It was a cold Sunday morning, yet the streets before a certain church were already alive with people. Loud chatter and laughter filled the courtyard of the church.
The importance of the event was unmistakable. Dozens of men stood among the crowd, clad in brilliant military uniforms that marked their significance to the Reich. Yet they were not the only ones who stood out. Several familiar faces could be spotted as well. Those with an interest in economics would have recognized more than a few of them, men in expensive suits, their expressions strict and calculating.
Suddenly, the lively noise faded. All eyes turned toward the sound of an approaching engine.
A sleek black limousine rolled into the courtyard, its windows darkly tinted. Two familiar figures stepped out from the front, both tall and handsome, dressed in elegant suits.
"Richard Heydrich," one guest whispered, recognizing one of the men.
Heydrich straightened his tie as he walked around the car, a faint smile on his face.
"Are we ready, Friedrich?" he asked, turning toward the other man.
"We are. She will arrive in five minutes," Werner replied, glancing at his watch.
"Good," Heydrich answered as he opened the rear door.
A man stepped out slowly, his silhouette immediately commanding attention. He wore a brilliant white and gold ceremonial military uniform, adorned with countless decorations. A white-gloved hand held the door as his face was revealed.
"Little nervous, Heinrich?" Werner asked quietly.
Paul ran a final check through his meticulously styled hair, then nodded.
He began walking through the crowd, greeting many with a smile, others with a word or a knowing glance.
"Erwin, Wolfram, thank you for coming," Paul said as he approached the two men who had, over time, become friends.
Rommel and Richthofen laughed softly and nodded in return.
"Admiral," Paul greeted the man before him, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Oberst, congratulations," Raeder replied with a smile. Behind him stood another officer in the unmistakable uniform of the navy.
"Herr Dönitz, thank you for coming," Paul said, calculations once again turning in his mind, even today.
"It is my pleasure," Dönitz replied plainly.
"And…" Paul began, intending to greet another familiar face beside Raeder, before he fully realized who stood before him.
"General…" he murmured.
"Come on, boy," General Sperrle said, patting Paul on the shoulder.
"It has been a long time," Sperrle added with a faint smile.
Paul nodded. "Thank you for coming," he said, a heartfelt smile spreading across his face. It was not calculated, not forced, not hiding deeper intentions. It was genuine.
Where would I have been without you? Paul thought, but his thoughts were interrupted as Heydrich nervously tapped his shoulder.
"She will arrive any moment now," he said.
"Fine," Paul replied, turning toward the entrance of the beautiful church and walking toward the altar. Behind him, the guests slowly began to take their seats.
"Greetings, Pastor,"he said, shaking hands with the clergyman.
"And greetings to you, my friend," the man replied warmly, taking his place beside Paul and Werner, who had joined them as Paul's best man.
Paul let his gaze wander over the gathered crowd and suddenly spotted someone familiar, or at least it felt that way instinctively. He searched his memories until a name surfaced.
Aunt Bettina? Paul wondered, recognizing Heinrich's late aunt.What about Heinrich's father, my father? he thought next. I am sure we invited him. I wanted to finally meet him.
His thoughts were cut short as soft music began to play, performed by a small group seated in the corner of the church.
He rested his hand on the ceremonial golden sword at his waist, his eyes fixed on the entrance, anticipation tightening his chest.
Then, slowly, two silhouettes appeared in the doorway. A man and a woman walked side by side, their arms interlocked.
They moved at a measured pace. The man, his hair white and freckles scattered across his face, limped slightly with each step. He wore a majestic military uniform inspired by the Great War. The sword scabbard he leaned on as a walking aid struck the marble floor, each tap echoing through the church.
The woman beside him was hidden beneath a white veil. She wore an elegant bridal gown, its fabric adorned with delicate silver linings.
Slowly but steadily, the pair made their way down the long aisle. The people around them rose from their seats, watching in silence. When they reached the steps before the altar, Paul could hear the older man's heavy breathing.
Paul sighed and stepped forward.
Each movement seemed like torture, reflected clearly in the man's strained expression. Werner shifted his foot, ready to help, but a hand stopped him. Paul's hand. He shook his head.
Rundstedt's tired face drew close to Paul's as he stretched out his hand.
"Sir," Paul said, taking it.
With his other arm, Rundstedt pulled Paul into an embrace. Whether it was born of exhaustion or affection, Paul could not tell, but the gesture was sincere. Rundstedt's mouth moved close to Paul's ear.
"Thank you, Heinrich, for honoring your promise," Rundstedt murmured, his warm breath brushing Paul's skin.
Paul nodded and helped Rundstedt into position.
The promise. Was it only because of that? Paul wondered as memories resurfaced.
"Come closer, Jaeger," Rundstedt said. He was sitting upright in his bed now.
Paul nodded and stepped closer.
Rundstedt gripped his shoulder and leaned forward, his hand trembling.
"Please promise me," he said quietly. "Promise this old man one last thing."
He paused, holding Paul's gaze for a moment before continuing.
"I am no fool. I know of my daughter's feelings for you, and I hope I understand the feelings you carry for her as well. Please fulfill my last wish. Marry her when you return from your mission. It would mean everything to me."
The strength drained from his body before Paul could answer. Rundstedt slowly sank back into the bed, his eyes filled with expectation.
The turmoil inside Paul was beyond words. It was chaos, a whirlwind of emotions he could not categorize. A woman's face appeared in his mind, blurred and indistinct, only to vanish moments later. Paul pressed his eyes shut, but the image did not return.
He opened them slowly. His head moved as if guided by a higher force.
He nodded.
Back at the church, Paul turned toward the woman. Her veil, her dress, everything about her was stunning.
Then, suddenly, everything went dark.
Paul blinked and saw her again, but something was wrong. Everything looked different somehow. He glanced toward the seated crowd. Many were dressed in suits, some children among them. Their heads were tilted downward, objects held in their hands, their fingers tapping relentlessly.
He looked closer at the people around him. They looked different. No, they were different.
Paul studied their faces carefully, every detail, every expression. And yet, something was missing. He tried to remember their names, but none came to him. Their faces were painfully familiar, but no matter how hard he tried, no names surfaced.
Then he turned back toward the woman standing before him.
Slowly, he reached out, his fingers gently gripping the veil. He lifted it.
His eyes widened.
He remembered.
This was his wedding, but not now. It was twenty years earlier, or perhaps ninety years in the future.
"Heinrich, Heinrich?"
A voice pulled him back to reality. Elizabeth stood before him, the veil still caught between his fingers.
Paul felt something wet on his cheek. He touched it with his index finger.
A tear. A single one he had shed without even realizing it.
"Yes?" Paul asked, lowering his hand and forcing a smile.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Everything is okay," Paul replied, a mixture of happiness and deeply buried sadness surfacing within him.
I did not see anything beneath that veil. I did not see her face.Perhaps she has finally said goodbye, Paul thought, forcing himself to focus on the here and now as he turned his head toward the pastor.
"Herr Heinrich Jaeger, born on the 1st of May, in the year 1910," the clergyman began.
"Frau Elisabeth Rundstedt, born on the 24th August, 1914," he continued.
"These two loved ones have gathered here today, before you all," he said, turning toward the crowd, "to affirm their love for one another and to bind it under the eyes of God, in marriage."
"Today, on the 25th February of the year 1939," the clergyman continued, his voice rising, "I will declare these two, under the eyes of God and under the eyes of you, dear ladies and gentlemen, to be man and woman."He formed a cross.
"Frau Rundstedt, do you agree?" he asked.
Elisabeth looked at Paul for a moment. Despite knowing the risks, she opened her mouth decisively.
"Yes."
The sound echoed through the silent church.
Paul closed his eyes, knowing what was about to come, but he forced them open again and looked at Elisabeth. Their eyes met. In that moment, Paul severed it. He cut the rope that bound him to all past responsibilities, decisively.
"Herr Jaeger, do you agree?"
"Yes."
"May God stand with you. May He protect your love and cherish it. I declare you man and woman."
"Dear Herr Jaeger, you may kiss the bride," the pastor said, smiling as he stepped aside.
Paul stepped closer, pressing his hand softly against her cheek. He kissed her as the church erupted into cheers.
----------------------------------------
Thank you all for the support! I appreciate every Power Stone, comment, and review.