Sandy and Miya were crazy and Annabeth figured as much. She just didn't realise just how crazy they really were.

There never seemed to be a single moment when they weren't talking. They babbled all day long: laughing, sharing lame jokes with Piper and Hazel and trying their hardest in cheering Annabeth up.

This didn't go unnoticed. From the strain Queen Helena was putting her through, Annabeth was really grateful for her friends; old as well as new.

There was just one person missing from the picture.

Percy.

It was crazy how everything was almost the way it was long ago. Queen Helena being her wretched self, cleaning the castle with Hazel and Piper, serving dinner to all the royal guests...

It was as if nothing had happened.

Except, things had happened.

Annabeth had fallen in love.

That wasn't something she could simply forget about.

"Hey, Annie." Sandy sang, skipping into the castle kitchens holding a basket full of cabbages.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, trying to feel annoyed. "Don't call me Annie, Sandy."

"Oh don't worry. I feel you." Sandy grumbled playfully. "Didn't really want to be called Sandy either."

Annabeth frowned. "But isn't that your name?"

Sandy laughed. "Trust me. You wouldn't be able to pronounce my real name as easily as you say, Sandy."

Annabeth was slightly confused but she decided to let it go.

She picked up a cabbage and started to rinse it in the water.

Sandy scrunched up her nose. "Why do we even cook cabbages?"

Miya appeared on the other side of Annabeth, putting down a basket of carrots for washing too. "It's for Queen Helena, Silly."

Sandy agreed grimly with a nod of het head. "That explains why she's so green and jealous all the time."

Annabeth managed a small laugh.

"Guess what I heard, guys." Miya said suddenly.

"What?" Hazel asked, coming up beside them with Piper.

"Queen Helena was grumbling about how her marriage with Kelp Head had been called off." Miya told them all excitedly.

Annabeth looked up, hope finally shining in her eyes again. "What?"

"Its off." Miya assured her. "You can finally-"

A loud bang suddenly echoed through the kitchens. All the other cooks froze in their places before bowing down as low as they could go.

"Where are my socks!?" She screeched.

Behind her, Leo and Frank burst into laughter, coughing a fit to cover it up.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "They're in your sock drawer, Your Majesty."

* * *

"Queen Hylla!" Poseidon boomed, walking down the steps of the palace to meet the Queen of Romania half way down.

"Poseidon." Hylla grinned at him and shook his hand, perhaps a little too vigorously. Even the King seemed a little shaken. Even though she was wearing a long purple dress that swept the stairs of the palace, and even though her hair was styled up into an elegant bun with a silver crown set upon her head, Queen Hylla was anything but feminine.

She radiated a sense of leadership and strength that not even King Poseidon dared defy her. He was feeling quite glad that they had decided on signing the peace treaty.

Looking at Hylla, Jason felt a stab of recognition pass through his entire being. He knew he had seen her before somewhere. He just couldn't remember where.

Then Princess Reyna climbed the steps behind her sister. Percy stiffened.

Jason's breath caught.

Memories flashed before his eyes, memories he couldn't identify.

Reyna looked just like her sister, though slightly shorter. Her expression was controlled and regal. Her posture was perfect, fit for a princess. A small tiara made of silver rested on her long braided hair. She was wearing a purple dress with a dark cloak hung over her shoulders.

Her eyes were hard and she examined each of them with the same scrutinising look.

Two dogs, one with gold fur and about her with a sort of silver coloured fur, ran up the stairs and sat at Reyna's feet obediently. The sight of them allowed a small smile onto her face.

"Uh..." King Poseidon said, glancing at the dogs' bared teeth.

Hylla smirked at his uneasiness. "She insisted." Pushed told her, referring to her younger sister.

"Right." The King continued, finally finding his tongue. This was his kingdom and these were his guests. He was the King around here. "This is Sally. My wife."

Queen Sally smiled at the sisters. Reyna couldn't help but like her immediately. She had never known a Mother's love, at least, not for long. Sally's smile itself made her warm inside.

"And Jason Grace." The King continued.

Reyna visibly stiffened. Something about that boy...

"And of course, Prince Perseus Jackson." King Poseidon said jovially, bring his son forward. Percy smiled at them lightly. Reyna didn't smile at him at all. She wanted to make it clear that she was here only for the good of his kingdom. She never wanted to fall victim to a male's authority. Women were just as powerful.

"It's rather cold out here." Queen Salky interfered. "Let us continue this inside."

Queen Hylla smiled at her. She looked like she was a strong Queen and Hylla appreciated that. She had a feeling they would be great friends. "Yes. Of course."

* * *

The sisters' possessions were moved into their respected rooms as they would be staying for at least a few weeks, if not months.

The day continued onwards with a magnificent meal for lunch with the mot delicious desserts.

Well, it wasn't too bad. Percy admitted to himself. At least he wasn't being forced to take the princess on a romantic walk.

Alas, he had spoken too soon.

At the end of lunch, when Percy and Jason had just excused themselves from the table, the King boomed at him, "Percy! How about you take the princess for a walk around the castle? Show her around a bit?"

Percy forced a smile onto his face. "Of course, Father."

Jason, clapped him on the back as if to say, "Good luck, man."

Percy offered his hand to the princess and she took it and helped herself to he feet. Even the his father may have perceived it in a romantic gesture, the princess and Percy both knew it was merely in a mutual agreement.

Percy showed her around the castle a little. Reyna didn't say much. She was hard to impress in any case. Not that the portraits of late rulers hung on the walls were capable of impressing anyone in the slightest.

"You know what? Let's go outside into the grounds." Percy suggested finally.

Reyna smiled at him a little. "Best thing you've said all afternoon."

It was good to know that she could smile. At least he won't be marrying a robot without any emotion.