Weiss was having a terrible day.

She had spent so long trying to convince her parents to let her leave Atlas and experience for herself what becoming a Huntress on her own merit could teach her, before finally succeeding.

As she planned on leaving her home and family for years on end, she had counted on spending as much time as humanly possible with her mother and siblings, only for her father to ruin everything for her by sending her to the Kingdom of Vale a month early.

At least she would have the time to study and plan for the future before entering her formal education, even as she languished in one of her family's many hotels.

Unfortunately her peace of mind wasn't to be, as even in this place, her family name followed her everywhere, and she had to endure whispered and hushed conversations speaking of her titles and how anyone lucky enough to get with her would be set for life.

It was particularly irritating when the gawkers' ranks seemed to increase and a new voice had apparently joined the group that had gossiped behind her back all day.

"So she's the heiress of the company we were guarding merchandise for?" the man was asking his colleagues.

"Yes." One of the voices, one of the men that were old enough to be her father answered. "Why? Thinking about shooting your shot, pretty boy?"

The raucous laughter and following hushes of excitement as the presumed pretty boy was approaching her made her mood fall even more.

Weiss had to forcefully school her features to hide the scowl that was threatening to appear on her face at the exchange, the crass way she was talked about, as if she were an object to be won, as well as the fact this newcomer was only interested in her name, fame and riches making her wish she could pull out Myrtenaster and teach all of these deplorables a lesson.

"Hello, Miss Schnee?" a voice said from a few feet behind her and Weiss turned imperiously, ready to unleash her disdain of the vermin that dared to impose the disturbing discourse she had only tolerated so far due to it not being said to her face, but which she would be glad to put an end to once it was so carelessly brought to her attention.

Only for her icy eyes to meet blue ones and for the world to stop, all the chatter coming to a grinding halt and she was lost in the depths of those piercing yet warm orbs that felt like they could see through all her emotions and into her very heart and most hidden of emotions.

So lost into the azure sea sitting in front of her, it took ages before she realized the mesmerizing sight was attached to a face, a marble statue of one of those Mystralian gods, the most refined and noble of features chiseled onto the most robust and pleasant of rocks.

Eyes wide, and mouth going dry, Weiss could only sit there, watching incomprehensibly as an art exhibit looked back at her, a worried expression painted by the most talented of artists as they moved their lips in an alluring manner.

Until it all came crashing down and she realized she had just stood there gaping like a dunderhead at a stranger, whom had been trying to get her attention for minutes now.

"Miss Schnee? Is everything alright?" the alluring melody sang, concern peeking through the perfect politeness.

Weiss made to answer only for her to find her jaw clenched shut, not a peep coming out of her, mortification and shame gripping her heart at the sorry state she had just been reduced to.

"I seem to have caught you at the wrong time, sorry for bothering you, Miss." Jaune said, before promptly turning around, his nerves having held long enough for him to approach the model-like young woman, but not actually wanting to make a fool out of himself when she had not deigned him worthy of hearing a single word from her, though he had been worried for her health, the way she was blushing and sweating indicating a quite severe fever, and reminding him to buy more winter clothes, lest he ends up like the unfortunate heiress.

Weiss on the other hand could only watch in despair as Jaune left her behind, wishing she were still in Atlas, where she could throw herself off the edge and fall onto Mantle in shame.