Chapter 3
(Blake POV)

When lunch concludes, Yang remains at the table.

I expected Winter to shoo her away, but instead the queen seems to have summoned Yang to remain at her side. I have no idea why that might be. Yang supports my desire to take Weiss in all aspects, and in all ways. From human customs to Faunus tradition, Yang would openly welcome all of it. She wouldn't think to question otherwise.

Talks of the possible arrangement continue. It is heavy in the air now, both in word and intent.

"Queen Schnee, I would urge you to measure the possibilities regardless of appearances." My mother speaks again, vexing my father greatly. He places his palm over his eyes. I can tell he's withholding his patriarchal growl. The sort that would demand her to hush and heed him. She's testing his temper today, a dangerous move, considering that I've already thoroughly trampled it by insisting upon this gathering.

This also catches the queen's attention. There's that a spark of emotion again. A light in Winter's eyes, something akin to amusement again. Perhaps it is that my mother wishes to speak at all. Maybe that is what amuses her. Women are rarely so willing to speak up in Atlas. Most allow their husbands to speak for them. The rest of the kingdoms rule differently, the people shaped by different laws. Among Faunus, women are no so easily controlled by their mates.

The day my mother is silenced against her will, is the day hell freezes over.

"You seem to think that I haven't given any thought to this at all." Winter says then. "I assure you that I have."

My father frowns then, a low noise protruding from his throat. Inaudible for human ears. Is it frustration or pity? Perhaps both. Still, I cannot bear to lift my gaze to look him in the eye.

"My mate and I would never make such a bold claim as that." My father murmurs after a moment to think. "I do not presume to know your mind, Queen Schnee, or the minds of your people." He tells her, unapologetic as he squares his shoulders. "We've finally chosen to meet after persistent and fervent requests by those we care for. That alone has not been easy. You would at least agree to that, wouldn't you?"

"That goes without saying. Why else would I make such a long journey to Vale?" Winter posed. "It is certainly an inconvenience to travel this far from my homeland for any length of time."

"Yet, knowing this, they both decided to cause us this trouble." At this my father allows the smallest smirk to form on his lips. "If they're so adamant about compelling us to listen, perhaps we should consider the reason why."

Winter only scowls then. "My sister is too old to be making such a fuss."

"Is it that she's too old?" My father poses. "Or is it that as a young lady, she's just old enough to have found a reason to fuss in the first place."

The queen leans forward, looking older than her own years. Her lips have thinned into a tight line. Immaculately sculpted white brows furrowing in deep contemplation. I haven't known her long enough to know what this expression means. I can only guess that it isn't a favorable one. I have to fight to keep my ears upright, least they wilt in front of her.

I can't show any weakness.

"I do not think that I could condone a union such as theirs lightly." Winter says after a few moments of careful consideration. "If I did, the repercussions would span far and wide. Well beyond Atlas. I have other complexities to consider. A Schnee coupling with a Faunus... And furthermore, to do so under their rituals..." The way she sighs is insulting. "It is absurd to even think of it."

"We wouldn't expect you to agree frivolously. My mate and I have our own doubts about all this too." My father says to her in a way that finally does make my ears wilt. He cannot completely endorse his own daughter. I know why he can't. Still it is not an easy truth to bear. "It isn't as if we could simply go along with the marriage on a whim. We would need to proceed with due caution. The people Menagerie would not be pleased to see a Schnee become our kinfolk."

An agitated glance to the side, Winter regards her sister.

Weiss is particularly careful not to say a word without a proper invitation. Still, the way she looks back at Winter says it all.

She wants her sister's blessing just as much as I do. Winter would be a fool not to notice, but, that doesn't guarantee that she'll comply. I hide my hands beneath the table. Winter can't see the fists that they've become. I can't show weakness.

Another breath, and she turns back to my father. "The people of Atlas will also feel a thread of animosity, I assure you. The scars of time have not yet healed. In a way, I doubt they ever will." She's correct, and there's no changing history. It's a sore topic for everyone. That she brings it up now, it means trouble. "If it makes you feel any better, I never once condoned the atrocities committed by my forbearers."

My father will not let that remark go without rebuke.

"Yet, many of those same atrocities still continue." He says dangerously.

"Let me be absolutely clear, the Faunus are not my enemy." She tells him with that chill she is known for lacing her voice.

"Still, we are not human, and thus, beneath you." My father shoots back, not giving an inch.

"You are beneath me, Ghira Belladonna. That is not even a question. You are a mere chieftain, I am a queen. That has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are a Faunus." She replies hotly. "You could never hope to reach my station. The only reason I am even here on this day is because my own wife insisted on it. Now then, if you wish for me to give this insane proposal any more thought in the slightest, I'd suggest you mind your place."

Our place...

The place that I could never rise above...

That Weiss would never be allowed to fall to...

She's too much an angel, too far out of reach. I should have known that.

I should have known...

"Winter, I think you two are being just a little unfair." That's Yang. She's the only one that can save this now. "I know it's not the luxury of Atlas, but, Menagerie isn't half bad. Blake's got friends in high places, those connections span pretty wide. Weiss could have a good life there."

"By friends in high places, I take it you mean Princess Nikos of Mistral." Winter seems to have calmed down, even if only slightly. Yang's a miracle worker like that. "She is an ally that Weiss also keeps close at hand, as would be expected. My sister was not raised a dimwit..."

"An ally that supports them, Winter. That's why she's not just an ally, she's a friend." Yang grunted, smacking a hand to her forehead. Her fingers tangle into the strands of golden silk atop her head. It's nice to know that Atlas hasn't changed her, not even a little bit. "And look, it's not just Pyrrha. It's Ozpin and Oscar too. I bet if Blake and Weiss sent letters to all of our friends, they'd be happy for them."

"Yang, my dear, you are far too kind for this world…"

"No, I'm not. I just know my friends. I know Blake." She says, and deep down, I know she believes every word that comes out of her mouth. Yang's genuine too, sometimes to a complete fault. "I bet you anything that she could get the other kingdoms to agree to accept Menagerie. Vale wouldn't even hesitate to agree."

"You forget that King Ozma is an eccentric man by his very nature." The queen speaks to Yang differently than the rest of us. As if she truly cares about her. I wonder about that sometimes. What compels her to act so gently with Yang of all people? Yang hardly needs such careful treatment. She isn't made of glass, not like other women from within the kingdom's that I've met. No, she's a warrior, true and proud.

"So?" She grinds out, twirling a piece of hair in her fingers.

"So, he is not an adequate point of comparison, dearest." Winter explains whilst bringing up her cup of tea to wet her lips. Even still, she says it so lightly. It's as though she may as well be at a tea party. "Further, I'd argue that his sons are even more questionable than he is. They are quite odd fellows, all of them."

She speaks the truth, and so it's hard not to laugh. Winter refrained saying anything beyond that. After all, it would be detrimental to speak of King Ozma with anything less than respect. Especially within his boarders.

"So, what's the big deal then?" Yang pressed. "Can't we all just be happy that Blake and Weiss love each other?"

"I certainly could." My mother says.

"Happy, at what cost?" Winter poses then. "Yang, you know why I must refuse. You were there, and you saw all too clearly what happens when Faunus and humans intermingle."

"Winter, the war has already ended. It's over, and has been for a long time." Yang said then, knuckles tapping into the table as she frowned. "The alliances between the kingdoms are more stable than they've ever been. It's a waiting game for Blake at this point, I know that. Menagerie's going to become a kingdom just as soon as Pyrrha takes the throne. She wouldn't stab Blake in the back by taking away her promise. She's just not that kind of person. Pyrrha would want to see things put right."

"Yang, perhaps the queen is correct. After all, it isn't just Mistral that denies Menagerie a place among the kingdoms." My father reminds her darkly. I don't want to admit it, but, there's no denying it, either. "We would require Atlas to capitulate too."

"As I've said before, the Faunus are not my enemy." Winter frowns, looking between Yang and my father. "What little should I care if you acquire more land along the islands and coasts? As long as the Faunus don't go rampaging through the heart of my kingdom, I have no problem sharing northern waters with you."

"Is that so?" My father asks in slight disbelief.

"Very much so." Winter nods slightly. "In fact, it would prove beneficial to have access to more ports, which island settlements could easily provide."

"So then, all Blake needs to do is go is become a princess." Yang shrugs. "Easy enough."

"It is completely absurd." My father mutters sighs. "It is borderline impossible, and even insane to consider it."

"Still if it could be done…" My mother murmurs to him. "Ghira, this could be exactly what Menagerie needs."

"Do you truly think your daughter will be able to sway all of the kingdoms?" Winter wonders aloud, looking to my parents as if they've both lost their minds.

"I couldn't even begin to fathom how. Yet, if we were to become a kingdom, my daughter would rise in station to that of a princess." My father points our gently. As if there may in fact be hope yet. "She would not be as esteemed as Princess Nikos, but…" He pauses, I feel the warmth of his large hand fall upon my back "That she would be named a princess at all, would that would be enough?"

"Enough in station, perhaps, if station alone were my only consideration." Winter licked her lips. "Still, giving my sister's hand in marriage is no small matter. I will not hand her away to just anyone, no matter the station they hold. If your daughter becomes a princess, I will promise to give more credence to formal proposal." It's that she looks down her nose at me. "However, I will not promise that I'll agree..."

She speaks with such finality, standing from her place and peering at me as though I am a lost cause. A worthless Faunus with higher aspirations than I should hope for. Someone oozing with insanity for even thinking to try. I see her judgment casting itself down onto me. She doesn't think that I can do it. She doubts that I will earn the respect of my peers.

She believes that I will never be good enough for her sister...

Never good enough for Weiss...

One look at the woman of my affection tells me that this is not true. That I can't possibly let it be true. I would be a fool to give up now. A weakling to just give in. With one look, Weiss has begged me to try once more. To not give up this quest of ours so freely. I can only offer a nod in return.

I know what I must do.

What I will do.

I, Blake Belladonna, have fallen in love with a woman. Her name is Weiss Schnee. One day, I shall proclaim that love to the world.

I swear it...