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✦.✦
"It wouldn't be bad to have joint with the Phantom Troupe."
Maha, Silva and Zeno were back at home. They sat at the meeting table all sipping on their tea.
"We need to keep Yullia in the family. Yullia should marry Illumi."
Maha insisted further. He once again brought up the engagement between the two.
"I want my daughter to make her own choice."
This was true, Silva was always the one to reject this idea. The only daughter she had was free to make her own choice, as long as the male was worth for the Zoldyck family. She was free to marry whoever she wanted.
Maha sighed, he knew this. He had to tell him about Yullia.
"There's a reason behind it."
He started off...
.
.
.
"I see. But if Yullia's strongly against it, we cannot force her."
"Fine."
After listening to Maha, Silva slightly agreed with keeping Yullia in the family. Marrying them definitely had more value.
Maha had just told Yullia about who she really was. She was the missing baby in the legends of the Zolydck family.
✦.✦
First of all, Zoldycks did not naturally have white hair. There was an era long ago where there were many strong assassin families. Zoldycks were just considered one of the many. They have yet to master their nen. One day, one family member of Zoldyck accidentally collapses somewhere in the forest worned out and tired by the job. The nearby people found him and took him in.
Waking up he found himself at a completely unknown village. Everyone here had white hair. Nen wrapped around everyone. Feeling on guard he almost killed the first person that came in. The girl that was grabbed by him did not flinch at all when he was threatening the ones behind her.
"Where am I. Who are you guys?"
"Calm down, sir. We mean no harm. The girl in your arms found in the woods passed out. She brought you here."
Sensing the fact that this was true, he lowered himself and looked at the woman in front of her.
She was pregnant. The crown on top of her indicated her position.
"Hi, I'm Reiko. Welcome to our village."
With that the Zolydck assassin relaxed himself. The wound he had was deep, unable to travel. He decided to stay at the village. He stayed there longer than he had originally planned. He was completely drawn to the princess of the village. But, she was already pregnant, her baby to be due soon. Keeping his feelings inside him, he left the village.
After getting back to the family, he told his dad about his experience. He had met a bunch of nen masters at the forest. They all had white hair and their nen bloom. The strangest thing about them was the fact the females had more nen than males. This was different from what was tradition in this era. Male were always superior. The villagers were said to be protected by dragons. Hence their nen was all related to dragons. The princess was different. Her nen was time control, it seemed that the daughters of the royal family had that nen.
The father headed towards the village immediately, he wanted the princess's child. He wanted to control it at birth. The villagers all fought back. But being a peaceful clan they had no experience. Their nen powers kept all the battles away from them.
When the father found the princess. She was already dead. The child was nowhere to be found. He cursed. Just when he thought everyone was already dead. The female next to the princess moved.
"Are you a royalty?"
If the female was also the royalty of the family, there was a high chance she could also have the same nen.
"Yes."
The female was a simple maid. Someone somehow was just passed out during the whole event. Looking towards the angry black head, she could only lie. She could only Hope she gave the right answer.
With that the father brought her back. Forced her to marry his son and they started having kids. But the maid knew, if the girls came out without the ability to control time, she would die immediately. She killed all the females that had been born. The father desperately wanted a female and never received it after many kids. He was angry, he started to believe she had lied to him all these years.
When he caught her killing yet another daughter, the father knew. The woman he keeped many years would never give him a granddaughter with such powers. She was dead there.
The maid had killed so many of her daughters she lost the reason why. She simply wanted to keep surviving. She slowly grew to hate daughter, her hate slowly turned into a curse.
Passing along the family's DNA, only boys could be born from the Zolydck family. As DNA diluted, it was no longer pure with white hair. Therefore, less and less boys were born with white hair in the Zoldyck family. Seeing that the white hairs were all stronger, it became a family tradition. The white hairs would always be the heir. As long as there's a white hair, one is free to have just one child.
The princess at the time had used her life in exchange for her baby. She twisted her nen and teleported her baby out of the era. She didn't want the Zoldycks to find her. The princess did not want her only baby to be used. With her unstable nen she herself did not even know where she went. The katana she sent along was the father's sword. He was also gone.
✦.✦
"Yulli, Illu."
Silva greeted the two in front of them. He had to let them know about the engagement.
"How do you two feel about each other."
He had to know about their feelings first. He didn't want to force them into something they truly didn't want. He looked towards them for their reaction. He knew both of them knew exactly what he was trying to say. Both of them didn't reply to Silva. They were waiting for each other to speak up first.
Illumi didn't know what to say about that. He never really analyzed his feelings for her. He wanted to know her side. He wanted to hear what she was going to say.
Yullia was around the same case. Illumi was the same person that she treasured but not the same at the same time. The years she spent avoiding him, planning to escape was filled inside her. She had never completely stopped to think about that. She did not know how to label it. She didn't want to face her emotions, she didn't want to accept the truth of the young Illumi no longer there, she didn't want her feelings for Illumi to decide that. If she no longer loves him, that really means he was completely gone. She was so trapped in the past Illumi, she had never thought about the Illumi now.
"You guys will be engaged to each other."
.
Even with that either of them said anything.
"Just that, you may leave."
Silva sensed no objective from them. He knew that somewhere deep down, the two did not mind that idea. With Silva's order. They both left the room.
Illumi closed the door behind them while Yullia was leaning against the wall. She was watching Illumi, trying to organize her thoughts about the question earlier. She was taking a good look at him.
Illumi was in the same formal attire he wore last time to the family dinner. He was looking at her the same way. Examining her.
Seeing Illumi like this again threw her back to last time the engagement was mentioned.
I really don't mind.
The expression he used towards her when he said that, she layered the younger Illumi upon the expression. Her face became shy. She was blushing. Looking towards Illumi her mouth moved on its own.
"I don't mind..."
Feeling embarrassed by what she just said. Yullia immediately turned away and walked down the hallway.
...
Illumi stared at the same place Yullia was. His eyes widened caught completely off guard by the words and expression displayed on her face. Her eyes were gently looking at him. The hair around her fell gracefully. Her head tilted to the side. Her mouth was slightly opened. And her cheeks displayed a light blush. Her attention was focused on him. She was only looking at him.
"Illumi-sama."
Aria appeared in front of Illumi, getting into sight. Her head was slightly tilted. The brown her on her also fell gracefully around her in the same way. But. Illumi only saw Yullia in front of him. He pulled Aria towards his room.
✦.✦
"Ahh, Illumi-sama it hurts."
Illumi had forcefully threw Aria on the bed and pinned her down. His hands were wrapped around her waist. He held it tightly down above Aria. Illumi did not hear Aria at all. His grip never loosen. Afraid the person in front of him was going to escape. Run away from his sight. Getting closer down towards Aria, he unconsciously mumbled his thoughts.
"Yulli..."
As silent as the words came out of Illumi's mouth. Aria, being extremely close to Illumi, heard it. Her eyes widened. The man in front of her was once again looking through her. She didn't know the reason behind it. Aria, who knew about Illumi's past servants, always thought Illumi had seen the dead ones through her sometimes. But now she knows why. Illumi had layered Yullia over her.
I'm not special...
✦.✦
AHHH... why did I say that?!
Yullia was mentally beating herself. After getting into her room she knew she had to talk to Illumi. Not to clear it up, not to explain, not to see his reaction. But simply telling Illumi to forget about what she had said. She somehow layered the young Illumi on top of Illumi. She was intuitively talking to the young Illumi. She didn't want Illumi to think it was anything weird.
She pushed the bedroom door open, her thoughts were completely blocking any noise around. She did not notice the noises the hot session was making inside the bedroom.
"Nii-san, about earlier."
...
Yullia's eyes widened at the sight in front of her. Illumi and Aria were completely naked on the bed. Illumi was on top of her, hovering over her. His elbow connected with the bedsheets next to Aria's head supporting his body and to give him a better position to thrust. Illumi's eyes were completely looking towards Yullia who just got into his room.
"Excuse me!"
.
Bam.
.
With that she ran out. Her bangs covered her eyes as she ran through the hallway. A tear slowly rolled down her cheeks. She wanted to forget about what she just saw.
"Get out."
Illumi got off of Aria. After seeing Yullia he simply couldn't continue. He walked towards the bathroom.
This time Aria didn't clean the room, she picked up the clothes around the bed and quickly got out.
✦.✦
Illumi sat in his bathtub thinking about what just happened. He was completely zoned out. He did not feel Yullia's presents walking into his room. The noise of the door and Aria's no longer moans were the reason why he looked towards the door.
Yulli...
He had no idea what Hisoka was referring to. But now he had noticed it. He noticed he had been layering Yullia on top of all the women he had been with. All the girls around him resembled Yullia. But, even if this was true. Even if he really loved her. This wouldn't change anything.
It will only get in the way.
✦.✦
Yullia hugged herself on her bed. She thought about what she walked into.
What a bad timing.
She mentally cursed herself. Never had she once walked into one of Illumi's steamy sessions. She avoided his bedroom at all times. She did not want to see anything related to that. But she did. She walked in on him. The younger Illumi image that Yullia was layering on top of Illumi was shattered. The sight made by the two was unknown to her. The lust on his face he had made towards satisfying himself was unknown to her. The man Yullia had saw was completely out of her memories. She had never seen that side of Illumi.
It's not him...
✦.✦
"Yulli, Yulli come here."
"Hmm?"
"Here!"
The younger Illumi stuck a small piece of flower into the younger Yullia's head.
"It's pretty!"
"Yes..."
Yullia looked towards Illumi with a gentle big smile. Illumi's eyes went soft at the sight in front of him. He was solely looking at Yullia. The female in front of him that he treasures so much. She looked into Illumi's eyes. Her eyes sparked towards him.
"Ne... Illu..."
.
.
.
✦.✦
Illumi walked into Yullia's bedroom. Yullia was already fast asleep. Curled up in a ball.
Looking at Yullia, he saw a younger Yullia. A young girl lying curled up into a ball. Her emotions completely drain from her. She stared at Illumi with emotionless eyes, cold, her soul was no longer there.
Yulli...
✦.✦
Aria was walking through the hallway when she saw Illumi walk out of Yullia's door. Illumi was so focused that he didn't even notice Aria. Aria took a good look towards Illumi.
He had just gently closed Yullia's front door. Illumi was still leaning against her door. He was thinking. Thinking about something serious. As if coming to a conclusion, he walked away.
Aria walked towards Yullia's front door.
But, they are siblings.
Aria knew. Aria had finally figured it out. Illumi had been looking through all the girls. He has always only been looking at Yullia. Aria, who didn't know about Yullia being adopted, had thought Illumi had loved his own sister. An forbidden love.
Aria looked towards her own hair. The soft brown hair shiny in reflection to the dim lights. She had been told by other servants that she had nice hair like Yullia. Aria finally figured out why she was chosen. Aria had always thought Illumi only spared her because she was special. Because he had liked her. But she was wrong. It was only because she resembled Yullia.
Aria grabbed her hair. Pulling on it. This hair was what saved her, what brought her here. What caused her to be caught up in between the siblings. The reason she was still alive.
I still have a chance.
She figured it out. Right now she was still alive. Illumi had yet to notice his feelings. She was still being kept around. A thought was forming slowly in her mind. As long as she starts slowly becoming Yullia, she can survive. She can replace her in his heart. Their relationship is forbidden. But, hers wasn't.
I can replace her.
Aria slowly went through her front door. She walked quietly down her living room towards her bedroom. Her nen fully concealed her. Her hand went for the door.
Beep. Beep.
Aria stopped. She waited.
"Chrollo?"
...
"Cafe? Right now?"
...
"I'm at home."
...
"Ah. the one with an outdoor cafe."
...
"See you."
Hearing Yullia move. Aria quietly and quickly left.
She had almost moved on impulse to try and kill Yullia. That was stupid. Yullia would have woken up completely and attacked her. She had almost forgotten how strong Yullia was. Now, she thought of another plan. Yullia clearly knew this Chrollo guy on a personal level to be hanging out at a cafe. It could be Yullia's friend. Aria knew about the rule. No friends. This was especially strict on Yullia. She was always ordered by Illumi to make sure of that. She can get Illumi right now. This was the right time to strike.
✦.✦
"Sorry, did you wait long?"
She was now in front of Chrollo at the only outdoor cafe in the town near her family.
Chrollo looked up and signalled for Yullia to sit. He had already ordered Yullia a cup of coffee. Yullia nodded at Chrollo before sitting down.
"Nope. Not at all."
This was an exchange they had done multiple times. Chrollo would always meet Yullia at a cafe when he's showing up unexpectedly. She would always apologize and ask the same question. He would always have the same reply. But, the atmosphere between them was no longer the same. The connection once tied simply was all over the place.
"Chrollo, your nen."
Chrollo had his nen sealed away. He had lost the battle against the chain user. But even without his nen. He was strong enough to defend himself. Currently he was heading off to the east. But before he did, he wanted to see Yullia. She never fully gave Chrollo an answer. She never fully rejected him. He wanted to know the groom.
"Yah... Sorry I had to use Killua to come off just lightly."
Yullia knew Chrollo had caught Killua and Gon again. But they were not harmed. Killua had caught her up on that story. She had told Killua she was hired by Chrollo. Killua told her about what Kurapika did.
"It's okay. He wasn't harmed."
That was true. Killua getting into a dangerous situation was on himself. He knew how to get through it. As long as he survived, he's growing. Yullia wanted him to live freely as he could. Not be boxed in by the family.
They paused. None of them knew what to say next. Yullia held the warm mug towards her. She wanted to ask Chrollo if he was serious about what happened. She wanted to ask about Machi. She didn't know how to start it off.
Chrollo was around the same case. Was he really this low of a guy to seek out towards an engaged woman? The fact that Yullia never told him who the groom was or how she felt about anything. Got him thinking. It grew into a slight hope that Yullia could still get out of the situation. Chrollo being the gentleman knew he had to start.
"Yullia, I was serious about asking your family. I want you by my side."
...
"Do you even want to get married to your current fiance?"
"I don't know..."
"Is he even worth your feelings?"
...
"Who is he?"
Yullia did not know how to reply to the questions Chrollo had thrown at her. She didn't even know the answer to those questions herself. She didn't expect Chrollo to come out straight forward.
Chrollo waited. Waited for her answer. He wasn't as calm as he always was. With his nen disabled he felt hopeless. He wanted to know if this man could live up to Yullia. He wanted to know how strong this man was. Who it was to take Yullia off of the Zoldyck family.
.
.
.
"I believe it's me. Chrollo."
Illumi pulled a nearby chair and sat down at their table. Aria had informed him about Yullia's meet up with Chrollo. He was just going to watch nearby without revealing himself but Chrollo was trying to take Yullia off his hands. He was trying to take Yullia out of his side. Out of his family. Out of his control. He had to step in. Chrollo without nen was no longer a threat.
"Illumi?"
Chrollo looked towards Illumi. Surprised to see him here. Yullia had rarely mentioned her family but he knew them all. Yullia's older brother was there. Interrupting their conversation. He knew about Illumi being a control freak.
"Hot cocoa, Hot black coffee."
The second Illumi sat down. He eyed Yullia's filled cup of hot black coffee. He thought Chrollo did not know Yullia at all. He had ordered Yullia's worst drink.
"Here, Yulli."
Illumi moved the Hot cocoa that was just placed by the waiter in front of her. Pushing her coffee away.
Hot cocoa.
Yullia eyed the drink Illumi had just pushed in front of her. This wasn't the most important thing right now. Illumi had caught her meeting up with Chrollo. If it was a client, it's normal. But Illumi knew they were friends.
"Aren't you her brother? How do you not know she only drinks black coffee."
Illumi's eyebrows raised towards Yullia. He had never seen her drink black coffee. She had always thought it was too bitter for her taste. She had always preferred hot cocoa.
He took out a needle and showed it, dangerous, to Chrollo. Chrollo was insulting his knowledge of Yullia. The one he had grown up with for more than 20 years. The one who he had always made sure was by his side.
"Stop. Chrollo couldn't even use nen anymore. You're wasting your time. That's unlike you."
Yullia spoke up. He couldn't just let her Illumi kill Chrollo. Their contract was still valid. Hearing Yullia. Illumi paused. That was true. He didn't like to waste his time on people who couldn't put up much of a challenge. He also chose his opponent wisely.
"Ya. about that Yullia. I have to head east to neutralize this nen. I want you to come with me. Not just as a job request."
Chrollo actually called Yullia out to inform her this. He wanted to know her feelings before he said that. But she never replied. This was his last chance.
Illumi's hand turned into a fist, he was ready to attack. Only to be stopped by Yullia who covered his hand. She stood up.
The rare new emotion hung on Yullia's face. One Chrollo had never seen before. Her eyes were soft. Her lips turned into a slight smile. She looked at Chrollo warmly.
"I'm sorry. I don't see you that way."
She bowed. After feeling Illumi relax. She walked. She did not want to catch anymore attention from the people around them. They were all interested in the trio. They were too breathtaking for them not to be interested. She needed to get out here. She didn't want to see Illumi's face this soon. His unfamiliar expressions flashed in her memories.
Illumi got up himself ready to go. Chrollo was already rejected. He already seemed to have lost hope. Yullia told him straight away already. Before Illumi could go, Chrollo grabbed his hand.
"Who is it."
"I told you. Me"
"Stop lying."
"KYA!"
The female around them couldn't help but scream at the situation. They had interrupted it as a triangle relationship. The two male were battling over the female that just left. They were in the center of attention. With that Chrollo lowered his hand and walked past Illumi.
"Let's talk elsewhere."
.
.
.
"So who is it?"
"Me."
"Don't be ridiculous, you guys are siblings."
Chrollo was not taking Illumi's bait. He had only simply thought his over controlling side was taking over Yullia. As far as he knew, they were siblings. There was no way they could ever get married.
"She's not really Zoldyck by blood."
.
.
.
"Ah."
Chrollo paused. This did make sense. He had always thought Yullia was just a rare female baby from the Zolydck family. But he never imagined her to be adopted. Yullia had never mentioned anything along the lines like that. But then again, he had never asked. Yullia's not the type to talk about herself like that. The Zoldyck never had once planned to let Yullia out of the family.
Chrollo looked at Illumi closely. This was the first time he actually had a close look at Illumi. He had seen some members of the Zolydck family. But he had never seen Illumi before. He had requested Illumi through text. They had never met before. Illumi's hair was equally as long as Yullia. Smooth, black, shiny. His years of training showed all over his body. His muscles were toned. This was the brother Yullia had once discussed. The one person that Yullia would make different emotions when being talked about.
"I see, say my farewell to Yullia."
Chrollo walked. There was no reason to stay any longer. Once he knew Illumi and Yullia weren't related. He knew. He put all the pieces together. Illumi was the one in Yullia's eyes. He's the only one she's looking for.
Pulling out his phone he messaged his last words to Yullia.
✦.✦
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