A Royal Match - Chapter 9 (Patreon)

As the palace’s biggest event of the year, no expense was spared decorating the grounds, the entryway, and the grand ballroom where The Winter Ball was held.  In a matter of days, the halls transformed to appear as if the snowy weather had crept inside, only without the bitter chill dampening their moods.

Since the theme was, quite simply, a winter wonderland, most of the women wore fabulous white ball gowns while the men dressed in striking black suits.  Weiss’ dress for the evening had an icy blue tinge that matched her eyes and heels, allowing her to stand out without drawing too much attention.  Though the slit running up her side, to nearly her mid-thigh, was supposed to draw someone’s attention...to no avail.

And, as much as she hated to admit it, Whitley looked handsome in his crisp black tuxedo with light blue accents.  With his above-average height and charming smile, he looked every bit the part of a prince, and he would have been the star of the event were it not for Ruby.

In what was unofficially Ruby’s introduction to Atlas’ most elite citizens, she stole the show.  Her stunning red gown, which had been sent from Vale with silver rather than gold accents, drew every eye her way.  Her smile and laughter lifted the mood of the room, and everyone who spoke to her left with a smile or an approving nod.  

But she spent the evening speaking to other people, with each passing second of silence gnawing at the gaping hole in Weiss’ heart.  

She hadn’t meant that she only wanted to marry Ruby to become queen.  Maybe that was how this all started, but...that felt like such a long time ago.  Now, she worried that Ruby would leave.  Just like that - Ruby would return to Vale.  

Or choose Whitley.  

That thought hurt even worse.  As did the realization that she would miss Ruby horribly if they were separated now, and that she couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Ruby with Whitley for the rest of her life.

But Ruby couldn’t leave without breaking Vale’s agreement with Atlas, which only made Weiss feel worse.  Ruby wouldn’t do anything to hurt Vale, so she was trapped here.  No matter how much she hated Weiss right now, she would stay.  But would she stay with Weiss?

Watching Whitley set a hand on Ruby’s elbow to lead her over to the next introduction only soured Weiss’ already-sour mood.  She hated seeing the two of them together, yet tonight forced her to admit that they made a good-looking couple.  Now that Whitley was a young man, he looked worthy of such a striking bride.  And Ruby...Ruby deserved a dashing prince.

But Weiss knew her brother, and she knew he didn’t deserve anyone as kind and caring as Ruby. 

“Is your plan to stare at her all night?” 

Hardly glancing over when Winter stood at the banister beside her, Weiss quickly returned to watching Ruby from afar.  

“I don’t want to smother her,” she grumbled, but Winter hummed and shook her head.  

“Whitley has no problem doing that.” 

When Whitley took Ruby by the arm and led her over to meet someone else, Weiss’ scowl deepened.

“Whitley and I aren’t the same…” she mumbled as her unhappiness grew.  It felt presumptuous to say that it should be her down there with Ruby, but...it should be her down there with Ruby.  It didn’t matter how ‘good’ Ruby and Whitley looked together - that mirage was only skin deep.

Ruby should be with Weiss because they just worked together, somehow.  They got along so well, they connected, they fit like two pieces of the same puzzle.  Weiss wouldn’t think it possible if she didn’t feel it so clearly...and Ruby had to feel it too.

“Excuse me.”  

Ignoring the slightly amused look Winter sent her, she pushed away from the banister and made her way to the ballroom floor.  She’d picked that spot on the upper level so that Ruby would know exactly where she was, but Ruby hadn’t looked her way all night.

This was a misunderstanding, and she needed to explain herself sooner rather than later.  She couldn’t spend the entire night watching Whitley march Ruby around like a prize.  Ruby wasn’t some prize to be won.  She was a living, breathing, gorgeous human being who deserved to be with someone who treated her as such.

Weiss wanted to be that person, but she needed to tell Ruby that.

“Princess Rose.”  As soon as Ruby turned around, Weiss offered a polite curtsy and ignored Whitley’s glare.  “May I borrow you for a minute?” 

When Weiss motioned towards the hall, Ruby turned that direction and considered the question.  She wanted to decline - Weiss could see that in her silver eyes - but knew that she couldn’t in front of the guests without causing concern.  In a sense, she was forced to do what Weiss wanted her to do, and Weiss hated herself for using that to her advantage.  But she needed to explain...and she needed to talk to Ruby in order to do that.

“Of course,” Ruby finally replied before giving a polite nod to the onlookers.  “If you’ll excuse me,” she concluded before stepping aside and motioning for Weiss to lead the way.

With the first part of her plan successful, Weiss took a deep breath and headed towards the nearest exit of the ballroom.  From there, they entered a hall filled with waiters and caretakers rushing to and from the kitchen, but the hustle and bustle only highlighted how quiet Ruby had suddenly fallen.

The silence reminded Weiss of when Ruby first arrived in Atlas, only worse.  This wasn’t caused by discomfort or unfamiliarity.  This was due to hurt feelings - hurt feelings she was responsible for.  Now, more than ever, she just wanted to make Ruby happy again, and would do whatever it took to make that happen.

“In here,” she said while opening the door to a small room used for excess storage.  At the moment, it housed miscellaneous furniture, from chairs to tables to plenty of lamps.  And now it held their silence as well, made all the more uncomfortable when Ruby leaned against a table and said nothing.

“I need to explain something to you,” Weiss said before that silence scared her away.  “And I hope that you’ll believe me, because it’s the truth.” 

When Ruby simply nodded, Weiss took a deep breath and decided that this was it.  She would tell the truth, and she would hope Ruby believed her.  As much as it scared her to put her heart at risk, that was the most she could offer right now.

“Whoever you decide to marry will become the new ruler of Atlas,” she began, putting that fact out in the open before explaining further.  “Between our laws and my father’s health, there’s no time to convince another royal family to agree.  They might decide to decline anyway just to weaken Atlas.  That’s why your decision is far more important than anyone let you know.” 

Before continuing, she waited for that knowledge to sink in - for Ruby to understand that she held far more power than she knew.  That she could choose the direction Atlas took from here.

“Obviously, my brother and I are...different.”  When Ruby scoffed at the statement, Weiss breathed a small sigh of relief.  “We have different views, different goals, different...everything, basically.  But when you first arrived, we shared the same goal.”  Thinking about what she was about to say, Weiss felt her heart protest.  Looking back on it, she wished it weren’t true but...there was no other way.

“We were both trying to win you over so we could claim the throne.”  As soon as she saw hurt flash through Ruby’s eyes, she hurried forward.  “I’ll admit that, because it was true, but that’s...that’s not how I feel anymore.” 

“Then...how do you feel now?” 

Just hearing Ruby’s voice made Weiss’ heart flutter with hope, and she thought carefully about her answer before responding.

“I still want what’s best for Atlas,” she admitted while meeting Ruby’s gaze.  “But that’s not why I love spending time with you, or talking to you, or kissing you.  That has nothing to do with Atlas, and everything to do with how you make me feel.”  Just thinking about the absurdity of the situation, she laughed and shook her head.  “Honestly, sometimes I can’t believe how much I like you.  You were supposed to be a way to keep Atlas out of Whitley’s hands.  Instead, you’re...amazing.”

She reached out to touch Ruby’s hand then and, when Ruby didn’t pull away, felt encouraged to continue.  

“You’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met,” she whispered, and felt her heart thump loudly when Ruby turned her hand over and intertwined their fingers.  “You’re kind, compassionate, funny...and every day I can’t help falling for you more and more.”

The admission drew a blush to her cheeks, but she didn’t turn away from Ruby’s gaze.  She so desperately needed Ruby to believe her...to heal this ache in her heart…

And Ruby’s subtle inch forward was a step in the right direction.

“Then...you do like me.” 

The simple statement filled Weiss with butterflies, but she knew that she would admit it.  She would shout it from the rooftops if Ruby wanted her to.

“I do.  I like you more than I’ve ever liked anyone before.” 

“Even if I don’t choose you -”  

Ruby hadn’t even finished that thought before Weiss flinched and backed away as if someone just slapped her.

“Honestly…”  Imagining Ruby and Whitley together was enough to bring tears to her eyes, but she cleared her throat and tried to put together a coherent response.  “The worst part about that is just...thinking about you...being with him.”

That was a horrible thought, and one she wished she could erase from her mind for good.  Unfortunately, as long as Whitley thought he had a shot...as long as there was a chance…

Feeling soft, gentle fingers lift her chin, she met Ruby’s eyes and found warmth and kindness shining back at her.

“You know…” Ruby whispered while her other hand snuck into Weiss’ grasp.  “You look beautiful tonight.”

All it took was Ruby’s smile for Weiss to know that she’d been forgiven.  Not only forgiven, but Ruby believed her.  Ruby believed that her feelings were real.  

Overcome with relief and gratitude, she threw her arms around Ruby’s neck and pulled her down for the kiss she’d wished for since yesterday.  Soft, sweet, gentle - their lips hardly parted while she smiled at how happy something so simple made her feel.  She could spend eternity savoring the feeling of Ruby’s lips against hers, in any of the different types of kisses they shared.

Today, however, Ruby deepened the kiss, and that expression of desire sent thrill bursting through Weiss’ veins.  In a matter of seconds, their soft, gentle kiss became desperate and greedy, and Weiss felt every bit of Ruby’s desire mixing with her own.  Their hands explored the dresses they wore, searching out every inch of skin left bare, while their lips locked together with hunger and passion rapidly growing out of control.

It didn’t help that Ruby looked so beautiful.  At least, that was Weiss’ excuse when Ruby stepped forward and gently pressed Weiss into the table behind her.  That didn’t so much as pause their kisses, and it didn’t stop Ruby from reaching down and sliding her hand up the slit in Weiss’ dress.

When Ruby’s hand moved further still, lifting Weiss’ dress up with it, their kiss was finally broken by the small gasp slipping through Weiss’ lips.  That was all the permission Ruby needed to explore further, while Weiss held a moan inside and kissed every bit of Ruby’s skin she could find.  Her cheek, her jawbone, her neck, before finally pulling down the strap of her dress and peppering her collarbone with kisses.

A soft moan slipped through Ruby’s lips, which only spurred Weiss further.  Reaching the soft skin just above Ruby’s breast, she pressed more and more kisses there before licking across the skin and softly sucking in.  When Ruby drew in a sharp breath, Weiss doubled her efforts at that same spot.  Ruby responded by lifting her up onto the table, allowing her to wrap her legs around Ruby’s while Ruby’s hand moved in between hers.

The moment Ruby pressed down, Weiss broke away from Ruby’s collarbone as a desperate, wanting moan filled the room.  The sound made Ruby’s eyes flash with desire that erased any hesitancy Weiss might have felt.

Before they could move any further, however, a loud cart and voices passed by the door.  The abrupt reminder that they weren’t entirely in a private location sent them both scrambling to collect themselves, and it wasn’t until the noise passed that they looked at each other.

Ruby smiled first, but Weiss’ blush grew when she realized just how much of her lust had broken free.

“Oh, um…”  Unable to say the words out loud, she gestured towards Ruby’s collarbone and watched Ruby look down at the noticeably red mark now adorning her shoulder.

“Oh,” was all she said before smiling when she saw how embarrassed Weiss was.  “I’ll just say I accidentally burned myself or something.”

That sounded like a rather flimsy excuse for what was clearly a hickey, but at least she wasn’t upset about it.  She wasn’t upset at all anymore.  Because if she was, she wouldn’t have...done any of that.

“Are we...ok?” Weiss asked regardless, only to feel immeasurably relieved when Ruby leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss.

“I think you like me,” Ruby joked before tapping the mark on her shoulder.  “I’m taking this with me as proof.”

Though still embarrassed, Weiss managed a small scoff while accepting Ruby’s hand and making their way back to the ballroom.  

“How does my hair look?” she whispered before walking inside, only for Ruby to look at her and giggle.  

“Sexy and disheveled,” she answered before running a hand through her own hair.  “How about mine?”

Ruby’s hair fell right back into place, looking none the worse for wear regardless of what just happened.

“The same,” Weiss replied anyway, only to smile while walking into the ballroom with Ruby laughing beside her.  As soon as she spotted all of the people, however, her mood dampened.  And it grew outright sour when Whitley spotted them and walked over.

“There you are -”  

Whatever he intended to say was lost when he caught sight of the mark on Ruby’s shoulder, and he stared at it for several seconds before collecting himself.

“I’d like to request this dance,” he said, offering his hand to Ruby and ignoring Weiss’ existence.  It was Ruby who glanced Weiss’ way and, when Weiss’ reluctantly relinquished her hand, gave him a polite smile.

“Sure, Whitley.  That sounds fine.”

“I’ll wait for you up there,” Weiss added with a nod towards the railing she’d occupied for most of the night, and waited for Ruby’s nod before making her way back up there.  With a view, she could supervise Ruby’s dance with Whitley.  And, with a bit of space, hopefully she could corral her desires.

The stairs to the upper level of the ballroom felt like walking on sunshine and, try as she might, she couldn’t keep a smile from her lips.  All she’d wanted was to earn Ruby’s forgiveness, but it felt like she earned Ruby’s forgiveness and then some.  And, as impossible as it seemed, she liked Ruby even more now.  She wanted Ruby even more now.  Especially as she leaned against the banister and watched Ruby dance with Whitley, knowing that it would soon be her turn to take his place on the dance floor.

“You look smug.” 

This time, Weiss didn’t even bother turning towards Winter - her gaze was reserved for Ruby, and Ruby alone.  

“Can’t imagine why,” Winter added with a light laugh.  “I didn’t realize you had it in you.” 

The statement finally caught Weiss’ attention, and she frowned her sister’s way.

“What do you mean?” 

“I can see it from here,” Winter replied with a nod towards Ruby.  “Unless she just suffered some unfortunate accident that left her with that mark?” 

A blush rushed to Weiss’ cheeks while she turned back to Ruby, who briefly caught her gaze.  It was only for a second, and it was only a glimpse of a smile, but it filled her heart with warmth.  

“It appears that could win her over,” Winter continued in the business-like manner she always had.  “So...good work.”

“It’s not like that.”  Finally turning away from Ruby, Weiss shook her head and watched Winter’s brow furrow in confusion.  But she shook her head again, not wanting anyone to misinterpret her feelings any longer.  

“It’s not like that at all,” she reiterated before letting her gaze drift back to Ruby and feeling another smile upon her lips.

“You...actually like her?”

She heard the surprise in Winter’s tone.  She felt that same surprise, herself, but that didn’t make it any less true.  She’d never liked anyone the way she liked Ruby.  It was terrifying and empowering to feel like this for another person, but she wouldn’t hide those feelings any longer.

“I do.”