Chapter 44 – Some Excitement at the Party
The narrow, cobblestone streets of Rome were alive with the soft glow of street lamps casting warm pools of light on the ancient pavement as Dante and Annabeth walked hand in hand toward their hotel. The distant hum of evening life—scooters buzzing by, laughter spilling from open café windows, and the occasional strum of a guitar from a nearby piazza—created a romantic backdrop that made the moment feel almost magical.
Dante glanced at her, the city lights reflecting in his golden eyes, and said: "Well, we should enjoy this vacation time here before you, Percy, Grover, or any other member starts risking your lives trying to find Zeus's bolt."
Annabeth looked at him curiously, her gray eyes narrowing slightly in the dim light, and asked: "Why won't you come with us?"
Dante said without hesitation: "No, of course I'm coming with you guys too."
Annabeth tilted her head, still puzzled. "Then why will only we be in danger?"
Dante said, smiling as he looked at her cute, slightly irritated face: "Well, because you're the weakest ones and you'll have to face several monsters."
Annabeth asked, irritated, her voice rising just a touch over the ambient city sounds: "So you're going to let us fight all the monsters alone?"
Dante said, still smiling as he admired her cute expression: "Well, I really wanted to help, but I can't for two reasons. First, if I help Percy with everything, he won't grow and won't get stronger. Then, when he's alone and I can't help, he'll die. So it's good for him to deal with everything on this quest so he can grow and get stronger and stronger. The second reason is because of you."
Annabeth asked, confused, slowing her pace on the uneven stones: "Because of me?"
Dante said: "Yes, you're a strong girl and you wouldn't accept me saving you every second. If I did that, you'd end up fighting with me for treating you like a princess who doesn't know how to protect herself, right?"
Annabeth fell silent hearing what Dante said. The gentle breeze carried the scent of jasmine from a nearby balcony, and she realized he was absolutely right. After all, if he solved all the problems, with her personality, it was quite possible she'd get mad at him for treating her like a princess who needed constant protection.
She then smiled softly, the tension easing from her shoulders, and said: "Well, you're right. I wouldn't like that."
Dante then smiled at her, relieved, and said: "And it's not like I won't help you guys. I'll limit myself to situations where I have to intervene because you can't handle it."
Annabeth said, her voice lighter now: "Well, then I'm counting on you."
Dante smiled warmly and said: "Well, leave it to me."
They then finally arrived at the hotel—an elegant building with a classic facade, marble steps leading to glass doors, and warm entrance lights welcoming late-night guests. The lobby was quiet, with soft classical music playing faintly in the background.
They entered the hotel, approaching the polished reception desk where a friendly attendant waited.
Annabeth asked quietly: "Just one question, Dante: do you speak Italian?"
Dante said reassuringly: "Well, I don't speak it, but relax. I chose a hotel that caters to a lot of tourists, so they should speak English normally."
Annabeth said, exhaling in relief: "Well, good thing you thought of that."
Dante said: "I wouldn't forget something as important as that when staying in another country."
He then stepped up to the attendant and said politely: "Excuse me, I'd like two rooms."
The receptionist smiled professionally and said: "Yes, all right. And what type of rooms would you like, sir?"
Dante said: "Well, just give me two suites, one next to the other. That's fine for me."
The receptionist checked the available rooms on the computer, her fingers tapping quickly on the keyboard, and said: "Well, it looks like you're in luck, sir. We have two rooms available on the same floor."
Dante said: "Well, we'll take them."
The receptionist said: "Yes, sir. And how would you like to pay?"
Dante said: "Credit card."
After paying smoothly, Dante took the room keys from the counter.
He then looked at Annabeth with a playful glint and said: "Well, there's still time. You're not going to share a room with me?"
Annabeth took the key from his right hand firmly and said: "I'm not in the mood to go back to camp with one more demigod."
Dante smiled teasingly and said: "If that's the problem, then relax. At most you'll go back with a half-dragon."
Annabeth said decisively: "Well, no way. I'm going to my room. See you tomorrow."
Dante smiled and said hopefully: "Well, a good night kiss?"
She looked back over her shoulder as she headed toward the elevator, smiled softly, and said: "I don't want to risk it."
Back at Percy's party at Camp Half-Blood, the Poseidon cabin was in full chaos under the starry night sky—music blasting from speakers, colorful lights strung across the beams, and campers from various cabins packed inside, laughing and dancing. The air smelled of grilled meat, nectar punch, and teenage energy gone wild. At that moment, Percy was having a heart attack.
Percy looked up at the guy swinging dangerously from the ceiling beams like a makeshift chandelier and shouted over the noise: "Hey, man, get down from there!"
Before he could climb up or find a way to get the guy off the roof safely, he spotted another demigod casually using Poseidon's sacred trident—like it was a barbecue fork—to roast meat over the fire pit outside.
Percy then ran over in panic and grabbed his trident back protectively.
Percy looked at him sternly and said: "Man, this isn't for roasting meat."
The demigod shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry, dude. I couldn't find anything else to use instead."
Percy then hurried to the kitchen area, grabbed a proper grill spatula, and handed it over: "Here, use this."
The demigod thanked him enthusiastically: "Thanks, man!"
He then looked at the crowd and shouted excitedly: "Everyone, we have meat!"
Percy, looking at this absolute mess—spilled drinks, people dancing on furniture, random magical sparks from minor spells gone wrong—thought desperately: Why did I agree to throw this party?
At that moment, Grover appeared through the crowd, weaving between dancing campers, and said: "Percy, you have to know how to enjoy life. You're a popular guy here. Why not try starting a conversation with one of these cuties? Look, the Aphrodite daughters are looking at you."
Percy then looked in the direction Grover pointed—across the room, where a group of Aphrodite girls stood giggling and indeed waving flirtatiously.
Grover said encouragingly: "Come on, let's go, kid. This time they're really waving at you."
He then pulled Percy by the arm toward the girls, navigating through the chaotic party.
Back in his luxurious hotel room in Rome—spacious, with a balcony overlooking twinkling city lights and a king-sized bed draped in fine linens—Dante lay down fully clothed, stared at the ornate ceiling, and thought: Well, it was a good date. Only one problem: when I tell the girls about Annabeth, they'll all end up wanting to go to another country for a date. I can already see how much traveling I'll be doing. But what can I do? I'm the one who decided to have more than one girlfriend now. The way is to treat them all equally so I don't end up like Makoto Itou.
Dante shuddered just thinking about that infamous fate, a chill running down his spine despite the comfortable room temperature.
He then closed his eyes, the distant sounds of Rome filtering faintly through the window, and thought: Well, I'm going to sleep. I just hope that when we get back, Percy hasn't destroyed the whole cabin.