The Queens of Remnant - Chapter 18 (Patreon)

Atlas’ impenetrable stone walls were foreboding yet comforting - a constant reminder that nothing could get in, but also that nothing could get out.  The disconcerting thought didn’t apply to Ruby, of course.  With her spark, walls were a trivial matter, but to the citizens of Atlas…

The walls were supposed to make them feel safe, yet everything Ruby observed suggested otherwise.  Everyone walked lightly, as if afraid of making too much noise and garnering unwanted attention.  They kept their eyes trained on the ground unless making an exception to stare at her and James.  And, no matter what, they gave a wide berth to the chapel in the center of the city.

“I don’t get it…” Ruby mused while walking around the building for the umpteenth time.  “If it’s so important, why doesn’t anyone go in?”

Something about it bothered her, but no evidence supported her unease.  For all she knew, the chapel was heavily guarded because it stored war supplies or other precious resources.  But, if that was true, why did everyone except the guards avoid it like the Phage?  Perhaps they didn’t know what was inside?

It didn’t make sense, and she hated when things didn’t make sense.  The constant patrols implied importance, but no one ever went in or out.  She and James had walked around it at several different times of day already, hoping to spot some semblance of activity, to no avail.  The thick, gray smoke coming out of the chimney was even more confusing.  Why would they heat the building if people never went inside?

“Have you found a way in?”

“Not yet, My Queen, but I’ll keep looking.”

Content with that response, Ruby nodded and turned away from the ornate, mysterious building.  After spending the past few hours exploring Atlas, and checking the chapel one more time, it was probably time for them to return to the palace.

“There has to be a way...” she mused while they trekked up a wide, tall staircase covered in fresh snow.

“There is -”

James would have added the customary ‘My Queen’ had Ruby’s foot not slipped on one of the steps.  He grabbed the back of her coat before she fell, fortunately, and only let go once she regained her footing.

“It’s only a matter of finding it,” he concluded while Ruby sent him a grateful smile for saving her from a chipped tooth.

“Or we’ll just have to break down the front door,” she half-joked while treading more carefully on the slippery stone walkways.

The cobblestones were beautiful but so well-worn that any amount of moisture practically turned them into ice.  Add in the constant snow and it was a recipe for disaster.  At least, for Ruby it was.  Everyone else seemed to get around just fine.  Were they using their sparks or was their balance just that much better than hers?

“Maybe we should find you some snowshoes,” James suggested after catching her arm once again.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get better!  I’m just...adjusting.”

Sensing his disbelief, she slowed down to prove that she could stay upright on her own.  The biggest takeaway from this was that her spark and Atlas’ streets didn’t mix.  She wanted to move fast, but moving fast would send her face-first into a snowbank.

The slow pace would result in intolerable cold were it not for the winter coats Weiss had given them.  Though bulky, the jackets were so comfortable and warm that the bitter chill hardly made it beyond Ruby’s cheeks, ears, and nose.  Even James, who’d been reluctant to wear his at first, begrudgingly admitted that the coats were better than anything they brought with them and the only sure way to avoid frostbite.

But Weiss didn’t have to give them anything.  She had warned Ruby about the cold - no one expected more from her than that.  Instead, she went out of her way to...take care of them.  At least, that was what it felt like, and Ruby couldn’t get that out of her mind.

Thinking about her and Weiss’ last conversation, however, she sighed up at the towering palace.  They hadn’t spoken since she left the office yesterday - not an altogether long time, but it felt like an eternity when they were supposed to be working on the peace treaty.

Ruby didn’t understand why offering help upset Weiss so much. Anyone who looked at that desk or spent a minute with the Atlesian Queen would see how lost and stressed she was.  She must realize that the work would be impossible to finish on her own, so why not accept help?

The answer, unfortunately, was probably that she just didn’t trust Ruby.  If the situations were reversed, Ruby might feel the same.  Although, she hoped that she would turn down the offer in a more polite manner.

Just thinking about that desk covered in paperwork made her want to barge back in there and demand to help.  She couldn’t stand the thought of anyone being forced to do that much work by themselves.  Maybe she was spoiled because she and Yang divided everything, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Weiss really, really needed a little support.

Yang was Ruby’s priority.  Yang was the reason that she volunteered to travel all this way.  But with Atlas proving more difficult to search than expected and work on the treaty just getting started...Ruby wanted to offer her support.  If she was going to be here for the foreseeable future, why wouldn’t she?  Besides, she didn’t like how those white-robed councilors acted, and she really didn’t like how they treated Weiss.

Making it back to the palace gates, she was pleasantly surprised when the guards let them through without issue.  Based on the Knights’ pursed lips, she half-expected the gates to be slammed in their faces.  Instead, the men and women in armor gave them nothing more than icy, suspicious glares.

“Not very friendly here, is it...” she muttered while she and James made their way to the front doors.

“Remember their king.”

Ruby sighed and hung her head while approaching the palace’s entrance.  The Mad King had been a cruel, angry man, but he was also Weiss’ father.  If what James suggested was true - that the Atlesians were mean because their king was mean - then why was Weiss so different?  Why wasn’t she like them or worse?

That question, among others, rolled around Ruby’s mind while she walked into the entryway and immediately exhaled in relief.  Even though she didn’t particularly enjoy the palace - that would be hard to do when she didn’t trust anyone here - the furnace was set to a very pleasant temperature.

“Queen Rose!”

Turning toward her name, Ruby quickly spotted someone just as out of place as she was.

“Can I help you?” she asked as the young man with light-brown hair hurried over.  James edged closer to her side, as if the young lad might lash out and try to stab her at any second, but eased away when the boy stopped at a respectful distance and bowed.

“I have a message from Vale.”

After straightening up, he handed Ruby a small envelope sealed with Vale’s royal crest.

“You know how to make someone’s day, don’t you?” she said while tearing open the envelope and removing the folded piece of paper from within.  As soon as she recognized Yang’s elegant, well-practiced handwriting, homesickness washed over her.  That feeling only grew as she began to read.

Dear Ruby,

I hope you arrived in Atlas alright.  You better have, or I’ll burn that entire cursed kingdom to the ground.

It’s strange without you here, and even stranger with the war at a standstill.  Cecelia is a handful, as usual, but I’m trying to keep her busy.  Hopefully, something will catch her attention soon.  We both know how well she handles boredom (about as well as she handles the idea of ‘peace’).

Blake and I are still working on a plan for the Badlands.  I don’t think she expected us to help because, while she has many ideas, she hadn’t thought through the logistics of them.  I’m sure she’ll have all the answers for me soon though - she’s smart and determined like no one I’ve ever met.  I can’t help but like her.

I hope things are going well with Weiss and the treaty.  I won’t put my thoughts on that here…but I have every confidence you’ll get this done.  And if Atlas won’t listen to you, then they deserve everything we can throw at them.

Please take care of yourself and give James my best.  At least I can sleep at night knowing he’s with you.  Regardless, respond right away or I’m coming to Atlas to find you.

Love,

Yang

As soon as Ruby reached the end of the letter, she returned to the top and read it again.  As her eyes moved from one word to the next, she could almost hear Yang’s voice - the subtle confidence and underlying levity making her heart ache and her sadness grow.

She loved traveling to new, foreign lands, but she wished that she didn’t have to be away from home right now.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.  As much as she wanted to spend as much time with Yang as possible, reminiscing on their childhood and eating their favorite foods, she had to find a cure.  If a solution existed, she had to find it.

When she finally folded the letter and slipped it into her pocket, the messenger pulled out a pad of paper and a pen.

“Would you like to respond?”

“Yes, please.”

After gratefully accepting the materials, she went over to one of the entryway tables to write. “Yang sends her best,” she told James while beginning her letter.

“Please send Queen Xiao Long my regards.”

Softly chuckling, Ruby wrote ‘James sends his regards’ before assuring Yang that she made it to Atlas fine and didn’t have much to report yet.  She mentioned the weather, of course, and her new jacket, but mostly wrote everything she could think of to keep Yang from worrying.  The last thing Yang needed were more worries.

Once finished, Ruby started a second letter on a second piece of paper - this one for Blake.

“Are you ever going to drop the ‘queen?’” she asked James while writing.

“But she is Queen Xiao Long.”

“And she’s told you a million times to call her Yang.”

“Yes, but that’s…”

“Weird?”

“Improper,” he concluded.  “She is a queen, so I address her as such.”

“Then why don’t you call me Queen Rose?”

Ruby had him there, and he knew it.  Before he wiggled his way around answering, however, another question popped into her mind.

“If you had to choose between saving Yang’s life or mine, who would you save?”

“Yours, of course.”

“What if I ordered you to save Yang?”

While he stared at her, mouth slightly ajar and eyes filled with conflict, she felt slightly guilty for posing the hypothetical quandary.

“I would still save yours,” he finally answered, though haltingly.  Chuckling at the response, she returned to writing.

“As expected - disobeying direct orders.  You’re such a rebel, James.”

When a hint of a smile slipped onto his lips, Ruby laughed and finished Blake’s letter.  Once done, she read it a second time, nodded to herself, and signed with a flourish.

The effort put into ‘earning’ James’ undying loyalty didn’t come close to deserving his presence, but she didn’t question it anymore.  He had already expressed his intent to stay by her side, and she enjoyed his company.  Over the years, they’d gone on some crazy adventures together - mostly her fault since she led them into circumspect situations.  But they had learned a lot, explored a lot, and become all the better for it.  At least, she believed they were all the better for it.

“Here you go,” she said, folding one of the letters and sticking it into the envelope Yang had used.  She tried pressing the wax seal back into place, but it was too cold to stick.  Since she didn’t have a nearby fire or fire spark, she shrugged and handed it to the messenger.

“Make sure it gets back to Yang in one piece,” she instructed him before offering the second folded letter.  “And this goes to Blake Belladonna.  You should find her in the palace, too.”

After nodding, he stuck both letters into his pocket before securing the button and giving a thumbs up.  Before he set off, however, Ruby reached out to stop him.

“Before you leave,” she asked with a hopeful smile.  “Want to race?”

“Race the Queen of Vale?”  When she nodded, he laughed and shook his head.  “I probably shouldn’t exhaust my spark before heading back.”

“Ah, true.  Very well.  Safe travels.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

One respectful bow later, the messenger disappeared through the front doors.  Ruby, meanwhile, blew a disappointed breath through her lips.

“The young man only wants to believe he’s comparable to you,” James told her.  “If he agreed and lost, he would know exactly where he stands.”

“Is that why no one’s raced me in years?”

“Undoubtedly.”

The predicament amused James, but Ruby blew another puff of air through her lips.  Once upon a time, every windwalker she came across begged for a race.  Unleashing their sparks was a great way to spend some of that restless energy while having a bit of fun.  When did everyone get so egotistical about it?

Two men in white robes hurried across the entryway then, drawing Ruby’s attention as they slipped down an adjoining hall.  Once they were gone, she glanced at the time and said, “Guess we should head to this meeting, huh?”

“I’m eager to see how they accomplish their business,” James commented as they followed the two white-robed men.

“Is that your way of saying you’re excited to see this Council thing of theirs?” Ruby asked, looking up at James.  Once he nodded, she did too.  “Yeah, me too,” she added as they passed through halls that grew more opulent with each step.

Fortunately, she and James had stumbled upon the Council room during their initial exploration of the palace.  If they hadn’t, they probably would have been late.  Apparently, even though she had been invited, no one saw fit to make sure she knew where to go.  An innocent oversight, most likely, but an oversight all the same.

The spacious, excessively gaudy hallway outside the Council room still mesmerized her.  From the portraits of former kings and queens on the walls, to the exquisite statues standing guard, to the glimmer of silver seemingly everywhere, the hallway loudly proclaimed the Council’s importance.  As soon as Ruby caught sight of the person walking toward them, however, thoughts of the esteemed Council flitted from her mind.

Weiss looked gorgeous, as usual.  Her long, pristinely white hair and perfect posture painted her as a picturesque queen.  Her downcast gaze, however, suggested her regal appearance was only skin deep.  Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Ruby until they reached the door at the same time.  Only when she sensed Ruby’s presence did she look up and pause.

“Oh.  Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon.”

Ruby waited a handful of seconds before realizing Weiss had nothing more to say.  Their last conversation hung in the air, making everything more awkward and uncomfortable than necessary.  Ruby nearly said as much, or offered some consolation that they could forget it ever happened, but Weiss glanced around the empty hallway and frowned.

“Did you come alone?”

“We did.”

“But I asked…”

When Weiss trailed off, stuck in another bout of uncertainty, Ruby relaxed into a smile.

“It’s fine,” she said, hoping to erase Weiss’ frown.  “James and I know our way around pretty well.”

The reassurance didn’t help the way Ruby had hoped, as Weiss bit her bottom lip instead.  The unqueenly, informal expression only made Ruby happier, assuring her that Weiss hadn’t abruptly changed overnight.  The shy, hesitant, kind girl was still in there.

But that shy, hesitant, kind girl didn’t know what to say right now, so Ruby smiled and motioned into the Council room.

“After you?”

Weiss opened her mouth but ultimately forced a smile and walked inside.  Sensing Weiss’ reluctance, Ruby shared a look with James before shrugging and heading in after.

Continuing the theme, the Council room was opulent to the point of pretentious.  Dozens of plush, elevated seats formed a semi-circle around a polished marble floor.  More paintings adorned the walls, these depicting images of Atlas, while flashes of silver could be found everywhere.

Unlike the empty hallway, white-robed Atlesians filled the room.  Their near-uniform white hair only made the atmosphere more intimidating.  Just by stepping inside, Ruby and James threw off the color scheme - her with her dark brown hair and James with his sandy blonde.  Their obvious outsideness drew hard, suspicious gazes their way, filling her with the urge to shrink away.

Queens, however, never shrank away from anything.  At least, that was what Yang would say.  Standing tall in the face of adversity was part of their job.  Through their poise and calm, they served as role models for their subjects.  Yang took being a role model very seriously, and so did Ruby.  Even if she wasn’t in Vale, she would conduct herself as if she was.

Straightening her shoulders and tilting her chin up, she strode into the room without hesitation.  The Councilors made her nervous, but she didn’t let it show.  The last thing she wanted was for them to think they intimidated her, because they didn’t.  At least, not physically.  Even with their combined sparks, she was confident that she and James could overpower them.  But mentally...their unified appearance was powerful.

Unified except for one…

“Welcome, Queen Rose,” the tall man with a chiseled jaw and blatantly black hair greeted her.  His physique alone would have set him apart from most others in the room, yet his ostentatious hair demanded more attention.

“Thank you…?” Ruby replied to his quick bow.

“Councilor Ironwood,” he introduced himself.  “If you’ll please take a seat, we’ll begin.”

When he motioned to a spare chair near the front of the room, Ruby practically felt James’ frown.  While of visibly lesser quality and comfort than the Councilor’s seats, she didn’t hesitate to take it.  James remained near the door, where he had the best view of the room, but she sent him a smile so that he hid his obvious dissatisfaction.

Councilor Ironwood, meanwhile, stood in front of the seats and raised his arms to command silence.

Silence, he received.  Side conversations immediately ceased, and all eyes fell upon him with attentiveness and respect.  In a simple action, Ruby understood this wasn’t a man to be trifled with.  He had elevated himself above the other Councilors and, based on his current posture, even above Weiss.

Ruby glanced at Weiss, who sat in the frontmost chair in the center of the seating area.  The location signified importance, yet Weiss didn’t recognize or feel it.  Instead, she watched Councilor Ironwood with attention and vague apprehension in her eyes.

“Good afternoon,” Councilor Ironwood began, his smooth, confident voice bringing Ruby’s focus back to him.  “Now that everyone has arrived, we can begin.”

He opened his mouth to continue, but the woman sitting beside Weiss quickly stood and walked over to him.

“Thank you, Councilor.”

Her clipped tone held ample irritation - a feeling reflected in Councilor Ironwood’s scowl as he took his seat on Weiss’ other side.  Ruby noted the subtle infighting before giving the new Councilor her attention.  This woman stood just as tall and proud as Councilor Ironwood, but her rigid posture and stern expression were the antithesis to his charming, gracious tone.

“Queen Rose,” the woman directed to Ruby, who straightened in her seat.  “I’m Councilor Hill, Speaker of the Council.  It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Ruby replied with a polite dip of her chin.

“As you’re all aware,” Councilor Hill addressed the room.  “We’re here to discuss the war with Vale.  Before considering a truce, the Council wants to hear Vale’s expectations for this proposed treaty.  The Queen of Vale has graciously accepted our invitation to address the matter directly.”

With that opening concluded, the woman motioned Ruby to the floor and said, “If you would, Queen Rose.”

Officially introduced, Ruby walked to the center of the room with calm, measured footsteps.

“Thank you,” she told Councilor Hill, who nodded before taking her seat on Weiss’ right.  With the whole room staring at her now, Ruby realized how intimidating this position was.  After standing here for only a few seconds, she didn’t like it.  But this was her moment to speak to Atlas’ lawmakers - she wouldn’t let logistics get under her skin.

“Good afternoon,” she addressed them, raising her voice so that everyone could hear.  “First of all, thank you for inviting me.  It’s an honor to be here in this magnificent kingdom, which is unlike any I’ve ever seen before.”

Several Councilors looked pleased by the flattery, as Ruby had hoped.  Regardless of how long they had been fighting, she wanted them to know that she didn’t view Atlas as backwards or incapable.  In fact, the opposite was true - she respected Atlas greatly.  Only a kingdom equally as powerful as Vale could survive such a drawn-out war.

“After speaking with your Queen -”  When Ruby motioned to Weiss, several Councilors shared glances that she couldn’t read but definitely didn’t like.  “I’m here to present Vale’s wishes,” she continued while filing that information away.

The deathly silence unnerved her, but she took a deep breath, glanced at James, and smiled once she received his nod of support.

“The Kingdom of Vale proposes an immediate end to the war.  This isn’t an admission of strength or weakness - this is our desire to move forward.  We want to forge a positive, constructive relationship with Atlas that strengthens both of our kingdoms while also restoring the Badlands - a region used by both of us as an unfortunate battleground.  We ask for your support in the restoration process -”

“Why should Atlas pay to rebuild the Badlands?”

Surprised by the interruption, Ruby paused and turned toward an older gentleman who had stood from his seat.  Based on the room’s lack of reaction, this behavior was expected or, at the very least, accepted.  Interesting and different, but she could adapt.

“Because Vale and Atlas are equally at fault for the destruction we’ve caused,” she replied, but he scoffed.

“The Badlands were fine until Vale marched through it.”

“We were trying to protect the land -”

“You were trying to claim that land,” he accused her, pointing one finger at her while frost slipped through his lips.  “How is it Atlas’ fault that your forces were pushed back, destroying the settlements during your retreat?”

At a loss for words, Ruby glanced at Weiss for assistance.  If Weiss meant anything she said in Vale, now was the time to speak up.  But Weiss shifted in her seat and avoided Ruby’s gaze, looking uncomfortable and uncertain.  Apparently, she was fine letting these disrespectful politicians run the show - and walk all over Ruby in the process.

“Listen,” Ruby said, trying to keep a level head even though she was getting annoyed.  “I’m not here to discuss whose fault it is or who owes who.  I’m here because we want to end a war that’s destroying lives and wasting precious resources.  I was under the impression that Atlas felt the same.”

Ruby sent Weiss a pointed look, and Weiss actually nodded.  Before she spoke, however, Councilor Ironwood stood up.

“Then what is Vale’s offer?”

Ruby wanted to run and hide from the combative response.  She felt put on display down here, where the councilors could ridicule and leer at her from their seats, but she refused to back down.  They thought they could push her around - she got more annoyed instead.

This was supposed to be a straightforward peace treaty.  Instead, they wanted a full negotiation.

“Our offer is simple,” she replied, hoping beyond hope that she was wrong.  “The war ends today.  You call back your troops, we’ll call back ours.  Then we’ll work together to rebuild the Badlands - we’ll split all costs equally, each of us accepting half of the responsibility because determining an actual percentage will be impossible.”

To her, it was an easy, fair, manageable solution.  The fighting stopped, the soldiers returned to their families, and the Badlands received the help it desperately needed.  Vale and Atlas would share the burden so neither was stretched too thin while rebuilding their own economies.

Based on the grumbles in the room, it wasn’t that easy.

“Thank you, Queen Rose,” Councilor Hill replied while the rest of the room continued to murmur.  “We’ll consider your proposal and get back to you with a drafted treaty.”

Taking that as her cue to leave, Ruby glanced at Weiss one more time.  When Weiss continued looking lost and out of place amidst the sea of white snakes, Ruby shook her head and stalked out of the room.  James immediately fell into step by her side, the two of them quickly putting the Council room behind them.

“That could’ve gone better…” she muttered while struggling to settle her agitation.

“They were extremely disrespectful,” James replied, displeasure written in his furrowed brow and scowl.  “And the Queen wasn’t helpful.”

Ruby wanted to be frustrated and annoyed with Weiss too, but she couldn’t find the emotions in her.  Instead, she was just...sad.  She understood how overwhelming the responsibilities were, and she understood Weiss was thrust into this position unexpectedly, but from what she just witnessed…Weiss hadn’t been prepared for this.  Her visible discomfort meant the Council didn’t even pause to seek her opinion.  She served as nothing more than a bystander to her own kingdom.

Making it to the palace entryway, where they could take the staircase to their quarters, Ruby stopped and considered her options.  In searching for the cure, she needed Weiss’ help - Weiss should have access to Atlas’ knowledge of the Phage.  In signing the treaty, she also needed Weiss’ help - because Weiss was the current Queen of Atlas.

In both situations, Ruby needed Weiss to be the Queen of Atlas.  But Weiss...wasn’t.  Not now, at least.

“I have to talk to her,” Ruby said, abruptly changing course and heading to Weiss’ office instead.  If the meeting ended shortly after they left, Weiss could already be there.

“My Queen -”

“Don’t ‘my queen’ me,” she replied, unleashing a frustrated gust of wind that fluttered the nearby tapestries.  “I need to know what’s going through her head.  If she’s waffling on the treaty, we have to know sooner rather than later.”

Rather than respond, James huffed and walked beside her.

“What?”

“Permission to speak freely?”

“Please, James,” Ruby replied, shaking her head at the thought of him ever not speaking his mind.

“She misled you.  She agreed to your terms in Vale intending to renegotiate them.”

Ruby wrinkled her nose at the blunt response before looking up at him.

“I don’t think that’s true.  At least, I hope it’s not.  I think...she doesn’t want anyone to know how overwhelmed she is.”

In the moments they had shared alone, Weiss always seemed genuine.  Respectful and deferring, even. Atlas’ Council was a different story.  Ruby had felt it standing in front of that room, and she firmly believed that was just one of the reasons behind Weiss’ insecurity.  But Ruby needed to get to the bottom of this issue now.

Spotting the Knight standing beside the office door, she strode right up to him.

“Is she here?”

Ruby nodded at the door and, after he gave a curt nod, knocked twice before letting herself in.  She was probably supposed to wait for an invitation, but...well, perhaps she was still a little annoyed.

“So that was fun,” she said, another angry burst of wind sweeping across the room while Weiss’ gaze jumped to hers.  As soon as she saw the mound of paperwork on the desk, however, she lost any sarcasm she had left.  Weiss knew she was behind and was pouring her energy into catching up.  Ruby had to admire the effort.

Weiss stood up, but she kept her eyes fixed on the desk in a posture so downcast that Ruby felt doubly guilty for how she started the conversation.

“I’m sorry for how they treated you.”

“It’s ok -”

“No, it’s not.”  Finally looking up, Weiss met Ruby’s gaze with an apologetic one of her own.  “I should have said something.”

That response was good enough for Ruby to forgive the entire meeting.  More than anything, it restored her hope.  This wasn’t a lost cause - Weiss wasn’t a lost cause.  The Council of Atlas might be filled with self-serving jerks, but Weiss was reasonable.  If she could figure out her place, the two of them could work this out together.

“It’s ok,” Ruby repeated before sitting in one of the chairs across from Weiss.  Weiss took that as a cue to sit as well, which she did with a sigh and dejected air that Ruby wished she could blow away.

“You understand that splitting everything in half is fair, don’t you?” she asked, seeking reassurance that the version of Weiss she met in Vale was the same one sitting across from her.  “Otherwise, we’ll spend years arguing over who’s more responsible.”

“I agree,” Weiss replied with a resolute nod that did wonders in erasing Ruby’s concern.  “And, knowing my father…”  After trailing off, Weiss shook her head.  “Knowing him, you’re giving us the better end of the bargain.”

Ruby would never put it in those terms, but she was relieved that Weiss had a pragmatic view of her father.  The pragmatism bordered on apathy, however, making Ruby wonder if Weiss fully understood how she felt about the man who raised her.

“Good,” Ruby replied regardless, offering a short smile.  “I’m glad.”

The response garnered a long, thoughtful look.

“You were worried.”

“You could say that,” Ruby admitted, surprised but delighted by the accurate deduction of her emotions.  “But I’m not anymore.”

They didn’t need to say anything more than that, but Weiss still looked unsettled.  She looked like she wanted to let it go, but she also looked like she had something to say.  Eventually, she opened her mouth and spoke.

“Ruby, everything I’ve told you is how I feel and what I want to do.  It’s just a matter of...convincing everyone else to do it.”

Seeking approval was where Weiss was going astray, but Ruby didn’t point it out.  Instead, she smiled and nodded.

“I believe you.”

And she really did.  From everything she’d seen, Weiss was honest and genuine in her words.  When it came time to put those words into motion, however, she didn’t know how to start.  But that would come in time - hopefully, sooner rather than later, because Ruby had to get home to Yang.

“Thank you.”  After several seconds, Weiss sighed and glanced at the piles of paper on the desk.  “I’m sorry, but I should probably get back to work…”

Ruby nodded but, faced with the prospect of spending the rest of the day sneaking around the palace or trekking out into the cold, discovered that she was resistant to the thought of leaving.  That meeting with the Council had zapped her energy, and right now all she wanted to do was hide from the stares and suspicious looks.

“Um...if it’s ok, maybe I can sit here while you work?”  When Weiss’ clear-blue eyes snapped to hers, Ruby offered a hopeful smile.  “I won’t bother you.  It’s just...a little lonely here.”

Understanding flashed through Weiss’ eyes, and she quickly nodded. Relieved, Ruby turned around and motioned to James that she would stay here.  When he subtly tilted his head toward Atlas, expressing his desire to do more investigation, she nodded and watched him leave.  Once the door closed behind him, she made herself as comfortable as possible in the vaguely uncomfortable chair.

“You must miss your sister,” Weiss commented after several seconds of silence.

“I do.”  Thinking about Yang, Ruby felt a tug on her heart.  “She’s my best friend.”

“I know the feeling.”

Weiss acted like the comment meant nothing while pulling one of the proposals closer, but her tone said otherwise.

“You have a sister, don’t you?” Ruby asked, watching Weiss’ reaction closely.

“Had, yes.”

“Oh, I’m sorry -”

“Don’t be.  It’s not your fault she’s gone.”

Sensing that this was a sensitive subject, and clearly one Weiss didn’t want to discuss, Ruby pulled her feet up onto the chair and hugged them close to her chest.  Regardless of what had been said about Winter, thinking about her made Weiss sad. Ruby could sympathize.  She couldn’t imagine what she would do without Yang, and she didn’t want to.  That was why she was in Atlas.

Weiss was the key.  If they were on better terms, hopefully she would help…

“You realize when you sit like that, you look...kind of like a child?”

The question teetered between curious and helpful, but Ruby giggled.

“That’s ok.  We can’t be royal all the time.”

The response surprised Weiss, but her fleeting smile suggested it was a pleasant surprise.  She then bit her lip and looked at the stack of papers in front of her.  After some deliberation, she set her hand on one of the piles and gently pushed it toward Ruby.

“While you’re here...maybe you can read these and tell me what they mean?”

In Weiss’ gorgeous blue eyes, Ruby found an apology and silent request to start over.  It was a huge moment, but neither of them let on as much.  Instead, Ruby just smiled and responded with a soft, “Of course.  I’d love to.”

After picking up the pages, Ruby glanced at Weiss - who shyly avoided her gaze - before smiling down at the proposals.  If the Council thought they could drown Weiss in work, they would have more difficulty than they expected.  Weiss wasn’t just a pretty face with a royal lineage.  She was determined.  She was a hard worker.  And with Ruby’s help...

Ruby didn’t know why she cared so much.  Atlas had been nothing but horrible to Vale for as long as she remembered.  But Weiss wasn’t the same as Atlas.  Weiss had done nothing wrong to her.  And she couldn’t help but want to see Weiss succeed against all odds.

While Ruby was here, she would do everything she could to help.  Hopefully, Weiss had it in her to stand up to those bastards on the Council.  Hopefully, they finished the treaty.  And, more than anything, Ruby hoped she found that cure and made it back to Yang soon.