"Dinner, is served!" The head of Castle Ren's servants stood next to the Duke's chair, waving his arms about as enormous platters of food were carted in and ceremoniously placed on the table.

Blake was suddenly famished, realizing she had not eaten all day. A plate of steaming soup was placed in front of her, thick white broth and morsels of fish floating inside. Blake's ears began rapidly twitching. As the Duke and the King lightly blew across the surface of their spoons, Yang, Blake, and the rest of those who had competed in the afternoon tournament began eagerly scarfing down whatever was placed in front of them. Even the two sisters, while still retaining their posture, were eating much faster than would be deemed proper.

Course after course was served. After the soup came platters of greens and fruits, then plates of duck and chicken followed by an enormous roast boar, nearly the size of the Duke himself. After devouring an entire boar's leg, as well as the apple in its mouth, Blake hardly had any space left for dessert. Though upon seeing the light vanilla cake topped with cream and strawberries, she certainly made some room.

Conversation during dinner was mostly introductions, nobility speaking with the tournament competitors about training strategies and how much it may cost to sponsor them. Weiss and Winter introduced themselves to the rest of Yang's family, proud to be sitting so close to the head of the table. Blake recognized the green-haired archer further down the table, as well as the other jousting competition. She also noted the Steelheart Knight was far less intimidating outside of her armor than inside. She could not have been taller than 5 feet, with a poof of red hair atop a freckled head.

Winter and Weiss ate quickly as well. The elder sister stopped only to respond to questions from the Duke or the King. They asked how the north was handling the attacks from House Salem, a smaller house from across the sea who constantly raided shoreline cities. Many worried they would start an all out war. Winter replied by noting her father's strategic mastery, seeming completely unworried about the attacks.

As she slowly ate her slice of cake, Weiss looked around the room, noticing the blind combatant was not at the table like the others. The "Quickfoot Knight" was missing as well. She swung her gaze back across the table, noting the pale girl in red. They sat directly across from each other.

"Ruby Rose?" Weiss asked.

"Yes." Ruby smiled. "I know we don't look alike, but Yang is my big sister. That's why I'm here."

"She certainly is a strong joustress."

"Yeah. She really is great…" Ruby smiled wistfully.

"You've got the Grimm, right?"

Ruby's smile vanished. "Yeah. I guess that's what it's called. It's ok, you know. It doesn't hurt so bad anymore and… And everyone has been so kind to me.

"That's good to hear. My mother, she… The Grimm took her as well. It's an incredibly rare affliction, I guess my mother was… Unlucky."

Ruby's eyes met Weiss', a moment of understanding passed between them. "Anyway, what's it like being a princess up in the north? I hear they're quite hard on women."

"Oh it's not so bad since my mother was born. She was an only child so she was going to take over the throne anyway. She married my father for family ties but I don't think they ever loved each other. When she died, my father got exactly what he wanted. Winter and I just stay out of his way. As long as he isn't too hard on the people, we don't care." Weiss turned back to cake.

"You're very pretty."

Weiss jolted up from her meal, blushing. "Why… Thank you." She turned her face away. Ruby giggled.

"Mother always told me people like compliments best."

"That's very sweet of you Ms. Rose."

"Please, call me Ruby."

"Okay, Ruby." Weiss was smiling now.

Everyone had nearly finished their meal now, except Peter Port, who was feasting on his third helping of goose. Duke Ren stood and raised his glass, the room fell mostly silent. He delivered a short and to-the-point speech, thanking the king for attending and the competition for being so fantastic to watch. He apologized for the interruption of Roman Torchwick, and his hope for everyone's safe return home. There was polite applause, and the guests slowly meandered out of the great hall, down to waiting carriages. The king followed, thanking Ren as he left. As he passed behind Blake's chair, she felt a note slipped into her hand.

Nice throw.

Pinned to the back of the note was the king's own crest, a pass for free goods anywhere under his jurisdiction. Blake's financial situation was suddenly much less worrisome. She smiled with relief.

Lie Ren stood, nodding to his advisor. She was already halfway out the door, arm around the fair-faced minstrel from the tournament. She winked back at him. Ren, blushing, turned to the remaining guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I trust you know the way out." He bowed and grasped Nora Valkyrie's hand, leading her out of the great hall. However, Blake noticed that when they reached the hallway, Ren did not turn towards the courtyard, but to his own chambers. She smiled again.

This left Yang's family seated across from Blake and the princesses.

"Well this has been quite a day." Taiyang said, patting Yang on the back. "I think it's about time the new heroes of the fiefdom headed to bed. It was nice to meet you all." He nodded towards the Schnees.

"It was wonderful to meet you too." Weiss curtsied.

"I hope your future is a pleasant one." Winter bowed.

As Yang and her family waved goodby, a figure pulled itself from the shadows behind them.

"You really ought to be more careful, Taiyang." The figure said. Ruby's father jumped. Blake strained her eyes in the shadow, making out a woman with long, wild dark hair and layered plate armor. A samurai.

"R… Raven?" Taiyang was clearly startled. "Why now? Where have you been?" His face suddenly grew dark. "What do you want?"

"Dad… Who is this?" Ruby hid behind her father.

Taiyang sighed. "Family, this is Raven Branwen. Yang's birthmother."

The blonde girl gasped, eyes meeting with her biological mother for the first time. She was speechless. She had known since she was little that Summer was not her biological mother, but Taiyang had told her that her mother was dead; He had said nothing about her being a samurai.

The Schnee sisters were incredulous, eyes fixed on Raven. Winter spoke. "Lady Raven, is that you?"

Raven turned. "Ah, Winter. Nice to see you like the dress I gave you."

Everyone was draw further into confusion. Before anyone could voice their concern, Raven held out a tiny glass vial with swirling golden liquid inside.

"I'm not going to claim to be a hero." Her face grew sad. "I am not going to claim… To be a mother. I am not going to claim I can make everything right. I lied to you, Taiyang. I was a blight on your marriage. I am a hole in your daughter."

"My current mother is doing just fine, thanks." Yang said.

Raven looked at her, then addressed Weiss. "I did nice things for you because I was so ashamed of my treatment of my own daughter. My fear of destroying the only thing I thought was beautiful. So here." He pushed the vial into Taiyang's hands. "I cannot fix the things I have done, but I can fix this. After I ran, I made a very good friend. She was kind-hearted and trustworthy. All the things I was not. The Grimm took her."

Weiss gasped, realizing why Raven had stopped coming to the north some years ago.

"I will not… I will not let such a thing happen again. That tiny vial is the work of the past many years." Raven looked up at Taiyang's face. "It will cure your daughter."

Ruby stepped out from behind Taiyang. Tears gathered at her eyes. "Is that true? You came all this way to save me?"

"I came here to show kindness to a family I have been nothing but unkind to. Now, goodbye. I don't think we will ever meet again."

"Raven wait! Please!" Taiyang yelled after her, but Raven had already vanished into the shadows, as quickly as she had come.

Summer Rose fell to her knees, embraced Ruby, and cried.