Chapter 7 (Blake POV)
One year until marriage, three hundred and sixty-four days remain. I wake just after the dawn, dressing in a simple grey kimono. I leave my hair alone, allowing it to flow freely down my back. I have no desire to wear something more elaborate. My morning tea comes to me in the privacy of my own room. My parents are probably awake by now, but I don't feel the inclination to join them.
Instead I sit by the window, looking out at the grounds below.
It was just yesterday that I walked down one of those cobblestone paths. It was nice to have Weiss at my side. I think she thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. If only she were here now, at my side to enjoy these small tranquil hours. Clearly, she has left more than an impression on me. Her presence is sorely missed when I look at my lodgings. Surely, having her to join me would be vastly more entertaining than being left in my own mind.
She has a sharp wit when it isn't stifled. I must say, I crave such intriguing stimulation now. A meeting of the minds is an uncanny thing when one of those minds is a Schnee. Yang once told me so herself, though at the time I hadn't believed her. Now I know how foolish I was.
Weiss would make a most compelling mate for me, there's no question in that.
Though…
I do wonder if she feels the same about me. If we were to be coupled, would she enjoy Menagerie just as much as the kingdoms?
I can only hope.
It leads me to another thought. One more pressing than I'd like to admit. "Tucson, retrieve my schedule, please."
The large man is the nearest thing my family and I keep to a dedicated servant. He looks up from his reading, carefully placing his bookmark into his pages before closing the book. "As you wish." With great care he meanders about the room. Soft thumping sounds patter against the wood floor as he collects the detailed notebook he keeps. He takes his time opening it to the correct page. "As you know, today is strictly travel. Once we reach the castle, we will be received by the king's eldest son."
"King Ozma will not receive us himself?" I wonder aloud. "Is he falling ill again?"
"I could only offer a guess." Tucson replies with due caution.
"Then do that." I return unflinchingly.
He takes a breath, gazing out the window beside me to gather his thoughts. "King Ozma has been in power over these auspicious lands for a very long time." The man in front of me finally says. "To lead a kingdom for so long, I am sure the work has tired him. I would not begin to speak poorly of King Ozma."
"So, you believe his age approaches him." I say, challenging Tucson. I want to see if he will stand his ground, or cower beneath the implication.
He sighs, looking at me as though I'm being obstinate.
"Even if time doesn't age his body, it will surely age the soul. Like anything else, it will grow weary. If so, what of it? I believe he has earned for himself an era of respite." Tucson returns, causing my ears to perk at his argumentative tone. That was more forward of him than I'd otherwise expect. "I am sure that King Ozma has sensed a swift change in political tides. Consider that the time may have come for Prince Ozpin to take his rightful place."
"It is true that many are preparing to step into the line of succession." I consider aloud, my tone thoughtful. I am not the only one looking to secure my place in the vastness of this world. I easily forget that the kingdoms also share this fear. "Furthermore, Prince Ozpin has not yet married. Could it be that he's choosing to take a bride for himself?"
The man in front of me grunts with indignation, rolling his eyes at the thought. "Possibly..."
"You don't know?" I ask.
"It's rather hard to tell what he's thinking. Prior to now, the choices he had were limited." Tucson tells me. He speaks the truth. "Vale's magic provides longevity to those who use it, but he has always denied its power. The years were not kind to him."
"Still the power could easily be used at any time." I say, recalling my studies well. "Now, many eligible nobles are upon on the cusp. To top it all off, they're all avidly looking for matches to be made. I believe King Ozma would act opportunistically. Wouldn't you agree?"
"I..." He growls low, his eyes downcast and lips working silently. "I think it comes down to a matter of degree, Blake."
"Kung Ozma would know that this would be the most opportune time for his son to take a wife." I look to Tucson then, searching his features for his deeper thoughts. They don't betray him. "Yet, you theorize that this movement among the other kingdoms causes Prince Ozpin to act?"
"That is my intuition on the subject, yes." Tucson nodded. "I am sure that the prince will provide a large feast for our welcome. He will likely seek affirmation that his place as king will be accepted willingly among the other kingdoms."
"As to be expected. After all, I seek the same approval. We all do." I know for a fact more than a feast awaits. He never does anything by half-measure. "In any case, I'm sure that our arrival will cause something of an uproar among particular parties. Though, I am curious about the forthcoming audience with King Ozma. What follows that?"
He looks down once again at his book. "The page is blank. Nothing has been scheduled."
"Perfect." I say with a smile. "You are to leave it that way, regardless of what my father might argue on the subject."
"As you wish." He bows slightly, but my gaze tells him I am not quite finished.
I walk across the room, upon a thick oak desk rests three tightly sealed letters. Yes, I think the plans I've arranged will do quite nicely. I'm sure that she will enjoy them. "You are to take this and slide it beneath the princess's door. Then you will await her reply. Once you have received it, you will hand these two letters to the Atlesian queen and her consort personally. Understood?"
"Yes, of course."
"Make absolutely sure that I receive the princess's reply before we depart." I tell him, though he knows not to disobey such an important request. "You are dismissed."
I am sure that it will be a favorable reply. I think that Weiss will be quite pleased, or so I hope.
Vale is not like my homeland, but, I know most of its most important storied history. Being such close friends with Yang gave me every excuse I needed to know of this vast kingdom. It reminds me just how weak I am, and how small Menagerie truly is. We have so little claim on the vast lands we walk upon.
Even if we were to become a kingdom, we would be the smallest among the giants.
Vale's climate and location gives it a greater power than we of Menagerie could ever hold. Although Ozma doesn't look it, he is an old man. Still sitting upon Vale's throne even as his eldest son has long grown grey himself. Salem, Vale's most beloved queen is a woman of great renown. Together, Vale is perhaps the strongest kingdom. The king and queen use carefully protected magic that allows them to govern with such warmth.
They are amazing rulers, agelessly watching over their people.
I can only continue to ruminate on Vale's greatness as I bring my tea to my lips. A trickle of jealousy mixes with the impossibility of it all. I can only sit here, jaw slackened, when I think of the efforts put forth to build such a kingdom. Hefty prices had to have been paid, not merely in coin, although that was likely large too. If it is true that Menagerie may one day stand among the great kingdoms, I can only humbly pray that I am able to live up to such lofty ambitions.
It would be no simple task...
