Chapter Text
Riza Hawkeye sighed heavily, closing the journal she’d been writing in. One hand rested atop the leather cover after doing so, finding no desire to remove it just yet. She let her hand linger, her pointer finger lightly brushing absentmindedly over the gold leaf embellishment of the pattern. It was fading now due to its age, some parts of it missing. Worn away. The book had been with her since childhood – a gift from long ago – and held a special place in her heart.
Riza’s shoulders slumped, suddenly weighed down with the burden she’d found herself with, that her family had found themselves with, which was now all noted down within her journal.
She’d applied the practice of writing down her thoughts in the hopes it would ease her mind, to rid herself of her worries. She still felt the same fears as before, however her mind did feel somewhat lighter. It felt like she could think clearly for the first time in days.
Riza was pleased, but mostly relieved.
Sitting back in her chair, Riza stared at the book. The childish, ridiculous urge to glare at it overcame her in her overwhelmed state, simply because of the information it contained, but Riza dismissed it. Becoming angry at an inanimate object would decidedly not benefit her.
Instead, she turned her gaze away, and it came to rest upon her jewellery box at the edge of her writing desk. Like the journal, it was an old gift. Worn at the corners, with the light wood discoloured in places after being handled so many times over the years. The paint on the lid had faded with time and exposure to the sun, blurring from a rather vibrant green, like the leaves on the trees outside Riza’s window, to the seafoam green of the sea, faraway in the west.
Leaning forward, Riza reached inside and pulled out the most important, sentimental piece of jewellery she owned. A necklace.
A light chain of gold ran through Riza’s fingers like water as she shifted it on her palms to get a better grip of the pendant. It was a beautiful piece. A golden locket hung on the chain, the patterns on it swirls of roses and vines which reminded Riza of the castle gardens. It opened up and the words “all my love, little Riza” lay inscribed on the inside of the metal. Riza swiped her thumb over the letters, a small smile playing on her lips. It was a gift from her mother.
The tight fist of grief constricted around Riza’s heart. She closed the locket and placed it back in the jewellery box, lowering the lid with great care.
It had been a year since her mother’s passing, and it felt like this crushing pain in her chest would never leave. Sometimes it left her breathless, heaving for breath and aching all over, just like the day she’d been informed of her death.
The sound of a knock disturbed Riza from her thoughts, dragging her attention away from the journal, the necklace, and the memories associated with them.
“Come in,” she beckoned.
Turning her head, she saw her personal guard enter her private rooms.
Roy Mustang was of average height with a strong build. His black hair was short in length compared to what was common in Riza’s kingdom. His preference was to keep it short so he could see what he was hitting with his sword. He’d also said having short hair meant the ends were less likely to catch on fire back home. Even with his playful wink, Riza still wasn’t sure if that was a joke or not.
His stride was long and purposeful, although not hurried. He possessed an elegance she could be envious of at times. His movements were fluid, seeming to glide across the floor as he moved. It was a common trait amongst the people born near the volcanic lands to the south, apparently. A result of their training in one of the preferred fighting styles.
He was of the Fire Kingdom, forged from fire, her father had always told her as a child, their movements like molten metal. It was an old myth, dating back eons, that their ancestors were born from the volcanoes which littered their lands and surrounded their borders, so they’d settled there. They always felt at one with the power of the mountains and felt more comfortable being near them.
Riza’s kingdom was nowhere near the Fire Kingdom’s and had asked her guard if he missed it at all or felt a longing to return. He’d just shrugged and given an indifferent reply. He’d quickly moved on from the subject, giving Riza the impression that he didn’t particularly care to talk about it.
Roy had come to live with Riza and her father in the castle shortly after her mother passed. It was a show of faith and loyalty to Riza’s father from the Fire Kingdom’s King. There was some bad blood between her kingdom and Roy’s, stemming from the invasion which had hit both their lands hard, however Riza’s more so. Information had gotten muddled in communication lines, and there were accusations aid didn’t come when it should have, so in order to maintain peace, the King had sent his youngest son as a peace offering.
From their first meeting Roy had been indifferent about his new station and duty, and Riza had thought it odd they’d send a person for peace, but never questioned it. She’d been too busy reeling from and grieving the loss of her mother. After realising his predicament, she’d made an effort to make him feel more welcome, and, over a rather short time, they’d struck up a friendship.
His cape swished around his armoured legs as Roy came to a stop a few steps away, the bottom of the rich fabric barely kissing the white marble floor of Riza’s living quarters.
Roy’s clothing was notably different from the rest of the people within Riza’s kingdom. Where her people favoured green, the prince’s ceremonial armour – what he wore most days – was red with accents of gold and black throughout it, and the metal plating itself made of lightweight steel. His family’s crest was emblazoned on the chest piece – a typical image of a flame carved into the metal in the foreground with a mountain peak rising behind it, both framed by two rivers of lava, coiling around them to meet at the centre, before “flowing” to a point at the bottom of the crest.
The typical uniform in Riza’s kingdom was relatively the same as Roy’s, however with green instead of red dominating the design. She hailed from the forests, so it was only natural their crest, their banner, and their guard’s uniforms represented the greenery which flourished throughout their lands. Even Riza’s royal cloak was a deep forest green. It was essential for them blending into their surroundings, her people preferring stealth as they moved. The abundance of trees made it easy to do so.
Coming to a stop, Roy fisted his hand over his heart and bowed low. After straightening his spine, his fist remained over his heart for another beat before lowering. Another custom from the Fire Kingdom. In the Forest Kingdom the guards simply bowed and remained there until permitted to rise. Riza thought it a silly and unnecessary custom, asking someone to maintain such an uncomfortable position until another allowed them to rise, however, it was tradition, as her father wearily told her over and over. She’d always made a point to bid people to rise as soon as possible when propriety absolutely demanded it but stopped her people from doing so whenever she could. It was an old, outdated tradition and she didn’t like it.
“Is something the matter, Your Highness?” Roy’s expression was concerned, and his head cocked to the side slightly as he regarded her.
“I am quite all right, Prince Mustang,” she replied. “It’s been a long day.”
“More news from the north?”
She nodded. “I’m afraid so.” She patted the top of her journal a final time before turning her back on it. “Every day I fear another invasion will come.”
It was the first invasion from the North which had claimed her mother.
“We have good defences, Your Highness.” Roy’s tone was confident, as was his expression. “Better than what you had before, your father is sure of it. We’ll be ready.”
Riza smirked to herself, appreciating his belief, however, she couldn’t help but worry. “Thank you, My Prince.”
“For what, Your Highness?”
“For always listening.”
“It’s no issue, you know that.”
“I know. It’s nice to be heard sometimes,” she sighed.
“Then I’ll always be here to do so, Your Highness.”
Her father was so concerned with the northern threat that he spent day after day cooped up in his office, strategizing and planning. He wouldn’t even consider consulting Riza because he was too wrapped up in preventing another tragedy similar to what had befallen them a year ago. She could understand it to an extent however a distance had been growing between them over the last year, when she needed him most.
Riza was glad she at least had Roy to talk to.
Riza deeply valued their friendship and his presence in her life. And even though they’d become friends, he still insisted on calling her ‘Your Highness’ or Princess. She’d tried to meet a compromise, as she was technically on the same level of society as her, both being children of the current kings, but Roy was adamant in using the titles. As a guest in their kingdom, he would not dishonour her and her family as referring to her as anything less.
She had frowned at that.
So, she extended him the same respect and called him Prince Mustang or 'My Prince'. It was the least he deserved after uprooting his life and coming here.
Offering Roy a tight smile, Riza stood from her chair and began tidying up her things.
“Take the night off, Prince Mustang,” she directed. “I’ll simply be in my rooms for the remainder of the evening. There’s no need to guard me in my own home.”
“I cannot do that, Your Highness,” he replied.
Riza’s hands paused on the face of her journal and her brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”
“I am tasked to guard you, Princess. I cannot take the night off. It’s not in my duties to do so.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. It was not to threaten. It was to scrutinise. Roy remained steadfast as she did so, the corner of his lips tugging up slightly in amusement. He wasn’t toying with her, but Riza knew for a fact he enjoyed riling her up. It was a hobby of his, and it could be incredibly infuriating.
“What if I ordered it,” Riza ventured.
He shrugged. “I have nowhere else to go, Your Highness. I would simply remain outside your rooms if you did, so I may as well be guarding them.”
Riza’s frown was full now. He did have somewhere to go. He had his own rooms. “You can go and rest,” she countered.
“I wouldn’t be able to rest, Your Highness, knowing you were unguarded.”
She huffed when his lips formed a playful grin. He was teasing her with his answers for everything.
“Suit yourself, My Prince,” she replied with a dismissive wave of her hands. Picking up her journal, she placed it inside the drawer of her desk. The pen she’d been using resting atop it. “However, I am going to take a bath. I do not need your protection in there.”
“Understood, Your Highness. I shall be waiting outside your rooms. Call on me if there is anything you need.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and left.
Right from their initial meeting Riza had always thought he was an odd one. Not maliciously, however he was the only person she knew who was prone to joking and teasing. He did it mercilessly sometimes to her. It infuriated Riza no end, but over time she’d started to see some amusement in it. Since he was her friend, Riza didn’t mind it too much, however there were times when his behaviour still confused her no end.
When he’d first arrived, she’d never experienced such a cocky and teasing attitude before – no one within her kingdom treated their Princess like that – and had become angry, infuriated, at his actions. After her father had calmed her down, he explained that was the way of the Fire Kingdom. They were more laid back and were much less serious than those who hailed from the forests. Realising her faux pa, Riza had sought Roy out and apologised. There was a twinkle in his eyes that Riza couldn’t discern, and she also didn’t like how he’d winked at her then told her not to worry about it before sauntering off to speak with her father, stating there was no harm done.
That moment had sparked his desire to try and get a rise from her as often as he could, Riza was sure of it. Luckily, she’d quickly learned to control her reactions and not give in to his teasing.
Despite the confusion and infuriation, it was a good thing, Riza thought, Roy had come here. His arrival had lightened up the castle and with his input at the request of her father, their evenings were livelier and there was less of a sombre mood around the castle, especially after the invasion.
Riza sank back into the white marble bathtub and let out a sigh. The heat from the water soothed her tense and aching shoulders and neck, banishing all her thoughts of the evening so her mind could finally try and slow to a gentle stop. The warmth embraced her body like a hug, holding her tight.
It reminded Riza of her mother’s hugs.
Her eyes popped open at that thought.
Even the smell of the soap did as well – a rich pine scent which had been her mother’s favourite perfume.
Riza stilled in the bath. A single tear escaped from the corner of her eye, and she sucked in a shaky breath.
These moments were desperate to sneak up on her this evening it seemed.
With a sudden jerk she raised herself out of the tub, no longer wishing to dwell in such a place that sparked those memories.
Hastily dried and dressed, Riza hurried to the door of her living quarters.
Roy turned when the door opened, looking at her expectantly.
“Princess?”
“I’ll be taking a walk in the garden tonight.” Riza walked past him, not sparing him a glance. She couldn’t, for she was too distracted. Her mind was troubled and plagued with thoughts of her late mother as she walked.
Being so engrossed in her thoughts, she didn’t even pick up on Roy’s footsteps behind her until she sat heavily on a bench in the castle gardens and caught the movement out the corner of her eye.
“You don’t need to stay,” she dismissed, her tone revealing more of her misery than she would have liked. She cleared her throat and steeled herself against the barrage of memories her thoughts that evening had unlocked within her, forcing herself to get her emotions under control.
“I know.” Roy’s tone was simple and gentle but inflected in a way which suggested he wished to do so anyway.
“I’m afraid I won’t be the best company this evening, Prince Mustang.”
“That’s okay, Your Highness.”
Her eyes fluttered closed. She wanted to be left alone, to get some fresh air and clear her head while she mourned her mother once more, and yet, she was still glad Roy was here? It was confusing but Riza could not deny how she felt tiny slivers of happiness and relief blossoming within her chest at the fact he hadn’t left her when she’d told him to, that he’d remained by her side.
“Why are you here,” she asked gently.
Her question caused a moment of pause. “Here, Your Highness?”
“Yes, here. In the garden. Following after me.”
“It is my duty, Your Highness.”
She shook her head. “I’ve dismissed you twice tonight and yet, you refuse to leave. I want to know your reasons.” Riza cringed at her wording. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to sound like an order.” She took a deep breath and gave herself a mental shake so she could think more clearly. “I apologise. I would like to know why, but you don’t need to share.”
“May I?”
Riza nodded as Roy gestured to the bench, asking permission to sit next to her.
“Maybe I just enjoy your company, Your Highness.” Roy sighed quietly to himself, pleased, when the weight was off his feet. The metal of his armour clinked as he made himself comfortable.
Riza snorted at his response. “You and I both know you’re not here because you want to be.”
Roy Mustang was thrust into the position of her personal guard against his will. Riza's father hadn’t expected the peace offering of the Fire Kingdom King’s son. So when Roy announced the reason why he’d come to them, Berthold was stunned and stumped. He’d struggled to think of a place for him, finally settling on appointing Roy part of Riza’s guard.
At first, Riza had never considered how hard it must have been for him. He’d been ripped from his home and thrust into their arms thanks to the actions of their fathers. He was an adult and a gifted fighter, however he probably had family back home, had friends too, and now he was stuck here. Riza’s father was not a cruel man, but when the offering was given, he’d accepted and Riza knew he had no desire to give Roy up. It meant the bitter talks between the two kingdoms could cease.
If Berthold held the life of one of the Fire Kingdom’s own in his hands, they’d have no choice to offer their support and assistance if another attack came.
“In certain aspects, that’s true,” Roy answered.
Riza shot him a sideways glance. “What aspects are they?”
Roy shrugged. “It’s cold outside at night, especially in your kingdom.” He shivered as if to further prove his point. “I do miss my home for that. The surrounding volcanoes kept everything warm.” He shot her a grin.
But Riza blinked back at him.
That was the first time he’d ever openly spoken of his homeland.
“What else?”
Now, it was Roy’s turn to blink at her. “That’s it.”
“That’s it?” Her tone was dubious.
Roy nodded. “That’s it, Your Highness.” A quiet laugh left him at the look of surprise on her face.
“But… Do you miss your home?”
The amusement on his face faded slowly and his jaw locked. Since he was suddenly in such a sharing mood, Riza wondered if she could possibly find out more about her guard. Her friend. It felt like she was the only person in the kingdom who knew him, for he never really ventured far from her side, but at the same time, knew nearly nothing about him.
Roy didn’t answer her question.
“Would you ever want to go back?”
He sighed. “We should go back inside, Princess. Conversing like this can happen inside the warmth of your living quarters, rather than in the cold of the night.”
“I’m fine with the temperature,” she reassured him. However, she scrutinised the side of his face. He’d actively avoided her question. He did that a lot. That’s why she was so surprised to hear him discuss his home. “You can go back inside if you wish.”
“Then I’ll wait.”
Frustration built within her chest, making her sigh, which bordered on a huff. “You’re cold. Go inside.”
Roy shook his head. “I can’t. I’ve got to guard you, remember,” he winked.
“I think I’ll be fine in my own garden,” she replied, keeping her tone as even as she could. “And,” she glared at him, but there was no real heat behind it, “I’ve been trained to defend myself, My Prince. You know that. I think I’ll be just fine, should the need arise for me to do so.”
“Still, Your Highness, I think I’d prefer to stay.”
Riza threw her hands up in the air in defeat.
“I simply enjoy your company that much.”
Roy let out an amused chuckle when Riza narrowed her eyes at him.