Unexpected
"So do you have any plans for your day off?" One of the many young maids turns to Emerald.
"hmmm?" Emerald hums in response to the woman as she mindlessly finishes her folding. "Oh, I don't have any plans; I was hoping to help where I can here tomorrow."
"I wish my own children were as diligent and hardworking as you Emerald." Celestine, the Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, mentions as she loosens her corset.
"You grace me with your words, Lady Celestine." Emerald tilts her head to the woman as she leaves.
Another maid scoffs at the display, "You graccee me. Coming in tomorrow doesn't mean you will accompany the Princess. She will be just fine with me and April watching over her. We won't be requiring your assistance."
"Either way I shall be here helping with meal preparation. There is to be an announcement after all." Emerald rolls her eyes as she turns away. Hopefully everything will be in motion by then. A wicked smirk goes ear to ear on Emerald's face.
=,.The Next Morning.,=
"Ruby?! We are going to be late!" Yang saunters over to her sister's bed. "Ruby…it's time to get up." Yang places her hands on Ruby's shoulders and tries to wake her sister. Yang notices something she hasn't seen in years, Ruby is completely covered in sweat. That's strange…she hasn't done this in nearly a decade…not since…
Even with Yang's best efforts Ruby remains in a deep slumber "Of all the days to get some rest, you decide that TODAY is the day to do this….." Yang flails her arms in frustration as she paces around Ruby's room. After a few moments of sighing and grunts towards her peacefully sleeping sister, Yang goes to the door to meet the Pyrrha in the hallway.
"Will Ruby meet us in the dining hall or in the main hall for the announcement?" Pyrrha leans forward with a smile.
"She…ugh… the main hall. Yeah she will be there." Yang nervously answers.
"I guess that she is skipping breakfast again, then." Nora mentions, "That isn't out of the ordinary, she doesn't usually eat breakfast with us."
Pyrrha tilts her head and carefully watches Yang flash her signature smile. "Hmm alright, but Princess Weiss will be more than disappointed if Ruby isn't there by her side for this announcement." Yang's smile shrinks a bit from Pyrrha's remark.
"Ruby will be there." Nora exclaims, "Ruby has yet to disappoint the Princess."
"Yeah, she'll be there." Yang confidently replies as she smashes her fist into her palm confidently.
"Speaking of which we should hurry to the dining hall, I am sure Ren is waiting for us." Pyrrha ushers her friends towards the dining hall.
"I am just glad we were not awoken to the sound of the Princess' screams this morning." Yang reminisces. Nora and Pyrrha both giggle at Yang's comment, the brawler laces her fingers behind her head walking in front of the pair.
"I am sure that Ren made it through the night unscathed, this time." Nora proclaims, as she wiggles her eyebrows.
"I believe that Ren and the Princess have worked out an agreement where Ren will stand guard outside of her door. He has been instructed to only enter the room if he hears glass breaking or some sort of struggle." Pyrrha states as the trio enter the dining hall.
Sat at the front of the dining hall at the top of an elevated platform Princess Weiss eats her breakfast. Ren stands beside the Princess' chair, his head bobs forward.
"Ren are you hungry?" Weiss asks without turning her head before placing a fork full of eggs into her mouth.
"Huuh….No I am not hungry… Thank you." Ren responds as he lightly slaps his cheeks to wake up. "Also I don't believe I would be welcome to sit at the same table as you, your Grace." Ren looks below the platform to see other knights glaring at the man as they eat.
"That is very polite of you Ren." Weiss answers back, "It looks like the rest of the guard is here if you would like to swap places so that you can go eat and rest." Weiss rolls her eyes as she watches Yang excitedly waving at them from the doorway. "Ugh…"
"Ren seems a bit sleepy?" Nora mentions as the trio walk up to an empty table.
"How can you see that from way over here?" Yang holds her hand over her eyes towards Ren and the Princess. "I mean he looks the same as he usually does to me at least."
"Nope." Nora states as a matter of fact. "He is sleepy, you can tell by the way he is standing that he is tired." Pyrrha squints her eyes towards the platform.
"If he is tired I will just eat this for now" Pyrrha takes an apple out of the fruit bowl in the center of the table and continues towards the Princess. "I will see you all after lunch; remember we have to all meet at the main hall for the announcement."
"Of course I will make sure Ruby will be there too." Yang shouts as Pyrrha turns around and jogs backwards for a short distance before bumping into someone.
"I like Pyrrha." Nora giggles watching the redhead turn around and apologizes to the man she bumps into. Yang and Nora watch as Pyrrha talks with Ren for a moment, before turning back to their table to eat.
"She is a great teammate, very caring and focused." Ren notes as he appears behind the pair.
"Yup." Nora happily agrees and continues eating. Yang's eyes widen as she slowly turns her head.
"Hey Ren…when did you get here?" Yang scratches her head as she watches Ren take the seat beside Nora.
"He's really quiet and moves surprisingly fast when he wants to." Nora responds without missing a beat.
"Oh right. Of course!" Yang raises her eyebrow and starts to eat as the different maids bring food to the table. "Well after finishing up here, I will go back to fetch our fearless leader."
"Do you want us to help you?" Nora volunteers. "I am great at waking people up!"
"No!" Yang barks back at Nora without realizing how angrily it sounded "I mean I should probably get her myself." Yang thinks back to the morning that Ruby woke her up shouting about a spider in her hair and gets an evil grin on her face.
"Uh Yang what's with that look?" Ren wonders in his usual casual tone.
Yang gets out of her chair, "Uh nothing…just got a little payback for our little leader." The blond chuckles as she taps her companions on the back. As the pair turn to watch the brawler leave they watch her feigning a few blows past a few unamused guards.
"So I guess until the big announcement we should train or research the castle." Ren looks over to see a hand grab his collar. "Or not…." Nora drags the man out of the dining hall and out towards the main gate.
Pyrrha watches as her teammates leave the dining hall. Looking over she notices the glares that the other guard and staff shoot the trio as they exit. Hmm
"We should get going. Lady Goodwitch wishes to speak with me before we are to attend Father's grand announcement." Weiss groans as she gets up prompting a butler to come up behind her and push her chair in.
"Of course." Pyrrha follows close behind her ward. "If I may ask how your evening was?"
Weiss' expression softens, "You may and it was fine, Ren stayed outside. No more incidents, though I always sleep better with you or the Captain guarding me." Suddenly Weiss remembers the first night Ruby guarding her as the first night she was able to sleep through the night since the first failed assassination attempt. That was the first night since Winter went missing that…that nightmare…I haven't had it since that night.
"I am glad to hear that our presence is helping you, Princess." Pyrrha leans forward with a smile.
"It is I only wish the rest of the staff here could see that." Weiss adds. The two continue towards Weiss' library for the Princess' lesson.
\\-,.Back in Ruby's Room.,-/
Yang casually strolls towards the Eastern Wing of the castle where the entire Wing has been newly allotted to accommodate Princess Weiss' guard. Or at least give each warrior the option to have their own quarters though, Ren and Nora op-ted to share the larger room at the end of the wing. The tanned leather boots stop in front of what Yang is hoping is Ruby's room. I really wish I kept that little map that Ruby made me with everyone's rooms marked. "Well here goes nothing" Yang smirks as she places her hand on the door.
As the door creaks open Yang hears Ruby mumbling something. Hmm. I can't hear anything that she is saying better get in there. After taking a few steps into her sister's room she lifts her right leg and gently nudges the door closed. "For what is about to happen it would be best if that was closed.'' Yang smiles with a devilish grin as she carefully navigates through the messy room, turning her boot to avoid stepping on Ruby's cloak. That's odd… Rubes is always super protective of her cloak, she wouldn't just leave it on the floor… A voice takes Yang's attention off the abnormal placement of her late mother's cloak.
"Princess! Princess, come now this is no time to play games!" Ruby groans in her sleep. Her body twists and turns under the heavy blanket. "Princess!"
Lilac eyes fall on the small mass of blanket, woman and pillows. "Nice to see that you finally are getting some rest but…" Yang looks around looking for something she could use to scare her sister awake. "Ohhh this should do nicely." The blonde reaches over and picks up a feather quill that lies beside a stack of scrolls. Once of the top scrolls unravels as it falls towards the floor, revealing some of Ruby's drawings. "Looks like I am not the only one bored during Lady Goodwitch's lessons." Yang whispers towards her sister as she picks up the scroll and opens it to reveal a very detailed portrait of Princess Weiss deep in thought. "Oh Rubes…." The brawler carefully rolls the scroll back up and places it back on the pile where it laid before it fell.
"Weiss…don't…" Ruby whimpers as the sweat drips from her forehead. Suddenly silver eyes snap open. "WEISS!" Ruby screams nearly at the top of her lungs causing her sister to spin completely around.
"Rubes! It's alright…it was just a nightmare. Everything is okay." Yang coos as she rushes to the bed to comfort her sister. "You're alright."
Ruby's rocks slowly back and forth as her sister rubs her back in small circles. After a few moments Ruby stops swaying sideways and stares at her room. "Why is room spinning?" The brunette's eyes move as if they were at sea, than …. "Bleeechhhh" The squish sound of semi-digested food hitting the floor causes Yang to grimace.
"Oh Rubes…don't worry I will clean this up." Yang grabs a few rags off the floor and starts to clean up, placing the soiled rags in the corner of the room. "There all better see. Are you feeling any better now Rubes?" The brawler places the back of her hand on her sister's forehead. "You're burning up!"
Ruby slowly turns her head to her sister, "You're just super cold Yang." The warrior shivers feeling her sister's icy hand again pressing against her burning flesh.
"If you're not burning up then why are you sweating? You're covered in sweat Rubes. You haven't been sick in ages…should I go get the healer?"
"I don't need a healer…I just need this room to stop spinning." Ruby tries to get up and stumbles back onto her bed.
"Woah Rubes, maybe you shouldn't go to the announcement today…" Yang scratches the back of her head. "I should go get Pyrrha, she knows the layout of the castle better than anyone…"
"NO NO I have to go! Who is watching Weiss! Where is the PRINCESS?!" Ruby fanatically attempts to get to the door. As she stumbles and fumbles towards the door the young warrior ends up hugging the doorway. "Yang, come on we have to hurry to her!" In her delirium Ruby ends up on the floor beside the door. "We have to go." Ruby pouts.
Yang sighs at the sight of her sister struggling to open the door, her feet not cooperating as she can barely stand. "You are in no shape to help anyone right now, Rubes. You can barely walk; also did you call the Princess by her first name?"
"No of course I would never call the Princess by her first name!" Ruby groans loudly from the floor. "Just help me up, the healers quarters are on the West Wing of the castle.
Yang smirks and walks up to her fallen sister, throwing her right hand out, "Come on. The sooner we see the healer the sooner we can go see the Princess."
Ruby takes Yang's hand and promptly gets yanks up onto her feet. The small woman wobbles as she stands. "Ok but tell Ren over there to stop staring at me." Ruby weakly raises her arm up towards the dimly lit corner of her room.
Yang turns her head, "Ruby…Ren isn't there…" the blonde sighs as she takes her sister's arm dragging her out of the room. "Come on Rubes. I need you to tell me which way to go."
"Well first we need to go to the main hall." Ruby gestures down the corridor as it is the only way they can go.
"Main Hall got it! Hop on Rubes!" Yang drops to one knee and angles her arms behind her back. Ruby stumbles backwards at the sight.
"Yang I can't just get on your back. I am the Captain of Princess Weiss Royal Guard." Ruby swaying as she tries to stand still with her hand barely held up to her chest.
"Yeah, yeah just get on my back. I'm your big sister, besides if anyone says anything they will be in a world of hurt.." Yang chuckles as she shakes her battered knuckles. "Now. Get. ON."
The shaky brunette tumbles onto her sisters back. "Ok but promise not to tell the Princess about this…" Ruby groans as she feels her feet leave the tiled floor, instantly Ruby feels the cool breeze as her sister races to the end of the corridor.
Yang grunts and adjusts her little sister so she is carrying her with only her right arm, "Ok, I promise not to tell your precious Princess about this. Now which way is it to the healer?" Her left arm points down the corridor; Ruby groans and nods her head against Yang's back. "Don't worry Ruby I'll get us to the healer in no time." The brawler launches from her position and Ruby holds as tight as her weak arms will allow.
As Ruby stretches her arms around Yang's neck holding for dear life, Yang feels a rough patch of skin brush against her neck. But Yang stays focused on getting her sister to the healer as she uses Ruby's grumbles and groans to guild her through the maze that is their new home.
After a few wrong turns and running into some dead ends Yang and her semi-conscience sister by some miracle make it to the correct area of the castle (thanks to various maids who point out the correct direction).
Even with Yang's endurance, the brawler is still huffing and puffing after all the running around with her sister clung to her back. Yang lets go of Ruby's left leg and knocks on the door before her. "Excuse me? Is anyone in?"
Not a peep is heard from the room, Yang presses her ear to the door as she knocks once more with more gusto "EXCUSE ME? We need a Healer please. My sister is ill and we need a healer if one is here." This time Yang can hear footsteps, then what sounds like a dozens of people running into glassware, scrolls and dropping everything.
"One moment!" Someone calls from the other side of the door. "Oh dear how did that end up there?" Yang listens while shifting Ruby so that she is more comfortable.
"Rubes? Are you awake? We are here." Yang whispers, turning her head towards the brunette.
"Who's that?" Ruby groans in response, pointing to a small woman dressing in light pink and orange robe.
"Oh, I am Thumbelina Peach!" The short woman excitedly hops, "Healer to all those who reside within the castle's walls."
Behind the small woman a cat pokes its head out from the door frame. "Tibert shooo." Thumbelina tries to shoo the dark haired cat away. Moments later the sounds of a small catastrophe echo out. Thumbelina purses her lips and gives the brawler a forced smile, "So what ails you? What is it you are here for?"
"Umm…shouldn't you go check on…your cat?" Yang grunts shifting Ruby on her back.
"No!" Thumbelina answers sharply.
"uhh Okay. Well my sister is…well…she isn't acting like her usual self, she is sweating and she has a rash on her arm." Yang explains as Thumbelina walks around.
"Give her here." The short woman has her arms out before the brawler.
"Are you sure? She is heavy…" Yang cautiously moves Ruby from her back into her arms. Slowly Yang transfers Ruby to the small woman, who is surprisingly strong for her size.
"You wait here." Lady Peach orders Yang, whose head jolts backwards from the presence the woman has. Before the small woman disappears into her dark room, Yang notices that the healer has her arms completely covered with a pale cloth.
"Ok I'll be right…" The door slams shut. "Here" Yang finishes and presses her back on the cold stone wall. Rubes…she'll be fine…the healer will figure out what is going…
Yang ruffs her hair and releases a heavy sigh that she has been carrying with her since she noticed that Ruby was unwell.
-,.Inside the Healer's Room.,-
Thumbelina carefully carries Ruby to her bed and lays her down gently. Ruby tries to look around but the room is so dim she can barely see the woman who just set her down.
"Hmm…that is a nasty scab you have here." Thumbelina chuckles as she turns around and begins to grab various things off the floor. "Now where did that mortar and pestle go?"
"Mreow" Tibert cries. "Not now Tibert" Thumbelina continues to look about.
"Mreeeoooow" The feline whines and rubs up against the woman's legs before sitting beside Thumbelina's mortar and pestle.
"Oh thank you Tibert." The woman leans down taking her mortar and pestle and begins to mix various herbs. Thumbelina takes the paste she created and scoops it into a cup then pours water over it. Before handing it over to the young woman Thumbelina gives it a quick stir with her finger, "You can be quite helpful when you aren't knocking everything over." she mentions walking past the feline. "Mreow" Tibert gruffs in response.
"What is that…" Ruby croaks her voice is raspy with her dry throat as a putrid odor fills the cramped space.
"This is going to take care of that nasty scab you have and make you feel much better." The woman smirks handing the chalice to the disoriented warrior.
"How did this scab make me sick?" Ruby asks before taking a sip and grimacing, her eyes twitching. "Gkdjfad….this is umm what is in here?" Ruby gags as a large clump of something finally goes down with her salvia.
"If you wish to be well in time for the King's announcement I would suggest you finish that entire chalice and not ask so many questions." Thumbelina chuckles, walking past the bed but keeping car to watch the warrior closely. "That scab didn't cause you to fall ill. It appears as if someone was trying to poison you."
"Poison me?" Ruby gets out before she takes a deep breath and turns the chalice nearly upright on her lips. As if there was magic in the chalice the liquid tasted sweet and the fog that clouded her vision and mind seemed to lift from the warrior's mind and vision everything became clear. "Than-" The healer notices that Ruby is moving normally, and quickly returns to her side.
"There you should feel better soon, now if you would excuse me I have other matters that need my full attention." Thumbelina helps Ruby up and begins to push her towards the door. "It was an honor to meet you Ms. Rose. Be wary out there whomever did this will likely not cease anytime soon." The door shuts promptly behind Ruby who stands completely in shock of what just happened, causing Yang to jump to her feet.
"RUBES!" Yang takes Ruby in her arms and swings her around like a rag doll. "You look better already! Thank you!" Yang pushes Ruby forward holding her by her shoulders. "She is a miracle worker, that healer." The brawler shouts at the door and takes her sister's hand and begins to drag her "Come on Ruby we have to get the Main Hall if we hurry we can still make it before King James starts."
Ruby follows her sister but the healer's words still haunt her. ...how did she know my name…? And what did she mean …. whoever did this will likely not cease anytime soon…
A/N Hello there travelers, I hope that you everyone is well and not going crazy coped up in their homes. I still can't believe how many chapters are out and how much more there is still to come. It's been a little over two years since I posted the first chapter of this story and all the support has been amazing. I am so glad to have you all on this journey with me. As always comment, like/favorite/vote if you are enjoying the story or DM me if you have any questions. Thanks as always and see you in the next chapter. \\(^,.,^)/