Chapter 8 Blake POV
I asked Weiss to spend the journey to Vale's main city with me. As expected, the princess gave a very favorable reply.
The sun just barely kisses the clouds as the servants rush to get transportation prepared. They scuffle around to ready the horses. They pack the luggage, hastily sorting the cargo onto wagons accordingly. A few fine gifts and important notices are stowed away in preparation. There is a small argument among the servants, seating arrangements are sparse, meaning many will be ordered to march. Everything is in full swing for the last leg of the journey to Vale's castle.
It amuses me that someone as war decorated as Winter Schnee brought so many servants that they see fit to argue. Then again, Yang's are no better.
Helping to complete the preparations, my father stands one side. He speaks with our pathfinders, inquiring about the maps and routes being used. On the other side, my mother thanks the household staff for the hospitality. Yang jovially tosses out orders like they're second nature, helping to organize the ensuing ciaos. The queen sends the messenger before standing beside Yang to watch the preparations complete.
There is very little I must do, at least, for now.
I'm used to the nomadic ways of our Faunus brethren here in Vale. The life they lead outside the kingdoms have made me well prepared for this short trip. I wish everyone could be so accustomed to the mild panic that sets in just before a journey. If they were, it would certainly be more enjoyable.
As it stands, I don't bother to pay the scurrying of the servants any mind.
Instead I'm far more interested with the sight in front of me. Weiss Schnee, clad in yet another silk garb from head to toe. The dress itself is an immaculate shade of purple. The noblest of shrouds, or so they say. The dress clings to her modest curves. Without hesitation, I extend a hand to help Weiss into the carriage, enjoying the fleeting contact while I can receive it.
"How long do you think it will take before we reach the city?" Weiss asks as she settles into her seat.
It's a good question, but one I don't have an exact answer for. "That would depend quite a bit on several factors."
"You speak as if you know this journey well."
"I do, this is a trip I've made often." I say pleasantly.
"Then perhaps you could enlighten me." With the way she says that, how could I possibly deny her?
"The first concern would be the quality of our horses, and the speed at which we take." I begin to explain. I can't help drinking in the undivided attention she offers me. It will be gone much too soon for my liking. "The next would be the paths we choose to follow. If the trek proves to be unfavorable, it will take longer."
"What would be the possibility of that happening?" She asks, her hand elegantly gesturing to the open window. "The weather certainly seems fair."
I heave myself up and into the carriage to sit across from her. The door is wide open, and I dare not close it. Doing so might be thought of as offensive. I can see Winter watching me closely from across the way. I must not do anything to attract her ire. "It may be fair today, but the conditions might have been unfavorable days before. If it had been, the dirt roads might still be muddied."
"I see." She says, mulling over my answer.
"I suppose a distant third would be would be our preparations themselves." I say, this last tidbit merely conversational. I wish to capture that blue eyed gaze of hers again. She is too beautiful for words. "Inexperienced servants could lengthen our travel time more than anything else. It isn't known to happen often, but when it does, it's horrible."
"So it sounds. I would like to avoid that, if possible."
I nod, a soft hum leaving my throat.
"Do you suppose all will go according to plan?"
"You doubt Yang's own family?" I ask, only partially joking. "The breeding of Xiao Long steeds are some of the best in Vale. However, if that was all they produced, the kingdom would be at a standstill."
"Is that so?" Weiss asked, eyes sparking with interest. She's completely absorbing the knowledge I've just given to her. She seems to desire more. I should acquire a few books for her, and not the sorts from scholars, either. No, I think she'll find documented pathfinders particularly interesting.
"Vale lacks the technology that's been booming within Atlas. This is still the primary way to get around." I say, gently patting the side of the carriage. "I doubt that will change any time soon. King Ozma finds that his kingdom is not in a hurry to change with the times. The people here enjoy a simpler life than that of Atlas."
"What is Vale like?"
I cannot help the feeling of surprise that obviously flickers across my face. "You've never been to the castle before?"
Weiss shook her head, looking down at her folded hands. "Never, not even once."
I don't like the shame I hear in her voice. The lack of so many experiences must have been hard on her. I will correct that, I swear it. I will teach her the ways of this beautiful world piece by glorious piece. "Forgive me, princess, I forget that you were not raised to be well traveled."
"I was never meant for any of the complexities outside of the castle court." Weiss tells me.
I had suspected that to be true, but to hear the princess admit it… Well, that is an entirely different matter.
"That sounds as though it would be difficult." I say softly, making a note of all the things she must learn quickly.
"It was." She murmurs, her confidence waning. "Some days, I found it to be unbelievably stifling." I presume it's not easy to admit just how sheltered she has been. Denied so many things, for reasons I would never be able to understand. "As you can imagine, my education was excruciatingly limited when compared to my sister."
"Her majesty never sought to further educate you?" I ask, thinking that to be rather odd.
"You speak of the matter so casually, as if she had a choice."
"Didn't she?" I murmur.
A firm denial, one made as she shook her head. The frown on her features lasting momentarily as she spoke. "By the time Winter had a say in any of it, I was already embroiled deeply within the social sphere." It was a cold statement of fact. So much of her life seems that way. Cold and calculating, and none of it by her own whims.
"Winter seems just as deeply embroiled." I say, knowing as a queen it would be expected. "Wasn't she that way in her younger days?"
"Winter was raised by the cruelty of a blade and the tides of war. She had years before me to win the hearts of the people." Weiss says, her eyes glancing towards her sister. a soft nod, that of awe. The deepest respect paid for the eldest. "I was too young to carry a blade at her side. Unlike you, and unlike Yang, my father never cared to teach me. As such, I was raised merely to marry a husband of my father's approval. That was all that mattered to him."
I will fix that too, then.
Someone must, and if it must be me, so be it.
I will show her all of the things she has not yet seen. I will give her a chance to know all that she might desire. Still, I must inquire about one detail that concerns me. Even if that is my obligation, I somewhat fear the answer. "Princess, if I may ask, what was to become of your brother?"
"What of him, indeed?" Weiss shot back, but her blue eyes looked up then. Mirth from the depths found purchase, glistening in her eyes. "He was my father's only son. Must you truly ask me of his intended place?"
"No, I suppose that was silly of me to ask." I say to her. I know exactly the thought that comes to mind. "Yet, it was your sister who took the throne."
"At the behest of the people, and Whitey's age. He is, after all, the youngest." She returns. "Winter is no doubt the most qualified. The people of Atlas know this."
"Yes, so I see." That would make sense. The bond between father and son is a particular point of pride. One that is different from the bond between a father and daughter. "Excuse my curiosity. I am an only child, so the burden of Menagerie falls onto me. It was never meant to be bequeathed to anyone else..."
"Yes, well, Whitley doesn't begrudge Winter the title." Weiss said then. "If anything, like me, I believe he prefers it."
The slamming of a few carriage doors draws my attention. My ears flick as I hear the some movement up at the front. Footfalls approach from the side, Yang and Winter are the last to take their seats. They both have decided to share our already cramped accommodations. As an Atlesian servant bows deeply the wooden door closes and we finally begin to move.
A single file line plods down the cobbled path and onto the long dirt road.
The journey to Vale's most prosperous city finally begins.
I look across to the sisters sitting side by side. Winter has also dressed in a deep purple dress, the sight of which reminds me of the sort of life Weiss has lived. She has been given only the finest things, quality and quantity suffusing her tastes and limited experiences. I would never be able to match the gifts that the kingdoms could provide. Yet, Winter Schnee is no fool. She knows all too well such things cannot completely provide happiness.
Her vows to Yang have only deepened that belief. I can only be confidant of that.
"Queen Schnee, I'm sure you're curious as to why I requested that you join me on such a long journey." Her eyebrow raises at this, and I pause, giving her the choice to silence me if she were to wish it.
"I would like to think I'm not completely daft." She says, and I can't be sure if she received my request happily. "Though, I am curious at the gull you have. You are relentless in your pursuits, aren't you?"
"Is that so bad a quality to have?" I ask, wondering what she truly thinks of my hopeful inquiries and constant advances.
"I believe that comes down to the pursuit at hand." She tells me. Her regal appearance promises that she will not amuse petty conversation.
My attempt to endear myself to her favor might in fact be made in error. Still, I can feel Yang nudge at me. A reminder that Winter is not as impossible to deal with as she might seem. Yang's encouragement is all I need to further my attempt.
"Queen Schnee, I realize that my requests have not been reasonable." I begin, my gaze sliding to Weiss. I hope she understands what I'm doing. That what I say, I say for our sake. That I might gain a bit of luck, and that Winter might finally start speaking to me about the matters of my own heart. Seeking my voice, instead of my father's. "I'd like to formally apologize for that. The more I live, the more I see that life itself is an unreasonable thing…"
"So it often seems." Winter says to me slowly.
"I feel that I could give my utmost, life included, and I fear you would not think it to be enough." If nothing else, I can be honest. If I cannot currently give anything more than my word, then so be it. "I understand the difficult position your find yourself in, but, as you said, I am relentless."
"So you are..."
"I will not give up so easily."
Winter seems amused by my statement if anything. I feel like a plaything under her gaze. "Tell me something." She begins slowly. "Have you spilled blood in defense of your people?"
Well, that escalated quickly…
"In general, Faunus are people of the wilds. Most of us under my father's collective don't want any more war. We attempt not to make more bloodshed if it can be avoided." I lick my lips, wondering if my honesty will condemn me. "There are times though, where in spite of our greatest effort, blood is spilt regardless. I am not remiss from that. Faunus and human alike have fallen victim to my blade."
"Then you must know that hasty political decisions may lead to the demise of an entire population." Winter replies to me. Her gaze drifts, I know that look well. A memory haunting the shadows. "Your father, the chieftain, he seems to be a man with pure hands. Now tell me this, has he ever drawn a blade with the intent to kill a foe?"
"No, he has not." He draws a blade to defend, and protect. Never to kill. Why would she ask that, I wonder? "His people fled the mainland's to avoid the senseless killing. We took refuge on a cluster of islands, because that's what was given to us."
"It was not long ago that Faunus were culled by the thousands." Winter replies, the casual slaughter of my people almost light on her tongue. "The state of unrest has culminated in many wars since then. Most of them taking place when enough Faunus try to lay claim to a kingdom's throne. The recent war in Atlas is just one of many. Am I to assume that you battled on the same planes that I did?"
"Your Highness, I don't-"
"Answer the question."
"Yes." I muttered sadly. "When Vale's army was sent to you, so were the willing Faunus of Menagerie to bolster Vale's numbers. Yang was the one to lead our most willing people. We were nameless, but we fought bravely alongside the rest of you in defense of your kingdom's throne."
"Am I also to assume that you spilled the blood of humans during that war?"
"When I am forced to take a life, I do as I must." I say glumly. "Human lives were taken the moment they became a threat to the royal family. I didn't hesitate to fulfill my most solemn vow."
"Then, having seen the horrors yourself, you must know. You are lucky to have survived. You owe that gift to Vale." Winter replies, and I know there is no disputing that. It's the truth, after all. "My Father was killed by the hands of a Faunus. The other kingdoms would have cut your people down life by life, until not one of you remained. You ask me for my sister's hand, but what you ask is such a precarious thing."
Yet, I ask it all the same…
"I know that the fate of the Faunus has not been prosperous in the past. However, I believe that it can be, now."
"Yet there are still humans that wish your people dead." Winter isn't wrong. "Another war could break out at any time. If so, we would be forced to do battle once more. How could I entrust my sister to a Faunus knowing that?"
She couldn't.
I would never be able to ask her to.
Not as I am.
I must become greater.
