A/N: If I told you how much I struggled with this chapter... you all wouldn't believe me.
Thanks for hanging out with me and pushing me to finish writing this chapter Jacklyn Frost! Best e-sister I could ask for! Hahaha.
Staring out towards the moonlit sky, Ozpin couldn't help but feel a bit on edge. Such a contrast by how he usually felt, but tonight things were going to be a little different. Tonight… everything would change.
Feeling a ghost of a smile pass over his face, he brought the still warm mug of imported coffee to his lips before he took a sip. Such luxuries were a rare commodity within the kingdom's walls now, ever since Cinder and her Haven forces had successfully routed almost all trade coming in or out of the city, but Ozpin still made sure what he wanted and needed were still available to him.
After all, he always got what he wanted. And tonight would be no exception.
It had been weeks ever since the winter Ball had taken place but it only felt like days. He has watched as the kingdom deteriorated ever since then as well. Haven forces have been encroaching ever closer to the kingdom and now it seemed as if the civilian populace who once thought Vale as a kingdom safe from war were now rising to a panic. The people demanded answers but neither the King nor Queen would give them one. It only caused tensions to rise even more, especially in the lower districts of the city.
Of course, him being the Head-Councilman, Ozpin had the power to appease the people and offer some form of statement regarding what was going on, but he did no such thing. He received no flak from the remaining councilmembers as well. Of course he wouldn't… After all, all the ones who would have stood up against him had been swiftly dealt with in the past by a pair of renegade sisters. Though there was still the case of Glynda Goodwitch. That woman was going to prove to be a thorn in his side, and she was virtually untouchable; until tonight.
Plans were in motion, promises were made, and now the final act was upon him tonight. He couldn't help but widen his smile as he took another sip of his drink; relishing the unique and bitter taste as he gulped it down and let out a content sigh.
A part of him couldn't believe how easy this was. But another part of him was exhausted by all the backdoor dealings and killings he's had to be a part of. And after tonight a new leader would be in charge of Vale. One that would heed all of his words and ideas.
Tonight was the night that Winter Schnee would assume the role to be his puppet Queen.
And the sooner that manipulated girl was on the throne, the quicker he could set his final pieces into place. No one on the council would vote against the new Queen being crowned and Ozpin already had the girl wrapped around his finger. She'd be able to place all actions and laws that he'd thought up without so much as a suspicious glance. He'd have Cinder call off her army and have a formal peace treaty signed, though he was sure that that woman would give him problems, it was nothing he couldn't talk her out of.
After all, he did it to her father.
He knew that the countless promises he's made during his plan would be expected to be honored, but Ozpin himself had no intention of holding his end of the bargain for most of them. In fact, he's already had his old associate Tukson scout out a new set of hands that would prove to be ever useful in the new days to come.
Twins I think he told me. Real twins this time, and former Vale soldiers.
He already had Tukson send these new girls out to handle loose ends. Though Ozpin hoped that these girls would last longer than the last pair of little "bounty hunters" he used.
His mind flashed towards his old associates, Yang and Ruby, then. The two girls were in Atlas with Weiss Schnee at the moment but he had no idea on when they were coming back. In that regard, he was blind and in the dark. And if there was one thing Ozpin hated… It was being in the dark about something. Especially when it came to Weiss Schnee.
The girl had proven time and time again that she'd be a thorn in his side if she was to remain alive. Especially now that she had both Yang and Ruby alongside of her. As well as Blake, Weiss' sworn bodyguard and Adam's little sister. Those four girls were going to be a major obstacle, he knew. Adam already was asking him if he could bring Blake into the plan to which Ozpin had been holding his answer off on.
With the promise of Adam being able to bring his clan to light with him leading it if he helped Ozpin reform the kingdom, he told the young Belladonna that he'd have to "cleanse" the current elders of his clan. Of course this meant that it would result in most of his clan's deaths as they wouldn't agree with his decision. But Adam continued to clamor that some could be converted.
Ozpin wasn't so sure about that.
But hearing a knock at his door, Ozpin swirled his mug around slightly in his hand before turning towards the entrance to his chambers. He already knew who would be knocking on the door. The final player in his grand scheme of things and the one who'd serve as the scapegoat to the final portion of his plan.
"Enter." He called out towards his door.
Without missing a beat, General Cardin Winchester entered the room, slamming the door shut much too loudly. The gesture only caused the older man to frown in disgust but he said nothing, only watching as the former General entered with a slight swagger in his step. It only took the councilman a moment to realize that Cardin was in fact drunk.
Noticing this only caused him to grin wickedly.
He's making this too easy.
Cardin shuffled towards one of the many empty chairs within Ozpin's chambers before unceremoniously plopping down onto it. Dressed in what looked like casualwear, Ozpin could see that his shirt was stained and his hair was shaggy. That and the stench of alcohol was pungent, almost as if he had spent the entirety of the day drowning himself in whiskey. But it mattered not to him, in fact this would only prove to help play into his hand.
"So whattya wan' wit me anyway?" Cardin asked, as if his tongue was seemingly unable to enunciate his words correctly.
Slowly walking to the chair adjacent to the drunkard, Ozpin took a seat before politely smiling towards him.
"Good evening, General." He started with a smirk. "I just wanted to see how you're adjusting to life within the walls of the kingdom. It can be quite… overwhelming."
Empty. The halls were empty again.
It shouldn't have come to a surprise to Adam Belladonna; after all, it was quite late at the moment tonight. There wasn't an honest soul stalking through these hallways this late.
Though with every step that brought him closer to his King's room, Adam felt a twinge of anxiety in his chest. In all of his years of training and learning, he was never one to ever doubt himself or his beliefs, but tonight was different.
He was on his way to kill the King and Queen of Vale.
As the thought flashed in his mind, he almost turned around then and there to talk to Ozpin about this plan, but he knew it'd be hopeless. They'd gone over it for months and things were only getting worse. He knew that they had to be dealt with. It was the only way for Vale to move on as a country now. That and his clan.
His clan.
He liked the way that sounded.
It wouldn't be long now. After news of the King and Queen's deaths were heard tonight and the chaos that would ensue, the plan was for him to slip away and deal with his clan elders as well. Though Ozpin had voiced his concerns… multiple times regarding the notion to spare some of his family, Adam believed that some could be turned. The old ways of the Belladonnas would only doom his clan to an existence of solitude and hiding. He didn't want that. They should be as much a part of Vale as any other of the great families.
He wanted recognition. He wanted fame.
He wanted freedom.
The promises of being made into the clan's sole leader after certain things were met tonight appealed to Adam, so much so that… he was willing to accept the sickly sweet words that Ozpin had told him all the months ago.
Though as he continued to shuffle through the halls towards his destination, Adam couldn't help but agree with some of the things the older man had told him. Gone were the days of King Schnee's firm and fair ruling. Ever since his daughter, Weiss', assassination attempt, the man had grown distant and feeble. Locking himself away within his chambers in fear of being murdered by some non-existent killer, the man hadn't publicly shown his face ever since the winter's Ball. That and he forbid the Queen of her usual hands-on approach of helping the poorer people of the city.
Without a king to lead them, the council had almost gone into frenzy, Ozpin had told him. But the man kept them under control. He knew legally that the council could vote to remove the King from power but that it would take too much time. He needed a faster way. Vale needed a faster way.
If they were going to survive this doomed war against Haven, they needed a capable leader. Not someone who would hide and cower at the first signs of trouble.
Under Ozpin's guidance, Winter Schnee would take the throne and do what was necessary to ensure that Vale would survive as a country once more. And his clan would be a part of it this time. Not from the shadows holed up in some tiny alcove away from the eyes of everyone.
No.
They'd be in the center of it all. With him at the helm.
Rounding the last corner which would lead towards the royal family's personal chambers, Adam sucked in a shaky breath before silently saying a prayer in his head. Though this would be his last mission from the shadows, it didn't make it any easier. He was about to assassinate the very people he was sworn to protect. He was committing the highest form of treason. But if it was for the betterment of the land would it still be considered treason then?
Shaking his doubts away, he steeled himself for what was to come.
Stepping out of the shadows of the hall, he walked purposefully towards the large white doors that would lead to the chambers of the King. There were no guards or servants present, as the king would have dismissed them away as he did to Adam ever so frequently. No longer trusting of anyone it seemed.
Not even bothering to hide his presence, Adam strolled straight towards the large oaken door before coming to a halt. Not a moment before he was about to reach out to knock on it did it open to reveal a familiar face staring back at him.
"Tactician Glynda." Adam muttered in greeting, subtly bowing his head towards the woman and close friend of the King.
Though King Schnee dismissed most others from his presence nowadays, it seemed as if Glynda was an exception to the rule.
The blonde woman regarded him with tired green eyes. Her usually well-kept blonde hair looked disheveled as if she hadn't had a good night's rest in days, but the woman's ever stern expression was present on her face.
"Adam." She spoke before shutting the door behind her close. "How can I help you?"
Thinking on his feet and not wanting to risk seeming suspicious, he adopted a polite posture and smiled as best as he could.
"Nothing at all." He replied casually. "I was just hoping to check up on both the King and Queen tonight to see if all is well. He's been rather distant as of late."
Technically not a lie and he knew that even though the King continued to shirk him away from his duties, he was still technically in charge of his wellbeing.
He watched Glynda's face darken at that and for a moment Adam thought that she had seen through his ruse. Ever so slowly did he reach behind his back towards his dagger, but the woman sighed then. Shutting her eyes and bringing a hand to her eyes to rub them, Tactician Glynda smiled humorlessly.
"Distant? That's quite the understatement." She finally answered in a low voice. "The man has become a shut-in, fearful of shadows that aren't there."
Reopening her eyes and staring right into Adam's own, it felt as if she were peering into his soul then.
"I know you haven't been around him much Adam, but he really does think of you as a friend. I've tried to talk to him but…" She trailed on before the woman seemed to think better of finishing.
Shaking her head solemnly, she prepared to walk past him and leave but she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Talk to him. Maybe you can ease his mind."
The words hit him like a hammer, clouding his mind in what he was about to do. He felt the cold sweat trickle down his brow and before he knew it he was leaning against the wall, holding himself up. He turned to look towards Glynda but the woman seemed to have already walked off; leaving him alone in the hallway.
Flashing his eyes towards the closed door of the rulers of Vale, memories flashed in his head. Days of when he was first appointed to be the bodyguard of the royal family, his first mission, the pride he felt not just for himself but for his clan.
Blake.
An image of his sister took place in his mind then. He knew that she'd disapprove of what he was about to do, but he knew if he told her what was really happening that she would side with him. Unfortunately for Blake though, she was protecting Weiss. Adam wasn't quite sure what Ozpin's plans were for the other Schnee sister but he knew that Ozpin had a plan for the majority of the royal hierarch of the Schnee family still within the castle walls. All he knew was that he didn't want Blake to be caught in the crossfire of it all. He could convince her to join him, to lead with him. He just needed to explain to her first.
But none of that mattered if he didn't go through with his task.
With a shaky hand and mixed thoughts, Adam Belladonna gripped the knob that would lead into his King and Queen's chambers…
Shutting the door to her room, Glynda collapsed onto the large velvet couch that sat between the many bookcases lining the walls. She was exhausted. After another night of trying to speak to the King, her old friend, it was met with naught. The man was obviously delusional about hidden agendas and spies already within the castle. She couldn't believe the extent to how paranoid the man had become; locking himself and his wife, the Queen, within the innermost sanctum of the castle.
The people were clamoring for answers and with the reports that Glynda has been getting from the scouts in the field, Vale was in major trouble. Haven would be upon them within the month if nothing was done. With Cardin's forces brought back to the castle, Weiss' forces split three different ways with the General in Atlas, and Pyrrha currently missing-in-action, Glynda was at her wit's end.
"Times like this, I wish you were here Port." She whispered to herself.
She missed the old Naval Commander. Port was another person that she considered a good friend and was one of the few people she could have an intelligent conversation with. When her mind was clouded with thoughts, she'd usually seek him out and he always found a way to make her smile. But he was assisting Weiss with her mission to Atlas now.
Weiss
If the elder Schnee daughter was here, Glynda was sure that she'd get her father to stop overreacting. But the girl was off being a General. In another land.
Stifling a yawn, the blonde tactician kicked her boots off from where she lay and stared out the large glass window in her chambers. It was snowing now, albeit lightly. It made her think on if this would be the last month that Vale would be standing as a nation ruled by one of its own. Haven was soon going to be upon them and even with the combined forces left here in the kingdom, they wouldn't be able to fend off a siege.
Sure they had the manpower; Cardin's forces… or what was left of them, a token force of Weiss' Order who were left here, and the Royal Guard who were also present; but Haven had already decimated trade routes that were bringing much needed supplies and food to the kingdom. The outlaying farmlands were being raided and looted which meant that if Haven's leader was smart, all they had to do was wait them out. Vale would be starved out within weeks.
She wished the King would have listened to her earlier, back when she was receiving odd reports of troop movements on the border of the other nation. But ever the optimist, King Schnee passed it off as nothing at the time.
If only he had heeded my warnings… We wouldn't be in this predicament.
And Head-Councilman Ozpin didn't seem to be helping make matters any better. The man and his oddly much smaller council now were silent. They issued no statements to the people or have even made any motions to succeed power away from the King to take charge. It was quite odd to her, though she wasn't very close to the man. He reminded her of a snake; always waiting to strike.
"Maybe I'll talk to him tomorrow… He does have some power to make a change." She uttered to herself, but already the tendrils of drowsiness were gripping her mind.
Basked in the darkness of her room with the softness of the couch beneath her, the blonde woman started to fall asleep. Her last thoughts falling to Adam. She hoped the young Faunus was able to talk some sense into the King, though he looked slightly unsure of something.
…
…
…
What?... A Knock?
Fatigue still lingered in the woman's mind as she opened her eyes groggily. She could hear the sound of someone knocking on her door loudly. In fact, she'd chalk it up to that they were banging on it.
Pushing herself up off the couch she was on, Glynda turned towards the window to see that the snow had picked up tremendously. All she saw was white now.
Though over the banging on her door and the howling gusts of wind outside, she heard another sound that she hadn't heard since the winter's Ball.
The kingdom's alarm bells were tolling.
Feeling a shiver travel down her entire body, she pushed herself up and made her way towards her desk that sat in the middle of the room, but a sudden crash at the door gave her pause. Turning to look at the noise, Glynda Goodwitch was faced with two armed Vale guardsmen who had their weapons drawn and aimed right at her face before she could so much as blink.
But behind them walked a familiar man who she recognized anywhere. With his white hair and malicious smile, Ozpin sauntered forward from behind the soldiers.
"W- What the hell is the meaning of this?" She demanded loudly, but her mind was still foggy from being woken up so abruptly that she didn't even think to reach for her weapon which was close by.
She watched Ozpin's smile fade then before he pointed an accusing finger towards her.
"Glynda Goodwitch, you are hereby sentenced to death in the aiding of the assassination of both the King and Queen of Vale."
Glynda felt her breath hitch in her throat at the words, but she couldn't move an inch. She wasn't even sure she heard him right, but once she felt her hands being bound behind her with a rope, she shook her head.
"W- What?"
She turned to look at Ozpin as the man only regarded her with disdain then. She felt the guardsmen behind her push her forward but she stood her ground to look at the man who must have planned all this.
"I didn't aid in the killing of…-" She paused.
When I was leaving his chambers… Adam was there.
Feeling herself be shoved forward again, she finally saw it now. Why Ozpin and his council weren't doing anything, why he was doting on Winter so much, why he waited until now to strike…
"You bastard!" She spat towards him "You-… You planned this?!"
She could scarcely believe it. She knew the man was a snake but she never knew that his ultimate goal was to commit treason! The cold realization of knowing that her King and Queen were killed, by his hands of course only made her feel as if she had failed miserably in her duties. She should have seen this coming, the signs were all there. She just didn't pay attention to them, what with the war with Haven going on.
Powerless to struggle against the guards who held her binding behind her, Glynda reluctantly continued being led down the hallway. Now the usual bare halls were busy with activity. Guards and knights patrolled with a few nobles popping their heads out of their chambers with tired but prying eyes. Though when they saw her being led in binds, Glynda was too ashamed to hold eye contact for long.
"What's going on here?!"
All eyes turned towards a very confused looking Winter as the girl stormed the hallway still dressed in her blue nightgown. She was followed by a handful of servants and other confused looking noblewomen but just as the girl was about to pass Glynda, Winter turned her eyes towards the older woman and gave her a confused look.
"Princess Winter!"
Though she couldn't see him from where she was being held, Glynda knew that that voice belonged to Ozpin.
"My dear Princess, I don't know how to tell you this but…" She heard the man continue in a mock hurt tone.
She couldn't believe that he could act this well. If she didn't know any better she herself would almost have been convinced.
"What is it Ozpin?" Winter asked as she turned her eyes away from Glynda. "Why are the kingdom's bells tolling? And why is Glynda bound?"
She could feel the delight radiate off the man before she even heard him speak.
"Your parents… The King and Queen." Ozpin started before pausing. "They've been assassinated."
Glynda continued looking towards Winter as the color from her face seemed to drain at his words. A collective gasp was heard through the entire hall from everyone who had heard him but Glynda shook her head. She tested the restraints to no avail but she couldn't let this happen. She couldn't let Ozpin win like this.
Winter turned her cold blue eyes towards her then and Glynda could see unfell tears in them.
"D… Dead?" Winter squeaked. "By whom?"
"By the former General of The Wings of Vengeance, Cardin Winchester." Ozpin answered loudly before the man walked into Glynda's field of view to her left. "Aided by none other than the tactician and close friend of the King… Glynda Goodwitch!"
Everyone turned towards her now as the blonde woman burned up with anger at the audacity of Ozpin. She fought against her restraints once more to lunge at him, but the soldiers who held her stopped her in her tracks.
"Look at how she attempts to attack me while I speak the truth!" He clamored before walking to Winter's side.
Barely able to even control her breathing now, Glynda peered into Winter's eyes but saw a muted anger there as she stared back at her. She could already tell that she had made her decision but still… She had to try.
"I didn't do it Winter, it's a lie!" She cried out. "Ozpin is lying to you! To all of you! HE'S the one who betrayed your King!"
She turned to look at the people now gathered in the hall but it was as if her words fell on deaf ears. A collective cry was heard then and it caused Tactician Goodwitch's stomach to drop when she heard it.
"Hang her!"
"Hang the traitors!"
She felt her mouth fall open as a tear ran down her cheek. It almost felt like some kind of nightmare, it was all just too surreal. How this even happened she had no idea. She continued to glance around at her would be judgers but when she spotted Winter walking towards her, all Glynda could do was utter one word towards the Princess.
"Please…"
The girl's hand moved so quick that she didn't even notice it. Winter slapped her, hard. So much so that she was sure she tasted the coppery tang of blood in her mouth. But what hurt more to her was knowing that she was innocent. To know that Ozpin had planned this and was about to get away with it was almost too much to bear. She could already feel something rising from the pit of her stomach but she tried her best to swallow it back down.
"Guards, take her to the cells along with that traitor Winchester." Ozpin barked.
Feeling herself being shoved forward once more, Glynda cast one last look at Winter's eyes which burned with hatred before she turned her downcast gaze towards Ozpin. The man didn't even look at her but he spoke to Winter as she passed them by.
"A good thing that Adam and I were there to stop them before they both could wreak even more havoc on the kingdom. But a shame that we couldn't save the King and Queen… Who would have thought that these two people would commit such treason… but the people need a leader now more than ever… My Queen Winter."
Being led around a corner now and down the halls, Glynda could barely focus now. The tears in her eyes caused her vision to be blurry but it was all this new information that filled her mind that gave her pause. Here she was the most brilliant tactician in all of Vale; duped and framed by one of her own. She had been too complacent in her duties. And though it pained her to admit it, Ozpin had outmaneuvered her. She could only wonder as to what the man's true agenda was though.
She knew he wanted the younger Schnee on the throne, though the girl would honestly make a terrible ruler. She was materialistic and easily manipulated…
There.
He wanted a puppet ruler… But why? What benefit would that grant him? Especially with the war with Haven going on…? Though hearing that Cardin Winchester was being brought up on the same charges as her made her wonder why.
She could only wonder how Weiss would react to this. Obviously she would see that this wasn't true…
Weiss!
Thinking of the older Schnee daughter caused the blonde woman to figure out why Ozpin chose to act now. He knew while Weiss was in the castle that none of this would have taken place. He'd have to have taken her out as well. And now that she wasn't even in the country at the moment, she couldn't rush to the Kingdom once she'd heard the news until it was too late…
She had to get word to Weiss somehow about what has happened.
But she knew that her chances of escaping were slim to none. Once more testing the bindings at her hands, the tactician couldn't think her way out of this one. Her only choice was to wait…
"Who's there?"
Glancing up at the guards' voice sounding behind her, Goodwitch turned her eyes upwards and spotted a lone figure standing in the middle of the hallway.
Though her eyesight was still slightly blurred, she could tell that the person wasn't very tall but they remained where they were, much to her guards' chagrin.
"Answer us!" One of the men shouted, but his cry was cut short.
She barely saw it.
A dagger flew right past her face and hit one of the guards who was behind her.
"Intrud- urk!"
She watched the figure throw another dagger at the last guard before she heard the man drop to the floor behind her in a metallic heap. Now standing alone with this mysterious person, Glynda almost thought that she was going to die next, but when the black cloaked figure walked forward into one of the many windows that cast light into the halls, she felt her eyes widen.
"You… You're one of…" Glynda started as she stared at the extremely young girl who made her way towards her quickly.
"Hold still." Was all her would-be savior uttered as Glynda felt the bindings at her hands loosen and fall off.
Turning to face the girl again, Glynda blanched. "Who… Why…?" Was all she could utter dumbly as she stared into golden eyes that regarded her indifferently.
"I know you didn't do it." Was all the shorter girl uttered. She couldn't have been more than eleven years old Glynda noticed.
With her shoulder length ebon hair, the cat ears that portrayed her Faunus heritage, and the black leather armor she wore… this girl was obviously a Belladonna, but Glynda had never seen her before. She knew that the Belladonna clan kept to themselves until they were requested but she had never seen one so young.
Realizing that the girl stared back at her causally, all Glynda could do was nod her head slowly and look around. The halls were empty and she noticed that they were actually close to the lower levels of the castle.
"It was Ozpin!" She hissed towards the Belladonna girl. "It was him and I think Ad-" She started, but the girl held up a hand to stop her.
"I already know." She answered with an almost lifeless tone. "I overheard them speaking earlier today."
Glynda was too much in shock to even ask the girl why she didn't tell anyone but thought better of it. She quickly picked up one of the guards' swords and tested the blade in her hand. She hadn't felt the weight of a blade in a long time but she still remembered how to use one.
"I- I have to get out of the city." She stammered as she started to make her way down the hallway. She wasn't sure how long until someone would find these bodies and realized that she had escaped. "I have to find Weiss and let her know what happened." She added before she glanced back at the short black haired girl.
"I will lead you out of the city, but I must remain in the Kingdom for now." The ebon haired Faunus announced.
The blonde woman stared back at the girl dumbly but wasn't in the mood to argue. She had to get out now. This child had done enough for her already.
"Lead on then."
She watched the girl nod her head before peering into the dark halls and breaking into a light jog. Glynda fell in step behind her, but one thing itched in her mind as to who this girl was. She bore a striking resemblance to Weiss' bodyguard Blake. To the fact that she was sure that they were closely related somehow.
As she followed the girl behind one of the many walls within the halls as they stuck to the shadows, she had to ask.
"What's your name, child?"
She watched as the girl turned to look at her, glowing golden eyes focused as her Faunus vision let her see in the dark before she answered with perhaps the first bit of emotion she had used tonight.
"Kateia Belladonna." She answered with a slight smirk.
