Lilith's tears wouldn't stop as she spoke. "You being born was the greatest blessing I could have asked for. Before I left, when I told you to be strong and wait… you are still waiting for me, aren't you?"
"I'm only doing the bare minimum," Liebe answered quietly. "For the mother who was my best friend, not my parent. The least I can do is carry the promise and continue to grow stronger until the day arrives."
"For eight years you waited for a fool of a mother—for me," Lilith said, choking on her words. "I can never apologize enough. You were a child who deserved love more than anyone. Now that you've grown up, I can't forgive myself for letting my work take me away. After staining my hands with blood, I couldn't get close to you. Every time I saw you, I feared that if I held you, my bloodstained hands would also stain you."
Liebe shook his head. "I don't mind death if it means I die knowing my mother loves me more than anyone else."
Lilith clutched at her chest. "I always said fate has its way, but looking at you, I know this isn't fate. This is my fault. Fate had nothing to do with it."
"I understand, ma'am," Liebe said softly.
"I always wanted to see you," Lilith whispered. "Even now, I wish every day that I could skip work just to see your life in the dorm, laugh a little, and talk about how your day was."
"I'd like nothing more," Liebe said, "than to sit down with you, talk about the day, and laugh together."
"After losing your father and grandfather, I lost myself in tragedy," Lilith continued. "I thought I was fighting for a world I wanted, but I forgot what you needed. The world forced you to grow up and leave behind what that world was for."
"It's okay, ma'am," Liebe replied. "I will wait—for a year, a decade, an eternity if I must."
Lilith extended her arms, and they embraced. "My dearest boy, I don't have much time left. I tried my best for you. But for the child who will come after, I beg of you—please let him take the title as heir. Then I can finally rest in peace."
"Mother, please live!" Liebe begged. "I want you to see me grow up, become a Grand Knight, watch me marry, play with my children, draw mustaches with them like you did with me."
Lilith smiled through tears. "This hug is the only thing I can offer you now, as a failure of a mother."
"Please, Mother…" Liebe whispered.
"With you as Captain, and the child as heir…" Lilith hesitated.
"Fine," Liebe said. "I'll become Captain—but only under one condition: we have a meal together every day."
Lilith gasped. "Every day, even if it's in the hospital or hell itself, I'll share a meal with you. Seeing you grow up—I could ask for nothing more."
"Then I accept," Liebe said, clutching her hand. "But please don't leave me, Mother."
Hearing all this, Licht could no longer hold back his tears. "I understand now," he said, voice trembling. "But why only six months, and not for life?"
"Because," Liebe said, "I'm just a hindrance. The Captain doesn't need a half-breed holding her back. These six months… I'll work hard, and enjoy meals with Mother. After work, I'll finally have a place to return to every day. I get to ask, 'What's for dinner today?'"
"Liebe…" Licht whispered.
"Even after all this," Liebe said, his voice low but firm, "I only wish Mother would tell me I'm her favorite child—that she loves me above all. These six months, they're for me. If I get to be a child for just a little longer, I can convince my heart that it's enough. That I got all I asked for. And after that… it's time to let Mother be happy."