Weiss could feel the sense of dread as the limo neared the manor. She hasn't been home since the day she left for Beacon. Since then, she has felt a sense of freedom that she had never experienced before. She became part of a team that had quickly turned into the first set of friends that she had ever had, two of which would become practically sisters to her while the third would be the love of her life. Who knew that this adorable dolt of a leader would be able to worm her way through Weiss's icy heart and make herself at home? That the two of them would somehow start a family together, accidently of course, but it was still a much-welcomed change.

Now here she was, back at the home that hasn't felt like home in many years. Back to live under the thumb of the man that is supposed to be her father but acts more like a brutal dictator than anything. A man that sees her as nothing more than a chess piece to move across the board. All because this man took the woman she loved and her child away from her.

Soon though, they would be reunited and the man who would try and destroy her life would fall.

The limo pulled to a stop in front of the steps of the Schnee manor, her father and mother standing at the top of the steps with William standing beside them along with dozens of reporters and cameras. The driver exited the front before walking around the limo and opening her door. Weiss took a deep breath, preparing herself mentally for the moments to come. At least to keep herself from vomiting.

The second the door opened, she stepped out and raced to her father, quickly embracing him in tears and he pulled her into a hug. "Father! I missed you!"

Jacques gently placed a hand on her hand and calmly stroked her hair. "I missed you too my little Princess."

While everyone else didn't catch on, Weiss did. The way he said it and the word itself. Only Ruby could call her that and he knew it somehow and was mocking her. Weiss was certain that he knew that she knew that he was the one that took Ruby. It would only make sense and while the man did not love her in the slightest, he knew that she wasn't an idiot, after all, she was his daughter.

Jacques finally let go, he himself probably not able to stomach an action for that long, before Weiss turned to her mother. The older woman gave her a genuine smile before pulling her in a hug.

"I'm sorry." Her mother whispered in her ear. Weiss nodded and held her mother a little longer than she probably wasn't supposed but it was nice to know that she was there for her. The hug wasn't too long but it was enough for her to notice how thin her mother was as she could feel the woman's ribs beneath the dress she wore. While she knew that Willow wasn't too much of an eater even before her recent change, this was different. Weiss looked up at her mother, the question on her tip of her tongue but before she could ask, her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek before letting her go and giving her a smile as if conveying that everything was okay.

Now was the moment that Weiss was truly dreading. She's used to pretending to be the loving and perfect daughter to her father for years so doing it again was almost second nature to her but this…. this was far worse and would most definitely make her throw up.

"Weiss, my love. I'm so happy to see that you're okay." Weiss turned to see William race over to her and pull her into an embrace. Wrapping her arms around him, Weiss kept her breathing calm, that is until she got a whiff of the man's putrid cologne that he must've put on for the occasion. Weis was thankfully when he finally pulled away until she realized what the moment was now calling for. William closed his eyes and puckered his lips as he leaned down and roughly pressed his lips against her own. She could hear several of the reporters let out an aww at the seemingly romantic gesture but it was anything but a loving kiss. The man's lips were rough and his breath was putrid. After a moment she could suddenly feel something slimly brush against her lips and she knew instantly what it was. Quickly turning her head to the side, she broke the kiss and held back the small amount of bile that was building in her throat before turning back to her so-called fiancé and giving him a loving smile that he tried to return but the frustration from her actions was evident on his face.

After their so-called kiss, the reporters started bombarding them all with questions. Both on the rumors of a White Fang attack in Vale as well as the apparent rescue of Weiss from the group. Other questions were about the coming wedding and plans for Weiss and Williams future children.

Weiss did her best to answer the questions but she would burn in hell before she would have William's child, regardless of what her father would threaten.

When the questions were finally over, her father rushed the four of them inside and had one of their butlers close the door behind them.

"Now that that is out of the way we can get down to business." Jacques stated as he stood in the middle of the atrium, hands behind his back as his eyes loomed over the three in front of him.

"Business? Please." Weiss scoffed with a roll of her eyes before jabbing a finger at her father. "You took Ruby from me and think I am going to play your little game. No thank you. Now, give her back!" Weiss angerly shouted, eyes filled with a burning hatred.

Jacques placed a hand on his chest and his expression changed into one of fake bewilderment. "You really think that I have Miss Rose? Why would I do such a thing?" He said mockingly.

"To force me to marry this dumbass." Weiss argued as she pointed to William.

"Dumbass?" William looked startled. "I will have you know that I.."

"William shut up." Jacques stated as he glanced at the young man for a moment. "You are a dumbass." He returned his attention to his daughter. "Weiss, don't talk to your future husband like that." His voice clearly stated that this was not a request but a demand as William's face slightly deflated.

Weiss refused to back down and glared at her father with daggers in her eyes. "You will give Ruby back to me or…"

"Or what?!" Her father shouted before pointing his finger at Weiss in a threatening fashion. "You have nothing to hold over me or force my hand. The only thing you are going to do is obey me!" He took several steps forward and got into Weiss's face. "You will marry William, you will produce me a proper heir, and you will listen to me." He then leaned closer so that only she could hear. "Or else Miss Rose will never see the light of day again."

Weiss's eyes opened wider at his statement. While she had no doubts that her father took Ruby but for him to admit it and threaten her life only further confirmed it. When he resumed their face to face, Weiss didn't back down from her father's glare but knew that this wasn't an argument she could win, not now. "Yes father."

He gave her a smirk. "Good." Walking back to his original spot, Jacques snapped his fingers and two men appeared, both dressed in white suits with the Schnee logo over their breast and black ties. Both men were large in what Weiss believed her father had hoped would make their presence well known and intimidating. "These two will be your bodyguards and go with you everywhere you go. Just to make sure your safe and don't do anything that may…. complicate matters."

"In other words, to spy on me and make sure that I do what you want." Weiss said dryly.

Her father grinned. "Smart girl. Now I got some business to attend to with William." He said as he started straightening out his suit. "Come William, let's go. Weiss, you and your mother can start with wedding decorations and whatever you ladies do." And with that, her father and William walked off leaving her and her mother alone with her two new bodyguards.

"Sigh." Weiss closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose before turning towards Willow. "Well Mother, if we are to do this then I'd rather first go to my room and change into something more comfortable."

"Of course, Weiss." Willow gave her a small smile. "Do you mind if I accompany you? It has been sometime since we last had a talk."

"It will be a pleasure Mother." Weiss said with a small bow. The mother-daughter pair started to make their way up the stairs towards Weiss's room. The two so called "bodyguards" followed closely behind them. Once they reached their destination, Weiss turned to the two. "I think my mother and I will be just fine on our own in here."

"With respect Miss Schnee, your father told us to follow you anywhere and everywhere." The one with blonde hair stated. He attempted to use his size to further state the matter as if he was trying to intimate her.

Weiss rolled her eyes in her mind at the ridiculousness that this man believed he could intimidate her. She has fought Beowolves three times his size and defeated them without even breaking a sweat. Sure, she could take them both now, even without her weapon, but she would rather not have to further anger her father given the situation. Thankfully, a certain old friend of hers made the save.

"Hello gentleman." Both men turned to see a burly older man walk towards them, his brown eyes studying them. "I believe Miss Schnee is entitled to some privacy in her own room, don't you think?" The man stopped in front of the two, his brown mustache ruffling as he scrunched his nose. "After all, you would rather not risk Mr. Schnee discover that you two attempted to interfere in the wedding preparations, would you?" He said with a small smile, his eyes suddenly changing to a bright red.

Both bodyguard's eyes widened as they thought of the repercussions. They turned to each other for a moment before retuning their gaze back to Klein. "Of course not." The blonde one turned to Weiss and bowed his head. "I apologize Miss Schnee. My partner and I will simply stand guard outside."

Weiss rolled her eyes at the man. "Of course." She then followed her mother into the room, leaving the door open.

The mustached man made a move to follow her when the black-haired bodyguard stopped him. "Where do you think you're going?"

The man raised an eyebrow. "Why…inside? I am the wedding planner after all."

"I thought you were the butler?"

The man smiled. "Well, it's always good to learn many things in life. Makes things more interesting." And with that, the man headed into the room, closing the door behind him, not letting the two guards respond.

"Well Miss Schnee," The man started to say as he turned his attention away from the door and the two men behind it. "I believe that those two may make things a bit more difficult in the coming da…" He was interrupted as Weiss suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and enveloped him in a heartwarming hug.

"I've missed you Klein." The heiress said with a soft cry in the man's shoulder.

The man, Klein, smiled once the surprise wore of his face and wrapped his arms around the smaller woman. "And I you, my little snowflake."

The pair stayed like that for several moments, Weiss feeling safe and happy, even with all that was going on. While yes, Klein was the Schnee family's butler, he was also Weiss's oldest friend and the man that raised her even more so than her own father. If it wasn't for Klein being there for her when she was growing up, Weiss honestly believed that she would be just as selfish and hateful as her father.

A small cough interrupted them and the two separated, turning to see Willow sitting on Weiss's bed and smiling at the two of them "As sweet as this reunion is, I believe that we had things to discuss my dear?" The older woman said with an amused look on her face.

Weiss looked away, attempting to hide the blush of embarrassment on her face as if she was a child once again. "Yes, Mother, that we do." Straightening out her dress, Weiss move to sit by her Mother's side on the bed while Klein grabbed one of the luxurious chairs that rested at the end of the room and moved it across from the two. "Now Klein, from what Winter has told me, she has kept you up to date on what has been going one?"

Klein nodded his head. "That she has and must I say congratulations both to the child and to your engagement to this Miss Rose. I would very much like to meet the woman who magically captured my snowflakes heart." Klein gave Weiss a loving smile, one that only a father could give.

Weiss returned the smile. "And I would love for you to meet her," Weiss frowned, "but due to recent events that will have to wait. It seems that Father will not take no for an answer and has taken Ruby from me and is threatening to kill her and our baby if I do not do as he ask. Even then, I do not believe that he will keep her alive." Weiss could feel the tears begin to brim at the edge of her eyes at the thought of losing her love and child.

Willow wrapped her arms around her daughter, pulling her closer until Weiss's head was resting on her shoulder. "Everything will be okay snowflake; everything will be okay." She then placed a kiss on Weiss's head when suddenly the younger Schnee let out a chuckle. "Is everything okay Weiss?"

Weiss lifted her head, a few dry tears on her eyes but a smile on her face. "When did you decide to start calling me snowflake?"

Willow blushed at the realization of what she did. "Well, it has been awhile since I called you that but, you do remember that it was my nickname for you in the first place, don't you?"

Weiss gave her mother a puzzled look before turning to Klein. "I thought you gave it to me?"

Klein let out a chuckle. "No, I did not. That honor actually belongs to your mother." Weiss looked back to Willow with a raised eyebrow, obviously surprised at the new development.

The older Schnee gave her daughter a loving smile and reached out, taking her daughter's hand in her own. "When you were born, I had yet to fall into my…downward spiral." Both mother and daughter grimaced. "While your father was…upset with the fact that our second child was yet another girl, I on the other hand was happy. Holding you in my arms as a baby, it reminded me of when Winter was born and while your father basically torn her from my arms and forced her into the care of nannies, I fought him every step to make sure that the same didn't befallen you."

Tears began to slowly fall from her mother's eyes as she continued to speak and so Weiss squeezed her hand to show her that she was here for her, earning a smile from her mother in return. "When I would hold you in my arms, you would always smile at me. You never did that for anyone except for me," she turned towards Klein, "even Klein couldn't get you to smile no matter how hard he tried." She said with a laugh before turning back to Weiss. "It honestly felt like it was going to be just me and my little snowflake against the world, that is…. until," her eyes lowered to the ground as she remembered the day that everything started falling apart for her.

Letting out a sigh, she continued. "When you were only two, your father had decided that I needed to stop coddling you and that you were to begin your studies. I resisted at first by it wasn't long before he got a hold of you and after that he refused to let me anywhere near you in fear that I would, 'make you weak'. After that, well," Willow turned away, "you know what happened."

Weiss did.

Years of drinking, verbal abuse, and spots of rage filled her mind. Weiss remembered much of it, but those early years finally make sense. All those times she would attempt to speak to her mother yet be pulled away from her father or one of his people and be pushed back into her studies. Or the few times once she was older where her mother would attempt to talk to her. At that time, it had been years since her and her mother had a proper conversation and so she had started to believe that her mother actually wanted nothing to do with her so each time her mother would reach out, she would only pull away. It was only now that she realized that in doing so, she pushed her mother deeper and deeper into the bottle.

"Mother…mom." Willow turned her head to see Weiss looking at her, tears in her face. "Mom, I want you to know that none of it was your fault. None of it. If anything, you were just as trapped in his grasp as Winter and I were and we failed to see that." Weiss's expression then changed one of determination and grabbed both of her mother's hands in her own. "But we are going to fix that. Soon none of us will be under my father's thumb anymore." She said as she looked at the two other people in the room.

Willow nodded her head and smiled while she brushed the tears from her eyes. The Schnee woman then heard a small sniffle and turned to the only source to see Klein sitting in his chair, his eyes had turned yellow and his handkerchief in hand as he wiped away his tears. "Sorry." He softly said before blowing his nose.

Mother and daughter looked at each other before smiling and rolling their eyes in sync at the butlers' actions. The both then burst out in laughter, something that the walls of the Schnee manor had not heard in years.

"So, Weiss, what's the plan?" Her mother asked once the laughter died down.

"Well, first thing we need to do is find where father is holding Ruby." Weiss said as she stood from her spot on the bed and crossed her arms over her chest. "We can't exactly do much but play along until we discover her location. Even if we were to find the evidence we need to convict him, who knows what contingencies he may have in place."

Willow nodded her head in agreement as she crossed one leg over the other. "I'll do what I can to discover her location but your father trust me very little, especially as of late." Her eyes flickered over to Klein's who's own flickered with sadness. Weiss, however, failed to notice the exchange before her mother turned her attention back to her.

Weiss let out a hum before turning her attention to Klein. "Has he mentioned anything to you?"

The burly man shook his head. "Nothing. He trust me very little these days as well. I do know that he leaves on an airship every few days to an unknown location but that is it."

"How long is he gone?" Weiss inquires.

"A few hours at most."

"Do you know when he will leave again?"

Klein nodded. "Yes. In fact, he plans on leaving in just a few days' time." His eyes turned red and he raised his hand up to his mouth as if he was telling her a secret. "Got a small peak at his day planner." He whispered with a grin.

Weiss smiled. "Perfect." She then pulled out her scroll and started typing. "Klein, I'm going to have to ask you to do me a small favor."

The man stood. "Anything, Miss Schnee."

"First," Weiss put away her scroll and turned to the man, "please start calling me Weiss."

"Of course, Miss Schnee." He replied with a playful smile, making Weiss roll her eyes.

"Second, when you clean father's office while he is gone, do you think you can leave a window unlocked?" she smirked.

…

After the three of them got the plan all sorted out, Weiss and her mother were summoned down for dinner and as expected, her father had left a spot open just between him and William.

She was also remined by one of her so-called bodyguards that this was supposed to be a special feast and that she should dress as such. That left her with having to wear a beautiful sleeveless white and blue dress that had a low cut around the neck that showed the least amount of cleavage that she could get away with as well as a pair of white stockings that covered her legs. This did little however as it still left her open to many unsavory looks from the man as Weiss walked over to the empty seat.

As she took her seat, William reached out with his hand under the table and placed it on her thigh. In an instant, Weiss grabbed his wrist in a death grip, making the man gasp out in pain as he looked down to see the painful hold Weiss had him in. The gasp however didn't go unnoticed.

"Everything okay William?" Jacques asked before he took a sip of the wine he held in his hand, pretending to be oblivious to what was going on.

Weiss let go of his wrist and gave him a small glare that turned into a smirk as the man started to rub at his wrist. "No sir. Just…stunned at your daughter's beauty this evening."

Jacques let out a small hum as he turned to Weiss and nodding his head in agreement before returning his attention to the food before him. Weiss looked to her mother who gave her small smile that conveyed that she as well thought that she looked beautiful this evening.

The meal they were served was very high end, expensive, and made only of the finest ingredients and yet it didn't compare to any of the meals that Ruby and she had during their stay at Winter's safe house. Even Yang's food made this stuff feel subpar in comparison but then again, she was the one who taught both her and Ruby how to cook in the first place.

Lifting her gaze from her meal before her, Weiss's eyes scanned the people at the table. Her father was far too busy looking at his scroll while eating his meal to really pay any attention to her or the world around him. Several servers stood nearby, ready to fill his glass with whatever expensive and disgusting wine he had them precure that day while others were ready to take his plate and clear the table when needed. Weiss wouldn't be surprised if one of them even wiped away any pits of food that catches itself in his mustache.

Turning to her side, she watched as William slowly at his food while taking the occasional glance at her, smiling as he did. Weiss wished she could whip out Myrtenaster and wipe that smile off his face. With a scoff, Weiss moved her attention to the only other person at the table.

Her mother sat in her chair, a glass of water in her hand that brought a proud smile to Weiss's face and a small portion of food before her, much like Weiss's own plate, and yet the woman had barely taken any bites from it. As Weiss started at her mother, she started to notice that the woman looked a tad paler than the last time they saw each other as well as more frail. Weiss did notice similar signs some time ago but believed that they were side effects of her mother finally going sober after all these years. Now however, Weiss couldn't help but wonder if it was something else.

"…Weiss."

Hearing her name started her out of her thoughts as she turned to see William staring at her. "Sorry. What did you say?"

"I was asking you if you would be willing to go and visit with my mother later this week to discuss the wedding? She is also very much looking forward to talking to you about future baby names. She wishes that while the child will be a Schnee, that some our family heritage will carry on with them." William said before taking bit of his meal and wiping his mouth. "I would also like to be able to have your things moved to my room in the coming day." He turned to her, a smirk on his face. "After all, we haven't had much time to spend together since our engagement since you were off prancing around with that commoner like a fool and I believe that we should get to know one another before the wedding." He reached over to take her hand but was stopped once he saw her slowly take a hold of a nearby knife.

Weiss stared at him with fire and hate in her eyes. "What did you call my Ruby?" She growled at him.

"Weiss!" Jacques shouted. "You will behave like a Schnee or do I need to remind you of the repercussions." Weiss turned to glare at her father, their eyes locked in a wordless battle. After several silent moments, Weiss dropped the knife and returned her attention to William. "Good. Now William, I believe that will be an excellent idea, but I think it will be best to wait until after the wedding for the two of you to share a room. Be wise not to risk any rumors before the wedding."

"Of course, sir."

"Good. As for the matter of the two of you getting to know each other better I believe that is a wonderful idea. The two of you will spend tomorrow together and will acting like that couple the world expects you to be. Is that clear?" His words were clearly aimed at her as the man stared Weiss down, expecting her to challenge him.

"Yes, Father." Weiss muttered, wearing a smile of triumph from the man.

"Good."

Weiss turned her attention back to her meal before her, her appetite clearly no longer presence as she picked at her food. "Well then, I best head to bed and get some sleep before tomorrow, it has been a tiring day after all." She said as she stood from her chair, giving her father a small bow who simply gave her a small wave of his hand, clearly more interested in the scroll in his hand. "Goodnight Father." She turned to Willow. "Goodnight Mother."

The woman gave her a loving smile. "Goodnight Weiss."

"Goodnight my love." William said as Weiss started to leave. "Don't I get a goodnight kiss before you leave?"

Weiss stopped in her tracks. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to keep her anger in control, she turned around and walked until she was standing beside William, placing a hand on his shoulder. Trying to ignore the shit eating grin on his face, Weiss slowly started lowering her head, William puckered up his lips in anticipation when suddenly his face twisted into one of pain as Weiss dug her fingers into his shoulder.

"Not on your life." She whispered into his ear giving his shoulder one last good squeeze making him let out a small squeal of pain before letting go and resuming her walk out of the dining room, ignoring her father's glare as she did.

Reaching her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned her head against it, letting out a deep sigh as todays moments were finally taking their toll. Moving away from the door, she made her way to her still unpacked luggage that rested on her bed. Reaching out, she grabbed the zipper on one of the smaller pockets on one of the bags and opened it before pulling out a small photo.

The photo was of her and Ruby back when they were keeping their relationship at Beacon. It was taken at one of the photobooths that rested at a nearby festival that Ruby had been looking forward to attending for weeks so when she surprised her with a pair of tickets to the opening night, saying that Ruby was happy was putting it mildly.

Weiss raised a finger to her lips, remembering the feeling of when Ruby kissed her as a sign of thanks that was soon followed with many more kisses and other…. activities.

Returning her attention to the photo, it showed Ruby pressing her lips to Weiss's cheek with her arms wrapped around her in a loving embrace. Weiss on the other hand sat there, pretending to be annoyed by Ruby's actions but anyone that would see the photo could see the small smile on her face. Even back then Weiss knew that Ruby was the only one she would want to spend the rest of her life with and it seemed very clear that Ruby felt the same way.

"I'll find you my loves." She whispered as she gently brushed her fingers against the Ruby in the photo. "I promise you."

Hope everyone is doing well! Sorry for the chapter being sooooooooo late but work and now all this virus stuff kept me busy until a month ago. Now I have just been sitting at home doing nothing so, hey, time to do some writing finally lol

Sorry if the chapter does not include much but just building up to the coming chapters where things will get much more interesting. Will try and get the next one out sooner!

Be safe and please leave a review! Love seeing what my readers think.