You come out on the other side (Reyna)

"@#$%!#&@^!!"

The first thing you heard when you emerged from the water was a string of curse words in Latin.

Being a Greek demigod rather than a Roman, you could only pick up a few words in between, and even then, saying such atrocious words would have made your mother—Sally Jackson—very disappointed in you.

"Very harsh choice of words, praetor."

You said with a smirk.

Reyna, who was the one who just let out 17 different slurs in ancient Rome, glared at you with a stern expression.

One of her hands was placed over the hilt of her arming sword.

Aurum and Argentum, the pair of automaton dogs Reyna kept as pets, growled in unison and snapped their mechanical jaws threateningly.

"Percy Jackson...in any other circumstances, I would've welcomed you as an honored guest in Camp Jupiter. However, you just emerged from the Little Tiber—completely bypassing our guards and security measures, which makes you a trespasser on Roman grounds.

You rolled your eyes.

Being a leader was a tough job; you knew that firsthand from leading Camp Half-Blood against an evil deity who waged war on Olympus two separate times.

So, you could respect Reyna for being strict, especially since she was stricter with herself than she was with anyone else.

But that didn't change the fact that she was a pain in the ass when she was acting against your interest.

Luckily for you, you had the ultimate trump card up your sleeve.

"Give me a sec."

Reyna frowned when you pulled out the Rulebook.

The two dogs growled loudly, but Reyna kept them at bay, which made it much easier for you two to write down some new rules.

Organization: Camp Jupiter

Old Rule: After Gaea was defeated, Percy Jackson was always able to enter Camp Jupiter freely as he pleased.

Organization: Reyna Ramírez-Arellano, a demigod daughter of Bellona and praetor of Camp Jupiter.

New Rule: Reyna becomes very gullible to whatever Percy Jackson says.

As soon as you were done, Reyna blinked.

Her hostile attitude vanished immediately, replaced by a look of confusion and apology as she came up close to you.

"I...I'm sorry, Percy. I don't know what just took over me. I... think I forgot that you could come here freely."

"It's fine. You just need some time to relax."

Normally, Reyna would have waved off such words even while apologizing.

She was a veteran Roman demigod, and Romans took pride in working hard for their society...or so they said.

However, this time, Reyna nodded to your words without much thought.

"I suppose you are right. Maybe I need some rest..."

Reyna let out a wistful sigh.

"That's not easy, is it?"

"No, not really."

Reyna shook her head.

"Frank is a good man, but he is still inexperienced at being a praetor or being in the leading role in general. Even with Hazel helping him, we still have a long way to go..."

Reyna went on to explain a bit more about the conundrums of trying to realign Camp Jupiter from the aftermath of the Second Giant War.

You nodded and smiled, although all of the political talk flew right past your head as you two walked side by side toward the praetor's office.

From afar, you could see the buildings of New Rome.

You vaguely recalled making a promise with Annabeth that you'd both attend the university here so you could stay together after getting old enough to leave Camp Half-Blood...

Obviously, that didn't end up happening.

"...so, what brings you here, Percy? Just visiting?"

Reyna's question jolted you out of your head.

Once you two were in her office, she had recovered from being flustered by her (seemingly) preposterous mistake and was back to her iron-hearted praetor mode.

Reyna took a seat behind the desk.

"If you need any help, the Twelfth Legion is more than happy to aid you."

"Thank you, but I'm not here to ask for help.

If anything, I'm here to offer help to you, praetor."

Your reply took Reyna by surprise.

"Help...me?"

Reyna muttered with surprise in her eyes.

However...you also noticed a glint of hope behind the shock.

"Yeah, I've heard that there was a new rule set up in Camp Jupiter...something about the female Praetor. Am I correct?"

Reyna cleared her throat.

Her cheeks turned a deeper shade as she fumbled with a bowl of jellybeans on the desk.

She popped one into her mouth and absentmindedly chewed on it before answering.

"...I'm not sure how you got the information, but yes, you are right.

The new rule of Camp Jupiter demands that every female praetor of Rome must be in a relationship with a Greek demigod.

I'd assume it's to reinforce the newly created peace treaty between the two factions of demigods..."

"But you have a problem finding one to be in a relationship with."

You said.

Reyna flinched in her seat as if you just stabbed her with a knife.

On second thought, stabbing her with a knife would have drawn less of a reaction from her.

Reyna stayed silent for a long time, looking at you with piercing black eyes, her hands clasped and fingers interlaced in front of her mouth.

"...before I ask how you intend to help me, there is something I must come clean with."

"Then please do. I'm all ears."

You replied casually.

Reyna's jaw tightened behind her hands.

Her eyes darted to the corner, as if she were afraid that the walls were eavesdropping.

After double-checking the entire room with her eyes, Reyna finally spilled the beans.

"I am cursed by Venus that I'd never find love from a demigod."

"Ah, I see."

You nodded slowly.

This must be the curse Aphrodite had been trying to hide from you.

But then again, judging from what little Aphrodite had mentioned about it, the curse didn't seem to be an actual curse with meaningful effects.

"It's more like a prophecy, you know? Since that girl's too strict and whatnot... why would I even ban anyone from finding true love anyway?"

Reyna sighed and closed her eyes.

"So the new rule of Camp Jupiter is quite the dilemma for me.

If I am incapable of keeping a relationship with a Greek demigod, then I should resign myself from the role of praetor in disgrace..."

"...which you'd like to avoid if you can, correct?"

Reyna nodded.

You smirked. This was going to be far too easy to solve, especially with the newest rule you had written down.

"Well, Reyna, as I've said, I'm here to help you. And I know the exact way to break that curse you just mentioned."

In any other circumstances, dropping a bombshell like that would make Reyna skeptical, or cautious at the very least.

However, with the newest rule in effect, Reyna's eyes immediately lit up with hope.

"Really? How is that?"

You grinned.

"By having sex with me."