The Jewels In Her Eyes, a rwby fanfic

Chapter 1: Her Chevalier

XXX

When she was just a girl, no older than ten, Emerald often found solace in the open fields, where the soft grass swayed gently beneath her small frame. On this evening, the warm summer air wrapped around her like a blanket, and the only person she cared for besides her mother lay beside her. Her white T-shirt clung slightly to her, the light green overall dress she wore adding a playful touch to her appearance, while her brown dress shoes—scuffed from countless adventures—peaked out from beneath her neatly folded legs. White socks tugged just beneath her knees completed the look of a carefree childhood, yet there was something about that moment that felt profound.

Beside her, their fingers intertwined loosely, lay Jaune Arc, a boy of the same age whom she had met during one of her many visits to the park. His messy blonde hair was slightly tousled from their earlier play, and he wore his favorite Pumpkin Pete's hoodie—slightly too big for him—with faded blue jean shorts and a pair of worn black-and-white sneakers. There was something about the way he smiled at her that made everything feel less lonely.

The two of them stared up into the vast, indigo sky, their eyes tracing the pinpricks of stars as they twinkled, each one more magical than the last. The quiet of the field was comforting, broken only by the occasional chirp of a cricket or the soft rustle of the grass as a breeze whispered through.

"Do you think we'll see a shooting star tonight?" Jaune asked, his voice carrying a gentle hope, like a secret wish whispered between friends.

Emerald hummed, her lips curving into a thoughtful smile as she turned her gaze back to the sky. "Hmm, I'm not sure," she mused, her fingers squeezing him gently. "But it would be pretty cool if we did, wouldn't it?"

Jaune grinned, his enthusiasm as bright as the stars above them. "Yeah! It'd be so awesome! Then I'd make a wish!"

Emerald giggled, her laughter light and full of innocence. "Oh yeah? What would you wish for? A baby brother?"

Jaune chuckled, his nose scrunching up playfully as he rolled onto his side to face her. "Maybe! It'd be awesome not to be the only boy anymore!" His grin widened as he continued with a teasing lilt. "But nah, I'd wish for way cooler stuff than that."

"Yeah? Like what?" Emerald asked, raising an eyebrow as she turned her head to look at him, curiosity dancing in her bright eyes.

Jaune lay still for a moment as if lost in thought before his face lit up with a wide, boyish grin. He turned back to Emerald, his expression proud, as though he'd just thought of the greatest wish in the world. "I wish that we could be together forever!" he announced, his voice full of conviction.

Emerald blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected sweetness of his answer. Her heart gave a little flutter, and she smiled softly, a warmth spreading through her. "Really?" she asked, genuinely curious if that's what he truly wanted. The sincerity in his voice made her wonder how serious he was.

Jaune nodded eagerly, his golden hair flopping into his eyes. "Uh-huh!" he replied with confidence. "You're my best friend, Emerald! I can't imagine not having you around,"

Emerald giggled, her teasing nature slipping in as she nudged his shoulder. "Does that mean you'd marry me when we're older? Like your mom always says?" she asked with a smirk, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she watched him for a reaction.

The effect was instant. Jaune's face turned beet red, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. He stammered, his words tumbling out in a flustered panic. "I—I'm too young to be married!" he cried, his voice rising an octave as he waved his hands around as if trying to dispel the very idea.

Emerald burst into laughter, her joy bubbling out in a carefree way that made her chest feel light. "So am I!" she agreed, still giggling. "But... I wouldn't mind spending my life with you," she added quietly, the playful edge in her voice softening as she spoke. She smiled at him, her gaze tender, though a little shy as if she wasn't sure how he would take her words.

Jaune's blush deepened, but he managed to look at her, his surprise melting into a happy grin. "Really?" he asked, his voice softer now, touched by her words. "Even though Brienne and Saphron scare you?"

Emerald nodded, rolling her eyes playfully. "Yeah," she said with a chuckle, "And who else is going to scare off your little sisters when they get on your nerves?"

Jaune's laughter bubbled up again, bright and carefree. "Yeah!" he agreed, his grin wide, full of boyish joy.

Their shared laughter filled the air for a few moments, a sound so pure it seemed to float up to the stars. Slowly, the laughter faded, leaving them in the comfortable silence of friends who didn't need to say anything more. They remained lying there, facing each other, still grinning as they caught their breath. The world around them felt like it had shrunk down to just the two of them, a quiet bubble of happiness under the endless sky.

Jaune, still smiling, cocked his head slightly and raised an eyebrow at his friend. "What about you?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. "What would you wish for, Emerald?"

Emerald felt a sudden warmth in her chest, a feeling she couldn't quite describe as she looked into Jaune's earnest, expectant face. She hesitated, but the answer came to her almost naturally. With a soft, genuine smile, she leaned closer and whispered, "I... I wish for the same thing," she told him, her voice barely louder than the breeze.

Jaune's eyes widened in surprise, and then his smile grew even brighter, his whole face lighting up. "Really!?" he asked, almost breathless with excitement, like her words had granted him the greatest gift in the world.

Emerald nodded, a small laugh escaping her as she felt her cheeks warm under his gaze. "Yeah," she confirmed. Her voice softened as she added, "Tu es mon chevalier, Jaune,"

Jaune chuckled, his heart swelling at her words. He sat up a little, puffing out his chest in mock pride as he replied, "Et tu es ma princesse, Emerald!" His attempt at a regal tone was far too playful to be serious, but it made them both laugh again, a quiet, shared joy between two young hearts.

As their laughter subsided once more, they turned their eyes back to the night sky. The universe seemed to hold its breath for them, the stars twinkling brightly as if they were listening to the secret promises made below. Just then, as if the heavens were answering their unspoken wishes, a shooting star streaked across the dark expanse, its trail burning briefly in their eyes.

Emerald gasped, her heart skipping a beat, and Jaune's eyes went wide in astonishment. Without missing a beat, they both squeezed their eyes shut and made their wishes, the same ones they had just talked about, hoping with all the innocence of childhood that their dreams would come true.

But in the rush of excitement, neither remembered the most important rule of all: Never say your wishes out loud.

Still, as they lay side by side beneath the starry sky, a quiet, unspoken hope lingered between them—that maybe, just maybe, some wishes didn't need to be a secret to come true.

"—rald!"

"Emerald!"

"EMERALD!"

Emerald's eyes fluttered open at the sound of her name being called, her mind slowly swimming out of the fog of sleep. With a start, she sat up in her dorm room bed, heart racing as if the urgency in the voice had yanked her from a dream. Blinking rapidly, she squinted in the dim morning light, her gaze falling on the stern figure looming above her.

It was Cinder, her arms crossed, her expression one of quiet impatience.

"Get up and get dressed," Cinder commanded, her voice sharp but controlled. "Breakfast will be served soon, and we cannot afford to be late for our first day of classes here. We don't want to attract unwanted attention."

Still groggy, Emerald gave a quick nod. "Right... sorry, Cinder," she mumbled, rubbing the last traces of sleep from her eyes.

Cinder didn't linger for a response, simply offering a curt nod before turning on her heel and heading for the bathroom. As the sound of running water filled the dorm, Emerald pulled the blanket off her legs and sat on the edge of the bed, staring bleary-eyed at the wall. She glanced across the room and saw Mercury sprawled out on his bed, snoring lightly, with a string of drool trickling down the side of his mouth. His pillow, stained from sleep, looked like it had seen better days.

Emerald let out a low groan, rolling her eyes. "Why am I always the one stuck with this?" she muttered to herself before pushing herself to her feet.

She shuffled over to Mercury's bed and, without much ceremony, gave him a violent shake. "Wake up!" she snapped, her voice sharp as she rocked him back and forth.

Mercury stirred with a groan, his hand lazily swatting at her as if she were an annoying fly. "Ugh... five more minutes..." he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"No, now," Emerald insisted, shaking him again until his eyes finally cracked open, a dazed and annoyed expression crossing his face.

With a dramatic sigh, Mercury swung his legs out of bed and stood up, stumbling around the room as if half-asleep. He didn't even bother waiting for his turn in the bathroom—he just threw on the Haven Academy uniform, his hair still sticking up at odd angles, and headed out the door, mumbling something about food as he disappeared into the hallway.

Emerald watched him go with an exasperated sigh. "Some partner," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.

Once Cinder stepped out of the bathroom, a cloud of steam trailing behind her, she moved with swift precision, pulling on her uniform with the same poise that seemed to define her every movement. The fabric clung perfectly to her form, as though it had been tailored to her in secret. Her hair, still damp from the shower, cascaded down her back in dark, sleek waves, and she seemed utterly focused, barely acknowledging Emerald's presence in the room.

Emerald cleared her throat before speaking. "Mercury went ahead to the cafeteria," she informed her.

Cinder didn't pause in her routine, slipping on her jacket with meticulous care, her eyes fixed on the mirror as she adjusted her collar. "Of course, he did," she said coolly. "He never could resist the lure of breakfast, even when half-asleep,"

Emerald smirked slightly, the image of Mercury stumbling off like a zombie fresh in her mind. She had no idea how he managed to function in the mornings, let alone be of any use to their mission.

Without another word, Emerald quickly made her way into the bathroom, eager to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

Once inside the bathroom, Emerald turned on the shower, her fingers adjusting the dial until the water grew hot enough to steam up the small space. She stood there for a moment, staring blankly at the running water, before she slowly began to strip off her clothes. Her uniform slipped to the floor in a quiet heap, and she stepped into the stream, letting the warmth cascade over her bare skin.

The heat was immediate, soothing the tension in her muscles, and she couldn't help but let out a long, deep sigh as the water poured over her, washing away the remnants of sleep. For a moment, she stood still, eyes closed, letting the sensation of the warm droplets pounding against her skin drown out everything else. She tilted her head back, allowing the water to run through her hair and down her face, feeling her body loosen as the hot spray enveloped her.

But with the warmth came memories she hadn't expected—memories from a time long before the streets, before Cinder, before everything had changed.

"Et tu es ma princesse, Emerald!"

The echo of Jaune's voice floated back to her, unbidden, like a ghost from her past that refused to leave her alone. It was ridiculous, she thought. That innocent declaration from a boy she hadn't seen in years. And yet, the memory of him, with his clumsy grin and his wide, earnest eyes, filled her with a warmth that settled deep in her chest. For a brief second, she let herself feel it, let herself recall the simplicity of that time—the comfort of lying in a field of stars, feeling safe in his company.

But just as quickly as the memory came, she shoved it away. She didn't need that warmth, not anymore. She didn't need Jaune or the soft, fleeting happiness that memory offered her. She wasn't that girl anymore—the one who made wishes on shooting stars, the one who believed in knights and fairytales. That girl had been left behind a long time ago.

Now, she had something else.

She had Cinder.

Emerald gritted her teeth as her thoughts hardened, forcing herself to focus. Cinder had pulled her from the streets and lifted her from the gutter when no one else cared if she lived or died. Cinder had given her a purpose, a path—something no one else had ever offered. She owed everything to Cinder, not to some half-forgotten fantasy from childhood.

She wasn't the damsel waiting to be saved anymore. She didn't need a chevalier.

Emerald let out another sigh, but this time it was tinged with frustration rather than relief. Shaking her head, she began to scrub herself clean, hoping to wash away the lingering remnants of sentiment that clung to her like the steam fogging the mirror. She didn't have time for this. Not today.

Today needed to pass quickly, and she already wished it was over.

After finishing her shower, Cinder let Emerald know that they'd be briefed after their classes about who their targets were and who they'd need to get close to. Emerald was relieved—there was no way she could process that kind of information so early in the day, even with the warm shower to help wake her up.

All she could do now was hope the day sped by because she just couldn't deal with anything going wrong today. If anything happened, she thought, she'd be cursing the gods forever.

XXX

It was a bright, scorching afternoon, and after hours of running around, Emerald and Jaune finally took a break, settling beneath the shade of a wide, leafy tree to cool off. They sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the breeze as it brushed over their sweaty faces.

As they rested, Emerald's mind drifted to a conversation she'd overheard earlier between a few girls in class. They had been chatting animatedly about boys and crushes, eagerly swapping tips on how to catch a guy's attention. Some had suggested wearing cute jewelry or trying new hairstyles, while others swore by stylish clothes and makeup tricks. Emerald listened without meaning to, a little curious—she hadn't thought much about what it might take to get noticed by a boy, but hearing them talk made her wonder.

She wasn't particularly interested in boys herself, but she couldn't deny the appeal of looking nice sometimes. She didn't put in as much effort as the other girls at school, who always seemed to dress in coordinated outfits or fuss over their looks. And sure, she knew that lots of boys seemed drawn to those kinds of girls: pretty, polished, always put-together. It left her wondering, idly but with a hint of unease, if Jaune felt the same way about girls like that.

She imagined it for a moment—a prettier, more popular girl at their school, holding Jaune's attention, maybe laughing at his corny jokes or sharing inside secrets. She could see him trying to impress her, maybe with chocolates or a ridiculous, lopsided heart-shaped card he'd put way too much effort into.

She didn't like that thought at all. But no matter how she looked at it, Emerald couldn't see how she'd ever stand out to Jaune like those other girls did.

She sighed. Her hair was too short for fancy styles, no matter how much she wished she could try something new with it. And her closet wasn't exactly overflowing with options; she only had a handful of outfits since her mom couldn't afford much beyond the basics. Jewelry? That was out of the question. She could barely imagine herself in the sparkly accessories some of her classmates wore.

What could she do to stand out? To get his attention, even if just a little?

After a moment, an idea popped into her mind. Maybe... maybe she could just ask him.

"Jaune?" she said, her voice sounding smaller than she expected.

Jaune turned to her, his face bright and curious. "Yeah?"

Emerald hugged her knees to her chest, trying to hide the pink slowly creeping up her cheeks. She took a breath, gathering courage. "What... do you like most about me?"

Jaune blinked, clearly caught off guard. A hint of red began coloring his cheeks. "W-What? Where's that coming from?"

"I dunno," she mumbled, feeling silly for asking, but she pushed on, looking down at her shoes. "I was just wondering... Do you think I'm... pretty?"

The words slipped out softer than she meant, and she couldn't bear to look at him, so she turned away, her blush deepening. Her heart beat faster, waiting for his answer.

After a beat of awkward silence, Jaune rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks still pink.

"I... I do," he mumbled, his gaze drifting away as he looked anywhere but at her.

Hearing his soft admission made Emerald's cheeks flush even more. She could hardly believe he'd just said it—Jaune thought she was pretty. Her heart skipped a beat, but a new thought quickly surfaced, sparking her curiosity. What did he find pretty about her?

Before she could stop herself, she asked, "What do you find pretty about me?"

Jaune turned back, clearly caught off guard, but it was like time froze when their eyes met. She noticed the faint blush coloring his cheeks, and he, in turn, caught the deep red on hers. They stayed silent for a heartbeat, just staring until Jaune finally managed to say something.

"Your... eyes," he blurted out, then froze, looking as though he wanted to crawl into a hole.

Emerald's eyebrows shot up in surprise, her heart racing even faster. "My... eyes?" She repeated, both flattered and genuinely puzzled.

Jaune nodded sheepishly, attempting to shield his face with his hand, but she could still see the telltale blush creeping along his cheeks.

"Why?" she pressed, unable to hide her curiosity.

Jaune was quiet for a moment as if choosing his words carefully, before he took a deep breath, almost like he was bracing himself. Then, finally, he met her gaze, his expression softening as he explained.

"Do you remember when we went on that field trip into the old mines?" he asked.

Emerald nodded, listening intently.

"Well, do you remember when they showed us those pretty rocks and crystals they'd found in the mines?" Jaune continued, his tone a bit shy but his eyes bright.

She nodded again, the memory coming back vividly. The miners had shown off a display of gems—accidental treasures they'd discovered during their work. The stones, glimmering and vibrant, had been kept in a small wooden case near the mine entrance, where visitors could admire them. "Yeah, I remember," she said. "What about them?"

Jaune glanced away, rubbing his neck again, his cheeks pinker than ever. "When I saw the red ones... the, uh, garnets, I thought they were beautiful, and, uh... they kind of reminded me of your eyes,"

Emerald felt a flutter in her chest, her face warming, but she stayed quiet, letting him continue... have this kind of shine to them," he explained, his voice softening. "Like, when the light hit them, it reminded me of how your eyes look when you're happy, they just light up, so now, every time I look at your eyes, I think of those garnets, they're... they're like really pretty, like jewels," he admitted, his words stumbling out.

Emerald's heart raced as she processed his words. No one had ever told her anything like that before. She just looked at him for a moment, taking in the way he looked down, clearly flustered but sincere.

She smiled softly, biting her lip to keep herself from grinning too much. "Jaune," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "you're... you're a really corny, you know?" she said.

Jaune stared at her, still blushing, eyes wide. "H-Hey! I-I was just telling the truth!" he stammered, trying to defend himself.

Emerald giggled the sound light and teasing. "I know," she replied with a grin.

Jaune crossed his arms, pretending to be annoyed, though his face betrayed him, still red with embarrassment. But before he could say anything else, he felt a gentle weight settle against him. He stiffened, realizing that Emerald had leaned over, her head now resting on his shoulder, her eyes closed, a soft smile curving her lips.

For a second, he just sat there, his heart pounding. Her touch was warm and comforting, and he couldn't bring himself to move, feeling both flustered and incredibly happy.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying a depth of emotion that made his heart skip a beat.

Jaune blinked, still a little stunned, but a gentle smile crept onto his face as he relaxed, leaning into the moment. "Of course," he replied softly.

They stayed that way, the gentle afternoon breeze rustling the leaves above them, filling the comfortable silence. The warmth between them felt natural as if all their playful teasing and quiet moments had led to this. The distance that had once separated them was gone now, replaced by a closeness they both felt but didn't need to speak aloud. Underneath the tree's shade, they felt a quiet happiness, a warmth growing between them as they sat, much closer than they had been just moments before.

RING!

The shrill sound of the bell jolted Emerald awake. She sat up quickly, blinking in confusion as she looked around the classroom. Other students were stretching and gathering their things, eager to leave as the teacher, a portly Huntsman who'd droned on endlessly, continued lecturing about assignments, seemingly oblivious to the bell.

Emerald let out a yawn, rubbing the last bit of sleep from her eyes as she glanced over at her partner. Mercury was just waking up too, stretching with a huge yawn as he stood, shaking off his nap like he'd just had the best sleep of his life.

"Ah! I needed that," he mumbled, already heading for the door as Emerald followed behind, stifling another yawn.

"Seriously," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "How does anyone stay awake in that class? He just keeps going."

Mercury shrugged. "Beats me," he replied, his tone as bored as ever. "What's next on the list?" he asked, his eyes scanning the crowded hallway.

Emerald's stomach let out a low growl, reminding her of her real priority, and she checked the schedule on her scroll with a sigh of relief. "Lunch! Finally," she said, grinning.

Mercury checked his schedule and gave a small nod of approval as they stepped into the bustling hallway. "About time," he muttered, clearly as hungry as she was. But as he scrolled down, his face dropped slightly when he saw his next class: History with Professor Oobleck. That meant a whirlwind lecture he'd barely be able to follow.

"Hey, what do you have after lunch?" he asked, glancing over at Emerald.

She smirked, looking smug. "Free period for me," she replied.

"Lucky," he muttered, looking back at his schedule with a sigh. "Guess it's just me trying to survive History, then."

Emerald smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Sucks to suck," she teased.

Mercury rolled his eyes, letting out a dramatic groan. "Yeah, yeah… whatever, let's just go get something to eat already," he grumbled, clearly more focused on his empty stomach than on her teasing.

They made their way over to the cafeteria, joining the line of students eagerly waiting for food. Emerald scanned the options as they moved forward, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. Finally, she grabbed a tray and quickly loaded it up with a juicy steak, a generous helping of mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, and a side of mixed vegetables. The smell alone was enough to make her mouth water.

As she turned to find a seat, she noticed Mercury piling his tray with food as well, though his choices were less balanced—two slices of pizza, a mountain of fries, and a soda. He grinned as he caught her judging look.

"What?" he asked with a smirk, shrugging. "I'm a growing boy."

Emerald rolled her eyes. "More like a bottomless pit," she muttered, leading the way to an empty table near the back of the cafeteria.

They plopped down, and Emerald immediately dug into her food, savoring the warm, comforting flavors after a long, boring morning. Mercury wasted no time either, shoveling fries into his mouth between bites of pizza.

Between mouthfuls, he glanced up at her. "So, free period, huh? Got any big plans?" He asked.

Emerald shrugged, poking at her mashed potatoes. "Eh, maybe I'll nap… or I might just skip ahead on some assignments," she said nonchalantly, though she knew the "assignments" were just an excuse to sneak and gather some intel for Cinder. She already knew who they were supposed to be looking out for.

Mercury gave her a look, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah, sure, "assignments", you're such a teacher's pet," he teased.

"Hey, someone's gotta do the work around here," she shot back, taking another bite.

Mercury smirked, raising his soda in a mock toast. "Then here's to being responsible and all that boring stuff."

Emerald rolled her eyes but laughed a little, clinking her water bottle against his soda.

She didn't always see eye-to-eye with Mercury, but he had his moments.

As she picked at her food, Emerald's mind drifted to the dream she'd had back in Professor Port's class. Or rather, to the memory she'd replayed in her subconscious. It was a warm summer day from long ago, a moment that felt like a lifetime away. The memory came back vividly, carrying her to a simpler time with Jaune, back before their lives had become so complicated.

It had been weeks before they'd wished upon that shooting star, but only days before Jaune had, in his own clumsy, innocent way, confessed to her. She remembered it so clearly: he'd dragged his family sword out to their secret spot in the fields, the blade nearly twice his size. She'd seen him struggling to carry it, nearly tripping over the hilt a few times, and couldn't help but giggle at the sight.

When he finally reached her, he'd knelt like she was some kind of princess, holding the sword upright and swearing his loyalty in their town's old language, a formality neither of them fully understood but both found exciting. His words, though awkward and halting, were spoken with a sincerity only a kid could have.

"Moi, Jaune Arc, je jure de te servir et seulement toi, Emerald Sustrai, aussi longtemps que je vivrai, et je… je promets de t'aimer pour toujours, si tu m'acceptes?"

At the time, it had felt magical, like something out of a fairytale. Her best friend was there, swearing loyalty and love to her as though she were some kind of noble lady, and for that brief moment, she felt like a princess in a storybook, being wooed by a valiant knight. Of course, she'd laughed and said yes, feeling her heart race with a new kind of happiness she hadn't fully understood.

Afterward, she'd asked him why he'd gone to so much trouble, why he'd dragged out his family's sword and rehearsed in the old language. He'd sheepishly confessed that his sister Brienne had told him it would be "very romantic," and, in her childish mind, it truly was.

Even now, his words echoed in her memory, tugging at something deep within her. Jaune's promise was innocent, just a child's fantasy, but somehow, it had stuck with her, one of the few pure, unbroken things in her life.

She sighed, stirring her mashed potatoes absentmindedly. Part of her wished things could have stayed that simple, that innocent.

Quickly, Emerald pushed those thoughts aside, reminding herself she wasn't that naive little girl anymore—the one who believed in fairy tales, who had let herself be swept up by the innocent promises of a boy with foolish dreams. That part of her was long gone, lost to the cold reality she'd been forced to face.

The world had stripped her of innocence, teaching her hard, unyielding truths. She'd seen just how dark and merciless people could be, how kindness could be a weakness, and how survival sometimes demanded ruthlessness. And she'd adapted, becoming sharper, colder, and more calculated, carving away any remnants of that trusting, hopeful girl. No more believing in anyone who couldn't prove their loyalty; no more letting down her guard for promises that could easily be broken.

Now, she didn't have anyone like that—not anyone she could rely on unconditionally, except for Cinder. Cinder was the one who had seen her potential, who had taken her in, given her a purpose, and offered protection in a world that otherwise would have chewed her up and spat her out. She was someone Emerald could trust because Cinder needed her, too. They both knew what it meant to depend on someone in a world where loyalty was rare.

Because who else did she have? Everyone else from her past had faded into memories she barely allowed herself to revisit, remnants of a softer self she'd buried. The only reality she could rely on was the one she'd built with Cinder. That was her anchor, her only truth.

After finishing her lunch, Emerald dumped her tray and made her way out of the cafeteria, hoping to catch Cinder in their dorm room. She was itching to talk strategy, to get more intel on their targets—especially Team RWBY, the latest thorn in their side. Team RWBY had made their mission harder at every turn, and she was determined to make sure Cinder knew just how ready she was to do whatever it took to bring them down. She wanted Cinder to see her as truly loyal, someone who could be counted on, not just another hired hand like Mercury—or worse, Neo.

Emerald sighed, quickening her pace. If only Cinder would see her as more than just an asset. She wanted to prove she was worth more than any mercenary; she wanted Cinder to recognize her loyalty, her commitment.

But just as she reached the cafeteria exit, a hand clamped down on her shoulder, yanking her back with surprising force. Irritation flared inside her instantly. Whoever thought they could just grab her like that was in for a rude awakening. She spun around, scowl locked in place, ready to give this idiot a piece of her mind.

"What's your fucking—?"

The words froze in her throat as her eyes widened in shock. Standing before her was a face she'd thought she'd never see again. Years had passed, but there was no mistaking him, even with the scar that now ran down his left cheek and the way his hair had grown out, most of it tied back in a short, almost wolf-like tail. He looked older, sharper as if the years had refined him like steel in a forge. But those cobalt-blue eyes hadn't changed—eyes that had once looked at her with nothing but kindness.

It was Jaune. Jaune, here in the halls of Beacon Academy, and wearing an Atlas uniform.

Jaune's face mirrored her shock as he looked back at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Emerald…?" he breathed, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "It's really you, right?"

Emerald felt as if the air had been knocked out of her. All she could manage in her stunned state was a barely audible, "J-Jaune?"

The sound of his name leaving her lips seemed to shatter whatever barrier had been holding him back. In an instant, he closed the distance between them, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She felt his arms around her, warm and familiar as if they could somehow bridge the years they'd lost.

"I… I can't believe it's really you!" he choked out, his voice a raw whisper as he buried his face in her shoulder. She could feel the tremor in his breath, the way he held her like he was afraid she might vanish if he let go.

Emerald's resolve wavered, and the walls she'd built up over the years began to crack. Her mind raced back to that last summer they'd spent together before everything had changed. She'd tried to bury that part of her past, to convince herself it didn't matter anymore, but here he was—her Jaune, her best friend, her chevalier, as she'd called him back then. And now, after so many years, he was holding her like he'd never stopped caring.

Without thinking, she clutched him back, her fingers gripping the fabric of his uniform. She felt tears prickling in her eyes, and despite everything, she let them fall. For the first time in so long, she allowed herself to be vulnerable, to let her guard down.

They stood there, locked in an embrace in the middle of the crowded hallway, oblivious to the students who passed by, staring. For once, Emerald didn't care what anyone else thought. All that mattered was that, somehow, fate had brought her back to her chevalier—the boy who had once knelt before her and promised his loyalty, the one who had shown her that she could be worth something more.

And as they held each other, Emerald felt a spark of something she'd thought was long dead inside her—a small, fragile warmth that had been buried under layers of bitterness and survival instincts.

Hope.

XXX

Translations:

1. "Tu es mon chevalier, Jaune," = "You are my knight, Jaune,"

2. "Et tu es ma princesse, Emerald!" = "And you are my princess, Emerald!"

3. "Moi, Jaune Arc, je jure de te servir et seulement toi, Emerald Sustrai, aussi longtemps que je vivrai, et je… je promets de t'aimer pour toujours, si tu m'acceptes?" = "I, Jaune Arc, swear to serve you and only you, Emerald Sustrai, as long as I live, and I… I promise to love you forever, if you accept me?"

In the next chapter, Jaune and Emerald will be catching up as a few things are explained, and Yes, Emerald is speaking French as well, why? Because I like the idea of someone outside of Jaune possibly speaking French or "Old Eastern Valerian" in this story.