Lilith said, "After hearing what you have to say, I understand why you hate the Empire."
Alysa said, "The name alone fills me with dread."
Lilith said, "Okay then, I will inform them that you won't be going to the Empire with them."
Alysa said, "That's not it."
Lilith said, "It's not?"
Alysa said, "I'm scared. I don't want to see it again—but I want to be with Liebe, follow him to the ends of hell if I must."
Lilith said, "That is true love—the will to be with the one you care about regardless of the destination. I will inform Gelda that you're not going to the Empire. Whether you go or not is completely up to you, and I will respect that."
Alysa said, "Can I ask for one more thing?"
Lilith said, "Sure."
Alysa said, "Please don't tell Liebe and the others about this."
Lilith said, "Okay then, it's a promise. But why?"
Alysa said, "Because Liebe doesn't need to know about my scars. And… thank you for everything."
Lilith said, "Sure."
Then Alysa left the Faust estate. Alysa thought to herself, I wish this dream could last for eternity.
Alysa returned to their hotel in Valtia through Gelda's portal.
Gelda said, "So, what did you two talk about, huh? Did Lilith pay for the wedding? Did she ask for grandkids?"
Alysa said, "Nothing like that."
Gelda said, "Now I'm disappointed in Lilith. What kind of mother-in-law doesn't offer to pay for a wedding that still needs another seven to fifteen years to happen?"
Alysa said, "Gelda, it isn't like that."
Gelda said, "Wait—I'm the godmother-in-law of the bride, so I'll pay for the wedding! Where do you want it to be at? I suggest Saint Marie's Church or Heaven's Dawn in the Grand Empire. Of course, if you two want that venue, we have to book right away. In most cases, we need to book at least a decade before the wedding."
Alysa said, "Gelda, wait, wait…" and she thought to herself, Gelda and Lilith really are alike. No wonder they're such close friends—like sisters. And why did she just repeat Lilith's statement?
Alysa asked, "By the way, where is Liebe?"
Gelda said, "He's just at the pool, taking a dip."
Alysa said, "Okay then. Also, can you help me find a dress for my date with Liebe tomorrow?"
Gelda said, "Of course! Just give me five minutes to wrap up this paperwork, and I'll be right there for our girls' day out."
Alysa said, "But Gelda, you're over fifty. Doesn't that make it more of a women's day out?"
Gelda said, "I may be fifty-two, but I'm still sixteen at heart."
Alysa said, "Okay then. And what about Eldrie and Licht?"
Gelda said, "Well, Licht is sleeping—and after sixteen hours of running, I doubt he'll wake up anytime soon. And Eldrie? He's with Liebe."
The following morning at breakfast—
Liebe said, "Ready for our date?"
Alysa said, "Yeah."
Liebe said, "It's 7:30 right now, so how about we leave at 8:30 a.m.?"
Alysa said, "Okay then."
At 8:30 a.m., they met at the hotel lobby.
Alysa said, "Ready?"
Liebe said, "Yeah—and that dress looks elegant on you."
Alysa said, "Thanks. I wasn't sure if the black and white mix would look good at all since it was a bit plain. Then I thought maybe I'd go for something colorful… then maybe a sundress…"
She continued to mumble as Liebe just smiled and said, "Okay then, let's get going."
Alysa, embarrassed, said, "Sorry, I got carried away."
Liebe said, "It's fine. Let's get going."
As they went to the Archangel's Church—
Alysa said, "Liebe, did you take the drug?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, I did."
They walked around, admiring the beauty of the cathedral, talking all day—while Licht, Gelda, and Eldrie secretly watched from above.
Later, as they walked around the city, Alysa spotted a street vendor.
Alysa said, "What should we get?"
Liebe said, "How about this?"
Alysa said, "This accessory looks amazing."
Liebe said, "Well, I looked at it, and it reminded me of you, Alysa. So, let's buy it."
Alysa said, "Yeah, it looks like us—the Knight and Freya."
After they bought it, Alysa split the circular brooch.
Alysa said, "I'll keep this Freya part as my hairpiece. Why don't you hang onto the Knight?"
Liebe said, "Thanks. I'll wear it as a pin on my uniform."
Seeing this from above, Gelda teared up and said, "They are so perfect for each other. When will they get married?"
Licht said, "Stop crying… but yeah, it is beautiful. The real question is—can he make her realize what she really wants?"
As the sun began to set, Alysa placed the pin in her hair.
Liebe said, "You look beautiful, Alysa."
Alysa said, "Say it again."
Liebe said, "You look beautiful, Alysa."
As they walked together beneath the sunset, Alysa's heel suddenly broke.
Liebe said, "Alysa, are you okay?"
Alysa said, "Yeah, I'm fine—but can't say the same for my heel."
Liebe picked her up and said, "Well, guess there's nothing else to do."
Alysa blushed, embarrassed.
Liebe said, "Is this okay?"
Alysa said, "Yeah…"
Watching from above, both Eldrie and Gelda burst into tears.
Licht said, "Stop screaming so loud, or they might hear you!"
Gelda said, "We can't help it!"
Eldrie said, "It's just that beautiful!"
As Alysa and Liebe watched the sunset, the view was breathtaking. They looked at each other—and Alysa kissed Liebe.