A/N This is my first fanfic so go easy on me! I hope you enjoy it! Btw I do not own Percy Jackson or its characters, Rick Riordan does. He's so lucky...
Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, signalling the start of a new day. She lay in bed, her golden flowing hair strewn in all directions, tossing and turning in an uncomfortable sleep. Large grey eyes snapped open as she shot up. As she surveyed her surroundings, she sighed in relief and flopped back onto the bed. "It was just another dream. Thank goodness…" she murmured, wiping the numerous drops of sweat off her brow.
Much to her shock, the doors to her room burst open at that moment. "Princess! The king requests an audience with you immediately!" a black-haired girl with electrifying blue eye hollered, desperately trying to rise Annabeth from her sleepy stupor.
That's right; the blonde girl was Annabeth Chase, daughter of Frederick and Athena Chase, King and Queen of Greece. Annabeth rubbed her eyes and muttered, "Have you not heard of knocking? What does my father want with me this early in the morning? He hardly ever wants to see me. And I've told you a million times, Thalia. To you, it's just Annabeth."
Thalia's expression softened and she replied, "You know I cannot Princess because that would be above me. Now hurry up! Luke is waiting outside and you don't want him to see you in this state. Do you? Now, hurry up!" With those words spoken, Thalia placed a blue bundle in her arms and quickly bustled out of the room. Annabeth sighed. Even though Thalia had been both her personal attendant and best friend for many years, she still had trouble coming to terms with Thalia's bipolar personalities switching at any second of the day.
She looked down at her attire and let out a squeak. Dressed in her translucent nightgown with her hair resembling a bird's nest and soaked to the skin in sweat, Annabeth was in no shape to see her long-time crush and knight-in-training whom unfortunately only saw her as a sister and most certainly not the King of her country, even if he was her father.
Quickly she ran into her bathroom to wash up and prepare for the audience with the her father.
…
After Annabeth had finished washing up, she looked every bit like a princess. Her long golden hair reflected the sunlight, making them resemble moving golden waves tumbling regally down her back. Her baby blue dress rustled as she moved, signalling Luke of her arrival. As he swiveled his head to take a look at her, his mouth dropped open in awe. In short, she looked astounding.
Quickly recovering, Luke shot her a gleaming smile and offered her his arm. Gratefully, she accepted it as he started to lead her to the throne room.
Once they reached the throne room, the door swung open, granting them access. After walking Annabeth to her place in front of the royal couple, Luke bowed respectfully and walked away.
"Please sit down daughter. We have important matters to discuss," her mother said kindly. After Annabeth had taken a seat, Frederick Chase continued, "As you very well know, daughter, the situation with the kingdom of the Underworld has worsened as of late. If we do not do something now, the future of our kingdom will be in jeopardy. Our wars with Atlantis have not ceased. Them claiming we stole their son. Preposterous! Anyway, to help our kingdom, it has been an unanimous vote of the council that you get married to Hades' son, Nico Di Angelo to ensure they will fight on our side…"
The rest of her father's words went unheard by Annabeth who was rendered speechless. She thought, "Married? How could this be? The minimum age to marry in our kingdom is 17! That's two years older than I currently am. Besides that fact, there's no way I'm agreeing to an arranged marriage!" As the King babbled on about politics, Athena looked worriedly at her daughter. This was not going to turn out well at all.
"And of course you will be expected to have children in about a year-" Frederick was quickly cut off by Annabeth. "No." A heated argument quickly ensued.
"…what did you say daughter?"
"Never. I will never get married to someone I don't love."
"How dare you speak to me this way you impudent lit-"
"I'M NOT JUST SOME BARGAINING CHIP YOU CAN USE AND THROW AWAY AS YOU PLEASE! I'M YOUR DAUGHTER FOR GOD'S SAKE! I HAVE FEELING TOO YOU KNOW!" Annabeth hollered.
She heaved a sigh of relief. After years and years of being used by her father, it was a relief to finally be able to let out all those feelings of frustration and abandon. However, it was not to last for long.
"You have got to be kidding me."
"If this were a joke, I would have brought the palace jesters with me."
"THAT'S IT YOUNG LADY! THIS IS THE FINAL STRAW! YOU ARE HEREBY EXILED! AFTER ALL I HAVE GIVEN YOU, YOU STILL AND WENT TO PLAY WITH THOSE PEASANT CHILDREN AND NOW THIS! YOU WANT LOVE SO BAD? FINE THEN! I'LL LOCK YOU IN A TOWER AND WAIT FOR YOUR PRINCE ON A WHITE HORSE! WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT!" And with those words said, the King stormed out of the room with flourish, his expression thunderous.
After the turn of events had finally registered in Annabeth's mind, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed miserably. What had she done? The palace had been her home all her life and now her own father was exiling her. She would have to leave her comfortable life as a princess, her parents, Thalia and… Luke. She cried even harder. Glistening tears streamed down her cheeks, forming sparkling rivulets.
As she heard the swishing of a gown, Annabeth looked up and saw her mother looking down at her. Tears were forming in the corners of her eyes as she hugged her only daughter and murmured, "I'm so sorry. If only I had not been on a business trip yesterday, I would have been able to do something." Then, Athena had an idea.
She wiped the tears away from her eyes and confidently said, "I will convince your father. He will need time and much convincing but I will make it so that your friends can visit you on the first day of each month to keep you company. Good luck, my daughter. I hope that you will be able to find your happiness."
END OF CHAPTER