The next night, on December 27th:
Licht said, "So where are we going?"
Liebe said, "Restaurant Perduta."
Elizabeth said, "Brother, can I come too? I also want to taste the food from the 3rd best restaurant in the Empire with a 3 Michelin star review."
Liebe said, "Unfortunately, you can't tonight. We have work. But if you want to so much, why don't we do it tomorrow?"
Elizabeth said, "You promise?"
Liebe said, "Promise."
Mavia said, "If it's a mission in a restaurant, then shouldn't I go? Since my mana resonance is the best in the team, so you know—"
Liebe said, "It's not a fight. Don't worry, we can handle it."
Mavia said, "Alright."
As they were walking to the restaurant:
Licht said, "Liebe, what is wrong with you?"
Liebe said, "What do you mean? I have always been like this." Not looking Licht in the eyes.
Licht said, "Oh yeah? I don't take the baloney you are feeding everyone. Tell me the truth. You changed far too quickly. No one changes this much. And it will be for the greater good?"
Liebe said, "Whaaa? Now you are being a dumbass."
Licht said, "Oh yeah. You used to be fun. Now you are responsible. Not to mention you stopped sleeping around after the party in Eosian Bouduin's room. What is it? Answer me. Did the captain really hurt you that much?"
Liebe said, "No. Compared to the pain I feel now, Mother's words are a mere nail. And my heart is bleeding from being stabbed by the truth."
Licht said, "What?"
As Liebe said, "I want to tell you, but as a man, this is something you can never know."
Licht said, "What? Why?"
Liebe said, "Sorry, can't tell you."
Licht said, "Huh? What?"
Liebe walked away and said, "Let's go. Dinner awaits us."
Licht said, "Sure."
As they sat to eat, a man from the next table came and said, "How fortunate am I to witness the great hero Liebe Faust while I'm having dinner with my daughter. It's a pleasure."
Liebe said, "Mr. Oriar Bouduin, one of the former pillars of the Empire. It is a pleasure."
Oriar said, "So this must be your first officer, Licht Vaude. I must say, when I was active, I heard quite a lot of tales about your adventures. Truth be told, gossip is quite common in the Empire, specially among us godkin."
Liebe said, "Understandable."
Oriar said, "This is my daughter, Alysa Bouduin."
As Alysa came over, Liebe extended his hand and said, "Liebe Faust."
Alysa just nodded and shook his hand. Liebe signed to her: Greetings. I'm Liebe Faust.
Alysa, surprised, signed back: You know sign language?
Liebe signed back: Just the basics.
Liebe said, "I must apologize about my response. I thought my mother made it up as a joke. I never gave it thought. My mother can be quite a handful."
Oriar said, "I understand. The son of a prince like Lady Lilith must be quite the burden."
Licht said, "You have no idea."
Oriar said, "Well, we have time now for your thought."
Liebe said, "Well, in that case, I must humbly decline. My hands are far too red to hold anyone."
Licht said, "Yeah, and Eosian was a bit much. Not to mention the sake and champagne."
Oriar said, "It appears you are wise beyond your years."
Liebe said, "That's quite generous, but unfortunately, it's just that I have seen more than my own fair share of battles. So call it an intuition."
Oriar said, "I can see that. I myself have the same issue."
As Alysa bowed before Liebe and signed: Thank you for saving my brother from Skelos 2 years ago. I'm grateful. I will always appreciate it.
Liebe signed: It's alright. Think nothing of it. I was simply in the right place at the right time.
Oriar said, "It appears you have a history of that, now isn't it?"
Liebe said, "It would appear so. Coincidence and fate are just in the stars for me, as it would seem."
Oriar said, "May I be so impudent as to make a request?"
Liebe said, "Of course."
Oriar said, "Would it be possible for you to attend my daughter's engagement party on January 17th? Since I know your mother's birthday is on January 13th and your parents' wedding anniversary is on January 14th."
Liebe said, "That is indeed quite considerate of you to adjust the engagement party dates for the sole purpose of me attending. But it doesn't seem right for a murderer like me to attend an engagement party."
Oriar said, "You are mistaken. Just your presence is more than enough. Your darkness is like eternity itself, and any marriage blessed by eternity is a blessed one."
Liebe said, "Alright then." As he signed to Alysa: It appears we might see each other on January 17th. Congrats on being engaged. And happy birthday—many, many happy returns of the day. Congrats on turning 18.
Alysa signed back: Thank you. Wait, how do you know it's my birthday?
Oriar said, "Well, we never told you that."
Liebe said, "An educated guess."
Oriar said, "That must be some guess. Not to mention exactly 18. How did you do it?"
Liebe said, "It's rather easy. A man should never ask a woman her age." As he looked at Alysa, he said, "And specially with such a beautiful face, it would be a crime."
Oriar said, "Then it would appear you are going to prison then."
Liebe said, "For a beauty like her? In such a case, prison would be divine."
As Alysa is now embarrassed and red—someone is hitting on her.
Oriar said, "But seriously, you still have until January 17th to reconsider. It may be too late after the engagement party."
Liebe said, "As tempting as your offer may be, I'm sure your daughter will live a blessed life without anyone other than myself."
Oriar said, "Alright. I'm just stating the wedding invites haven't been sent yet."
Liebe said, "Perhaps."
As they went away:
Licht said, "So who were they?"
Liebe said, "Someone I know. But that's the girl who was supposed to be my fiancée."
Licht said, "Her? She was cute and seemed nice. And since when do you know sign language? Also, get married to her, grumpy pants."
Liebe said, "No. It's not in anyone's best interests if I married her. And Horn taught me sign language long ago."
Licht said, "Alright. But why were you flirting with an engaged girl?"
Liebe said, "Easy. I have my reasons."
Licht said, "And those might be?"
Liebe said, "If there is a hole, there is a very nice goal."
Licht said, "Why did I expect anything else from you?"