The One That Got Away

Chapter One

Blake stared at her reflection quietly. Her black tresses were braided into a low bun, interwoven with white daisies. Her lips and cheeks were painted a delicate rose pink. Her human ears had been embellished by using two simple pearl earrings while her Faunus cat ears had been left untouched. Her long sleeve dress pooled elegantly beneath her feet, the fabric airy and sky blue in color. She looked perfect, flawless, unbroken.

Clearly, Velvet had outdone herself again.

"Thank you, Velvet," Blake murmured, turning away from the mirror to give her closest lady-in-waiting a soft smile. "What could I do without you?"

Velvet giggled, interlocking her hands in a humble manner as she immediately began deflecting the compliment. "It was nothing, Your Highness. It is my job as your lady-in-waiting after all..."

"Just Blake, Velvet. How many times do I have to remind you?"

Velvet shook her head, chocolate-brown hair flying back and forth. "I'm sorry, Your Highness--er, Blake..."

Blake sighed, already knowing that her efforts were futile. Ever since Velvet had been assigned to be her one and only lady-in-waiting a year ago, she had never addressed Blake without formality and would not start to anytime soon. She was always respectful in her forms of address, always pleasant and nice and never mean-spirited. Velvet was the only daughter of Lady Scarlatina -- an important advisor to both House Belladonna and the royal council. Over time, especially after she and Ilia had begun drifting away from each other, Velvet had become one of Blake's most treasured friends.

"Will both the Vale and Vacuo diplomats be arriving today?" Velvet asked, switching topics as she began to flit around Blake's bedroom, her own brown skirts fluttering from the quick swish of her movements. She was looking for the pair of silver sandals she knew Blake owned but almost never used.

They would look great with the outfit... Velvet mused internally.

Blake hummed, turning back around to appraise herself in the mirror. "We will be receiving the Vacuo diplomats today, no later this afternoon. Their ships were spotted in the harbor west of Kuo Kuana this early morning, so it will not take them long before they arrive at the palace. The Vale diplomats, on the other hand, will most likely arrive a few days later."

Comfortable silence filled the room, before Velvet said innocently, "And who are the diplomats?"

Blake exhaled tiredly at Velvet's tone of voice, averting her gaze from the mirror to meet her friend's mirthful stare. "...you already know...don't you?"

Velvet fluttered back to Blake's side, handing her the silver sandals as a cheerful grin appeared on her face. "I don't know what you mean, Your Highness."

Blake huffed, strapping on the sandals as she gave Velvet a small frown. "Velvet, please. I am not sure what reaction it is you want to see from me, but--"

"-- it's Prince Sun! Prince Sun and two other envoys! How are you not excited?"

Blake stayed silent for a moment, straying to look outside her bedroom's large glass window. She watched as the sun beamed brightly outside, birds flying in and out of trees, their chirping as sweet as music. It was a beautiful day, Blake recognized.

A beautiful day...and it is being wasted on an audience with Vacuo.

"...Your Highness...?" Velvet timidly inquired, worry brimming across her face as she stared at Blake who seemed to be totally looking past her, her golden eyes unfocused. They were a dead giveaway that she was not present in time. Velvet's worry increased.

"...I-I apologize if I was being too brash--" she began quickly but was cut off.

"No, it's okay, Velvet," Blake blinked, sighing as she seemed to re-adjust to the present. "I got lost in thought..."