Percy and Annabeth has just returned from their sparring practice when they were accosted by Octavian. Annabeth hid her disgust behind a diplomatic smile and he gave Percy a thin smile that didn't match the hardness in his eyes.

"King Percy, the greater ring-giver of all times," Octavian said, flourishing his hands as he spoke. "It is vital that I speak with you."

"I'm ready," Percy said.

"This is information for the King alone," Octavian said, giving Annabeth the side-eye.

Percy's jaw clenched and his eyes hardened. "I trust my wife," he said.

Octavian was silent for a few moments and then, "My lord, this is very sensitive information," he said, exaggerating every syllable as if speaking to a child.

Percy bristled at the accusation that his wife wasn't trustworthy. "You will either share the information with both of us — or neither of us."

Annabeth placed a hand on Percy's shoulders to steady him. She exchanged a look that she hoped was reassuring before turning to Octavian. "What kind of information is this?" she asked. "You do not have to specify what it is, only give some hint."

Octavian frowned. "It deals with matters of our security."

"King Percy," Annabeth said, fixing her gaze on her husband. "You should listen to Octavian. I'll see you later."

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked away. A smirk overtook her face as she recollected Octavian's sour face. She hid behind a tapestry hung over a niche and waited as she heard Percy's familiar footsteps accompanied by another set of unfamiliar ones. While Percy walked with the grace of a ring-giver, Octavian pranced around as if he was one himself.

She heard the faltering of footsteps and then voices. "Alright, no one is hear," Octavian said.

Annabeth imagined him furtively glancing around. "What did you want to say?" Percy said. "Make it brief."

Octavian sighed. "Alright, it's your wife."

Annabeth stiffened. Why was he speaking of her? "She has been married to you for nearly three months and there is no indication that she is pregnant," Octavian continued.

      "It's only been three months!" Percy protested.

     "Just listen to me," Octavian said. "Look, your kingdom needs you to produce an heir. I always thought it was strange that King Frederick agreed to the marriage. In the fact — he was the one who proposed it in the first place. What if he did that for a reason? What if his daughter is infertile, so he married her off to you to cause instability."

      Annabeth felt herself away and she leaned against the wall for support. Why was Octavian spewing this nonsense to her husband? Even worse — what if it wasn't nonsense and her father had duped her. What if she was meant to weave war instead of peace?

     "That's ridiculous," Percy said. "I don't want to hear any more of this."

     "Just remember that your fatal flaw is loyalty," Octavian shouted as Percy stalked away.

***

    Annabeth met Percy an hour later as he walked into their bedroom. There was a dark, brooding expression on his face. Annabeth parred the space beside her and he sat down. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

      "What's wrong?" Annabeth asked.

      "Octavian doesn't trust you," he said, wringing his hands as he spoke.

      Soon, he spilled out all the details Annabeth had heard. "I didn't tell him that we hadn't—"

    He colored and Annabeth seized her chance. Before he had arrived, she had changed into a nicer dress and brushed her hair. Now, she grasped his hands with her own.

     "Maybe tonight can be the time we secure the future," she said coyly.

    Percy's eyes grew wide and they spent the rest of the night as husband and wife.