Chapter 14
(Blake POV)

One year until marriage, three hundred and sixty-three days remain…

I am dressed in a pair of combat leathers. These were bequeathed to me by my father the day I returned from the border conflict in Vacuo. They are black, the darkest ink staining them. They look like the deepest part of night. Armed to the teeth, I hope to stand in front of Vale's greatest king and make my request. I hope to appeal to his nature, wishing that my strength will be enough. My hair is combed and schooled behind my back like a waterfall, not a single one out of place. After I have been announced, I take a deep breath and enter the throne room.

My steps take me to the edge of the staircase. Looking up, I see the man who governs Vale. King Ozma sits on a wooden throne. Carved from the great trees in the nearby forest and decorated in the finest purple silks that money can buy. The one color that is shared by all kingdom, purple is the noblest shroud. I kneel down before him, head bowed in reverence. "King Ozma, it's a pleasure to see you again." I say to him, not daring to lift my gaze until I've been invited to.

"The pleasure is all mine, Blake." He says invitingly, it is all the indication I need to know that he has welcomed me. "What brings you here so early?"

Slowly I stand. The throne beside his, left empty. Queen Salem has other tasks she tends to when guests arrive. I am lucky that the king didn't have other plans. If he did, I might have been out of luck. "As you know, the time has come for me to take a mate. I have set my sights on the Atlesian princess, Weiss Schnee. She has expressed a return interest, but, as it stands, I do not have Queen Winter's blessing."

"Ah." He says, his lips quirking upward as if amused. "And what is it that you would like me to do about it?"

"To be granted more land for a kingdom of my own, and the recognition of status equal to yours." It isn't a small request and I can see his brow furrow after my words hit his ears. "Queen Winter will only consider my request if I am worthy of the title. This means I must gather the acceptance from all four kingdoms. Without your blessing and support, she will not give me a chance to court the atlesian princess properly."

"I do hope that marriage is not your only goal…"

Selfishly, it is, and I realize that my own desires will not be enough in this. "Faunus have been denied a kingdom of our own for too long. My father made this request several times over the years, and you've always supported his endeavor. As his only child, that legacy must fall onto me."

"Your father is alive and well, it does not need to happen so soon."

"I respectfully disagree." I sigh. "King Ozma, I ask you to consider this. What good is it for my father to preside as Chieftain over the largest Faunus safe-hold, if his word means nothing to the other kingdoms? Vale has a luxury of choice, and within that, longevity. The rest of us do not have that gift. I beg you to consider once more the plight of the Faunus. We need a kingdom, and there is no question of that."

"Your father has the trust of many, but even he could not sway the kingdoms to his side." Ozma said then, leaning forward upon his throne. "You're still young. Wet behind the ears and lacking experience. What makes you believe that you could do what he could not?"

"It isn't a matter of belief, your highness." I say, hands clenching into fists at my sides. How do I make him understand? "It is a matter of trust."

"Indeed." He replies, tenting his fingers upon his lap thoughtfully. "Trust is earned, not freely given. You are not asking a simple thing of me. It comes at great risk. I hope you realize the great endeavor you want to undertake."

"It isn't any different than the path many of my trusted friends." I reply to him honestly. There's truth in that. One of the few facts that rest in my favor. "Many of us are mating age, seeking spouses to further our family lines. Even you are seeking to couple your eldest son so that he may carry the line. The kingdoms will fall to our generation, and then it will be inevitable."

"Yet, you declined my offer last season to be wedded to my son." Ozma murmured in return. "If you would have simply agreed, the Faunus would have the voice they so desperately need. If this were truly an altruistic request, you would have accepted my proposal to be married to Ozpin. I wonder at your motivations. I cannot help but fear what truly drives you to seek this out."

"I realize that age means nothing to the people of Vale. Given that youth can last for countless years, it hardly matters. That being said, I would have declined anyone forty years older than me. Even if I were interested in a male partner, which I'm not, Prince Ozpin refuses to use your kingdom's relic. At best, he would die of old age, leaving me a widow early in my life. At worst, I can't even imagine the repercussions."

Ozma sighed, rubbing his face before he stands tall. Walking stick in hand, he makes his way down the steps until he is directly in front of me. King Ozma appears to be my age, boyish good looks and a bright spark of wisdom lingering in his eyes. It's no question why Queen Salem adores him. He lays a hand on my shoulder, as if thinking deeply on what I've just asked of him. His fingers running along my combat leathers as if inspecting them for any flaws.

He won't find a single one.

"I make no promises." He replies then, his hand falling away as he tilts his head in the direction of the assembly hall. "I bid you to please leave me to my thoughts. I promise, I will think on this carefully. I will reveal my decision later during our diplomatic talks."

"I apologize if I've displease you." I begin, but the king cuts me off.

"I am not displeased." He tells me. "I am worried. You children are bound and determined to complicate the subtle peace that we've managed to maintain. I have lived long enough to have seen what happens when that peace is broken. I fear one day it would be impossible to repair broken alliances if measures are taken too far. You are not your father, and what you ask may be the spark that casts our meticulously built peace into ruin." With a frown, he nods off towards the assembly hall. "Now I shall ask you again, leave me to my thoughts."

With his dismissal, I head into the assembly hall. My parents, Winter, Yang, and Ozpin sit around a large table. The stadium seating above is filled with Vale's finest gentry. Wealthy families gathering to watch the proceedings in full. Taiyang sits with his youngest daughter, softly murmuring in her ear. He is probably explaining something complex. Ruby is still learning the finer points of Vale's kingdom, and will one day take over her father's position. She will continue to cultivate his lands. With a small nod in their direction I take my seat at the table.

There are plenty more empty chairs, but since this isn't a complete cross-kingdom summit, they will not be filled. Seated at my father's side I listen to the current trade proceedings. Ozpin leads the discussion. Vale wishes to procure some of newest medical technology available in Atlas, but Winter isn't willing to pass it along just yet.

Negotiations will take all day, and now more than ever I must observe.

I must learn.

That is the only way to rise above my own father, surpassing him in every single way that I can. The only way I can, in order to achieve greatness.