Percy POV

When I look outside my window it finally settles how long it has been. The ground was already layered with a thick layer of frost. The snow had squeezed its way into the crevasses of the castle. Everywhere you look all there is to see is a thick bed of frosty white snow.

When I look down at my hands, I realized that my hands were shaking. It wasn't because I was nervous or excited. It was because I was scared. I was scared not for the wedding but everything after. I can live with getting married to Rachel but I don't love her. I don't love her in the same way as I love someone else.

I'm not sure if I can keep up this charade for my country. I scared that I'm not ready.

Breath.

I clench my hands into a tight fist, my fingers were a lot colder than I expected. Even though it was freezing there was a thin layer of cold sweat.

Breath. You are now a king, kings don't get nervous.

Every morning when I wake up I don't recognize where I am. A different bed, a different room, a different celling. I'm in a new room, a room that was meant for a king. The paintings of my parents still hang above the bathroom mirror. I've never been that close to my dad but whenever I see my mom's smile, I realize that I truly miss them greatly.

There was a knock on the door. Another knock echoed through my room, it brought me back to reality, a reality the place of the opposite of my wishes.

"I already told you I'm coming!" I yelled again this time, I straighten the collar on my suit and stride to the door.

"No, it's me Sir Superman." I laugh at the low, rough voice that was muffled through the door.

"Well, then King Aqua Man gives you permission to enter the building" I joke around with him.

His voice brings me a small smile to my face. It gives me a familiar feeling of my past life. The life that I hated that I now wish I had back.

I let him into my room. His uniform was ironed perfectly without a single wrinkle. He looked the same as the before except now if you look closely in his eyes you can see sorrow.

"It's good to see that you are up and around again, Jason." I smile at him, genuinely thankful that he was alright.

"I'm fine now, the doctors sewed me up." Jason smiled at me, trying his best to sound cheerful. "I'm here to wish you congratulations on getting married."

"Of course, you're my best man."

I walked out of my new room with Jason by my side. The exit of the room was more elegant and the designs of the door were detailed. It told the story of my ancestors and how they fault for the land that we are on.

Jason and I walked through the halls of the castle into the coronation hall where I became king a couple of months ago. The paintings of my parents still hung on the side, there was a dark velvet fabric hanging over their faces.

Rachel already was waiting for me at the entrance. She was wearing a wedding gown that was exuberate enough for any queen. She fiddled with her fingers and she gave me a nervous smile. Her messy hair was somehow tamed into a triple braid. She looked beautiful enough to rival Aphrodite. Of course, I would never say that out loud or else the Madam of fashion will take revenge.

Jason touched my shoulder and gave me a slight nod before heading into the room to find his seat. The thumping of my heart grew louder and louder and I realized that I was more nervous than I thought.

I looked at Rachel and I tried to have some small talk. "Are you ready?"

She grinned at me confidently even though her hands were shaking. "I'm ready to get married. I'm ready to be your queen. I was born ready."

Though she said it was a joking tone I could tell that she was sad.

The ceremonial music played magically, the sounds of the strings bounced through the room. The only thing that stopped it from the whole kingdom hearing was the big iron doors. I walked into the room before Rachel. Everyone in the audience had their eyes on their new king. Some were looking at me in awe while others were watching and waiting for me to mess up.

When I reached the end of the room some stairs led to the stage. Each step up made my chest fell a little heavier when I understood that I was getting closer to no return.

I stood up at the stage by myself, I imagined what this would have been like if everything changed. My mom would stand on my left, she would be smiling at the crowd. Her motions would be gentle and sweet. My dad on my right. His hand would rest upon my shoulder as if he was proud.

The queen on the left, the king of the right, the proud prince standing in the middle ready for his wedding. The perfect picture.

Maybe, just maybe under the veil of my new wife would be the love of my life.

When I think back to my choices I'm not sure why I invited Annabeth. Maybe because I wanted her to be here or I just wanted to see her one last time. If you did show up it probably hurt her. I'm selfish. I want to see her one more time.

There was a red carpet set up that lead up a few stairs to the doors where everyone waited for Rachel. I could tell that she didn't' want to do this but she wasn't going to stop. She was going to do whatever needed to assure this alliance.

I wasn't paying much attention but I knew that Rachel was in the room as soon as the crowd irrupted. There was a large bouquet of blue flowers in her arms. She held onto them tight as if her life counted on it. Her smile was wide and filled with joy but I knew that it was fake.

I let out a slow, long breath. This was it. Today I would marry Rachel Elizabeth Dare and secure the alliance between our two countries.

The music flowed through the building as everyone stood, Rachel and her father slowly walked down the aisle linking arms. I shook her father's hand and took Rachel's pulling her closer to me.

"Hello, again," I whisper to her.

"Hi"

The man behind us spoke with a low voice. Even though he spoke quietly his sound still boomed across the area. "We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of King Perseus Jackson and Princess Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Today not only will we celebrate our new kings and queen but we will also unit our two countries. We gather here to unite these two people in marriage. Their decision to marry has not been entered into lightly and today they publicly declare their private devotion to each other. The essence of this commitment is the acceptance of each other in entirety, as lover, companion, and friend. A good and balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered or absorbed by the other, one in which neither person is possessive of the other, one in which both give their love freely and without jealousy. Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams. It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be loving and unselfish."

Rachel and I look at each other in the eyes. To someone else, it may seem like a declaration of love. For us it was more like an understanding, understanding that neither of us would be able to love each other and give our love freely. Though neither of us were excited it was happening. Our marriage.

"The vows," The man nodded his head to me and I cleared my throat. I looked out to the crowd as I recited my vows from memory. My eyes scanned each and one of them.

"Rachel, you have been an amazing part of my life that I couldn't live without. Many amazing things have happened because you supported me. You've helped my hand when things were tough and you've wiped the tears away. You are my other half and I don't know what I would do if you weren't in my life-" I stop and start stuttering when I see a familiar pair of grey eyes looking at me from the crowd. I continue not wanting to see up the ceremony. "I promise that I would take care of you and make sure that you have a long and fulfilling life. I promise to build something apricated with you."

There was a soft clap throughout the building.

Rachel started her vows but I couldn't listen. I all I could see was Annabeth's eyes looking into mine. I don't know why I invited her here. I know that I wanted to see her one more time. I didn't realize that it would hurt more to see her again when I was so close to leaving.

There is nothing more I want than to leave this place. I want to leave I go back to being the crown prince, not the orphan king. I don't want to be in love with someone I can't be together with. I can't do this.

I felt like all the confidence and the bravery that I have built up were crumbling before my eyes. I felt like collapsing to the ground but I kept a smile to my face and stood up high.

"Do you Rachel Elizabeth Dare take Perseus Jackson to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and hold from this day forward; for the better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"

Rachel smiled to the crowd, "I do." Her voice only cracked a little.

"Do you, Perseus Jackson, take Rachel Elizabeth Dare to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to help from this day forward; for better, for worse-"

I walked off the stage into the direction of the crowd. The man stopped speaking and watched me walk away. Everyone waited for me to reach my destination. As I walked through the crowed people parted for me to make my way. I wasn't sure what was my plan but I knew where I had to go.

I made my way to Annabeth and went down on one knee. The crowd gasped and started whispering, I didn't care though.

"Annabeth if you were an ocean, there would be no more land. If you were a desert, you would see only sand. If you were a star-late at night, only light. And if my love for you could grow wings, I'd be soaring in flight. No matter what has happened. No matter what you've done. No matter what you will do. I will always love you. I swear it. I know that this is awkward because this is my wedding with another girl. I love you and I don't want to leave you. So it's not gonna be easy to be accepted together. It's gonna be hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day. Will you marry me?"

I thin smile spread across my lips, my heart clenched though around me. Annabeth looked beautiful in her dress, her cheeks were turning bright red from the attention.

"I-I can't" Annabeth turned around and ran, and I chased her. I will chase her until I win her back no matter how far she runs.