Chapter 5
"I am being stripped of my position as heiress to the Schnee Dust Company." Winter states indifferently.
"…" After standing in silence for a while to get over my mild shock, I reply, "You don't seem too sad about it?" pointing out at my sister's indifferent attitude. Now that I think about it doesn't Blake call Weiss and heiress at the start of the show? So I shouldn't have been so shocked, but didn't that happen because Winter joined the military. As I think such things, she continues,
"I will be joining the Atlesian Military upon graduation, something I have been aiming for since I was a child, I never wished to inherit the company." She says, confirming my suspicions, I guess when you are a specialist, getting drafted early must be normal, even still this didn't happen in the story, or at least I don't think so. It has been 12 years since I was reincarnated; I really need to spare some time to write down what I know of upcoming events before I forget.
"I see...but aren't you a bit too young? You are just starting your third year at the Academy." I ask, even if I know things from the show, I can't exactly expose it, although saying you watched this world happen in a previous life in the form of a show would never be believed, it's good to keep up appearances.
She looks around for any eavesdroppers before replying, "Usually, yes, however General Ironwood thinks my talents would benefit in a special unit which he overseas personally."
"Oh? Congratulations, Specialist." I say with a teasing smile. Before she could issue a rebuttal, Weiss' performance starts.
In no way was I only listening to her performance as a way to escape from hearing Winter's rebuttal though, Weiss is truly an amazing singer, this performance was no different; as beautiful as always. It was soft, yet emotional; not something you would expect a 12 year old to be singing but no one seemed to notice or care as they just enjoyed listening. As it ended, the crowd erupted with applause, I myself one of them as I locked eyes with Weiss, giving her a warm smile which she returned before she left the stage, only to be replaced with Jacques when the crowd settled down and began speaking,
"As I am sure you are all aware, recently the position of successor to the Schnee Dust Company has been put into question." He says, surveying the room before spotting me, Winter and Weiss who had just made her way over. "I would like to confirm you're suspicions. Winter, my eldest daughter, will be taking a future position in the Atlesian Military, and because of this, she will no longer hold the position of heiress." At his words, most of the crowd begin whispering with eachother, trying to speculate what this means, and gossiping about who will be chosen instead, however some more shrewd individuals hold their tongue while waiting for Jacques to continue.
"I am well aware what some of you may be thinking." He continues, causing the whisperers to quiet down. "However I assure you, I am only acting with the interests of the Company first. And as such, I will be naming a new successor tonight. One that I assure you has already shown promise and gained popularity with the public and I have only higher hopes for them." He took a pause again. Considering his words, it seems Weiss is going to be named successor like I thought, I should congratulate her. But for him to use her as if she is a piece on a chessboard angers me. Anyway, it seemed he had continued the speech while I was thinking such thing, "But, that will be announced later tonight, for now; enjoy yourselves." He says holding up a glass before leaving the stage.
"I guess that all but confirms you Weiss, congratulations." I say as I turn to her with a smile.
"Why thank you, Sir Ira, it is my honour." She says with a playful curtsy and a giggle, "Perhaps a dance to congratulate me?" She asks, which I oblige as the orchestra plays a slow song.
"But try not to step on my toes this time, Princess." I say with a smirk as I lead her to the dance floor.
As we dance she asks me, "Since he hasn't announced it yet, isn't it possible you would be named heir?"
"That would be a problem, plus I seriously would hate to take over the Company. I will probably leave and become a huntsman anyway, I'm thinking of going to Beacon Academy in Vale. You and I both know how bad it is to stay cooped up in here, I probably would have gone mad without you to keep me company." I say to her as she blushes and puts her head into my shoulder.
"But you can't, you said you wouldn't leave me." She says, still not looking up.
"Why don't you come with me then?" I reply, just as the song is coming to an end. "You can join me for training with Grun."
She stays silent as the song ends and we make her way over to Winter, however before I can say anything else, Klein begins speaking.
"Ira, it seems you are required in the study." Me? I think wondering what he would want out of the blue.
"Me? What would he want me for?" I ask, he almost never wishes to speak with me, although it's not just me but Weiss and Winter too, Whitley is almost always around him however, in fact when he came up to us earlier, Whitley was standing behind him.
"I'm afraid that's not something I can say." He replies before turning around with a gesture saying to follow him.
Making our way to his study, he didn't say a word, which is unlike him; he even looks a little sad.
"Enter." Jacques says after Klein knocked on the door. Escorting me in, Klein bows and goes over to a tea stand and begins preparing tea.
"I take it you know why I called you here, Boy?" He says, probably expecting me to know. To be honest I have a few ideas, almost all of them I don't want to happen so I will play innocent.
"No father, I do not."
"I see…." He says as he rests his chin on his interlocked hands. "Simply put, I will be naming you heir. Prepare a short speech; I will be announcing this in an hour."
"Huh…" I just stand there in front of his desk with my mouth agape, not mustering any proper word in response, my brain however is anything but frozen.
Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck. This is NOT I wanted to happen; I had hoped with me not being his son, he would forego me in the order and choose Weiss.
Oh shit, shit shit shit. I can't think of something to reply, my face must look completely blank as he interprets as surprise.
"It may be surprising, but it is true, if you have nothing to say, you may leave." He finishes, taking a sip of the tea Klein poured for him.
…
…
"I refuse." I say after a long time of just standing there. There is only one thing I can do. I've realised something thanks to this. Rather, I should say I have always realised it, but I this has made me accept it; my presence here is causing the world to diverge from the show. Winter should not have been named a specialist until she graduated, maybe it even took her a while to climb the ranks, but Ironwood has been keeping an eye on the Schnees since that incident when I was 5. Next is Weiss, who should already have started her training. She should be following in Winter's footsteps and aiming to become a huntress, my presence is affecting her too much. She needs to get stronger.
"….You what? You…Refuse?" He says, slightly shocked. "This isn't something you simply 'refuse' Son, are you aware how much I've put into raising and educating you!" He says, his voice rising into a shout, "YOU WILL ACCEPT, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"
"I will not." I state bluntly.
"THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION, BOY. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I HAVE PUT INTO RAISING YOU, TAKING YOU IN AFTER YOU MOTHER DIEDYOU'RE YOUR FATHER DITCHED YOU? WITHOUT ME YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER SURVIVED!" He shouts, his anger clearly blinding his judgement as he casually drops me not being his son.
"I think Mother, or rather Willo, was the one to take me in after her sister, my birthmother, died, was she not?" Not just Jacques, but also Klein twitches at the realisation that I knew I wasn't his child, or Willo's, all this time, and that I knew vaguely who my real parents were.
"But….how did you….. Was it Winter who told you, or perhaps Willo?" He says, trying to find someone to blame.
"No, I found out myself, it just took some digging." I technically wasn't lying, I wanted to find out the identity of my birthmother, and it turned out to it was right it was Willo's sister; however there was nothing on my father so he is still a mystery. "The Schnee family records all members both alive and dead, so discovering that Willo's younger sister was…."
"ENOUGH!" Jacques shouts, interrupting me, "I will not have someone I raised disrespect me like this. If you don't wish to follow my orders, then you do not have a place in this home, leave, I never wish to see you in front of me again." He says calmly, however his words are seething in rage.
I knew it would turn out like this the moment I refused. I had been putting the idea out of my mind, not wanting to leave Weiss, or Willo, or Winter, I had been thinking everything would be fine, that the problems would resolve themselves, but I was just looking away from the problem, pretending not to notice the effect my presence had. This is the only way I can fix it; to leave. Hopefully Weiss will take it upon herself to protect herself, to become strong, like how she should be. This is my hope; she is both the reason I don't want to leave, and the reason I have to; I guess I grew attached to my sister as much as she did for me.
"Very well." I spoke, getting up and escorting myself out of the study.
"….Ira?..." I hear someone call as I close the door, to see a crying Weiss.
"Weiss….I…." I go to reply, but Klein interrupts me with a sorrowful look,
"Miss Schnee, your father wishes to speak with you."
"But, Klein!" She shouts, trying to protest.
"I will be fine, Weiss, calm down before you go in." I say wearing a sorrowful smile as I pat her on the head, however she swats it away as she looks angry, turning her head away. Seeing this, something begins clouding my vision, but I hold it back. Before I could say anything, she goes into his office.
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Listening to her Father shout and yell, he tells her she will be the successor and to prepare a speech. She didn't even manage to reply before being escorted out by Klein. Klein was the family butler, however it could be said he was more of a parent to Ira and Weiss than Jacques and Willo; one not caring and the other too busy drinking to care. Even he, himself thought of them as his own children, he would want nothing more than for them to be happy, so when he realised what was going to happen and watched as it did, he could do nothing but blame himself. 'How could I do nothing?' He kept asking himself, however there was nothing he could do, and so he kept wallowing in pity, not being able to cheer the little girl up as she holds back tears while giving a speech on what is meant to be a joyous occasion, but is only filled with sorrow instead.
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Weiss had never been so sad, there was nothing she wanted to do more than curl up and cry, but she was named successor, she had things to do first and she wasn't strong enough to say no to father like a certain someone. After the ball ended, she quickly returned to her room and began crying, everything she has held in that night all came bursting out of her like a broken dam; everything she wished had went differently, everything she wished didn't happen at all, everything. She wasn't able to stop, there was only one person who would be able to get her to stop, but he wasn't here; she had overheard there conversation in the study, all of it, he was gone. After what seemed like all night of crying, she noticed something on her nightstand that she had not noticed when she came in. Through the tears in her eyes, she saw a box, wrapped in white wrapping paper with a red bow. Opening it she found a case and a note.
I told you it would be a surprise.
A present fit for a Princess.
It might be difficult to think about me leaving,
About not having me there for you,
Buti hope I never have to leave you,
But if I ever do have to go,
Hopefully this will remind you of me.
That you aren't nor will you ever be; alone,
For even if I do leave, I will come back as quick as I can
"….Hic…But you won't be back….hic…..you left….hic….me alone….hic…. you promised…" She cries to herself as she opens the box.
Inside she finds an icicle shaped tiara.
Time for some audience participation! Not really spoilers but don't read this if you don't want that.
Thinking a few chapters ahead I realised that I haven't thought out what I will be doing for his team. I've decided to either put him as an extra member on one, bringing it to 5, or remove an existing member and replace it with him' If this, I thinking Jaune because I don't really like his character and I don't think he will have much impact in this story. I could create 3 new OC's but simply put, I don't want to add new OC's to the story like that. I might change my mind if you guys give a good argument but as it stands now, I won't. If you guys could say what you think, any arguments for one over the other, that would be great, thanks in advance. If you don't I'll just go with what I was going to do anyway.