Knocking.

Someone was knocking on my door. I groaned and waved my arm, trying to motion to this person to keep it down. Only when I put my arm down and they continued to knock did I realize that they couldn't see me wave my arm. I groaned again and got up to open the door. Reyna stood on the other side of my angry glare. "What?"

Reyna's hands were gripped behind her back. She wasn't excited about what she was sent to tell me. "His Majesty is asking for you. Immediately."

"What for?"

"An urgent letter arrived from Vindectae."

I stopped short of telling her I'd be there in a moment. I knew what this meant. This was the long-feared letter sent to inform us of Queen Nemesis's recent death. I had been dreading this since the word betrothed had left my father's lips and had become a common word in our daily vocabulary, along with engagement. This meant that a little more than a month from now, I'd be married to Ethan. I didn't want to be there in a moment. I wanted to stay here, away from that hated letter and Ethan. I wanted to stay away for many moments.

"Nico?" Reyna matched my expression of foreboding with one of worry.

My face quickly rearranged itself into a frown. "Tell him if he wants to speak to me so desperately, to come here himself."

Reyna knew if she didn't want me to get snappy, she should leave and do as I asked. She had many years of experience after all. She left. 

She knew how much of a sore subject it was for me. It was for her too. Recently we realized that if I were to leave it meant leaving her behind. Neither of us wanted that. I closed the doors with a frustrated yell. I really didn't want to leave. I didn't want Ethan. I didn't want to move to Vindectae and live with him. I didn't want to marry him and be expected to do things with him. Ever.

I was pacing when my doors flew open. Hades entered, angry. Reyna wasn't with him. Good. I didn't wish his anger to explode on her during this discussion. "I asked you to come to see me."

"You're the one who wanted to see me."

"You would do well to learn to listen to your father and your king. Show some respect."

"Says who?"

He glowered at me. As a child, I would have cowered behind my older sister's skirts at a stare like that but now, I would not back down. "Your father."

"The man who wants to marry me off to some Prince I'd never met until I turned sixteen four months ago after being engaged to him for six years? The same man who wishes I'd have died instead of my sister? Because if it is this man, I do not owe him any respect."

Hades clenched his jaw. "I am still your king and I demand your respect."

"I do not believe this king deserves it."

He glared for a good five minutes before he lifted his left hand in the air. It held a letter. "Queen Nemesis has passed away."

I said nothing. I was expecting this.

"You are to leave a week from now to attend the funeral and following the next day, Prince Ethan's coronation. You are to stay there until your wedding. The day after you will have a week for your honeymoon. After that, you both are to return here for political matters. When that is settled you are to officially move to Vindectae with Ethan."

I worked my jaw and turned away. This was unfair. Completely and utterly unfair. 

And yet, I had no other choice.

♛☠♛

The next week I was packed and ready to go. I hugged Hazel goodbye, who looked like she was going to cry so I turned around after the hug. If she cried, I would too, and I refused to cry in front of Hades. I ignored my father as I said goodbye to Persephone and Frank and Gwen, who was nice enough to come to see me off and made my way toward the carriage awaiting me. I climbed in without looking back. I was afraid I'd see Hazel there and run back inside, dragging her with me and locking myself in my room so I wouldn't have to leave behind my dear sister. I took a good guess and assumed Reyna did the same thing. Hazel, Frank, and Gwen were her friends too.

It was once we were halfway to Vindectae that I thought of what Will had told me. I could leave. I could run away. I only needed to contact him. It was stupid but I was desperate enough to consider it. It wouldn't work...but what if it did? What if it would work and I didn't try? I was already in an unconsenting engagement. I was trapped to be with Ethan for the rest of my life. If I was caught, what was the worst that could happen? Make me marry Ethan right away? I was to marry him either way. There was no harm in trying. If there was a chance I could get away, then I would try it. Will said he would help and I didn't doubt it. I promised myself I would contact him as soon as I was able too.

It wasn't long after I made this promise that we arrived at Vindectae palace. For a small kingdom, Vindectae castle was massive. I daresay almost as grand as ours. Some of the stones used in the entrance had been colored a rusty brown. Flags and banners hung from every available surface. A lot of their windows were stained glass, depicting moments in Vindectae's history. I was honestly in awe of their work. At the very least, I would be living in a beautiful castle. 

Ethan was waiting for us personally. An older man with graying hair was standing next to him with his hands behind his royal servants' garb. I guessed it was his valet.

As the carriage rolled to a complete stop, Ethan approached and waited for it to stop entirely. When it did, the valet attempted to open the door for me but Ethan stopped him telling him he would do it. I was his fiance after all. With reflexes I wasn't aware of, I pushed open the door a second before his hand landed on the door handle. There was a flash of irritation in his eyes. Nonetheless, he held out his hand for me to take so he would help me down. I ignored it and stepped down on my own. Reyna followed after me. I wasn't some fragile thing to help get out of a freaking carriage for fuck's sake.

"Prince Nico," Ethan smiled, but it looked forced, "It's wonderful to have you in the midst of the sadness. You are the happiness the castle needs."

I scoffed. Yes, it was a tragedy that the Queen had died but he didn't really mean what he said about me. "My deepest condolences. I'm sorry to hear about your mother's death."

"Yes, it is such a tragedy. I loved my mother. I can only hope she'll be happy in the next world." He clasped his hands behind his back. "And I'm sorry to say that I will be busy this morning helping with last-minute details for the funeral. Maxwell here will take you to your rooms. I will come by later to escort you to the funeral."

I nodded but really, I couldn't care less. He could disappear forever for all I cared. "Very well."

"I bid you adieu." Ethan bowed. "For now." He straightened and turned away, making his way to wherever it was they needed him.

Maxwell watched him leave, then bowed himself, "If you would follow me, your highness."

Maxwell led us through the castle to the guest wing. All the while servants stared at me and whispered. Some tried to wave at me. I didn't all mind though. I understood. They were curious about their supposed future Queen. Supposed because I wouldn't marry Ethan. I wouldn't. I would find a way to get out of it. If Will's plan didn't work, there were other ways. There had to be.

"Your room." Maxwell bowed again and held open a door for me. "There is a connecting room for your personal Knight. The door is to the right. Please enjoy your stay. If you need anything, Highness, just call for any servant."

"Thank you, Maxwell." He left once we entered our conjoined rooms.

"Reyna. This is terrible." I slumped on my mattress. "I'm marrying him soon, Reyna. Soon! If it weren't coming up soon, I wouldn't have to stay here until then!"

She sat next to me and gave my back a pat, "I am aware, Nico. We will figure it out. Something has to come to mind sooner or later. I promise I will do everything I can to get you out of this."

I buried my face in my hands, "I'm terrified. What if he's a raging lunatic? What if he forces me-"

She took my hands and squeezed, "No. Don't you dare say it. Even if you marry, I will stand outside your bedroom all day and all night if I have to. He will never lay a hand on you without your permission. I won't let him. If he does. I'll kill him. I swear it. We'll get you out of this."

I don't know how I managed to acquire a friend such as her but I wished to never lose her. She would do anything for me and I for her. "Thank you."

She nodded and let go of my hands, "Now, we have a bit of time until the funeral. So I'll get some rest. I'll be in my room shall you need me. I suggest you nap too."

I nodded and she left.

I couldn't sleep though, how could I? With all of this happening I doubted I would ever again get some sleep. I considered writing the letter to Will, but I didn't know when the funeral would begin and knowing Ethan, he'd probably burst in the middle of me writing it and sneak a glance and I'd be caught. It'd be the end of that. So I decided instead to write a letter to Hazel. She would want to know I arrived safely.

I sat at a desk by a window and set to writing. Hoping, even though she must know how miserable I was to be here, that she wouldn't feel it in my letter. 

Dearest Hazel,

I've arrived in Vindectae just moments earlier. I haven't had a chance to tour the inside but from the outside, the castle looks magnificent. I'll admit, that was not something I was expecting. The former Vindectae royals must have been very extravagant, or very confident. 

Anyway, I wish I had more to say, but alas, there hasn't been much development as of yet. Don't fret, little sister, everything will work out.

Love, Nico

When I was done, I knocked on the second door in the room, "Reyna?"

I heard a groggy "Yes?" Before she swung open the door. Her hair was a mess but I didn't have the energy to tease her about it like I normally would. "Would you please take this downstairs so they can send it?"

"Of course." She took my letter, nodding. She didn't leave before telling me that she would meet me downstairs should Ethan appear before she had returned. Not long after, someone knocked.

"Prince Nico?" Ethan. The funeral. I guessed it was soon.

I opened the door, I'd come dressed for the funeral already. Unlike most other royals, I saw no point in changing my clothing every five minutes. "Let's go." He tried to offer me his arm to take but I walked by him like I hadn't seen him offer.

He huffed, "You'll come around. You'll fall in love with me eventually."

I frowned, stopping, "Sorry to burst your bubble but that will never happen."

"We have eternity. We are to be married. You will."

I didn't reply. It didn't matter if we happened to have eternity plus infinity and we were soulmates, I would never love him.

Unfortunately, he started talking again and began walking. I followed. "Speaking of which, when would you like to be married, Nico? It is mid-June now. Do you want a summer wedding? A fall wedding? Or perhaps a winter wedding? I'd also suggest a spring wedding but I'd like to be married before the year is over. After all, with my mother's death, Vindectae needs someone to rule beside me as soon as possible."

I let him lead me to the gates, where we waited for Reyna and a carriage to take us to the private Royal cemetery a couple of minutes down the road. "Take your pick. I couldn't care less."

In actuality, I wanted to postpone it as much as I could but I knew that wasn't possible. It would come as soon as he saw fit.

He sighed, "Very well, an autumn wedding. We will wed on October thirty-first."

The carriage arrived before I replied. I tried my best to not think about the wedding.

Ethan tried to make conversation on the way to the cemetery but I refused to answer him. It was childish, yes. Like I was throwing a tantrum. But I hated this. I never asked for it. I wanted to be at home. I wanted my mother and sister to be alive. I wanted Ethan to never have seen me. I wanted my father to respect my wishes. I wanted to be the simple Prince who actually visited his people and didn't leave them behind.

I wanted a lot of things. I wasn't sure if I would ever get any of it.

The carriage stopped on Ethan's third attempt at conversing. He sighed for what felt like the millionth time since he saw me, finally accepting he hadn't and most likely wouldn't get anything out of me.

Reyna and Maxwell exited before us. Maxwell held open the door as Reyna stood stoically beside him, awaiting me. Ethan tried to get down before me but I beat him to it. No doubt, if I hadn't, he would have tried to "help" me down again and I didn't want that. Irritating fuck.

Regardless, I did allow him to lead me to where the funeral was taking place. If I hadn't, I could've gotten lost. Of course, Reyna would be capable of finding our way back so it wouldn't have been much of a loss. But in the end, I didn't want to be late. I was a prince and I had to show it. I admit, I wasn't too happy to be attending the funeral because of Queen Nemesis's involvement in my engagement to her son but I wasn't so disrespectful that I would skip her funeral out of spite when I was invited to attend.

At the designated area, several other Princes and Princesses were there too. I was elated when I noticed Jason there with Piper and Leo. Jason was the younger prince of Caelum. He had sky blue eyes and sunny blond hair he always combed back. But every single time, a small strand escaped from the front and hung over his left eye on his forehead. Rebel hair. He had a small scar on his lip from when he attempted to eat his mother's collection of hairpins as a child.

When we were first introduced, I hated him. He never seemed to understand that I didn't want to speak to him but he persisted and eventually, we became friends. He was the closest friend I'd had before Reyna. Unfortunately, I didn't see him very often.

Piper was a princess from Ares's kingdom. Her mother was his queen. But both of them had affairs often so she wasn't Ares's child. However, she never wanted to be a princess. She rebelled against her linage by cutting her own brown hair choppy and by living with Annabeth, a duchess engaged to Prince Percy, as her lady in waiting. She often wore simple dresses like the commoners. She had kaleidoscopic eyes and thick lashes to frame them. Now, Leo, he was Jason's valet. But they were the best of friends. He had deep brown curls and brown eyes to match his tan skin. He was short and had elfish features. It was a rare occurrence when he was not joking around and smiling. He came from a family of metalsmiths. How he acquired the position he held now, I do not know.

There were others of course. Perseus, his friends all called him Percy. Which in a way included me. I guess I was his friend. I never spoke too him much these days, or ever really but I did have a crush on him a couple of years back. I remember the day I told him, he hadn't been able to form a sentence. He was very to surprised, to say the least. He's gotten over the shock since then and was incredibly happy with his fiancee, I only ever wished him the best.

Anyhow, they were having the service here. The only person who went up to say anything was Ethan. His father had died long ago and no one else was particularly close to the Queen. Before I knew it the casket was being lowered. No one cried. Not even Ethan. He looked serious but there was no sadness in his expression. Not as distraught as he claimed to be. Unlike the grandness of his home, his feelings were not surprising.

When everything was done, the sun was setting and Ethan was too busy with all the guests to notice when I slipped away to talk to Jason.

"Nico!" Jason wrapped me in a hug as soon as he saw me. "I haven't seen you in so long!"

I grunted when his weight hit me. "Jason, you can't squeeze me this much. I'm not a giant like you. Piper help."

Piper laughed, "Jason get off him."

Instead, Leo joined the hug, "Nico!"

"Okay! Everyone off!" I pushed them away but they were all still smiling. Their smiles were something strange in the cemetery and I was certain they knew but they never dimmed.

They never really acknowledged Reyna. Leo greeted her like he would greet anyone else but Reyna had a rocky past with Jason. All she got from him was a nod. Piper awkwardly said hi.

"When did you arrive?" I asked.

"Just before it started. We were actually running late. Leo here met a new girl and it took an eternity to get him to leave her alone." Jason elbowed Leo as he said it.

"I promised her I'd come back for her! She's the most stunning girl I have ever met." Leo's eyes shined as he talked about this mystery girl.

I nodded, "I'm glad you've found someone who doesn't mind your annoyingness."

"So am I!"

Piper rolled her eyes before changing the subject and focusing on me, "We heard you're engaged! Who is the lucky one?"

I opened my mouth to inform them it hadn't been my choice and I wanted to speak as little about it as possible but Ethan, he had the worst timing I swear, interrupted me. "Nico, you're friends with Prince Jason?"

"I told you not to call me by my name." I gritted my teeth. There I was, striving to have a nice conversation with my friends and he comes in and ruins it.

"Now, now darling. She asked about your engagement. Aren't you going to tell them who the lucky man is?" He was grinning like a child at a carnival.

"Don't call me darling either. I am not your darling." I hadn't said it but no doubt, the answer to Piper's question was made clear during our exchange.

Jason cleared his throat, "You're engaged to Prince Ethan." It wasn't a question.

Ethan's grin expanded to something bordering on creepy, "Magnificent, no? I couldn't be happier, knowing Nico will be by my side forever."

No one answered. It was unmistakable by my actions that this wasn't something I wanted. Gratefully, at that very moment, Maxwell came by to let Ethan know another Prince was asking for him. He nodded, "Very well." He turned back to us, "I'll see you all again in an hour for dinner." He left.

Everyone was deathly quiet until I remembered that Will was a Duke from Jason's kingdom. "Jason, would you happen to know of someone named Lou Ellen?"

"She's our royal sorceress's daughter. If you need help with magic, I suggest you get in contact with her mother instead."

I shook my head, "I only need to ask her of something simple. Would you do me the favor of delivering a letter to her?"

He nodded, "Yes of course."

"I'll get it to you before dinner." I turned away, ready to go to my room and write it. I was glad he didn't have other questions. If he did, he knew better than question me in public when I had obviously not given him any information. I should expect a letter from him in the future, asking what I hadn't shared. "I'll see you later."

They all said goodbye and I went up to my chambers. They were probably going to say hello to the other royalty. I couldn't bother with that at that moment. I wanted to have a letter written as soon as possible. Reyna didn't say anything until we were in the privacy of my room. "Why do you need to send this Lou Ellen a letter?"

"She knows Duke William. He told me once he would help me run away. I didn't want to consider it, knowing if I left, I would give up my kingdom. But I can't Reyna. I can't marry Ethan. I don't love him. And Inferos would be in good hands with Hazel."

She nodded, "I understand. I'll take the letter to Jason in your place. They won't suspect anything. If you were to give it to him in secret and they catch you. They would read it."

"Thank you, Reyna." I decided I wouldn't let her know that Ethan had chosen a date for the wedding. What if she got desperate? I was already bordering on that, I didn't want both of us to be that way. I'd tell her later.

I sat at the desk and began to write. Reyna helped me along the way. And when it was time to sign my name. Reyna thought I should use hers. When Will responded, he would need a name to send it to and she was always by my side. Again, they wouldn't suspect her. I hoped Will would be able to respond quickly. The wedding was in a month. We needed to plan.

When we finished, I put it in an envelope and sealed it. I handed it to Reyna and checked the time. It was time for dinner.

Downstairs, Reyna quickly handed the letter to Jason before we all took our seats. She was right. No one gave them a second glance.

Soon, I wouldn't have to deal with any more of this. Soon.

A/N

As I write this... I'M SEEING DAN AND PHIL NEXT MONTH! I'M SO EXCITED. HOLY PUMPERNICKEL. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. JUST THINKING ABOUT THEM MAKES MY HEART SWELL!

And thank you to all who have read up until now! Thank you so much!

Okay, that's it.

Yours in demigodishness and all that, Izzy

PS. Update: I saw D&P in June and it was simply amazing, I'm so glad it wasn't on fire. Gods I love them