After some searching, Blake found the banquet hall and it was bustling with activity. Smiling servants hurried about in a kind of dance as they set places and draped the wooden chairs in expensive cloths. One servant stepped up to Blake as she entered.

"How can we assist you my lady?"

"I'm looking for the winner of the jousting tournament. I wish to converse with her during dinner."

"Ah yes, Lady Yang will be along presently. She is speaking to the King in the council room at the moment. Please, have a seat in the lounge and I will alert you as soon as things are ready."

The servant gestured to a door along the side of the banquet hall and Blake head through to the lounge. It was modestly decorated, like much of Castle Ren, with several white tapestries draped about the room, surrounding three couches. A short servant bowed as Blake entered the room, smiling out of brown eyes. She gestured for Blake to take a seat and quickly moved towards the door.

"Hold on a moment." Blake said, dropping her accent. She grinned. "You didn't think a flimsy disguise like that would fool me did you?"

The servant turned back, also smiling. She tilted her head, black ponytails swinging, and shrugged. Blake noted her hair was a wig, and some herb had changed her eye color.

"A thief never forgets a helpful face, Neo."

The mute thief smiled, her throat making a clacking sound; It was her way of laughing.

"Your boyfriend got arrested a bit ago, he's in the King's jail cart. You might want to help him."

Neo shook her head violently.

"Not your boyfriend?"

She nodded.

"Are you going to go help him? Ignore his shoulder wound, I have no idea who gave it to him."

Neo raised an eyebrow and shrugged. She stepped closer to Blake, face changing to a pout.

"No, I will not help you. I have… Something else to do."

Neo grabbed Blake's hand, giving her a firm nod. Neo whipped around and walked out of the room, leaving Blake to wait for Yang.

Whatever illness Ruby has really scared Princess Weiss. The sister princesses had grown on Blake. They were sturdy and consistent, perfect traits for leaders. I wonder what kind of man their father is. Blake thought.

A different servant opened the door. "The Duke's Lady is awaiting you, Ms. Xiao Long."

Summer was the first to enter. She smiled at Blake, who's face no longer covered by her mask. Following and holding her mother's hand was Ruby Rose, no older than 17, looking tired but hopeful. She smiled at Blake as well. Yang was the last to enter, whose face remained like stone as she regarded Blake.

"Blake."

"Yang."

Each refused to break eye contact with the other. Ruby and her mother took a seat across from Blake, Yang sat in the center of the remaining couch. The family had been dressed by the castle staff; Summer wore a long, plain gown of white which tapered to lace at the sleeves. Ruby wore a loose silk dress which hardly fell past her thighs. It was clearly a dress for a child. Her pants were leather and tapered down to a small pair of dress boots. Yang was immaculately dressed in winner's gold. She wore a golden velvet doublet with silver buttons accented by white cloth pants. She wore it uncomfortably.

Ruby's eyes widened as she took in Blake's dress. "You… You look beautiful Blake. We're you the one sitting with the Duke? In the mask?"

"Yes." Blake tore her eyes away from Yang. "He… He and I are friends."

"Friends?" Ruby looked at her boots. "So you're not… Married?"

"Married!?" Blake's ears shot upwards and she blushed severely. "No no no no… There's nothing… Nothing between us."

"We'll I haven't seen you in so long I thought maybe…"

"Sorry Ruby, I think Duke Ren is slated to marry someone else."

"That Nora girl." Summer chimed in.

"It would be nice to have someone rich marry a friend."

"Riches aren't the only important thing." Yang said, voice flat as stone.

"Did the King say anything about your condition Ruby?" Blake said, hoping for some good news.

Ruby winced, Summer spoke up. "It's called... The Grimm. King Ozpin informed us that there is no," She gulped. "There is currently no cure."

Blake's face fell. "I'm so sorry."

"I'll just have to live while I can." Ruby said, straining a smile. A cough struck and she doubled over into her mother's lap.

"There, there." Summer cooed, stroking her daughter's hair. "Come, let's go get some water." She helped Ruby up and they walked out the door, leaving the hero and thief alone in the room.

"Congratulations on winning." Blake said, face still unmoving.

"I don't see what good it does. My sister still suffers. My mother suffers. I suffer. The king had nothing for me. But you knew that."

"I'm sorry Ozpin and Ren don't have the medicine Ruby needs. I tried the duke too, ok?"

"You tried? You mean you tried to steal from the duke's storehouses? You could have been killed!" Yang was on her feet now, furious. "What good would that have done? Our family would be on the run for the rest of our lives! Everyone would know where the medicine came from. A thief! A thief like you!"

Blake's eyes suddenly stung with tears. "Yang, I…"

"Don't give me excuses. You only lucked out because the duke is so kind with punishment. I can't believe you. You know, I thought maybe you had changed, even just a little bit when I saw you up there sitting next to the duke, but I was wrong. You're the same as ever..."

Yang's words caught in her throat as she tried to continue talking. Blake still sat, eyes downcast, tears pouring out onto her dress. Yang slowly took a step back, legs wobbling. She fell onto her knees.

"I thought you were dead…" Yang stuttered. "You scared me so much I didn't… I didn't know…" Yang was now crying as well. Blake slid off the couch and onto the floor, the two embraced, tears flowing onto each other shoulders.

"I'm so sorry Yang. I couldn't get back to you. I've been here in the capital all this time." Blake held her friend at arms length. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too. I was so busy being righteous that I forgot my best friend."

"Best friend?"

Yang smiled. "Alright fine. Girlfriend."

Blake gave Yang a peck on the cheek. "I think a hero and a thief make a good pair."

A servant knocked on the door. "Dinner is almost prepared." They said.

"I suppose we have to act like guests now." Blake said, standing and wiping her eyes.

"I guess so." Yang closed her eyes for a moment, sucking the tears back.

The two stepped into the banquet hall together, noting that the rest of the guests had already arrived. Seated at the head of the table was the host, Duke Ren, with servants whizzing around him and the table, making finishing touches. Directly to his right was King Ozpin, and next to him was Glynda, his advisor. Nora Valkyrie sat at the Duke's left in a ruffled pink gown and was batting her eyelashes at him as he attempted to give the final orders to his servants. Then came Taiyang, who had rejoined his family, and Summer with Ruby who left an open spot next to them for Yang. Ruby smiled and motioned for her to join them. Yang nodded at Blake and left to take her seat, accepting handshakes from all her new fans. A spot was left for Blake next to the king's advisor. Just to Blake's left sat Winter Schnee who seemed mildly excited that the faunus would be sitting next to her.

"No suitors joining you, Winter?" Blake said playfully as she took her seat next to the northern princesses.

"None at all." Said Winter, a smile touching the corner of her lips.