A/N: Hello! We're back with more The Lonely Princess. Here's hoping you like the chapter. Enjoy!

RWBY is owned by Viz Media and was created by the late Monty Oun

The Lonely Princess

Book 4

Lord Marshal,

I write with good news.

After a minor hiccup at the beginning, we have successfully made contact with the Target. And, perhaps much sooner than expected, she had gained their trust. The huntress and I shall be her bodyguards. The Target... She is quite something, sir. I see now why your Lady asked for your help in this situation.

To that end, going forward with the mission, the Target shall hence forth be called... Jewel.

While I do not foresee anything drastic getting in the way of our Duty to safeguarding Jewel. I find the nature of her task to be a daunting one. One, I believe that was set up for failure from the start. I find that... concerning, sir.

Sincerely,

A Knight of the Order of Devotion

P.S. On a more personal level, sir. How does one differentiate between that of their Duty as a knight of our Order and honest feelings for someone? I know from personal experience with you that the two are not always one and the same, as you have told us time and again. So, how?

/ /

Knock, knock

Jaune sat up from the desk where he had been writing as someone knocked on the door to his personal quarters at the Patch Estate and a soft voice called, "Sir Knight, die Fürstin Schnee is ready now."

"Ah, my thanks, Ms. Colleen," He called as he got up from the desk after finishing jotting down the last of what he wanted to write before folding the small parchment and placing it in a envelope from which he sealed with the mark of his family, a Crest of duel Crescent Moons. Then he turned opened the door to find the young Mantlese maid standing there demurely, her fox tail swishing behind her as she looked down arms behind her back.

He jolted back at that before smiling as he said, "Why hello there, Ms. Colleen." He then looked to either direction down the hallway before asking, "Was there anything from her Ladyship... Or, yourself?"

The Faunus blushed profusely at that and turned her head again in apparent embarrassment as she said, "Oh, no, uh, Sir Knight!" Exactly as he wanted as he subtly hid the letter in the folds of his cloak. Then, as he smiled down at her, keeping the anger from his eyes as he noted the small brass collar about her neck, he said, "Well then, I had best head out. Don't want to keep anyone waiting we have an important meeting today."

He nodded at the young maid and said, "Till next time, Ms. Colleen, adieu."

"Ah, I, yes. Take care, Sir Knight!" The maid stiffened and said after a moment of hesitation as he turned and left. After a moment she called out, "I, uh, d-do you mind if I clean, Sir Knight?"

Jaune turned and said over his shoulder as he spied Ruby at the end of the hallway, tapping her foot while she waited for him with her arms crossed. "Why certainly. By all means, Ms. Colleen."

"I-it'll be all spick and span when you g-get back, Sir Knight! I, I promise!" She called with a wave. Jaune and Ruby waved back before they turned and left her sight. As soon as they did the shy demeanor of the Faunus changed and she stepped into his room with a critical eye. This was the first time any of the staff had been able to enter either Valean's room, and they weren't going to pass it up.

Not if it meant helping out their master.

/ /

"So, think they'll take the bait," Ruby asked quietly as she and Jaune made their way down towards the group of horses and masked guards under Captain Wulfe's command. Jaune snorted at that before saying, "I would hope so. We've been making it difficult for them so far, locking our rooms for the past few days when we aren't in them. Now's the best chance they have to look for anything suspicious we've left behind."

He nodded to the wolf Faunus as the guard captain looked their way, receiving one in return before muttering back to to his partner, "So, what did you leave for them to find?"

"A catalog of erotic literature, some choice toys from Yang that I've never used, and my finest risqué undergarments." She deadpanned back before ending up with a grin on her face. Jaune erupted into laughter at that, "You dog! HA! I love it!"

She let him laugh himself out before leaning into ask, "And, you?"

He grinned back as he said, "A suitable picture of my mother, sisters, their children, you, and a mysterious man in all their photos that looks remarkably like me." Ruby huffed, snorted and then finally let loose a belly laugh at that, saying, "Oh, ho, I, I think that beats mine by a longshot! Ha, ha!"

He blushed before saying, "Depends upon who see it, I suppose." Then he shook his head in exasperation and embarrassment as he said with a hand to his chin in thought, "Can't believe Ma gave that to me as a 'gift' one day. Saphron had to have set it up. That, or the Twins. Not sure which, but I'll find out. One day."

Ruby continued to chuckled at his bemusement as they made their way to the horses. The two of them were well aware of the more... prudish tendencies of the Northern Kingdom, and so had taken steps to mess with whatever agents their compatriot in the Faunus slave captain had instructed to investigate the pair of Valean Knights. The two of them had been playing this game with the agents for the past two days as they got settled in. It was amusing, for now. They both knew that once they began their job of protecting the Mantlese princess that they wouldn't have the time to safeguard any secrets for longer.

Once they reached the horse Ruby immediately grew serious, dropping her apparent amusement at the maids or guards discovering how "risqué" they were, letting only a faintly amused smile show as she tightened the straps of her quiver and checked her bowstring before mounting herself. Jaune did much the same with his sword as he stood beside Wulfe and waited in polite silence next to the towering Wolf Faunus.

He knew that the man, slave or not, wanted to prove himself before his Lady, as it were, after learning that she had made such an abrupt decision to hire the pair of unknowns. Again, Jaune could understand that. Even he was surprised at how easy it was to get Weiss to hire them. He had thought it would take more time that that. To a man like the guard captain that could seem like she didn't trust him. Never a good thing for morale.

It wasn't long before Weiss exited the Estate's front door, wearing a rich silver and black lined dress of tulle and ribbons, a veil of the same fabric over her face already and long black and silver gloves on her hands. Jaune did his best to keep the frown off of his face as he noticed that. At first he had thought she wore the veils due to how sensitive her pale skin might be in the rich, Valean sunlight, but now he and Ruby were concerned that it meant something more. Between her and the guards and other servants, they always wearing masks. He didn't like it...

On seeing Lilly, her personal handmaiden, appearing right behind her like always, he quickly came up with a plan on how to discover the secret of these masks. Moreover, at the mild look of worry on her face, her cat ear flat to her skull, he felt like he might be able to do something to weld his way into her trust as well. Anything that made it easier for them to do their job of shadowing the Fürstin, the easier it would be.

They had their orders after all.

Though, as he glanced at Ruby and saw her nod faintly his way, he hadn't expected to feel something for the subject so soon, and in such a way. She was... something unexpected, he supposed.

"die Fürstin," Wulfe said with a bow on greeting her while Jaune did much the same as he said, "My Lady."

She paused and gave a quick curtsy to them both as she smiled before hurrying to Jaune's side so he could boost her into the saddle of the horse he would be riding, followed by Wulfe doing the same for Lilly. Today was to be a busy day with meetings all around.

He just hoped the die Fürstin was ready.

/ /

"Thank you for coming to meet with me, Count Olaf." Weiss said with a deep curtsy on greeting as the man was introduced by the herald and made his way over to her in a quieter part of the Roost she had taken over. Weiss didn't quite feel like the building, or the city, were hers yet until she got through these meeting today, and began the process of rebuilding things here in the Prefecture.

The tall man reminded her of a vultures in appearance what with his large hooked nose, hunched, rail thing appearance and his balding pate. That being said his personality was completely different to that of those carrion eaters. He smiled softly at her as he bowed deeply and said in reply, while sitting down before folding his hands before him on the table, "Ah, die Fürstin. It is an honor to meet you. For the first time."

Though nervous, Weiss found herself smiling at that and nod-of-the-hat to their previous meeting a couple of days ago where she had sat in a meeting as her own servant. She appreciated the man for helping her out then, but, if they were going to be working together, then she needed to know something. It was rather rude to ask, though. Should she do it, she wondered as she swallowed before she found herself asking, "Forgive the impertinence, sir, but, could you tell me why you didn't try and take over the prefecture yourself?"

The Count stiffened at the straight question. Something that no savvy, power-seeking noble would ask. At least, not in so open a manner. Especially of a potential ally. He found himself smiling softly again at that. It was... rather refreshing, not having to deal with all the doubletalk from other more experienced nobles. "Ah, I can understand why you ask such a question, die Fürstin. The answer, is rather simple."

Weiss looked at him quizzically, waiting for some kind of bombshell reveal only to blink as he chuckled suddenly at her expression. He lifted his hands palms up in an expression of obviousness as he smiled and said, "I am a loyal son of Vale, die Fürstin. Of Patch, itself. I would rather do all I can to keep its people happy and healthy than gain more power and influence at the cost of their livelihoods. That is what the Archduke and his faction never seemed to get in all their dealings with me, Milady. I care not for such power, not if it means I must trample over the people of my community." He shrugged and sipped at the glass of water Lilly provided him before saying as he smirked, "I'm already seventy, Milady. Would need I of anymore power and influence in the Valean Monarchy? Now, the newly created Patch Prefecture of the Mantlese Kingdom... That sounds interesting. Perhaps interesting enough to make my last few years enjoyable. And, I'll be helping my people for once, and not merely those of the Capitol."

Weiss listened as he explained his reasoning for siding with her and her nation over his own in silence. Then she sat back in her chair, sipping daintily as a cup of Valean coffee, something she had recently come to enjoy after Ruby and Yang introduced her to the caffeinated beverage, as she processed that answer to her rude question. Then she nodded to herself before leaning forwards to say, "Thank you for your honesty, my good Count Olaf." -

-"Please, call me Oswald while we're in private like this." The man returned. -

-Weiss gave a nod of acknowledgement at that before continuing with, "Oswald, thank you for your honesty with me. I am a neophyte when it comes to ruling over others or in negotiations involving such a complicated subject. I will be relying on you to advise me on what is best for our people."

"But, of course, Milady." Oswald returned with a nod and a reassuring smile before he finished of the glass of water to say as he leaned in towards her, "To that end, if I could make a suggestion on what to do first in rebuilding our commerce and trade..."

/ /

Jaune stood at attention outside of the meeting room as the princess met with the first of several potential advisors. Having met the Count Olaf once before he knew the man would do everything in his power to aid the Fürstin in restoring his and Ruby's home to glory. After that, the man would need to be watched. He was an old, savvy noble, having survived several different changes in the ministration of the Valean government, especially over the last several years.

Still, Jaune had a good feeling about the man after having seen what Weiss could do to make people want to do their best for her. It was no subtle manipulation or coercion on her end, merely just who she was as a person. She exuded an aura that made you want to do better, to be better, just to see that fragile smile of hers.

Without realizing it, Jaune and Ruby had already fallen under her spell in so short of a time, beyond that of their mission's parameters as per their instructions from the Mashal. Jaune himself, was already preparing to investigate just what in her past had caused so gentle a creature such pain that she was afraid of upsetting anyone, especially the likes of that of the tall, and often stern figure of Captain Wulfe. When he did... he didn't quite know what he would do.

Creak!

At the sounds of a door opening behind him had him turning to find just the person he wanted to see as Lilly strolled out, carrying a tray of empty drinks. He nodded at her as she stiffened on seeing him there, and said by way of greeting, "Ms. Lilly. A pleasure."

"S-sir Knight," she returned with a curtsy only to gasp as the tray of empty drinks went to fall. With a but single step Jaune caught the tray, preventing anything from falling. He then lifted the tray up in one hand over her vehement protests and apologies as he smiled down at her and said, "Think nothing of it, Ms. Lilly." Then he frowned slightly as he looked beyond towards the door as he asked, "How're things?"

"Oh, they seem... fine? The mistress and Count Olaf seem to be making headway in ironing out a plan to restore the Prefecture."

He turned to look at her, and frowned as he saw the collar around the neck of her uniform. The mark of a slave in Mantle, if a highly skilled one. Then he shook his head and said with a strained smile, "Ah, excellent to here. Well, here's hoping she can be done soon. I'm sure she'd rather be out here with you in this lovely weather than in their with a stuffy old man, hm?"

Lilly pffted and giggled lightly at that, not expecting the candid joke from the knight. Too many of the guards she knew were only ever stoic and stern in their dealing even when off duty. Captain Wulfe among them. Then she blinked as he turned away from her to sigh as he leaned against the railing of the nearby balcony. The same one Weiss had stood at after her last meeting here. She tilted her head at that and set down the tray that Jaune had given back to her on a nearby side table before nervously walking up behind the big, heavily armored man to asked, "Sir Knight? Is there something wrong?"

"Hm? Mm, I guess you could call it that." He replied as he looked out over the city below before turning back to her and pointed at her neck, and the collar there, as he leaned back against the banister while crossing his arms as he said, "That collar. I despise it, and what it means. Every time I see it on you, on Wulfe, it sickens me."

Lilly blinked at that, taken back not only for the answer, but also for the sheer vitriol in Jaune's voice. After a moment of silence where she gathered her courage to asked, "Do they not have slaves here, in Vale?"

"No." Jaune said as he shook his head. Then after a moment of thought he elaborated with, "Not slaves, serfs." At her look of confusion over the term he smiled stiffly he continued with, "I get the confusion. Serfs are... indentured servants. They pay off a debt to a noble or merchant, often over lifetimes. It sounds like slavery, which it is, but at least a serf can eventually get out of his servitude show he pay it off."

He inhaled deeply before sighing while he looked away before saying, "The reason why it angers me so, Ms. Lilly. Is because I hate both systems. Slavery more so that the other, but the system of serfs either led to that of slavery or came from it, depending on who you talk to. Either way, I hate it. What's worse, I can do nothing about it. I am but a humble knight, and an unknown one. I have no... clout. No influence in which to change such things." He blinked them and looked up at her curiously before saying, "But, perhaps the Lady could. I've seen how she looks at you, at Wulfe and the others. Perhaps, with just the right amount of pushing, we could have her end such a system while in her Prefect."

"I, uh, I-I don't..." Lilly said nervously in reply while under his intensely focused look, shifting in place as she took a couple of small steps backwards.

Jaune watcher her for a moment in silence before smiling brightly, completely changing his mood and appearance on a dime, as he said while waving a hand, "Ach, don't worry about it, Ms. Lilly. It was merely a thought. A spur of the moment, if you will." He stood back and walked over to her to say while he smiled down at her, "I thank you for the conversation. I trust, that we now understand each other a bit better." He waited for her to nodded at that before saying, still smiling gently, "We, Lady Rose and I, just want you and the others to know that we are on your side. We all have the Lady's well being in mind, after all."

"Of course, Sir Knight." Lilly replied warmly before curtsying to him and turning to leave, saying, "It was a lovely conversation indeed. Thank you."

/ /

"Die Prinzessin, you wished to see me?" Asked Major Gunderson as he sat down before her. Weiss smiled lightly at that before coughing and clearing her throat as she said to the hulking redheaded man, "It's die Fürstin, not Prinzessin, Major. And, yes. Thank you for coming to see me."

The Major blinked at that, his blue eyes filled with confusion as he asked gruffly, "What's the difference?"

"Well, Major," She told him by way of explanation. "A Prinzessin is merely the... casual name for a female member of a royal family, you could say. Whereas a Fürstin, like me, is specifically the crown princess of a ruling Fürst, a prince who governs a principality or other region." After a brief moment to let that set in she then smiled briefly, a mere twerk of her lips, before saying, "As I now rule over the Patch Prefecture, now that my father has given it to me, so I suppose my exact title is a bit nebulous at the moment."

"Ah, I see... Confusing." The man said before muttering to himself loudly while rubbing at his chin. Weiss almost didn't stifle her giggle at that. It was... surprisingly cute. "Indeed," she said, before smirking to herself.

"So, die Fürstin, you wished to see me?" Gunderson asked again after a moment of silence on his part.

"Yes, quite." She said as she sat up straight and took on a more serious demeanor as she then asked, "Tell me, Major Gunderson, what did you do for the city and the Prefecture in the interim between when I took over and when Marquess Quint fell to the Revolt?"

"I, uh, I kept the likes of Archduke Winchester and others from usurping the territory while it was... disputed. die Fürstin." He said after a moment's hesitation.

"At the cost of the citizens lives," Weiss retorted sternly, albeit softly. "As well as the commerce, the trades, and finances, the livelihood of the citizens of the city, your city. My city. Instead of using what funds were left in the Treasury to repair and maintain the city, instead of trying to maintain trade and commerce you focused entirely on stopping anyone from taking this Prefecture. Now barely anyone has any money or revenue and people are starving. People I have personally met, sir."

The Major made to refute those charges before falling silent as he thought it over. Then his ruddy complexion paled and he slumped in place as he realized the truth of her words, unable to say something in response to that.

"That being said," Weiss then said after a moment to let him respond. "I do thank you for safeguarding my city, at least, Major."

"Hm? Oh, uh, yes. Uh, y-you're welcome, die Fürstin." Major Gunderson replied absently, still lost in thought, mulling over what he had failed to do. The foreign princess was right. So focused he had been on in safeguarding the city from outside forces he had failed to protect its people, his people. "Damn," he cursed under his breath, his gravelly voice so deep it could still be heard by Weiss even now.

"Now then," Weiss intoned just loudly enough for Gunderson to look her way again. "How shall we help our people, Major?"

"Wha?" He gaped, and blinked at that question before shaking his head to ask, "Y-you would still have me as an ally even after I failed to-"

"Yes," Weiss interrupted, replying firmly with a smile that reached her eyes. "I have need of so steadfast a warrior at my side. And, I'll be relying on you, and your Lion Guards to continue to safeguard our city for the foreseeable future."

Gunderson blinked at that and repeated, softly ,"Our city?" Then he nodded as he finally got what she meant by that and said as he sat up and stared at her resolutely, "Aye, die Fürstin. You have my arm and my word that I will safeguard our city, and its people with all my being."

"Good. I'll hold you to that Major." Weiss replied as she smiled back at him before sliding over a packet of documents, saying, "Now, in regards to that. Where would you say we need to shore up our defenses..."

/ /

Weiss sighed and rubbed at her brow as she left the chambers to walk outside. She had just gotten done meeting with the few members of the Ministries of Commerce, Trade and Finances as well as that of Agriculture and Forestry. She didn't even know there was such a thing as a Ministry of Forestry, but she suppose that's what came of a country who's main export was lumber.

And, oh, was there so many headaches involved with just that.

She had to listen as a man old enough to be her grandfather, hallowed by his name, go on and on about why she couldn't cut down these trees, in this section, of this forest due to this or that reason. About how the necessary men needed for all this work were currently refusing to work because they hadn't been paid in the last four months by the Lumber Association. About how all their equipment was failing even though they had the necessary tools for repairs on hand but were refusing to use them for repairs again one reason or another, up to and including not being paid yet. About how she could ignore these workers and hire new one who wanted the work, but she couldn't farm the trees in the previous arranged forests as the former employees of the Lumber Association would get in the way. About why she couldn't go and cut lumber from the forest here or there because it actually belonged to a neighboring Prefect or region, but how was she suppose to know that when the bastards never even posted the edges of the Prefecture borders?!

"Uugghh!" She groaned to herself just thinking about that again. And that wasn't the half of it.

The representative, and only remaining member, of the Ministry of Commerce had informed her that because no one had bothered to maintain ties with any of their former trading partners that the Merchants guild couldn't even begin trading for the likes of food, or Ore, or Lumber, or what have you to begin rebuilding the city, the Prefecture's bottom line. And because of that they refused to offer aid to the Ministry of Trade, again so bares bone as to have only one member, a mere probationary member, when it came to paying the various tradesmen from blacksmiths like Yang to the various other tradesmen in the city and beyond.

And the list of issues continued from there.

"Haah, you'd think that at least a few of the agents of the Ironwood Conquests would've remained behind to aid in the recovery of the prefect after everything was said and done with it, but nooo. that would be too easy,." She groused to herself as she continued to rub at her brow.

"Ah, Lady Schnee, have you finished for the day?" Called a familiar voice just then and Weiss turned felling a smile beginning to appear on her face in spite of things as she found Jaune there alongside Ruby as they walked up to her, both smiling at her in greeting. Again, she felt that sudden, deep sense of warmth as she looked up at the man, at Ruby, so different from the cold, distant feeling she got from her father. She wondered what that feeling was. What it meant.

"I, yes, Sir Jaune," she replied after a moment as she smiled at him. then she sighed as her gaze lowered under the weight of all that she had to do. "But it seems that it will be a long, hard climb to shift the weight of.. stagnation off of this land and its people. I wonder if I'll actually be able to do in time..."

"I'm sure you will, Weiiissie," ruby sang as she rushed and gave the slighter woman a warm side hug, causing Weiss to blush at the contact. Jaune shook his head at that as he rebuke his partner, saying, "Ruby! What have I told you about doing that? Have some tack, please. The Fürstin can't just be hugged out of nowhere by you. People might get the wrong idea."

"Heh heh, sorry, Jaune! I'll try not to do that again!" She called as she blyeted with her tongue and saluted with her eyes closed and big, goofy grin on her face.

The large man in turn rolled his eyes at that while sighing good-naturedly as he said, "Somehow, I doubt that."

"Ah, but Jaune, it's cause she's so cute I feel I need to every time I, we see her!" Ruby crowed as she glomped onto Weiss yet again causing her to blush again.

"Well... Well, I don' think it's right. Especially as I can't get away with doing it myself." Jaune returned after a moment's thought. He then tilted his head to look over the "huhing" Fürstin to say, "Ah, good to see you again as well, Ms. Lilly."

The bashful Faunus servant merely smiled and wave politely at him as she bowed in greeting.

Jaune then turned to Weiss as he asked, "Would you care to go for a walk, Lady Schnee? It's quite beautiful out right now."

"I - Why that sounds lovely, only... " Weiss started to return with a smile before a sudden nagging sensation within make her try and come up with an appropriate excuse for the warm offer.

Only for Jaune to then remark, "Ah, but I'm sure you need to relieve yourself first. Spending hours on end in meetings can't be good for the bladder, hm?"

"Ja-Jaune! N-now, look who's being inappropriate!" Ruby exclaimed indignantly while Weiss flushed profusely at that and Lilly muttered an, "Oh, my!"

"What?" He deadpanned with a blink of confusion. " Normal bodily functions are nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure you and Lilly also need to go relieve yourselves. As do I. Standing around at attention all morning can get quite uncomfortable, as you well know...bedwetter!"

"*Gasp* How dare you! You, you said that you would never bring that up again while in polite company!" Ruby gasped before berating him, prodding his armored chest with a finger as he stared down at his friend and partner with a grin.

"That I did, but we're among friends right now." He replied as the two began to walk off in front of Weiss and Lilly as they followed behind alternatively laughing or flushing at the Valeans often crude, if good-natured ribbing of each other.

For some reason, her growing headache and the issues around it, just seemed to fade away for a time as she basked in the warmth of her newfound friends and comrades. Yes she thought. She could do this so long as they were around to help her.

/ /

Neptune couldn't help the smirk that kept appearing on his face as he rode in the carriage on the way back to his home in the Kuroyuri Forests of Mistral. For how could he? He had gotten one over the king, the König, of Mantle. Just picturing that old bastard's face after he had annulled the marriage with his daughter had been priceless to behold.

At the memory of the princess, though, his expression somewhat soured. He despised anyone thinking they were better than him, and have that little whore correct him on who was in charge of her nation was more than enough to get under his skin. Just who was she to dare to correct him?!

And, what did it matter, anyway?

Once his kingdom's military conquered the last holdouts in the Argus Peninsula, they would move on to the mainland territories of Mantle. The Northern Kingdom, and its little bastardization of rule would be brought low, and that little whore and her sister would learn the meaning of where a woman's proper place was.

He smirked evilly at that as the carriage made its way into the gates of the Vasilias Estate, the longest held territory outside of Mistral and the Shogun's own territory.

Upon stepping out of the passenger area he was greeted by the twenty or so servants, many of them collared Faunus, and, his brother, Jupiter. He grinned as they embraced, clasping each other on the back heartily, before he pulled back to say with a grin, "Elder Brother, it has been too long! Since when did you get back? How goes the Front?"

"Only a day ahead of you, Little Brother." The other blue-haired, blue-eyed man said with a smile, the thin goatee he had wobbling as he spoke. He lightly tugged on his brother's shoulder as a sign to follow him as he made his way inside as he continued, "And, poorly. The fighting has all stalled thanks to poor weather, and lack of supplies. Something about the commoners back in the Higanbana area not having enough rice to send, or some such nonsense as that."

"Bah! These commoners, always going off about how hard it is to provide for us! Don't they knew that without the army, without us, they would have no protection?" Neptune cursed in turn. He waved his hand in dismissal of it all as he then said as he grinned at his brother, "Well, no matter. Let us celebrate your return, brother! A feast, I say! Haha!"

"Indeed, it'll be good to take something other army rations for once." Jupiter returned with a grin of his own.

Both brothers ignored the various, still bowing servants, including the ones who stomachs were audibly growling from lack of food.

/ /

As Weiss sat down at her desk back home at the Patch Estate, going over various documents as she began the long process of building up trade again she paused and thought to herself, remembering Yang's talk of the lack of Ore for making tools and weapons - she was also a highly sought swordsmith - and came up with an idea, and rang the small bell next to her on the desk.

Immediately, Lilly appeared and asked, "Milady? did you need something?"

"I... Yes, Lilly." Weiss started, thinking over how to word the request properly before saying, "Could you gather all of the servants, the guards, who... Who are collared like you, please?"

"I, certainly, Milady. where you like them to be assembled?" Lilly returned after a moment's hesitancy.

"In the Main foyer, an hour from now, please." Weiss said as she went back to going over the paperwork before her once more, "I want to finish ironing out the details on this proposal first."

"Very well, Milady. It will be done." Lilly said as she curtsied and backed out of the room.

/ /

"Hah! Please, Milord! Don't! Hah, Hah! Please!"

Neptune laughed drunkenly as he heard his brother, Jupiter, having his way with one of the servants in the other room again. He took another sip from the sake he had before him while eyeing up one of the female servants in the room with him and Pluto, his other brother, thinking he might have some fun, too.

"Brother, could you focus, please!" His eldest brother begged in exasperation as he discreetly motioned the fearful-looking women out of the room. They all but fled in relief at that. Neptune frowned at that before turning to face his brother as Pluto then said, "Now, while I'm sure you're all feeling proud of how you made a fool of the König - And good on you for doing that! That bastard has been pushing for us to make a move far too much for my liking! - but have you and Jup actually consider what might've happen if the Trade Del between Minister Dachi and the Königin had fallen through? Your marriage to the Fürstin would've been our only way, and you ended it on a whim?!"

"Hrck! What does it matter now, anyway, Plu," Neptune said as he went to pour himself more of the alcohol, not noticing that the sounds from the other room had ended suddenly, only to stiffen and nearly drop the whole bottle as a sharp, raspy feminine voice rang out, "Because, without the Fürstin here as a hostage, we can't be sure that the Mantlese won't counterattack while we're fighting the Valean forces at Mt. Glen!"

The two brothers turned and looked at the doorway to the sitting room to find their mother, Ops, standing there, a cold look on her face. The two quickly stood up before bowing low to their mother as she walked into the room with her hands cupped before her. At a gesture they stood upright and stared down at the much shorter woman, awaiting her word. "Go, Proserpina needs you," She motioned to Pluto without looking, her stern gaze on her other son. Neptune swallowed at that as with a nod to his mother Pluto all but fled.

Neptune," his mother then said with a soft smile, that didn't quite reach her eyes, opening her arms as if asking for a hug. He hehed s he made to to move in only to flinch as she slapped him a cross the face and mouth, stunning him, before she said viciously, "I hope you're happy with yourself, son! The Shogun is beside himself with anger at you, at all of us." She gripped him by his carefully coiffured locks and jerked his head down and to the left viciously as she said, "He's given you a month to work this out. Get that whore to remarry you, or you may very well find your head on the chopping block next to your insufferable father! Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes, mother!" He whine as she let him, smoothing her skirt before she said, "Good, good. I hear that die Fürstin Schnee will be having a gala to celebrate her being made the ruling governor of Patch. Go there, and do you best to win her over. I hear you're as good as your brother at getting in a woman's pants. I expect results."

As his mother then turned and left the room his muttered, "Yes, Mother!" being ignored, he glared at her departing back with eye of hate and self pity.

A/N: And we'll end it there. For now. As you can see in a lovely bit of parallel the two different ruling stances of Neptune and Weiss as well as their treatment of others. Also, his own attitude toward women in this, which actually kind of goes hand in hand with his allusion, even more so after that brief bit in the first chapter...

I don't know if the Roman God Neptune was as adulterous as his Greek counterpart Poseidon was, but I'm going to say he was for this story. Hades/Pluto was the only one, as far as we are aware, who never slept around on his wife, so good for him. His brothers, though, ick! (Also, before any of you throw the God of the Dead under the bus for kidnapping his wife, apparently that meant something different back then, so... If you want to know the full legend might I recommend watching the short video on it by the Youtube channel OSP, Overly Sarcastic Productions. It's only 20 minutes long and is kind of my favorite video of Red's)

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.

Wonder what Weiss is going to say to all her "slaves"?