So this is the first time I've posted anything in like 2 years... Yeah... been while. Been working on my writing and sorting out life and blah blah blah. I think this is a massive improvement in quality to my previous works. Anyway, this story will be updated weekly, on saturdays, at some point during the day (Though probably early mornings). Also, I've decided to set up a p-a-t-r-e-o-n for those that wish to support my writing and gain some awesome benefits while doing so (like ya know, early chapters as an example. CHapter 2 is already up for supporters) So please feel free to check it out! To do so got to p-a-t-r-e-o-n dot c-o-m/Nordik
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Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, and second year Beacon Academy student. Well, would be second year Beacon Academy student if there was a Beacon Academy still in operation. Currently however, there is not, due to the attack by the White Fang and following Grimm invasion. Currently the princess, as her teammates deemed her, was sitting alone in her room at the Schnee Manor in Atlas. Though if you asked her it was more of a prison than anything.
It was early in the morning and Weiss had just woken from a nightmare about the events that occurred a couple months prior. She was struggling to get some of the images out of her head. Those of Yang's missing arm, an unconscious Ruby, and a shattered JNPR. Before she could dwell on those cursed images further there was a knock at her door. She got out of bed and answered the door to find her favorite person in probably all of Atlas, Klein.
"Good morning, Klein." She stated, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and dried tears from her face.
"And a good morning to you Ms. Weiss. Breakfast will be ready shortly. Mr. Schnee will be joining you for the meal as there are some things that he wishes to speak to you about."
Weiss grimaced. "Very well. Thank you, Klein."
Klein gave the short woman a small smile. "May I come in for a moment?" He asked in a hushed tone.
There was a brief moment of surprise that cross the heiresses face before she stepped aside and allowed the butler to enter. Weiss closed the door behind him and moved to sit back on her bed.
"I don't mean to intrude or cross any lines, so please tell me if I'm doing so. But are you alright? You seem a bit… down."
Weiss gave him a small smile, to alleviate any worries he had about crossing any lines, but it quickly fell away. "I'm…" She started before letting out a sigh. "Honestly Klein, no, I'm really not." A lone tear made its way down her face.
Klein moved over to the heiress's bed and sat next to her. "You can talk to me, Ms. Weiss. What we speak about in this room, behind closed doors, will always stay between us. There is nothing your father can do or say to me that would warrant a betrayal of that trust."
Weiss gave him another smile, this one holding more emotion, some of that happiness knowing that there was at least someone here she knew she could trust. Before she could respond, the thoughts of her reoccurring nightmares once again came back and the only thing she could do was to cry her sorrow out.
Around her family and those they associated with, she wasn't allowed to show such emotions. But here, alone with someone she trusted, all of her walls and facades just fell away. So, the heiress cried as Klein pulled her into a hug and just let her cry her pain away.
They sat like that for almost twenty minutes. The tears had long since run out, but Weiss found a comfort being held by the only person in the manor who cared for her. "Ms. Weiss." Klein stated quietly as to not startle the woman. "You should get cleaned up. Your father wouldn't take to kindly to you being late."
Weiss sat up and nodded in agreement. She let out a sigh before standing up. "Thank you again, Klein. That helped more than you know."
"Of course, Ms. Weiss. Please let me know if there's ever anything I can do to help further. But if you'll excuse me, there are some other things I have to take care of."
Weiss just nodded at the butler as her took his leave. Guess I better get going. Klein was correct about father not tolerating tardiness.
Shortly thereafter Weiss was seated across from her father at the table as the butlers started bringing the breakfast out. No words outside of the morning greeting had been shared between the two of them yet. Once the food lay before both of the Schnee's and the butlers had cleared out of the room, Mr. Schnee cleared his throat to get his daughters attention.
Weiss looked up, her face neutral as to not betray her nerves or anger towards the man before her. "It's been while since we've sat down together like this, hasn't it?"
The question caught Weiss completely off guard. She was expecting some life altering announcement like the last time the two of them sat down together. Though that possibility isn't completely off the table, this was a different start. "Indeed, it has father. Though if I may ask, is there a reason you wanted to eat with me?"
"Is there something wrong with wanting to share a meal with my daughter?"
In any other circumstance, with a normal family, or well, one that didn't include Jacques Schnee, the answer would have been no. But this wasn't that case. The man before Weiss always had a motive behind everything he did. "No, I suppose there isn't." Weiss lied, a desperate need to keep her façade up.
"Good. Now please, eat. You shouldn't let the food get cold." Mr. Schnee started to do as he had asked his daughter to do. The two Schnee's ate in silence for a few minutes before Jacques spoke up once again. "Weiss, dear. There's something I wish to ask you."
This whole scenario was just odd to Weiss. Her father never asked permission before saying anything, question or otherwise. He was being weirdly kind too. Everything about what was happening was just increasing the girls nerves tenfold. "Very well, what is it father?"
"Tomorrow evening there is going to be a party thrown by the company. I would appreciate it if you came." A small smile graced his lips as he stated his request.
This morning just kept getting weirder and weirder. This was beyond uncharacteristic for the man. Weiss thought for a moment before answering. She couldn't tell if there was a hidden meaning behind his words. A thought crossed her mind, since her father was seeming so kind, she decided to test him a little, to see how genuine this kindness was. "Before I answer that, I have a question about this party."
"Very well." The smile never left his face, but again, it seemed to be genuine, his eyes oddly warm.
"Is now really the best time for an event such as this, father?" Weiss asked, her mask cracking a little with a slightest bit of a scowl coming on.
"I don't follow your line of thinking, explain if you would." He responded, his tone that of curiosity.
"If you recall, one of kingdoms was just attacked, Beacon fell, and what people saw was Atlas military seemingly involved with that attack. While I was there and know it was due to extenuating circumstances, most people don't know that due to the shut down of the CCT network. How I see it is that we should be spending out time and resources helping to repair the Atlesian relationship with the other kingdoms." Weiss' expression had taken on the full scowl that started to show moments before.
Jacques chuckled a little, seemingly more to a thought he had rather than to what his daughter had just said. "I see. Then another question, if it were you in my place, what would you do?"
Weiss was starting to lose count on how many surprises her father was throwing at her. Who was this man before her, there's no way this was the Jacques Schnee, current head of the Schnee Dust Corporation, and her father. This wasn't making any sense to her. But, given the massively unexpected change in demeanor, Weiss decided to push even more, to truly test if this was just a farce or if he was being genuine. "We have vastly different opinions on how the company should be ran, so why is that you are asking my opinion on this matter?"
"You are the heiress of this company, and you will run it one day. Whether that day will be soon or far off is yet to be seen, however, I am curious as to what insight the to be head of the company has regarding this matter. Let me be clear on one thing however." His face took on a more serious appearance, one Weiss was far more used to. Though it was still different than his usual cold and calculating expression. "Just because you suggested it, does not mean it will be done, but I am curious nonetheless."
"Very well, father." Weiss looked down at the table before closing her eyes to take a moment to collect her thoughts on the matter. If there was even the slightest chance that he would ever listen to something she suggested, it seemed it would be now. She couldn't waste this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference. She looked back up at her father, his expression returning to the warm smile that was still very alien to her.
"If it were me in charge of this event, I would invite the emissaries from Vale, and the other kingdoms first and foremost, as a gesture of goodwill. While I know the company isn't officially affiliated with the government, I know its influence reaches them far more than I would think it should, but that's a topic I would rather not discuss at this time. Furthermore, I would invite team FNKI and General Ironwood as well. They were there during the attack on Beacon and helped defend the school."
Jacques nodded at his daughter. "I think I see where you are going with this, but please continue, if just to confirm my suspicion."
"I, along with team FNKI, and Ironwood if he's willing, will speak on the events that occurred at Beacon during the Vytal Festival. With the emissaries of the other kingdoms present, they will learn from firsthand accounts of what really happened that day, thus hopefully dissipating much of the mistrust placed in Atlas due to its suspected involvement in Beacons fall."
"That's not the worst idea I've heard. It could potentially remove the trade embargo placed on Atlas." Jacques responded thoughtfully, more to himself than to Weiss. After a moment of thought, he looked back to Weiss. "Very well, Weiss. However, I have a condition for you to meet if I am to follow your plan."
Weiss' anxiety spiked. "What is it, father?"
"As you've just proven to me, you are a brilliant young woman. I truly do believe that you have the potential to take over this company. However, I still feel there is much for you to learn about the intricacies of running a business, though that's to be expected of someone your age. My condition is that you resume academics on running the business."
To say Weiss didn't see something like this coming would be a bit of an understatement. Though the compliment that preceded the request was beyond unexpected, though she supposed it wasn't unwarranted. "I have my own condition to that, if I may propose it." Today was a day of nothing but surprises and words she never thought she would hear from Jacques or say to him for that matter.
"I'm listening."
"I will resume seeking the knowledge to run the company, however I wish to do it my way."
"What do you mean by 'your way'?" His expression had fallen back to that of neutrality. He was getting serious, which was never a good thing in the past, but with how he's been acting, Weiss wasn't sure what to even think on the matter anymore.
"If I'm going to resume pursuing the knowledge to run this company, I want to seek it on my own. I wish to find who teaches me." Weiss mirrored her father's expression to show that this wouldn't be something she would back down on.
"Tell me why you are against those that I would pick for you."
Weiss sighed, a hint of worry creeping into her expression. She was trying to the best of her ability to keep such emotions hidden. This was it though. Her next statement would be the ultimate test for her father's current demeanor and sudden change in attitude. "I don't trust those that you would pick for me. In the past they have shared your outlook on how things should be run, and I don't agree with it. If I'm going to take over the company, I'm going to do it my way, without the influence of how you think it should be run."
Jacques gave a small chuckle which slowly evolved into a hearty laugh. Weiss couldn't remember the last time she saw her father laugh with such emotion. He would smirk when things were going his way or give a fake laugh from time to time at events or with company. But never this. This was new, and Weiss didn't know how to respond to it. "Very well, daughter. You really have grown up, haven't you?" The smile he gave was as genuine as his laugh seemed.
"I… suppose I have. Father, if I may be so bold, there's a question I would like for you to answer."
"Before that, while I accept your conditions, do know that I will be following your progress closely. Though as it seems your purpose is to keep my ideals out of your education, I will respect that, however that does not mean I won't be looking into your selections to confirm they are qualified to teach you."
"I understand." There was nothing else Weiss could say to that. There would be no way around this, especially with her father's reach.
"Now, with you question, what is it, dear daughter?"
"You seem… different. Not that I'm against the change, it's actually quite nice, but I wish to know why." Weiss barely managed to get her question out without stuttering. She let out a shaky breath as quietly as she could, hopefully the man before her wouldn't notice.
"Let me answer your question with another question." Jacques took a moment prepare himself for the conversation that loomed. For the first time in a great many years, he felt something he was not fond of. He was nervous, even if just a little. "Weiss dear." He exhaled, and then inhaled once again, "What do you know of your mother?"
"My… mother?" Ever ounce of worry and every bit of anxiety shattered at the mention of the woman she could barely remember. Jacques never spoke of her mother. In the past, every question she had ever had about the woman was always shut down and as a result, her father usually yelling.
"Yes, dear, your mother."
"All… All I know is that her name was Eis, and that she was the daughter of my grandfather, who started the company. Beyond that, I… I don't know anything. You've never told me."
Jacques looked down at the table, "I apologize for that Weiss. But I believe it's time I told you about her."
The last thing Weiss had ever expected from her father, well the last two things, both in one sentence. Weiss was just baffled. Not only had her father apologized for the first time in her entire life, but he was also willing to speak about her mother. Weiss was becoming very skeptical of the whole situation. This had to be a dream, right? Her father being nice and speaking of Eis without screaming. There's just no way this could really be happening. All Weiss could manage to do was nod at her father, who still had yet to look back up at her.
"Father…?" Weiss started before Jacques looked back at his daughter.
"A long time ago, back when Nicholas, your grandfather, was ready to give up his position in the company, I had just married your mother. While Eis was the heiress to the company, as you are now, she decided that she wanted the company to be run by both of us. Her reasoning was 'two minds think better than one ever could.'" He laughed a bit at the memory, with a ghost of a smile on his face. It's as if the memories brought him joy, but also a great sadness as well.
"At the time we were still in our younger years, mid-twenties I believe. We ran the company successfully like that for many years, almost a decade. Then your mother got pregnant with Winter. Once Winter was born, she stepped down and left me to lead the company while she cared for your sister. Not much changed in that time, I ran the company by myself, though still seeking her advice from time to time. Things were good, until shortly after your brother, Whitley, was born."
As the story progressed his smile continued to falter until he fell back to the neutral expression Weiss was used to. "Shortly after Whitley was born, a… situation in Mistral came up regarding the company. I asked Eis if she would be willing to take the trip to handle it for there was a substantial amount of work that required my attention here in Atlas."
"What happened?" Weiss asked, her question full of emotion she didn't intend to show. This side of her father was weirder than the previous. One of sadness and remorse.
"She never came back." Jacques didn't raise his voice. In fact, it was quite the opposite. His voice had fallen. It was loud enough for Weiss to hear but, was far quieter than his previous tone, but full of a sadness Weiss had never heard present before.
"What… What happened to her?" Weiss mentally cursed herself for the stutter.
"For a very long time, I didn't know. It's why I never spoke of her. I never had the answers you kids were looking for, so I refused to talk about it." Jacques took a breath. "However, recently, I found something. Something I wish I had found twelve years ago." Jacques reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an opened envelope and extended it to his daughter. "I think you should read it yourself."
Weiss looked at the item extended to her. She took a deep breath before tentatively taking the envelope. "Weiss dear, I'm going to excuse myself while you read that. Come find me after you're done if you wish to speak about it."
"I will. Thank you, father, for telling me."
Jacques stood up from the table. Before leaving the room, he walked around to Weiss who was just staring at the envelope that rested in her hands. He placed a hand on her shoulder causing her to jump a little at the soft contact. "Weiss… I want you to know that I do love you. I know I've never been able to show it to you properly. I hope you can find room in your heart to forgive me." He removed his hand and started to make his way to the door.
Weiss stood up and looked to him just as his hand reached for the door. "Wait, father." He looked back to her, his hand to on the door handle. Weiss made her way over to him without saying a word and embraced him.
It took Jacques a few moments to get over the shock of the physical contact he never expected to receive from his daughter. He knew how his children felt about him. There was no way he didn't. He knew that Winter left the join the military because he pushed his agenda on her. He knew Weiss held a large amount of disdain for the man for the same reason, but here she was, seemingly accepting him once again. After the shock subsided, he returned the tender embrace with his daughter. "Thank you, Weiss. I needed that."
"Of course, father." Weiss released her father and he left the room. She once again looked to the envelope in her hands and decided the best place to read it would be her room where she hopefully wouldn't be disturbed.
Weiss left the dining room, thinking back on the events that had just occurred. Father was being…nice. I never thought I would see the day. I suppose it makes sense that mother has something to do with it. Still, what could she have written so long ago that would cause the man who has countless times tried to control my life, change completely and so suddenly. It doesn't make sense. Weiss entered her room, closed the door and made her way to sit on her bed.
Well I guess the only way I'm going to get the answers I want is by reading this. Weiss once again looked down at the envelope. She gulped before opening it and taking out the letter within.