AN: teenage royai, royal au, what more could you want!
i wil admit this originally was posted on my "comets - a series of oneshots story" however not many people have read it and this is genuinely my fave and wanted to share it with you guys on this one as it works as a standalone au
i hope you enjoy reading it!
part 1 of 2
ELIZABETH
Mother said she had to wear this stupid tiara tonight but Elizabeth didn't know why. As she stared at herself in the mirror she turned her nose up in disgust at the flashy accessory. She was a princess so it made sense, but it was hardly practical. Elizabeth had never been one for dresses and jewellery but Mother insisted on it tonight.
Her gaze travelled wistfully over to her sword that lay against the couch in her room.
A knock sounded at the door and Elizabeth sighed.
"Time to go, My Lady," Mrs. Henderson called through the door.
"Coming," Elizabeth called, giving her appearance one last frown. At least she had a knife hidden underneath her skirts. A thrill ran through her as her riding boots contacted with the marble floor. Her gown was so long that her footwear of choice was hidden. Mother never said anything about not wearing those damned high heels. A grin spread across her face.
"Oh you look incredible Miss Elizabeth," Mrs. Henderson gushed. She even removed a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably on the spot. Nobody had cried over the way she looked before.
"Thank you, Mrs. Henderson," the princess replied. The compliment about her appearance may have made her uncomfortable but she had still been brought up to be a lady.
"Come now." The older woman reached for her hand and grasped it tightly, ushering the princess out of her bedrooms. "Your mother and father are awaiting your appearance."
Nerves settled in Elizabeth's stomach.
Noticing the slightly panicked look on the Princess' face, Mrs. Henderson chuckled to herself. "Do not fret my dear. The announcement will only last a couple of minutes then you will be free to do as you please for the rest of the night."
Elizabeth shook her head. "That is not what I am nervous about."
This week she had turned sixteen and was now seen by society as a woman. And because she was a Princess, she had to be introduced to the court officially. Tonight, this ball, was all about her. While Elizabeth knew she would need to become accustomed to a lot of attention being on her, it was still a daunting task.
Not to mention the fact that there would be potential suitors there tonight to meet her specifically. Of course, Elizabeth had no time for such things. However, it was her duty to converse with these people and build relationships with the Lords and Ladies. When she became Queen she would need all the allies she could get. Her mother stressed how important tonight was for making connections.
"I know the maids like to gossip and tell their stories about the noblemen and women of the court," Mrs. Henderson sighed, her face taking on a disapproving look. She had never been one to gossip, and Elizabeth had never bothered with it either, but one still heard things around the castle. "But your parents will keep you right. They know these people well. They wouldn't leave you to get mixed up in unsavoury affairs."
"I know. Thank you." It had eased her fears slightly, but her stomach still felt tight.
When they approached the door to the main hall the nerves had bundled themselves into a large ball. She wished Roy was by her side so that he could make some dumb joke and ease her worries. Either that, or she could tease him in some way to get her mind off things.
But he wasn't here. Apparently this was her night only and her shadow was already in the main hall.
She wasn't sure if her father had pushed her old friend to become a bodyguard of sorts for her. But in the last few weeks Roy had been acutely aware of her safety for everything. The activities they had carried out were nothing different from the training they had carried out the week prior. But, all of a sudden he was questioning everything.
"Are you ready?" Mrs. Henderson asked her quietly outside the door. She kindly old woman smiled at her, like a grandmother would at their grandchild. It brought Elizabeth great comfort, which she was thankful for. Invisible lint was brushed off the sleeves of her gown and wrinkles were smoothed out as the guards outside the door watched on, amused at the ever growing frustrated look on Elizabeth's face.
"Yes," Elizabeth replied, throwing her shoulders back and lifting her chin. Even if she felt like a ball of nerves, she would not show the world that was the case. She was Elizabeth Hawkeye, Princess of Amestris and heir to the throne. A room full of stuffy old men and women would be an easy task.
With tears filling her eyes once more, Mrs. Henderson nodded and murmured something to the guards, who nodded. They knew the drill. The trumpets would sound and Mr. Henderson – her father's steward – would signal her arrival.
You can do this, Elizabeth.
The trumpets sounded and she jumped in fright. The guards moved to stand to attention but they chuckled anyway. Elizabeth huffed to herself, embarrassed by her slip.
"My Lords and Ladies, it is my pleasure to present to you this evening Princess Elizabeth Hawkeye."
The doors opened and Elizabeth blinked at the sudden light compared to the dim hallway. Spells had been cast on the chandeliers – called witch light – to brighten up the room along with the candlelight. The main hall itself was decorated exquisitely. Streamers and witch light decorated the pillars around the room. The decorations were predominantly blue in colour and theme, with even the witch light holding a bluish tinge to it.
Elizabeth willed her legs not to shake as she descended the stairs before her. She was thankful once more she had foregone the heels. Mr. Henderson gripped her hand tightly, also offering support, and smiled his toothy grin when they arrived at their destination. He bowed low before backing away so she was in full view of everyone.
She swallowed as she finally noticed how many people were in the room below her. Too many sets of eyes stared back at her. Feeling the panic rise, Elizabeth took a deep breath.
You can do this.
Instead of lingering on the faces of the noblemen and woman, her eyes scanned the room, subtly looking for someone in particular. However the applause and the beckon from her father interrupted her mission to find the familiar mop of dark hair.
For three hours she spoke with Lords and Ladies, making connections like her mother told her to. Eight times out of ten she wanted to punch the Lords in the face for their not-so-subtle comments about her ability to rule. The Ladies were no better, inquiring when she would take a husband and produce an heir. It was that, or they were trying to force their son upon her.
The worst part was she had been left to speak to these people herself. Elizabeth doubted her mother and father knew the true nature of these people. They were all too eager to suck up to the King and Queen and earn their favour. Apparently the Princess was not important enough to practice the same behaviour with. No matter. Elizabeth made a mental note of their faces and names. When she came into power she would ensure they received the same disdainful and downright disrespectful treatment they were giving her tonight.
She was not some maiden, like they assumed. Elizabeth did admit, she played on it slightly. Better for them to think she wasn't a threat to their titles and lands. Then, when all was revealed when she turned Queen, the look on their faces would be even more satisfying.
And their children. My god. She had not had the pleasure of speaking to another young woman all night. It had all been men who were too stuck up and smug for their own good. If Elizabeth had her own way she would not have given them a second glance. However, she wanted to make her mother proud so she tolerated it. The Princess had noticed her shooting her glances all night and Elizabeth tried her best to reply positively. She only hoped it had been convincing.
In the whirlwind to move around the guests, Elizabeth had completely forgotten to search for the one person who would have made this night bearable. Not that she even had the chance to anyway.
After meeting everyone of importance, her father eventually saved her from the socialising hell.
"I do apologise, Lord Lochan," he interrupted the portly man and seemed anything but sorry. "But I must steal my daughter away for a moment."
"Of course, Your Majesty," he boomed far too loudly for the distance between them. Far too eager to suck up to the King.
Without another word, Berthold steered Elizabeth away from the man.
"I do apologise for not doing it sooner," he added, his voice low so only she could hear. "I could not escape myself." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, glancing up at him. Berthold grimaced. "I do not enjoy nights like this any more than you do apparently."
Fear would have gripped her if Elizabeth cared enough about what these Lords and Ladies thought. "Was I that obvious?" she deadpanned.
Berthold chuckled. "No, you were perfect. But I recognise a tortured soul when I see one. Here," he opened the door to the balcony outside. "Take your time. I will cover for you."
Elizabeth perked up and her eyes lit up at the grant of freedom. "Thank you, father," she whispered, slipping out the door.
She loved her mother, but events like this were just not for her.
The cool air washed over her skin, soothing the burning that was present in her cheeks from the stuffy room. Her skin prickled in response, drawing out goose bumps on her arms. She shivered involuntarily but she was extremely glad to be out of that room.
Elizabeth heard something shift behind her and within a heartbeat her visitor was pressed up against the wall next to the door she had just exited from, the knife from underneath her skirts pressed at their throat.
"Hey," Roy grinned at her. Despite the fact she had a knife at his throat, he still smiled and even offered a wave.
Elizabeth sighed. "Sorry," she muttered tiredly, lowering the knife.
"Has the night been that bad?" he chuckled as he straightened out his waistcoat. Elizabeth watched him, finally looking at him.
She felt a blush creep over her cheeks as she took in his appearance. He wore a full suit, complete with a waistcoat and silver pocket watch. In the dark balcony she couldn't quite make out the colour, but she guessed it was a deep navy. It suited him well. In fact, it looked really good to the sixteen year old standing before him. So close, in fact, that her blush deepened as the smell of his soap and the smell of him reached her.
Elizabeth turned at looked out over the balcony. Her hands were braced on the marble wall surrounding it, her finger pressed into the stone. It would not offer any comfort, but that extra stability would be what she needed to calm her racing heart.
Roy walked up beside her, copying her stance. She noticed how agonisingly close his hand was next to hers. If her old friend noticed, he show no indication as he stared out over the houses below the castle.
"You looked like you were having fun," he smirked, turning his attention to her. Damn him and his sarcasm. Well, two could play at that game.
"I was thrilled, in fact."
"Oh?" His smirk widened as he turned to face her, pleased she was playing along. He leaned against the marble with his hip, crossing his legs over one another.
"Oh yes. These Lords and Ladies are very interesting people."
"How so?"
Elizabeth brought a finger to her chin and cocked her head, pretending to mull it over. "Like watching paint dry is my best guess." Roy guffawed. "So, you know, the best kind of interesting." He continued to laugh and even Elizabeth found herself giggling as well. It was a laugh she loved to hear.
"That sounds like hell," he remarked once his laughter was under control.
Elizabeth nodded. "I can think of absolutely nothing worse. You are lucky," she added quietly. Feeling the fatigue of the night over taking her, Elizabeth turned around and sat on the cool ground. The cold seeped through her dress but she didn't care. Her knees were bent, feet flat on the ground, and the Princess also didn't care that this was not a very ladylike way to sit. There was enough material under her skirts that it all puffed up, irritating her while she sat.
Roy joined her, chuckling at her attempts to tame all the material. He also showed his appreciation for her choice of footwear.
"Mother insisted I wear this dress," Elizabeth replied, finally giving up trying to squash down all the material. "There was no way I wasn't going to choose my own footwear."
"Always practical. I like it."
The blush appeared once more across her cheeks. But it was dark enough in the shadow of the short wall that Elizabeth hoped he wouldn't notice.
It had been until a couple of weeks ago that Elizabeth finally started to notice Roy. Really notice him. Growing up he had been her best friend, but also someone to tease and play with every day. They had become inseparable, and still were to this day.
But now that she was a woman things were starting to change. When he smiled at her, Elizabeth noticed an odd sensation appearing in her stomach while her heart fluttered in her chest. She found herself wanting to spend more and more time with him, which was becoming increasingly difficult as her lessons about becoming Queen picked up in frequency and length week by week.
The only time they had to themselves was during training. About six times out of ten she would always beat him in a sparring match. It pleased her greatly and irritated him no end, which only furthered her amusement. When it came to magic, however, she was completely outgunned. The boy had always been tricky, casting subtle spells while they sparred, to ensure his victory.
The memory of the two of them training last week came unbidden into Elizabeth's head.
Not now, she thought with embarrassed horror. Her stomach clenched and her heart fluttered.
Elizabeth had been winning but something Roy had said – she couldn't even remember what – threw her. In a second, he had her pinned in the dirt. The memory of his leg pressed across her hips, his hands grasping her own above her head, still haunted her to this day.
"I tried to look for you earlier," Elizabeth managed to choke out. Anything to steer her mind away from the path it was currently travelling down. "I'm sorry, I got caught up in speaking to stuck up Lord So and So and his wife, Lady Patronising as Hell."
Roy choked. "I don't think referring to them like that will win you any favours."
"I don't care," she replied.
"You should," he replied suddenly. Elizabeth frowned, turning to face him. "This is your future you are building here. You shouldn't be worrying about seeing me. You should be building relationships."
"You sound like my mother."
Roy shrugged. "She is right. You need to focus on this, not on me."
Elizabeth sat up a little straighter. What was he saying?
"The thought of talking to these people any longer than necessary makes me want to vomit. The only way I will ever get through this is with you by my side."
Silence descended. The cool wind had blown out the candles long ago leaving them in darkness. Elizabeth wished she could see his face in that moment to see what he was thinking. He needed to understand that. When she became Queen she wanted him by her side. Surely he knew that already?
When he didn't reply Elizabeth sighed. Leaning against his warm body, she shifted closer to the heat, grasping his arm tightly. Elizabeth wasn't sure if it was the nature of his magic that always made him so warm, or if he was simply one of the lucky ones with good blood circulation, but she was always thankful for it. Her head lowered to his shoulder and she closed her eyes, basking in his ever present comfort and warmth.
"Anyway," she yawned, feeling the fatigue overtake her once more. "Life would be boring without you. I would have no one to tease, and that is no way to live at all."
She felt him chuckle beneath her head.
Enveloped in his warmth, she allowed herself to drift off into the abyss.
ROY
His stomach clenched upon hearing Elizabeth's words.
She wanted him by her side?
He had known by simply walking into the main hall tonight that he was well out of his league. He would never be at the same standard as the other people in the room. Just one glance at the sons of the noblemen made his heart plummet into his stomach. Elizabeth would be expected to pick one of those… gentlemen for a husband.
And not him.
His parents were old friends with the King and Queen, but they were not of high status. Definitely lower on the rungs of society's ladder than anyone in this room tonight. He had felt extremely inferior next to them all. His hopes of one day courting Elizabeth had been dashed tonight. He had always held onto that foolish hope, but that was exactly what it was. The dream of a fool.
Then he saw her enter the room… She had literally taken his breath away. As if his eyes had been opened, he was seeing her for the first time.
It had been in the last couple of weeks that he had felt something shift between them. He thought back to their sparring match and quickly dismissed the thought, out of the fear that the issue would suddenly become very apparent.
He hadn't meant to pin her. She had been aggravating him the whole time and he snapped. He had only been trying to shut her up. But it worked. Elizabeth had been so shocked, her lips parted slightly as she stared up at him with that look she had worn.
Roy shivered and not from the cold.
Even now with her head on his shoulder it felt right. The pair had been together since they had first met. Roy knew that it would kill him to see someone else courting her. His heart would shatter into pieces if he witnessed her marry another.
But he would swallow his grief because Elizabeth was his Queen. She always had been, since they first met. He would do anything for his Queen, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness for her and her kingdom.
The words left a bad taste in his mouth. But while she was currently dozing on his shoulder, he would indulge himself. He could pretend that one day they would be married and scenarios like this would become the norm. His stomach clenched at the thought of moments like this no longer being possible if she had a husband, but Roy firmly pushed them away.
They would never be able to marry, he was sure of it. He was not good enough for a Princess. But he would do his absolute best to protect her life in every way possible.
And for tonight, for just now… He would pretend.
AMELIA
The Queen tutted to herself and shook her head, but not without a smile once her husband informed her of where her daughter currently was hiding. Ameila was proud of Elizabeth. She had done phenomenally well tonight, charming each and every one of the guests here.
Truth be told, Amelia wasn't fond of these events but it was a necessary evil to ensure their subject's loyalty. The last thing they needed was a coup like scenario from the noblemen and women. It had happened in the past and Amelia was a firm believer in looking at history to ensure it didn't repeat itself.
Silently the Queen slipped outside into the balcony her daughter had escaped to, only to freeze.
Elizabeth was on the floor facing her, skirts all bunched up on her lap. Amelia's lips quirked upwards at the sight of the leather boots, but what made her smile broaden was the sight of Elizabeth's head on Roy's shoulder as she slept against him. The latter's eyes were also closed, but his breathing was not as deep and even as her daughter's.
"I love you Riza," he whispered quietly to her sleeping daughter.
It made Amelia's chest want to burst in happiness, but something held her back. It was Roy's tone… There was an element of sadness in there. It was so intense that Amelia froze once more. The pain had been so raw in his voice that it had cracked slightly on the fond nickname the man had given her not too long ago.
Why did it sound like he was saying goodbye?
Amelia cleared her throat quietly. She watched as Roy's eyes popped open. Her expression turned amused as the stark fear shot across his features. He stuttered quietly to himself, trying to find an explanation, but was coming up blank.
Amelia walked over to them both, noting how he was flapping, but he made sure Elizabeth's head never fell from his shoulder. She also didn't miss how their hands were entwined together in between their bodies.
"Your Majesty," he stammered. "I can explain."
"Hush," she soothed him. "You don't need to explain anything," she smiled. "I have known for years this day would come. I am simply pleased you have realised it too." Roy's mouth fell open in surprise and his face turned a deep red. "When she awakes could you escort her to her rooms?" Roy nodded mutely, still too surprised. "Tell her I am very proud of her tonight. And I am proud of you too," the Queen added cryptically, even winking at the young man who had stolen her daughter's heart.
Since they were both children, Amelia knew this day would come. She knew Roy had some reservations about the situation, but he had never shared what they were. The Queen had only hoped he would either share them with her, or discuss it with Elizabeth. They were clearly meant to be together and it would devastate both Elizabeth and Roy if that never happened.
Silently, Amelia returned to the main hall.
"Is everything all right, my love?" Berthold asked as she re-joined him.
"Everything is perfect."
