Here we go.

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Dishwasher1910

Book 9: Chapter 29

It was too late to go back after what I'd just done – what we'd just done – and yet Ruby still asked nervously on the way to the coronation, flanked by a smaller number of royal guard, the bulk having been left behind to make sure no one on the council interfered. One might have wondered where I'd found the time to orchestrate something like this since I'd been trapped in the palace, but the royal guard were always at my and Ruby's sides. Always there, silent and waiting. That I'd deigned to approach, talk to and explain my reasoning to them had won them over just as much as the concepts I gave.

They were Soldier Caste, but ones who spent most of their time around the Noble Caste. They'd probably seen things they weren't allowed to say, put up with things that made them bristle and stayed disciplined in the face of outright idiocy. I wasn't sure if they approved fully of my plans, but they certainly liked the idea of someone from the Soldier Caste being on the council. As their commander, Rodrick, had simply put; "My brother died in the war against Mistral. If there'd been someone who knew what he was doing in charge, he might not have."

That had been enough to bring out nods, agreement and anger from the others.

They'd been there at the final fight. So had King Galan. They'd all been there willing to fight and die, whereas many of the Nobles had fled. Their Classes might not have been suited for battle, but then neither was a soldier against the likes of Salem.

"It's not that I don't agree with everything you said, but is this really the right way?"

"I don't know," I admitted. Glynda was with us again but stone-faced and silent. I knew she was pleased we'd come back to the support of Atlas, and she'd said she would trust us, but I had a feeling her mind was running fast. "I'm not sure we could have changed it any other way. There's a reason I sprung it on them there and locked them in. We're not King and Queen yet. The Nobles are the ones who choose, and they can still change their minds."

"But not once we're coronated…"

I nodded. The sounds of the grand hall reached our ears, music playing and crowds whispering quietly but with so many voices that it reached a hum audible from even here. Ren and Yang broke off, one going each way to take their positions. I'd asked them stay quiet for now and they agreed. Out of everyone, they were the most likely to approve of this. Weiss might if only for Atlas' sake, but I knew Blake wouldn't. Her message before had stated as much, telling me to give up what battles weren't necessary. Let her go, move on and do what was best for Vale, not for us.

If I have to choose between her happiness and the city's, I'd rather not choose at all.

It felt too much like giving up. If I'd been the kind for that, I wouldn't be a Hero right now. "What about you?" I asked Ruby. "You're not just agreeing with everything for my sake, are you? You're going to be the Queen of Vale. You can push for things you want as well."

"I don't want all that much. Maybe that if anyone else is born with a Class that's unknown, they can choose what path they want to take. They won't have to hide it and pretend…"

My hand came to rest on her shoulder. "That sounds like a good law."

"Is it, though? What if it gets people killed?" Ruby bit her lip. "It's all well and good for us to propose these because we think they'll help, but what if there are consequences we don't see?"

"That is what the Council is for," Glynda said. Though she spoke once more, she didn't meet our eyes. "Assuming you fill it with good people and listen to what they say, they will warn you of unintended consequences that might befall those they represent. Either before the law is implemented, or after."

Giving us time to fix any problems. It wasn't my intent to overthrow the council entirely and I would listen once we had people who knew what they were doing on it. Honestly, there had been the temptation just to fill it with the Guild, but that wasn't fair. It wasn't right, either. It needed to be people who lived, worked and breathed the positions they held. It should be a merchant in charge of the mercantile aspects, a soldier in charge of the military. Only then would we get accurate reports.

"Okay." Ruby took a deep breath and then let it go. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

I was glad she was ready because I wasn't. Then again, neither was she really. We both plastered smiles onto our faces, paused as two guards hurried ahead to place their hands on the mighty doors, and then walked through and into the light of hundreds of torches, bright sunlight and cheering crowds.

/-/

I couldn't actually see anything.

We were made to walk through the centre of a long aisle flanked by hundreds of people on either side, thousands more outside with our words being propelled to them via spells, and up onto a raised platform several marble steps high. On that were two highly ornamental thrones that I'd been told we'd never use again outside of welcoming diplomats or such. They were just for display purposes. A band plated on a balcony to the left, some of the more important courtiers and people – our Guild among them – were in a group on the right, and Hazel Rainart held a huge staff as he read through laws so old and archaic they sounded like poetry.

And I couldn't see a thing. There was a large domed skylight in the ceiling of the hall and the sun was in just the right position to blind me. Ruby too if her twitching was anything to go by. I wondered if anyone had considered that, then decided it was on purpose. While we were seeing white spots and could barely make out the crowd, everyone else probably say us bathed in a convenient ray of light shining down from the sky.

I just hoped we weren't squinting too much. That couldn't look good.

Another benefit was that I couldn't feel nervous about all the faces watching me if I couldn't see them, though that was likely to backfire when I started my speech and couldn't tell if it was going down well or not. And wouldn't it look bad if I proposed all our new laws, then the sun moved and the beam of light was taken away. Some people would probably take that as a sign.

Stop panicking, I told myself, unable to quite do that. All I can do is try my best.

I'd fought Merlot. Watts. Cinder. Salem. I could do this. I had to do this.

"For the sanctity of Vale, for the protection of the Kingdom, its people and its laws." Hazel crashed his stave down, the sound echoing so loudly I knew some Mage was cheating and doing it for him. "Ruby Rose. I bid thee kneel."

Only I heard the faintest of panicky whimpers from her as she turned and brushed by me, falling to one knee with her hands atop her thigh. There were some gasps from the Nobles nearby and it took me a few seconds to realise why. Ruby was kneeling as a Knight might, as a Hero, whereas they'd probably expected her to kneel with both feet on the floor like some demure princess.

Ha. I couldn't quite hide my pride as she knelt there regally but unbowed, a warrior ready to respond to any threat. I wondered if those in the crowd saw that as well and thought they might have. We were already so far removed from typical royalty that we might as well show off those differences.

Hazel didn't let it bother him. He turned and picked up a silvery crown from atop a velvet cushion carried by a young boy who looked both proud to be here and so terrified he might piss himself. He was me in every way.

"With this, passed down through generations, I would name thee," Hazel said, holding the crown by letting it rest atop his hands, the ornate staff taken by a young girl to flank the boy. He turned slowly, theatrically, letting everyone see the object as it moved through the air toward Ruby. "With this, you accept the responsibility for the people. With this, you become more than what you once were. Do you accept this responsibility?"

Despite her panic, Ruby's voice was firm. Powerful. "I accept it."

"Then with this, I crown thee."

Slowly, he lowered it down onto Ruby's head. I held my breath, waiting for the council to burst through the doors and shout the whole thing off. For chaos to reign and me to have to shout out and try to control it.

The silvery crown nestled itself atop her hair, pushing down a little but holding still as Hazel placed it upon her. Ruby kept her head bowed to give him better access. The doors remained sealed. Ellayne was as good as her word.

"Arise," Hazel shouted. "Ruby Rose, Queen of Vale."

The crowd in the hall applauded politely. Those outside screamed their approval, roaring at the tops of their voices, stamping their feet and clapping. The cacophony deafened the hall as well, and Hazel waited for it to end on its own, letting Ruby stand and make her way back to my side without once wobbling. She was careful, though. Measured. Knowing her, she was more terrified of upsetting and dropping the crown than she was the noise.

"Jaune Arc," Hazel intoned when the noise died down. "I bid thee kneel."

I was embarrassed to admit I did it worse than Ruby. My leg wobbled as I went down, though I doubted anyone saw it. In that brief instant, I ducked under the beam of light and was no longer blinded, able to see the audience and out through the main doors, swung open, to the crowd outside. It was huge. Easily twenty thousand people strong. Maybe more.

Bloody hell…

"With this, passed down through generations, I would name thee." Hazel repeated the same lines, this time taking a second grown, one that was more yellow gold than white. It was simpler than Ruby's, less ornate. Where hers had a ring of precious stones, this one had only three white diamonds arranged like an arrowhead pointing upward. "With this, you accept the responsibility for the people. With this, you become more than what you once were. Do you accept this responsibility?"

I bowed my head. "I do."

"Then with this, I crown thee."

It was heavier than I expected. I'd have liked to say it was the weight of responsibility, the burden of leadership or something else symbolic, but the reality was that it was a really solid piece of headgear, and I wasn't used to wearing a helmet or anything like that. Hazel's fingers pulled back, leaving it behind to settle down on my head, pushing blond hair aside.

"Arise, Jaune Arc. King of Vale."

The crowds went wild. "Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

/-/

The coronation was but one part of the ceremony. We were to be paraded around the city yet again, this time taken to the central square where we could orate and speak to the crowds before finally being brought back for our wedding – palace staff busy changing the hall from a coronation ceremony to a wedding in under an hour.

On horseback once more, we made our way down the street with people on either side, waving and smiling for the audience – our subjects, I reminded myself – and more importantly, being seen by them. Soon enough, the wooden dais raised up for us to speak from came into view. With it, my panic rose, rushing up from my stomach in a way that left me feeling ill. Faith, sensing my nerves, tossed her head.

Ruby noticed that too and reached over to squeeze my hand.

I sent her a grateful nod back. It didn't make me any less afraid of what had to be done – really, it didn't help at all – but I knew she meant it too so I tried to pretend it did, and in some strange way pretending let me feel a little better. All too soon were we at the base of the platform. The royal guard took and held our mounts as we jumped down. Those about to help us down backed away awkwardly, and I realised yet again we weren't meant to be so rough and ready. Well, we were. That was the exact kind of people we were. Everyone would just have to get used to it.

Our boots echoed on the wood as we ascended. Though a small space before the platform was made by the guards, the crowds crammed in behind and filled the central plaza and several hundred metres of the streets leading back. Glynda worked her fingers and pointed to her lips, informing us silently that our voices would carry.

Ruby took her place but made no move to speak. "Your plan, your speech," her silence seemed to imply. No wonder she was able to smile so sweetly.

I took and released a long breath.

My mouth opened.

No words came forth.

How did I even start? How did I address them? My people sounded possessive, people itself was vague. Citizens of Vale was much too formal, and `you lot` was on the other end. I stood there like an idiot, mouth open, until Ruby kicked my ankle. Considering we were the only ones on the stage, everyone saw it. There was laughter. People laughed at us for it.

Somehow, that helped. I laughed with them.

"My apologies," I finally said, louder. "I've been King of Vale for all of…" I looked up toward the sun. "No hours. Turns out wearing a crown doesn't suddenly make you a good speaker."

Some of the nobles looked more than distressed at what I was saying. They could have done better and we all knew it. Despite that, the crowd cheered, some laughing and others hooting – all seeing me as I was. Someone not much better than them. It gave me the confidence to continue.

"I'm not one for making speeches and neither is Ruby. We're fighters." I drew Crocea Mors slowly, making sure no one panicked, and planted her tip down into the wood, leaning atop it. "If there's an enemy of Vale that needs defeating, be it Mistral, Grimm or a Goddess herself, we shall be there."

Roars of approval. They knew us as the ones who slew Salem, not King and Queen, and while that was what we were now, it felt right to not pretend to be something we weren't. That way, they wouldn't expect grand speeches.

Which was lucky, because I wasn't going to give them one.

"Mistral calls me the `Commoner King`," I continued. "And I am. I was born a Blacksmith and I will die a Blacksmith, and while I earned the right of Swordmaster-" I flexed the title above my head, hiding my wince as my entire life re-wrote itself in my skull, "I'm still no more of royal blood than any of you. I'm not some ancient bloodline or lost prince found again at last. I'm a Blacksmith. A nobody." I held my breath. "Or at least I was."

"I became a Hero through deceit. I lied about my Class, hid it away and pretending to be something I wasn't to achieve some childhood dream, and though I did, I found that the best way to do it wasn't to try and be a Knight, but to accept who I was. To embrace my Class and all it entails. Thus, a Blacksmith defeated Cinder Fall. A Blacksmith defeated Salem. A Blacksmith stands as King today. And if I can do all that, what's to say none of you can't?" They were confused. Murmuring. I raised my voice. "Who among you stood and fought when Salem came?"

People answered. Some yelled, others grunted and more stamped their feet. It was a loud echo. A resonating echo. Though many of them had been refugees, almost a third had stayed to do battle, and few of those had been Heroes.

"We've been told all our lives that only the Hero Caste can slay Grimm. That the Soldier Caste must be limited to warfare and that the Labour Caste are weak – that they are the `Needs Protection Caste`. Burdens for all others to defend – but how many of you so-called `NPC's` fought the Grimm?"

More shouts. More roars.

"How many of you slew Grimm?"

Men and women yelled that they had.

"We all fought," I said. "We all stood on those streets. Labour, Soldier, Hero and even Nobles stood side by side in the mud and the blood and drove the Grimm back. And in the end, Salem was slain by a Blacksmith pretending to be a Knight and a Reaper who doesn't even know what Caste her Class belongs to."

Ruby waved awkwardly.

"Tell me," I said. "Those of you who stood and fought. If the Grimm came again and threatened your family, would you fight again?"

Yes. The answer came in many forms, some without words and just angry shouting, but the overall response was that yes, they would. They would stand, fight and kill to protect that which they had. As I knew they would.

"All of you? Well, isn't that telling. So, tell me again, if you are all going to stand and fight – and if you all can kill Grimm – then what use is a system that tells you that you can't? That tells you it's impossible for you to fight because you're just Labour Caste. Or just Soldier Caste. Or just Noble Caste. That only the Hero Caste can fight."

More roars of approval.

"And if Ruby and I, neither of us Noble Caste or holding the Class of King or Queen, can rule Vale, then what use is a system that tells you this is impossible?"

"None!" someone yelled. Others picked it up.

This was it. My chance. "That is why," I shouted, "That my first act as King – our first act," I amended, looking to Ruby and receiving a nod of support. "Is to change the Caste System that rules our Kingdom."

Silence.

Dead silence.

Well, I thought hysterically. That enthusiasm dried up fast.

"We're not going to abolish it." Ruby shouted out suddenly, coming to my rescue. "The Caste System will still exist, but it won't be so strict. If a Soldier Class wants to retire and run a farm or open a brewery, they can do. If a Farmer wants to hang up their hoe and apply to join the local militia, they can do. People who want to be Heroes but fail the First Quest will be able to apply and try again later and won't be forever locked into their fate because of one mistake made when they were young. You will be free to be who you want to be, not what destiny determined you must be."

There was some applause. A polite smattering.

"What if we don't want to?" a man yelled.

"Then don't," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing ever. "It's your choice, but at least you'll have the choice now."

"We won't be as good," someone else yelled. "Our Classes aren't good for other jobs."

"That's what they said about mine," I said. "That I was a Blacksmith and nothing more. Look at me now." I spread my arms. "Hero. King. If I stuck to what destiny chose for me, I'd not have been here to face Salem. If all of you refused to pick up spears and fight the Grimm because your `Class wasn't good enough` then none of us would be here either. We'd all be dead. That we're alive is as much your work as it is mine and Ruby's. We killed Salem, but you – all of you – bought us the chance." Slowly, I knelt, shocking them. "Thank you. Everyone is so busy thanking us that I don't think they have you. You and those who lost their lives."

I looked down in silence, hoping for a miracle. It came in the form of Ruby, who swept her overly large skirts away and knelt as I had, next to me.

Someone clapped. That was all it took. One person. The noise spread, picking up in volume and intensity until everyone was cheering and applauding, even those who had only seconds before looked at us as though we were idiots. As though by giving them more choice, we'd crossed the line from King and Queen to court jesters.

How quickly that changed. Now, they chanted our names once more.

"Thanks," I whispered to Ruby.

"No one in the Guild fights alone."

I chuckled. Trust her. From my position on my knees, I could see the faces of those around the dais more clearly. The Nobles looked shocked, but some of them, I was pleased to see, were nodding along. It was so easy to lump them with the council and forget that some had fought and died just as fiercely as the most hardened hero. Some of them would even keep their lofty positions. Just as there were roles that Soldiers would fit best at on the council, so too would there be positions where the Noble Caste naturally excelled.

Perhaps even more than that. Now, the Noble Caste would be free to dip down the Caste System for their own benefit. I couldn't help but think how much more powerful our trade fleets would be if captained by Nobles capable of charming their way into trade agreements. I couldn't remember who had said it, but in my time at the palace while they were trying to figure out my new Class, someone had mentioned how few jobs there were for Nobles. That they had to compete for every and any position. Now, they could ply their Skills elsewhere if they so chose.

And of course, I looked to the Guild. Ren and Yang had known and clapped loudly, but the others weren't idiots. I saw Pyrrha and Nora cheering along and wondered if they'd seen it coming. Weiss looked entirely unsurprised. I saw Blake too, stood off to the side and wreathed in shadow, not clapping but nodding softly. Meeting her eyes, I stood back up.

"There is more to come," I said, letting the applause died down. "We'll be making some changes in the coming months that should give people of different Castes more say in how the city is run. We want to be able to hear of problems directly from the people so we can react quickly. We're not Noble Classes," I said again, "But we're also not farmers, merchants or builders, so if we wan to do the best for the city, we need to hear from the people who are."

Nods. Smiles. A few cheers. They liked the sound of that, and well they should.

This was our victory. The war had been won.

If she had her way, I'd give up the remaining battles now and accept loss for the greater win.

"There is one last thing." My voice dipped. The crowd became silent. So, too, did the Guild. "Something I'm told I should give up on, but that I'm not quite willing to." I looked at Blake. "Not yet."

Blake's eyes grew wide. Desperately, she shook her head and mouthed, `No`.

Was it a no to me? To the situation? Or a rejection? I had no idea, but this was bigger than just us anyway. Even if I asked her and she rejected me, this still wasn't right. We weren't the only ones who were miserable, and though Ruby was looking at me nervously, I could see a hint of hope in her eyes. She didn't want this either.

"Ruby and I… Your King and Queen…" I trailed off and took a deep breath. "We are friends, the closest of friends, but we are not in love with one another." There was another bout of stunned silence. I wasn't sure why and the fact they could act that way at all pissed me off. They didn't even know us. Why assume? "We're best friends," I said. "We love one another as friends, but nothing more for now. And we're young, too. I'm twenty. Ruby is only eighteen. And also…" I swallowed. "I'm in love with someone else."

Blake stared through her fingers at me. I couldn't tell if she was horrified or not. Part of me would have liked to call her up, but I knew she'd hate that. People could follow my gaze and figure it out and some already had, looking troubled and shocked.

"I'm in love with someone else," I said, "And while I can't swear that will work out, I don't want to marry Ruby. And I don't think Ruby wants to marry me."

"I don't," she said.

"You have to!" a Noble yelled. "You're the King and Queen!"

"We'd remain as that," I assured him and the crowd. "We're committed to being partners. To working together to support and protect Vale. Just not as husband and wife."

The decision wasn't as popular as the last. Even after saying that, people whispered and muttered among themselves. I couldn't believe it. I'd honestly thought this would go down easier with the common folk. What did it matter if we were wedded or not? Why was it such a big deal? Succession, sure, but that shouldn't have been a problem for them. That was for our problem to fix.

People began to talk. I heard some say it wasn't right, others saying it was too much. Much like the applause had earlier, that began to spread until the crowd was vibrating with it. This wasn't going down as well as I'd hoped and Ruby looked nervous, already shrinking back.

My eyes burned blue.

"Enough!"

My shout ripped through the crowd, augmented by Glynda's spell until it echoed in the streets. Ruby jumped, as surprised as those listening, but I didn't care. Gripped by my Resilience, I ignored all the faces watching and strode to the edge of the platform.

"When my Class was revealed, none of you wished a Blacksmith as a Hero so I left Beacon. When Mistral invaded, you needed a Hero so I returned and slew Cinder Fall – someone I considered a close friend. When Salem came, I fought her. Now you need a King and here I am."

I glared at them all, eyes shining blue.

"And now," I hissed, "You want me to sacrifice my love, my feelings and marry someone who isn't sure about her own, who would be as forced into this union as I am. I have bled for you. I have died for you. I have agreed to rule for you. But I will not, no matter who asks it, force myself on my best friend for you."

Ruby flinched at the words. So too did the audience.

"Is that what you want?" I asked them. "Is that truly what you want from us?" I turned to Ruby and offered a hand. Nervously, she took it and stood beside me. We were hand in hand, but even to the most romantic of people watching, we were not comfortable with it. "Would it make you all feel better if we were wedded against our will, for no other reason than to fit some preconceived notions you have…?"

Feet shuffled. People who had been crowing for us to wed now looked away, realising perhaps what they'd really demanded, or just afraid to be singled out now.

"How much?" I asked them. "How much more must we sacrifice?"

Yang looked furious. Not at me, I was pleased to see. Her glares were fixed on those closest to her, daring them to argue her sister should be hurt for their sake. Weiss looked similarly unimpressed, while Pyrrha watched me and nodded once when my eyes met her, showing her silent support. Nora had her hammer out. Ren was smiling with his eyes closed. Blake. Blake was still watching, now with a shocked expression.

I wondered if she felt guilty now as well, if she realised at last why accepting this marriage wasn't just her sacrifice in letting go of me, but mine and Ruby's as well in giving up on our freedom and the chance to fall in love naturally.

"There are limits," I said softly, reining my Resilience back. "There are always limits. If you would accept us as your King and Queen, we will work tirelessly to repair this Kingdom. We will support you, listen to you and fight on the front lines with you be it Grimm, invading army or a rampaging Goddess herself who comes. One thing I will not do, however, is force someone to be something they don't want to be, be that Caste, Class or spouse."

"The King has spoken," Hazel said, stepping up onto the stage behind us. "Are there any who would challenge his word and force two innocent and unwilling people to be wed?" The way he phrased it had even the most eager shaking their heads. "And are there any would dare officiate so distressing a union? For I will not."

Of the Nobles in attendance, few were willing. I took keen notice of those who looked disgusted at the thought, those that sported fresh scars, wounds and bandages that showed they'd fought with us. Those that smiled now, watched keenly or found themselves agreeing with Hazel. In the clearness of my mind, aided by my Resilience, I decided they'd make fine advisors. Provided, that was, the people chose to accept us.

"Long live the King!" a lone voice yelled. "Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the King!"

"Long live Vale!"

"Long live-"

"For Vale!"

Relief poured through me so hard and so fast that I almost collapsed. My legs trembled as my eyes faded back to their normal colour, looking out over a crowd that had decided a wedding wasn't needed, that was now cheering as though it had been their idea all along. Was this what being King meant? Damn. Too late to refuse, I supposed.

Ruby and I made our way to the steps, me sharing a grateful nod with Hazel, who smiled back and patted my arm as a father might. Or a big brother. I knew this was for all I'd done for Ellayne. He'd stand by me for that.

No sooner had I reached the bottom step was Blake in front of me, eyes shining with tears. Her hand lashed out, catching my jaw with her fingers. It was a weak slap – and that spoke volumes give the disparity between her Dexterity and my Agility. I heard those in the front rows of the audience gasp. For an Assassin to strike a King, even if he was a Blacksmith was unheard of.

"You idiot," she hissed. "You bastard. I was ready to give up on you! I – I was ready to let you go!"

Stepping forward, ignoring the gasps, I wrapped my arms around her waist. "I wasn't."

Her head pressed into my chest, arms wrapping around my shoulders as she let the tears fall, not crying but simply letting them run down her face, breathing in deeply as her feet found their place between mine, our bodies touching.

Let the crowds watch. Let them make up their minds, their prejudices and their little complaints. It would be a fresh battle to face, but one I wasn't willing to give up on. Leaning down, I brushed my nose against hers, rewarded when Blake looked up, eyes closed, and let me kiss her in front of everyone.

Some gasped, but at this point, more cheered.

/-/

"Aren't you upset?"

Ruby didn't look away from Blake and Jaune, nor did she stop smiling as Yang slid in beside her, touching her elbow against Ruby's and letting her lean on her big sister. After so long on her feet and in a state of panic, she needed it. "Upset about what?"

"You know what. Blake winning."

"Has she won?" Ruby giggled. "Jaune and I are going to be spending a lot of time together now, every day, and we're going to be constantly talking and planning and working together. We're going to be closer than ever."

"That's one way to look at it." Yang watched Blake and Jaune with a fond smile. "You're not giving up, then?"

"Nope. They're only dating. We're still young. I'm not giving up the battle or accepting defeat yet - just like he won't for all the prejudice. This battle is far from over. They broke up once and they can do it again. If that happens, I'll be here ready to swoop in."

"You think that'll work?"

Ruby looked at her sideways. "Worked for mom."

"Ha! Good point. I thought you'd be distraught."

"I'd be more distraught marrying someone who didn't love me back," she said. "If I'm going to marry someone, I want it to be because we love one another. Not because people are forcing us into it. Wouldn't have mattered that it was Jaune. I'd have hated it."

"Hm." Yang nudged her arm. "I think you made the right call."

Ruby nodded and left it at that, smiling as she watched Jaune and Blake be happy. Maybe it would last or maybe it wouldn't; she didn't think it would be too bad either way.

I'll be watching, Blake. Don't screw up this chance, because I won't give you another.

One final chapter remains.

Yes, I expect plenty of rage comments in the reviews. There was never going to be a way to please everyone and it's been a pain trying. This has all been a valuable lesson on never saying I intend to do a certain pairing because I know if I change my mind, I'll be accused of everything from outright lies to false advertising and worse things.

It's actually quite distressing since I genuinely loved focusing on the lore and mechanics of this alternate universe, but spent most of my time being bombarded with comments, requests and threats pertaining to the pairings.

Next Chapter: 20th January

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur