Author's Note: I'm sorry if it took me quite a while to update, a sudden incident took place a few days ago which made me busy. But I finally found some time to write again so here's the first chapter. Thanks for reading the prologue and I hope that you'll like this.

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA nor it's characters.

My White Valentine

Chapter One

" An Unexpected Visitor "

After a refreshing shower, Riza quickly wore a plain black shirt and blue jeans. She sat down on her bed to blindly wear her shoes while she looked around her room to find some materials she might need in making the container for her chocolates.

Once she was full dressed, she stood up from bed and quickly began searching for some materials she could use from her room.

After that, Riza returned to their kitchen room with a small rectangular box, glue, scissors and some colorful papers she found laying on her room, in her hands.

She sat back down on the table and began cutting heart shape designs on different colored papers and then pasting them together in the box where she'll place the chocolates she made earlier.

Time passed by as Riza worked on the box quietly. Once she was satisfied with her design, she stood up and carefully picked up the decorated box in her hands. Then she made way to the window near the sink.

As Riza reached her destination, she carefully placed the decorated box in the window's wooden frame to let the glue dry. Then she looked out the window again. She let out a relieve sigh, as a soft cool breeze passed through their kitchen window.

" That will help speed up drying the box. " Riza amusingly thought to herself as she continued looking around outside through the window. It was almost noon but it was still as bright and as peaceful outside since morning.

" It's a perfect day to go outside. " Riza said, talking to herself as she crossed her arms. " But with all the reports I've heard in the radio about being infiltrated by neighboring countries, it's too dangerous to go out alone. " She added as she looked at the kitchen door that leads to their living room.

" Then again, being at home isn't really making me feel safe either. " Riza said as shrugged her shoulders. " I feel like I'm alone inside this house everyday. " She added dejectedly as she walked back towards the table and sat down on a chair. Then she looked up to look at their wall clock to check what time is it.

Her eyes grew wide seeing the time. Then she crossed her arms again and sighed disappointedly. She had expected that it was nearly noon when she looked outside the window. But she was still quite surprised that It's already been 1124 hours and up till now, there's still no signs of her father leaving his study.

Riza then began wondering if he ever felt hungry. There was even a time where he never left his study for five days without eating or drinking. Well she did stubbornly climbed up there with a tray on her hands, with a plate full of the food she cooked that day and a glass of water every afternoon.

Despite the uncertain relationship she has with her father, she does still worries about him.

However, whatever happened to the trays content's is still a mystery for her since her father always tells her that he'll eat later since he was busy and place the contents in the bare table at the side of his study, near the door and told her to leave the room quietly. Then he told her not to disturb him unless there's an emergency that demands his attention.

What she only found out was the plates that she used for his meal a week after. Where all of them are recklessly piled up on the sink, where all were dirty and smelling very foul with all the excess spoiled bits of food that dried on the plates.

Riza frowned at the memory and slightly shivered in disgust. Of course she was in charge of cleaning those dishes. Since the only time she ever saw his father leaving his study, will either be once or twice every weekends and he'll go out to who knows where for a business trip. She presumed it was related to alchemy but since he never really told her anything about his work, it's still uncertain.

All he ever told her when she watched him prepare to leave is that he has to leave the house for sometime or Stay indoors and study or don't let anyone but him enter the house or don't prepare an extra meal since he's just gonna eat out so she should only cooked for herself and lastly, don't wait for him to arrive and he'll just use his keys to get inside since he'll probably be late or even be out till the day after most of the time he's out, so she should just go to bed early.

" He treats me like a child. But I don't think he ever acknowledge me as her daughter. I feel more like his stubborn maid. " Riza said sarcastically. Then her eyes soften and frowned, " I wonder... " She started as she gently leaned her head against her arms in the table. " Did he ever worry about me as much as I worry about him? " She said softly, looking at the window blankly.

Then she saw a couple of blue birds perched on the windows frame. Since she was bored, she sought company from them as she watched them moved about while listening to their soft chirps. When one of them perched on the box she decorated, did she wonder if it was now dry. With that, she stood up and went towards the window.

The birds watch her approach curiously. Jumping towards and further away from the windows frame simultaneously as they chirped and flapped their wings uncertainly.

Riza just smiled at them and carefully took the box and raised it to her eye-level as she inspected it thoroughly. It seems like the glue had completely dried now and she thought it looked decent.

She was about to go back to the table to check on her home baked chocolates next. But she was halt when one of the birds perched on her left arm, looking at her curiously as it chirped a couple of times.

" What is it? Are you hungry? " Riza asked. She didn't really thought of a reply coming from him but it chirped a couple of times and flew back to the window's wooden frame and reunite with it's partner. Both birds looking at her curiously, patiently waiting for something.

Riza then thought they were hungry. With that, she hurriedly went to the table and gently place the box down. Then she proceeded to one of the shelves. She found a jar of biscuits so she opened it and took a piece. She crushed the biscuit in her hand as she made her way back to the window.

The birds watch her extend her right hand towards them and let the biscuit's crumb fell on her palm to the window's wooden frame. The birds then curiously made it's way to the crumbs as Riza withdrew her hand, then the two birds gratefully ate the crushed biscuit as they chirped softly.

" You two are even more easier to feed than my father. " Riza said in a teasing tone, smiling wide at the birds who were now busy eating.

A moment later, Riza then thought about the chocolates she made, " I wonder if it's ready now? " She said as she went towards the cupboard where she left them.

As she reach the cupboard, she knelt down and opened it. In turn, a sweet aroma greeted her nose while she carefully took the baking tray with the chocolate balls out.

Then Riza smiled, they were ready and they turned out pretty well. With that, she cheerfully proceeded back to table and sat back down on the chair as she began to place each chocolate balls inside the box she decorated, neatly and secure.

Once she was done placing all the chocolates inside the box, she looked at the arrangement she made one more time before she place the box's lid down to seal it. Then she looked at the box from a distance. It was alright as it is but she can't help but think it was missing something and she doesn't know why or what.

After awhile of thinking what could be missing, Riza simply shrugged her shoulders and stood up. " Oh well. " She said as she took the chocolate box on her hand and looked at the windows. She was surprised to see that the birds were gone.

" I guess it might've taken me awhile to finish preparing my gift. " Riza said as she went towards the window. " Hmm... no signs of them anywhere... " She added as she peered out the window, then she looked at the window's wooden frame. " No traces of the biscuit's crumbs either. Well I'm happy they're full but they should chirped goodbye. " She concluded amusingly as she closed the kitchen window.

Then she proceeded towards the door and head out to the living room, closing the door behind her. Walking a few more steps forward, she stopped at the end of the stairs and look up towards his father's study.

" I should go and check how his doing... and ask him if he wants some lunch. " Riza thought to herself as she gulped nervously. Who knows how will his father react for disturbing him in his study. But since she worries about his eating habits, she musters all her courage and at least manage to ask him if he wants to eat or not.

With the box of chocolates in her hands and after a long sigh. Riza then climbed up the stairs and head towards her father's study.

As Riza reached the door leading to her father's study, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes to calm herself as she nervously knock on the door.

* Knock! knock! knock! *

She leaned on the door and she heard an irritated sigh from the other side making her feel more tense and uncomfortable.

After a few more seconds of silence, she finally heard his voice. " Come in, Riza. " She heard him say calmly.

With that, Riza braced herself while she gently opened the door and proceeded in going inside, quietly closing the door behind her. Then she moved closer to his father, dodging a few research papers that fell messily on the floor.

" What is it? " Berthold asked once Riza was right behind him. Though he kept looking at his apprentice's research papers and didn't even bothered looking at her.

" I'm sorry to disturb you, Father... But you haven't eaten anything since yesterday so I was wondering if you want me to bring you something to eat. " Riza said softly as she tensely looked at his father.

Berhold sighed again, " No, I'm fine as it is. I'm busy reading his research papers. " He said simply as he turned a page.

" His research papers? " Riza asked curiously as Berthold nodded, " You know who I mean. There's only one person who ever comes inside this house other than the two of us and by reading his reports, looks like the fool has improved a lot since he came. " He said as he turned another page.

" Uh-hmm... so I guess he must be working very hard? " Riza asked as she curiously look at the research papers he was reading.

" That isn't the case, this kid's still a green horn. Look, his report is lacking more detail and exact information. I don't know if he's that ignorant or just lazy since this report doesn't even have more than four pages! " Berthold said sternly as he tossed his report to the side of his desk.

" I... I see. " Riza said uneasily. Berthold let out a tired sighed again, " Good thing I don't have to see him today. " He said as he leaned on his chair, " But do remind me to give him a scolding once he visits next week. " He added.

Riza could only smile at him sheepishly, " A-alright, father. " She said softly.

" Anything else? " Berthold suddenly asked. Riza could only look at him in confusion, " Hmm? "

" What else do you want from me? Why are you still here? " Berthold asked strictly.

Riza tensed up and looked away from him, looking down at her shaking hands that was clutching the box of chocolates, " Well... I... I... "

After a few seconds, she went silent. She didn't had the courage to give her gift to him and no words came out from her mouth to at least tell him about it.

Berthold coughed a couple of times, breaking the silence. " If it isn't anything important, then I ask you to leave. I have a lot of work to do. " He said coldly as he began writing something on paper.

Riza was planning on declining but she ended up silent again, then she gave up and nodded, " Yes, Father. Sorry for disturbing you. I'll take my leave now. " She said obediently as she carefully move her way back towards the door.

But she stopped midway as she heard his father call her name, " Riza... " Berthold said in a more softer tone.

Riza looked back curiously and asked, " What is it, Father? "

" Why don't you do anything you like as long as it isn't something that will put you in danger? I'll be fine on my own. " Berthold said. Riza was about to reply but she was cut off, " But if you're planning on going out be sure to not go far and get back before nightfall. " He added.

Riza perked up a little bit as she heard his concerns. " I will. Thank you, Father. " She said gratefully with a bow, then she straightened herself and was about to walk towards the door again when his father called her out again.

" ...And Riza? " Berthold started. Riza looked back and was surprised to see him looking at her.

" I'm coming out later for dinner so make sure to prepare something new. I don't want to eat any cold meals or leftovers a few days ago. " Berthold said casually.

Riza smiled at him and nodded, " Okay. I'll prepare something delicious for tonight. " She said cheerfully. His father nodded back and soon looked back to his desk. " That will be all. You may leave now. " He said casually.

" Alright. Excuse me, Father. " Riza said obediently and opened the door and moved outside. She looked at his father one more time and saw that he was working on his research again before she closed the door behind her.

" Well... that went well than planned. But... " Riza said, talking to herself while she walked down the stairs. As she got down to the very end, she looked at the box of chocolates in her hands and proceeded towards their kitchen room once more.

" But I guess I shouldn't push my luck or get my hopes up. He'll never accept this from me and just say that it's a waste of time. " She said as she looked at the box of chocolates again.

" I worked so hard on this chocolates for the occasion but I don't think that he even knows that it's a holiday, today. " Riza said disappointedly as she went towards the cupboard to store the chocolates again.

As she reached her destination, she knelt down and opened the cupboard, " Looks I'm going to have to eat this for myself, since it'll be a waste not to eat it. " She said as she placed the box of chocolates inside the cupboard and closed it. " But I'll eat it later since I'm not into eating chocolate right now... " She thought as she straightened herself.

Then Riza looked out the window once more. It was silently peaceful... No bird greeted her either and she felt completely alone. Then she let out a sigh... " It's not like someone would ever visit us. I hardly have any friends and I doubt my Father even bothered telling his clients where we live. He doesn't look like the type to look for friends either. " She said as she went towards the windows to look outside in a more closer view.

" I made some chocolates for my Father to show my respect for him through this special occasion in hopes that I'll find the courage I needed to give him this small gift. but I ended up not giving it to him... again. " She said sadly to herself as she held the window's glass that was vaguely reflecting her face.

" So I'll have to eat it again once more... like every year. Not like I have anyone to share it with. I'm always alone... But why do I even bother repeating this Usual Routine when I'm only hurting myself in the end? " Riza said sadly as traced her face mirroring from the window with her fingertips and let her hand fell to her side.

But no sooner after that, did she suddenly jumped in surprised as she heard someone knocking on their front door in the hallways past the living room.

* Knock! knock! knock! knock! knock! *

" ... A visitor? " Riza thought to herself in surprise as she went out the kitchen and closed the door behind her. " As far as I know... we aren't really expecting any visitors today. " She added silently as she looked upstairs, to his father's study. Then back to the front door as she made her way towards it.

* Knock! knock! knock! *

Riza stopped in front of the door and considered about opening the it or not. Since she was curious on who could it be, she chose the first option nervously.

" It couldn't be the spies that infiltrated us, right? " She asked silently to herself. She then thought she was just getting a little paranoid for being cooped up from home for awhile. So she took a long deep breath to calm herself down and braced herself as she opened the door.

Only to find out it was someone who she wasn't expecting to visit and that her fears were a false alarm. Though she knew that there was nothing to worry about if it's him. She is still quite surprised to find him here.

" Hey, Riza! It's nice to see you so fair this morning! " He said cheerfully with a toothy grin.

Riza on the other hand, was still quite shocked by his unexpected visit. " ... Mr. Mustang? "

- End of Chapter One: An Unexpected Visitor -

Author's Note: It's quite sad that I couldn't find the time to write this for the contest I said I was going to enter a few days ago. Just had quite a lot of work to do suddenly. Well I gave up the contest, but I won't give up on this story so I'll continue this nonetheless. Since it was supposed to be a rush story, I was aiming this to be the last chapter for Valentines Day and skip to White Day for the next chapter so this story was supposed to be a lot shorter. But since I wasn't rushing for any deadline now, I thought of making it longer and more detailed since I figured it wasn't good to rush this story that I know has a lot of possibilities to be even better. Plus, I prefer writing longer stories. :D

Anyhow, Looks like Roy and Riza will finally be together on the next chapter. Any ideas on what could happen? Leave a review please. I'd love to hear(read) from you... and it'll probably inspire me to write faster so do it now. Ha ha, that's only half true, I'm happy enough to know that you've read this so I'll update this as soon as I can. Reviewing does really help in keeping me inspired or rather motivated more to write though. So it'll greatly help.

Special thanks to ' rizarukia-mustanghawkeye' and 'h0neyxx' for reviewing and following the story. I hope for your continued support! I really want to finish this story as fast as I can so I can work on some of my other pending stories. Had my ideas in updating three of my stories which is, How to make a date, How to make a love song and Holiday Mishaps (will be renaming this to 'How to have the perfect vacation' so take note!) They're all RoyAi centered stories that I highly recommend you to read if you're looking for a good laugh and fluff for this wonderful pair. Actually, most of my stories involve Roy and Riza so go and check them out if you're interested. Remember, It's not necessary to forcefully read them though! Only read them if you want to! :)

But again, Please kindly drop a review, no matter how short it is, if you can! I just really want to know what you think of this or my other stories. It's very misleading for me to find out so many hits to my stories with only a few reviews/faves/follows. Makes me think it's not that good and it's kinda making me undermotivated to write. Sorry for being quite selfish but I just want to be honest with you. Nonetheless, I'll go work on the next chapter now. Thank you so much for reading this! ;)