Chapter 27

The Emperor was dead. Weiss was the new Emperor. Before the day was out the Council of Nobles voted her a Triumph. It was for her defeat of Plegia, or so they said. Weiss knew what it was really for, but it was unacceptable to celebrate victory in a civil war. What it was for hardly mattered to Weiss anyway. She wanted no part of it. Such honors were rarely awarded, but Weiss was not in the mood for celebration. Unfortunately, she could not afford to offend the nobles so early in her reign. The nobles surely had ulterior motives, probably trying to get on the new Emperor's good side, to maybe make her forget how faithfully they had served her father, but Weiss had no intention of punishing anyone anyway. Enough blood had been shed, too much.

The procession would begin just outside the gates of the capital, winding its way through the city before ending at the steps of the palace. Weiss would ride in a special wheel-less chariot, levitated with magic, pulled by horses made up to look like Pegasi as no true Pegasus would consent to pulling anything. She was supposed to appear as a goddess, a divine conqueror. She felt like a lonely little child, but she had to play the expected part. There was one bit of tradition she would overturn though. Traditionally the victorious army led the procession, followed by the commander, followed by the commander's retinue. Only the commander's spouse was permitted to share the chariot. After climbing aboard Weiss extended a hand to Blake, who took it and stepped aboard. They were not married, not yet, but in riding with Blake at her side Weiss was making a statement, subtle but unmistakable, that the two would be wed.

The army began winding its way through the city with Weiss' chariot following. She and Blake wore special gowns, white with green trim and flowing, meant to invoke the appearance of Naga. Behind them Pyrrha rode her Pegasus while Ruby, Yang, Ren and Nora were on horseback. Behind them spectators poured into the streets, following the procession toward its conclusion. Near the palace there would be a great fair and feast with all manner of entertainments. It was a party to be shared by the entire populace. When the army reached the front of the palace it assembled on the steps in disciplined rows. A gap was left in the center. Weiss and Blake stepped from the chariot, arm-in-arm, and walked up the stairs through the gap. Their retinue dismounted and followed, filling in the space. The great doors to the palace opened and Weiss and Blake disappeared inside.

Moments later the pair emerged onto a balcony overlooking the steps. The assembled crowd erupted in rapturous applause. Blake stood a few steps back as Weiss stepped to the railing. "People of Valm…" She called out. "...I am honored to receive this Triumph. The war is over and peace has returned to the land! The time of fear and uncertainty is over. So spend the day celebrating. But all is not well." The cheering ceased. "Princess Winter, Duchess of Rosanne, and her daughter Willow, are dead. In their honor, starting tomorrow, there will be three days of mourning. Once we have grieved, there will be a grand coronation and royal wedding." The cheering returned. "I will wed Blake, the rightful ruler of Chon'sin." Weiss made a sweeping gesture with her hand and Blake stepped forward, bowing to the crowd. There were a few gasps and whispers. It was shocking that Weiss would call an outsider the rightful ruler of any part of the empire. Blake's appearance was also shocking. She wore nothing to hide or disguise her scar and dead eye. "By our marriage the dispute between Valm and Chon'sin will be resolved!" Weiss continued. The got the cheers going again. "Now go, spend the day celebrating!"

Weiss and Blake bowed before heading back into the palace. Outside the assembled crowd cheered for a little longer before dispersing, the citizenry heading off to enjoy the celebrations. Once the crowd had cleared the army marched out of the city, now led by Yang and Pyrrha. Ruby joined them, intent on learning from the two more experienced warriors. Nora went with the army as well. Weiss had tasked her with training some of the greener soldiers that had joined in the days before their arrival at the capital. Ren headed into the palace. He would get the empire's finances in order and see that the soldiers got paid. Blake would join some so-called "experts" to plan the joint wedding/coronation.

Weiss had government business to deal with. Immediately upon seizing the throne she had sent envoys to the major cities of the empire requesting their allegiance. So far the signs were good. Many of the messengers had returned to confirm their support for Weiss' rule, and there were no signs of rebellion. Word had also reached Weiss from Taiyang that Qrow had landed in Chon'sin. He had originally come to bring reinforcements, but with the war over he now simply wanted an audience with the new Emperor. He would arrive in two or three days. Weiss was already drawing up the basics of a formal alliance with Ylisse, and hoped to finalize the terms and sign a treaty once Qrow arrived. Given the recent war a similar agreement with Ferox would be a bit more difficult, but Weiss hoped to get it done. Weiss worked into the night, answering petitions, confirming legislation and meeting with various nobles.

After a long and difficult day, Weiss was looking forward to a good night's sleep. She retired to her chambers and changed. Just as she was getting into bed there was a knock at the door. She had a feeling she knew who it was. She got up and dragged herself to the door. "Yes?" She said.

"Open up Princess...er...Emperor." Yang said.

"Gods...every time." Weiss sighed. She opened the door. Yang was not alone, with Blake at her side.

"Whenever you really need to talk but don't want to, you put us to work so we're not around." Yang said. "It's getting old."

"Yang, shouldn't you be with the army?" Weiss groaned.

"Pyrrha can handle it." Yang replied.

"Fine." Weiss sighed. "And Blake, don't you have a wedding and coronation to plan?"

"It was boring so I left it to the experts." Blake shrugged. "It's not like I have any idea what I'm doing anyway. And there's not much to do. They put up fancy decorations in the Temple of Naga. We wear fancy dresses. We go through a painfully boring and excruciatingly long, pointless ceremony. They we ride a fancy carriage to a big feast."

"Don't you want to pick out the dresses or the decorations?" Weiss asked.

"They were doing it for me, even while I was there." Blake complained. "They're making me wear a big eye-patch face-covering thing to hide my scars. It's so stupid!"

"Anyway...we're not here because of that." Yang cut in. "Weiss, we're here because of you."

"Yeah, Yang's right." Blake said, getting back on track. "We know you're hurting. You need us now more than ever. So please, talk to us."

"This is one of those situations where you're not leaving until I do, isn't it?" Weiss sighed.

"Yep." Yang confirmed.

"Fine." Weiss said. She walked back into the room, followed by the others, and took a seat on the edge of her bed. Yang and Blake sat on either side of her. "What do you even want me to say?"

"Whatever you want to say." Blake replied.

"That doesn't help." Weiss said.

"Tell us about Winter." Yang said. "I never really got to know her."

"Winter was...Winter was everything when we were growing up." Weiss sighed. "My father was cold, and my mother was absent, always at his side, so we were both raised by maids. It was sort of like she was the only family I ever had. We were best friends. I guess it was similar to the way you and Ruby were...are."

"We've had our ups and downs." Yang said. "It's not all sunshine and roses."

"But it is compared to what I went through." Weiss said, tears welling in her eyes. "I never had a loving father or mother. I had a sister for a while, but when the Duke of Rosanne died, they decided to move Winter there to prepare her for her position as Duchess. She was too young to rule on her own, but the powers that be wanted her to get acquainted with the Duchy and its government. They were going to separate us, but I cried so much about it that the plans were changed and I went along with her. That worked for a few years, probably the happiest years of my life, but then I was given Chon'sin, and I was just ripped away from her. I didn't want to be a princess, I didn't want to be a duchess. I just wanted to be a normal girl. I wanted a sister to play with, to gossip with. I guess I made a scene, but Winter consoled me, promised she'd keep in touch and that I'd meet new friends. So I went, and I guess she was right, but I never really got over being apart. I'd spent my whole life with her and suddenly she wasn't there anymore. It was lonely."

"I honestly can't imagine you making a scene like that." Yang said. "You've always been so guarded with your emotions."

"It's how I was trained to be." Weiss explained. "Winter too." A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it away. "Even after we were separated we still wrote to each other every week. We couldn't visit much, but I got to see her at her wedding and Willow's birth, and she came to visit when I officially took over as duchess. Even when she wasn't there I knew I could always count on her for advice. I needed it to. Most girls my age were still just daydreaming about boys and I was supposed to run a duchy. She'd been through it already, and her advice helped so much."

"Even though you were apart you were very close." Blake said. "I'm sure she loved you as much as you loved her."

"I know she did." Weiss said. "Then when father tried to have me killed and I had to flee...I had to go without her help for the first time. I felt so alone and helpless. I had to make it all up as I was going along. Even when we came to face her in battle I was excited because I would get to see her again. I knew she would join us, I just knew it but...and it was all for nothing. She killed herself to save Willow but she was already dead. It was all pointless. Father took everything away from me and what do I have now? Pain and a stupid crown. I don't want it. I never wanted it. I hadn't even learned to rule a duchy and now I've got a whole empire. And I can't even ask Winter for advice. I don't want this! I want to go away! I want Winter back!" Weiss hunched over and covered her face with her hands as she started bawling. On either side Blake and Yang leaned in to hug her.

"I'm sure you can…" Yang started.

"I lost everyone." Weiss cried. "My parents, my sister, even my niece. My entire family is gone. I can't do this...I can't do this alone."

"But you're not alone." Yang said.

"You have us." Blake added.

"And Ruby, Pyrrha, Ren and even Nora." Yang said. "We're here and we won't leave you."

"But how can any of you understand what I'm going through?" Weiss wept. "My whole family is dead. Sure, Blake can relate to that part, but I also have such responsibility all of the sudden. I'm not just the Emperor. I'm the last person alive with Exalted Blood. I'm potentially the only person standing against the end of the world. It's so hard, and it's so lonely."

"Maybe we can't fully understand what you're going through." Yang admitted. "But we'll all be here for you. We've been through so much together. We can't just give up now. We can't let ourselves fall apart."

"You're much stronger than you think." Blake said. "When we first met I hated you, but it turns out you're the person I wish I was. If there's anyone in the world who can handle what you're going through, it's you. And with you ruling the Empire, the world will be a better place."

"I just...I...thank you." Weiss said. "I keep trying to push you away and you still keep coming back to help me."

"That's what friends are for." Yang said with a gentle smile, brushing Weiss' hair out of her face. "Even if you give up on you, we never will."

"Yeah, wipe away those tears." Blake said. "We'll always be here to support you."

"And since we're lovers too we can do more than just support you." Yang said with a wink.

Weiss turned to Blake. "Thank you for everything you've done." She said. Then she turned to Yang. "And Yang, don't ever change."

The following day it was time for Nora to start training some of the newer soldiers. She would be working with heavily armored but dismounted soldiers like herself, but asked that they come in lighter clothes. As instructed the soldiers arrived at the training field in just the padded clothing worn under their plate armor. They lined up and waited, and their instructor was late. Nora arrived with a beaming smile on her face, bouncing across the field toward the soldiers. Magnhild was slung across her back, but her dress was anything but martial. Her top was plain enough, just a light shirt, but she paired it with scandalously short shorts.

Most of the soldiers laughed as the perky redhead practically skipped over to them. "I'm your instructor, Nora!" She exclaimed. More laughs. She was the instructor? What a joke! "I hope you're ready to work!" Nora ignored the laughing. "Follow me. If you don't keep up you'll have a meeting with my hammer." She slipped Magnhild off her back and slammed it into the ground with a thunderous crash. It left behind a small crater. The laughing stopped. "Let's go!"

Nora jogged off down a trail that led out of the camp and into the countryside. The soldiers dutifully followed, terrified of incurring her wrath. She jogged down the dusty country roads at a mild pace, but she just kept going. At every fork in the road she stopped and the soldiers hoped she would turn around and lead them back to camp, but she quickly read the signs and jogged off again. For some soldiers it was too much. They stopped, some fell, and were just left behind.

After what seemed an eternity, Nora reached a lake. The soldiers were expecting a break to cool off, but they were to be disappointed. "Now we swim!" Nora announced. Nora dashed into the water, and even weighted down by Magnhild, headed out across the lake, the far side a long way away. The exhausted soldiers followed, and though they were already near their limits, the cool water was a great comfort. They group reached the other side. After a narrow stretch of flat ground the land rose up in a steep and rocky hill. The soldiers expected Nora to swim back across the lake. "Up we go!" Nora enthused. She took off up the sometimes sheer climb, heading for the top without any apparent difficulty. Some soldiers gave up their pursuit but a number followed. When they reached the top Nora was already jogging off into the distance.

"Emperor Weiss." Blake said, entering the room where Weiss was working on a draft treaty for Ferox.

"What is it Blake?" Weiss asked, not looking up from her work.

"Did you tell Nora to train the recruits?" Blake asked.

"Yes." Weiss confirmed. "I figured it would keep her out of trouble."

"I was watching them." Blake said. "I followed them on horseback for a while. You should really inspect your troops."

"I'm very busy Blake." Weiss sighed.

"Trust me Weiss, inspect your troops." Blake insisted.

"Fine." Weiss groaned. "Send a messenger. Have them meet me at the steps of the palace."

Nora jogged back to the training field and stood where she had started. Slowly a few soldiers trickled into their original place, haggard and exhausted. Nora looked like she could do it all again. Out of the original 50 or so, about 20 soldiers remained. "That was great wasn't it?!" Nora exclaimed. "Now that you've passed the selection process, we can have some real fun!"

"Selection process?" One of the recruits gasped.

"That was my weekend workout!" Nora replied. "You'll be running it in armor with me in no time!" There was a chorus of gasps and groans.

"General Nora, a message from the Emperor." A messenger rushed to Nora. "She wishes to inspect your troops on the steps of the palace." The messenger saluted and rushed off.

"You heard the man!" Nora shouted. "The Emperor wants to see us! You've got 10 minutes to get armored up, and your gear had better be spotless!"

"They're here." Blake said. "Take a look."

Weiss got up and emerged from the palace. On the steps before her stood about two dozen tired-looking soldiers. They were in perfect formation with spotless weapons and armor gleaming in the sun. "I expected chaos." Weiss gasped.

"Ren always said chaos is just energy that needs a direction." Nora enthused.

"I need to pay that man more." Weiss said. She picked a soldier at random and pointed to him. "You, recruit, how would you describe your training?"

"Grueling but fulfilling, Your Majesty." He said, seemingly still trying to catch his breath.

"Where are the rest of the recruits?" Weiss asked.

"They were unworthy." Nora replied.

"Unworthy?" Weiss asked.

"They fell behind and never caught up." The recruit explained.

"Are they okay?" Weiss gasped.

"I knew I was forgetting something." Nora shrugged.

Meanwhile Pyrrha and Ruby were leading some cavalry on a riding exercise. The found a soldier lying on the side of the road. Pyrrha dismounted and rushed to the man's side. "What happened soldier?" She asked. "Were you attacked?"

"Oh gods…" The man gasped. "Red hair, demonic grin, booty shorts...she'll be the end of us all."