"Good morning, Princess," Ruby said politely as Weiss stepped out of her bedroom.

"Good morning, Lady Guardian," Weiss replied. "How are you this morning?"

"Quite well, thank you," Ruby replied, giving Weiss a smile.

The two girls walked through the halls of the castle, until they finally arrived at the dining room. Weiss took her seat at the head of the table, and Ruby sat next to the princess.

"I'd like your advice on something, Ruby," Weiss said, as she and Ruby started their meal.

"I'm not sure how much help I'd be, built I'll do my best," Ruby replied.

"What do you think I could do to help me show the people I care for them?" the princess asked.

Ruby thought for a moment. "Perhaps you could go out and like... tour the kingdom, or something?" Ruby said.

"I already do though," Weiss replied. "Indeed, I was going to be going again in several weeks."

"Yeah, but if you go out like... two or three times a week," Ruby replied, "you'll look more like one of the people, and everyone would like you more."

Weiss thought for a moment. "You might have a point," she replied finally. "Let's go later today."

"Are you sure?" Ruby asked.

"Absolutely," Weiss replied, nodding. "If I'm going to be out there more often, we might as well start today."

"Fair enough," Ruby replied with a shrug. "I'll be ready when you are."


"Are you ready?" Ruby asked the princess as they approached the gates of the keep.

Weiss nodded. "Let's go."

Ruby signaled the gate guard, and the castle gate raised, revealing the city of Vale. The two young women walked through and into the streets, as all around them people looked on. As they paced through the streets, everyone knelt down as Weiss passed, and with each person that knelt, Weiss gradually started to feel more uncomfortable. She glanced to Ruby, almost as if to ask for a hint from the silver-eyed guardian.

Ruby leaned in close to Weiss and whispered to her, "Talk to them. Ask them about what's going on, and if you can help."

Weiss looked around and spotted a woman wearing dusty rags leaning standing in an alleyway. She glanced back to Ruby, who nodded once, and walked over.

"Excuse me," Weiss said to the woman, "What is your name?"

"Um... June, Princess," the woman replied.

"Are you okay June?" Weiss asked. "Is there anything I can help with."

"My... My problems are not your responsibility, Princess."

"Please, allow me to help," Weiss said, giving the woman a gentle smile as she handed the woman a small pouch of coins. "Here, this might help."

"Thank you so much, Princess!" The woman said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes and wrapping her in a tight hug. "Sorry," she said, releasing the Princess. "That was-"

"It's fine," Weiss said with a smile as she gently returned the woman's hug. "You clearly need it more than I do."

This continued for several hours, and, with each person she helped, Weiss felt like it was easier to be among the people, her people. Eventually, a young girl with light skin, pink hair, and bright purple eyes ran up to Weiss in tears and tugged on her dress.

"E-excuse me, Princess?" she said. "C...Can you help me?"

Weiss knelt down so she was at eye-level with the girl. "Sure, what can I do for you?"

"I...I can't find my mommy," the girl said, still sobbing slightly. "C...Can you help me find her?"

Weiss glanced back at Ruby, who gave her a small nod. "Sure," she replied, giving the girl a smile.

She took the girl's hand and gently lead her through the streets. Eventually, they found a woman standing alone in the street with some loaves of bread, and the girl ran up to the woman.

"Mommy!" the girl yelled, wrapping the woman in a hug.

"Daisy," the woman said returning the girl's hug. "I'm so glad I-"

"Princess!" a soldier yelled as he and his partner ran up to Weiss and Ruby. "Good, you're okay."

"What's going on?" Weiss asked.

"This woman stool that bread from the royal stores. We were coming to apprehend her," the soldier said.

"Is this true?" Weiss asked, turning to the woman.

The woman looked down in shame. "Yes, Princess," she replied. "I needed food for my daughter, and we couldn't afford to buy any."

Weiss turned to Ruby, who gave a slightly pleading look to her. She thought for a moment before sighing and turning back to the woman. "While I sympathize with your intent, you still committed a crime against the crown," she said. "As a result, their must be some form of that end, I, Princess Weiss Schnee, first in line to the Frozen Throne of Vale, hereby conscript you into the Vale army for a maximum requirement of four years or earlier, if your commanding officer deems it."

"As for your family," she continued, "under Vale law, they will be seen to by caretakers from the kingdom for the duration of your service. You will, of course, be permitted to be with them whenever you are on leave. After the completion of your term of service, should you choose to stay with the army, you will then be eligible to be named an officer and knight of the kingdom of Vale."

The woman wrapped Weiss in a tight hug. "Thank you so much, Princess," she said. "I promise you, you won't regret this. I'll be the best soldier you've ever had!"


"Thank you for the idea to go out there, Ruby," Weiss said as the gates closed behind them.

"Of course, Princess," Ruby replied, smiling.

"How often would you recommend I go out there?" Weiss asked as they approached the doors to the keep.

Ruby thought for a moment.

"I think perhaps twice per week," Ruby said. "And, we should go on different days each week."

"That sounds good," Weiss replied. The two girls walked silently through the halls until they got outside of Weiss' bedroom. "You're free to go, Ruby," she stated. "Thank you very much for your ideas to help show that I care about everyone in the kingdom."

"As you wish, Princess," Ruby replied, smiling. She bowed, and walked away, her brilliant red cloak flowing gently behind her.

She really is quite a wonderful girl, Weiss thought as a small smile formed on her face while Ruby walked around a corner and disappeared from view.


A/N: There's chapter nine, and we're finally starting to get the first hints of White Rose! It's still going to be a few chapters before they actually get together, and there's still going to be some drama afterwards, but it's definitely going to happen soon.

At any rate, as a reply to the guest review for the last chapter: The reason I mentioned Ruby's station as the third in line to the throne was because I wanted to contrast Ruby starting this story as a commoner to becoming one of the most powerful people in Vale.

As always folks, thanks for reading! Up next, chapter 9 of the Path We Walk, so stay tuned for that! Until then, everyone!