On January 13th, Liebe said,
"Gelda, is it okay if we all bake a cake for Mommy?"
Gelda smiled softly. "Sure, but please allow me to supervise."
"Sure," Liebe said.
They made a cake, and Liebe tried his best to make it look and taste delicious. Then they all waited for Lilith. Yet none of them knew that, in the Black Rose, the extended family was pressuring her into a political arranged marriage.
Even at midnight, Lilith didn't show up. The kids went to bed disappointed. The next morning, the cake was still there. Lilith had come home but hadn't eaten it.
When Liebe asked, Gelda said,
"Lilith has been going through a lot of mental pressure. I know, young lord, this might be a bit hard to understand, but if you truly love someone, it's best to love them without expecting it to be returned. That's what is happening right now."
Time passed, and on Liebe's 9th birthday, he asked,
"Gelda… is Mom going to be home today?"
"Sorry, young lord, that will also not be possible. And… there's something my lady wanted to tell you."
Liebe said, "Wait, Mom wanted to tell me something?"
Gelda nodded. "Yes. Even though Dr. Dover said she was getting better… due to family pressure, your mother might remarry. We don't know if it's true, but that's what I heard."
Liebe said quietly, "Okay then… it's getting late. I should probably go to school; otherwise I might be late."
"Understood, lord. Please do take care."
Liebe said, "Elizabeth, Alysa, Licht—let's go."
"Let's go," Licht replied.
During lunch break in the cafeteria, Licht and Liebe were eating.
Licht said, "By the way, happy birthday, bro! How's your day going?"
Liebe said, "Ok-ish… kinda."
"What's wrong? You aren't the quiet type. What happened?"
Liebe said, "Well… Gelda told me today that Mom can't be present at my birthday again. And… there's a chance she might remarry, a political marriage."
Licht sighed. "That's truly a dilemma. But think of it this way—it's been a while since you've had a dad. Maybe this might work out for the best."
Suddenly, someone slammed their fist on the table and shouted,
"Liebe Al Faust! I'm Zora, and I don't like how you're sitting in my spot!"
Liebe said calmly, "This has been our spot for the past five years, dumbass."
Zora sneered. "Now that I'm here, it's mine. Now get lost."
Liebe said, "Here are your options: get lost… or fight any one of us five. If you win, the table is yours."
Then Liebe smirked. "I have a better idea—I'll fight all five of you at once."
Licht said, "Liebe, that might be a bit much—"
But the fight began.
Zora said, "Okay, everyone, enjoy this!"
Liebe said, "Dark Magic: Dark Duel Swords!"
Two swords formed in his arms.
Zora said, "Steel Magic: Steel Beam!"
As everyone tried to attack, Liebe said,
"Dark Magic: Unseen Castling!"
And just as the attacks were about to hit him, he vanished.
Zora laughed. "That was easy—"
Liebe appeared behind him. "Think again."
He slashed with his dual swords, and Zora bled.
"One down, four to go. Now… Dark Magic: Dark Ripples! End Strike!"
The dark droplets struck, and the remaining fighters fell. Only one managed to stay conscious, crawling to Liebe's feet.
"Lord Liebe… please… show mercy… Jet Black Emperor…"