Interlude

Once they were out of Rheon's office, Elric and Mordred left to locate a hotel. All the while Mordred was figuratively chewing his ear off.

She was pissed fiercely. Eventually she calmed down, but Elric could tell was still resenting him for leaving so abruptly. He understood; if Elric wasn't so angry that he'd want to shoot his father, he'd probably want to learn as much as he could about him—especially the bits that happened after he stopped being a part of his life. Though to be honest, based on what he had seen in Mordred's memories, if Elric was in her position he'd probably be as likely to attack Artoria as he was to shoot Edward Rheon.

Just thinking about it made the magician angry—especially the parts of being coldly rejected and run through with a lance. Then again maybe he's biased.

But Elric tried not to think about it, once they found a suitable hotel room.

He couldn't sleep much, and instead watched Mordred as she slept. It was like watching a child sleep, in some respects, despite how old she actually looked. Again his thoughts went back to Edward Rheon and Artoria, then the arranged marriage between him and Luviagelita Edelfelt.

What the hell? Marriage? MARRIAGE?

It was not as if he cringed at the thought, it was more like it filled him with trepidation. It was more like that what it entailed that bothered Elric. The idea of the ceremonies, putting a ring of Luvia's finger...kissing her on the lips.

He could practically feel his cheeks burning thinking about it.

It was also not as if kissing was anything new to him. He had lovers in the past—three of them, though the last one was of questionable sanity—but only one of them came close to being his wife—and that relationship practically crumbled because of Dioland. But doing any of that nature with Luvia required a lot of bravery, and it would only work if she cooperated.

Elric felt a little pathetic, being so anxious with the thought of Luvia but he hoped that he could manage. They were friends in the past, as children, that however was six years ago and he had changed since then.

It would be easier to just subvert his father's plans.

What am I supposed to do about this?

Then his thoughts went back to Clock Tower, to Rocco and Lord El Melloi and he became angry.

They had to have known, if not then maybe they can provide some answers.