{ THE PRESENT }
"I see, so you really are her mother," Bahram spoke.
"I never wanted her to play any part in this," Marceline pouted, "so when I received the letter that she was here with Edron's son I came as quickly as I could. I mean if Elric is already king of almost the whole continent, there is no need for a war with the humans right? No one has to get hurt and Melissa can finally come home with me."
"I take it you haven't met your dear son in law," William murmured as he sipped his tea and mouthed some biscuits.
"Elric? What's wrong with him?"
"Other than the fact that he is an obsessive psychopath tyrant who will slit the throat of anyone who tries to take Melissa away from him, he's a good guy," Bahram responded sarcastically.
"Oh," Marceline looked pensive for a minute and then looked up at Bahram, "is that why he claims to be Melissa's mate?"
"I don't understand.."
