Weiss read the letter. Then she re–read it.

It wasn't because the letter was hard to read. Yes it was scribbly, inelegant and sloppy but she wasn't stupid, she could make sense of it even if the writer had apparently tried their best to make it like an ancient rune. But she needed to read it again because its contents were so outrageously impossible she just couldn't believe it.

"Not impossible. Improbable." Something that sounded like her father echoed in her mind, and Weiss stared at Zeki.

"How reliable is your source?"

"Reliable. He's given trustworthy information before, and he was the one I sent to Haven per your request. He wrote that letter. And what he wrote was true."

"How certain are you?"

"Certain."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Lord Zeki, I am about to inform my court that Mistral is about to attack Atlas, a declaration of war. Depending on how this unfolds this could very well wind up being a second Great War. But if this information is wrong it will humiliate me, give Mistral cause to slander Atlas and lead to your 'dismissal'. Due to your prior service it would be quick and relatively painless, but make no mistake it will happen. Do you understand?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"Are you certain?" Weiss asked slowly, solemnly.

"I swear on my life My Queen, that information is accurate. Whatever his faults, Slater Bleu has never let me down."

Weiss nodded. Then she cursed under her breath.

"I want Atlas mobilised. Send word to every lord, every baron, every duke. I want armies mustering by the end of the week."

"As you command, My Queen."

"Fetch me Klein. I'll need his advice."

"Very well."

Zeki turned to leave. Weiss paused for a moment, words caught in her throat, before she spoke.

"Vine."

Her spymaster turned around, shock barely visible on his calm, collected face.

"I'm sorry for threatening you."

For the first time in her life, Weiss saw Vine Zeki smile.

"Don't be. It just shows you're getting more adept at this business." He replied, before bowing and leaving her to the raging inferno that was her thoughts.

Weiss had been educated and forced to be prepared for any eventuality. She knew what to do if there was a food crisis, how to negotiate and import effectively and efficiently. She knew what to do if there was a natural disaster, what charities to contact and which nobles she could rely on to provide support. But war was something she was absolutely unprepared for. It had been something touched upon when she learned history and politics, but she hadn't been taught the way she knew her brother had been.

What should she do? She understood the basics, but she did not know the complexities that came with war. How to make money to pay armies whilst the workers were drafted into levies? How to bring in the harvest when half the workforce was fighting and dying? How to organise and secure supply lines? She had no idea.

She was panicking. Oh gods was she breathing too fast? How did she calm down? How was she supposed to lead when she was falling apart? What was she supposed to do?!

Then Klein entered. He was wearing modest leather armour and yet he seemed like the brightest, best knight she had ever seen. Without a word she threw herself into his outstretched arms. The armour was bumpy and uncomfortable to cling to but when his large, warm arms wrapped around her like a cocoon she couldn't care less. A rare feeling of safety and contentment rolled over her like a baker kneading dough, making her tense back relax and a few choked sobs escaped her before she managed to collect herself.

They stood like that for a few minutes, not a word passing between them. They didn't need to. All the love and affection they shared was shown by the warmth of their embrace.

"I…I'm sorry Klein." Weiss murmured, slowly forcing herself out of his warm embrace and wiping away the stains left by her tears. "That was unbecoming of a queen."

"Don't ever apologise for needing support sweetling." Klein said, tone stern but loving. It wasn't the proper way for a knight to address his liege, but Weiss let it go easily. "Now, tell me what is wrong. Lord Zeki told me you wanted to see me but gave me no details as to why."

So Weiss told him. She didn't know much, but what she did she told him freely and willingly. His face grew consternated and by the end of her explanation he was stroking his whiskers sagely.

"I wonder why they struck now? If Haven was truly destroyed then surely Mistral is in a weak position, not a strong one." He thought aloud, and Weiss thought for a moment.

"Maybe they wanted to attack before they were too weak? A good defence is a good offence." She replied, and Klein smiled weakly.

"Possibly. But why risk the life of their prince? Queen Pyrrha is unmarried and Alexander is her heir apparent. Surely they must know your betrothal is void now." Klein paused for a moment. "It is void now right? You can break the betrothal with no consequence, if that is what you wish of course."

Weiss' eyes widened. Of course! What was the point of marrying a Nikos to guarantee peace when the same family had broken said peace! If she could do that then surely the Vytal Treaty is void as well? Jaune could come home!

"Yes. A thousand times and more yes!" Weiss cheered joyously, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face or the laughter that tumbled out of her mouth and filled the room. Klein smiled kindly at her.

"It would seem your marriage prospects are open once again. Anyone in particular you have in mind?" He teased knowingly.

"No, not yet. I'm just glad to be free of that…of that insufferable, snot-faced, arrogant weasel!" Weiss replied, though the twinkle in Klein's eyes told her he wasn't going to let her off that easily.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. Anyway I'm glad you aren't interested in Jaune. That would've made things awkward."

That made Weiss pause her joyous little dance of glee and elation.

"How so?"

"Well are you are childhood friends, though in my opinion that only increases the likelihood for actual love to emerge from a marriage between you two. But it would make things awkward in this scenario because of Jaune's potential betrothal to Lady Quagmire."

"What?!"

"Didn't you know? Lord Arc was forced to accept the marriage offer because Lady Arc was so desperate for grandchildren and he needed the political support to settle a land dispute with one of his neighbours."

"But…but…but!"

"But what?"

"He…I…"

"I must apologise." Klein said sincerely. "It would appear I need to improve my teasing skills. Jaune is unmarried, to my knowledge at least."

Weiss disregarded the relief and joy she felt at those words in favour of the righteous anger she felt at being duped, even for a moment. For all his claims at hating politics for its roundaboutness and lies, Klein was quite the adept porky pie teller himself.

"How dare you lie to me! I should have you whipped for such impudence." She snapped hotly, though her words were without heat. She had no wish nor intention to truly punish Klein in any way, but some of the worry she had felt must have seeped through because a soft frown settled across his face and he sighed.

"I really am sorry sweetling. I promise to improve my teasing abilities at a later date. But I have the feeling we have more important matters to attend to. Why did you have me summoned?"

Weiss was both reluctant and grateful to change the course of the conversation. She wasn't used to being flustered and they had matters that would mean the life and death of the kingdom to attend to. But she was glad Klein had managed to distract her from the overwhelming, all-consuming fear that had threatened to drown her earlier.

"That is correct, even though I find conversations with you more tolerable than with most, that isn't why I summoned you. I know very little about war Klein. I need someone I trust and who knows how to fight to help me organise the war effort."

"I am still disgraced my Queen." Klein shook his head sadly. "I cannot help you in any official capacity."

Weiss smiled. It wasn't warm or kind or polite or practised. It was bloodthirsty.

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that for much longer Klein."

He raised a brow, clearly surprised by her expression and words. She explained her plan, and soon enough he was grinning too.

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"Are you sure you wish to do this? It would mean you would lose your position."

"I care little for titles and whatnot my Queen. So long as I get paid and I can provide for my family then I don't care whether I am a Sergeant or a Sergeant Major or a bloody shepherd. Besides, all this responsibility is overrated. Too many tasks and too few rewards. I'll bloody well thank Klein for taking the post back let alone try to resist him from doing so. Excuse the language, my Queen."

"It is excused. Are your men ready?"

"Aye. I've got a list of the traitors under Nikos' payroll. Their friends were quick to rat them out after hearing about Mistral's plans."

"Good. Court will be convened in one hour. Make sure your men are guarding it. Do whatever you have to in order to deal with the traitors whilst the court is in session."

"As you command, my Queen."

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The court had reassembled from her earlier dismissal. She had been careful to ensure no word of the reason behind it had reached them, so careful it was obvious she was hiding something. It made the nobles nervous. Good. She wanted them to doubt and second guess. It would make it easier to root out the corruption that had seeped into her court.

She gestured to Nightingale, who stood below her to her right. He slammed his spear butt against the ground, calling for silence. The court quickly did so, and she watched as they gave her their full attention.

"My lords, a lot has changed within the last few hours. I have received dire news in regards to Mistral." She declared, gesturing for Lord Zeki to step forward from the shadows where he lurked. She resisted the urge to smile at some of the shocked gasps and faces that emerged from the crowd of courtiers as the spymaster appeared from seemingly nowhere.

"An informant that had infiltrated Mistral sent me terrible news. Haven was destroyed by a dragon attack some time ago."

The crowd gasped and erupted into the usual muttering. Nightingale was quick to silence it with his spear.

"Was it the same dragon that attacked Nördliche Burg?" One of the more insolent lords demanded. She quickly recognised him as Sir Sorensson, a member of the Nikos faction who had insulted Klein during his impromptu trial.

"We do not know."

"What is the Crown's plan for aiding our ally in its time of need?" The nobleman continued, and Weiss couldn't stop the savage smile that quickly spread across her face.

"You wish to aid Mistral?" She asked, and the nobleman was clearly caught off guard by her almost maniacal smile.

"Why yes, of course. They are our ally are they not?"

"And does anyone else wish to aid Mistral?"

There was a few moments of silence before the rest of the Nikos factions agreed with their apparent representative, muttering ayes and stepping forward next to him. They were far fewer than there normally was. The smarter ones had sensed something was off, and had stayed silent and on the sidelines. As if it would save them. After a few hours with Lord Zeki to test the extent of their crimes, a few more names would've spilled from the conspirators' lips.

Just then, a loud cry echoed through the courtroom. Weiss feigned a look of worry.

"Nightingale, take some men and investigate that disturbance." She ordered, and Nightingale nodded, leaving the courtroom with a dozen men. Those at the back of the room, closest to the doors, began shifting nervously as they heard the courtroom get locked behind the guardsmen.

"Lord Zeki, if you would continue your report." Weiss continued, staring at Sir Sorensson, waiting for the moment he'd realise his mistake.

"As you command my Queen. Due to a fit of madness or a realisation of some long term plot, Queen Pyrrha of Mistral has declared war on Atlas-Vale."

Oh it was glorious. The stunned silence. The horrified expression on Sorensson's face. She remembered the man. What he had done during Klein's farce of a trial, what he had said about her brave, valiant knight.

"As we are now in a state of war, I am invoking the Act of Wartime Powers and Responsibilities, giving the Crown emergency powers in order to protect our sovereignty and safeguard our nation. This includes the suspension of all rights for those who have been believed to have committed treason, regardless of their rank. Showing support for an enemy nation is treason. Guards, arrest Sorensson and his lackey's!"

Her guards pushed forward, grabbing and pushing and punching. The court erupted in screams, and Weiss gasped as she saw Sorensson pull something long and silver from underneath his long cloak.

"Death to the Schnee!" He screamed as he charged forward with his dagger. Lord Zeki moved forward, before he fell with a cry, red tumbling out of the place that had held his right eye. Silver stained crimson danced in front of her as Sorensson neared her, eye's gleaming with triumph at the only thing between him and her were a few steps.

Then his battle cry turned into a gurgle. Something warm splattered her face and dress and when she opened her eyes she first saw Sorensson laying on the ground, clutching his throat as he died.

Then she saw Klein, standing before her with his sword drawn and worry on his face.

"Are you okay sweetling?" He asked softly, though he seemed to already know the answer.

She wasn't. She wasn't okay at all. Someone's blood was on her, staining her. That someone was clutching his ruined throat and slowly dying, drowning in his own blood mere metres away from her. But she was a queen and a queen showed no fear. So she nodded.

It took another few minutes for the traitors to be rounded up and dragged from the courtroom. Four others were dead, killed by overzealous guards. The court was silent and staring at her. She felt as horrified as they looked, and a piercing cry shook her from her stupor.

"Due to the state of war between our nations, I declare my match with Alexander Nikos null and void. Due to his subversive actions, I have also put a bounty of 10,000 Lien on his head and declared any edicts of his illegal. I accuse him of treason and conspiracy against the state of Atlas-Vale. He is to be killed on sight by any true citizen that sees him. May the enemies of our nation burn."

"May the enemies of our nation burn." The courtiers mumbled instinctively, still stunned by the bloodshed.

"Due to him saving my life, I name Klein a knight of Atlas-Vale once more. Due to the renewal of hostilities between Mistral and Atlas-Vale, the Vytal Treaty is revoked. Any who have been exiled due to it may return home once more. I will create my War Council by the end of the week. You are all dismissed."

They quickly fled the now unlocked courtroom. Weiss followed suit, making her way to her private residence. Klein, Sir Klein once more, followed after her.

When she finally entered her residence she vomited. Klein held her hair back and soothed her as she spilled her guts and then her tears. He wiped her face and mouth with a cloth and held her tightly. At some point he ordered some servants to draw her a bath, and left soon after. A horde of servants undressed and bathed her, pampering her and comforting her to the best of their ability.

They had prepared some food for her, but she wasn't hungry so she didn't eat. They offered her wine but she wasn't thirsty so she didn't drink. Then they dressed her in soft nightclothes and gently pushed her into her bed. She stayed awake for hours, terrified of the images that tormented her when she did so, but sleep was an unconquerable foe and eventually she fell into a deep, troubled slumber.