Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Portrait of a Prince
Early August - 80 AGW
The luxury airship Schnee Dust II descended through the morning clouds toward Arcadia's capital, its white hull gleaming against the azure sky. In the passenger cabin, Weiss Schnee sat rigidly upright while her father paced before the panoramic windows, occasionally glancing at his scroll with the intensity of a man calculating profit margins.
"Arcadia's founding," Jacques said without preamble, his voice carrying that particular tone reserved for pop quizzes. "Quickly now."
Weiss suppressed a sigh. "Ninety-two years ago, twelve years before the Great War. The Arc family, noble house of Mantle, went into exile when the Mantle King began suppressing artistic expression to limit Grimm attraction. The King of Vale granted them sanctuary, and after their service in the war, formally recognized the Principality of Arcadia."
"And their current economic standing?"
"Modest but stable. Primary exports include specialized Dust refinement technology, artisanal goods, and cultural media. They maintain favorable trade relationships with all four kingdoms despite their... progressive social policies."
Jacques's lip curled slightly at the last part. "Progressive indeed. Faunus integration, artistic subsidies, and a well-maintained military. Which makes sense given their isolation. Hardly efficient governance." He straightened his tie as the palace came into view - a sprawling complex of white stone and blue-tiled roofs that managed to look both regal and welcoming. "Still, their Dust refinement patents are quite valuable. And Princess Saphron Arc has proven surprisingly shrewd in negotiations."
The airship touched down with barely a whisper on the palace's landing platform. Weiss followed her father down the boarding ramp, trying not to gawk at the gardens surrounding them. Even she had to admit Arcadia was beautiful - all flowing architecture and natural integration that made Atlas's stark efficiency seem almost barbaric by comparison.
A small delegation waited to greet them, led by a blonde woman in her mid-twenties wearing a elegant blue dress with the Arc family crest embroidered in gold thread. Princess Saphron Arc had an easy smile and laugh lines around her eyes, but Weiss caught the sharp intelligence beneath the warm exterior.
"Mister Schnee," Saphron said, extending her hand. "Welcome to Arcadia. I trust your journey was comfortable?"
"Quite pleasant, Your Highness," Jacques replied, taking her hand and lingering just a beat too long in what Weiss recognized as his 'charming businessman' mode. "Thank you for accommodating our rather sudden request for a meeting."
"Oh, we're always happy to discuss mutually beneficial arrangements," Saphron said smoothly, retrieving her hand. "And this must be your daughter, Weiss. I've heard you're attending Beacon Academy - how exciting!"
"Yes, Your Highness," Weiss said, offering a proper curtsy. "Thank you for having us."
"Please, just Saphron. We're much less formal here than you might be used to." The princess's smile was genuine, and Weiss found herself relaxing slightly despite the circumstances.
As they walked toward the palace proper, Jacques immediately launched into what Weiss privately called his 'networking offensive.'
"I must say, Your Highness - Saphron - the reports of Arcadia's economic growth over the past five years have been quite impressive. The integration of Faunus labor into your Dust refinement facilities alone must have increased productivity significantly."
"We prefer to think of it as recognizing the talents of all our citizens," Saphron replied mildly. "Funny how treating people well tends to make them more productive."
Jacques's laugh had a slightly strained quality. "Of course, of course. Though I imagine there must have been some... adjustment challenges? Cultural differences and such?"
"Not really," Saphron said, her tone remaining pleasant while somehow conveying that this line of discussion was closed. "Shall we head inside? The council is eager to hear your proposals."
Weiss bit back a smile as her father's networking attempt died a swift death. Princess Saphron was clearly not the pushover he'd been hoping for.
The palace interior was even more impressive than the exterior - soaring ceilings with intricate murals depicting Arcadian history, crystal chandeliers that caught and scattered rainbow light, and everywhere the subtle integration of natural elements that made the space feel alive rather than merely ornate.
"The council chamber is just ahead," Saphron was saying as they walked down a corridor lined with portraits of previous Arcadian rulers. "Though I should warn you, they're going to want very specific details about any proposed partnerships. We've found that-"
Weiss had stopped walking.
She stood frozen before a massive portrait, her mouth slightly open as her brain struggled to process what she was seeing. The painting showed a young man in formal military dress uniform - deep blue with gold braiding and the Arc family crest prominent on his chest. A ceremonial sword hung at his side, and a simple circlet crown rested on his blonde hair. The brass nameplate at the bottom read: His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Jaune Arcadian, Heir to the Throne of Arcadia.
The face was unmistakably familiar. Taller in the painting than in real life perhaps, more regal certainly, but those were definitely the same blue eyes that had looked at her hopefully when asking her to the dance. The same blonde hair she'd seen sticking up at impossible angles every morning in Professor Port's class. The same earnest expression, though painted with considerably more gravitas than when he was asking Pyrrha to help him with his homework.
That's Jaune, her mind supplied helpfully. Vomit Boy. The boy who serenaded me with a guitar. The boy I called weak. The boy who-
"Oh, I see you've spotted my brother," Saphron said, appearing beside Weiss with obvious fondness in her voice. "Handsome devil, isn't he? Though that portrait makes him look far too serious. Jaune's always been more of a laugh-and-make-terrible-jokes type than the stoic prince the artist was going for."
"Your... brother?" Weiss managed, her voice coming out slightly strangled.
"Mmhmm. Though unfortunately, he's not here to meet you. The little scamp decided he needed to 'experience the real world' and vanished on us almost a year ago." Saphron's tone was equal parts exasperation and affection. "We know he's safe - he checks in occasionally - but he's determined to make his own way for a while. Very noble of him, though it's driving our parents absolutely mad."
Jacques had caught up to them, frowning at the delay. "Is there a problem?"
"No problem," Saphron said cheerfully. "Weiss was just admiring Jaune's portrait. He's about her age, actually - nineteen this past spring. You two would probably get along wonderfully if you ever met."
Weiss made a sound that might have been agreement if someone was being very charitable about it.
"I'm sure they would," Jacques said dismissively. "Now, about this meeting..."
As they continued down the corridor, Weiss's mind raced. Jaune Arc. Crown Prince Jaune Arcadian. The boy who had tried to help her study while she called him an idiot. The boy who had asked her to the dance and gotten a lecture about knowing his place. The boy who slept in the dorm room next to Pyrrha and whose snoring she could hear through the walls.
He's been at Beacon for almost a year, she realized with growing horror. Living in the dorms. Eating cafeteria food. Getting bullied by Cardin Winchester.
I've been dismissing actual royalty.
For months.
The council chamber doors loomed ahead, but Weiss barely noticed. Her entire worldview had just been turned upside down by a portrait and a few casual comments from a princess who had no idea she'd just dropped the revelation of the century.
Jaune Arc is the Crown Prince of Arcadia.
And he's been at Beacon Academy this entire time, pretending to be just another student.
What in the name of all that's holy was he thinking?