A Royal Match - Chapter 1 (Patreon)

THIS STORY CONTAINS MATURE SCENES.  DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T LIKE SMUT OR IF YOU'RE NOT 18+

(Although I guess it's just one chapter you can't read...but I don't want you to get invested in the story only to have to skip an entire chapter.)

Anyway, since our Saturday story is pretty much Bees only, I decided to post this story during my 'oneshot' time slot.  The style of this is going to be really different from what you're used to reading from me - mainly, this is written to be short (~2000 words) chapters that focus around the different kisses our main couple shares.

I won't be writing a commentary on this one, though maybe I'll write a short recap once it's over.  

13 chapters, 30k words - let's go!

***

“This is stupid,” Weiss grumbled while following Winter through the halls of the palace, taking care to match her sister’s swift pace so as not to be left behind.  

“Call it what you will.  That won’t change the circumstances.” 

While Weiss had a host of responses to that - none of them very ‘princess-like’ - she held her tongue and glowered instead.  “It just doesn’t make sense,” she added, unable to stay quiet for long.  “If I’m supposed to be queen -”

“Which you are.” 

“Right.”  The agreement only emboldened her further.  “If I’m supposed to be queen, why must I marry?  That has no bearing on my ability to lead.  If anything, it’s a distraction.  Wouldn’t the people prefer my full attention be on making their lives better?” 

“Weiss.”  Pausing outside the door to the throne room, Winter turned around and shook her head.  “You know I agree with you.  Obviously, that’s why we’re in this position to begin with.  But if you don’t do this, Whitley will.”

The idea of Whitley becoming the King of Atlas made Weiss frown.  After decades living under the iron rule of a despot, that was exactly what they didn’t need - another despot.  If he became king, she would spend the entirety of her life wondering what freedom felt like.

Sighing at the thought, she gave her sister a more earnest look.

“Why couldn’t you have gotten married?” 

“There was no point.  He already decided I was unfit to lead.” 

By now, Winter had accepted her fate and gave nothing more than a frown while turning towards the door.  Weiss, however, still found the circumstances unfathomable.  Winter was the most fit to rule out of the three of them.  She was the eldest.  She was the smartest.  She was the most adept at navigating Altas’ politics and social spheres.  Maybe it was that obvious adeptness that made their father jealous.  Maybe that’s why he did what he did.

They couldn’t undo the past, but Weiss was grateful that Winter stayed in the palace regardless of her disinheritance.  Weiss needed her guidance to make it through the trials ahead.  Especially this one…

“I did my best,” Winter explained in a hushed voice while setting her hand on the door.  “But Vale refused to choose between the two of you without her meeting you first.”

Though Weiss sighed at the added difficulty, she kept her complaints to herself.  Vale was a formidable kingdom, but also...different.  Very different from Atlas.  That, and if Vale’s leaders refused to name the match, then Whitley would be all over the poor girl as soon as she arrived.  He wasn’t stupid - he knew that whoever married first had a better chance of taking the throne, especially with their father on his death bed.  So the future of Atlas rested in the hands of someone who’d never even been to Atlas.

If Weiss’ future happiness didn’t depend on the outcome, she might find it amusing.  Instead, she pushed past her indignation, stress, and annoyance - determined to suffer in silence.  When Winter leveled her with a serious look, however, she knew exactly what was coming.

“This is important, Weiss.” 

“I know...” 

“I don’t think you fully grasp the gravity of the situation.  We’re lucky to have this opportunity, but you know Whitley.”  Unfortunately, Weiss did know Whitley, and she knew he would do anything to become king.  “You need to win her over,” Winter stressed.  “Which means you need to be convincing.” 

“I will be.”  When Winter raised one brow, Weiss sighed and shook her head.  “I’ll try to be.”

“Good.”  Before opening the door, Winter paused and gave Weiss a more hesitant look.  “That means you might need to be...less yourself.”

Weiss wrinkled her nose at the comment, but she knew what Winter meant.  In order for this to work, it needed to be one of those relationships from a novel, complete with the giggles and affection and other pointless bits of romance.  

That would be difficult, not to mention annoying.  Especially when she’d never met this person and probably had nothing in common with them other than their status as princesses - of vastly different kingdoms, with different customs, different families, different ways of life…

“Please try to make this work,” Winter added, lowering her voice as soon as a pair of butlers walked into the hall.  “I can try to find someone else, but I’m afraid there’s no time.  Besides, the other options are...worse.” 

Of that, Weiss had no doubt.  The princes and princesses she’d met over the past few years were all various shades of horrible.  Egotistical, pathological liars, smarmy - she wouldn’t want to spend an evening with them, let alone the rest of her life.

“What kind of person agrees to marry someone they’ve never met?” she whined instead, but Winter just shook her head.

“Either Vale agreed to a marriage with their eldest child, or they buried their economy.  She had no choice.” 

“Well neither do I...” Weiss grumbled while motioning for Winter to get this over with.  If she weren’t in a similar situation, she might feel sorry for the girl forced to marry a stranger.  Unfortunately, now she had to compete with Whitley to marry a stranger of her own, all in the name of securing the kingdom her ancestors built centuries ago.

But when the door opened, revealing the ornate throne room holding her father’s jewel-studded silver throne, she realized how real this was.  Because standing in the room, accompanied by a pair of silent butlers, was a young woman with short, brunette hair and a red-and-gold cloak slung over her shoulders.

“Remember your manners,” Winter whispered as they approached the girl, who was integral to their lives in more ways than she knew.  “And try not to be too...cold.” 

“It’s Atlas, Winter,” Weiss replied, using a scoff to hide her nerves.  “It’s always cold.” 

Fortunately, Winter had no time for rebuttal, as the young woman noted their presence and turned to greet them.  Up close, it became evident that she was taller than Weiss, though not by much, with an athletic build that made her look lively and healthy.  She wore the royal colors of Vale - deep red with gold accents that paired well with her deep auburn hair.  It was her eyes that captured Weiss’ attention most though - a beautiful shade of silver unlike any she’d seen before.

“Princess Rose,” Winter greeted their new guest with a polite smile that was hesitantly returned.  “Thank you for coming all this way.  Allow me to introduce my sister, and the Princess of Atlas, Weiss Schnee.” 

Once Winter gestured her way, Weiss smiled and curtsied.  Her smile faltered, however, when expressive silver eyes locked on to hers.  

Though Princess Rose appeared slightly younger than Weiss, lack of years didn’t show in her poise or mannerisms.  Her posture was straight and tall.  Her head held high.  It was only her eyes that gave away her nerves and reluctance - two emotions she had every reason to feel considering her role as a bargaining chip in their kingdoms’ politics.

“Please call me Ruby,” she replied with a curtsy of her own.  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”  As she dipped her head, she reached for Weiss’ hand - a gesture of intimacy Weiss might have backed away from had Winter not stood right there.

But Winter was there, so Weiss offered her hand and didn’t pull away when Ruby pressed a soft, gentle kiss to the back of it.  The greeting made Weiss’ hand tingle - a strange sensation she shook off while clasping her hands in front of her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” she replied with another smile, though it did nothing to ease the nerves in Ruby’s eyes.  

Weiss was anything but a comforting or reassuring person, which made this situation feel like a recipe for disaster.  Ruby kissed her hand though, which seemed like a positive sign.  Although that was probably only due to Vale customs rather than any desire for closeness...

Hearing Winter gently clear her throat, Weiss glanced her sister’s way and quickly thought of something else to say.

“I hope your travels went well?” she asked, and Ruby nodded.

“Yes, they were fine.  Thank you.” 

The silence expanded while Weiss waited for more of a response, but Ruby had nothing else to say.  And Weiss had nothing to say either.  They didn’t know each other, which was painfully obvious, so what possible conversation could they strike up upon first introduction?  Condolences for their unfortunate circumstances?

Before she turned to Winter for help, however, the door to the throne room opened, and Whitley strode inside.  Just seeing him was enough to make her scowl, especially when she spotted the self-assured smile on his lips.

The two of them grew up fighting for second place, but their rivalry reached new levels the day Winter was removed from the line for the crown.  Now, they competed for the Kingdom of Atlas, and Whitley’s hunger for power wouldn’t be quenched until that victory was his.

Over the years, he’d grown into a handsome young man - tall, lean, and with none of the childish features he once had.  His demeanor, however, had only gotten worse over time.  Now that he understood how the palace operated, he used his good looks to charm everyone into doing his bidding.  Unfortunately, only Weiss and Winter seemed to see his manipulation for what it was - greed and hunger for power to do as he wished.

Even more unfortunately, he looked every bit the part of a prince who could sweep a princess off her feet.  And, for the first time since this episode began, Weiss worried about her chances of winning when it mattered most.

When he stopped in front of Ruby and smiled - and Ruby looked up at him with open curiosity - Weiss’ concern only grew.

“Weiss,” he greeted her with a polite nod.  “Winter,” he added before turning his full attention to Ruby.  “I’ve been awaiting your arrival, Princess,” he said before bowing.  Upon straightening up, he glanced at Weiss before lifting Ruby’s hand to his lips for a kiss.  “You’re even more beautiful than the rumors.” 

“Oh, um, thank you...” Ruby whispered before turning away - out of embarrassment?  Discomfort?  Or was she flattered by the compliment?

“I look forward to getting to know you better,” he added with another charming smile.  “And I’d love to show you around Atlas when the weather permits.  We should have a sunny day sometime soon.”

Brushing her hair behind her ear, Ruby glanced at Weiss before smiling up at Whitley and nodding.

“I’d love too.”

When his smile grew, Weiss turned to Winter for reassurance.  Winter, however, was too busy watching the interaction take place.  From her furrowed brow and slight frown, she was concerned.  

She had every right to be.  Romance wasn’t exactly within Weiss’ skillset, and she wasn’t a charmer, either.  From what Whitley just showed, however, she needed to be.  If not a charmer, she had to convince Ruby that she was just as interested in this hypothetical romance as he was.

This was going to be harder than she thought...