The Dawn Unaware Of The Dusk

Lilith sighed. "I must be a terrible mother for abandoning him."

Gelda said, "You sure know how to overreact."

Lilith started playing with Liebe and gently said, "There, there, I'm here now."

But Liebe still wouldn't stop crying.

Lilith continued, "Ohh, I know what you want. Void Magic: Abyssal Orb."

A small dark orb appeared and floated around Liebe, making him smile again.

Lilith smiled softly. "Don't worry… I won't let you go. I'm here now, and I promise I won't leave you like that again."

A few days later, Lilith said, "Gelda, take the day off. I'll be taking Liebe to the capital today."

Gelda asked, "Are you sure?"

Lilith nodded. "Yeah. I already have some work there, so I thought I'd take Liebe to see the capital."

"Have a good day then," Gelda said.

As she walked around the mansion, she noticed Tenebris working outside.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Building a stable for the beasts. Since my wife and son love them, why not?"

"You don't have to," Gelda said.

"I should. No matter who they are, I'm just a servant of House Faust—and I intend to do my job."

"You're hopeless," Gelda muttered. "Maybe I should find a knight for an arranged marriage."

As Lilith and Liebe reached the capital, she smiled.

"What's up with you? You're extra smiley. Is it because you're with Mommy? Or because we're flying?"

Liebe reached out with his hands.

Lilith chuckled. "What a good boy. Not crying at all. Who's a good boy? You are!"

They landed in front of the capital's gates.

"ID, ma'am?" said the guard.

"I'm Lilith Al Faust, Vice-Captain of the Black Rose."

"The king and queen of the Grand Empire are visiting. No entry without ID."

"Understood. Here it is."

The guards checked it and bowed. "You're free to go. Please accept our apologies."

"Sure," Lilith said.

She turned to Liebe. "First, we'll meet the Grandmaster. Then we'll go to CKH to find you a new friend."

Liebe just smiled.

In the Grandmaster's chamber:

"I've arrived to deliver this month's report. The borders are secure," Lilith said.

"And who's this visitor?" Astreous asked.

"My son, Liebe."

"May I hold him?"

"Of course."

Liebe fell asleep in his arms.

"That's rare," Lilith said. "He usually doesn't like being held."

Astreous smiled. "Kids like me and my wife."

"How many kids do you plan to have?"

"As many as we can… but it's a gift God hasn't granted us."

"What?"

"My wife… she's infertile. There might be a way, but it's only possible in the Grand Empire. I plan to discuss it with their delegates."

"I'm sorry, sir. I hope it works."

"Thank you. He's fast asleep."

"He must really like you."

"Thanks for your report. You're dismissed."

Later, at CKH, Lilith said, "Liebe, get ready to meet your new friend, okay?"

She entered Elodie's room.

"Elodie! How are you?"

"My lady, you didn't have to come."

"I already had work in the capital, so I thought I'd visit."

"This is our second child."

"He's gorgeous."

"We think he might have light magic, like his father."

Lilith brought Liebe closer. "Come on, Liebe. Say hi."

"He's six months old," Elodie laughed. "He can't say hi."

Liebe gently tapped the baby.

"Liebe! I said hi, not hit!"

The baby, Licht, began to cry.

"I'm sorry!"

"It's okay," Elodie said, calming Licht.

Then Liebe cried, waking Licht up again.

And somehow, as Licht cried… Liebe smiled.

"Sorry again…"

After a few cycles of crying and calming, Lilith said, "It's almost sundown. We should head back. Sorry for the trouble."

"No problem at all, my lady."

Just as Lilith exited the capital gates and began to fly, Liebe looked like he was trying to say something.

"Do you want to say something, Liebe?"

"Ma… ma…"

Lilith's eyes widened. "Come on, Liebe. You can do it."

"Mama."

Tears welled up in Lilith's eyes. "Yeah… yeah, I'm your mother."

And as they flew, Liebe kept saying, "Mama… Mama…"

Lilith held him tightly as they soared through the sky for hours