A/N: Thank you so much for reviewing/commenting WildSilence023, Beebop, LadyAureliana, ssadropout, Sailordeedlit, Stockholmsyndrom, NPC_MPDG, and Renaia! I love you 3
chapter 9: unfaithful
The young woman's smile brightened the cloudiest of days, vibrancy matched by the shimmering of her new cerulean gown as she waltzed around with excitement.
"Happy eighteenth birthday, darling," he had wished her fondly.
"Thank you, father!" she had said that morning with a cheerful lilt that revitalized his aging body. The laughter that escaped her lips was a contagion at its finest, and he couldn't help himself but laugh along with her. His dearest Tereza, the living embodiment of his pride and joy.
Her late mother would have been as proud as he was. He could imagine his wife's lips tugging upward in delight, enveloping him with solace unparalleled to anything the world could offer.
...Until that man soiled his perfect daughter with his dirty hands.
His legs weakened as she drew closer, and he could feel the rest of his limbs shake violently as he sketched the similarity of their appearance in his fading recollection. The elegance she exuded was unflinchingly hers, her mannerisms and body movement mirroring those of his daughter's, and for a brief second his mind was granted reprieve.
The Queen Regent instructed her to sit, and the blonde woman reluctantly tucked in her silk gown underneath as she chose to settle at the edge of the seat. The Chancellor followed her motion, straightening his spine against the cushioned chair.
Her anticipating stare was effortlessly displayed, the crow's nest around her eyes visible against her makeup-laden complexion. "What is your name, my dear?"
She listened to the echo of the broad woman's question in the scarce room. She twiddled with the lace of her dress as she replied in a cautious tone, "...Riza, Your Majesty."
The raven-haired woman took note of her apprehension and her eyes softened at the tilt of her head, as did the lilt of her voice, "Very good, child. Is there a family name that goes with that?"
The young woman replied with a growing confidence, "My name is Riza Hawkeye."
The mustached Chancellor sprang up abruptly, his booming voice crowding the room in a scolding tone, "Your name is not Riza Hawkeye! It is Elizabeth Grumman!"
Riza witnessed fury in his veins, and her eyes widened in shock, mouth parting slightly at the startling correction. She stared at the grey-haired man unmoving, and the pounding of her heart started to quickened with each ticking second until it rippled the skin on her chest.
Chris Mustang stepped in with simply a flick of her tongue, tone as composed as the rest of her posture, "Grumman, sit down."
And just like that her spectacled right-hand man unclenched his fists, gingerly lowering himself onto the seat he had previously occupied.
Nevertheless, the effort that was required of him to stay mute was barely sufficient. He looked like a vicious dog as he growled under his breath, teeth clenched to suppress the impulse to speak. Riza observed the bobbing of the man's Adam's apple as he swallowed another bout of outrage. His thick leather boots were tapping impatiently against the white stone floor, hands crushing his knees as he bore his eyes onto the ground.
The Queen Regent resumed her line of questioning, eyeing the young woman with her perceptive vision as she pondered over Grumman's bizarre reaction, "Riza, what brought you to Amestris?"
She replied with hesitance, continuing to pay attention to the Chancellor's conduct, "I came here to find my mother..." She paused, gathering scattered clues with the inhalation of her breath, "She was born in Amestris. Her hair is golden like mine, and her eyes are the color of chestnut. She is likely in her forties, judging by my father's age."
"And your mother's name?"
"I… do not have her name, Your Majesty. I have never had the pleasure of meeting her."
Riza glanced at the two authority figures. While the Queen had been raining down an inquisitive look on her, the man next to her had been sitting restlessly, hardly listening to the description of her mother as though he was familiar with each vital information. His agitation possessed the characteristic of a man who knew more than he let on, and Riza became even more certain with each tap of his foot.
Her hazel eyes displayed determination as she spoke with a suggestive cadence before the monarch could interrogate her further, "You seem to be acquainted with my mother, Lord Chancellor."
George Grumman's blood stilled under his flesh as she addressed him with boldness. He lifted his head up in a slow motion to study the fearless young woman sitting across from him, and he had to suppress the urge to rush to her side as a smile creeped on his face. He chuckled to himself, feeling the drumming of his heart on his sleeve; even her impertinence was identical to hers. He was certain. She was, undoubtedly, their Elizabeth.
The shaking of his body gradually intensified as he attempted to restrain the joy that was bursting out of his skin. Men were not meant to shed tears, and yet he would gladly spill it and make a fool out of himself if he could gather her in his embrace once more. His glistening eyes finally overflowed, and his mouth quivered as a myriad of emotions wrapped around him. The long-awaited reunion had arrived, and he allowed himself to revel in the pinnacle of happiness. He announced his identity as he tasted salt on his lips, "Elizabeth, I am your grandfather."
Riza sat motionless, the unexpected revelation numbing her body from head to toe, and the voices in the room were becoming muffled. The Queen had spoken something, she could see by the way her lips move, but she could not make out the words that were leaving her mouth. Instead, she processed Grumman's declaration with the rapid beating of her heart and churn of her stomach.
The commanding woman repeated, "Riza? My dear, are you all right?"
She shook off her mental stupor, "Forgive me, My Queen… I…" She shifted her perplexed sight to Grumman, raising her voice with a disbelief tone, forgoing all politeness, "...Are you sure, sir? Why have I never heard of you? Who is Elizabeth?"
Her grandfather rose from his chair to kneel in front of her. He stabled a hand on his aching knee, looking into her downcast gaze, and he smiled melancholically, "Darling, you look just like your mother, Tereza. She was my daughter. Your given name is Elizabeth Grumman."
Her eyes darted wildly as she scanned his silver irises, seeking an explanation in them, "But… But my father has always called me Riza… And my surname is Hawkeye, not Grumman..."
There was scorn in his scoff, "Berthold told you that, did he? Why am I not surprised. Tell me, love, where did he hide you all these years?"
Her eyes lit up at his name. He knew her father.
A mix of relief and excitement washed over her, and the gleam in her eyes flaunted a hint of giddiness. She wanted to throw her arms around the old man's skinny form, but with the Queen Regent in her audience she didn't dare expose such brusque behavior. Instead, she answered her grandfather with a telling eagerness, "We lived in Shetland Sea, between Aerugo and Creta. I lived with my father my whole life and never knew mother. And I-"
He interjected with the wave of his hand, his tone abrupt, "You lived in Shetland Sea? As in… the ocean?"
The conversation he had with Chris Mustang resurfaced. She had told him about these ocean people and their ability to transform into humans with fins. He stole a glance at the Queen, and the look on her face was calm as though she knew exactly what the young woman was blabbering about.
He trailed his steps back to the comfort of his chair, his brain attempting to wrap around the information.
"Are you a… mermaid?" The word sounded strange on his tongue.
Riza chastised her enthusiasm as she realized how much she had shared so willingly. Roy had advised her to be vigilant about the divulgence of her oceanic form. After all, the reason she was on death row in the first place was because the townspeople had witnessed her changing, and the secrets she kept could very well determine her life and death. They had not tolerated her then, so why would the Chancellor treat her any differently? Would the fact that he was her grandfather make a difference? Someone in such high command as he could easily send her back to the dark and damp prison in the blink of an eye, and she shivered at the thought. She knew, however, that it was no longer feasible to lie.
She formulated her response with a hopeful tone, "No… I am not anymore..."
"What do you mean-"
Riza tried to shift the gnawing subject with a sudden interruption, "Grandfather, where is mother? When can I meet her?"
Grumman's eyes darkened. The only consolation he had over his late daughter was watching his granddaughter bloom into a respectful lady. But even then she had been missing, kidnapped, and the aging father never fully recovered from both losses. He wallowed in grief once again as he spoke of Tereza, "Elizabeth... Your mother is dead... Has been for the past twenty some years. You were just a child then. Do you not remember?"
Disappointment seeped into her skin, followed by a tinge of regret of not finding her sooner, and she slumped in defeat, "I-I don't remember any of this… Forgive me… I don't understand why I... can't remember…?"
Her grandfather merely shot her a pitiful look.
Riza desperately scrambled through her muddy memory, remembering nothing. She wanted to scream her frustration out loud, and perhaps by hurling the polished brass vase atop the circular table next to her, but her father taught her better than to display such unladylike conduct so she restrained herself by palming her grimacing face.
The silent monarch finally spoke, "You don't remember your grandfather nor your mother. Do you also not remember Roy? The two of you grew up together, raised in this household, given lessons by the same grandmaster."
A flicker of memory invaded her mind.
The boy advanced at the count of two, poking the tip of his rapier past her buckler and onto her chest, muffled voice shouting in excitement, "I got you!"
She removed her helmet in an instant, screaming at him with index finger pointing in frustration, "That's not fair! I haven't called allez!"
He mirrored her, removing the headgear to reveal his tousled dark hair underneath, and he smirked at the blonde girl in front of him, "There's no such thing as fair in a real fight. You have to be ready at all times!"
The small girl lunged at him in retaliation, swiftly bending down and swiping her foot around his ankle. His slim body thudded onto the ground loudly, and he groaned in pain as he rubbed his bottom. Elizabeth stated with a smug tone, "You have to be ready at all times, Roy. Remember?"
She crinkled her forehead with a pinch. She couldn't tell if the recollection was real or the fabrication of her imagination. "I… I am not sure… Roy said we have never met before..."
"That's a shame, you two were inseparable," Grumman declared with regret before adding solemnly, "I spoke to Roy after you went missing and he could not remember what happened that day. I thought I was going mad, but I am certain something foul was at play then."
Riza stammered, "I… don't understand…"
Grumman's astute vision drilled into hers, "I am certain your memory was erased along with everyone else's that day, and I think your father had something to do with it."
"Wha-what do you mean?"
Chris Mustang stepped in, placing a gentle hand on Riza's shoulder. She turned her head to face the keen man, reprimanding him, "Grumman, I think that's enough for today." She tilted Riza's face up by the chin, examining her baffled expression, "Dear, you may take your leave. And if you see Roy on the way out, please remind him of tonight's event. He seems to be preoccupied lately."
"He will faint when he sees you!" Winry exclaimed, guiding Riza to the mirror in her chamber. The young lady straightened the front of Riza's gown, grinning widely at the beauty before her. "All right, I am going to get ready now. I will be back later."
Winry trotted to the doorway, exiting ever so quietly.
Riza stared at her reflection. A part of her hair was pulled back into a small bun while the rest of the golden tresses overflowed her back. The backless light blue gown was without sleeves, a deep cut down the center of her chest, exposing her breastbone. A portion of the bodice was embellished with detailed gold embroidery matching the color of her hair, wrapping around the back just above her venus dimples. The amount of skin her dress revealed only highlighted her sensuality, and yet the elegant design and muted shade gave her an aura of grace. She wondered if the woman in the mirror was who Elizabeth Grumman was supposed to be.
Her mind jumped to the conversation with the Queen Regent and Chancellor. If they had been speaking the truth, then it would explain why Roy had recurring dreams about her and why everytime she stared at him she would get stuck in a perpetual rumination of his familiarity. Perhaps the Queen's right-hand man, her grandfather, hadn't been too farfetched with his conjecture.
She heard a creak from the door and saw the soon-to-be-king stroll in wearing a maroon high-neck tunic that complemented his fair complexion. His black hair was slicked neatly, bangs no longer obstructing his eyes and instead emphasizing the depth of his dark orbs. The leather jerkin over his shirt hugged his torso snugly, accentuating his broad shoulders and toned body, and she found herself linger her gaze on him.
Roy approached her with an adoring smile, and she intuitively smiled back in return. The handsome man stood an intimate distance behind her. He placed his hand on her naked shoulder, tucking her blonde locks over to one side. He brushed his lips on her bare neck and slipped his arms around her slim figure to wrap her in an affectionate embrace. He whispered in her ear, "You look beautiful, Riza."
She giggled lightly as she leaned her head against him, sliding her soft hands over his and uniting the warmth of their skin, "You are not so bad yourself, Roy."
Riza closed her eyes as their bodies swayed side to side to the tune of evening breeze entering through the window. Roy placed a gentle kiss on her temple, and they reveled in each other's presence, simply enjoying the brief moment before the start of the party.
Roy's hot breath ghosted her cheek as he tightened his hug, "Sorry I haven't visited since this morning. We had a council meeting for the ball. How was your meeting with old man Grumman?"
She loosened herself from his grip as she turned to face him, her chest becoming heavy. But the look in her eyes was of eagerness, and it was confirmed with the tone of her voice, "Roy, did you know he's my grandfather?"
Roy's expression quickly changed to bewilderment, "Your… grandfather? He told me before that he had a granddaughter who was missing, but he never mentioned a Riza before. His granddaughter's name was-"
She interjected smoothly, "Elizabeth Grumman?"
"Right. Elizabeth..."
She sighed wearily, reciting the essence of their dialogue as Roy looked on with anticipation, "He said my name is Elizabeth Grumman. My mother's name was Tereza, his daughter. And apparently, you and I also grew up together here. In this castle..." She cupped his cheek with a tender hand, and she studied the outline of his face, taking note of the uneven folds of his eyelids, noticing the tiny blemish above his lips. He wasn't flawless, but he was perfect in her eyes, and it reignited her frustration that she couldn't remember him more than the past few weeks.
A knock at the door jerked her head towards it, and Roy unwillingly released her to peek through the opening. Winry stood in her gown, ready to accompany Riza to the party as requested by Roy. He gave Winry a berating look for her intrusion, but the persistent young woman lectured him that the party was starting soon, and he relented.
He swung the wooden slab widely, allowing Riza to exit the room only for him to follow after. Riza beamed a smile at the lady-in-waiting, complimenting her dark green dress, and Winry twirled in glee before curtsying out of habit. Winry had previously told Roy she would have kept Riza company even without him asking. The bond the two women had formed since the night Riza restored her voice had only strengthened, and he was glad that she had forged a friendship with someone he regarded as a family member.
Glad though he was, a large part of his mind had been uneasy, constricting his chest with each passing hour. Roy knew precisely why he had felt this way. He had forgotten about it in the few weeks she had been away, but Pinako had been observing, scrutinizing his fast attachment with the beautiful guest, and she respectfully reminded him that his fiancée would be arriving for tonight's ball.
He swallowed thickly as he strung together his breakup speech for Vanessa. He wasn't sure how she would react, considering the fact that the dissolution of their engagement would mean the end of her queenship. But he knew riches, land, and titles were not her drive. She truly was a pleasant companion to be around, amiable and attractive, and he knew she deeply cared for him. Nonetheless, these facts only heightened his guilt, and however brief their courtship might have been, she didn't deserve the treatment he had given her let alone the infidelity he committed without her knowledge.
He shifted his focus to Riza, who was walking arm in arm with Winry in front of him, and he smiled to himself as warmth course through him, temporarily ridding his body of the nagging anxiety. The short period of time she had spent with him filled his days with more happiness than he had ever known in his entire life. He knew he had fallen for her, and he traced back the feeling to the moment he opened his eyes on the sandy shore. Even his disinclination about ascending the throne quickly dissipated at the thought of her by his side, and as much as Roy hated to admit, he was starting to believe in the concept of true love.
They eventually passed the lengthy solar room, and as the three of them exited to the courtyard two able-bodied guards fell into steps behind Roy. He figured they must have been assigned to him by the ever watchful Chancellor, especially now that he was back, and Roy had to remind himself to get used to the sudden intrusion when the time came.
As they strided through the gatehouse, a womanly figure in the distance raised her arm in a small wave, catching the two women's attention. The darkish-haired female stood less than a hundred feet away in a stylish-looking gown, and Roy could barely make out the shade of amber adorning the overflowing sleeves down the length of her dress. He narrowed his eyes on the fast approaching woman, directing his focus to her face as he attempted to recognize her. The sun was setting as fast as the woman's gait, and he was unable to identify her until it was too late.
The outline of the woman formed into a familiar brunette. She slung her arms around Roy, shoving her body into his embrace in an almost forceful manner. The high-pitched voice was unmistakably hers, and Roy shivered in his spot as Riza and Winry watched from a foot away.
"Roy! Have you missed me?" she asked in a cheerful tone. Her supple lips were ready to peck him on his cheek, but he avoided it by backing away reflexively.
The tone of his voice couldn't conceal the surprise in seeing her, "...Vanessa! How... are you?"
Lady Vanessa tightened her grip on his arm as she swiftly dragged his reluctant body away from where the two women stood, Roy's two guards followed in step after them. The alluring woman twisted her head to look back at the young lady-in-waiting in a last minute courtesy, shouting to her with delight as she strutted away, "Winry, I will be borrowing Roy for the rest of the night!"
"Y-yes, my lady!" Winry hesitantly shouted back to the elated woman, knees bending into a curtsy.
Riza watched the brunette and Roy leave in confusion, her brows furrowing in puzzlement. She slowly craned her neck to face Winry, inquiring with a curious timbre, "Winry, who is that?"
Winry gulped as she registered her question, sweat slowly forming on her hairline. She realized there was no point in hiding the fact. After all, it was common knowledge and everyone except Riza, who had been as clueless as a stray puppy, had known of their relationship. The blonde youth clasped Riza's hands gingerly, directing her nervous eyes onto the ground before looking back up at the inquiring woman. Her throat suddenly felt itchy, and she croaked her reply with apprehension, "That's Lady Vanessa… Roy's fiancée."
A/N: I hope that wasn't too rough. Please let me know what you think! :D
