It was surprisingly easy to find someone who looks enough like my daughter to bury instead of her.

I do not, however, believe she is dead.

Willow, of course, does, as do the rest of my children. The world does, too. Blake Adel has been almost as inconsolable as my wife, while Rebecca is merely disturbed. James, more than most, has offered his condolences. He cares about her as a father, perhaps because she is so close in age to his daughter. Winter. I cannot believe Willow managed to keep that a secret from me for so long. Nevertheless, she has been, at the very least, more docile since the funeral. The PI, on the other hand, has quite a bit of work in front of her. She may not be able to get any information from the government or Atlas Academy, but I am sure she just ran away. She has threatened to and even done so before. My PI - whose will be more than generous until she tracks my eldest down - will find her, and there will be consequences. No one, but most especially my own children, will drag our family name through the mud.

It has been three months since she disappeared.

And, for some reason, Vale seems to have struck deals with other PR and news firms in Atlas that have been attacking the company without reprieve. It seems they want to carry on her legacy now she's dead.

I, and a select few others, know better.

We will find where she went.

She is anything if not capable. She is not stupid,

But she is also reckless, and destroying the family image. Or, at least, she is internally.

The world believes she died in a late night training accident, that she chose to train late at night without a spotter or anyone to make sure she did so safely. Her death was an accident, albeit a tragic one. That is also what my wife and other children believe.

As I said before, I know better.

I always know better.

"I can't believe she isn't sitting here with us…" Weiss mumbles.

I glance up from supper. They've all been awfully quiet, and rather morose. Given the circumstances, of course, I can't say I blame them, but it is uncomfortable to not have proper conversation.

"These things take time," Winter reaches over to pat her shoulder, that damn engagement ring as much of a taunt as her fiance sitting beside her, taking my eldest's place. "We all love her. But we'll find a way to honour her memory."

"We do have that beautiful portrait done in the main hall, with all the other family portraits," I remind them, careful to not have an edge to my voice. "We have already begun that path."

She does not deserve honour for what she's done.

I will ensure she knows that. Especially for what she's done to her dear siblings and mother.

"I do think we should have her emerald, gold, and pink diamond jewellery encased and put in the ballroom," Willow speaks so quietly I can barely hear it. Despite how horrible she's made things with bringing Winona into the world, I do have sympathy and pity for her. She's a deeply emotional person, too emotional, at that. "She always loved such events. Perhaps one of her favourite gowns, too."

I'm rather surprised. For once, she presents a good idea, although our reasons I am well aware are vastly different. She means it. I know it will be an excellent PR move. Sympathy is the most important tool at the disposal of the company right now. I'll be damned before I let it go to waste.

"I have to ask," Qrow begins. I bristle; the sound of his raspy voice will never cease to irritate me. Then again, what did I expect from an alcoholic huntsman who has somehow managed to weasel his way into my second eldest's heart. "How are you going to approach the situation when Winona becomes old enough to ask questions about the woman who looks like all y'all that she's never seen? Well, at least, never seen and able to remember."

"That's a good question," Winter agrees. Her sharp gaze only irritates me more. "Winnie will deserve to know the truth."

I let out a small sigh. "That is a matter we will address when the time comes."

Whitley bursts into tears.

"I want her back…" He sobs. "She was always here for me, always took care of me…"

"Whitley, darling," Willow sets down her overly-filled wine glass to embrace him. "I know. I know. But she's in heaven now. She'll always be looking after you."

If there's anywhere my eldest is going when she dies, it is straight to hell.

I am certain she never considered how this would hurt the family.

She's made clear enough by now that she only cares about herself.

Perhaps that is a consequence of becoming the damned Winter Maiden.

More likely, we only were able to recognise her for what she is.

Cunning.

Manipulative.

Narcissistic.

She is a physical and moral coward, as well.

Though, I imagine, that goes hand in hand with the rest.

"I wish I'd been there," Qrow shakes his head. "I was at Atlas Academy that night, arguing with Glynda. I probably could have saved her life if I hadn't done that."

"It's not your fault. And it's not your semblance either. You are not bad luck. I know it. Give yourself a chance, please."

Winter. I can barely believe she said anything. I am, thankfully, so obviously the only one who heard it. She is closest to me. Everyone else is still chattering and being emotional about being abandoned by someone who pretended to care about this family. I will never understand how she could do something so egregious.

"She wouldn't want us to dwell on her death," I tell them. It isn't a lie. I'm quite sure she doesn't want any of us to think about her at all. How very inconvenient for her. She will find that out soon enough. "I should think respecting her wishes will be another excellent way to honour her memory."

Weiss whimpers but nods.

"I just hope she's happy," She starts to cry too. "She didn't deserve to die. Not so young. Not at all. I just hope she didn't suffer. I just hope she's able to be happy now."

I nod, standing up to loosely embrace her. I do pity her the most. She will get on, however. Of course she will. She is the heiress to the SDC, after all.

And no one can deny how wonderful that is.

Or how much well-deserved, well-earned power it provides.

Authour's Note:

The next chapter - which, of course, will be from Weiss' perspective - will be the time skip to her arriving at Beacon for the first time. And, oh, how the board will be shifted when the revelations come out - if they do at all. If they can be believed at all.