Annabeth's Pov

I ran into the hotel door. I just hoped that no one would think I was a beggar and chase me away. This was a big, luxurious, and grand hotel. I could see a series of amusement parks in the lobby with a series of games from old to new. There was a man walking towards me. Probably a hotel employee.

-Hello!

The hotel employee said with a smile. He was wearing a colorful shirt with the Lotus Hotel logo printed on it. What should I say? I can't say that there is a monster aiming for my life, right?

-Yes, I...

-Welcome to the Lotus Hotel! Here is your room key.

Huh? I wasn't sure if I heard correctly. But Room key? Maybe he mistook me for someone else who had booked a room here.

-Excuse me...but maybe you have the wrong person..

I said in an uncertain voice.

-No no, how could that be? Your room is room 4000, just go to the room near the top and you will see it right away! If anything happens, our staff is always ready to serve you. This is LotusCash, used to pay for all activities in this place.

After saying that, he stuffed the room key and LotusCash card into my hand, and without waiting for me to say anything, he left. A part of me said that I should run after him and return this. But that was no use, I could no longer recognize his back in the crowd. He really disappeared as quickly as he appeared. I took the key and card to take the elevator to room 4000, and there were more than 4000 rooms here?

It was a detached apartment with everything that a 5-star hotel with a first-class room should have in the imagination of countless people. This only made me feel worse because the real guest must have spent a lot of money. I went to check the room a bit. There were clothes in the closet that fit me. It was strange because this was a single person room. Could the real guest really be a 12-year-old? No, what was I thinking, maybe it was just the real guest's child.

My stomach started to growl a little. Maybe I should fill my stomach that was exhausted after Shadow Travel. I opened the door and went down to the restaurant, not forgetting to take my bag, you could say I did something unnecessary but from my experience, I shouldn't leave something in one place for too long, especially when it held all my important things. I didn't want something like that far away from me. I had never been to a restaurant that was more than the average family restaurant you can find anywhere. So the luxurious setting of the hotel restaurant stunned me with its luxury and size. While I was standing there, frozen at the door of the restaurant, a boy ran into me because he was running so fast. It was a boy with blond hair and gray eyes, he had olive skin. He looksabout 8 or 9 years old. His clothes looked like he came out of a history book about the 1930s. Is that what rich kids like to wear nowadays? Come to think of it, I think I've seen those gray eyes somewhere before. But I didn't have time to search my memory to remember exactly where I saw them

-Aah! Sorry!!

The apology in Italian accent came from a blonde girl with grey eyes and olive skin like this boy who ran over. From the features on their bodies, it was not difficult to guess that they were siblings. This girl looked like she was around my age.

Before I could say anything, the girl had already pulled her younger brother away. I quickly stood up and walked into the restaurant. The service here was buffet style, where you could grab whatever you wanted and eat it. I actually quite liked this style of eating because it didn't take much time to wait (you know, with a monster magnet, time shouldn't be wasted for me at all) but unfortunately I didn't really have much chance to eat in a buffet restaurant.I quickly picked up my food and found an empty table for myself and ate. I tried to make sure I ate enough nutrients because energy is very important for survival. But the weird thing is that in the restaurant, everyone is speaking different slang and accent that I'm not sure I can understand. After all, this place must be really big to attract tourists from all over, right? Or maybe not...

Suddenly an article fell at my feet. I bent down to pick it up and...it was written in 1990? Who the hades reads old "new"spapers? I picked up the newspaper and gave it to a well-dressed worker near me.

-Why are you reading old newspapers?

I asked. I know it not Complete Polite but still..

-You're really funny, liltte lady! I just bought the newspaper a few days ago!

The well-dressed man chuckled and left. Seriously, this place is getting a lot weirder. I hope I don't meet someone who says this year is 2024 .

I left the restaurant after eating and walked around the hotel, it was really beautiful and this was probably the only time in my life that I could see such a luxurious place. Suddenly I heard arguing behind me. I turned around and saw the boy and the girl from before. They were arguing about something in Italian that I couldn't understand. Seeing this reminded me of Luke and Thalia... They used to argue like that before, what a great time. It also reminded me of Bobby and Matthew, my two mortal half-siblings.When I left, they were still just babies. They must be much older now, my heart clenched, a feeling of guilt began to rise in my heart. In my head appeared the visions that had haunted me for years... I was lost in my own thoughts until I was bumped into by that girl.

-Oh no! I'm sorry! Are you okay?

The girl asked me in a slightly bewildered voice. So I was bumped into by both of those sisters. I quickly stood up

-No, I'm fine.

I tried to smile a little. But it seemed to have backfired.. Being Hades's demigod really has its own troubles.

-Bianca! Did you push her down?

The other boy asked, just running towards us when I answered.

-No! It was just an accident.. I didn't mean to, I'm sorry..

The girl, now Bianca, bowed down as if to apologize and spoke in a remorseful voice.
I was about to laugh it off to let them know that it was okay, but suddenly remembered the unpleasant atmosphere radiating from me..

-It's okay!

Bianca now turned to look at me, her eyes narrowing a little as if trying to remember who I was.

-Your face looks familiar! Have we met before?

The boy asked curiously.

-Nico! Don't ask such a question so casually!

The boy, now Nico, pouted a little, looking offended.

-I'm Annabeth Chase.You had just bumped into me in front of the restaurant an hour ago.
I said so they could remember who I was.

-Ah! So it's you! I'm sorry about earlier, I was in a hurry. I'm Nico di angelo! And this is Bianca di angelo! My sister

Nico said, laughing, rubbing the back of his neck.

-You! Always so hasty! Can't you walk calmly!?

Bianca said in a soft, scolding voice.

-Hey! You just bumped into her, what did you say to me?

Nico quickly argued back, it seemed like the two of them were about to argue again.

-Ah come on, you two. Um, where are your parents?

I tried to lighten the mood by changing the subject but it seemed to have backfired as both of them looked gloomy immediately. I was confused, not knowing what to say next because I probably brought up the wrong topic.

-Um...I don't know either.

Bianca said with a pensive expression. As for Nico, the word "sad" seemed to be written all over his face, he unconsciously clung to his sister even more.

-I'm sorry...Do you two want to go get ice cream?

I tried to change the mood by inviting the two siblings to go get ice cream. I'm really not good at this kind of communication.

-Okay!

Nico's face brightened and he spoke in a childishly excited voice. Perhaps he also wanted to avoid the topic so he joined in with me.

-Ah...but...do you mind?

Bianca was clearly still wary of me. I couldn't blame her. If I wasn't in the form of a 11 years old girl, Bianca would have thought I was a child kidnapper. I wasn't sure what the mist had turned my sword into and the Hades Demigod's "ability" to make anyone who nearby feel uncomfortable...

- No, I don't mind... Besides, I want to apologize...

I hummed and said honestly. Bianca probably heard the regret in my voice.

-Yes, sir. Let's go to the shop over there?

Bianca said and led Nico to the ice cream shop across from where we were standing, I quietly followed the two siblings. In my heart, I thought, Bianca is truly an admirable model big sister.

At the queue, Bianca told Nico to go to the empty seat. Leaving me and Bianca to stand in line. The atmosphere suddenly became heavy like before, making me worried.
-Having a younger sibling like that must make your life very lively , am i right?
I tried to change the subject to Nico. Who wouldn't want to talk about their lovely younger sibling, right?

-Yes... although sometimes He is really annoying.. Childish, ignorant, playful... and stubborn..

There is something very strange in Bianca's voice, but it's not uncommon for older siblings to complain about their younger siblings, right? Luke often complains about the Stolls brothers. However, in Bianca's voice there is a hint of tiredness, sadness and anger... I have never heard Luke complain about the Stolls brothers with such a tone, and the Stolls brothers are definitely much more annoying than Nico.

- We don't know who our parents are, whether they are alive or dead, I... I have to take on the role of "mother", "role model" for Nico... so sometimes I feel extremely tired.. I love Nico very much, don't misunderstand, okay? He is all I have... and I am all he has... I know that, but sometimes I also want to throw away my responsibilities and be a child... I'm sorry, those words are so selfish...

Bianca said in a sad and deep voice, her gray eyes showed fatigue, pressure... A girl not yet 12 years old but had to take on the responsibilities of an adult.. Suddenly I felt angry at her parents, whether they were alive or dead, they left their kids alone in a luxurious hotel and imposed on Bianca the responsibilities of a mother? Something a girl as young as her should not have.

-It's okay...The most selfish thing you said was wanting to be a child and you're still a child too, right? Being a little selfish isn't that bad,okay?

I was about to pat her on the shoulder to comfort her but stopped myself in time. Suddenly, I thought, have Thalia or Luke ever thought like that? They also had to protect and try to protect me, a 7 year old girl from countless monsters while trying to comfort me, it must be a lot of pressure for two teenagers... I felt myself sinking, remembering how I was nothing more than a burden to them, the one who attracted all the trouble and bad luck to them..perhaps if I didn't exist, Thalia would still be alive now.

-Thank you...I don't know why I said that..Of course I still have to protect and take care of Nico! That's the responsibility of a big sister!

Bianca looked unusually strong at that moment, what an admirable big sister.. I could clearly understand that she was trying to be optimistic and comfort herself.

-It's okay to think about your own benefits sometimes..

Bianca paused for a moment and nodded slightly.

-It's our turn , Annabeth!

Bianca said with a little excitement in her voice, she obviously likes ice cream, right? But maybe she doesn't eat much because she wants to be a good example for Nico or something. Bianca and I quickly ordered ice cream and walked over to where Nico (who looked very happy about getting ice cream) was sitting. He was humming some song in Italian that I dont understand.

Bianca and I sat down.

-How long are you planning on staying here, Annabeth?

Nico asked, swinging his legs under the table.

When I heard the question, I started to think, huh? Why am I here... How long am I going to stay? Maybe until tomorrow.

-Probably until tomorrow, what about you and your sister?

I asked, I still didn't know why they were here anyway.

-Um... We don't know either... Someone told me not to leave until 'then'.

Nico said in an uncertain voice

-Maybe it's when we get picked up by mom or something. I hope so

Bianca said in a slightly optimistic tone to cheer Nico up.

Oh my god, why have I been talking about such sensitive topics all this time?! I cursed my social skills in Ancient Greek (to make sure the sibling don't understand what I'm saying).

-Yeah, definitely!

I tried to be optimistic for the two kids, although 'optimistic' was definitely not the word to use to describe me.

-Hey, why don't you come over to my room and play chess later? It's been a long time since I've had anyone else to play with! Bianca has played with me a billion times!

Nico said in an excited tone

Play chess? I don't have time to practice playing such games so my level is a bit...but after hearing about the di angelos' situation, I couldn't refuse.

I nodded in agreement

Bianca seemed to want to stop Nico because she was afraid of bothering me, but when she saw me nod in agreement, she couldn't say anything else.

That night, I went to Nico's room to play, their room was 3934. One floor away from my room. Actually, at first, I thought that playing agaisnt an 8-year-old kid wouldn't be difficult, but Nico and I fought 20 matches, and I lost 20 matches in total... None of them were even, and when I fought Bianca 10 times, I lost 9 of them miserably, and one match, it seemed like Bianca gave in to me because she saw me losing all the time. Maybe it was because I was too bad or because they were too good, but I think it was both.

I don't know how long I stayed in the Di Angelo's room. But when I woke up (on the other bed, the Di Angelo's room was a double room, but the two siblings slept in the same bed, so I slept in the empty bed), I had a Iris Messenger