Chapter 4: An Earnest Chat
Winter, Yang, and Weiss were all seated around a table in one of the castle's parlors. A pot of freshly brewed tea was sitting on the table, and three cups were poured. However, only Yang was drinking her tea with carefree relish. Winter had been relaying the details of her battle against the dragon that had kidnapped Yang to Weiss, and Weiss did not look pleased with what she was hearing.
"So," Weiss said. "Sounds like you were almost killed at least three times."
"That is not what I said," Winter replied.
"Did you even stop to consider the consequences of what would've happened if the dragon really had crushed you underfoot?" Weiss asked.
"The consequences of that seem obvious," Winter said.
"Do they?!" Weiss exclaimed. "Do you know how I would feel if you never came back from one of your missions?!"
Winter took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was not the first time she'd had this conversation with Weiss. She doubted it would be the last. However, she'd rather not have it in front of Yang.
"Princess, I know the danger I put myself in," Winter said. "But if not me then it would be someone else. I refuse to let another take my place."
"Funny," Weiss said. "You let me take your place as the heiress apparent."
Had Yang not been present, Winter would have had some choice words for Weiss. As it was, she gave Weiss her most withering look.
Weiss sighed. She said, "Fine. What happened after you stabbed the dragon in the knee?"
"That…" Winter said, turning to Yang. "…is a very good question."
It took Yang a moment to realize that Winter's statement had been directed at her. "Hmm? Oh!" she said. "The dragon whacked you with her tail."
"'Her' tail?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah. It was a girl dragon," Yang said.
"How could you tell?" Weiss asked.
A mischievous smile crossed Yang's face. She said, "Well you see. Girls have a—"
"Please, Princess," Winter interrupted. "Do not finish that sentence."
Yang pouted. "You're no fun."
"So I've been told," Winter said. "The dragon hit me with its tail, you say?"
"Yup. Classic dragon move. Whack! Out cold," Yang said.
Winter frowned. Her memories leading up to her brief stint of unconsciousness weren't entirely clear, but she didn't recall the dragon being in a position to use its tail like Yang was describing.
"Out cold!?" Weiss wailed in alarm. "You're lucky the beast didn't take the chance to eat you whole!"
Yang muttered, "Again with the eating. Why?"
Winter said to Weiss, "I know better than you the danger I was in."
"Some days I wonder," Weiss said.
Outside the parlor's windows, the sound of a horn blowing rose up. It was the castle's timekeeper signaling the start of a new hour on the sundial.
Weiss took one last sip of her tea and then set her cup down. She stood and said, "Excuse me. I must be going."
Weiss started to leave, but Winter said, "Please wait."
Weiss ignored Winter and kept heading for the door.
"Princess! Weiss…" Winter said.
Weiss paused and turned around.
"I know you worry about my safety," Winter said. "And it is…appreciated. But I don't want you to think that my decision to abdicate was an easy one. Quite the opposite in fact. It was the hardest decision of my life."
"I'm sure," Weiss said dryly. "No one would give up that much power without doubting themselves."
"It was never about power," Winter said. "Had I been the only one affected, the decision would have been a simple one. But it wasn't simple at all. Because of what it meant for you."
Weiss looked taken aback.
Winter stood and walked over to Weiss. She put her hands on her sister's shoulders. "Know this," she said. "I would never have stepped away from the throne if I thought you weren't worthy of sitting on it someday. You will make a great queen, and I will do everything in my power to see it so."
Weiss maintained a stoic expression, but Winter knew her well enough to see that she was holding back tears. Weiss stepped away from Winter and said, "Then see to it you don't get killed by one of those dragons you hunt."
"I…will," Winter said.
Weiss nodded. Then she silently turned and left the room.
Winter's chest felt tight. She loved her sister dearly, but she was never sure how best to express that love. It pained her to think that in the end she might be no better than their father, emotionally distant and too wrapped up in duty to care for those who should matter most.
A shoulder suddenly bumped into Winter's arm. She turned to her side and saw Yang standing there, looking cute with her hands clasped behind her back.
"Family, eh?" Yang said.
"My apologies that you had to witness that," Winter said.
"No. I like getting to see the real you," Yang said. "Who would've thought that big bad dragon slayer Dame Schnee would turn out to be such a softy."
"Hmmph," Winter said, turning up her nose yet blushing all the while. "I resent that remark."
"But you don't deny it," Yang countered.
"Say it again and I will," Winter retorted.
Yang laughed. It was a very musical laugh. Winter would have liked to hear it more often.
"So…" Yang said. "Can I ask why you gave up being a princess?"
"No," Winter said. "You may not."
"Aw. Why not?" Yang asked.
"Because it's none of your concern," Winter said. "I think you've seen enough of the 'real me' for one day."
"Can't blame a girl for trying," Yang said.
"I most certainly can," Winter said.
"Ooh. Feisty!" Yang said. "I like that."
Winter scoffed, but she also smirked a little.
"You know, I can't help but notice we're finally alone," Yang said. She suddenly leaned in and put her hand on the small of Winter's back. "And I never really 'thanked' you for saving me."
Winter felt her cheeks start to burn. She had sought to ignore the princess's advances from yesterday, chalking them up to the excitement of her kidnapping and subsequent rescue. But it seemed the princess had not given up her notions of rewarding her rescuer, and if she was willing to be so overt, Winter decided she needed to address the issue directly.
"Princess," Winter said. "What are your intentions?"
Yang gave Winter a lascivious smirk. She said, "Well first I intend to kiss you some more. Then I intend to see what's under that doublet. Which looks great on you by the way. Then I intend to—"
"Enough," Winter said exasperatedly. If she'd thought she was blushing brightly before, it was nothing compared to how luminescent her cheeks were now. "I have not been oblivious to your…advances. But why would you think I was interested?"
"Why wouldn't you be interested?" Yang asked. It was worded like a boast, but it sounded like an honest question.
"Because…" Winter said, fumbling for words. "We're both women."
"And?" Yang asked, again sounding genuinely confused.
Winter was at a loss. She began to wonder what courtly life was like in the Kingdom of Patch. Her mind unhelpfully conjured up a series of fanciful ideas, each more appealing, and unrealistic, than the last.
"Look. If you're really not interested, then just tell me," Yang said. "But oh boy, you don't know what you're missing out on."
Winter realized this was her chance to extract herself from this situation. If only it were that easy. But it was that easy. All she had to do was tell Yang she wasn't interested. It would be the simplest thing in the world for Winter to reject a beautiful maiden who was stopping just short of literally throwing herself at her. But then Winter remembered that Yang had literally thrown herself at her when they'd first met. She'd even kissed her. Winter wondered how wonderful it might be to share another kiss when she'd be able to fully appreciate it. But she knew she couldn't do that. The political consequences could be disastrous. Although was there any reason to think that anyone would find out? Surely someone would, but perhaps not if they were careful. That was a dangerous line of thinking, and Winter was doing her best to resist it. Did she even care about the political consequences? It was a foolish question. Of course she cared. But did she care enough?
As Winter's rambling thoughts continued to tumble out of her head, she suddenly became aware that Yang was staring at her with an impish grin on her face. Winter realized she needed to say something, but she was still paralyzed by indecision.
"Mmm-hm," Yang said with a curious little inflection on the end.
"What?" Winter asked.
"Nothing," Yang said. "Well if we're not going to passionately kiss each other with abandon, we're going to have to find something else to do today."
"I…." Winter cleared her throat and attempted to regain her composure. "I'm afraid I cannot play hostess for much longer. The dragon that kidnapped you is still free to terrorize the land. I must see to my duty."
"But the dragon could be anywhere," Yang said. "How are you even going to find it?"
"I will organize scouting parties. Listen for any word to come in from the villages and hamlets," Winter said. "A dragon is far too terrifying to go unnoticed."
"Yeah," Yang said. "There's no way one could be hiding right under your nose."
"Precisely," Winter said. "As we narrow down where the beast is not, we'll learn where it must be."
"And she's…it's got to have a treasure horde somewhere around here too!" Yang said. "Think of all that gold. Jewels! Uh…exotic spices?"
"Princess, please," Winter said. "True, it would be a boon to locate the beast's treasure hoard. But it's far more important that it's stopped before it can cause too much damage."
"Okay, but…. Exotic spices!" Yang said. "Think of a rack of lamb seasoned with rosemary, oregano, sage, and paprika."
Winter couldn't tell if Yang was being serious or not. She also wasn't sure what a few of those spices were. However, before she could question Yang, there was the sound of someone politely coughing.
Surprised, Winter turned and saw a young boy in a courier's outfit standing at the entrance to the parlor.
"Dame Schnee? A message has arrived for you," the boy said, holding out a rolled parchment.
Winter walked over to the boy and took the parchment from him. She said, "Thank you."
The boy gave Winter an abbreviated bow and hurried off. No doubt he had many more messages to deliver.
Winter unrolled the parchment and read the words scrawled on it.
"What's it say?" Yang asked.
"A visitor is expected to arrive at the castle no later than tomorrow morning," Winter said.
"A visitor? Who?" Yang asked.
"The head of my order," Winter said. "Lord James Ironwood."
Author's Note: Cue dramatic music sting! But I'm sure Ironwood's arrival won't be a big deal. He's one of the good guys after all, right?
Sorry this chapter was posted late. Real life and all that. Everything's been resolved now, so I should be able to post the rest of the story on time. Knock on wood.
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