PeaceMaker

They stared for a moment before Maria immediately pulled Annabeth away, her arm swinging into Annabeth's and dragging her into the crowd. 

"Byebye Marquess Antonio," Maria waved with a bright smile as they disappeared into the crowd, Annabeth stealing one more glance at Antonio. He was blushing. Heavily. She turned to Maria. 

"Where are mum and dad?" she asked. 

"Where are mum and dad?!" Maria repeated her voice rising slightly, "have you lost your mind?!"

Annabeth flinched at Maria's tone. "What is it?" she asked, "Were we supposed to meet at a certain time or something? Oh… we were… sorry, I was completely unaware of the time…"

"NO! That is NOT the issue here," Maria exclaimed, her voice trying to quietly scold Annabeth as she greeted some of the nobles that noticed them. 

"What is then?" Annabeth asked, greeting the nobles along with Maria. 

"THE FACT THAT YOU WERE THAT CLOSE WITH HIM!!" Maria announced, her voice peaking a little before settling, "have you lost your mind?! Did you know how close you guys were to each other?! Your body was on his. You were TOUCHING!"

"That's the whole point of the dance-"

"No Annabeth, you know what I mean," Maria sighed, stopping at a table and turning to Annabeth. "I know what I saw there. Your hand was on his face while his hand was on your waist with your bodies pressed against each other and-"

"Were you about to kiss him?" a voice called out beside the two, they both turned around to look at Justin. "The way you were staring at him… the way he was looking at you. The way you touched. The atmosphere. Were you about to kiss him, Annabeth?"

Annabeth flinched. "No… why would I kiss him?" 'So that what it was…' she thought to herself, 'is that what I wanted to do with him.' 

"You're lying," said another voice, Jena. "You were going to kiss him."

"The entire dance you had been glued to each other," Julian muttered, locking eyes with Annabeth, "your gazes were following each other while you were dancing, even when you danced with other partners, you were always looking for him and he was always looking at you. It all led up to that… that moment. You almost kissed Annabeth. You almost kissed Antonio."

"I-" Annabeth muttered. 

"And that bastard… that bastard almost let it happen," Justin snarled, turning to the direction where Antonio was. "That's what I get for trusting him…" he muttered under his breath.

"What- wait I… we-" Annabeth began, her voice stuttering.

"You knew… you knew what you were doing... Didn't you," Maria gasped. 

"No! No I didn't! I just… I just moved on my own… I didn't know what was going on with me but I just… moved," Annabeth sighed, "I almost kissed him… I almost kissed Antonio.."

"That's not the worst of it," Jena pressed, "do you know where you are? Do you know HOW MANY PEOPLE are in here?! Hundreds Anna, hundre-"

"Don't call me that," Annabeth snapped, her head snapping to Jena. 

"I-" Jena flinched, her eyebrows furrowing in frustration, "that's not the issue here! You're the one that's so big on keeping your reputation, on keeping OUR reputation clean but you stood there, in the middle of everyone, with all eyes on you and almost kissed him."

"Do you know how powerful he is?!" You could be called a slut. A slut trying to seduce him in front of everyone Annabeth! And do you know how many people, how many FAMILIES, NOBLE FAMILIES that want their children to wed him? Not only have you completely embarrassed us, but you have also completely ruined all your chances of moving up socially," Justin lectured, "so many people watching and you dared to do that with him, a MARQUESS of one of the MOST influential families. You would have permanently tarnished all bridges with you or our family name if you had kissed him. Of all people, of all people Annabeth! The person I thought was the most worried about our reputation, it was you who almost killed us."

Annabeth staggered, swooning slightly on her feet as the gravity of the situation started to weigh on her. "What have I done…" she muttered as she leaned against one of the chairs. "What… what have I done…" 

"That's what I'd like to know," said a voice from behind them. Annabeth flinched. It was a familiar voice. She knew who it was. 

"Your highness!" She exclaimed in unison with her siblings as they bowed their heads deeply. 

It was Adria. 

"Haha, not just me," Adria chuckled, turning around to the person behind her. "It's his royal highness Theodore."

"That's husband to you," Theodore joked, kissing Adria's forehead. 

"Yea, yea, being mushy again aren't you?" Adria chuckled. "We have an audience this time, your highness. I'd suggest you be careful."

"No one tells me how to be with my wife," Theodore shrugged. 

"Your royal highness!" Annabeth and her siblings exclaimed, bowing even further into the ground. 

"Haha, no need, stand up," Adria smiled, "we heard a few chittering and since we were already on our way over to find you guys withhhh…" from behind them emerged Annabeth's parents, "your parents, we decided to see what was wrong."

"Ah.." Jena shook her head, doing a mini bow for Adria, "it's nothing really your highness."

"Yes.." Annabeth replied, forming an embarrassed expression on her face as she hid her face behind her hand. "We were simply talking about how I.. ate a bit too much of the food here… The deserts were simply too amazing for me to set down and I ended up eating too much of it…"

"Ahhhh," Adria giggled, turning to Theodore, "I told you there was too much food, look what you've done to one of our precious ladies." 

Annabeth lowered her head. "Nonono, forgive me your highnesses for interrupting but it was simply my fault for not knowing my limits."

"You should know your limits," Adria replied, her eyes peering down at Annabeth, piercing blue eyes meeting with deep-green eyes. A shudder ran through Annabeth. 

Adria turned to Theodore, a smile forming on her face. "But the dear royal highness didn't give a limit to the food, therefore, removing any limit you may have had."

Theodore sighed. "Yes, yes, my love. I admit."

"Hahaha, you have a very close relationship, your highnesses," said Mr. Crowly, grabbing the royals' attention to him. He had his hand on his wife's waist. She didn't refuse him. "It reminds me of my young days with my wife."

Adria smiled. "You both look young, old age would never dare to lay hands on your beautiful wife."

"Oh my, you exaggerate your highness," Mrs. Crowly shook her head, bowing to Adria, "the only true eternal beauty here is you."

"But we must admit that your beauty is still bright," Adria chuckled, "I can see it in the faces of your children. Like little water lilies, rising beautifully in a pool of common faces," Adria muttered, stepping forward to Annabeth. Her hand raised up and touched Annabeth's face, her hands running down her jawline to her chin, "Your daughters shine amongst the rest… but unlike water lilies, their beauty will last forever."

Annabeth flinched from Adria's touch, her eyes looking up to meet Adria's gaze. Icy arctic blue met ivy green. Annabeth froze. A tiny smile appeared on Adria's face. One that sent another wave of shivers down Annabeth's spine. Then almost like she wasn't there to begin with, Adria turned around with a bright smile, loving eyes with Mrs. Crowly. "They are simply so beautiful~!" 

"T-thank you.." Mrs. Crowly blushed, bowing before Adria. 

Adria turned back to look at Annabeth, the little smile remaining on her face when their eyes met. "You're welcome."

Annabeth smiled, bowing again for Adria. She took her hands behind her back as she looked up at Adria and Theodore. Her fingers shook. She was trembling. 

"Oh! Right! I believe I had something to tell your dear daughter Annabeth in private," Adria smiled, her eyes lighting up as she remembered. 

She turned to her fiance and then to Mr. and Mrs. Crowly and their kids. "I'm sure you won't mind right?"

Mr. and Mrs. Crowly, Jena, Maria, and Justin turned to Annabeth and then back to Adria. "Of course not, your highness!" Mr. and Mrs. Crowly exclaimed. 

"Well then~ wait for me, your highness," Adria smiled, turning to look at Theodore.. She walked to Annabeth's side and placed her hand on her shoulder. "Shall we, Annabeth?"