"Enough ranting, Where can we stay for the night? Your place? Or maybe an inn?"
"My place is quite small, There isn't a bed for you two, maybe the tavern has a room, let's go see."
"Is it still open at this time?"
"My men drink all night, even if they are married."
"Do their wives not complain?" Sona asked as they walked up the empty streets of the city.
"Women have little power in this empire, not my opinion but theirs, I just go with it."
"I would have thought that it would have been different."
"The men will probably flirt with you, not knowing who you are."
"Your father flirts with me all the time, so I am used to it."
"He isn't drunk when he does? They are worse than animals."
"No, but I am not as fragile as I once was, and it's not like the creator gave me anything."
"Good for you then, you might need them," He said as they walked in, the men saluted him, he saluted them as well, "Three, two one."
"Capt'n, who's that? Your big sis?" One of the drunken men said, "If she wants she can stay at my place for the night," The men laughed.
"Didn't you have a wife? Oh, I'm sorry, the one that ran away on the wedding day, I forgot," Hugo retaliated.
"What did you say?" The man got up in Hugo's face, "Repeat that little man."
"You are drunk, your breath smells, and you could have been married if she didn't run away on the marriage day, now get out of my face," The man shoved him back and tried to punch him. Hugo lifted his hand and stopped the punch and hit the man's chest with his palm, sending him flying across the room. Hugo wiped his coat and continued walking to the bar counter.
"What can I do for you Capt'n?"
"I would like a room for these two," He said, "For the night."
"Very well, here is the key, room 2, do you want me to show you where it is?"
"I think that it will be fine," Hugo said shaking his head.
"Thank you Capt'n, see you tomorrow?"
"If you want, you can come up to my place in the morning, I'll see you tomorrow," They left him, before he left the bartender called him out.
"Who are they Capt'n?"
"Old friends, before I came to Bilgewater."
"You aren't Bilgewater? I thought you were."
"22 years being here and I would die for this empire, so I am Bilgewater, here, for the room," He said as he put a small stack of coins on the table, "Good night."
"Good night to you, Capt'n."
Hugo walked out of the tavern. The moon and the stars shined down on the city. He walked in silence along the main streets of the city, he turned onto the path leading to his house. He lit a cigarette and put it to his lips. He blew smoke up into the air. I wonder how Cass is doing. Maybe she is awake. I don't think I need to rush. He walked up the path slowly. He paused in front of the door. He sighed and unlocked the door. She is still asleep. He had a sigh of relief. He remove his coat and hung it. She had barely moved from where he had laid her down. He was suddenly worried, he rushed to her side and grabbed her wrist. She is still breathing, I shouldn't worry so much. He touched her forehead. Cass, Cass, Cass, getting sick the night before your wedding. Sona might be able to help you. Just sleep well. He kissed her forehead. He sat on the chair next to her. He leaned back, he felt no need to fall asleep, he didn't yawn. He took a drink as he ended his cigarette in the ashtray. He looked down at Cassidy, he sighed and gently caressed her cheek. He sighed. I wonder how she will react to my parents. He sat there, awake. He emptied his bottle twice during the night.
He was still fully awake when a knock came to the door.
"Who is it?"
"Your mother," Sona called, "Can I come in?"
"Of course," He said as he hurried to unlock the door and let her in, "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, you?"
"I don't know, I didn't sleep, I don't feel tired."
"Is she better?"
"No, her forehead is scorching," He said as Sona sat next to Cassidy.
"You said she was drinking then she got sick? Or the other way around?"
"She got completely drunk then got sick," Hugo said, "I don't know what to do."
"She just has a little fever, can you wake her up?"
"Sure," He said as he covered her eyes with his hand, "There, good morning Cass."
"Good mor-AH!" She said as she saw Sona looking over her, "Who is she?"
"This, Cass, is my mother, Sona."
"Just stay calm, I won't hurt you, I just want to help you feel better for your marriage day," She pressed her hand onto Cassidy's chest and laid her other hand on her forehead, "There, you shouldn't feel sick anymore."
"Thanks, I guess, but did only your mother come to visit?"
"No, my father is still sleeping, I assume," Hugo said as he turned towards Sona, "Where is he?"
"Sleeping, he was awake for nearly three days on the ship, so I think he deserves some sleep."
"Ah, yeah, I guess he was navigating," Hugo said, "You ready for the wedding Cass?"
"Yeah, I guess, I don't know what to expect, I just know that I will be happy at your side."
"I will too."
"You lovebirds, you remind me of when I married Omega," Sona said, "Ah, the nostalgia."
"How was your wedding? Can I call you mother?" Cassidy asked.
"I don't think it will be as grandiose as yours but it wasn't the main point, I was happy to marry Omega, your soon to be father in-law."
"I can't wait," She said. A knock came to the door.
"Come in," Hugo called. The tailor came in.
"Good morning Capt'n, your Majesty, and my lady," She said, "I would like to help you prepare, may you follow me?"
"Of course, you can come if you want mother."
"I will go check on your father," She said as they left the house. Cassidy moved her hand to hold his. The sun was dawning. The main square had been set up for the wedding. The tailor lead them into the Captain's Bunker, a room had been sent up for the occasion. The large room was set up for the ceremony. The tailor lead them into a side room. Cassidy's dress was on the left and there was a seat and a couple mirrors in front of the chair. On the other side of the room, Hugo's suit was on a stand.
"Wait here, your majesty, I will get the makeup artists," The tailor said as she left the room, "I'll be right back."
"Okay, I'll wait," She turned to Hugo and hugged him, "I am so excited."
"So am I," Hugo said as he kissed her, "You will look gorgeous in that dress, I hope it won't be uncomfortable for you."
"Don't worry, I'll deal with it."
"You won't even need to do anything, they will handle everything," Hugo said as the tailor came back to the room followed by five other women, "Five?"
"Two are to help you, and make sure your suit is fine."
"Okay then," He kissed Cassidy's cheek as they separated, and after a few minutes, Hugo left the room, he was in his white general's suit.
"Nice suit, Hugo," Sona said sitting on a stone bench outside of the room, "I like the white."
"You should see Cass."
"Omega will join us later, he is still asleep in the room," Sona explained, "Sit down," Hugo sat down next to her. He sighed. I wonder what people will think of Cass, I hope it is fine and nothing bad happens. They waited several minutes until a voice broken the silence.
"How do I look?" Cassidy left the room, she was blushing, "Is it too much?"
Hugo's jaw dropped, "You, you look amazing."
"Really? Do you think?" She blushed even more, "I don't know, does it not make me look like a twig?"
"No, not at all, I love it," Hugo said as he got up and grabbed her hands, "You look gorgeous."
"Thank you, I never really wore this type of dress before," She moved her arms around the top of his shoulders, "You look great as well."
"Don't ruin her makeup, Hugo," She said stopping him from kissing her, "It might smudge."
"When will the ceremony start?" Cassidy asked.
"In an hour, you will enter with my dad and I will enter with my mother."
"Okay, remember you are marrying me, not her."
"You don't resemble each other, I think I can handle that," Cassidy giggled at his comment.
"I am so nervous."
"Everything will be fine."
"I hope."
"High Commander of the Bilgewater, do you take Cassidy Dove's hand? Do you accept to love, protect and care for her, now and forever?"
"Yes, I do."
"Cassidy Dove, do you take the High Commander of the Bilgewater's hand? Do you accept to care and love him, now and forever?"
"Yes, I do."
"Under the will of the creator, I pronounce you husband and wife," The priest said, "May the creator protect you and your love," Hugo grabbed Cassidy's hand, and whispered in her ear.
"You ready?" She nodded. They walked hand in hand, towards the exit of the Captain's bunker. The guards opened the doors.