Princess Envy Oborous, heir to the throne of Ametris. Seventeen years old and the only daughter of King Bradley and Queen Dante. She was loved by the people of Ametris and was the apple of her daddy’s eye, the little girl he’d always wanted.
But Princess Envy had a big secret. A secret that very few people knew about and that had been kept from even King Bradley himself and was the reason Queen Dante had left the kingdom. It wasn’t a curse, or some magical spell that could only be cured by true love’s kiss, no, it was much more serious.
Envy had been forbidden to tell anyone about this secret and had been told that when she decided she loved someone enough, she would let them know this secret and if they accepted it, then they really were ‘the one’.
That was what she wanted, to find ‘the one’. And that’s what she was thinking about as she stood out on the flower covered balcony. It overlooked the whole kingdom and she basked in the sun as it beat down on that warm summer day. She sighed contentedly and got up from her seat in order to head back into her large bedroom.
As usual, her chambermaid and best friend Lust, was waiting for her, organizing her wardrobe and generally keeping her company. The busty woman gave Envy a smile as she spun into the room, long skirt floating around as she did.
“Envy, the kings wishes to see you.” She said, ever formal. Envy rolled her eyes but made her way toward the door which Lust opened for her.
“Lust, why don’t you get some lunch while I’m gone?”
Lust shook her head and straightened her dress.
“I’ve already eaten Envy, please, go and I’ll be here when you get back.”
Envy nodded and quickly made his way to King Bradley’s quarters.
---

‘Knock, knock, knock’
“Daddy? You wanted to see me?”
The king smiled broadly as Envy entered the room, her pretty blue dress sparkling in the sunlight.
‘Oh what a beautiful day to have such a beautiful daughter…’ He mused silently to himself.
“Envy my dear, you look so pretty today! How are you? Are you okay? Are you ready for tonight?”
Envy smiled as her dad pulled her into a hug. Not even he knew the secret; he wouldn’t be hugging her right now if he did. She pushed the thought out of her mind and pulled away.
“I’m fine Daddy, what is it you wanted to see me for?”
Bradley beamed and picked up a box of his desk. He handed it to the green haired girl and patted her hair.
“Take that back to your room and open it. It’ll come in handy tonight.”
Envy looked puzzled but nodded and quickly left the room taking the large brown parcel with her. Bradley chucked and went back to sit comfortably in his chair. He waited a few minutes until an excited squeal rippled through the air.
‘Hmm…I knew she’d like it.’
---
Evening finally came and the annual ball commenced, Envy arrived on time dressed in the beautiful new dress that had been her Daddy’s present. She looked stunning in the purple ball-gown and Bradley watched with glee as she made her way through the crowds smiling and waving.
---

Envy liked these events, she liked meeting with her ‘subjects’ and generally showing off. But more important than showing off, the ball was a good place to meet eligible bachelors. Someone who could possibly be the future Price.
She scanned the room with shining violet eyes, there were many good looking men amongst the crowds, but all of them were either married already or too old. With a soft sigh she turned and made her way to get a drink.
---

At exactly twenty to eight, Sir Hoenhiem of Light walked through the large oak doors to the palace followed by his family. There was his loving wife Trisha and their two sons, Edward and Alphonse.
“AH! The Elric family, so good to see you again! Wonderful you could make it!” King Bradley immediately went over and shook hands with Hoenhiem who smiled broadly. Edward frowned at the two and separated himself from his family in search of food.
After ten minutes of searching he finally found the buffet table at the back of the gigantic room. He sighed in relief, and took one of everything from the expensive spread. The blonde was a fast eater and quickly made short work of the food before wondering off in search of drinks.
---

As the music in the room changed yet again, many excited females began dancing and laughing with their respective partners. Envy sighed and dodged around the swaying bodies in order to find somewhere less crowded.
She looked from left to right and finally saw the bar room, a separate room with only a few occupants. She padded quickly across the floor into the bar. She sighed in relief at the quiet and ordered a drink non-alcoholic, of course.
---

Edward was bored, so bored in fact that he didn’t even notice the young girl that stood next to him, he didn’t notice when she looked his way and he didn’t notice when she sighed deeply.
He did notice her however when he stood up to leave and walked right into her.
“Ah, Sorry, I wasn’t looki-“
“That’s okay, um…I’m-“
“Princess Envy! Wow...I mean…um…I’m really sorry.” Envy chucked as the blonde stranger bowed awkwardly. She daintily held out a hand which Ed shook.
“And you are?”
“Oh, Ed, Edward Elric…I’m here ‘cos of my dad.”
“Hmm, how ironic, so am I.” As she said that a bustle of people hurried into the room chattering and laughing. Envy winced and took Edward by the hand.
“Come with me.”
Ed blinked but before he could answer the princess was dragging him through the crowds and out one of the back doors. They soon emerged into one of the many giant gardens of the palace, Ed looked around amazed. It was just so…big!
Envy let go of the boy’s hand and took a deep breath, reveling in the crisp night air. It had turned dusk by now and there was a slight chill in the air.
“So, Edward, who’s your dad?”
Ed hesitated, not particularly fond of this subject.
“Hoenhiem of light. The inventor.”
“Oh! I know him; he comes to all the events, why haven’t I seen you before?”
“I usually stay at home…with my brother.”
Envy smirked, crossing her arms over her (surprisingly flat) chest. She took a few steps close to Ed who blinked in confusion.
“And yet somehow, Edward, you seemed to know who I was…”
“Doesn’t everyone? I mean, you’re gonna’ be queen one day right?” To the blonde’s surprise, Envy blushed. She smiled and sat down next to Ed on the edge of the fountain.
“I like you Edward, you seem nice.”
“Um…thanks?”
Envy chuckled again and leaned back on her palms looking up at the stars in the sky.
---

It was only three hours later that anyone actually noticed the disappearance of the two. When Hoenhiem decided it was time to leave and couldn’t find Ed, he went to King Bradley who then realized that Envy too was gone. The two went in search of their children together.
---

Envy laughed as Ed finished off the story he’d been telling. The blonde boy smiled and stretched his arms up. He glanced up at the clock tower and sighed. It was probably time to leave.
“Ed, don’t go yet okay?” Ed blinked at the girl at his side. She smiled at him.
“It’s always so boring ‘round here. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun with someone before.” Ed turned a light pink colour but beamed back. He was about to reply when a call from his dad could be heard from the main hall. He sighed and stood up.
“Sorry, looks like I have to go, it was nice meeting you though, maybe we’ll see each other again sometime…”
Envy sighed and stood up as well. Before Ed could leave she quickly leaned forwards and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Ed’s eyes widened and he turned red. Envy smiled.
“Meet me outside the palace gates tomorrow at dusk?”
Unable to form words, Ed nodded dumbly and scurried off towards his father’s voice. He looked once over his shoulder, Envy waved at him and he couldn’t help but smile and wave back.
---

It was half an hour later that Bradley finally found Envy dancing happily round the gardens humming a tune. He frowned and walked over to her.
“Envy, where have you been?”
Envy blinked at her father and smiled.
“Out here.”
“All night?”
Envy smiled and spun around, her dress floating gracefully out behind her. She stopped and sat down on the edge of one of the many flower beds.
“I was talking to Edward.”
“Edward?”
“Yeah, one of Sir Hoenhiem’s sons. You know him Daddy?”
Her father sighed and placed one hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
“Envy, Sir Hoenhiem of light may be an important man, but he’s not the most savory of characters despite what you might think.”
Envy frowned.
“Daddy, you can’t judge Edward on his father.”
Bradley frowned and shook his head.
“Come inside Envy, it’s getting late.”
---

The Elric family wasn’t particularly rich but they weren’t poor either. This meant that both Edward and Alphonse got their own room. Albeit, they were small rooms, but they were theirs none-the-less.
So when they arrived home from their night at the palace Ed escaped to his room and shut the door, already running the events of the night over in his mind. The princess had kissed him…no, Envy, Envy had kissed him.
That meant she liked him.
‘Well d’uh!’  He thought, and laughed at his own stupidity. Flopping down on his bed he flipped back his bangs and smiled, pressing a finger to his lips.
“Nii-san?” Ed blinked as his brother’s voice and sat up, looking at Al who was stood in his doorway.
“What is it Al?”
Taking that as an invitation, Al walked over and sat on the bed across form his older brother.
“Um…where were you?”
Ed blinked.
“When?”
“All night! I was looking for you.”
For a moment Ed debated with himself about telling Al but quickly realized that was a silly idea. They’d always told each other everything, and as his younger brother Al had a right to know.
“I was with the Princess.”
Al’s eyes widened and he gawped.
“You met the Princess? What was she like?”
Ed smiled, mentally going over all that they had talked about.
“She’s really nice, We have so much in common. And she’s really pretty…”
Al chuckled and brought his knees up to his chest, shaking his head at his brother in mock disappointment.
“Nii-san, no matter how pretty she is, she’s still royalty. She would probably never even think about you…that way.”
Ed frowned and folded his arms across his chest.
“What are you trying to say Al? You saying I’m worthless scum or something?!”
“Nii-san I didn’t mean that, you know I didn’t mean that.”
“Humph, good, ‘cos you’d be wrong anyway, in fact the Princess seems very interested in me.”
“Wow, did she say that nii-san?”
Ed flushed and frowned again.
“Well…no…not exactly, I mean, she didn’t say that but…”
“But…?”
“Well, y’know we kinda…um…and she…kissed me…”
Al gasped and leaned forward, grabbing Ed’s shoulders and shaking him slightly. Ed blushed a bright red but couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face.
“Nii-san! This is huge news! What if you get married! Then we’ll be royalty too! Think of the life we’d have! Ah! We have to tell mom and dad!”
“No! You can’t tell them!”
“Why not?”
“Al, you can’t put all this pressure on me, and besides, mom wouldn’t be very pleased would she? She’d be shocked to hear I’ve kissed the Princess; I’ve only known her for a few hours!”
Al didn’t say anything for a moment, taking in what Ed had said.
There was a moment of silence before the younger brother understood what his brother was saying and changed the subject to his boring evening trailing around after their parents.
---
The next night seemed to come far too slowly but when it finally started turning dusk, Envy managed to slip past her father’s quarters undetected. Not only was she not supposed to see the Elric boy, but she also wasn’t allowed out without a bodyguard.
As gracefully as she could, the sin dropped from the second story window and down onto the roof of the first floor porch. After checking if the coast was clear she walked carefully along the tiles and onto the place walls. From where she was she could see Edward standing by the gates.
Sitting on the edge she swung her legs over the edge of the wall and held her breath as she dropped down. Ed heard the soft thud as she fell and quickly scurried over to the princess to help her up.
“Envy! A…are you okay?” Envy smiled and quickly dusted herself down before turning to look the blonde in the eyes.
“Fine, honestly. Done it a thousand times!”
Ed relaxed a little and let a smile creep onto his features.
“Well, here we are.”
“I didn’t think you’d show up.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know, but I’m glad you did. C’mon.” Taking Edward’s hand the princess proceeded to pull the boy along. Ed blushed a light shade of pink and let himself be dragged off.
“Envy, where are we going?” He finally asked when they were still walking hand in hand ten minutes later.
“You’ll see.”
Ed frowned but followed Envy up the hill she was leading him up.
---

Eventually, when Edward’s feet were just beginning to hurt, Envy stopped in her tracks and looked back at him, a beam spread across her face. She let go of his hand and looked out at the view in front of them.
Ed was in awe. They’d been walking upwards for the best part of 20 minutes and were now at the top of a very large hill. Spread out in front of them was the entire town. The lights from various houses and streets were shining brightly and creating beautiful patterns on the land.
It was dark and cool up on the hill and Ed was sure he’d have blisters tomorrow but he didn’t care, all that walking was worth it to see this. Envy sent him a smile which he returned before reaching over and taking her hand again.
“Wow…”
“Worth it?”
“Defiantly. How do you know about this place?”
Envy shrugged and looked out across the land. The land that she would one day rule over.
“This can get pretty stressful at times. And once I learnt that I could climb out the window and get away for a bit, I liked to just…explore.”
“It’s amazing up here.”
Envy chuckled and tugged on Ed’s hand, they walked slowly side by side back down the hill, talking about whatever popped into their heads. All the way back Ed was constantly aware on her hand in his and couldn’t help the smile that crossed his lips. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and Envy looked up at him with a puzzled look.
It wasn’t long before they’d once again arrived back in front of the palace gates. With a short contented sigh, Envy stopped in her tracks and turned around. She used her free hand to take Edward’s and smiled at him. They were (to Ed’s satisfaction) the same height so Envy didn’t have to look down on him like most people did.
“Edward...?”
“Hmm?”
“Y’know, I’d invite you in but I doubt Daddy would like that…”
Ed couldn’t help but smile at the way she said ‘Daddy’.
“It’s okay. Really.”
Envy opened her mouth to say something again but she stopped when one of the palace guards began yelling.
“Where’s the princess!?”
Envy sighed again and shook her head.
“I’m sorry. Looks like I’ve been found out…guess I have to go.”
“Well I guess I’ll see you around then.” Ed said, he smiled and dropped Envy’s hand, preparing to walk away.
“Wait, Edward! Will you meet me again…sometime…Next Friday maybe?”
“Sure. I can’t wait.”
Envy beamed and stepped closer to the blonde boy again. Placing a hand gently on his shoulder she leaned up and kissed him for the second time. It was short and a blush was spread across her face when she pulled back. Ed grinned and pecked her on the cheek before winking and leaving with a simple:
“C’ya.”
---

The guard finally found the princess sitting contentedly on the garden wall, swinging her legs back and forth and smiling.
“Princess! What are you doing?”
Envy looked up at the shark like man with as innocent a look as she could muster.
“Sitting.”
“Have you been here the whole time? We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“Well I’ve just been sitting here…”
The guard took a breath and made to sigh but refrained from doing so and instead pushed up his small sunglasses.
“I must inform your father that you’re safe. Princess please, the king was very worried.”
“I guess I’ll go back to my room then. Goodnight Greed.”
“Goodnight Princess Envy.”
He watched as Envy skipped back towards the building and frowned.
“That girl is gonna get me fired…” He thought aloud and kicked a stone on his way after her.