"But my mother told me it's not a real word. People just like saying it." The boy behind them nervously stepped forward.
"All of our parents gave different meanings for 'execution,' but Edi's father was actually executed. She knows the real meaning." The boy with the coat glanced at the nervous boy, slightly shaking his head.
"And she already told us that." He added.
"I guess you're right then." The nervous boy replied, relieved.
"Let's play something else," Edi said eagerly.
Time passed, and exhaustion finally overtook them. One by one, the children returned to their villages, to parents who might have been waiting.
Edi, too, swung toward the Light's Mansion. The sun sank closer to the horizon.
The guards opened the massive gates for her, letting her pass. The courtyard was empty—Liyoku and Sinu had not returned.
The quiet was heavy, triggering Edi's longing for her father.
She climbed the stairs and pushed open her room's door. Her mother lay asleep under the blanket.
"Mum, why isn't Pa coming back?" she whispered, on the verge of tears.
She shook her mother's shoulder. Her mother, deep in slumber, had found a peace she could not consciously summon.
Mum woke up, but her reaction was unexpected, frustration.
"My back of head hurts," she muttered, shifting away.
A pause.
"DON'T YOU HAVE PATIENCE? Why did you have to wake me up?!" she screamed. Edi, taken aback, cried softly.
"I didn't do anything," Edi whispered, wiping her tears.
"Shut up! Go away!" Mum clutched her fists, every sound around her stabbing like needles.
"Where is Pa?" Edi persisted, still unable to grasp that he would no longer be there to pat her head, to praise her.
"He… he died!" Mum blurted impulsively, immediately regretting the words. She had tried so hard to hide the truth. "I—I mean… he will come after tomorrow." Her voice cracked, now soft and uncertain, her palms opening almost uncounsciously.
"Promise?" Edi's tears had stopped.
"Come lie down with Mum," she said, creating a space in the blanket for Edi.
Edi climbed onto the bed. Her mother pulled her close, shielding her from a world not built for innocence.
"Why is Mum angry at me?" Edi muttered, more to herself than to her mum.
"You didn't do anything. Mum's just… stupid," she replied, stroking the back of Edi's head.
"Why is Mum insulting herself?" Edi asked, lifting her head to look into her mother's eyes.
"Nothing… just sleep." Mum rested her chin above Edi's head, both sinking into the dream world where she no longer had to care about the outside.
Akarum, who was sitting under Niheart, rested his legs straight on the dirt in a comfortable position. The massive tree's leaves shimmered through the dark night, the sight beautiful enough to lure anyone who gazed upon it.
"Mama, I read many books today," he said without looking at her.
"Was it Wanna Be a Princess?" Neues teased, chuckling.
"No, you're awful," he muttered, turning his head away.
"Now, Mama's awful. Fine. Let's see who will answer your questions now," she said, knowing his weakness and refusing to spoil him.
"You aren't awful," he said, still not looking at her, though irritated by the teasing.
"Did you really enjoy playing with other kids?" she asked, shifting fully toward him.
He paused, reconsidering his words.
"I didn't," he finally admitted, expression falling.
"Why didn't you lie to your old man then?" Neues poked his forehead. He barely noticed.
"I don't know… I just felt it was the right thing to do," he replied.
"You're growing up too fast, and I don't like it," she murmured, concern visible on her face.
"Why? It should be good—I'll understand things better," he said, emotionless.
"But then you wouldn't be able to enjoy yourself like you did not enjoying playing with other brats," she added softly.
"I felt… a strange feeling. It hurt slightly. I… I couldn't describe it." He lay on her lap, puzzled by the loneliness he couldn't name.
"You don't have to. Mama will always be with you, always answer your questions. You don't have to solve puzzles yourself." She placed her palm on his forehead, eyes filled with fondness.
"Mama, kiss me," he suddenly demanded.
Neues facepalmed.
"I kissed your old man in front of you. Now you demand it constantly?" Her palm slid off his face with a sigh.
"Give me or I won't talk to you," he threatened, raising his tiny hands to her cheeks.
"I don't even understand your mood swings," she muttered, finally placing a soft kiss on his forehead.
He sucked his index finger.
"What?" She batted his hand away. "You haven't done this stupid habit all this time."
"It was… the kiss," he corrected.
"Huh! You should just grow up and get married. This is weird." Neues turned her head, clearly blushing.
"Married?"