A Royal Match - Chapter 10 (Patreon)
Content
“If you think about it, Vale and Atlas have a lot in common.”
“Uh huh…” Weiss teased, only to smile when Ruby waved her hands and prepared to launch into her reasons for making such a bold claim.
“Think about it! If you take out the weather, the location, economies, staples, lifestyles -”
“Basically, most of what makes up a kingdom,” Weiss added, and felt her amusement grow when Ruby nodded.
“Exactly! Take all that stuff out, and we’re all the same. We all just...want to be happy and healthy.”
While a rather simplistic way to view the complexity of life, it was also hopelessly optimistic - and it made Weiss smile.
“I can agree with that,” she acquiesced with a gentle squeeze of Ruby’s hand to strengthen her agreement.
The more Ruby opened up, the more Weiss realized that Ruby had been raised to lead, whereas she and Whitley had been raised to rule. The difference was so stark that it left her wondering what the ‘incorrigible’ kingdom of Vale was actually like. Which led her to ask questions...like she did while they held hands and ambled an aimless path through the palace.
To outside observers, they might look like a couple. To Weiss, it felt like they were a couple, but she didn’t want to assume as much. Right now, she was just happy to be together.
“Is there anything you’d like to do tonight?” she added as they passed the library and ventured into quieter portions of the palace. Her cheeks warmed when Ruby gave her a look she didn’t want to read too much into. Thankfully, Ruby quickly turned away and cleared her throat.
“Whatever you want?” While passing one of the maids, Ruby ducked her head and lowered her voice. “I told your brother I already had plans so he’d stop inviting me to the symphony.”
“And that worked?” Weiss asked, her gaze following the maid away while Ruby nodded.
“I think so? He kind of stormed off though, so I think he’s mad.”
That sounded like Whitley. He’d been on his best behavior for so long, Weiss had almost forgotten what he was really like. But, after the events of The Winter Ball, he must have finally determined that he was losing the battle for Ruby’s affections. And he hated losing, which explained why he was antagonizing Weiss and badgering Ruby far more than usual.
“We should be careful though...” Weiss mused while Ruby casually swung their joined hands. “He’s conniving when he needs to be, and if he feels like I’m stealing you from him...who knows what he might do.”
“So we shouldn’t get caught making out in the halls?”
The thought alone was enough to make Weiss blush, but she’d hardly shaken her head before Ruby pulled her into one of the alcoves dotting the top floor of the castle. From here, they could see the palace grounds extending in the distance, covered in a thick blanket of snow that convinced them to stay inside. Right now, however, all Weiss saw were Ruby’s silver eyes sparkling with mischief, and felt Ruby’s hands settle upon her waist.
“We probably shouldn’t,” she said, though she knew she would accept the repercussions - mostly, embarrassment - should that come to pass.
She didn’t know what it was about Ruby that removed her inhibitions so entirely, but she’d learned to accept it. That was Ruby’s effect on her. That, along with filling her with happiness, joy, laughter, and all of the lighthearted emotions she’d only ever experienced in small doses before.
“You’re probably right.” With one hand, Ruby gently tucked Weiss’ hair behind one ear and smiled. That smile told Weiss how happy Ruby was at this moment, and that happiness reflected in her heart as well. They didn’t have to do anything - standing together like this was enough.
After a few seconds, however, Ruby’s gaze shifted, and hesitancy appeared.
“I’ve been wondering…” she began in a thoughtful voice. “Everyone said I have to choose between you or Whitley...but if I’ve made a decision, who do I tell?”
The instant Ruby met Weiss’ gaze, Weiss tried to find words to say, but words were hard to come by with so many thoughts racing through her head. She hadn’t expected this conversation - not here, not now, maybe not ever. She’d sworn never to ask because she didn’t want Ruby to get the wrong idea...but it wasn’t for Atlas that she wanted to know the answer - it was for herself.
“Winter, I think,” she managed to get out. “She’s been handling most of this.”
“Ok. That’s what I thought.” After nodding, however, Ruby frowned. “It’s weird that your sister’s in charge of so much but not allowed to be queen.”
“She didn’t support my father when he wanted her to, so he went to great lengths disinheriting her,” Weiss replied on autopilot while her mind burned with the question Ruby hadn’t yet answered. “I think he changed his mind later on, but by that point, it couldn’t be so easily undone.”
“Maybe it can be changed when he’s not in charge anymore?”
“That’s what I’m hoping,” Weiss admitted before touching Ruby’s hand. “Ruby,” she began, only to stop when Ruby looked at her.
She wanted to know. She needed to know. It should be her, right? That seemed like the right answer, yet somehow presumptuous at the same time. If it was her, she wanted to hear it. She didn’t want to worry about Ruby choosing anyone else, although she hadn’t seriously worried about that in quite some time.
She just...really wanted to hear it.
“What will you tell her?” she finally asked. From Ruby’s smile, it was the question she’d been waiting for.
“Do you really not know?”
“I...have an idea, but I don’t want to assume...” When Ruby trailed a hand down Weiss’ side, she trailed off and felt her hope appear renewed. If it wasn’t her, Ruby wouldn’t look at her so adoringly. If it wasn’t her, Ruby wouldn’t touch her so lovingly.
“Have I ever told you what I first noticed about you?”
“No...” she whispered, afraid that this moment might pass her by if she spoke too loudly.
“Or I guess the second thing,” Ruby added with a small smile. “The first was that you’re the most gorgeous person I’ve ever seen.”
On any other day, Weiss would take the compliment and need nothing more. Today, however, her heart fluttered, and she waited on bated breath for Ruby to continue.
“But the second thing...was that you’re nothing like your brother.”
The words were a relief, but not an answer. Thankfully, Ruby quickly continued.
“Whitley wins people over with charm, and he’s comfortable lying - he’ll make promises with no intention of ever seeing them through. But you…” Lightly brushing her fingers across Weiss’ cheek, Ruby smiled. “You made yourself uncomfortable just to get my attention.”
“Winter told me not to be myself...” Weiss whispered, but Ruby shook her head.
“You were still yourself - I could tell when you were trying and when you weren’t. That’s how I knew that you actually...cared about me. You did so much to help me not miss home, then I went home and realized...I missed being here with you. I wanted to be here with you.”
Ruby wanted to be here with her -
“We both knew this is supposed to be my new home,” Ruby continued, her words falling out in a rush now. “But you made it my home. And you make me want to stay.” Trailing her fingers down Weiss’ cheek before coming to a rest on Weiss’ shoulder, Ruby smiled - and her eyes said the answer before her words did.
“That’s why I’ll always choose you.”
Weiss hardly processed the response before capturing Ruby’s lips in a kiss - the kiss she’d longed for all this time.
Ruby chose her. This remarkable, amazing, gorgeous person chose her. Maybe that meant a great deal for Atlas’ future, but she was more concerned about her future at this moment. After fearing that she would spend the rest of her life with someone she couldn’t even tolerate, she would spend the rest of her life with someone she adored more by the day.
Briefly breaking away from Ruby’s lips, she placed her hands on Ruby’s cheeks and looked up into stunning silver eyes.
“Are you sure?” she asked, only for her happiness to grow when Ruby laughed.
“I’m positive,” she replied before pulling Weiss into another deep kiss. Their mouths parted in near unison, and Weiss immediately lost herself in the feeling of Ruby’s tongue moving against hers and the warmth of Ruby’s hands moving up and down her sides.
It didn’t matter if anyone passing by the alcove spotted them - she wanted to celebrate this moment and felt that Ruby wanted to do the same. When Ruby backed her up against the window - the cold glass sending a shiver down her spine - that desire became even more apparent. And she let it happen, because she loved the feeling of Ruby pressing against her, and she wanted to know what it felt like for them to melt into one.
That’s why she held onto Ruby’s back and pulled them closer together. That’s why she whined when Ruby broke their kiss, only to hum in pleasure when Ruby kissed her ear instead.
“It wasn’t even close,” Ruby whispered before trailing kisses down Weiss’ jawbone and neck. The feeling of Ruby’s lips on every inch of the sensitive skin there, along with that small admission, sent Weiss’ desire skyrocketing. Suddenly, she found herself turning her head to the side, all but begging Ruby to continue while wrapping a hand around Ruby’s neck to make that wish even more apparent.
Thankfully, Ruby heard the silent plea and covered Weiss’ neck with kisses, moving down to her collarbone, up to her ear, then back again. After tasting every inch with her tongue and lips, she picked the most sensitive spot - the spot that made Weiss’ breath catch in her throat - and gently bit down.
If anyone was walking nearby, they undoubtedly heard the moan that slipped through Weiss’ lips as pleasure raced through her veins. Rather than discourage, however, the sound spurred Ruby to lavish that spot with attention, and the heat under Weiss’ skin grew right along with the pressure on her neck.
Her breathing grew loud with longing as she ran one hand through Ruby’s hair and the other underneath Ruby’s shirt, searching for as much contact as possible while her hunger grew unchecked. She knew what Ruby was doing - payback for the ball - but encouraged it. Invited it.
But with her mind blanking and lust taking control, she knew it was only a matter of minutes before they put themselves in a very compromising situation.
“Maybe -” she got out before dropping her head back and stifling another moan. Ruby’s hands were moving now, and they elicited more excitement whether they went, and wherever they could go.
“Ruby,” she tried again, only for a tingle of pleasure to run down her spine when Ruby hummed against her neck. As much as the timing was right - finally knowing that Ruby could be hers - and as much as she wanted to do this right now, pressed against the window in the hall wasn’t the place.
“We should go to my room,” she blurted out, only to feel disappointed when Ruby’s lips broke away from her neck. That feeling disappeared as soon as she saw the look in Ruby’s eyes, and confirmed that Ruby wanted this as much as she did.
“We should go to my room,” she repeated and waited for Ruby’s nod before taking her by the hand and leading the way.
Her cheeks were flushed, and the spot on her neck where Ruby’s lips had just been was especially hot, but it was the heat rushing through her veins that had her full attention right now. Knowing that Ruby felt the same way only added fuel to the fire that had burned for quite some time.
“Maybe I should’ve told you earlier.”
Laughing at the joke, Weiss hardly turned to smile at Ruby when she glimpsed someone out of the corner of her eye. And, just like that, a bucket of ice water dropped on her desires.
“Great…” she sighed while Whitley strode over to them, knowing that yet another thinly-veiled confrontation approached.
“It’s ok,” Ruby whispered. “We’ll get rid of him fast.”
“Ruby,” he greeted her the next second with a fleeting smile and quick bow before turning towards Weiss. “Weiss,” he added, only for his scowl to deepen when he saw her neck. “As respectable as ever, I see.”
“What do you want, Whitley?” she snapped in reply, disgruntled and frustrated by his constant interruptions.
“Father wants to speak to us now.” When she frowned at the words, his smirk grew. “All of us,” he added with a nod in Ruby’s direction.
For the life of her, she couldn’t imagine what her father had to speak to all three of them about, especially so suddenly. That was only the beginning of her worries, however, as Whitley looked too smug for her liking. And Ruby...even Ruby looked concerned.
“Then lead the way,” Weiss replied, and waited for her brother to turn around before looking at Ruby. When Ruby only briefly met her gaze and gave a small smile, she held Ruby’s hand and followed Whitley towards the front of the palace.
Not at all what she’d expected or wanted to do right now, but hopefully it wouldn’t take long...