Chapter 3: Führer
It was a wonderful morning. The day had finally come. In a matter of hours, Grumman would relinquish the power to Roy in a public ceremony. Riza had barely managed to get some rest the previous night, since she couldn't stop thinking about the safety measures that would have to be taken during the event, the commotion she would have to brace herself for, and the joy and pride she felt for her commanding officer.
Before getting on her car to go to Headquarters, she spotted the newsstand across the street and approached it. Most of the newspapers and magazines talked about the same thing on their cover. Some headlines were 'End of Grumman Era', 'Is Mustang the next Bradley?' and a women's magazine cover read 'Roy Mustang: hot and single'. Riza snickered at that. The one that called her attention the most, however, read 'Mustang becomes Führer'. She bought a copy of that.
A multitude waited impatiently for the new Führer to appear on stage and get on the podium as Grumman made his last statement. A huge national flag behind him represented every single person in the amphitheatre.
Backstage, a tall, handsome man with slicked raven hair and military issued uniform with four stars on his epaulette remained soberly calm and content. He couldn't say he wasn't nervous in the slightest, but he was used by now to speaking in front of big audiences. He had prepared himself for this event for most of his career. He was accompanied by his ever-loyal Lieutenant Colonel Hawkeye and Captain Havoc, among a few other officers in charge of his personal security. Every spot in the city with sights to the stage had been covered to ensure the safety of both the old and the new Führers of the country.
Grumman stood solemn as he finished talking through the microphone before him. "It is with enormous pride and pleasure I now introduce to you, Mr. Roy Mustang, the new Führer of Amestris."
That was his cue. The crowd exploded in applause as the Flame Alchemist finally made his appearance and saluted the old man. Riza positioned herself near the wall to his left, his weaker side; and Jean to his right. As the noise dissipated he noticed everyone he knew sitting at the first few rows. The Elrics, the Hughes, the Armstrongs, the rest of his team and his aunt among others. He was ready.
He took a deep breath and began his speech. "Citizens of Amestris, thank you for gathering here today."
Hawkeye and Havoc shared a look. He was doing it; their lifelong friend and commander was living his moment.
"It is a great honor to be the Head of State. I will take this power with responsibility and commitment. Following Grumman's lead, this country will undergo several changes in the coming years that will only be for the good of the people. As a soldier who has experienced the war first-hand…" He made eye contact with Gracia Hughes. "As a man who has lost dear friends, both in the battlefield and in the search of truth and justice…" He looked back at the crowd. "It is my dream and my intention, to prevent that from ever happening again."
There was a pause as a short clapping was heard throughout the place.
"The future of Amestris is clear. I will work hard to restore the image of the Amestrian Military and make it an organization that can be trusted and respected by every man and woman born within these borders as it once was.
I've had your support during the restoration of Ishval. It hasn't been an easy nor a quick feat. It took a big effort on our part, and years later we're still constructing buildings and developing the economy aspects of the region. But all of that wouldn't have been possible without the collaboration of the Ishvalans, who confided in the State to do it.
As the Führer, I will do everything humanly possible to ensure your safety and wellbeing. I will look after you."
He turned to Riza and she nodded encouragingly. He continued.
"But I'm only human, and I can't do it alone. So I will ask of you, to protect the ones you love, so they can protect the ones they love in return. As such, we will have built a strong, unbreakable brotherhood through a chain of collaboration. We are one country, and if we all unite as one strong entity, then nothing will ever tear us down. We will function as one, and we will head towards a new era of constant growth and prosperity. Thank you."
He smiled and the audience gave a standing ovation. There was an announcement and everyone stood on their places as the national anthem started to sound. The first time it did so with Roy at the top. Covertly, he looked at Riza again, whose eyes shone with emotion. He winked at her, then took an intake of air and observed the scene before him. These were the people he would protect.
The post-ceremony party was held that same night at Central Palace, the fanciest hotel in the city which had a huge elegant events room. The attendants were the highest ranked military officers and their spouses as well as the Parliament members and Roy's personal guests.
After everyone arrived, they proceeded to the traditional waltz. The Führer's first dance was with the widowed Mrs. Bradley, the ex-First Lady. The woman knew how to move on the dance floor despite her age, since she was used to military galas. Then he danced with May Chang, the seventeenth royal princess of Xing; now also known as Alphonse Elric's girlfriend.
As etiquette dictated, the next one was General Olivier Armstrong. He didn't even try to hide the smirk as he took her hand.
"General Armstrong."
"Führer Mustang," she addressed as they started moving. "I guess I have to congratulate you."
"I appreciate it."
Her face darkened. "Mess it up just once, you lucky son of a bitch, and I will not hesitate to kill you."
He smiled in return; this wasn't a surprise to him at all. "Is that a threat to the Führer, General?"
"Just a warning."
He nodded and found Riza in the crowd waiting for her turn. "Don't worry, though. I already made someone promise to shoot me if I stray from the correct path."
Finally, he was able to dance with his dearest subordinate. She donned an elegant black gown since the dress code was formal wear rather than the military uniform. The only exception was the newly-ranked Führer, who was also required to carry all of his badges in sight on the blue fabric.
"You made it, Führer," she said happily.
"We made it," he corrected her.
They swayed silently; there was still too much attention on him for them to feel at ease. But it was their first dance together with him as the Führer, and they enjoyed it greatly, etching the moment in their memories to always remember it. Their time was short, however; he had to move on and take another woman for a round. Among them were Winry Rockbell-Elric and Gracia Hughes, but they were followed by other female military officers and wives of the higher-ups whom he hadn't even met before. If he could have been honest, he would have stopped after Riza.
Eventually, everyone sat at their tables and had an exquisite dinner while seeing a few entertaining shows. Roy's table occupants weren't the most fun of the room, unfortunately. But the assignments were, however, politically correct. With him were the ex-Führer Grumman, the young Emperor of Xing, Ling Yao; General Armstrong, Lieutenant General Douglas and, thanks to his insistent requests during the past few weeks, Lieutenant Colonel Riza Hawkeye, who accepted to join him at the table as his personal assistant and bodyguard rather than his friend and second-in-command.
Jean Havoc and his second-time pregnant wife Rebecca, Fuery, Breda and Falman had a table for themselves not far from his. Edward sat at another with his wife and kids, as well as Alphonse, May Chang and Lan Fan.
"So the North-East joint winter training will be held at Briggs this year, then," Olivier said. "What about the South-West one?"
"We're still deciding upon the place," Douglas answered. "But South City looks the most likely."
"I see."
"How are the preparations going for the Xingese New Year, Emperor?" Riza asked Ling. "I hear they are impressive celebrations."
"Oh, indeed, they are. We celebrate for over two weeks and the streets become an incredible scenery; traditional decorations wherever you look. There are public shows of martial arts, alkahestry, dances and theatrical representations of historical events. You should come and see it for yourself one day."
She smiled. "I'd really love to."
"And the food! You just have to taste that food!"
"I have!" Grumman interrupted. "Such exotic flavors!"
Ling Yao's eyes brightened up. "I know! There's Chow mein, Kung Pao chicken, Won Ton soup!"
Riza wished she knew what he was talking about, but she could just smile kindly at his excitement.
"All of that sounds delicious," Roy said. "But now, if you'll excuse me," he said as he got up. "I feel like dancing tonight more than discussing these matters." He extended a hand towards Riza. "Lieutenant Colonel, would you join me?"
"Of course." She took his hand and they walked to the dance floor where he embraced her appropriately to follow the soft jazz rhythm.
Now he wouldn't have to abandon her quickly for his duty of dancing once with every woman; that had already been taken care of. If she allowed him (and he was sure she would), he would only dance with her for the rest of the night.
They heard the whispering, and noticed the looks the others gave them. They knew everything about the rumors that had traveled around the military, but they were never fazed by them. And tonight, with a historic change for Amestris, but also for Roy's life, he decided it wouldn't matter anymore. The Führer was dismissed of many of the rules by which he'd had to abide for the entirety of his career. That aspect had become, although not the only one and not the main, an important goal that fueled his will to reach the top.
"I can't thank you enough," he told her.
She smiled. "For sitting with you? I just didn't see what part I would be taking in a table full of politicians."
"No, but thanks for that too. And you better get used to it, anyway." She lifted an eyebrow. "I meant this day. My promotion. Nothing of this would have been possible without your involvement."
"And without yours, either. I don't think I could have become Führer on my own if I tried, you know."
He laughed. "Maybe not. But you'll work hand in hand with the Führer himself."
"Oh, of course. I'll still watch your back and make sure you don't procrastinate."
"I hardly do that anymore."
"I know."
He held her closer as they kept dancing.
"You know these past few months I've been traveling a lot, meeting people, participating in conferences and having interviews." She nodded; she knew just as much for she had been there. "I did everything in my power to gain the citizens' trust and support. Still I feel like something's missing."
"Something like what?"
He smirked. "You know my reputation as a philanderer."
She tried hard to hide a grin. "It's true. It was beneficial in the past, but it can't continue with you being the ruler of the country. It's degrading, really."
"And therefore, I know exactly what I have to do to change that."
"Please, enlighten me."
"I'll finally follow Hughes' advice to get myself a wife."
She was so surprised she skipped a step, and he had to hold her tighter to prevent her from tumbling. "Oh… well… it's certainly the best way to be seen as a decent man and give a good example to the young ones." She lowered her head to avoid eye-contact. "And I have no doubt hundreds of women would want to become the new Führer's wife. Many of them must be smart enough to fit the role."
"I don't think you're paying attention, Lieutenant Colonel. I don't have the time nor the intention to start dating women."
She frowned in confusion. "You already have someone in mind?"
He neared his face to hers and tightened his grip, making her face him. Then he spoke in a low voice, so only she could hear. "How about the one woman who has been through hell and back with me?"
She froze and stared at him in shock. It couldn't be what she thought! "You don't mean…?"
He smiled confidently. "Can you do me a favor?" She blinked in confusion as he took something from his pocket and put it covertly in her hand, which she then fisted. "Would you go to my room and wait for me? I can't exactly leave my own party without saying goodbye to some people."
"Wait, you're leaving? So early?"
"Please."
After a moment of hesitation, she sighed. "Alright."
He left her side and she opened her hand to see the object. It was a key for room 611. Since it was a hotel, the event's assistants had the possibility of getting a room for themselves if so they wished. It was particularly useful for those inebriate enough to be unable to drive home, or those who stayed the entire night and preferred to rest for a while before leaving. Roy's team and closest friends had all decided beforehand to get rooms so they could have a more relaxed and personal breakfast together the following morning.
Riza wondered briefly if she should tell anyone that she was leaving for the night, too; since she anticipated the very private conversation she was about to have with Roy would last a long while. Her friend Rebecca seemed to be having an interesting conversation with the men in her table. The Elrics also seemed to be entertained, and she didn't want to bother Gracia or Elicia, so she finally abandoned the banquet hall and went to the sixth floor of Central Palace.
She didn't show it on the outside, but internally she was nervous. Roy had been quite clear with his proposal, and with everything they'd gone through together and the insinuations she had tried to ignore in the past but couldn't, she guessed she should have seen it coming. She wasn't happy, though; even if there was no doubt in her heart of her feelings for him. There were many things in her mind that prevented her from enjoying the moment and getting her hopes up.
However, the talk was imminent and they owed it to each other. They had evaded the topic for years but actions had spoken where words could not. And despite her worries and fears about it, she was eager to tell him what she had kept in her chest for a lifetime, and listen to his own confession as well. So she finally entered Roy's room, which was across from hers, and waited for him.
