Chapter 1

-The Grand Estate-

"I wonder what he needs this time?" Riza Hawkeye wondered, taking a step back from the porch just to marvel at the massive structure.

Before her stood a proud century-old estate that had become a symbol of power and dominion over the years for it housed the fiercest dictators, aristocrats, democrats to have ever walked Amestris. And now, it was home to her grandfather, the newly appointed Fuhrer.

As a girl, her rare visits with grandpa would consist of him dragging her along to the said Grand Estate. In those days, the estate had been packed with various soldiers raging from corporals to the most well-known generals in the city. As a result, General Grumman would opt to leave his granddaughter with one of the corporals while he socialized with the men of the same rank; hence, Riza's visits to Grandpa Grumman would be limited to five times a month to two times a month until it eventually became zero times a month.

First Lieutenant Hawkeye was not exactly close to her grandfather despite the fact they were both stationed in the Central HQ.

Of course there were times wherein they would bump into each other in the hallway. And inevitably, this would cause General Grumman to give his estranged granddaughter an awkward shoulder pat as a measly sign of affection and in turn, she would raise her eyebrows to acknowledge him.

Also, when Riza's birthday would come up, he would send her a postcard of the beautiful Amestrian Hills with a messy inscription at the back that would say,

"Happy Birthday, Elizabeth."

And that was the most interaction they probably had.

Now that her grandfather was Fuhrer, there wasn't any noticeable difference in the grandfather-granddaughter relationship. He still sent her cheap postcards and gave her awkward pats and in addition, lunch and dinner invites to his estate, which she was never in attendance of; however, today had been an exception for it was not every day when her grandpa would have his footman personally deliver an invite to her.

Upon seeing Grumman's footman on her doorstep, she decided that it was probably an urgent matter that needed her attention.

This probably wasn't just a casual brunch at the gardens seeing as the Fuhrer knew she was a busy woman.

Moreover, being a woman in the military meant Lieutenant Hawkeye had no time for idling. It had been nine long years since she has first lent her services to the military. And Riza was never the type of soldier to stray off her path. All her life, she dedicated herself to the military and her one superior officer, Roy Mustang.

All week, Roy has been nothing but passionate—fighting for the Ishvalans' magna carta until Fuhrer Grumman rightfully granted this request over a year ago. Brigadier General Mustang barely appeared in his office due to his hectic schedule; hence, he was no longer able to supervise his subordinates. He was either attending a peace conference or another meeting with other generals; but in any case, he would occasionally leave her notes on her desk.

"Lieutenant, I can't be at the office today."

" Make sure they're good to you, all right? If anything goes wrong, please call me."

" I'll be here right away."

"There was an urgent meeting today and I was obliged to attend."

…but for over a week now, Roy hasn't left any note on her desk and he'd just disappear into his busy world. She hasn't heard from him for quite some time now and it bothered her every bit.

Why?

It was because she was desensitized with the fact she was always with him. She was always the one who helped him discern every decision he took. She was the one who had the permission to take him down if he faltered and she was the only one who stayed for him but now, he doesn't need her as much as he did in the past.

He had been flying solo ever since he earned his position as Brigadier General Mustang. And that very title came with more duties to fulfill. Riza was no longer the naïve cadet nine years ago so she knew very well that he had much important matters to attend to.

As she heard the door creaked open, she stood at attention and ceased her stream of thought.

"What business do you have with Fuhrer Grumman?" A tall Amestrian soldier questioned her with his eyes surveying every inch on her body.

Riza sighed for she wasn't in her uniform, which meant she was not recognized nor authorized. It was all due to the fact her grandfather had requested her to wear "civilian" clothes today for General Grumman would constantly remind her that she was not feminine enough.

"I don't want to see you in those baggy military pants. Your mother would be so repulsed that she herself will descend from heaven and make you change appropriately."

The lieutenant pulled out her military ID from her purse and showed it to the military officer. The officer hadn't budged from where he stood. He didn't even take a glance at her ID and just stared at her sternly. It was as if he were trying to get a read out of her.

"I'm his granddaughter, soldier. I'm a Lieutenant from the Central HQ if you haven't read my ID." which you obviously didn't, she thought sarcastically.

"Its Sergeant Hays," The soldier flashes his pearly whites as he leans against the doorframe. "You're Lieutenant Hawkeye, right? I thought I recognized you."

Are you being intentionally dense? "Yes, it's a pleasure, Mr. Hays. Now if you please, I might run a little late—"

"I'd like to buy you lunch sometime."

She replied rather nonchalantly that, "There is a fraternization policy in the military."

The sergeant's head bobbed up and down from the intensity of his laughter. Riza cocked her brow because as a matter of fact, she said something factual. For a second, she analyzed her statement and concluded that it wasn't funny. at . all.

"I'm sorry. I'm no soldier. I just got into Fuhrer Grumman's old uniform to see how it fits." She looked a tad dumbfounded so he continued, "I'm actually the son of a very good friend of his."

Due to the fact she chose not to say anything, he proceeded to introduce himself. "Daniel" The pseudo soldier stuck his hand out towards her. "Daniel Hays."

Riza's russet eyes glinted before shaking his hand. "Riza Hawkeye."

"I know" The man called Daniel shows his teeth once again. "Your grandfather just goes on and on about you and I concur, you are very beautiful, Miss Hawkeye," He still held her hand when he said this.

Riza's quickly withdrew her hand. "Flattery doesn't worm your way into the barracks, Mister Hays. I'm sure my grandfather can find you a suitable position, but I will never recommend you."

Before the man could respond, she slipped past him and disappeared into the hall; nevertheless his eyes remained on the dark, empty hallway until he pulled away. "Feisty and immune to me is just the way I like it." He whispers to himself with a sly grin as he shut the front door.

Riza Hawkeye shook her head-not wanting to think about what just happened-as she walked past the security stationed at the bottom of the stairwell. She quickly flashed her ID before they could even ask to avoid interrogation. When given the nod of approval, Lieutenant Hawkeye ascended the stairs at an average pace.

"Miss Hawkeye, your grandfather has requested me to assist you going to his office." A woman with a slightly tan complexion bowed her head towards her.

Upon lifting her head, the woman smiled. "I'm Isobel. The Fuhrer's newly appointed assistant. I am pleased to meet you, ma'am."

Riza's lips curved to form a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Isobel."

Slightly bowing her head, Isobel gestured her hand towards the leftmost end of hallway to the right of the staircase. "Miss Hawkeye, if you please follow me."

Isobel spun her heel around and began walking towards the well-lit hallway as the lieutenant obliged.

The hall was decorated with framed pictures of the past rulers of Amestris and their families. Riza's russet eyes could not tear away in awe as she would recall the stories that Fuhrer Grumman would tell her as a kid - some were heroes that fought for the rights of the citizens, but most had become blind with power and eventually became dictators.

When Riza Hawkeye stopped to look at the sixteenth mahogany-framed portrait, she felt a bit uneasy.

Looking back at her, was a portrait of the previous Fuhrer, King Bradley with his wife and son looking very happy.

Poor Mrs. Bradley just had to discover that both her husband and adopted son were homunculi.

How awful that must have been...

"The Fuhrer hasn't taken this down yet?" Riza inquired, her eyes still set on the frame.

The Fuhrer's new assistant stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Your grandfather wanted to keep it there for one more day before disposing of it completely."

Isobel made sure no one was in sight when she whispered, "Personally, I would have disposed of it immediately. That portrait gives me the creeps."

Lieutenant Hawkeye's nodded in agreement.

"Sir Mustang had the same reaction earlier." Isobel turned around to look at the Fuhrer's granddaughter. "He said it should be disposed of immediately."

"He dropped by today?" Riza turned to her at once.

The secretary nodded politely. "He has been here the whole day."

Isobel asked if they can move on and Riza agreed. With a bright aura, Isobel led her to the leftmost end of the hallway where two giant doors awaited. The secretary then pushed them open with no difficulty.

Riza walked into what seemed to be the Fuhrer's lounge. The interior had changed through time and the bright blue wall now had gold-patterned fleur de lis all over it. The secretary's desk was adjacent to the door and creamy white sofas were placed parallel each other with a fairly large rectangular glass coffee table in between. On the coffee table were stacks of newsletters of new edition. Like the hallway they passed earlier, the lounge had a lot of framed photos of Fuhrer Grumman's family, which included the Lieutenant as a child. Out of the many frames, only one had captured Lieutenant Hawkeye's eye. And this was the big portrait that hung above the secretary's desk.

It was a painting of her mother, Felissa, casually seated on a rocking chair with a baby not more than three months in her arms. Behind the rocking chair was her father, Berthold Hawkeye whose serious expression seemed unchanged until the moment he breathed his last.

"Do you like it miss? Fuhrer had it brought in today."

"The Fuhrer did now?"

"I reckon the lady looks just like you." Isobel says with her emerald orbs pinned on the woman whose golden hair curled its way past her shoulders in the painting. "She was very beautiful."

Before Riza could respond to this, the doors flew open and the two were graced with the presence of Fuhrer Grumman and Brigadier General Mustang. Isobel automatically bows her head and the lieutenant gives a salute to acknowledge his presence.

"Elizabeth." Grumman says in delight. "I am so glad you could make it at such a short notice."

"It wasn't trouble at all, sir." She replied.

"Very well." Fuhrer smirked, satisfied with the answer. He then turned to his secretary, Isobel and said. "Miss Crewe, if you please exit the premises? The three of us have important matters to discuss."

The secretary complies with this and quietly makes her way out of the room.

Lieutenant Hawkeye takes a seat on the creamy white sofa beside her superior, Roy Mustang whereas Fuhrer Grumman sat on the opposite.

"Do you both have any idea as to why I have called for you to come meet me today?"

Roy and Riza exchange glances before deciding to shake their heads completely.

The Fuhrer takes a deep breath. "As it should be with every grandfather out there,"

The brigadier general's onyx eyes immediately drifts to his left, where his lieutenant sat.

"It is with great with difficulty to be saying this but nevertheless it is from the heart. I know that you've been a lieutenant for years now, Elizabeth, and I couldn't be more proud of you for rendering your services for this country." Fuhrer Grumman fixes his glasses on his granddaughter who listened to every word. Riza Hawkeye cracked him a smile and nodded at this in absolute humility like she always does.

"However," This mere conjunction causes her to slightly jerk in position.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this? In discomfort, she gulped as her eyes uneasily fell on the ground.

"I believe you've rendered enough services to the military."

"Fuhrer—" Brigadier General Mustang abruptly stood in protest. From his peripheral vision, he could see his subordinate's eyes upon him. It was as if she were pleading him to sit down and as a sign of respect, Roy takes a glance at her and obliges to sit.

Grumman folded his arms. "General, I believe my granddaughter has served you with utmost sincerity and fidelity. We both know she has done an impeccable job throughout these years even if I hadn't had the chance to personally speak to her."

Without any hesitation, the high ranked officer proudly nods his head. "She has been a valuable asset to my team. If you remove her from my team, it would be a great loss. Moreover, Lieutenant Hawkeye has been a great soldier."

Giving the high ranked officer a nod, Grumman responds. "I am aware, general. This much I know but as her grandfather, I want my granddaughter to live a life without worrying whom to shoot next. I would like her to take a break and for her to live with me."

"But Fuhrer I can't impose. I have my own apartment." Riza told her grandfather most earnestly

"Well, I can't keep a close eye on you that way, can I?" Fuhrer Grumman cozily sank into the white sofa before continuing, "Besides, it would be a shame, I already had Isobel dispatch my crew to furnish your new room. If you don't like it, we could have it changed."

This is uncalled for. She bitterly thought as she bit her lower lip. Every year he asks a bizarre favor from me but this, oh this is just insane. What exactly is he planning on doing by insisting on my early retirement?

In discretion, her russet eyes shift to the man beside her. Roy Mustang sat calmly with the most unfathomable expression. He would occasionally nod with a thing or two the Fuhrer would say like he actually agreed on every word.

…She couldn't help but feel a little trapped.

ST writes: This will be my last installment (or not) under the FMA section before I quit for good. Please consider this as some form of redemption for my past works. I dedicate this work to OTP, Kurissyma, Night Alchemist, MSD and my late friend, Angel Who Can't Fly—you are terribly missed.

I am yet to finish High Treason and One Christmas Eve, which I have both written over two years ago. I am unsure whether these stories will be put to permanent hiatus or discontinued; however, I am sure that The First Granddaughter will be my first priority. I have successfully written the third chapter so far and fortunately, I'm on my semestral break so there will be enough time for me to write.

Whether you noticed my absence or not, I've missed this community so much. Oh yes, before I forget—I'm now a senior in high school if some of you are wondering. I'm graduating soon!

As always, please read and review!

Sincerely yours,

SakuraTeardrop

(October 2010)

Edited: 7/20/14