Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind? I don't care, you're here tonight.
"Alphonse, are you absolutely certain that this is a good idea?" The voice belonged to Winry, but the concern was that of his sister-in-law. Alphonse knew this was a bad idea, but why wouldn't he pursue his dream of becoming a doctor? Just because the country he had to go to was the one his former lover was from - well, Xing was a rather large country, the odds of running into her were pretty minimal. Plus with 40-something sisters, it wasn't likely anyone would know him. He wasn't a hero or anything, not like she or Edward…
Winry moved her hand to trace a finger gently over the inscription on the card, the royal wax seal, and the embroidered ribbon that held the letter closed. Somewhere in her mind, she knew that Alphonse was making a mistake - but he was going to do it anyway. She couldn't talk either of the Elric's out of a dumb decision, even if she wanted to. Her hand was resting on the card, shaking her head. "Look, I understand that you want to show your support to Xing by going to this stupid thing, but…"
"She has forty some sisters, and Mei is eighteen already. So I know for a fact that it isn't for her. Besides, she wouldn't recognize me anyway. It's been five years. If she did, it would be nothing short of a miracle. Both of us surely have changed since then." Alphonse was looking for excuses and Winry knew that better than anyone, but he still tried to hide the fact that he really missed the letters from Mei. "Ling invited me, I can't just say no. Besides, it's not like him to lead me into a trap. He's not that kind of person."
"Mischievous, creepy, and perverted? I think you have the wrong person," she sighed and flopped into a chair, looking to the taller man. "At least consider this; I know you'll be staying with Ling while you're there, but what if she's there? He's her half-brother, they're close...obviously she'd be seeing him at some point."
"If I do, I do," Alphonse commented, folding his arms and leaning against the wall. He propped one foot up against the wall and shook his head. "Ling promised me that Mei wouldn't be a guest at this event. I trust him, he's never lied to me before. Please, Winry, have faith in me, I wouldn't go if I knew it was some kind of trap. And it's a great way to start off my visit in Xing; catching up with royalty - how often can a kid like me say he met a royal princess?"
"One of almost fifty, yeah, she's so royal." Winry scoffed.
Alphonse frowned. Winry used to love Mei, she often told Alphonse that they would make a cute couple - despite the three year age difference. But now that Mei stopped writing, suddenly Winry changed her tune. That had him up in arms and the tension was quite insurmountable. "I still love her," He commented, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "It isn't fair."
"I know, Alphonse, but I want to be sure that you're going to Xing for the right reasons - not because of her. She's probably moved on by now - found a new crush. She was only thirteen when you met her, girls grow up and move on."
"You didn't." The answer was curt, almost painful to hear. As soon as he said it, Alphonse knew he was picking a fight with her for saying Mei wasn't royalty. "I'm sorry. I'm going to go finish packing my stuff. Maybe Edward will be back from town by then."
The night of the 'event' was here and Alphonse didn't even know how to dress or act. He'd been in a suit of armor for most of his life, so knowing how to dress at something like this was all new to him. The ball was thrown in honor of one of the many princesses getting betrothed. Because of turning eighteen, they could now legally announce the impending marriage. It was all such a strange culture to him, but Alphonse would support Ling.
Ling had been nowhere to be seen for almost the entirety of the morning, having sent Lan Fan to do most of his work for him. Ling promised to help Alphonse pick an outfit, but that was the one thing he HADN'T done. In fact, Lan Fan did it. And she did a wonderful job finding a tuxedo for the younger man to wear. The idea was for him to represent Amestris, not try and insult Xing by dressing like them.
"You look lovely," Lan Fan commented, fixing his bowtie for a third time that afternoon. "Quit worrying."
"How can I not worry? I'm a stranger from another land and the only reason the Emperor allowed me to come is because of the fact that I helped keep Ling alive during the fight with Father. I mean, other than that, why would the man even request my presence?" Alphonse sighed, pushing his hands into his pockets. "I'm just saying, Lan Fan, it's hard not to worry when you feel like the only person in the room who doesn't belong."
"As the young Prince's personal adjutant, I can assure you, he would not have brought you to such an event without knowing the extent of your diplomatic charm. You belong here, you just haven't seen it yet. Now, our customs are a little strange so just keep a few things in mind. This is an event for the Princess, so make sure to congratulate her and offer your gift in person. She may reward you with a dance, and if she does, take it. Otherwise, continue on to the fiance." Lan Fan smiled softly at Alphonse and ruffled his hair with her automail arm. "Hey, quit worrying. Ling is around here somewhere, just being a social butterfly. He didn't abandon you or throw you to the wolves."
The fluttering in the room ceased and people stood still. Taking his cues from Lan Fan, he stopped as well. Alphonse was carefully watching the long swirling staircase, it seemed as if it went on forever. Near the top of the steps was a set of ornate ivory doors where the two were supposed to be coming from. He noticed the male first, dominating posture and slicked back hair. He reminded Alphonse a lot of Roy, but kept the comment to himself. But then, his gaze traveled to the hand the man was holding. She seemed scared, a bit nervous.
His first inclination was that this woman was not happy with her arrangement. Who in the world would be? Her father was marrying her off because of her skills, because she would bring wealth to the country. The man she was marrying was a diplomat from another clan, joining the two top-ranking clans in social status. She was suffering, her pain was almost palpable. Her blue eyes were scanning the crowd with frantic worry, an underlying tone that he'd come to read very well as a suit of armor. But when she spoke, her voice was loud and demanding. Her presence was enough on it's own to cause the room to silence. There wasn't a hint of fear in her voice.
She spoke in Xingese, confidence laced each word as if she had practiced for a million years. But he wasn't focused on what she was saying; he was focused on what she was wearing. Her attire was nothing but traditional, and he loved it. She was adorned in a nearly skin-tight crimson Cheongsam that reached her ankles. The slit up the side was just enough to allow for free movement, and if this particular princess was like the one he knew, then the movement would be a blessing. But what caught his attention was not the bright vibrant red dress - it was the golden dragons that spiralled up the length of her gown. It hugged perfectly around her curves, almost as if the dragon had ensnared her for a meal. Damn, did the Xingese know how to dress. How could a man focus when she was wearing that?
That was the moment that Alphonse decided he would marry a Xingese woman, come hell or high water. He felt Ling nudge him in the side and shook his head, looking over at the shorter Asian man. "What, Ling?"
"Did you even hear what she had to say?" Ling questioned casually.
Alphonse shook his head and tried to feign an answer. "Something about how she was glad all of us could make it?"
"She introduced herself, dummy. Way to pay attention." Ling smirked and folded his arms. "You were distracted by the gown, weren't you? Our women sure are lovely."
"What is her name?" Alphonse questioned, waiting for an answer. Ling didn't offer any kind of reply. "Ling!"
"Ask her yourself," Ling replied, watching the girl come closer to them. "You look lovely."
She gave a graceful smile, bowing slightly at the hips so that she didn't show much. "You as well, brother. It's always nice to see you out and about, enjoying the company of others. And where is your female companion?"
"Interviewing a buffet table," Ling commented, casually smirking. "Princess, may I introduce you to my guest? He was invited here by the Emperor himself; a regular alchemist studying our history so he can become a physician. His name is Alphonse Elric."
She offered a hand, palm down, smiling at him. "I've heard of you. You're a bit of legend in these parts. I hear you're the only person to ever successfully face the Gate of Truth and come back with your sacrifice. An impressive feat for such a young man. I presume you wish to also learn Alkahestry?"
"With the Emperor's permission and the tutelage of one of the best, that is my desire." Alphonse bowed, then gently took her fingers to kiss them. "It's nice to meet another real life princess. There's so many in this country, I wonder sometimes how the Emperor isn't harassed by suitors of all types."
"Mm." Her reply was noncommittal, voice low. She leaned in close to whisper in his ear. "Because the men are afraid of us."
Noting that her suitor was far off in another corner of the room, Alphonse took the opportunity to slip his gift to the woman. While it wasn't much, hopefully the sentiment would have meant something to her. "I remember a young princess from this land telling me that all women in the clans must know how to fight. I forged these daggers from my old suit of armor and hoped that the lessons I learned would be enough to offer you harmony in your new marriage."
"The sentiment is quite charming," She handed the box off to Ling and smiled to Alphonse. "Come, I would like to dance."
"I...I'm afraid I don't know any Xingese dances. My sister in law did teach me how to ballroom dance...if that's alright?" He was flustered, his words forming one large run on sentence, voice whispy and shaky. "I mean not to offend, Princess, but I haven't left home in many years, and this country is off limits to us outsiders. I only wish to be the guest that your Emperor expects of me."
Before he could continue, she had a hand resting on his shoulder, the other tangled within his own. "You talk too much, Dear Alphonse. Please silence yourself and enjoy the moment."
"I must ask, Princess," He moved with her, allowing her to lead. How she could move in that dress was a mystery, but he wouldn't question that. Enjoy the moment. "Please, if it's too forward of me, do tell me to shut up - but I couldn't help but notice that you look rather unhappy with your arrangement."
"We live in a world where a woman can lead a country, but she is still not capable of picking a husband. I fear that this will not change any time soon, and my father feels it necessary to promote peace within the clans. Had I had my way, I would have never chosen him." She looked over at her hand, clasped within his, and smiled when he twirled her under his arm. "There are many pleasant choices in this world, but I must say he is not one of them."
"A woman should be cherished, not traded for profit." Alphonse muttered quietly, arm snaking around her waist. He noticed the looks of the people around him, but she didn't seem to pay them any attention. She was a great dancer, as if she had been to their side of the world before. "If you're unhappy, why not recant the marriage proposal?"
"Father arranged it when I was young. We don't simply get to say no." She sighed and lay her head against his chest; only slightly. "My only love has long since been lost; I hardly think he would feel the same after all these years. Such is the lonely life of the Princess of Xing."
"May I ask what happened to him?"
She tilted her head, a gentle look crossing her features. She seemed lost in the moment, thinking of a time since passed. "I met him as a child, and he watched me blossom into a beautiful butterfly. But time isn't kind to us. It kills all that it touches, and like our love, time was running out. He is still alive, of course. As am I. But time was not kind, and it decided that my fate was better wasted on a man who doesn't even call me by my name unless he's angry with me." Her blue eyes were full of sadness now, retelling her vague story of a man she once loved. "I regret the things I have done to him to secure my country's well being. But it was all a necessity for my father. I do hope he hasn't suffered much. Perhaps he moved on and found a new love, as I have. But unlike me, I hope he is happy in whatever he does."
"You're a very wise woman," Alphonse couldn't help but notice the whole room was on pause, watching them dance. Her fiance was watching, too; dark blue eyes boring holes into the back of his head. And as he stomped forward, Alphonse tried to get her to move, but she wouldn't. Do not cause a scene. Don't. You're the ambassador to Xing, do not do this tonight. Roy is counting on you to represent Amestris tonight. "Princess, I think-"
"May I cut in?" The voice was sharp, laced with anger. Thankfully the music was loud enough that no one else heard the interaction. Alphonse took a step back when the man forcefully shoved a hand between them. "Have a bit of respect, you're at a ceremony to honor the sanctity of our decision."
"Please, Liu, he meant no harm." She pleaded softly, moving away from Alphonse rather quickly. "I promise, it was just a dance to honor our engagement."
"What have I told you about embarrassing me in public, Mei?" His hand shot out to grab hers, wrapping his fingers tightly around her wrist. "You will obey me as your husband, or I will make sure your clan suffers, do you understand?"
"Mei…?" Alphonse whispered, shock crossing his features. His golden eyes watched the scene play out, but he couldn't find the voice within him to speak any louder as she was dragged away by a man she didn't love. How did this go so horribly wrong?
"Alphonse!" He hardly noticed Ling beside him, shaking his shoulder. "Hey, man. Party's over. People are upset, we need to go. Right now."
Alphonse turned sharply to Ling and bit his lip. "You told me she wouldn't be here."
"I said she wouldn't be a guest. You're an ambassador to Xing, Alphonse. You have to be able to do these things, or you can throw that title out the window. I thought you were a big enough person to handle it, that's why I told you she wouldn't be here as a guest. Now come on, we have to go before they realize that you're the guy who was holding her a bit too close."
Barely compliant, Alphonse nodded and left the palace, still thinking about the woman he loved. The one who told him she didn't love him anymore. If her story was true; then the letters were a lie. Now it all made sense. But how could he win her back if she was in an arranged marriage?