AN: a sequel to chapter 8

this idea has been sitting with me since i posted chapter 8 and i have been itching to write it

enjoy!

ELIZABETH

Elizabeth sighed in relief as she was dismissed for the night. She leaned heavily against the heavy oak door she had just exited from and took a deep breath. Then she grinned.

She was finally free! Pushing off the door with renewed vigour she skipped down the empty hallway until she reached the end, entering the main hallway to the castle. Staff were milling about here so she slowed her gait, but her excitement was still plain on her face.

Ever since her introductory ball she had been stuck in dinner's and lunches with the Lords and Ladies of their lands. It was tedious, it was boring, and it was downright exhausting listening to their petty conversation. "Lord Something or Other did this," they would tell her father, who only nodded in feigned understanding. "Deal with them," they'd say and the King would dole out some kind of advice to placate them, then catch her eye after looking away. By the end of the two weeks Elizabeth had become an expert at hiding her laughter behind her tea cup.

Now it was all over and done with! The last two weeks had been hell for Elizabeth. She missed Roy. She missed normal conversation. She also desperately missed her training. Her hands were itching to hold a sword or a bow in them again, rather than a tea cup. After all those lunches she didn't know if she could face eating cake ever again.

It was a miracle her appetite had remained with her throughout regardless. The way their guests looked at her either made her blood boil or her skin crawl. She was not a piece of meat that would be auctioned off to them. She was not a woman who was going to be gifted off to one of their brats as a wife. They would be marrying her. They would be assuming her name. Elizabeth would be the one to choose, not them. She deserved a bit of goddamn respect.

And their sons. Good grief. What a boring group of people. They either looked as uninterested as her or tried to woo her while their parents talked. It would be safe to say they were unsuccessful. She didn't want to marry someone who made her shudder, thank you very much. Too bad they didn't take the hint. The ones who were interested wouldn't take no for an answer. It angered her that it took her father's stern warning to get them to back off, but she was thankful for the support. Berthold didn't want any of those smarmy bastards joining his family any more than she did.

"Oh!" somebody gasped in front of her. The tray Mr. Henderson carried was filled with papers and it wobbled in his surprise as Elizabeth almost collided with him. Two fluttered from the tray onto the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Henderson!" Elizabeth stooped low, her irritating dress bunching up around her waist. She snatched the papers from the floor and handed him to her father's steward. "I wasn't looking where I was going," she replied sheepishly. She couldn't help it. She had just been too excited.

Mr. Henderson chuckled. "No harm done, My Lady."

"Sorry! I'll be more careful next time!" she called back in her haste to reach her destination. Mr. Henderson just shook his head and smiled fondly as she grinned back at him.

Once the busy part of the castle had been navigated successfully Elizabeth began to run. She sprinted up the stairs to her rooms, taking two at a time. Once there she changed into her comfortable clothes in record time. She removed her hair from its up-do and shook her head, feeling her tresses fall about her face. Looking in the mirror she noticed how flushed her face was. She grinned at her reflection then ran out of her room. The door slammed behind her as she knocked on her neighbour's.

ROY

Roy tensed when he heard the knock on his door. He debated with himself, wondering if leaving it would convince his guest to leave him be.

That was a coward's way out.

He folded his shirt neatly and placed it in the trunk. Breathing in and out he willed his hands to steady, but the shake didn't want to disappear. Because he knew who was on the other side of the door. He knew the conversation he had dreaded for the last two weeks was coming. No one else knew about his plan and now he was going to drop the bomb and hurt the person he swore he never would. He had known this day was coming as he sat on that balcony with Elizabeth's head on his shoulder.

Roy wasn't entirely sure about Elizabeth's feelings towards him. They had never talked about it and Roy didn't want to bring up his. He wasn't suited for a Princess, he knew that. He had known it for years. No one had said these words to him, but deep in his gut he had always known. The King and Queen seemed unfazed about his relationship with their daughter, but now she had been introduced to society she would be expected to choose a husband of similar social status. He was an orphan. Yes, his parents had been good friends of the royal family, but they had held no lands, no titles. They were commoners but they were good, honest people.

As he opened the door his heart constricted painfully. There she was. She looked stunning in her casual attire. For the past two weeks she had worn nothing but dresses and complained about them constantly to him. Well, whenever he had made himself available. Oh, he had wanted to seek out his oldest friend every day, but then he would remember exactly where she was headed. She was going somewhere he would not be permitted. He would not be able to follow her. Reality was like a cold bucket of water being poured over him. So he had stayed away.

But… She was so beautiful. Her smile was radiant, appearing to light up the darkened hallway behind her. Her long hair tumbled around her shoulders. Roy itched to run his fingers through it. His hand remained clenched by his side while the other gripped the door handle tighter.

You are not good enough for her.

"Hi!" she beamed. She was so excited… This wasn't fair. Roy wished he didn't have to do this to her, but it was for the greater good. It would kill him to watch her marry someone else. He wasn't strong enough to do that. So he would leave. He would leave this castle and Elizabeth behind so she could be happy.

That was his plan.

Briefly he had hoped to sneak out undetected but that wouldn't be fair to Elizabeth. Plus, it wouldn't be right. The King and Queen had taken him in at his mother and father's last request before they died. They had given him everything. A roof over his head, magic lessons, and a friend he had grown to love. He couldn't just ditch them like that. Tomorrow he would officially request their permission to move to the Mage's College. It was far enough away that, over time, Elizabeth would forget all about him. He would watch her reign as a brilliant and loving Queen from afar.

He had sworn to protect her life when he had become a soldier. As his future Queen he had a duty to protect her at all costs. She had recently begun talking about becoming a Captain in the guard. She had dreamed about it for years. Her determination and drive during training left no doubt in his mind that she would be a fantastic Captain. He had vowed he would ride by her side as her equal, the two of them fighting side by side.

But he would never be her equal, would he?

"Roy?" she asked once he didn't reply. Her smile faltered.

Roy shook his head. "You shouldn't be here," he told her. Every word felt like a dagger in his own heart, but he didn't dare let it show. If Elizabeth saw his weakness she would know he was lying.

"What?" she asked as she stepped inside his rooms. Composing himself, he let out a quiet breath and closed the door.

"Don't you have a dinner to go to?" he replied, trying a different tactic. To be honest he hadn't meant for that to be his greeting. It had just slipped out. Damn, he was becoming distracted with her so close to him.

Her bright smile returned. "Nope! They are all done." She flopped down on his bed as she had done so many times before, staring up at the ceiling looking extremely relieved. Roy realised just how inappropriate that action would be from now on. This wasn't good. Elizabeth sighed happily and took a deep breath. Roy's stomach tightened.

He didn't reply to her because in all honesty every word was stuck in his throat. He couldn't do this to her. He couldn't –

He would. This was for the best. Elizabeth had her duty and now he had his. He would leave and train hard to become better at his fire magic. Elizabeth would get married and if that news didn't kill him, in a few years he might be able to return to join the royal guard once more and continue the job he had promised himself he would do, protecting her at all costs.

There would just be someone else to protect as well… Maybe a small child too –

Stop torturing yourself, Roy.

But that was his reality now, as bleak as it looked.

"I'm sorry I haven't seen you very often these last two weeks," Elizabeth explained exasperated. Her eyes continued to search the ceiling above his bed. They had lain there for hours over the past couple of years, simply talking about life. His chest contracted painfully as he realised how much he would miss her. Once he was rid of these troublesome feelings, he would return and hopefully keep that friendship with Elizabeth. There would be no more lying side by side in either of their beds though, complaining about the things teenagers think are the end of the world. That saddened him more than anything.

He was going to really miss her.

"I have been so busy with those stupid lunches and dinners. Mother insists I go, and I understand why, but I hate it. I don't think Mother and Father as too keen on it either, but as Mother likes to say, "We can't let history repeat itself"!" Elizabeth propped herself up on her elbows, grinning at him. When she saw his face, her smile fell. Then she noticed how everything was out of place in his room. One of his trunks lay to his left while the other lay at the foot of the bed, half filled with his clothes. "Where are you going?"

Roy brushed aside how she sounded slightly fearful. That must have been part of his imagination. "To the Mage's College."

"Why?" she demanded.

"To improve upon fire magic," he replied, voice strong and determined. A lie. Inside he felt anything but. The terrified look in her face made his chest burn. "I want to get better."

"That will take… years."

Roy nodded. "Yes."

"But… But… You can't go!"

The desperation in her voice almost floored him. He wouldn't dare to dream she shared the same feelings he did because if Roy did, he may never leave. He would never be able to do what must be done.

"I must. It is the only way I will get better."

"Father can teach you." She shot up from the bed. "He has done it for years. There is no reason for him to stop now."

"He already has."

"What?" she whispered.

"He told me that for a few months lessons will stop while he has duties to attend to. You come first to him, and rightly so," Roy replied evenly, his stomach churning painfully. "He has to assure your future first and foremost."

"But… But…" She desperately tried to find words to say.

"If I go to the Mage College I can improve on my skill there and get better faster. Then I can come back in a couple of months." That last part was a barefaced lie. It looked like Elizabeth knew it. Her eyes narrowed.

"You won't come back, will you?"

She had figured it out a lot sooner than he had anticipated, but he didn't know why he had expected anything less. Elizabeth could always see right through him.

"I will."

"Don't lie," she demanded. "Not to me."

"I will return, Elizabeth."

"Stop it!" she shouted. She was angry. This was not something he had anticipated. "What is this about? Really?"

"Nothing," Roy replied, swallowing thickly. This was moving into dangerous territory.

"Bullshit." Roy choked. "Tell me the truth. Now."

"Riza –"

"If you lie to me again I will stab you with a knife," she barked. He cursed himself. He promised he wouldn't use that nickname. Not anymore. They needed distance, not the closeness that nickname provided. In fact, he had coined it for her in this very room late one night.

"I'm not good enough for you!" he exploded. The resulting silence threatened to suffocate him.

"What?"

It was too late. The damage was done.

"I am not good enough for you," he repeated. Each word was a sucker punch to his gut because he had always known this, but had never admitted it out loud. The thought of Elizabeth agreeing with him might just end him then and there.

"Says who?" she demanded. Tears pricked at her eyes, but Elizabeth made no move to wipe them away.

"I do!" he shouted. "I'm nothing! I'm no noble man, nor do I hold any titles or lands in this kingdom. I am just an orphan," he added sadly. "An orphan doesn't get to marry a Princess."

"You… You…!"

"What, Riza?" He threw caution to the wind.

"You idiot!" she shouted, tears falling freely down her face. Her voice was thick with emotion now. "Is that what this is all about?"

"All what?" he asked cautiously. Frowning, Roy didn't particularly enjoy being called an idiot. Plus, this was… unexpected.

"You have been avoiding me for weeks. Every time you look at me it is with a sad look on your face, like you know something bad is coming but won't tell me." Her tears continued to fall and Roy felt his heart constrict. He hadn't wanted to do this to her. Roy had promised himself he would never make her cry. This was so much worse because he had hurt her as well. "I ignored it because I didn't want to believe it, but this…!" She gestured angrily at the trunks around his room. "This is stupid!"

"How is it stupid?" he demanded himself. "I am doing not only you, but myself a favour."

"How?"

"Because…" The words died in his throat. He didn't want to admit it to her. Admitting it to Elizabeth meant it would become real.

"What?!"

"Because I love you!" Elizabeth's mouth opened in shock, her eyes boring into his. "I love you and I think it might kill me to watch you marry one of those stupid kids. So yes, I will leave and go to the Mage College. When I'm there you will forget all about me and be able to do your duty as a Princess."

Elizabeth just continued to stare at him.

"But –"

"Don't ask me to stay," he growled. "Don't be selfish. I will always be your friend, Riza, but don't ask me to watch you do that. I can't."

She continued to say nothing and that was all the answer Roy needed. Elizabeth knew it and Roy knew it. They would never be able to be together. That was a damning fact.

He strode across to the trunk holding his clothes and begun to back once more, folding his shirts as his hands trembled. "I will be out of your hair tomorrow."

A hand gripped his forearm tightly and spun him around. His brow furrowed in confusion and anger. What was she doing –?

She kissed him. Her lips pressed against his hard and Roy was too shocked to respond.

"Don't ever say you are not good enough for me," she stated fiercely. "You are the best person for me. You understand me better than anyone else does, better than my parents." Her gaze fell to his chest, where one of her hands now rested. He felt her warmth through his shirt and he savoured it. "I meant what I said on that balcony. I want you by my side through all of this but not as a guard and not as a friend."

"But –"

"No buts!" Her hardened expression softened as she smiled at him. "I love you too, Roy. Always have. I want you by my side as a King."

Roy was speechless. This couldn't be happening.

"You may not think you are worthy but it is I who feels unworthy of you. You are so good. I was just scared that you wouldn't want this life of dinners and balls so I never asked you. I didn't want to bring it up because I was terrified of this happening." She gestured around the room.

"I just thought… I wanted to do the right thing. I wouldn't have been able to stay if you didn't feel the same way."

His Riza smiled up at him. Her eyes wet with unshed tears. "You always try to do the right thing. This…" She looked around the room. "Was not it. Why didn't you just talk to me?" He felt the hurt in her voice inside his own heart. "We talk about everything."

"I know." He wrapped both arms around her. The shirt he had been holding fell to the floor, forgotten. "I'm sorry," he whispered kissing the top of her head. Roy felt her sigh beneath his arms. "But like you, I was scared too."

"New rule; you stop being an idiot about this." She chuckled as Roy scoffed in response. "You know I am right."

"You are always right, Riza."

The grip on him tightened. "And I will always be your Riza. Understood?"

"Yes, dear," he replied dutifully, laughing quietly as Riza giggled against his chest. "Although," he pulled away, looking down into her eyes. "Our first kiss wasn't the best one. May I rectify that?"

The smile on her face was as bright as the sun.

"You may."