I also taught Clarisse. Since I was a great teacher, Clarisse wouldn't believe him.

" Oh, come on Percy, I know you do"

" N-No I don't. Don't tell your sister this, but she can get very annoying because of the number of times she says random acts and talks about architecture. It is very boring and annoying." Percy said

" Oh, what was that you were saying about me?" I asked Percy with my eyebrows raised. I felt like annoying him right know since that is what he said I am good at.

" Oh, Uh. I was just telling your sister how beautiful you looked yesterday" I knew Percy was trying to flatter me and it almost worked. But I was not going to let him win

" Sure you did, Percy. And what was that about me being annoying?"

"Umm.... You know,I think I hear Jason calling for me. Bye gotta go"

Before he could run out,I grabbed him by his shirt. But since he was larger than me, we both fell down on the floor. Percy looked at Clarisse for help.

" Tickle her. Thats her weak spot" Clarisse said. NO! She did not just tell him that. Percy and an evil smirk on his face

" Perseus Jackson, don't you dare tickle me." He didn't listen. He started to tickle me. I couldn't handle it, I rolled around on the floor laughing and holding my stomach, trying to get away from him. After a while, he stopped tickling me

" Repeat after me, Percy Jackson is the hottest, most amazing and powerful man ever" Percy said.

" Fishing for compliments aren't we?" I said

" Say it or I will continue to tickle you." Ugh, this guy is so annoying.

" Never"

" Ok then, your choice"

He continued to tickle me and I couldn't take it anymore.

"OK, Ok. I will say it. Percy Jackson is the hottest, most amazing and powerful man ever" I said reluctantly

He stopped tickling me

" Now, was that so hard" he asked

" Yes, yes it was"

"Yeah, he doesn't like you at all. Just that he is hopelessly in love with you" Clarisse said sarcastically

" Oh shut up Clarisse. That's not true" Percy said