Weiss

The morning after, I found myself being woken up by Blake and with her is a mug of coffee.

"Good morning, snowflake." She greeted.
"Good morning, Kitty~" I greeted back.

Graciously, I took the mug from Kitty before sitting up from her very comfortable bed. I was a little sore but its nothing I can manage. It's going to fade later eventually but with the sip of the coffee, I slowly woke up from what looked like a dream-filled night.

From where I was, Blake was dressed in her casual clothes--jeans, shirt, vest, her hair in a french braid. It's actually a good look on her. But why was she dressed early? Speaking of dressing up early, I, as well, have to head to work. Even if it was already a Saturday, the Board is going to hold a meeting this noon for company matters. Even my father will be present, Winter the same. Even my obnoxious, good for nothing brother will be there. 

"I'm sorry if I overdid it last night. Are you alright?" She asked, placing a kiss by my temple.

Oh, this girl is too sweet~

"I'm fine, Blake. Honest." I answered with a smile.

"I made us some breakfast and I dug up some clothes at my dresser, I think it'll fit you." Blake pointed at a simple beige A-line  dress, a blazer and my clothes yesterday were in a paperbag, packed discreetly.

I looked at her, grateful. "Blake, you didn't have to." I told her, taking a sip from my coffee, finding delight that it was just the way I like it.

"I did anyway. You gotta head to work and I'm heading out so, I'll drop you off or  I'll call you a cab?" She asked.

"Mmmm...Cab. It's better if no one sees us." I answered, my eyes on her. Despite that understanding smile, her ears ears were drooping, perhaps disappointed that we didn't go together.

"Kitty, are you sad?" I asked, smiling with amusement.

"N-no. I was just hoping to spend more time with you. I don't know when I'll see you again after all." She explained.

I slipped off the bed, placed the mug down at the stand, and hugged her. "Don't be sad. There, there, Blakey-boo.." I gave her a pat by her head which made her purr to my amusement.

"Okaaaay." She answered. "Get going, get going." Blake insisted, both of us waddling to the bathroom.

She let go by the door. "Breakfast after shower, okay?"

"Got it." I gave her a small peck by the lips and proceeded to take a shower.

I dried up, changed and groomed myself the vest I could to get ready for this day. I was also in a mood for a braid so I struggled to do it in front of the mirror.

After an hour or so, I went out of the bathroom and Blake was scrolling through her phone.

"Sorry I took a while." I fumbled around to pack my things and wear my shoes, trying to fix up my things.

"You look like perfection though." She said.

I turned my head her way just in time for her to tap her phone to possibly take a burst shot of me bent over fixing my shoes.

"Blake..." I was flustered. "Don't you dare post that."

"I won't princess. Now fix your shoes, eat and let's get going." She said, smiling at me.

I didn't want to be late so I did just that, quickly too.

We left soon after and split ways with a kiss by the cheek. By the time I arrived at the building, my secretary was already waiting for me together with my brother--Whitley.

"Good morning, Miss Schnee."
"Good morning, dear sister."

I mentally sighed but my chest heaved. My brother was not exactly the person I even want to talk to. He had become obnoxious over the years, getting at the good side of my father.

"What's the meeting for today again? Enlighten me, dear brother." I asked of him just to humor his ego. He raised his head with a gaudy smirk on his lips.

"Oh Father is eager to have a meeting with the board about this matter for a while. Ever since you took over the company, you've been awfully busy enough to avoid...marital obligations to the family." He mentioned as we headed to the meeting room. Of course it stopped me from walking, hearing such thing? Who wouldn't?

"Whatever do you mean, Whitley?" I asked, taking a folder from my secretary. 

We continued on to the room and through the glass, I saw most of the board sitting at the round table, discussing among themselves. I saw a glimpse of my Father and my sister Winter is with him as well. Odd to see those two be in one room but I might humor them this morning. I'm in a good mood after all.

He pulled the door open, letting me inside of the room. "I meant your marriage. You need a spouse." 

Ah. Of course. What else could this be for? Not the issues of the Schnee company or the fact that I have noticed our stock declining, human error in finances and my Father meddling with the company while my back is turned away? No. They want to talk about me and arranged marriages, eligible suitors and candidates. 

I entered the room with a frown on my lips, taking my seat in front of all this studious yet twisted people. How can others take facing men and women like these? 

"Good morning. Stay in your seats. Start the meeting." I ordered, opening my file. Of course, a list of eligible suitors. 

My Father stood from his seat which is the one to my left, clearing his throat. "Weiss, the board noticed that you've poured too much heart into the company--"

"Clearly not enough if you still meddle with meetings." I interjected, sighing. "Go on, Father."  I can tell that those words made him quite furious but he continued talking with his lecture or speech, or whatever type of speech he is to make.

"And we have there a list of eligible bachelors who are beneficial to the company as well as fitting to you. Take a look at them for now. We have arranged--"

I glanced at the papers. "This committee or board have no whatsoever say nor power to arrange my life. Your duties are to the company, to the people of Remnant and perhaps fill more of those greedy bellies of yours. I can't tell which you do more." I rolled my eyes, looking at the list. Some shifted in their seats, trying to hold their agitation for me but what can I say? My wits helped the SDC raise from it's low reputation.  

"These men.." I looked at their traits they had listed on. Rubbish. How can they even write a person's trait? Do they know them personally? Are they candidates vouched by some members here? "Under what grounds did you make this compilation?"

One answered for the rest of them. "We...we took into consideration their reputation, their personality, their stature, their families, ties with the Schnee company."

"I see. Even so much that you excluded women from the list? Unsatisfactory. You made me come here to have a talk about whom I marry? My personal life is not one you meddle with nor do you have a stand in. Understood? The topic is off the table." I glared at my father who sat back down in his chair. My sister gave a me a small, proud smile my way. I appreciated that..~

"Anything else to discuss in this meeting? I have another one for my department heads after this." I asked them, looking around the table, looking at their dejected faces. 

"Miss Schnee...We removed the selection of women. Your father--" I raised my brow at them. "I-I mean we want to avoid a scandal!"

"The Scnee Dust Company is for the people despite being a private corporation. We lead the market for Dust and weapons for Hunters and Huntresses. You think about the company's scandal? I have no doubt that relationships with the same sex will not cause a scandal." I assured them, leaning back at my seat. "What will is the fact that our workers have complained that some members of the board wishes to bring this corporation down by the roots by offering them to resign."

Now that made them move and shift uneasily in their seats. Some talked among others, loosening up their ties. I scoffed. "No matter, the company will stay resilient." 

A young man came forward from the back of the room to hand me another folder. "This is the list of women eligible for you. Your sister requested that I compile it for you in case the lists of men doesn't meet your standards." He placed the folder in front of me with a small smile.

I looked up at Winter who had a glaring battle with my father. Of course, he lost due to her head strong eyes made from glaring. I thank her for this. Sisters do have your back...

I opened and scanned the folder, going over one by one of the profiles but one caught my attention. One...familiar one.

"Alright, I'll give this a look. Don't worry, in the room, there are only a few who make sense and are significant in this meeting. Questions?" I turned to them, my eyes on a single profile. A grin replaced the frown on my lips. 

"..Correction: are there any other request that you might want to demand me to do?" I looked up at them. One raised his hand, a man having cold sweat from simply speaking no doubt.

"The board have decided that from this day unto the last day of the year, a wedding must occur." He tossed a pile of papers with the signatories of the whole board including my sister, my brother, and my father.

Before the year ends...Seven months? 

"Seeing that you took the initiative to make this a mission, Alright. I agree. But I pick who...Aside from that, I'll have the wedding planned. Don't expect yourselves to be invited though..After all, you forced a marriage on the CEO of the SDC. This company is under monarchy, not democracy. I make the decisions." I reminded them. "Meeting adjourned. You are all dismissed." 

My father jumped out of his chair, stomping to my side. My sister followed, staying at the side as not to induce more of our father's fury. I doubt he can do much. After all, old age doesn't make him do much to us as he had before. 

"Weiss Schnee! How dare you embarrass me in front of the board like a clown! And to marry a woman?! We are not a road show circus! The press will hear of this and what will they make of this? We will be a laughing stock!" He shouted, making a point to look down at me. I snapped the folders on the table before I stood to answer back to his arguments.

I wonder how many more in this company have such close minded thoughts like him. It's sad, frankly because they are having a hard time understanding that genders don't apply to love and choices of a person. 

"Father, it's the 21st century. Modern day. Most of the world's population is OUR generation who understands and knows that no gender will be a barrier to love or a simple marriage or a better reputation and power if you ask. I hope you get that in your head. Now will you excuse me, I have work to do." I pity my father. He thinks more of the company than us daughters and we've learned that we have no one to rely but ourselves. Mother passed on after my last year in Beacon...we had no one to rely on.

I excused myself from his presence. My sister hooked her arms with mine smiling as we left father alone in the cold meeting room. I hope he ponders on my words. After all, he raised me to be wise and on top. Even if that means being on top of him and his deeds.

Once we were alone in my office, Winter pulled away with a huge smile on her lips. "You've grown fiercer than raging fires, sister. I'm proud." She gave me a tight hug, warming my heart up. I'm happy to hear her words of encouragement as it does help me go on.

"Of course, we're Schnees. We're harsher than the coldest winter storms." I replied, hugging her back. It felt very liberating to be able to stand up to my father like that. A refreshing feeling.

Winter pulled away, a hand by my shoulder. 

"...I think you know what to do. I'll leave you for now. I'll be back in a week or more. I simply came here as Qrow suggested I spend time with you and him with his nephews." Winter held my hands. "I'll miss your spunk."

"Must you go? Will you be heading back to Atlas?" I frowned. How I wish I can spend more time with my sister. Oh the stories I can tell her about Blake and our happy time together! If she does recall Blake that is.

"I will. But I will be back! Don't worry." Winter assured me, pulling me in another hug. I returned the gesture, holding her tight in my arms. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you more, Winter." I replied, smiling to myself. "Come back, alright? Don't fight battles you can't win." 

"Most of the time, I do win." She replied.

We shared a brief moment of laughter before she gathered her things, bid farewell once more. Before I knew it, I was alone in my office with more work.

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Wow. Such update. OMG. Such long. 

Ahaha~! Hi guys and gays! Sorry if I haven't touched this story for a while. I had a small block as to how to continue this...and now I did! Hopefully, this continues together with my other stories!

Not much of a fan of the ship? Well, why not?! Don't worry, I got chu! Check out my White rose story: The Bloodstained Rose. \OUO/ It's cool..hopefully.

Thank you so much for sticking with me despite the long breaks between the chapters. QwQ I'm doing my best to make the story better for you guys~!

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With love,
Sapphy