Chapter 2: The Agreement
"WHAT?"
Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "You two didn't know?"
Jaune couldn't believe what he was hearing, "I'm sorry, your majesty, but for me to marry an Atlassian?" He pointed to the Schee, "But her, her, of all people!"
"This reaction is exactly why it needs to happen," Ozpin shook his head and walked away from the two with a sigh, "Your reactions reflect the relationship between our two kingdoms, something which we need to heal." He sighed and continued, "The path to peace is a rocky and unclear one, for both our kingdoms, we need to make it to the end or the Grimm will wipe humanity off the map."
"How can we being married help the situation between our two Kingdoms?" Weiss asked the monarch, Jaune was about to ask the same thing.
Ozpin didn't look at them, "It gives them hope." The monarch turned back toward the two of them, "You two will be wed on the day of the winter solstice, I suggest you get to know each other better or else you two will just cause divisions within our two kingdoms."
The monarch turned away once again and left the room, leaving the two bewildered teens alone.
A blanket of silence fell onto the two.
After a moment Jaune glanced at his father's sword and sighed, "Well, I think it's time we return to the mansion, what do you say?"
Weiss glanced as the blonde and let out a small groan, "Fine, let's get this over with."
The two made their way out of the tower and back into the courtyard, managing to find the Arc guard detail standing nearby. At closer inspection, Jaune could see Ser Hawthorne talking to several members of the city guard. As the two got closer he was able to hear a portion of their conversation.
"They expect to see you tomorrow morning," The city guard sounded urgent.
"What's going on, soldier?" Jaune asked once he was only a few feet away from the city guard, Hawthorne's eyes widened for a moment before he stood in front of the guard.
"He's bringing me an invitation to meet with Lord Henry Serin tomorrow morning," Hawthorne shrugged, "He needs my assistance."
Weiss tilted her head, "Henry Serin, who's he?"
The guard scowled at Weiss, "there is much you need to learn, Schnee! I bet-"
Hawthorne grabbed the man's shoulder and shook his head, which silenced the man. With a huff, he turned and walked away from the group.
"Well," Hawthorne sighed, "I think we should get back home, Jaune, before the city folk begin to share his sentiment."
"I agree," Jaune turned back toward Weiss and gave a small smile, he held out a hand, "Shall we?"
Weiss crossed her arms, "I can walk on my own."
The guard reformed around Jaune and Weiss as they made their way out of the courtyard and back into the marketplace.
Instead of turning back toward the docks, they took a path that leads them to the northern end of the city. The path lead through grumbling crowds, angry mobs, and into a calmer, more familiar, area for Weiss.
They passed through large iron gates and into the upper-class area, most of the guards stayed behind to watch the gate. This left Jaune, Weiss, and Hawthorne to continue toward the Arc mansion.
"Tell me, Ms. Schnee," Hawthorne began, "What you tell me about the Grimm."
Jaune raised an eyebrow at the large man but didn't interject.
"I know that they are beasts of darkness and that they hunt humans." Weiss went silent for a moment, "They also respond to negative emotions and can kill a great number of soldiers before any knight can kill them."
Jaune stopped walking and turned toward the Schnee, "You speak as if you've seen it."
Weiss' arms tightened around her, "Let's just get to the mansion."
They continued until they reached the courtyard of the large building. There were large trees with Scarlet red leaves, each leaf slowly fell to the ground, creating a very surreal image.
"Where is this tree from?" Weiss turned to the two behind her, "Is it from the Forever Fall Forest?"
"Yes." Jaune stood next to Weiss, "It was a gift from the King… for my father's service during the war, I'm surprised you know about the forest."
"I read up on a lot of Vale knowledge, including geography," Weiss frowned and sighed when she turned back toward the tree, "Your father probably did a lot of great things in the name of the King, people on both sides fought for what they believe in," She turned toward Jaune and was silent for a moment, "Let's hope that we make their sacrifices mean something."
They continued on their way to the entrance of the large building. Above the two large wooden doors were two banners hanging above the door, flanking it. They were the Arc emblem.
"Welcome to the Arc Estate, Miss Schnee." Hawthorne spoke once he opened the door, "Jaune will show you to your quarters."
By the time the sun had fallen and night had dawned on the city, bathing it in darkness. While many were turning in for the night, Jaune was not one of those people. The blonde stood on his balcony and gazed out at Forever Fall, deep in thought.
"Hey, kid." Hawthorne made his way out onto the balcony, no longer in his armor but a Scarlet tunic, and brown cloak.
Jaune glanced over his shoulder and smiled, "Hey Hawthorne, what are you doing up so late?"
The large man made his way to the railing of the balcony, he gazed at the shattered moon in the sky, "Thinking."
Jaune smiled and turned his gaze back toward the forest. How many Grimm sat just beyond his sight? One hundred? Thousands? Or just a score?
When Vale's wall was breached during the war, he remembered the chaos. The screaming only made it worse, more Grimm to fight and kill. However, the enemy General Ironwood suddenly helped the city, rather than withdrawing troops and letting the city burn.
The days after had been chaotic, they had to fix the wall, heal the wounded, and to create a lasting peace.
Jaune sighed, at the rate, things were going he wasn't sure if peace could be kept.
"What do you think of the Schee Girl?" Hawthorne asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"I think…" Jaune trailed off for a moment, "I think she's nice, she's been nothing but considerate so far."
Hawthorne made a face at those words, "I don't know how much of a help she'll be."
"She'll help," Jaune turned around to his friend, "At the very least she'll bring more money into Vale through trade."
"That doesn't change the fact that she's from Atlas," Hawthorne shook his head, "The same kingdom that killed thousands, the same kingdom that allowed Grimm to kill hundreds, the same kingdom that murdered your father."
"You think I don't know that!" Jaune asked, "I know what Atlas has done! But I also know that she didn't commit those acts! But at the same time, my father was killed by her's!" He turned away from Hawthorne and stared at the Forever Fall Forest, "She is here to try and bridge the gap between our two kingdoms, I intend to help her
"All she's going to do is divide us, you saw how those people looked at her!" Hawthorne protested, "They know she is part of the country that killed their families, children, and friends."
"We can't change that, Hawthorne." Jaune turned his eyes back toward the knight, "Scars don't heal, but they can be mended."
"I promise you, this woman will become an enemy to the kingdom," Hawthorne began, "I promised your father I would protect you from those who would do you harm."
"And you can stand by that pledge." Jaune reassured him, "But she is not and will not be my enemy."
Hawthorne sighed, he opened his mouth to respond but turned away and left the balcony.
While Jaune and Hawthorne had been talking, Weiss had been getting her room in order. She moved her dresses into a large closet, her shoes soon followed. Her jewelry was put in a box on the dresser in front of the mirror.
She glanced out the nearby window and into the city for a moment before letting out a small sigh. Why him? Why did it have to be him? Why did her father have to get involved in the war? And most of all, why did his father have to die?
She'd be surprised if he ended up liking her at all.
"So you're the Schnee." A voice suddenly spoke up.
Weiss whirled around and took a step toward a box at the foot of her bed, but stopped when she saw a somewhat familiar woman. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes, both just a few shades darker than Jaune's, however, instead of a smile all she was greeted with, was a frown. She wore a white dress, that ended just above the ground, with a short red coat over it.
"My name is Princess Weiss Schnee of Mantle," Weiss responded, "Who is it I am making acquaintance with?"
"You're just as uptight as they say you are," The blonde made her way into the room and took a short glance at the many different wares that Weiss had brought with her from Mantle. She scoffed when she saw the many different dresses, "How many parties do you think you'll be going to?"
The woman's eyes turned back to Weiss, "How many parties do you pompous Atlassian's have anyway?"
Weiss crossed her arms, "Like I would know."
"Well you should," The blonde spoke as she passed Weiss to look out the window, "Aren't all of you so rich you throw a party in the morning, afternoon, and evening?"
Weiss scoffed at the notion, "Hardly."
"So then why do you have so many dresses?" The woman asked.
"Why do you have to ask so many questions?" Weiss wondered.
"Maybe because there's someone from the country that killed my father, in my home," The woman offered, "So I'll ask again, why do you have so many dresses."
"I don't see why that is any of your business," Weiss sighed, "maybe I just like to wear dresses."
The blonde turned back toward the window with a scoff, "I know why you're here."
Weiss tilted her head slightly, "Do you?"
"You're here because you have to marry my brother." The blonde answered.
"But do you know why I have to marry him?" Weiss questioned the blonde woman.
"Some lie about bringing peace." She responded, "It all ends the same way."
"And how's that?" Weiss narrowed her eyes, "I assume you mean war?"
"Yes, I do." The blonde was still gazing out the window, "And hundreds will die, cities would burn, this city will burn."
"I assure you, I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening," Weiss told the girl, "Vale wasn't the only one to suffer from the war."
"Did you lose someone?" The blonde finally turned to look at the Schnee, "Because as far as I know, all you lost was money!" The girl began to make her way to Weiss, "MEANWHILE I LOST FRIENDS TO ATLASSIAN, MY SISTER TO GRIMM, AND MY FATHER TO YOU KING!"
She was shaking, like a damn barely able to hold back the wave of tears that were crashing against it. Her eyes meanwhile, held nothing but hatred within them.
"We lost family as well," Weiss began, "But not to Vale, but groups like the White Fang, I know how you're feeling right now, and I am so sorry."
"You don't know shit, Schnee." The woman pushed passed Weiss and toward the door, stopping just short, and glanced over her shoulder, "If you hurt my brother in any way, I will kill you!" She opened the door and shoved her way past her brother.
Jaune glanced over his shoulder as she left. After a moment he turned his head back toward Weiss, "So I see you met Saphron."
"She was very chipper." Weiss crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.
"She's been that way since…" He trailed off, "Well, are you settled in?"
Weiss gave another glance around her room and shrugged, "Yeah, I will be soon."
Jaune noticed the few things that didn't seem in the right spot, "Do you need any help putting things away?"
"No, I got it." Weiss glanced up at Jaune for a moment, "You can go now, thanks for checking up on me."
Jaune smiled, "No problem, M'lady," he said with a bow, "I'll see you tomorrow."
As Jaune walked out of the classroom Weiss smiled once more, Vale couldn't be that bad. Could it?