Strategy Session: Protecting the Royal Engagement
The Beacon library had been transformed into an impromptu war room. Four large tables had been pushed together in the center, surrounded by members of teams RWBY, JNPR, OZHS (Odyn's team), SZGL (Sarai's team), and KFLBS (Khanna's team). Scrolls, tactical maps of Beacon's grounds, and security schedules were spread across the surface as the assembled hunters and huntresses-in-training prepared for what Yang had jokingly dubbed "Operation Wedding Bells."
Weiss and Odyn entered together, their intertwined hands drawing a few knowing smiles but no comments. The group had long since grown accustomed to seeing the Schnee heiress and the elven prince together. Odyn's deep blue hair—so dark it appeared almost black in the library's evening lighting—contrasted starkly with Weiss's snow-white ponytail.
"Sorry we're late," Weiss said briskly, slipping effortlessly into her role as strategist. "Have we started?"
"Just setting up," Ruby replied, gesturing to the holographic display she and Roy had activated in the center of the table. It showed a three-dimensional rendering of Beacon's Grand Hall, where the signing ceremony would take place. "Roy was just explaining the traditional procession."
Roy nodded respectfully to his brother and future sister-in-law. The taller, more serious of the two elven princes, his distinctive hair—a striking mix of cerulean blue and lavender—was kept longer and braided in the warrior fashion of the Royal Guard, his orange eyes a shade darker than Odyn's.
"The procession is where we're most vulnerable," he continued, using a stylus to highlight the main entrance to the Grand Hall. "Traditionally, both families enter separately, then meet at the center before approaching the signing table together."
"Which means we'll have to secure two separate entrances and the main approach," Blake observed, her amber eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Three, actually," Sarai interjected from her position beside Zero. The elven princess, sister to Odyn and Roy, had inherited the royal family's distinctive features with her own unique flair—her hair a stunning mix of blue and lavender with eye-catching crimson tips. "My parents will represent our family, entering through the main entrance. The extended royal delegation will use the eastern annex."
Zero nodded in agreement, the blue-skinned Arcosian's silver bio-armor gleaming under the library lights as he studied the hologram. "The diplomatic protocols need to be observed precisely. Any deviation could be exploited."
"And we can't forget about the diplomatic gallery," Khanna added. The tall, elegant faunus—known to most at Beacon as Seraphina to hide her true identity as Qrow's daughter and cousin to the Albanahr royals—gestured to the upper balconies. "Various kingdom representatives will be observing. Each will have their own security detail."
"Which Jacques Schnee could potentially use to smuggle in his own people," Pyrrha said what they were all thinking.
Jaune nodded grimly. "He's got the connections and resources to place operatives anywhere he wants."
"Not anywhere," Weiss corrected, her tone confident as she and Odyn joined the circle around the table. "There are limits to even my father's influence. And we have advantages he doesn't expect."
Odyn smiled slightly. "Such as fourteen fully-trained hunters and huntresses who happen to be our closest friends and allies."
"Fifteen if you count Professor Saibyrh," Scarlett Reinhardt added, brushing her crimson hair from her black eyes. Her red monkey-like tail wrapped instinctively around her waist—a habit from her Saiyan heritage—as the weapons specialist of Sarai's team grinned. "Though I'm not sure if he counts as a friend or just a terrifying ally."
Her twin sister Aiko snorted. "Both. Definitely both." Unlike Scarlett, who took more after their Saiyan father, Aiko's wolf faunus heritage was more prominent, though the underlying strength of her half-Saiyan blood was unmistakable to those who had seen her in combat.
"Either way," Lazuli Kitsune spoke up, studying the hologram with analytical precision, "we need a plan for every contingency. Jacques Schnee isn't known for subtlety when he feels threatened." Though mostly human in appearance, her connection to her sister Flare was evident in subtle ways that those who knew them could easily recognize.
"My sister's right," Flare agreed, her fox tail swishing behind her as she leaned forward. The power of a Majin hummed just beneath her surface, carefully controlled but always present. "The SDC has resources that could cause genuine problems, even with our combined strength."
Baron Caldern, the imposing second-year student whose family shared ancestral ties with Hailfire's, crossed his massive arms. "Then we fight fire with fire. Or in this case, money with money. My family's security firm can provide additional personnel."
"And the Zenkai clan stands ready to assist," Giblet announced, the energetic first-year nudging his older brother Shallot, who nodded solemnly in agreement.
"I appreciate the offers," Odyn said warmly, "but we need to be strategic about this. Too much visible security could create tension with the diplomatic visitors. We need to appear confident and unworried, even as we prepare for the worst."
"Odyn's right," Weiss agreed. "My father will be looking for signs that we're concerned. Any indication of worry will only embolden him."
"So we need to be invisible," Ren stated quietly.
"Or hide in plain sight," Daikon suggested, the normally reserved member of Odyn's team speaking up from his position near the corner. "If we present ourselves as part of the ceremony itself..."
"Brilliant!" Ruby exclaimed, silver eyes lighting up. "We can all have official roles in the procession! That way, no one questions why we're positioned strategically throughout the hall."
"And what would those roles be, exactly?" Nora asked, practically bouncing with excitement. "Ooh! Can I be the Official Hammer Bearer? Every royal ceremony needs one of those, right?"
Odyn chuckled. "Not traditionally, no. But there are honor guards, attendants, representatives of the various provinces..."
"And it's not unheard of for a royal signing to include a ceremonial combat demonstration," Roy added thoughtfully. "To represent the strength of the union."
"Perfect," Yang grinned, punching her fists together. "That puts some of our heavy hitters right in the center of the action, ready if anything goes wrong."
"We should divide into teams based on our strengths," Weiss said, already reaching for a stylus to make notes on the hologram. "Reconnaissance, crowd control, direct protection, and response teams."
For the next hour, the group meticulously planned their positions and roles. Blake, with her enhanced faunus senses and ability to create shadow clones, would lead reconnaissance with Zero, whose Arcosian perceptive abilities and tactical mind made him invaluable for anticipating threats. Khanna, Lazuli, and Aiko would manage crowd control, their combined diplomatic experience and unique abilities perfect for detecting and defusing tension before it could escalate.
"What about Uncle Qrow?" Khanna asked quietly, glancing around to ensure only those who knew her true parentage could hear. "Will he be there officially?"
"As a Beacon instructor and 'family friend,'" Odyn confirmed with a slight smile. "Your father has always been good at balancing his visible and invisible roles."
Jaune, Pyrrha, Hailfire, and Baron formed the primary protection detail for the royal family, while Ruby, Weiss, Odyn, and Roy would be positioned at the center of the ceremony itself. Flare, with her Majin powers carefully regulated for the formal occasion, would be stationed near the main entrance—her enhanced senses and formidable abilities making her an ideal first line of defense.
"What about Lailah and Saibyrh?" Weiss asked as they finalized the plans. "Where do they fit into all this?"
Odyn's expression turned thoughtful. "My aunt will likely insist on keeping my parents and Lyra within her direct sight at all times. As for Saibyrh..."
"He moves in shadows," Roy said simply. "He'll be everywhere and nowhere, as needed."
"And we can't forget Professor Goodwitch," Ruby added. "She's already volunteered to oversee security for the entire event."
"Which leaves us with one final question," Blake said, her expression serious as she looked at Weiss. "What do we do if Jacques Schnee himself appears? He wasn't officially invited, but that's unlikely to stop him."
A tense silence fell over the group. Everyone knew that despite his public persona as a respected businessman, Jacques Schnee was ruthless in pursuing his goals—and maintaining control over his family name and fortune.
Weiss straightened her shoulders, her ice-blue eyes hardening with resolve. "If my father appears, I'll handle him directly. He won't make a scene publicly—image is too important to him. He'll try to separate me from the group, to pressure me privately."
"Which is why you won't be alone for even a moment," Odyn said firmly, his hand tightening around hers. "Not from the time my family arrives until the signing is complete."
"Agreed," Ruby nodded emphatically. "Team RWBY sticks together, and that includes you, Weiss."
"And should Jacques Schnee attempt anything... unfortunate," Roy added, his tone deceptively casual despite the dangerous glint in his eyes, "he will discover that insulting the Royal House of Albanahr carries consequences he is not prepared for."
"Easy there, Prince Charming," Yang said with a slight smirk. "We're trying to prevent a diplomatic incident, not start one."
"Speaking of which," Scarlett interjected, her Saiyan instincts always alert to potential battle, "what about the White Fang? With all these high-profile targets in one place..."
"Blake and I have that covered," Sun spoke up from where he lounged against a nearby bookshelf. "Our contacts have confirmed that the White Fang leadership has explicitly ordered no action during the ceremony. Even they don't want to risk antagonizing both the SDC and Albanahr in one move."
"Plus," Blake added quietly, "they're still recovering from the dock operation. Adam won't risk another failure so soon."
Weiss nodded, satisfied. "Then I believe we have our plan. Everyone knows their positions and responsibilities."
"All that's left is to execute it perfectly," Jaune said with a nervous laugh.
"We will," Pyrrha assured him, placing a hand on his arm. "We've faced worse odds than an angry businessman."
"Much worse," Nora agreed cheerfully. "Remember the Nevermore during initiation? Or the Death Stalker? Or that time Ren got stuck in the cafeteria ventilation system?"
"I thought we agreed never to mention that again," Ren sighed.
The tension broke as laughter rippled through the group. Even as they gathered their scrolls and prepared to disperse for the evening, there was a renewed sense of determination. This wasn't just about protecting a ceremony—it was about standing with their friends, defending a choice made from love rather than political expedience.
As teams began filing out of the library, Odyn pulled Weiss aside for a moment.
"Are you certain you're prepared for this?" he asked quietly, his deep blue hair falling forward slightly as he leaned closer. "Confronting your father so publicly..."
Weiss met his gaze steadily. "I've been preparing for this confrontation my entire life," she replied. "The difference is, this time I'm not facing him alone."
Odyn smiled, pressing his forehead gently against hers in the traditional elven gesture of affection. "Never alone again," he promised. "Not if I have any say in the matter."
"Then let Jacques Schnee do his worst," Weiss said with quiet confidence. "We'll be ready."
Around them, their friends exchanged knowing glances, no one commenting on the intimate moment between the heiress and the prince. They had all come to Beacon seeking different things—strength, purpose, redemption, belonging—but had found something equally valuable along the way: a family forged through shared battles and unwavering loyalty.
And in two days' time, they would prove just how formidable that family could be.
Protective Measures
As the group continued refining their plans, Hailfire moved closer to her brother Baron, her voice lowered but urgent. The Caldern siblings shared the same intense golden eyes—a family trait that had served generations of elite bodyguards well in detecting deception.
"There's something we haven't fully addressed," Hailfire said, her normally confident demeanor tinged with genuine concern. "Jacques Schnee will be at the signing ceremony as the father of the bride. It's the one position we can't deny him without causing a diplomatic incident."
Baron's massive frame shifted as he turned his full attention to his sister. "You're worried about direct exposure."
"Jacques won't just try to sabotage the ceremony," Hailfire confirmed with a nod. "He'll target Odyn directly. The man specializes in character assassination and scandal manufacturing. One manipulated moment, one fabricated misstep, and he could create enough doubt to force a reconsideration of the engagement."
The siblings shared a look of understanding born from years of training in the art of protection. The Caldern family had served as unofficial bodyguards to the Albanahr royal family for generations, their presence at Beacon no coincidence despite the carefully maintained fiction of being ordinary students.
"What are you two conspiring about over there?" Seraphina called out, her sharp eyes—a gift from her father Qrow—missing nothing despite the casual tone.
Hailfire straightened. "Jacques Schnee's presence at the ceremony. We can't bar him from attending, which puts him in direct proximity to Odyn."
A ripple of renewed tension moved through the group. Weiss's lips pressed into a thin line, but it was Odyn who spoke first, his voice calm but serious.
"Hailfire raises a valid concern," he acknowledged. "My father may be High King, but he's unfamiliar with the particular brand of manipulation Jacques Schnee specializes in."
"My father excels at creating narratives," Weiss elaborated, her tone clinical as if discussing a particularly dangerous Grimm species rather than her own parent. "He'll be looking for any opportunity to cast doubt on Odyn's character or the suitability of this union."
Seraphina moved closer to the center of the group, the half-elven daughter of Qrow exchanging a meaningful glance with Hailfire and Baron. Though few at Beacon knew her true identity as Khanna, princess of the shadow elves and cousin to the Albanahr royals, those who did understood the depth of her training and commitment.
"Then we ensure he never gets that opportunity," Seraphina said with quiet authority. "Baron, Hailfire, and I have been preparing for this possibility since we arrived at Beacon."
"The three of you?" Ruby asked, looking between them with curiosity.
Baron nodded solemnly. "Our roles as students are genuine, but secondary. The Caldern family has protected the Albanahr royal line for generations. And Khanna—" he caught himself, "—Seraphina shares that duty through blood."
"You've been bodyguards this whole time?" Yang raised an eyebrow, impressed.
"Among other things," Hailfire confirmed with a slight smile. "Though protection includes more than just physical threats."
"We've been monitoring Jacques Schnee's movements and communications since the confrontation in Ozpin's office last week," Seraphina revealed. "He's been meeting with several individuals with... questionable reputations."
"What kind of questionable?" Blake asked sharply.
"The kind who specialize in creating compromising situations," Baron replied. "Setting up scenarios that can be misinterpreted, manipulating evidence, creating false witnesses."
Weiss felt her stomach tighten. This was exactly her father's style—not direct confrontation, but undermining from the shadows.
"We've identified three specific individuals who are likely to attempt approaching Odyn between now and the ceremony," Hailfire continued, pulling up profiles on her scroll and projecting them over the holographic display. "Each has been hired through layers of shell companies, but the money trail ultimately leads back to SDC discretionary accounts."
The group studied the three faces—a professional-looking woman in her thirties, a charming young man not much older than themselves, and an elderly gentleman with kind eyes and a distinguished bearing.
"Mira Vance," Seraphina pointed to the woman. "Former public relations specialist, now freelance 'reputation manager.' Specializes in creating or defusing scandals depending on who's paying."
"Devon Holloway," Baron indicated the young man. "Con artist who targets wealthy individuals. Known for creating compromising scenarios, then either selling evidence to tabloids or blackmailing the victims."
"And Professor Everett Ambrose," Hailfire concluded, highlighting the elderly man. "Respected scholar of international relations who's fallen on hard financial times. Likely being paid to 'coincidentally' engage Odyn in discussions that could lead to politically damaging statements."
"You've been thorough," Odyn observed, impressed but not entirely surprised. The Caldern siblings and his cousin had always taken their protective duties seriously, even when they were children playing in the royal gardens.
"It's what we do," Seraphina replied simply. "The challenge now is ensuring these individuals—and any others Jacques may have recruited—never get the opportunity to isolate you or create problematic situations."
"We can't just ban them from the ceremony," Weiss pointed out. "My father would have ensured they have legitimate reasons to be present. Ambrose, especially, has enough academic credentials to warrant an invitation to any diplomatic function."
"We don't need to ban them," Ruby said thoughtfully, her silver eyes bright with sudden inspiration. "We just need to make sure they're never alone with Odyn."
"The shadow protocol," Baron suggested, looking to Hailfire and Seraphina. "Three layers of protection at all times."
The women nodded in agreement, and Seraphina turned to address the wider group. "Here's how we'll handle it. Baron, Hailfire, and I will each take eight-hour shifts as Odyn's primary shadow—never more than three steps away from him at any time. The secondary layer will be teams of two rotating every four hours, positioned to intercept anyone approaching. The outer layer will monitor the known operatives, tracking their movements and communications."
"We'll need volunteers for the secondary and tertiary layers," Hailfire added, looking around the room.
Hands rose immediately—Ruby, Weiss, Yang, Blake, all of team JNPR, Sarai, Zero, Flare, Lazuli, and the others.
"I'll coordinate the schedules," Weiss said decisively, already planning the rotations in her mind. "We'll need to account for classes and other commitments."
"What about when Odyn is with his family?" Jaune asked. "Will they understand what's happening?"
Odyn smiled slightly. "My mother will spot the protection pattern within minutes. She trained both Seraphina and Roy in royal security protocols herself."
"And my father," Seraphina added with a small, proud smile, "wrote half the protocols we're using. Trust me, Uncle Berethon and Aunt Hyuuan will not only understand—they'll probably suggest improvements."
"What about the youngest princess?" Pyrrha inquired. "Lyra, isn't it? Will she need protection as well?"
"Lyra is..." Roy began, then paused, searching for the right words.
"More capable than she appears," Odyn finished diplomatically. "But yes, she should have someone watching over her. She's only twelve, and while she has inherited our mother's gifts for perception, she lacks experience with the kind of manipulation Jacques Schnee employs."
"I'll take personal responsibility for Princess Lyra," Lazuli offered. Her analytical mind and protective nature made her particularly well-suited for safeguarding the young princess.
"And I'll back her up," Flare added, her fox tail swishing with determination. No one with ill intent would get past a protective Majin.
As the group continued assigning roles and discussing contingencies, Weiss moved to stand beside Odyn, her expression a complex mix of determination and regret.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "This is my family causing all this trouble."
Odyn shook his head, his deep blue hair catching the light as he turned to her. "No, this is your father's doing, not yours. And we've faced worse together."
"Have we?" Weiss asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well," Odyn smiled, "there was that diplomatic dinner when we were nine, and you accidentally froze Ambassador Krolm's soup just as he was about to take a sip."
Despite herself, Weiss felt a smile tug at her lips. "He deserved it. He was being deliberately obtuse about the trade routes."
"Perhaps," Odyn conceded, "but the point remains—if we survived the wrath of the Mistralian diplomatic corps over a frozen consommé, we can certainly handle Jacques Schnee's schemes."
Their moment of light-hearted reminiscence was interrupted as Hailfire approached, her expression serious but determined.
"We'll keep him safe," she promised Weiss quietly. "Jacques Schnee won't get the chance to sabotage what you two have built."
Weiss nodded gratefully. "Thank you. All three of you. I know this goes beyond your official duties."
Hailfire's expression softened slightly. "Our duty is to the royal family of Albanahr. But our loyalty is to our friends." She glanced meaningfully between Weiss and Odyn. "And what you two have is worth protecting—for the good of both your kingdoms, yes, but mostly because we've watched this relationship grow from a political arrangement into something real and valuable."
As Hailfire rejoined the tactical discussion, Weiss found herself newly grateful for the strange, diverse family they had built at Beacon. Friends who were secretly bodyguards, teammates who had become closer than siblings, and allies from across Remnant united by shared purpose and affection.
Against that solidarity, even Jacques Schnee's manipulations seemed less threatening. Still dangerous, still requiring vigilance—but no longer insurmountable.
"Two days," Odyn murmured, echoing their earlier conversation in the garden. "Just two more days."
"And then," Weiss finished with quiet determination, "not even my father can separate us."
Winter's Secret Support
As the planning session began to wind down, Odyn turned to Weiss with a thoughtful expression, his orange eyes warm in the library's ambient lighting.
"Something just occurred to me," he said, his voice quiet enough that only she could hear. "With all our focus on your father's opposition, we haven't discussed Winter. How does your sister feel about you being engaged to a dark elven high prince?"
The question brought an unexpected smile to Weiss's face. To Odyn's surprise, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek—a rare public display of affection that caused his deep blue hair to fall forward slightly as he ducked his head with pleased embarrassment.
"Winter," Weiss replied, her voice filled with unmistakable mirth, "has known about our betrothal since I was only eight years old."
Odyn blinked. "That long? But I thought—"
"That the arrangement was kept from us both until we were older?" Weiss finished for him. "It was, officially. But Winter discovered the documents in my father's study while she was still living at the manor."
"And she never told you?" Odyn asked, surprised. The Winter Schnee he had met briefly during diplomatic functions had always struck him as forthright and honest, particularly with her younger sister.
Weiss shook her head, her ponytail swaying slightly with the movement. "She didn't want me to feel pressured or strange about it. She thought it better I develop my own feelings naturally." Her ice-blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "But that's not even the most interesting part."
"Oh?" Odyn raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Winter not only approved of the betrothal," Weiss continued, lowering her voice further, "but she's been secretly working with the elves for years to protect it."
"With my people?" Odyn's surprise was evident in his tone. "Since when?"
"Since she joined the military," Weiss explained. "And she's not alone. General Ironwood is part of it too."
This revelation caused Odyn to straighten, his royal posture becoming even more pronounced. "General Ironwood? The head of the Atlas military?"
Weiss nodded, clearly enjoying his reaction. "I only found out last month when Winter visited Beacon. She pulled me aside after the combat exhibition and told me everything." Her expression grew more serious, though the underlying happiness remained. "Apparently, she recognized early on that father would eventually try to break the engagement when it became clear he couldn't control you or your family."
"So she positioned herself strategically," Odyn mused, his tactical mind quickly grasping the implications. "By joining the Atlas military and becoming Ironwood's specialist..."
"She gained access to resources and information outside my father's reach," Weiss confirmed. "And more importantly, she formed an alliance with the one man in Atlas whose authority might actually counterbalance my father's."
"Ironwood," Odyn said thoughtfully. "I've met him only twice—formal occasions where we barely spoke. I had no idea he was sympathetic to our situation."
"According to Winter, the General has long believed that stronger ties between Atlas and Albanahr are crucial for long-term stability," Weiss explained. "He sees our union as diplomatically advantageous in ways that transcend the SDC's commercial interests."
Odyn's expression shifted to one of newfound respect. "All this time, I assumed Atlas's power structure uniformly supported your father's perspective."
"Many do," Weiss acknowledged. "But not all. And Winter has been our quiet advocate from within that system for nearly a decade."
A thoughtful silence fell between them as Odyn processed this information. Across the library, their friends continued finalizing security details, unaware of the significant revelation being shared.
"Does this change our strategy?" Odyn finally asked.
Weiss considered this. "Perhaps. Winter mentioned she would be attending the ceremony in an official capacity—as General Ironwood's representative rather than as my sister. She's bringing a security detail that answers to her directly, not to my father."
"Additional allies we didn't account for," Odyn observed, a smile spreading across his features. "Your sister is quite remarkable."
"She is," Weiss agreed with unmistakable pride. "Winter has always protected me, in her own way. Even when we were separated by her military duties, she was working to ensure I would have the freedom to make my own choices eventually." Her voice softened. "Including the choice to embrace our arrangement not as a political necessity, but as something we both genuinely want."
Odyn reached for her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. "I'm beginning to think I should send your sister a formal thank you from the royal house of Albanahr."
"I'm sure she'd appreciate that," Weiss said with a small laugh. "Though she'd probably respond with something terrifically proper about merely fulfilling her duty to both kingdom and family."
"A sentiment I understand well," Odyn replied, his expression warm. "Though I find my sense of duty and my personal desires have become wonderfully aligned when it comes to you."
Weiss felt her cheeks warm slightly at his words. Even after months together at Beacon, Odyn's forthright expressions of affection still caught her off guard sometimes—a pleasant contrast to the careful restraint of her upbringing.
"We should tell the others about Winter's involvement," she said, steering the conversation back to practical matters. "It affects our security planning."
Odyn nodded in agreement, but before they could rejoin the larger group, he gently squeezed her hand. "Weiss," he said quietly, "thank you."
"For what?"
"For showing me, time and again, that there are always more allies than we initially see," he replied. "From your teammates to your sister... you've built connections that extend far beyond what any political arrangement could have provided."
Weiss smiled, a genuine expression that reached her eyes and softened her usually composed features. "We both have," she said simply. "And in two days, we'll make it official—not just as heirs fulfilling our families' expectations, but as Weiss and Odyn, choosing each other."
Together, they turned back toward their friends, ready to share the news that their alliance was even stronger than they had realized—that somewhere in Atlas, Winter Schnee and General Ironwood were working to ensure that the union between a Schnee heiress and a dark elven prince would become a foundation for a new future, rather than another casualty of Jacques Schnee's relentless ambition.
To be continued in Chapter 14: The Signing Ceremony