Soft white light of the rising sun streamed in through the large, ornate arched windows lining the stone hall that cut through the courtyard of her castle. Birds chirped from the trees and the aroma of flowers from the gardens dotting the courtyard gave the air a sweet fragrance that was the most pleasant and peaceful way to start the morning.

Begrudgingly, she knew that's exactly what she would have to do; start her morning. Her amber eyes were dull and weary but even so she was stunningly elegant and poised, her hair largely swept to one side with stray locks giving the other an asymmetrical beauty. With a soft sigh a young woman dressed in the finest robes glad in swathes of red and gold, her dress a unique mix of elegance and comfort as it had nothing but black frills at its shoulders, leaving her arms bare. Around her lower abdomen was a black and corest with scarlet ribbon tying it tight around her ending in a perfectly centered bow at her ribcage above a band of gold dyed into her dress. Her dress flowed down from her hip where it was tied with a black sash that burned to a gradient of red at its end hung down nearly to the floor with exotic blue feathers adorning its knot at her waist.

"Your Highness!" A man called out as he ran down the hall from behind her, the woman's aggravation spiking as her fleeting moment of peace was stolen from her.

"Yes Rexxie?" It took everything Cinder had to not groan at her attendant's interruption. "I do hope it's something pressing and relevant enough to disturb my only moment of tranquility before I go about the doldrums of rule."

"Yes your Highness." The man bowed, his sparkling blue eyes deeply apologetic with a hint of fear mixed in. "You wanted to know as soon as we got word about the knights from the former Empire of Ozsteria."

"Oh, so that's what this is about. Do tell me, I would be delighted to start my morning off with good news for a change." Cinder was grinning now, that terrifyingly cunning smirk and the sparks of wile and excitement in her deep amber eyes.

"They are proceeding towards the border at appreciable haste of their own volition. They should reach Rhone in three days time if they don't take any detours your Highness." He completed his report, bowing lower before slowly and gingerly standing up straight with his hands behind his back.

"Oh, that is good news, I had feared they would change course and instead ride for Gefrorene. So, from there it should take them another week to reach us in the capitol." One could just see the gears turning in her mind as her face lit up with anticipation. With a chilling grin on her lips she turned around, her heels clicking against the stone floor as she walked down the halls feeling freshly invigorated by the news.

This is excellent, the Knights of Ozsteria coming to my land, with the Blooded Rose leading them no less. Truly a living legend on the battlefield and one of the closest confidants to the former Emperor. A Grand Knight, someone who is bestowed with great power by the immortal lord of the largest empire to ever swallow up the land. We must ensure everything is perfect for their arrival. So caught up in her mind, sorting through possibilities at speeds unimaginable to most she didn't even realize she had began laughing softly to herself with excitement.

"Also, your Highness, our other guests have just arrived, they await you in the throne room." Rexxie added, walking several paces behind the queen.

"So, they're here as well, things seem to falling into my lap this day. Well, I suppose it wouldn't do to keep them waiting. Get the preparations ready for this evening, make it fitting for our guests, they've come such a long way." She couldn't help but snicker, never looking back to her underling as she came to a stop at the large, heavy wooden doors leading her to her throne.

"At once your Highness." With one more deep and respectful bow, leaving his Queen as he fulfilled her wishes.

This will be dull until the Blooded Rose of the Crusades comes to my doorstep, I don't have high hopes for my current guests. Oh the things I must endure for my people. With a soft sigh she banished her halfhearted smile, putting on a look of cold and intense authority and cunning. As she built up the necessary facade to deal with such people as her guests she so lamented having to jump through hoops to attain her ends. Swallowing her personal feelings, Cinder grabbed the shiny brass handle on the door and pushed it open.

"Presenting, her Royal Highness, first ruler of Autumnae, Queen Cinder Fall." Quite a bombastic proclamation of her arrival from her subordinates, but in certain things a queen must have dramatic flare. Dramatic it was, she had a dozen of her ceremonial guard, six on each side of the throne room standing at attention while a young Faunus boy with a horn protruding from his forehead strummed melodically on his lute, filling the room with soft music.

Cinder strode in with grace and poise, her long dress tapered on one side dragging along the stone floor as she walked forward, not once turning her head to her guests until she stood in front of her throne, coming to a stop and looking down at the group of three kneeling before her. Very well, I suppose I may as well get this over with.

"You may rise." Cinder was barely able to contain her unenthusiasm the three before her rose to their feet.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Queen Cinder Fall." The older man smiled with one arm across his chest, a gesture of respect in his land. He and his family all had white hair, a distinctive trait of the lineage though only the children inherited it while the man aged into his white hair. He wore a lavish white coat lined with fur and had gem encrusted cuffs with a red handkerchief neatly folded into a front pocket.

"The feeling is mutual, King Schnee of Gefrorene." Her expression was neutral and placid as she curtsied before walking down the few carved stone steps to greet her guests in person.

"This is my son Whitley, a fine young man from a good lineage with a good head for leadership." The father preened as he gestured with a subtle jerk of his head, commanding the young man no more than a teen to step forward.

"It is an honor and a pleasure to finally meet you your Grace." The boy gave an amiable grin and bowed respectfully, however, Cinder's piercing gaze was fixed on the boy's soft blues. It took her but a moment to size him up, few had her powers of perception, her ability to read people with merely a glance. The boy and his father were cut from the same cloth, the boy wearing a mask to hide his intentions and his ambitions but she could see the hunger in his eyes.

"An honor… yes, indeed." She said absently, raising her hand up as was custom, letting the boy take her hand in his, raising it up to his lips before gently kissing the back of her hand. So, this is the suitor you present to me Jacques? I'm disappointed, not surprised, but I had hoped for something more than his father. How dull, how transparent, you and your ilk are all alike aren't you, scheming and planning for power for your own gain as a means to an end, that end being nothing more than satisfying your increasingly lavish lifestyle… how dull.

"And this is my daughter." His tone changed dramatically from when he was gushing over his son as he turned to face the girl at his left side.

"It's truly an honor, your Highness." The girl bowed her head and curtsied, subtly but gracefully, every slight movement of her body was as though it had determined purpose holding great elegance that must have taken extreme discipline to master.

Cinder walked over to the young woman, her eyes focused entirely on the daughter, the Princess of Gefrorene. She was a distinctive kind of beautiful, the princess had long white hair hanging down from one side and held in a small bun by an ornate pin. Her skin pale marred only by a single thin scar along her right eye and soft and her features delicate. Her white hair and light, glacier blue eyes gave her the purity and cold splendor of a falling snowflake. Her dress was as white as the tundra, hanging from her shoulders from frilled straps and draping down to her ankles, simple, comfortable and on that girl, Cinder couldn't help but stare for a moment longer than intended.

"It's charming to meeting you as well, Princess of Gefrorene. Please, I haven't had the pleasure of hearing your name." Cinder smiled more softly, her gaze looking deep into the girl's eyes as she did with the boy. She was different, it only took her an instant to know that, in her eyes was no deceit or hunger, but rather a desire, something deep within that Cinder couldn't quite grasp, but it was strong and it was honest, yearning for something far greater than wealth or power.

"My name is Weiss Schnee, your Grace." She dipped her head once more but was taken aback as Cinder raised her hand in offering to her with an intrigued smile. Weiss reached her hand slowly out towards the Queen's, hesitating briefly, her eyes almost glancing over to her father before a small fire lit within them, compelling her to take the Queen's hand in her own, confidently raising it up to her soft, warm lips as she gently kissed the back of Cinder's hand.

"It's an honor to meet you, Weiss Schnee." With a bright and pleased smile she was amused to see the princess grow flustered as she pulled her hand away.

"T-The honor is all mine your Grace!" She insisted, bowing deeply before standing back up with the most adorable pink tinting her cheeks, eliciting an unintentionally genuine soft giggle to escape the queen.

"Eh-hem, yes, I am sure you're all tired from your long journey here." Cinder shook herself back into composure, pulling her eyes off of Weiss and bringing them back to the patriarch of the family. "My attendants will show you to your quarters, I'm sure they'll be to your liking."

"Indeed the children are weary, the girl especially, as frail as the first snowfall of the year my daughter." He stepped forward, literally overshadowing his daughter, standing between Weiss and the queen.

"Well, after you recover, there will be lavish feast and dance to celebrate your arrival appropriately. I do look forward to your attendance… all of you." Cinder stepped aside ever so slightly, bringing the princess back into view.

"Splendid, we are most certainly look forward to it." With one more bow, this time smaller and with more brevity, Cinder imagined intentionally so, Jacques Schnee turned around and began walking out of the throne room. As he walked away, his children followed, the son giving no heed to the Queen after his back was turned, but the princess, Weiss Schnee, giving one last curious look back. A small and fleeting smile formed from Weiss' lips before it vanished, her eyes growing almost forlorn as she turned to face her father in front of her as they were led out from the massive wooden doors.

What a pathetic man, it's no wonder why is son turned out the same… but the girl is interesting. Maybe this will be entertaining after all. She felt particularly pleased, she had expected so little from the Schnee family only to find a possible gem amidst the usurpers and schemers. The princess was someone she intended to keep an eye on, very few people intrigued her so. The Princess of Gefrorene and the Blooded Rose of the Crusades, things are moving quickly and I can not wait to see how they end.

"You there, boy." Cinder turned to the Faunus child playing the lute which instantly stopped the moment she got his attention. "I'm in a particularly good mood. You may have the rest of the day to yourself."

"Y-Yes your Highness!" The boy looked beyond terrified as he dropped his lute, seeming to try very hard not to bolt for the door as he walked hurriedly by Cinder with his head down.

That's right, run along little spy, go, tell your superiors whatever you want. Tell them that the Schnee are here in my country. Bring them to me, it wouldn't be fair for them to miss all the excitement to come. They're as honored guests in my castle as the Blooded Rose and the Schnees, even if they don't know it.

Vibrant and upbeat music filled the ballroom of the castle, lit by torches lining walls and pillars, reflected down by specifically designed mirrors to focus the warm light down to the dance floor so that even in the darkness of night, the room was lit up almost as though the sun were still high in the sky.

The ballroom was filled with people, guests and residents of the castle, nobles and diplomats and servants taking time off from their work to enjoy the festivities at the Queen's behest and much to their delight. Everyone, it seemed, was enjoying themselves, the party was indeed lavish and opulent and the smell of delicious food hung in the air, freshly cooked game and locally raised meats mingled with the scents of food foreign to her land in honor of her guests from the northeast. Still, amidst all the fun, food and festivities, at least one person was not having the night of their lives… the Queen herself.

Instead, Cinder watched from her position on the throne, raised up above the rest of the floor by several steps so she could overlook the whole event with a tired look in her amber eyes. She sat, her head resting in her hand propped up against the arm of her throne by her elbow. Perhaps not the most Queenly way to sit, but it was slightly more comfortable than not. I detest how hard these chairs are. Even with padding they're not particularly easy on my back or arse. I'm the Queen, why can I not change out the thrones for something more comfortable? Okay, I'll just… I'll just put that on the list of clearly urgent matters I must attend to.

"Your Grace, may you do me the honor of asking share this dance with you?" A boy with white hair and a nauseatingly fake smile bowed before her with his hand extended out.

"Oh… you." She said before thinking, worrying for a moment about her tone but then remembering the uncouth display his father presented as he left her earlier. "My apologies Prince Whitley but I am not feeling quite up to dancing. Go, eat drink and be merry, this event is in the honor of your family's arrival to my kingdom."

"If you insist, your Highness." He bowed out with obvious displeasure on his lips and in his eyes, but knowing better than to push the Queen after she had given her answer.

I can see that he's a persistent child. Jacques expects me to marry this boy? Let a wolf into my bed? Preposterous! An anger she had worked long and hard to cultivate into cold, calculating fury was beginning to regress as a fire burned in her chest.

Too bad the choice is not mine to make. She thought to herself, her depression and listlessness from the reality of her situation snuffing out the flames of rage in her heart. Gefrorene is far too powerful and the Schnees are far too power hungry. They're raping their land and exploiting their people, but that means they have the resources and the manpower in just their slave forces alone to dominate if a battle ever broke out between our countries. No, I need to keep a level head, the pieces are falling into place. Just a little bit longer and I will have the necessary means to change everything.

"In the meantime… a drink wouldn't hurt." She laughed softly and bitterly to herself as she forced herself up, walking away from her throne with no fanfare as she made her way over to the nearest table. A marriage to absorb me into his family and take Autumnae for himself, making it part of Gefrorene. I would be nothing more than a political tool and once my usefulness has ended, I'll be discarded much like the matriarch of the Schnees. Well, if they want to use me as a political tool to gain my land, I will use myself as bait. As long as they think they have a chance, they will persist on this course. War is costly even if they win, a marriage is simple and cheap, a common tool of nobility… it sickens me.

With a long, exhausted breath she tried her best to let go of her tension, slowly her heart and clearing her mind. She knew it would do no good to succumb to the stress of her position so early on when there was still so much to be done. Even so, she craved a drink or several, desiring the escape that the alcohol would provide during this dreadfully dreary party. However, as she navigated through the throngs of dancers, her eyes were taken in by a head of long pure white hair standing over the long table staring down at the drinks before her, her hands held in front of her, obscured by her back that was turned to the Queen.

"If I may make a recommendation." Cinder spoke up only inches away from the girl, grinning in amusement as the girl flinched and twirled to face her.

"Your Majesty, I didn't notice your approach, forgive me." She lowered her head but Cinder couldn't help but notice the small, subdued smirk on her lips, she could only imagine the princess was as amused her by own startled reaction as the Queen was.

"Think nothing of it dear Princess." Cinder waved away her fret with a warm and genuine smile. "If you're deliberating on which drink to partake in, you've not lived until you've savored wine grown in the Rhone region of my fair country, our soil is second to none for growing the finest grapes. I personally think the red wine produced there is the most delectable drink of all. Shall I pour you a glass?"

"You needn't pour a drink for me, you're the Queen, I should be offering to accommodate you!" A side of the princess that Cinder had not seen before; Pride, strength, conviction, passion. If fire could possibly be cold her eyes held that quality, Cinder found herself only growing more intrigued by the girl, the strength brimming in her eyes and voice, it was quite enticing in and of itself.

"Nonsense, you're a guest in my country and I will treat you accordingly. Now, will you allow me to pour you a drink, Princess Weiss Schnee?" Cinder stepped forward, her amber gaze never faltering from Weiss' for even a moment as she stood over her with a pleased smile, reaching towards the table for the glass bottle of red wine while the girl's cheeks burned with a soft pink.

"If that is what you wish… you Majesty." Weiss was barely coherent as she stared up into those striking and piercing eyes of the Queen. The way she looked and the way she behaved, it was nothing like her father, there was a definite hunger and cunning in her gaze and a deviousness to her smile but there was something, as though everything Weiss was seeing was just a thin painting on the surface of something so much deeper and richer.

"It is what I wish." She giggled softly, handing a fine glass to the Princess, Weiss holding it delicately in her slender fingers as Cinder slowly poured the glass before pouring one for herself and corking the bottle back up. "Shall we toast?"

"What do you propose we toast to?" Weiss tilted her head slightly but now with a warm and comfortable smile on her lips as she relaxed, more intrigued than anything else by the Queen of the country neighboring hers to the southwest.

"To meeting interesting people." With a grin exuding more feelings than Weiss could comprehend in the short time she had and in the flustered state she was in, Cinder raised her glass to the princess, waiting patiently for her to reciprocate.

"Yes… to meeting interesting people." Weiss was practically beaming as she stared up at the Queen. She found herself having almost instant admiration and respect, she could see the strength the Queen had. There were few women ruling countries of their own and Cinder Fall seemed to be an adept ruler. I'm happy that she wants to speak to me. I think she is very interesting as well.

Clink!

It was dark, barely any light illuminated the room save for a single, flickering candle burning slowly away as wax dripped down its sides. The vague silhouettes of figures sat all around the room, however, from their perspective, their comrades were perfectly visible. They, after all, were not human, no, rather, they were the Faunus, the other species in the world, abused and exploited by the humans. The men and women in the room wore wooden masks carved to look like those of monsters and all had a single animal feature to distinguish them from humans and all had exceptional vision in the darkness.

Around twenty masked men and women sat around on the floor of the dark room on mats separating them from the cold, hard floor. At the center of the room, closest to the candle, a man with dark red hair and horns protruding from the top of his head sat in solemn silence, his hand on the hilt of the sword that he had… procured, from a merchant from an island to the far east.

"They've arrived." A man whispered from the darkness, relaying the information that had been disseminated through the ranks of their organization, finally making their way to the ears of one of the most powerful faunus in the world.

"Good. Have Blake make her way to Parisiah where the Schnee filth are waiting." The malice and hatred in his voice were palpable as he gripped the hilt of his katana even tighter.

"She's a week's journey from the capital of Autumnae, she's been keeping to the shadows in the outer lands near the border." The man responded calmly, though with a hint of fear as Adam's anger rose.

"It matters not, The Schnees will still be there and by the time we're ready to strike, there will be no recourse left to them but to fall… and die."