Oh boy, I've been watching FMA and this is only 1 of the 4 stories I'm working on. HERE COMES THE FMA SPAM! Greed is literally my bae, my husband, my dream, my everything. I also have a 2 Scars and a Dolcetto one I almost have a chapter for- and another one I have a big idea for, but not sure what the pairing should be- perhaps another Scar one? Scar isn't my favorite (Despite how many stories I have in progress for him), he's just SO interesting to me- his character is fun to write interactions with.
"Please, My Princess," A middle-aged man pleaded, leaning forward in his large dining chair and over the table to grasp at delicate, pale hands. Stunning sapphire eyes looked at the man unamused, defined lips turned down into a flat expression on a beautiful, heart-shaped face.
"No," She flatly said, keeping her steely gaze locked on the older man across the table from her. The man's similar blue eyes- now dimmed from age- shone with desperation, but the woman held no sympathy and kept her cold expression locked.
"But Princess," He began, his wrinkly thumbs gently caressing the woman's hands. "Major Alex Louis Armstrong comes from a very illustrious family line! Sir Phillip is agreeing to this union, he's a perfect candidate to be your husband!"
"Not interested," The woman quickly cut back, almost before the man had finished speaking. She felt the grip on her hands tighten slightly, not with the intention of hurting her, but probably from apprehension- fear of losing the chance for a profitable transaction. That was all the woman's father cared about- money, status, power- and the girl held no interest in being used for his dealings.
"But, Darling," His voice was shaking now, trying to stay sweet and soft, but wanting nothing more than to scream. The woman was silent, waiting for him to continue, but knowing she was just going to reject the proposal again. "Major Armstrong isn't like those other suitors you've turned down. He's a much nicer man, very polite, kind, loving. I'm positive you'll like him. I've heard nothing but good things about the man." Silence. Her crystalline eyes closed gently as she let out a small sigh, earning an excited smile from her father. But just as quickly, she opened them again and frowned.
"Still no," This angered the man and his face twisted into an irritated growl, gripping her hand a bit tighter yet again.
"Do you have any idea what you are throwing away?" He asked, his crackling voice raising a bit louder than it needed to be. "How much this will help our position?" Pursing her lips, the woman narrowed her eyes at her father and ripped her hands out of his ever-increasing grasp.
"Your position," She corrected, standing up from the table. "I'm not marrying him." She said with finality, her father's face slowly relaxing. When the woman turned to leave, the man eyed his guards at the door whom shifted quickly to block her path. She stopped in front of the two guards, lips quirked into a frown as she turned to glare at the royal behind her. "What are you doing?" She growled, already having an idea of what he was planning.
"I can't let you turn down another suitor, Annalie. I won't let you." The man's daughter pursed her lips and locked her eyes with his, as if the passion in her gaze would frighten him off. His expression lacked any signs of understanding and he straightened up in his chair. "You will marry Major Armstrong, even if I have to drag you to the reception myself." The two exchanged heated glances in silence and when Annalie broke contact with a defeated scoff, the man raised a hand to his guards. The two servants stepped aside and before Annalie could leave, her father's voice sounded behind her. "And don't even think about trying to ruin this. You may have chased off all the other suitors, but Major Armstrong isn't one to insult easily. If this meeting doesn't go well, you'll have more than arranged marriages to worry about." With this word of warning, Annalie stormed out of the dining hall.
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The bright sun that had shone over North Amestris had begun falling and Annaile's father waited impatiently in the dining room. His creased fingers tapped on the wooden table to the side of his food which had no doubt begun to get cold. His deep-set eyes stared intently at the door, waiting for her to enter, but when the ornate doors finally opened, only one of his servants came in.
"Where is she?" He asked impatiently, his voice raised angrily. He could almost see the young man sweating with nervousness.
"She's refusing to come out, sir." The young man informed, making the older royal quickly rise from his chair. "Sir?" The boy shakily asked as he stormed past him.
"This has gone on long enough," He barked, stalking up the large staircase and towards his daughter's room. "Throwing a tantrum over something so trivial!" Stopping at her door, the man violently knocked. "Annalie!" He spat, "You will stop this incessant behavior, this instant! You are twenty-three years old, you need to stop acting like a child!" The man got nothing but silence from the other side of the room which made his face twist into rage. "Annalie, open this door!" He barked, rapping on the door several more times. More silence. By this time, one of the house guards approached the man to see if he was okay, but the royal ignored his concern and snatched the key off his belt, shoving it into the lock. Harshly swinging open the door, both royal and guard were met with an empty room- the large window swung open and the sheer curtains swaying from the outside wind. "Annalie!" The man screamed infuriated, too late to stop his reckless daughter from hopping the first train out of town.