"You can only be jealous of someone who has something you think you ought to have yourself."

The first person Calypso saw when she stepped out of room number 12 was Prince Percy. He was standing next to the stairs.

She approached him. "Good morning, your highness."

The Prince looked up from his iPad. "Lady Calypso. You're up early."

She hesitated. "Trying to walk my nerves off before the tournament."

He mock narrowed his eyes. "Oh, you don't have anything to worry about. Pretty good archery, by the way." He smiled.

She blushed. "Uh... You've seen the reports then."

"Umm Hmm, third is very good. I can't see why you're nervous."

"I don't think I'm ready."

"That is okay. It has only been a month. People train years toge-"

She frowned. "But I don't have years. Many girls have picked it up so well."

He sighed and put one hand on her shoulder. "Lady Calypso, the combined scores will matter more than one tournament. And, if it makes you feel better, I don't think it is fair either... which is why combined score is more sensible."

She nodded. She knew it in her heart that Percy won't eliminate her just yet. That wasn't bothering her. She was more troubled over which girl would out win the others.

In every match, sword fighting or not.

It was inevitable. You can't put two girls against each other in anything without making them wonder which one is better. That's how girls are.

"So," he said. "How is your swimming?"

"Huh?"

"Swimming is your first event right? Bummer I can't attend." His mouth up turned in a I missed my chance way.

"Yes. I'm assuming you fit that part in."

He grinned. "My leisure sport of choice. You could send me off to an off the world island for a week and I can hardly see time passing. I won't worry much either."

She laughed slightly. "That is because everybody else would worry for you."

He opened his mouth and closed it. "That is true. Yeah."

"I don't hate swimming but spending my life in however big beautiful island isn't my idea of a vacation." She said.

"Fair enough. By the way, your idea regarding the invitations? The council finally agreed."

"So will we-"

Someone walked towards them from Willow's desk and came to their view.

It was Lady Annabeth.

Instantly, Annabeth's smile fell just enough for a girl to spot. She was standing next to her friend – Piper. They looked like they were making fun of something or talking strategies.

Prince Percy removed the hand that he had snaked around Calypso's shoulder. He gave a straight smile. "Lady Piper. Lady Annabeth."

It was awkward. Annabeth straightforwardly glared at Calypso, Piper kept looking between the two girls and the Prince looked at anything that wasn't the girls.

Piper broke the silence. "So, uh, Annabeth. What do you say we walk in the gardens?"

Percy pressed his lips together. "I should get going girls." He turned to Calypso. "See you later."

Annabeth's expression was funny. Calypso had to admit; although she liked the Prince's throne more than the Prince himself, she felt satisfied looking at Annabeth's jealousy. She had every right to be jealous of course. Anyone looking at Calypso could tell how beautiful she was. No man could resist her for long.

That just increased Calypso's satisfaction.

After the Prince left, Annabeth turned to her. "Let's see how nice you are in the tournament." She hit Calypso's shoulders when she walked past her.

Piper turned to her after Annabeth left. "She is just in a bad mood. Never mind. I'll see you around, yeah?"

Calypso gave her a smug smile.

...

Rachel was watching the sword fighting tournament when her phone rang.

Shit.

She wasn't supposed to be having a phone. Thank gods Miss Willow wasn't here.

Unfortunately, the King and the Queen of Ichor were right next to her. Not to mention Prince Tyson and Princess Estelle. For some reason, they didn't mind. Sally even asked her why she didn't take it. Just as Rachel was about to answer, Coach Hedge spoke through the mic. "Next. HYDRAS! Cupcakes! COME ON UP."

Coach Hedge was the weirdest teacher. He was hardly 5 foot tall. He walked around with a baseball bat. He shouted 'kill' which Rachel found was his equivalent to 'attack'. And his logic… He convinced Chiron to keep the first round of competition among the respective teams. (R.I.P. team spirit.)

Why?

He reasoned that the girls wouldn't think much about attacking their opponents so this would show their true vigor to win. Rachel didn't understand how they were supposed to co-operate in the team games if they fight a day before it but hey, maybe that's why it is so. True team spirit can only be seen if there were wounds to repair.

She watched as Annabeth, Amber, Maria and Piper walked over to the sword fighting ring.

Daedalus asked. "What is your safe word?"

"Water." They all said together.

Coach grunted. "Ah, let's get over this fast. Annabeth. Piper."

The two friends looked at each other as if to say: Suit up.

In no time, they put on their safety gear and went inside the ring. Piper spoke something to which Annabeth laughed. She swung her sword in a come here motion.(A/N: Remember, they're not using real ones. They can hurt but not kill.) Piper shrugged and they walked in circles, finally starting the match.

Tyson cheered for Annabeth and Estelle cheered for Piper.

Piper was still talking and Annabeth looked confused over something she said. She lowered her defence for a second and Piper lunged. Too bad, Annabeth dodged it and attacked her from the side. Rachel didn't know who tricked whom here.

Estelle tugged at her dress. "Up. Up."

Rachel smiled at her and lifted her to her thighs. Estelle tried to climb above Rachel's shoulders, tripped and fell on Sally who caught her expertly.

Sally nodded. "Honey, can you hold her up?"

Estelle finally sat between Paul and Sally's shoulders and saw the match. "PIPE!" She shouted.

Tyson gasped. "ANNABETH! LOOK! TRAITOR!"

When Rachel looked back, she saw Annabeth hitting Piper with the base of her sword. Piper stumbled and Annabeth took the opportunity to capture her weapon. Piper fell to the ground and the match was over.

Next, Maria came into the circle and took Piper's place. The fight hardly lasted for 20 seconds. As soon as they circled, Annabeth jabbed her sword towards Maria who tried to hit it away. Annabeth smirked, and twisted Maria's sword around hers. She yanked it up and the angle made Maria drop the weapon.

After that, Annabeth took her time out. Piper went back in voluntarily. Maria and Piper fought. Piper tricked her into thinking that she was attacking from the right. She dropped down and swung one leg around. Maria fell.

Anyone watching could say that Maria was the weakest of the four and that the rest went easy on her.

The Sword fighting championship worked like this: Every member of each team had to fight with every other member of their own team. Out of 20 girls, top 8 would qualify for pre-finals based on technique. They'll fight randomly with two people each. Four of them will be chosen from here based on technique, posture and maximum wins.

The finals will have 4 candidates. Every candidate will fight against the rest three and the one with the most wins earns the champion title irrespective of technique. If in case their wins are equal then their wins from pre-finals would also be counted and tallied. If that too ends up same then they would need to play one more match to decide. There will be no third place or fourth place. No one except the Royals, Selected, trainers and few guards would watch the matches. It will NOT be publicized.

Now, if you take the Hydras; Annabeth vs Piper, Annabeth vs Maria, Piper vs Maria were over, meaning they were halfway through. They still had to do Piper vs Amber, Maria vs Amber and Annabeth vs Amber.

The Hydras seemed to be discussing something over the ring and Amber came forward. A few people cheered for her.

King Paul said, "I need to head back." He turned to the Queen. "I'll need you for the invitation meeting. After Percy comes back-"

Queen Sally nodded. He smiled at his wife, kissed her on her forehead and left. Rachel thought it was beautiful. Although the King had so much going on, he still managed to make time for his family and the Selection. It made her wish to be responsible too. She regretted bringing her phone.

The Queen must have noticed something because she chuckled.

The Selected let out looked back at the ring to see Amber fighting with Annabeth.

Wow, was she already done with Piper?

While Annabeth against Piper was like two friends playing, Annabeth against Maria was just Annabeth holding back… Well, Annabeth against Amber was the real match.

Annabeth jammed Amber's strike with her sword in defence. She tried to twist Amber's sword but Amber was faster than Piper. She swung again and Annabeth did too. They clashed a few times till Annabeth took advantage of her momentum to kick Amber's feet. She expertly rolled and got back up, swinging her sword behind her back and blocking Annabeth's attack. They were at it for about a minute when Annabeth pushed Amber back roughly and immediately swung her sword at Amber's feet.

Amber winced and fell down. Annabeth kicked Amber's sword away and pointed her own at Amber's chin. Amber scowled and pushed the sword away with her hand. Annabeth laughed, helped her up and pet her cheeks as if to say: Oh, poor.

On the other hand, Amber didn't look too happy about losing.

Rachel understood her annoyance but she was very glad she had dropped out of the Sword fighting match.

She definitely didn't want to be on the receiving end of Annabeth's sword. Annabeth disliked her enough already. She didn't wish to know just how much During their training, Annabeth either avoided Rachel or criticised her. They never talked like the other Selected. She didn't give her tips like she did with the rest. She plainly ignored her sarcastic comments and jokes. And oh boy, if they ever talked about Percy, Annabeth looked at her with such rage that Rachel wondered how Percy and Annabeth were such good friends. He was a friendly goofy guy. She was closed off.

Amber scowled harder as Annabeth left and Maria came back inside for the final Hydras match.

Immediately, Amber pushed her sword too hard against Maria's. Unlike Annabeth and Piper, she wasn't showing her any mercy. She was showing technique. In a split second, she cut through her weak defences and swung straight at her chest. Maria winced.

"WHAT?" Amber said. "FIGHT!"

Rachel frowned. Why is she so aggressive?

She took her stand again and waited for Maria. Too soon, Maria lunged at Amber. Amber lost balance and fell to the ground. She scowled when Maria pointed the weapon at her and used her momentum to yank Maria's weapon off and marched at her threateningly, as if angry. Maria looked down and said something that could have been 'water'.

Immediately, Daedalus blew his whistle and the match stopped. The entire auditorium went silent. Maria looked afraid and Amber's eyes were wide. She tried to touch Maria but she stepped away. Piper caught her and said something to her to which she nodded.

...

Percy came over just in time for the finals.

Rachel beamed at him. "Took you long enough."

Queen Sally asked. "Did the council confirm?"

"Yeah." He looked pointedly at Rachel.

Rachel got a feeling like she wasn't supposed to hear this. She looked between the two of them. "This has something to do with the Selection, doesn't it?"

He sat next to her and put one hand on hers. "You'll know soon enough." He turned to the sword fighting ring. "So… What did I miss?"

Rachel had to admit her heart did a flip flop when Percy laced his fingers through hers.

"Lady Reyna is topping the charts." Queen Sally said. Percy frowned and she explained further. "Lady Annabeth is second place."

Rachel said. "She is neck to neck with Lady Zoe."

"Wait." Percy said. "What happened to team sports?"

The Queen looked at him disapprovingly. "Tomorrow. Seriously, do you even read whatever Chiron gives you?"

Rachel smiled. "Since when does he read?"

"Hey!" He protested.

They laughed.

"Where is Estelle? And Tyson?" He asked.

Sally pointed to where the Selected were sitting. "In good hands."

Estelle was sitting on Annabeth's lap and Tyson stood in front of her. Everyone around them were talking and sipping juices.

Percy smiled. As if on cue, Annabeth looked their way. She was still smiling over whatever went on but when her eyes fell on Rachel, her smile faded. Rachel didn't want to but she felt smug when Annabeth glared at her. Annabeth could glare all she wants, she could ignore Rachel all her life, she could be the ultimate tournament champion, she could be Percy's best friend, and still, she wasn't sitting here with him, holding his hand.

She liked that thought too much.

Chiron announced on the mic. "Lady Annabeth, Lady Reyna, Lady Zoe and Lady Amber are your finalists. Congratulations. Everyone else, please step back from the ring. Standard time. Two rounds, if not defeated."

...

Percy was walking back to his guards after all that drama from the tournament.

He usually wasn't this sloppy. He forgot about visiting Sally and his promise to Estelle to spend the evening with her. He grinned throughout his meetings and laughed at the lamest, smallest jokes. At one point, Paul had called him out and asked him if he was high again. He glared at him and tried to explain he didn't want to do it the first time either but maybe Paul didn't believe him because he said it all way too cheerfully, exactly like someone on coke.

The previous day, him and Annabeth had gone through a few more rounds of archery, hand to hand combat and naturally, kissing. Percy had to give it to her, Annabeth was getting better at everything. She threw him around in combat till he used his safe word, did amazing flips and shots for archery and yeah… the last part too.

He also forgot about confirming the next eliminations list with the council (which his why he was late for the tournament). Of course, he didn't have to submit it till after the tournament but he had already made up his mind.

He was 22, almost 23, for god's sake. He wasn't supposed to feel all ticklish after all this time.

Especially when he is seeing others too.

Percy also never thought he would say this in his life; but he thought he was kissing too much.

Well, that isn't exactly…

Whatever the case, he was avoiding it. Not because he didn't like it, of course. (Come on, he is human.) It is just that every time he did, he couldn't help but feel like he was betraying someone else.

Selection was weird like that.

It started with Rachel. (Many things seemed to start with Rachel these days.) After Annabeth had talked to him and left (yes, this is three weeks back), him and Rachel had made up and he had explained everything he remembered to her. She had been more understanding and had taken his word for it. They had held hands and ran away from the guards (much to their surprise), hidden in a room and kissed till she was satisfied.

That's when it started. Percy felt guilty about it because he had seen Annabeth not less than 10 minutes before that, held her hand and refused to kiss her because the guards were around.

At the same time...

He had thought about what Rachel had said about him not giving equal chances to everyone. So, he decided that he would spend lesser time with Annabeth and take everyone else on dates. That's why he had told Miss Willow to exclude Annabeth and make schedules for him.

He was never going to tell Annabeth this. She probably thought that it was all Miss Willow on her own anyway.

He didn't make a move on anyone besides the dates but he didn't deny anyone who made a move on him - until Reyna, that is.

That is how he ended up kissing Drew, Zoe, Katie, Piper, Kayla and Valentina.

Unfortunately for him, the more time he spent away from Annabeth, the more she occupied his thoughts. To change that, he started talking to her in between his schedule. Annabeth being Annabeth had asked him about all his dates and he didn't want to say too much. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable. Eventually though, he started telling her everything. She would talk about the training and how the other girls performed and for a while they had that balance.

For some reason, she avoided getting too close with him. He didn't like that but just like he had told Rachel, this was something she had to deal with on her own. So, he didn't ask. Their dynamics fell apart when she shouted at him for no reason one day (with a lot of cursing too) and he went back to concentrating on his work.

The three days without talking to his friend disturbed his routine and made him feel like something was missing in his life. That is why Percy let go of Luke and Jason and asked Annabeth to talk to him but gods, she looked like a million golden drachmas in that dress. He couldn't help his ideas…

In between all this, Percy completely forgot to tell Annabeth something important.

He sighed.

He was fed up of one more thing. Drama.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

He saw the caller ID as Agent Yellow and immediately knew he wasn't going to like whatever conversation that was about to happen.

After Jason lost his post, Percy had tried his best not to fill it. The council had suggested to give it temporarily to the next in line and change back once Jason was back. Paul pushed the decision too and it was unavoidable after that.

Unfortunately, this 'next' qualified person was Luke.

Agent Yellow was supposed to be Jason but it was now Luke.

Percy pressed the phone to his ear. "What?" He snapped.

The line was really bad.

"Hello? Hey! Anyone?"

It felt like the person on the other side was running. Irritated, Percy cut the call.

Meanwhile, he had reached the back doors of the palace. He looked at the first guard he saw. "Where is Beckendorf and Mason?"

The guard said. "They're waiting for you in the auditorium, your majesty."

Percy frowned. He had just come back from the auditorium. No one was there. He shrugged and started walking. His phone buzzed off again when he reached the guard's hallways. He remembered that he had forgot to get Jason's gun back. He wasn't supposed to have it when he was off duty.

"What do you want?" He snapped at the caller.

"Percy?" A voice said. "Where are you?"

Percy didn't know how he knew with the whole robotic voice and all but he knew it was Jason and not Luke.

"J? I'm walking to your room. Why?"

Jason cursed. "Just… stay where you are and just… be quiet. We're on our way."

"Who? Why?"

He saw the answer before Jason said it.

"Red," said Jason.

About 50 feet ahead of Percy, someone stood with their hands reaching forward and holding something. That something was a gun.

...

NOW THAT IS CALLED A CLIFFHANGER!

Thughts? messages of frustration or worry or angry or oh-my-what-are-you-doing-to-percy? More importantly, THEORIES?

PHEW!

Yay! I added Calypso's POV! (Idk if you are happy but I'm happy!)

NOTE: Tournament parts are NOT over. Next chapters will have a time skip to the past and we will cover everything we left out. You'll understand what Percy meant when he said 'drama'.

I wanted to show this scene first to add to the suspense of the story.

P.S. I hope I'm keeping you on your toes.