The day of the wedding finally arrived. Gelda knocked on Liebe's door.
"Lord, may I come in?" Gelda asked.
"Come in," Liebe replied.
Gelda entered and said, "Lord, why are you checking the cameras so thoroughly?"
Liebe said, "I have to. It's my chance to prove my worth to the captain. I haven't slept at all last night, making sure no unusual activities took place. I even triple-checked the thermal cameras."
Gelda said, "It's good to be double sure, Lord, but not sleeping may cause problems."
Liebe replied, "One night without sleep won't kill me."
Gelda said, "One more thing—the captain is getting ready right now, and she asked for you, Chief of Security."
Liebe said, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Gelda replied, "The captain wanted to see you after."
Liebe said, "I'm heading there now."
Gelda said, "Please allow me to escort you as your guard. And Lord, please get ready first—your suit and clothing are ready."
Liebe said, "Understood. Please wait for me outside."
"Understood," Gelda replied.
After getting ready, Liebe ran to the venue and knocked on the bride's room.
Alysa said, "Liebe, don't you know anything? Men aren't supposed to enter the bride's room before the wedding!"
Elizabeth said, "By the way, Liebe, the captain looks so pretty today."
Liebe said, "Thank you. Now please, let me enter."
Alysa said, "No, no! Boys aren't allowed!"
Gelda said, "Mrs. Alysa, the captain herself called for the Lord."
Then Liebe knocked again on the bride's room.
Lilith said, "Who is it?"
Liebe said, "It's me, ma'am—Liebe Al Faust, current Head of Security."
Lilith said, "Enter."
Liebe entered, went down on his knees, and said, "Did you ask for me, ma'am?"
Lilith said, "Stand up. There is something I want to tell you—as your mother, not as your Captain of Black Rose."
Liebe said, "Yes, Mother. Please go ahead."
Lilith said, "Today, you will walk me down the aisle since Jewel refused."
Liebe said, "Understood, ma'am. The ceremony will commence in about 45 minutes. Prepare yourself."
Lilith said, "Understood. But would that be all?"
Lilith smiled faintly. "No. I have something else to say."
Liebe said, "Please go ahead, Mother."
Lilith said, "For today… it's Mommy. And listen—regardless of whatever happens, I will always love you as my oldest. Don't ever forget that. And you've done an excellent job with security, so get ready. I'm proud of you."
Liebe teared up and said, "Thank you, Mommy."
Lilith said, "One last hug before the wedding."
Liebe said, "Of course, ma'am."
Tears streamed down his face as he moved forward to hug her.
But just as Liebe was about to embrace Lilith, someone from outside said, "Mrs. Lilith, it isn't proper for a bride to be so close to a hybrid during her wedding day. It sets a bad example. And Mr. Chief of Security, the groom would like a word with you."
Lilith said softly, "You should get going."
Liebe said, "Understood, ma'am."
That day still brings back nightmares.
I wish I had hugged her one last time and told her how much I loved her—how much she meant to me.
I wish I could have said, Mommy, please don't do it. He isn't the right man.
I wish I had known that this wedding would eventually be the cause of her death.