Liebe said, "Shield of Dark Circle!"
Then gunshots erupted.
Liebe shouted, "I will hold them off—please continue!"
Lilith looked at him with disbelief. "You really did set it up, Liebe…"
Suddenly Gabriel staggered, clutching his abdomen as blood began to spill. He cried out, "I'm in pain!"
Hearing his words, Liebe narrowed his eyes. He smelled the lie.
"Mother," Liebe said, his voice sharp, "he's lying."
Lilith gasped. "What the hell are you saying?"
Liebe held his shield firm and said, "Mother, if he's truly been shot, then take off his shirt and stop the blood loss!"
Gabriel quickly protested, "No need. I will live."
Liebe glared at him. "As if!"
Liebe tore Gabriel's clothes aside—and it was revealed there were no wounds at all, only false blood.
Liebe said coldly, "Please continue, everyone. The show has ended."
Lilith's eyes filled with anger. "Liebe… you truly have failed me today."
After the vows, it was time for the reception. Liebe sat quietly with Licht's and Gelda's families.
Jewel said softly, "Young Lord, you did great. We are all proud that you were able to take control of the situation and show the truth—regardless of what your mother says. You did your best."
Sujibur added, "Cheer up, Lord. You're already stronger than me."
Liebe managed a faint smile. "But everyone at this table is stronger than you."
Sujibur chuckled. "Well… that hurt."
Jewel said gently, "You did your best. It's just unfortunate that the world doesn't always play fair."
Gelda added, "Listen, Lord—stand proud. What you did today… you saved us all. This ceremony is happening because of you."
Then a waiter approached with a slice of cake. "Courtesy of the groom," he said, placing it before Liebe.
Jewel frowned. "That seems weird… Please, sir, allow me to taste it first."
After tasting, Gelda said, "It seems okay."
Jewel added, "Just to be sure, let me try too." He tasted it. "Tastes good to me."
Liebe said, "Well… the chocolate does look good."
He took a bite. But as he tried to swallow, his eyes widened. He began to writhe in pain.
"Lord! What's wrong?" Jewel cried.
Liebe managed to gasp, "Holy… water…"
Gelda's eyes widened in horror. Someone had laced Liebe's cake with holy water—poison to him.
Gelda rose quickly, ready to call for help, but Liebe stopped her. "Gelda… stop… please…"
"But, Lord, why?!" Gelda pleaded.
Liebe's voice trembled, "The reception… must go on…"
And so, no attention was drawn to him as he endured the agony in silence.
Jewel whispered urgently, "Lord, the reception isn't worth your life!"
Liebe shook his head. "Please… sit down…"
After several long minutes, the pain subsided.
Gelda asked quietly, "Lord, would you like something to eat or drink?"
Liebe shook his head. "I'm… not really in the mood for food today."
Gelda bowed her head. "Understood."
Jewel added, "Same here."
Eventually, the reception ended. Lilith and Gabriel left for their honeymoon.
Later, Jewel said, "Hey, young lord, please join us for dinner. The food wasn't my thing at the wedding, so let's go to Domi Pizza."
Licht, Alysa, and Elizabeth chimed in, "Yeah!"
Gelda smiled. "Okay then."
Liebe said softly, "Okay… sure."
When the food arrived, Liebe barely touched it.
"Liebe, eat something," Licht urged. "You haven't eaten much today, and you didn't even get sleep."
"It's nothing," Liebe said. "I just… feel frustrated."
Jewel said, "It's okay."
Liebe clenched his fists. "It's just so frustrating!" He slammed his fist on the table. "Why couldn't things go okay—just once—on the one day I tried?! Am I really destined for failure?"
Jewel shook his head. "From what I see, you truly succeeded today. Because of you, the ceremony continued. Because of you, the reception didn't harm anyone. What you did today… most adults fail to do in their lifetimes. So be proud. Even if your mother isn't, we are all proud of your bravery."