"Should i behead him? Just say the word and i will." "Perseus!" Oh how he wanted to roll his eyes … 'Perseus' you said, like he was simply your guard, not 'Percy' like you'd normally mutter softly. But only when no one watched… or heard.

"He ought to get punished for how he spoke to you. Prince or not." His fingers tightened over the hilt of his sword, jaw clenched. He wouldn’t just stand by and let some man belittle you, especially when he was merely a guest at your house.

A possible wedding candidate, your father had said — Percy now felt sick just thinking about it.

"You deserve respect." But your gaze — oh those eyes he could never say no to — made him a little calmer, his steps slowing so he could comfortably walk beside you. "And he is hardly deserving of marrying someone like you, Princess."