After dinner, they returned to the resort. Lilith tucked Liebe into bed in his room, then went to her own room with Tenebris.
Tenebris asked, "What's wrong, dear?"
Lilith sighed. "There's a big project and a banquet at the capital tomorrow."
"So what's the problem?" Tenebris asked.
Lilith hesitated. "It's tomorrow, and… a noble wants me to go with him. As in, on a date. But I'm married, and I have a child. I also promised Liebe I'd play with him in the sand."
Tenebris frowned. "Does this idiot know you're married?"
Lilith looked down. "Sadly, yes."
"Well, if it's for work, then you should go," Tenebris said.
"But what about Liebe?"
Tenebris smiled. "I have a plan for that."
The following morning, as Liebe, Tenebris, and Lilith walked to the beach, Liebe shouted, "Mommy, let's race to the water!"
Lilith replied, "First, we have a surprise for you."
"Yeahhhh! A surprise!" Liebe beamed.
Lilith pointed. "Look—it's Gelda!"
Liebe tilted his head. "Is Gelda the surprise?"
Lilith laughed. "Nooo. Gelda, show him the surprise."
Gelda grinned and said, "Spatial Magic: Portal!"
From the portal, Elizabeth emerged.
Tenebris added, "Now Liebe, today you can either play at the beach with Mommy… or with me, Gelda, and Elizabeth."
Liebe said, "Easy—Mommy! I get to play with you three every day, so Mommy it is!"
Gelda said, "Okay then, portal—open again!"
This time, Alysa stepped out.
Lilith smiled. "Now, who will you play with? Mommy, or Daddy, Gelda, Elizabeth, and Alysa?"
Liebe grinned. "Obviously Mommy! I love Mommy more!"
Tenebris raised an eyebrow. "This is getting out of hand."
He said, "For the final surprise, we have... Licht!"
"So now, who will you choose? Licht, me, Gelda, Alysa, and Elizabeth—or just Mommy?"
Liebe looked thoughtful. "Hmm… it's a bit tough... but Mommy, for sure!"
Then he hugged Lilith tightly and said, "Okay Mommy, the race begins now! See you at the water!"
Hearing how much Liebe loved her, Lilith couldn't help but cry. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered, "Let's run to the ocean and play."
Tenebris said quietly, "I think Lilith also forgot what our plan was."
Gelda chuckled. "Nice plan, genius."
Lilith took a deep breath. "Listen, we really have to go now."
Tenebris called, "Liebe, come here."
Liebe trotted over. "What is it, Daddy?"
Tenebris knelt down. "Listen well… Mommy has work to do. So can all of us play with you instead, just for today?"
Liebe's face fell. "No. I want Mommy. She promised we'd play and throw each other into the water if I won… and I did everything to win. I was even declared the winner with Licht."
Tenebris said gently, "It's not like that. I know the promise. It's just that this came up suddenly. We didn't expect it."
Liebe's eyes welled up. "Is it because I couldn't fully win? Or because I was weak? Or because you didn't like the fish I brought yesterday? Is it… because I've been a bad boy? Is that why Mommy hates me?"
Lilith, with tears in her eyes, pulled him into a tight hug and said, "It's never like that. There is nothing you can do that would ever make me hate you. You are my treasure—the son I love more than anything else. I'm so sorry I made you feel that way."
Both of them cried together.
Gelda watched with a soft smile. "They sure are mother and son."
It was time for Lilith to leave.
Liebe looked up. "Mommy, do you promise next week we'll come back here again—you, me, and Daddy? And this time, we'll have fun the entire weekend? Until the very last moment?"
Lilith smiled through her tears. "I promise."
"Pinky promise?" Liebe asked, holding up his little finger.
"Pinky promise," Lilith said, linking hers with his.
They shared that small but precious moment, and before leaving, Lilith gave Liebe a big hug.
Looking back now, I didn't know that the promise to return here again as a family would be a promise that would never be fulfilled. It was never her fault—
It was just the situation.