I have a question for you lovely readers:

Do you pronounce Thalia as TAH-lee-uh or THAL-ia??

I pronounce it THAL-ia.

Comment your answers :)

- Nico_Solace

P.S. This is dedicated to IWrteFicNotTragedies and nocturnal_writer because they have been amazing and has been nothing but encouraging to me, even as they eagerly awaited another chapter. Thank you for being kind and writing amazing stories, even though I don't really answer your comments xD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

=Nico=

"So." I smirk at Bianca from my place on her bed.

"What is it now, Nico?" She sighs, rifling through her drawers for God knows what.

"How long have you been hot for my betrothed?"

She turns bright red and quickly turns where I cannot see her face. "I have no idea what you are trying to say, Nico."

"You know exactly what I'm 'trying to say', Bia. Its written all over your face; you're conflicted."

"I am not! I have absolutely nothing to be conflicted about. While I have noticed how... attractive your fiancée is, I know my boundaries. Unlike someone I know." Bianca turns to me with a pointed look.

"Yeah, yeah. I didn't need boundaries until my worst nightmare barged her way into my life and decided to take up residence down the hall from me."

"You sound bitter, fratello."

"Well, maybe that's because I am. I was having fun playing around with every guy in Malavita. Now, I'm not even allowed to look at one without getting Dad's 'disapproving' stare. It's like I don't have any privacy anymore!"

"You know he's making it that way on purpose, right?" Bianca tells me.

"He's what?" I blink in disbelief.

"He's making it seem like he's watching your every step because he doesn't want you sneaking off with someone. If Zeus or Thalia happened to catch the slightest glimpse of you with some boy, our reputation with Caray would be ruined. Father needs this marriage to happen more than you realize, Niccolo."

"I don't understand what you're hinting at, sorella."

"Nico, Caray is our biggest ally. They support us financially and they basically supply our military with everything from uniforms to weapons."

"Okay, I still don't see how this affects me."

Bianca sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. With a shake of her head, she turns away from me. "You'll learn soon enough. Father can't allow your ignorance to last much longer. Especially if he wants you to be the next ruler."

With that, she walks out of the room, leaving me alone on her bed.

---

A few hours later, I head to my riding lessons with Percy.

On my way down to the stables, I spot Will out in my mother's garden. He's walking through and gently running his hands over the delicate things, his face soft and unsuspecting. Making a split second decision, I change directions and head over to Mama's garden.

"William." I say from right behind him.

He flinches in surprise, clutching a hand on his chest as if it will slow his racing heart. "Holy hell-" he turns and stops, blinking down at me in surprise. "Highness." He dips his head in a half bow.

"William, I know Caray is more strict than Malavita, but I insist; call me Nico." I say with a smile, placing my hand on his bicep.

With a blush, he glances at my hand. "I'm sorry, but I simply can't do that. If His Lordship ever heard me, I would lose my head."

"I've taken a liking to you, William. If Zeus were to kill anyone in my country - servant or otherwise - without my father's or my consent, he would lose his biggest ally."

After an obvious internal battle, Will smiles shyly at me. "Will."

"I'm sorry?" I blink.

"You keep calling me William. I prefer Will."

"And I prefer William," I smirk challengingly.

He snorts and rolls his eyes, obviously loosening up and getting more comfortable speaking with me.

"And I prefer Highness."

"Very well."

"Highness, if I may, why are you here?" Will's tone is hesitant, quiet. He isn't looking at me anymore, instead focusing on a few orchids my mother had planted two springs ago.

"Am I not allowed to wander Mama's garden without being interrogated?"

"Well, of course you are Highness, I just m-"

"I was joking, William; relax. I was on my way to riding lessons - not that I need those - when I saw you down here looking quite lonely. I figured I would join you. Percy is used to me being late by now, anyway." I say with a casual shrug.

"Oh." He says, trying to suppress the smile growing on his lips. "Well... Thank you, Highness."

"Anything for a man like yourself, William." I say, making my way through the rows of flowers.

I glance up to find that near-permanent blush gracing his cheek again and smile.

"Highness, you really shouldn't say things like that." Will says to the tulip he is currently examining.

"And why is that?"

"It could be seen as inappropriate by a passerby."

"They can think however they would like. They are not in charge of me."

Will bites his lip pensively as he proceeds through the garden.

"I really must be going before Percy sends a rescue party for me." I decide, glancing to the door regretfully.

"This Percy must have figured you would be late by now. I have heard talk of your knack for tardiness." Will laughs quietly.

"Yes, well. The life of a prince has some perks." I smile at William and gently brush his shoulder as I walk past.

Without another look at him, I turn and leave the garden. A small smile forces its way across my features as I make my way to Percy.

---

At dinner that evening, things are tense to put it lightly.

Father and Zeus attempt to make friendly conversation, but it is clear they are uncomfortable. Thalia and Bianca sit next to each other, studying their plates closely. My mother is watching my father closely, trying to catch his eye as he looks around the room.

Clearing my throat loudly, I shuffle the food around my plate for the millionth time.

"Father, is everything alright?" Bianca finally gains the courage to quietly inquire.

Hades' head snaps over to look at Bianca like she is insane.

"Fine." He says, his tone telling that there will be no more discussion.

I snort loudly, disturbing the awkward silence. "That was bullshit."

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, every eye in the room is on me. Hazel looks shocked, Thalia looks mildly impressed, and Bianca looks ready to strangle me. Not to mention the look of pure hatred my father is shooting me.

"Do you have something to say, Niccolo?" Hades bites out, trying to stay calm despite the vein popping up on his forehead.

"Oh, no. Nothing at all." I reply dryly.

"Nico." My mother warns, her eyes widening at me.

"No, Maria. Let the boy speak."

A moment of panic passes through me as I realize what I have just started. I am about the fight with my father in front of our guests and our dinner staff. Deciding I don't want this to end up like our last fight, I take my mother's silent advice.

"Actually, I think mother is right; we can talk about this later." I say, looking back down at my plate in humiliation.

"We are not going to talk about this later; we are going to talk about it now."

"Fine." I spit. "I'm just saying we all know that your 'everything is fine' façade is total bullshit. We can all tell you're pissed about something that happened earlier today."

Hades stands abruptly, his knee hitting the table and causing the silverware to clank against his plate. "Niccolo. Now." And with that, he stalks out of the dining hall, his fists balled.

"If you'll excuse us." I say politely to the table as I take my leave.

I follow my father out of the dining hall, a sense of dread filling me. Sometimes, I wish I could just keep my mouth shut.

"Must you always be so damn disrespectful, Niccolo?" My father bites. "You continue to embarrass me in front of our guests. It's almost as if you do it on purpose."

"Disrespectful?! You asked me what I wanted to say to you!"

"Shut your mouth boy. You've messed up too many times for my liking."

"What the hell are you talking about? I've done nothing but follow your rules since they arrived."

"Oh you have, have you?" My father crosses his arms. "Is that why I heard you and the Carayan hand servant boy were flirting in your mother's greenhouse today?"

"What?" I ask in astonishment. There is no way he should have already heard about that unless... "Do you have people following me?!"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

"That's so fucked up! I haven't done anything!"

"Yes, well I can't risk it."

"I was speaking with a servant! Am I not allowed to have friends anymore? Am I forbidden from having male friends? This is so ridiculous. Just because I'm in the vicinity of a guy doesn't mean I want to fuck him. What, are you going to take Jason from me next?" I scream.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Nico. You can't exactly expect me to trust you around new men with a track record like yours."

Angrily, I cross my arms over my chest. It's mostly to stop myself from punching my father straight in his mouth, but it works in calming me. "Fine. I'll keep to strictly talking to the opposite sex only."

"Oh don't be a princess, Niccolo." My father rolls his eyes.

Before I entirely realize what my body is doing, I punch Hades square in his mouth. I feel my knuckles scrape against his teeth and his head jerk backward with the force.

Pulling my hand back, I look at it in surprise for half a second, taking in the forming bruise and new scrape on my knuckles. I don't give my father time to process what I just did.

I take off running.