xxxxx

''And my love, this love is true. But we cannot cherish it like we wish. Because our love will start a war. And I cannot have the blood of my people on my hands. But I will always love you.''

xxxxx

Annabeth weaved between the stalls of the market, hoping to hear something, anything about her Prince. All she heard was gossip of Piper's betrothal to Lord Zeus's son. She shrunk into the shadows constantly, attempting to remain invisible. The last thing she needed right now was to be caught.

''Annabeth? Is that you?'' She froze. Not him, please not him. Don't be him, don't be him. She chanted to herself. ''Come on, look at me. I know that it's you.'' She slowly turned and looked into the sky blue eyes staring at her. He smiled at her, and the skin around his scar twitched. ''You know, if you're going to be sneaking around like this, you may want some lessons. You don't have to be one of Hermes's kids to catch you.''

''Well I had been doing pretty okay by myself. Thanks for your concern.'' She turned back and started to walk away but was stopped by a hand wrapping itself around her upper arm. ''What do you want, Luke?''

When he answered, she could hear the pain in his voice. ''I'm worried about you. Everyone is. You haven't been yourself in weeks. What's going on?''

Her tense posture sagged. He was her best friend. She couldn't keep doing this to him. ''I'm sorry. It's just… him.'' His hand let go of her arm. ''I--I'm sorry, Luke. But you know how I feel.'' She turned around to look at him. He smiled weakly at her.

''It's okay. I love you.'' She remained silent. Because repeating those words back would just hurt him even more. Because she didn't love him like he wanted her to.

''Get back to guard duty. I don't want you getting in trouble.'' She stared at the ground and watched his feet disappear from view.

xxxxx

''Annabeth, what's been going on lately? You've been acting… strange.''

''It's nothing, Lady Piper. I have to go now.'' Annabeth turned and walked away, leaving the princess staring at her retreating figure wondering what had happened between her and Prince Perseus.

xxxxx

''Dad, I'm not going to do this.''

''You have no choice. This is for our people. If you don't marry her, there will be a war. You are aware of this, yes?''

Percy sighed. ''Yes, of course.''

Lord Poseidon stared at his son with sorrowful eyes. He saw how much he had loved that maiden in the last kingdom they visited, and he felt horrible for doing this to him. But it had to be done.

xxxxx

Annabeth was in the market shopping for something for Piper. She had pretty much given up hope on hearing word about her prince when she heard something that shattered her heart, and fixed it all in one blow. ''I heard that he is betrothed to Lady Calypso, Lord Atlas's daughter. They are to meet for the first time in Lord Zeus's kingdom.''

Annabeth froze. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad. On one hand, she should be happy. Piper had to go to Lord Zeus's realm for some large event, Annabeth assumed it was the betrothal celebration. On the other, the man she loved was to wed another. That alone was enough to discourage her. She had seen Lady Calypso. She was beautiful. Besides, there was no way Percy would remember her. She was just a maid servant. Nothing special.

xxxxx

And 300 miles away, Percy was sitting alone, drinking himself to sleep with only one thing on his mind. The beautiful blonde he wanted to marry, the woman he was in love with. His precious mystery girl.

xxxxx

Annabeth sat to Piper's left as the carriage rode into the castle of Lord Zeus. Lord Poseidon's carriages were already there, along with Lord Atlas's. This was her chance, her one chance for closure and to tell the prince how she felt before he left her forever. And maybe, just maybe, he might love her back.

''Annabeth, are you okay?'' Piper stared at her maidservant in concern. She had been silent the whole ride, which was unusual. Normally she would be rambling about some architecture she had seen out the window, or an idea she had for the castle. This silence, Piper had decided, was unnerving.

Annabeth turned her gaze away from the floor to look at Piper. She gave her a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. ''Of course, my lady. Is there anything that I can do for you?''

Piper shook her head and looked at her hands. ''No,'' she mumbled. ''Nothing.''