"Thank you, Mama. Apollo told me the same thing this morning, but I guess I just needed to hear it from you."

"Anytime," the queen replied. She cast a quick glance at the time and gasped. "Oh my. It's already so late! You have to go, Thalia. You're going to be late to get dressed, and this is one time that all of us absolutely have to be on time."

"Sounds strange to hear you saying that," Thalia grinned with mischief as her mother swatted at her. Over the years, her parents had mellowed out to the point where she could see their personalities from before they had become royalty in them again, and she loved that. It was like having the best of both worlds, and it meant that the longing for the past that she always felt had been somewhat subdued. "I'm on my way there now. Aunt Anne said she would come help me get dressed, and I think Kara is going to be there, too."