Chapter Text
Gods.
Balls are annoying. This carriage is annoying. The stupid blazing hot sun is especially annoying.
Riding into the inner circle of the Sun Kingdom was incredibly hot. Nico, along with the rest of his family, still had on the everyday wear of the Underworld; definitely a mistake.
Outside of the carriage window townspeople were seen doing their everyday activities. Nico saw that the people wore particular clothing. It looked lightweight but also covered their bodies from the sun. The women looked to be wearing headdress.
The transparent fabric wrapped around the women’s heads and hung on their ears. It covered their mouths and noses and rested on their cheek bones. The fabric was bejeweled with tear shaped gold pieces. The men had scarfs that covered their heads like hoods. It too was adjoined with fancy jewels and gold as well as patterns and accessories.
Nico recognizing the simple articles of clothing from many different diplomatic classes he had taken in in his kingdom. He also had a faint recollection of these designs from previous visits. Although, Nico didn’t remember much since it had been years since the Sun kingdom last allowed people into their walls.
Nico’s diplomatic classes taught him that many people in the Sun kingdom wore clothing that covered their faces to protect their skin.
While the Sun people were built for the heat, their tan skin wouldn’t always protect them from the harsh rays of the violent sun.
Nico hadn’t seen people wear this type of clothing in years, it was honestly nice to see the clothing up close rather than from textbook photos.
The ball was important—at least that’s what Nico’s father, King Hades, said. The Sun kingdom was finally opening their kingdom back up. The kingdom was once known for their extravagant parties, in fact they used to be the main host for royal gatherings.
Then one day, it stopped. No information was given as to why the Sun kingdom shut down.
Nico had overheard many different stories and theories as to why the kingdom shut down, but nothing was clear—at least to Nico.
Nico remembered when Apollo’s kingdom shut down. It was the day healers stopped traveling.
The Sun kingdom used send healers to the other kingdoms to teach and of course—heal. Now, every kingdom had their own healers but Apollo’s healers were the best.
Each Kingdom was able to survive without supplies and help from the Sun kingdom. But in that time, every monarch realized how much the Sun kingdom really did.
Apollo had quite a few kids, it was well known across the Kingdoms that he had a thing for sleeping around—so did Zeus but he never took his children in. Apollo definitely did.
I guess that would make him better than some of the other kingdoms, he actually claimed his kids, while it gave him him bad reception, he at least took his kids in. Which is much more than most of the other monarchs can say.
Nico really only remembered one of the kids, William—or as most of the other princes and princesses knew him as, Will.
Will was around Nico’s age. Before the Sun kingdom closed, Nico would see the blond boy at all of the royal gatherings. Will never became particularly close to the other royal children but everyone knew eachother.
He was a nice, Nico remembered him being pretty tan with freckles like constellations and really puffy blond hair.
He was seventeen now, and based on the pictures Nico had seen the boy still had his freckles, puffy hair, and dazzling smile-because of his white teeth and all-
It’s been years since anyone had seen any of the Apollo children. It was well known that there had been deaths in the family, however, Apollo didn’t hold any big funeral. Now only three children remained.
It was weird, remembering all of the Apollo children. Nico didn’t know them well but thinking how there were only three left was weird.
As the carriage ride continued the sun seemed to get even brighter—how was that even possible!? Looking through the window Nico saw the Castle, sitting in the most inner part of the Sun Kingdom.
Finally, they arrived at the front gates. Hazel looked to Nico with a smile as King Hades and Queen Persephone began to walk out of the carriage. Nico followed after them, and then finally Hazel.
Stepping out of the carriage was like stepping out into an oven, but, if you looked past the heat, the Castle that stood in front of them was beautiful. It almost looked as though it harnesses the sun itself. The gold embellished Castle seemed to reflect the light of the sun perfectly.
Three guards came in front of the Hades family and bowed. They had armor on, but instead of it being black like the armor in the Underworld, the guards had golden armor.
“Welcome to the Sun Kingdom.” A guard dressed in gold armor said as he rose from his bowing position. “We are pleased to have you and your family join us.” The guard finished.
Nico and his family were the guided into the castle. The people inside had similar outfits as what Nico had seen in the carriage, but the transparent fabric and scarfs were no longer up against their faces.
The men had their scarfs loosely tucked into their belts, while the women’s transparent fabric was now untucked from their ears and placed to rest on their hips as well. Another difference was the amount of jewelry they had on, the people outside had jewelry, but not like this.
Large necklaces, earrings, anklets, bracelets, and basically every piece a person could think of was worn.
“Oh my gods…” Nico heard Hazel mumble under her breath as she looked around at the Castle. They must have redone the castle because Nico didn’t remember any of this.
There were windows that allowed the sun’s light in, but it wasn’t hot. Upon further inspection, Nico saw water flowing in small canals around the edge of the room. The water was allowed in through small waterfalls.
Nico continued to follow the guards through the Castle. The the Underworld Family walked through the large entrance area and began to walk through a hall way. Looking around Nico could see a small sign with an that said, ‘Medical Wing’. Where were they? Gods it must be easy to get lost here.
Hades must have been able to read Nico’s mind because he spoke Nico’s thoughts before he could even speak.
“May I ask where we are being taken?” The king of the Underworld said.
“Of course King Hades, we are guiding you to your rooms so you may get settled for your stay.” One guard answered nodding his head as he spoke.
“I believe the other monarchs and I were going to meet briefly before dinner.” Hades said with a regal tone. The King didn’t just believe this, he knew it and wanted to let the guards know that.
“Yes your highness. King Apollo should be in his study at this time.” The guard from before answered.
“I can lead you to the study while my colleagues lead your family to their respective rooms.” The same guard said with a nod of his head as he turned around to face King Hades.
Nico’s father responded with a quiet nod as he began to follow the guard in a separate direction.
Queen Persephone followed Hades to the study leaving Hazel and Nico with the two other guards.
“The rooms are just this way.” One of the guards said.
The rest of the walk was quick and quiet, Nico walked into the room he was led too and found that it was much cooler (thank the gods). His personal chest had also been moved into the room. Dam, the servants here worked fast.
The guards had told Nico and Hazel that dinner would be at six. At first, Nico was worried because he didn’t know his way around the newly designed castle, but thankfully the guards said people would be sent to bring them to dinner.
Not knowing what to do till dinner, Nico went to his personal chest and grabbed one of his books from home. He went and sat on the small couch that was illuminated by the sun.
Nico read his book for a while before he heard a knock at the door. Not knowing who it was, Nico’s first instinct was to go and grab his sword, but he decided to be rational and said, “Who is it?”
“I’ve just come to inform you that dinner is in 5 minutes. Begin to ready yourself, I’ll be waiting out here until you’re ready.” A quiet voice responded from outside the door.
Nico paused for a moment not recognizing the voice before realizing it was just a servant coming to get him for dinner.
“Alright, thank you. I’ll be out quickly.” Nico called out. Nico decided to freshen up quickly before dinner, he was already in nice clothes to he wouldn’t need to change thankfully.
Walking to the restroom Nico made sure to grab the small bag of toiletries and quickly ran a brush through his hair. He just splashed some water onto his face, dried it, and sprayed some cologne before walking out of the bathroom.
Nico reached for the handle of the door before catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He straightened up his clothes before opening the door.
“Good Evening Prince Di Angelo,” the servant girl bowed her head as she began to lead Nico towards the dinning hall where dinner was being held.
The dinning was rather large, large tapistries and windows embellished the walls. A large table already sat other royal families members, mostly the kids. The Kings and Queens must still be talking with Apollo.
Nico was lead to a chair closer to the head of the table and was sat. Looking around Nico saw a few of the other Princes and Princesses he knew.
Nico looked back down to his lap before he heard “Psst!” Looking back up Nico saw Prince Jason giving him a small wave with a smile.
Nico gave a small smiled back to Jason before looking around the table, all the kids were here, Jason, Percy, Piper, Leo, Annabeth, Frank, and…three children of Apollo closest to the head of the table.
Three Apollo kids, that was all. Nico stared for a moment, hearing there were only three was one thing, but only seeing three was different.
William, Kayla, and Austin.
They sat closest to the head of the table, but Nico was mostly focused on the blond boy.
No one outside of the Sun Kingdom had seen the three children for the time the kingdom was closed off. Will looked much older. Of course, Nico too had grown as well but remembering Will as a child and now suddenly seeing him as a teen was odd.
The blond boy sat with his head turned down towards his lap. He and his siblings sat in silence along the rest of the table. It was always awkward on the first night, but the group always livened up as the nights wore on.
Nico was too lost in thought to realize Hazel had arrived.
Hazel tapped him on the leg with a confused look, “What are you staring at?” She asked quietly. Not wanting to lie to his sister Nico responded with a hushed voice, “Oh-I was just thinking.”
Hazel gave Nico a look, of course—she wanted to know what he was thinking about. Nico sighed and gave in saying, “Will Solace, doesn’t he look different?” Nico’s voice was still quiet, maybe even quieter.
“I mean that’s what happens when you don’t see someone for a while, they grow up.” Hazel said softly shrugging ever so slightly.
She hesitated for a moment before she spoke with the same kind and softened voice. “I bet he’s still as nice as he was before.” Nico nodded with along with Hazel as she smiled.
“I know he is, that kid wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Nico laughed slightly as he spoke. It wasn’t meant to insult the blond in any way, just a bit of humor. Hazel nodded as she laughed along with Nico.
Eventually, small chatter turned in separate conversations, which then turned into a group discussion. Each of the different royal children were talking with each other—it had been a while since Nico had seen everyone together.
They were all friends, but it was hard to see each other often because their parents each ruled separate kingdoms. But they always made sure to talk to each other when possible.Will, however, was looking down at the floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world. His siblings Austin and Kayla on the other hand were looking up at the group. They weren’t adding any commentary or anything, they just watched as the conversation continued.
The two younger children were watching and listening to the conversation with interest even they couldn’t hide. Nico almost felt bad, they’ve just been stuck in their kingdom with no real interaction with anyone but their people and family.
The group noticed the others watching, but didn’t comment and continued to talk. Nico slowly saw Wills head begin to rise as the conversation continued, he still wasn’t adding to the conversation in any way, but a faint smile was drawn onto his lips.
Suddenly, the door opened and King Apollo walked in with the other rulers in tow. His loud and regal voice boomed through the dinning hall as he walked in.
“Good evening children! It is wonderful to see all of you together once more.” The King said with a smile and widespread arms.
Apollo then went to sit at the head of the table, two chairs were set up, but Apollo only occupied one while his three kids sat just next to him at the end of the table. One chair remained empty. Nico wasn’t going to be that person who makes an inappropriate comment, so he kept the small detail to himself as his Father and Step-Mother came to sit in their respective seats next to Nico.
“I am very pleased to have all of you come here. It is wonderful to see each of your lovely faces.” Apollos voice sounded just a tad softer, more genuine.
“We’re all incredibly happy to see you as well Apollo. Your kingdom is just as beautiful as the last time we came.” Nico looked to left and saw Queen Aphrodite speaking.
Her voice was melodic and kind as she spoke truthfully. Sure she was insinuating the closing of the Sun Kingdom, which might be a touchy subject, but she mentioned it in a kind manner.
Apollo gave a nod towards the Queen as he smiled.
Dinner went by smoothly, no arguments, just light hearted banter or conversations. It was actually nice having all of the kingdoms together, and getting along for that matter.