Percabeth's Selection

23: "You and her against the world?"

The trio couldn't take a flight because Percy was never the one for air travel. So, they had to go the old-fashioned way - a bullet train. (What? Did you expect royals to take regular Express trains?)

(Anyway...)

It was a 20-minute journey to the platform from the palace and then a 5-hour journey by the train. After that, what was supposed to be a 15-minute journey became a 45-minute journey because of the reporters. Still, Percy, Sally and Rachel arrived at Dare Noble-house sooner than expected and the royals entered the house more out of courtesy than any real need.

Percy wasn't sure who felt more intimidated here - Rachel's father because he was shaking hands with the Prince or Percy because he was going to say something along the lines of 'I hurt your daughter, forgive me' to Mr. Dare. He subconsciously thanked Hazel. At least, the shiny tuxedo kept up with the authority-figure look.

If a girl's brother was as overprotective as he had seen then he wasn't looking forward to the fathers.

Mr. Dare gave a stretched smile to Percy - which, either meant he was doing it out of courtesy or he had some alter ego motive behind that I'm-a-good-father look. Percy blindly believed it was the first. "Welcome aboard, your highness. I hope my daughter has been good to you." He looked at Rachel. "She didn't bore you too much with all her paintings and arts and everything, did she?"

Rachel looked away but Percy couldn't say if she took it as a joke or was actually hurt. "No. Um... she is good company." He admitted.

Her father raised one eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, now that you're here, you must eat home food. We can't let our guests leave without a meal." He waved his hands inside in welcome.

Percy hesitated. "I'm sorry. We have somewhere to be. We probably won't have time anyway so-"

Queen Sally said, "Nonsense. If it is okay with you, we would love to do breakfast together tomorrow."

Mrs. Dare smiled at his mom. "Of course, your majesty. That would be an honour."

Percy glared at his mom like: What are you doing?

She gave back a smug look like: What? Are you gonna challenge the Queen?

He hated his mom's perfectly cunning logic at times.

..........................

Tuesday breakfast at Dare's house was awesome. It definitely bet last night's takeout by big miles. But...Well... Maybe it was a little too sophisticated and classy.

Coming from the Prince, that was a big statement.

It felt like Mr. Dare had especially prepared for this moment in his past, already put out orders to the classiest restaurants' best breakfast picks, specials, etcetera, etcetera and combined it all under one roof.

All the guards were busy securing the place except Jason (who was the only one inside the room). Being Percy's plus one everywhere, he had joined them for breakfast and Percy had looked pointedly at Mr. Dare as if daring him (Haha, pun intended) to tell Jason off. He had made up his mind. If Mr. Dare said one word against Jason, he was going to leave.

Don't misunderstand. Percy wasn't a bad guest. Just... something about Mr. Dare stretching his smile longer than normal was ticking Percy off.

If Annabeth was here, she might say he was being too paranoid. But he was Percy, and he made up what he lost in intelligence with his gut.

He had to trust his gut.

By the look on his face, Mr. Dare hadn't expected Percy to sit down with his personal guard like they were relatives.