More than That || Royai

Chapter One

Heya FMA fans! I've decided to start a new book based on FMA! Not sure how it'll go because I'm still an amateur writer and my vocabulary isn't that advanced. It's not surprising if I have a few typos, grammar/spelling mistakes here and there but I'll try my best to re-read my chapters over so I can edit them. Obviously this book won't be perfect. I'm not a professional author or anything so there might be plot holes and things like that. I'll try my best to keep the characters as in character as I can, though it may be hard because my book takes place in an alternate timeline.

Without further ado, let's begin the book! :)

DISCLAIMER:
I do NOT own FMA or any of its characters. It would be great if I did though <:

Chapter One

The war had been going on for what felt like an eternity. To Riza, it felt like the war was never going to end.

Sometimes, she would wonder why she was still fighting. After all, no one knew the true reason for the war.

All she knew was that the king of Acrelia was a ruthless tyrant. He didn't hesitate to kill anyone, including his own parents. Nothing mattered to him except power. Even the people in his own kingdom were afraid of him. His knowledge of the rarest alchemy in history, flame alchemy, made him almost unstoppable.

Despite all this, Riza didn't care. She would do anything to protect her home, even at the cost of her own life.

~

"Hawkeye," a low, yet feminine voice interrupted her thoughts.

She knelt down in front of the queen at the sound of her name. "Yes, your majesty?"

The queen had a strained look. "You are a good Knight," she said simply, shutting her eyes tightly.

"I will do anything you ask of me," Riza replied, looking at the marble floor. From the corner of her eye, she saw the king stand up from his throne. She waited silently as he folded his arms behind his back and stood in front of the large glass window with his back facing them.

"That is true indeed," the king spoke, most likely referring to the queen's statement. "But we mustn't wait any longer. Our kingdom is losing the war, Marianna. We have already lost our dear Elizabeth."

The queen did not say anything in response, which prompted Riza to speak. "I am truly sorry for not being able to protect-" she paused when the king raised his right hand.

"You have done everything you could, Hawkeye. There is no need to apologize," he said, turning around to face them. He looked at his wife and sighed, "Dear, whether you like it or not, we must do this. We cannot afford to lose any more of our people."

Again, the queen kept herself silent. Riza knew that the princess's death was hard for her to accept, and she partially blamed herself for it. She was supposed to be a knight, yet she failed to protect the princess, who was a valued member of their kingdom. They had lost her almost two months ago, but she would always remain in everyone's hearts, including Riza's.

Princess Elizabeth Ellington of Seotis was described as a warm-hearted, beautiful woman of whom Riza befriended quickly. They were both nearly the same age, with Riza being only a year younger.

Because Riza was a knight, she didn't know much about reading or writing, let alone dressing up. She was never really one for girly things anyway, but the princess had taught her how to do all of that. The two of them had spent a lot of time together, and it hurt Riza to lose such an important friend. The palace felt almost... empty without her.

"...I know, dear," the queen finally answered half-heartedly. "If it is for the sake of Elizabeth..."

"Then," he turned his focus to Riza, "I will be sending you to Acrelia. You will use Elizabeth's name to make peace with the king, and you must not let him find out your true identity. We can not have him thinking otherwise. Do you understand?"