Centuries

The Royal Gaurd: Part One

In Remnant, there is a social ladder. At the top, you have the nobility (kings, queens, princesses, and princes), then the aristocrats (dukes, duchesses, Barons, and Baronesses), then you have the knights, and common people. The knights is spread into its own ladder. You have Generals, Knights, Huntsmen, Royal Gaurds, Squires, Paladins, and Huntsmen - in - training. Now, when one is a Royal Gaurd, they are able to be promoted to General. For example, King Maximus XIV of Mantle has a Royal Gaurd by the name of Neopolitan is also the General for their army. Her leadership is one unrivaled by others, despite the fact that people have yet to hear a word from the small girl. However, to become a Royal Gaurd, one must be strong, agile, loyal to the Monarch, and be able to think quickly. Yang knew these. General Ironwood had made it a necessity for her to know them. So while walking through the village with the driver walking next to her, Yang had to wonder, what made Her Highness think her fit for this important role?

"Miss Xiao Long," The driver said, drawing Yang's attention to his dark skinned, lithe form. "Are you more comfortable in pants, tunics, or battle skirts?"

Yang looked up at the store they had stopped in front of. "'Scarlet's Boutique'?" She said with a skeptical voice. She then looked at the driver incredulously. "Aren't they crazy expensive?"

The driver nodded. "But Her Highness wishes for you to have the best."

Yang rolled her eyes. "Look..." She just noticed she was unsure of the driver's name. "What is your name?"

The driver smiled, his gold eyes sparkling. "Sage Ayana, ma'am."

Yang nodded. "Look, Sage, the clothes I have have been with me for the greater part of my huntsmen training. I wore these in my second year at Signal and have been wearing them ever since." Her weight shifted onto her left leg, her right fist resting on her hip. "And I got these for very little. So I don't think going to a boutique will do nothing but raise the price of clothes that I could get somewhere else." Sage opened his mouth to speak, but Yang raised her free hand. "I know that Her Majesty is paying for this, but I would rather her spend more money on more important things than my clothes."

Sage chuckled and held open the door to the Boutique. "There is no need to fret, Miss Xiao Long. This man is an old friend of Her Majesty. He makes her armor, with help from a Huntress - in - Training at Beacon. And, if you have noticed, Her Majesty's armor is quite durable. Also, Her Majesty trusts this man enough that he will make sure you have the best clothing and armor at a reasonable price." Sage then whispers in Yang's ear, "Between you and me, Her Majesty is quite frugal with the Kingdom's finances."

Yang chuckled and walked into the boutique with Sage following close behind.

~line break~

"This is AWESOME!" exclaimed an exuberant Ruby. "My sister is Her Majesty's *official* Royal Guard." A squeal slipped past her lips, causing her close friend and partner to wince. "Weiss, isn't this awesome?! Oh! What if Yang can get us access to visit the castle! That would be AMAZING!!"

Weiss sighed as she tried to focus on her homework given to her by Professor Port, an 800 word essay on Grimm movements and behaviors. That was proving to be quite difficult, though, considering Ruby's excitement. But the fact of, maybe, going to see Nightingale Castle was... more than intriguing. "That would be beneficial to the White Fang."

Ruby's excitement was suddenly sapped from her at the mention of the group. "Weiss-"

"Don't Weiss me, Ruby. The White Fang is here to protect us from tyrants like Queen Blake."

"The White Fang is a group of misguided people who were told lies about our monarch." Ruby sighed as she climbed up onto her bed and flopped on it. Though there were only two beds in their dorm, Ruby and Weiss decided to make them bunk beds, giving them more room. "If Queen Blake was as terrible and bent on killing as Adam had said, then why did she not attack Yang when she had the chance? Why ask my sister to become her official Royal Gaurd?"

Weiss scoffed, climbing up to lay next to Ruby. "Because she's smart and knew how many White Fang operatives were in that room."

"Weiss, I think Her Majesty could have easily beaten every single one of us."

Weiss sighs. "I know, Ruby."

Ruby smiled and wrapped an arm around Weiss, pulling her closer. "Weiss, just because your father is part of the White Fang does not mean you need to be. Heck, your father wanted you to go to Atlas in Mantle. Now look at where you are."

Weiss chuckled. "True." She then nuzzles Ruby. "Thank you, Ruby."

Ruby's smile widened. "Anything for you, Ice Queen."

"Shut up and cuddle with me, Dunce."