Main Quest Update

Several moments later...

Lucian has just spoken his first words, and his parents are now lovingly hugging each other.

"I was so worried he wasn't growing right. I'm so happy I was wrong." Lilith says, conveying her worries to Siegfried.

"I know, Dear. It was beginning to scare me too! All the other children his age are already speaking. I thought we had done something wrong." Siegfried replies.

Lucian watching over their loving scene.

'Maybe I should start speaking more. Just a little bit at a time, though I can't freak them out. I believe by Earth's standards, children start forming sentences towards two years old.'

An hour or so later...

Siegfried and Lilith have spent the past hour saying basic phrases to Lucian. At the same time, Lucian has been acting like he's struggling to understand. Until finally saying it. During this time, the family has moved to the shop below.

'It's sad that I can't actually speak to them yet. It's so wholesome watching them together.'

"Now try again. What's that Lucian?" Lilith kindly coos to him.

This is his third time attempting to say "Shield." Lilith and Siegfried have been taking turns pointing at items. Lilith, the angelic mother she is, has enunciated every word before asking him to say it. On the other hand, Siegfried just says the item's name and then asks Lucian to say it. Earning him a few scornful looks from Lilith.

"Shield!" Lucian yelps back to his mother.

"You're such a good boy! Momma is so proud of you!" Lilith lovingly replies, kissing him on his cheek.

The scene before him never ceases to hurt. Conrad never had any memories of his father, heck, he didn't even know his father. Thanks to his mother. He spent his days pining for her praise. It always ended up him getting her scornful looks and when he acted out on it, she would end up beating him. All his strife for her affection, being for naught. Unknowing of her deep hatred for him since his birth.

Conrad's mind shatters as the ice around his heart wraps him in a cold embrace.

'Pain, upon pain, upon pain. Why could it never end? What did I do wrong? Why me. What the hell did I do to deserve you, Beth. Why couldn't I have been born with a mother like this!'

A tear runs down Conrad's cheek in response to Lilith's affection. Wishing that he was born here. Wishing that he could see Lilith as his true mother. His wish.

His life is so different here.

Lilith and Siegfried have never laid a hand on Lucian. They always respond with love or gentle scoldings, telling him exactly what he did wrong and why. Even the scoldings could barely be considered that since they can only hold their anger for a moment before showering him with love. Especially Lilith.

His fake parents' love slowly chips away at his numb heart.

A tear runs down Conrad's cheek in response to his mother's affection. Slightly wishing that he was born here and these people were his true family.

Lilith's warm hands run across his cheek.

"Your mother and father, love you so much. So don't be sad." Lilith's soothing voice, finally breaking through.

Conrad hugs Lilith tight with every fiber of his being.

'I've waited so long for this feeling.'

'Ding!'

'Main Quest has been updated.'

'Not now...'

Conrad ignores the system enjoying the warmth of Lilith's embrace. Feeling her loving heart pulse with every second. Seconds turn to minutes.