Gotoh entered the bedroom and approached Kikyo, who wore a light blue Kimono. She sat in front of her vanity set, looking herself up and down with her laser eye.
"Quite a fetching color on you."
"Oh, Gotoh! It's you. Do you really like it? It's so much lighter than what I usually wear but I figured, it is my eldest son's wedding."
"You look beautiful." Gotoh's eyes lingered on the lady of the house. Her hair was up in an elegant style, with decorative clips matching the color of her kimono.
"Did you need something, Gotoh?" Kikyo asked.
"Oh, um. Yes, pardon me." Gotoh cleared his throat. "The priest is here."
"Oh, good. Is he in the estate now?"
"As of yet, no. He's still at the base of the mountain."
"Why has he not let himself in?"
"When I spoke to Zebro, he told me the man said he sustained an injury that has prevented him from opening the testing gates."
Kikyo scoffed. "If I had known the man would be unable to enter I wouldn't have called him!" Kikyo applied powder to her face, still looking at the mirror. She sighed. "I guess I shouldn't be picky. He was available on such short notice and he's done services for us before."
"I can send Canary to get him." Gotoh offered.
"That's fine." Kikyo pouted into the mirror, adoring her lipstick.
Gotoh bowed curtly before turning to leave, but Kikyo stopped him.
"Wait." Gotoh turned and stood patiently, bowing his head politley. Kikyo loved that he always showed her the upmost respect, unlike the other butlers.
"Help me with this necklace."
Gotoh nodded silently as he stepped closer to Kikyo. She handed him a light blue choker with delicate white lace and beads, then turned around. Gotoh brought it around her neck and clipped the ends of it together. He might have wanted to let his fingers linger on the clasp, but he didn't dare overstep his boundries.
"All set." Gotoh bowed his head again. "I'm sure Silva will be taken aback by your lovely appearance today."
Kikyo sighed. "If only he appreciated me like you do." She muttered the words just loud enough for Gotoh to hear.
"I must be going." Gotoh turned and quickly left the room. Kikyo pouted.
…...
Chrollo sat in front of the gates, silently reading a book with the words "Shinto Weddings 101" printed on the front of the black paperback. Zebro, the family's gate-keeper, stood in front of him, bewildered, with a cigarette in his mouth.
"They're actually sending someone to get you."
"I figured as much."
"You're supposed to officiate some wedding going on in there?"
"Yup."
"I thought butlers weren't allowed relationships."
"It's not a butler. My friend, Illumi, is tying the knot today."
"Your friend, huh?"
"Yup." Chrollo stayed mostly focused on his book.
"You know, the last time one of my employer's sons had a friend come to visit they told them to buzz off."
"I guess that makes me special."
"I'm just surprised... The last time the boy and his friends ended up opening the gates themselves to get in."
Chrollo turned the page in his book, not looking up from where he sat. "Sounds fascinating."
"The boy was very kind... I think his name was Gon."
Chrollo looked up at Zebro at the sound of the name.
"Gon, huh? Yeah I know him. He's a good kid. Strong as hell. His friends are pretty terrifying, too."
"Oh, you know him?"
"I've... encountered him before, yes."
"Well then you know how pure a heart that boy has."
"Mhm." Chrollo turned his attention back to the book.
Zebro looked up to the sky and exhaled. "I hope wherever he is, he's doing okay."
"He's probably fine."
...
Meanwhile, Gon fights ants and shit with Killua.
…...
The gates opened, and a small figure poked her head through the opening.
"Are you the priest?"
Chrollo stood up. "Sure."
"I'm Canary. Follow me." The small butler held the gates open for Chrollo to pass through. Chrollo closed his book and nodded to Zebro in parting.
The pair passed through the giant gates and into the estate grounds. Canary released her hold on the gates and they shut with a loud noise. Canary didn't break too much of a sweat, and she began to lead the way. Chrollo followed behind her with his book tucked under his arm and his hands in his pockets.
After a few minutes of silence, Canary broke the awkward air. "You don't look like a Shinto priest."
Chrollo, taken aback by the sudden statement, stumbled on a tree root on the path before replying. "Well, you don't look like a butler."
"And what is a butler supposed to look like?"
"What's a Shinto priest supposed to look like?"
"You have a cross on your forehead. Isn't that like, not even a part of-"
"I... perform ceremonies in many different cultures and traditions..." Chrollo cut her off.
He stared at the back of the young butler's head as she continued to lead the way. She didn't ask any more questions. Chrollo followed quietly.
…...
The Zoldyck family gathered in one of the many sitting rooms. Illumi's grandfather, Zeno sat by himself. Silva stood with Kikyo by a window.
Silva stood in front of his wife with his arms crossed. "Where's Kalluto and Milluki?"
"I'm sure they're around. They'll be here before we move to the shrine." Kikyo stood with her arms behind her back. Silva grunted impatiently. Kikyo sighed and let her arms fall to the side. "It's just a shame Killua won't be here."
Silva gently placed his hand on his wife's shoulder. "I'm sure wherever Killua is, he's doing just fine."
...
Meanwhile, Killua faces some upsetting ant shit with Gon.
...
Zeno bounced his foot, which was crossed over his leg. "So I meant to ask you, Kikyo.."
"Hm?" Kikyo looked over to her father-in-law.
"This woman you hired to come into our home and join the family even though we don't know her..."
"Zeno, we know what we're doing."
"Does she have family?"
"A father."
"And will he be here?"
"I take it, no. This is a contract marriage to a family of assassins, I doubt her father would want any part of it."
"Just like your family didn't want any part of your wedding."
Kikyo frowned at Zeno's spiteful words. "My family wasn't at my ceremony because they're all dead."
Zeno sighed. "Who are you getting to officiate the ceremony?"
"Oh, well we sent for Riku. He's the same priest who-" Just then, the door opened. A familiar face stepped in – a face with a cross on its forehead. Zeno stood up.
"You!"
Chrollo smiled. "Zeno, Old pal!"
"I may be old, but I'm not your pal!" Zeno's hands were raised and he stood with a firm stance, ready to attack at the drop of a hat.
"Didn't they tell you, I'm the priest!"
"What?!" Zeno looked at Kikyo, who looked at Silva, who in turn looked back at both of them.
Realizing nobody had invited Chrollo, they all looked back to the smug person standing at the door.
Kikyo cleared her throat, trying to regain some composure. "What happened to the priest we hired? Riku was supposed to be here!"
Chrollo cleared his throat before speaking. "Ricky couldn't make it, he had some business to take care of last minute..." Riku, the hired priest, was actually not busy, but very much laying face down dead in a ditch just a mile away from Kukuroo Mountain.
Zeno's calm anger filled the room. "You tried to steal our powers."
"Ah, yes that was a bit of a sticky situation and I can see why you'd be worried that I'm here... But I'm sure your son, Kalluto, informed you that I'm still without use of my Nen."
"Did Kalluto know you were coming?" Silva asked.
Chrollo sighed. "No, I didn't mention to him that I would be coming. He'll probably be just as surprised as you all are."
"Then why the hell are you here?!" Zeno shouted.
Illumi poked his head into the room.
"Oh, Chrollo. You're here."
"Illu! Good to see you. Thank you for inviting me to officiate your wedding!"
"I did what now?" Illumi whispered. Chrollo looked at him pleadingly, as if to say 'go along with it!"
"Of course, I did..." Illumi finally responded.
Illumi took a step further into the family room and looked around to see everyone with their guards up and confused as hell.
"So... Chrollo is going to be officiating."
"Why?" Kikyo said through grit teeth.
Illumi thought for a moment. "Chrollo... was my roommate and our former client so I guess he's the closest thing I have to a friend."
"You don't have any-" Kikyo started. She stopped only to take a deep breath. "Why didn't you ask me first?!" Kikyo snapped.
"Well, it IS my wedding so I didn't imagine I had to ask." Illumi responded calmly.
"YOu- you're getting married to a girl that WE picked out!"
"Still my wedding."
Kikyo looked like a boiling teapot, you could almost see steam coming out of her ears from her fury. She clutched her fists together tightly, digging her nails into her palms. Silva placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Well then, I guess we should get this over with." Silva sighed. "Where the hell are my other sons?"
...
Kalluto hid in the darkness of a corner outside Illumi and Prytania's rooms.
"What are you doing?"
Kalluto turned to see Amane standing in the hallway, holding fine white linens and some boxy-looking hat made of white fabric.
"None of your business." Kalluto regained focus on the doors.
"One of the other butlers mentioned to me that your father is looking for you and your brother, Milluki."
"I'll be going in just a minute." Kalluto stayed glued to his position.
Amane shrugged, then began walking towards the rooms. Kalluto stopped her.
"What do you think you're doing!"
Amane bowed her head a little before speaking. "I'm just delivering Prytania's kimono."
"For what?!"
"The ceremony, sir."
"Ceremony? Wait, what time is it?"
"It's nearly five."
"Shit! Okay I guess that's why my father is looking for me." Kalluto looked at the rooms and then at Amane. "You are to report to me if you see anything strange."
"Certainly, sir."
Kalluto stood from his crouching position and turned to leave, but he looked at the butler. She was probably older than him, but she was still a kid.
"What's your name?" Kalluto questioned.
Amane's eyes gleamed with something strange that Kalluto wasn't sure what to call it. Happiness? Tears? Kalluto didn't know he had just inadvertently done something kind.
"Amane. My name is Amane."
"Right... Anyway, report to me."
Kalluto left the young butler in the hallway and headed for the family room.
Amane breathed in a clean air of assurance, knowing that for once one of the family actually asked her name of their own free will. She looked down at the white Kimono in her arms and smiled before moving towards the door in front of her. She knocked on Prytania's room and called for her. "Madam Prytania? I have your kimono for the ceremony. And this... hat... thing?"
Prytania opened the door to the small butler. "I believe it's called Tsunokakushi." Her hair and makeup was done beautifully, and she wore a wrap robe.
"Tsu-no... ka-sushi?" Amane giggled.
"Close enough. Get in here." Prytania smiled and opened the door widely for the young servant to enter.
Amane hesitated.
"What's wrong?"
"I was just told to deliver this to you – nothing else."
"I'll need help putting it on."
"I don't think-"
"I won't ask you any questions about what you said earlier today."
"Oh- um, that was-"
"You don't have to explain if you don't want to."
"Okay..." Amane looked over her shoulder one more time before entering the room.
…...
Kalluto sped past Milluki's room, but stopped and turned around once he realized he saw light coming from underneath the door. He knocked.
"Milluki?"
No answer. He knocked harder.
"Milluki, dad's looking for us."
Kalluto heard shuffling from the other side of the door, followed by heavy footsteps approaching. Milluki opened the door and poked his head out.
"What do you want, brat?"
"Dad's looking for us. I think everyone is gathered in the family room by now. They might want to head for the shrine."
Milluki stared at his younger brother for a moment before grunting and emerging from the dark room. He blinked, getting used to the brighter hallway.
"This is going to be a drag." Milluki mumbled. Kalluto said nothing as they walked to the family room.
...
Tsubone approached Prytania's room. Amane had not yet returned from delivering the kimono and she worried what her granddaughter would say.
The door was shut, and Amane's aura was detectable through the door. She was inside the room, alone with Prytania. Tsubone knocked on the door and called for her granddaughter.
"Amane?"
A moment passed before Prytania opened the door. Her white Kimono fit her perfectly and her ceremonial hat fit nicely on her head. Amane looked at the door from inside the room with wide eyes.
"Good evening, Tsubone."
"Good evening, ma'am. I'm terribly sorry that Amane has bothered you."
"It's no bother at all! She came to deliver the kimono but I also needed help putting it on, so it was perfect!"
"Ah. I see." Tsubone looked to Amane, who looked more distressed. "Come along, now."
Amane stepped over to the door quickly, not a single hesitation about her. She looked at Prytania as she passed her, with a worrying expression. Prytania furrowed her brows at her, as if to ask if she would be okay. Amane looked away as Tsubone grabbed the small girls hand.
Tsubone didn't bother smiling. "Please let Illumi's butler, HIro know if you need any further assistance."
Prytania smiled her million-dollar fake smile as she closed the door without answering.
As soon as the door was shut, Tsubone and Amane hurried away to a closed off hallway. Tsubone crouched down to Amane's level so they could see eye to eye. Amane was already crying.
"What's wrong, love?"
"She knows." Amane choked out.
"She knows what?"
"She knows about Alluka!" Tsubone's mouth gaped open and she covered her face with her hand to muffle a gasp. Just then, Gotoh turned around the corner.
"Did I hear correctly?"
Tsubone stood at the sight of the family's head butler. "Gotoh! The child doesn't know what she's saying!"
"This is not good." Gotoh growled.
Amane hiccuped. "I didn't say anything! Kalluto had told me to keep an eye on her for anything strange and she invited me into her room and then she started asking me all these things you have to believe me I didn't say anything!"
Tsubone rubbed her hand on Amane's back. "Calm yourself."
"This is not good," Gotoh repeated, "This is not good."
…...
Kalluto and Milluki had reached the family room to find the air filled with tension.
Milluki looked around the room and realized he was still dressed in his western clothes while the rest of his family opted for traditional Japanese dress. He thought about changing, but at this point he really didn't care.
Kalluto registered that the leader of the Phantom Troupe was not only in his house but sitting in the family room.
"Chrollo?" Kalluto asked, unbelieving.
"Kalluto! Good to see you."
"What- what are you doing here? Is something wrong?"
"I'm performing your brother's wedding today."
Kalluto glanced to Illumi, who sat near Chrollo in his traditional dress, back straight as a board and his eyes looked into space with unwavering concentration on seemingly nothing.
"Oh...kay..." Kalluto moved to sit with his mother. Milluki walked over to Illumi and Chrollo to sit by Illumi, who barely nodded to acknowledge his presence.
The door opened and Hiro, Illumi's new butler, walked in.
"Prytania is ready if you all would like to move to the shrine." Illumi watched Hisoka's eyes meet Chrollo's. Chrollo's expression was that of instant recognition. Hisoka looked to Illumi, unsure of what to say or ask. He decided not to say anything.
Nobody else in the room seemed to notice the butler as they all slowly got up, ready to get this over with.
Prytania stepped through the door after Hisoka, to which Kikyo beamed.
"You look gorgeous, my dear!"
Prytania blushed and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you."
"Come, Illumi will walk with you as we proceed to the shrine." Kikyo grabbed her eldest son's arm and pulled him to where Prytania was standing, and taking the small blonde girl's arm, linked her to Illumi's elbow.
"Perfect!" Kikyo smiled and returned to her husband, linking her own arm to his, as the family made their way to the shrine.
...
Kalluto followed Milluki at the back of the family's procession to the shrine. Behind him, Illumi's butler, Hiro, walked with his hands behind his back. Kalluto glanced at the butler. His hair was black and it was combed and pressed downward in a dapper fashion. Something about him looked incredibly familiar. Kalluto turned back around and nudged his older brother, Milluki in the arm.
"What?" Milluki grumbled.
Kalluto responded in a whisper. "Mom didn't mention Illumi's new butler."
"Yeah. Hiro or something."
"Who recommended him?"
"I don't know. Why does it matter?"
"The familiar aura... I think I know this guy. His face looks familiar too."
"And?"
"Can you do a background check on him?"
"I don't do anything for free."
"I'll buy you a new figurine or something."
"I can buy my own figurines, thank you."
"C'mon, Milluki there's gotta be something you want."
Milluki thought for a moment.
"I want a new monitor."
"you already have-"
"I want. Another. Monitor."
"Fine."
"Deal."
Kalluto and Milluki continued to walk in silence. Kalluto slowly turned to steal another glance at the butler. He knew he had seen him somewhere, he just couldn't put a finger on it.
…...
Prytania and Illumi kneeled seiza-style in front of a low table with three cups stacked on top of each other, along with a bottle of sake. The family sat behind them in the same style, watching. Silva sat to the left of his wife, who sat to the left of Zeno. Kalluto and Milluki sat to the far right behind Prytania.
Chrollo sat across the table from Illumi and Prytania.
"We will now begin the san-san-kudo." Chrollo lifted the cups off of one another and poured sake into one. He made a motion like a prayer before setting one of the cups in front of Illumi.
"The first cup represents heaven. May the love between Illumi and..." Chrollo looked at the blonde girl and hesitated. "...and his bride. Illumi, you may sip three times from the first cup."
Illumi picked up the first cup and held it to his mouth. He couldn't feel Hisoka's presence anywhere in the room. He must have decided not to join the ceremony.
Illumi took the first sip.
He thought it made sense, usually only family members and the priest were the only persons present with the bride and groom during the different stages of the wedding. It still stung that Hisoka wasn't there.
Illumi took the second sip.
While inside the shrine, it was difficult to read any auras from outside. The family designed it that way to make it a more spiritual place inside the estate. He hated it. Hisoka could be right outside the shrine, waiting, or somewhere further and Illumi wouldn't be able to feel him.
Illumi took the third sip from the cup and set it down.
Chrollo moved the cup to sit in front of Prytania. "The... bride may now take three sips from the same cup."
Prytania took the cup and began her sipping. Illumi pulled a tiny piece of paper from his robe and scribbled something on it while Prytania sipped. Chrollo watched carefully as Illumi held up his message for Chrollo to see. Chrollo squinted to read it.
The note had an arrow and a name.
"- Prytania"
Chrollo nodded at Illumi in thanks.
Prytania set the cup down.
Chrollo pushed the second cup towards Illumi and looked on to the family behind them.
"The second cup represents Earth. May you both be blessed with wisdom in your marriage." Chrollo poured sake into a second cup and set it in front of Illumi. "You may take three sips from the second cup."
Illumi reached for the second cup.
This was really happening.
Illumi took the first sip.
He was really going through with this.
Illumi took the second sip.
It was happening so fast.
Illumi took the third sip and set the second cup down.
"Prytania may now take three sips from the second cup."
Prytania's three sips seemed more rushed than the sips Illumi had just taken. She finished them and set the cup down.
Chrollo looked over to the family again.
"The third cup represents mankind. May you bring each other happiness."
Chrollo poured the third and final cup and placed it in front of Illumi, who lifted it and took the first sip.
He could do this, he reassured himself.
Illumi took the second sip.
At the end of everything, Hisoka would take him away from all of this. From the duties of his family and the image he had to hold up. They would be together.
Illumi took the third sip, and set the cup down.
"Prytania may now take the final three sips from the third cup."
Prytania lifted the cup to her lips. Illumi watched as Chrollo gently smiled at Prytania.
He could hear the door to the shrine open and close, followed by the rustle of everyone turning around to see who had interrupted the ceremony. He looked at Chrollo, who seemed confused, and then to Prytania, who looked back at him wondering if he had also heard someone walk in. Illumi and Prytania turned around to see Gotoh, whispering something to Kikyo and Silva. Kikyo stood up from her seat, her expression alarmed.
"Stop the wedding."
Illumi could feel his blood go cold. Something was wrong. He looked to Prytania to see if she knew anything, but she looked just as worried. When Illumi turned back around to look at his mother, he saw her approaching quickly. He watched as she slapped the cup from Prytania's hands, letting the cup hit the table and break as sake flew out and spilled onto the table and floor.
Hisoka came through the door, looking around for a moment before his eyes landed on Illumi, Prytania, and the Kikyo, who loomed over the kneeling couple.
A thousand thoughts ran through Illumi's mind as Kikyo pulled Prytania to her feet by the hems of her kimono. Had Gotoh found out about Hisoka?
Kalluto squinted at the man in the butler's uniform, but his attention tore away as Kikyo gripped Prytania's Kimono and pulled her closer.
"How do you know about Alluka?" Kikyo spoke in a low grumble, gritting her teeth as her small fists gripped tightly onto the fabric around Prytania's neck.
Illumi could swear he felt his heart stop. Prytania made sure not to look anywhere else but at Kikyo's face.
"Who's Alluka?" Prytania let out with a whisper.
"DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME!" Kikyo shrieked. Silva swooped in from behind Kikyo and pulled her off Prytania, who stood there, standing, shaking.
Illumi stood up and placed himself in front of Prytania, facing her.
"You can't tell them it was me." Illumi whispered.
"But-"
"Make something up."
Illumi looked at Prytania's face, shushing her. She had already started to form tears at the corners of her eyes.
Illumi turned to face his mother, but landed his eyes on Gotoh.
"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Illumi sounded authoritative.
Gotoh snapped his fingers at Hisoka, signaling him. Hisoka left the room for a moment and came back with another butler dragging in a kicking, screaming, and crying Amane to the room. They held her by her arms as she squirmed, and Hisoka looked at Illumi and Prytania with furrowed brows and a genuine frown as the young girl sobbed.
Gotoh turned back around to Illumi and Prytania. "Our dear Amane told us you know about Alluka."
"I don't know who that is." Prytania insisted.
"Who told you about Alluka?" Gotoh pressed on.
"Nobody!"
"Then how do you know about him?"
"I don't!"
"We know you do!"
Prytania panicked. "It was Amane!"
Illumi looked at Prytania with wide eyes.
Gotoh nodded. "Very well then. Gentlemen, take her away."
Amane shrieked "I didn't tell her anything! She already knew, I swear!" Hisoka and the other butler dragged her away as she kept screaming. Prytania started crying.
"Where are you taking her?!" Prytania sobbed.
Gotoh turned now to face the small woman in the white kimono. "To her execution."
Prytania's mouth gaped open as she realized what she had done- what she had sentenced Amane to. The weight of her mistake began creeping up on her, making her knees feel weak. Illumi grabbed her arm and held her up. She leaned on him, trying to cope.
"I- I didn't know! You don't have to do that to her, please!" Prytania cried out.
"She knew the rules. She broke them. The consequence is death." Gotoh spoke calmly before turning to leave. Prytania opened her mouth, ready to scream, ready to stop him, but Illumi squeezed her arm. She looked at him, and he looked at her through the corner of his eye. He still faced his parents and the problem at hand. Prytania closed her eyes and let Gotoh leave the room to follow Amane and the two butlers out.
When the doors were shut, the screaming stopped. She didn't know if it was because the doors were noise cancelling, or because Amane had already been silenced.
"She knows too much!" Kikyo yelled. "Are you some kind of spy?"
Zeno stood up. "What did you expect, Kikyo? She's a stranger. An outsider. You know we can't trust outsiders."
Prytania opened her eyes. She was in a state of the strangest peace she had ever known. Whatever choices she made now could not be worse than the ones she just made. She could lie and lie and lie now and nobody else's life was on the line but her own. Living in her sin she answered calmly, "I'm not a spy."
"How can you prove it?" Zeno questioned.
Prytania now looked to Illumi, who stepped in front of her.
"She's not a spy."
Zeno frowned. "You are not clear of mind, grandson."
Illumi could feel his blood becoming hot. He wasn't sure if it was because he was angry or if the sake was particularly strong. Either way, it was an unfamiliar feeling.
"I know what you think of me, grandfather, but she is not a spy. She's sincere in that she's here to do her job and that's it."
"We can't trust her now that she knows." Silva interjected.
"You trusted her with the location of our home. You trusted her with our butlers, and you trusted her with my life - and the life of our future children." Illumi defended.
Kikyo took a deep breath.
"What do you know about Alluka?" Kikyo asked quietly.
"I- I know that Alluka was your fourth child, and that there was something about them that led you all to kill them."
Kikyo and Silva shared a glance. Prytania continued to speak.
"I didn't mean to pry. I understand the lives of assassins are very different. I could not imagine what would lead you to be rid of one of your children, but I'm not yet a mother, so I cannot know." Prytania looked to Illumi to see if there was any sign that she was lying correctly. Illumi placed his hand on her back and patted it.
Kikyo stepped forward.
"Of course, I don't expect you to understand. Please do not think of us as monsters. Sure, we're assassins and we kill people, but we're a family with values just like any other.
Prytania nodded.
Zeno crossed his arms. "We cannot have a wedding on the same day as an execution. It is bad luck."
Chrollo spoke up from behind Illumi. "We cannot end san-san-kudo on the second cup, lest it bring even more bad luck."
Kikyo sighed as she glanced over to her father-in-law. "He has a point."
"Illumi I don't feel well." Prytania whispered to Illumi, clutching onto his garment. Illumi glanced back at Chrollo, who was standing now, face smug as ever. Illumi looked over to the cabinet where they kept their sake only to see the bottle that they owned for the shrine still sat on its shelf. He looked back to Chrollo who smiled as he realized he had made the connection.
"The antidote. Now." Illumi whispered to Chrollo.
"What are you on about?" Zeno asked, only briefly stealing Illumi's attention away from Chrollo.
"One sec." Illumi turned around and glared at Chrollo, who rolled his eyes and poured another cup of sake from a different bottle.
"I'm marrying this woman today." Illumi spoke to the family before turning to Prytania to whisper again. "Sip that three times. It's the antidote but make it look ceremonial."
Prytania nodded as she took the cup from Chrollo.
"Don't you dare drink that!" Kikyo exclaimed. She stepped forward only for Illumi to challenge her.
"She's not a spy."
Prytania took the first sip.
Zeno shouted. "If she turns out to be a spy then she will see the ruin of us all!"
Prytania sipped a second time.
"Silva, DO SOMETHING!" Kikyo shouted, but Prytania took the final sip.
"I now pronounce Illumi and Prytania, married!" Chrollo beamed. "The bride and bridegroom may now offer sake to their parents as a gesture of the new family bond!"
Prytania dropped the cup to the floor. Illumi felt her weight begin to lean more heavily on his side. He could see worry on his family's face as he turned to catch the falling Prytania.
"Prytania?" Illumi called out to her, catching her before she slumped to the ground.
"Chrollo!" Illumi yelled.
"She'll live." Chrollo shrugged. Suddenly, his body was pinned to the wall. He looked down to see Zeno, holding him by his collar.
"You have fifteen seconds to explain."
"Your daughter-in-law interrupted the san-san-kudo."
"What does that mean?"
"First cup represents heaven. Pure sake is served. The second cup represents earth and all its perils. Poison mixed with Sake is served."
"Chrollo!" Illumi's bloodlust swirled quickly throughout the room. Without Prytania, he wouldn't be able to leave, and from what he was understanding, Chrollo had just poisoned her.
Chrollo's sick smile was only interrupted by his laugh.
"Allow me to continue, friend." Chrollo raised an eyebrow. Illumi didn't get any calmer.
"The third cup represents the mankind and the bonds we make with each other. The third cup is spiked with a fast – acting antidote. It works best when taken right after the poison. Otherwise... there could be side effects."
"You POISONED her!"
"All in the name of ritualistic symbolism. Besides, I gave her the antidote. She would be awake right now if she had taken it sooner."
"But Gotoh interrupted..." Silva muttered. "What are you playing at?"
"I have no ill intentions. Congratulations to the happy couple!" Chrollo smiled. "Now, at this point we'd move to the reception but as the bride is currently feeling a tad drowsy I'd say we take a breather, no?"
The family watched as Chrollo walked out of the room nonchalantly.
"I'm gonna kill him." Zeno grumbled.
"The man doesn't even have Nen." Silva reminded.
"Nen or not he needs to die." Illumi's grandfather crossed his arms.
Kikyo kneeled next to Prytania and placed her hand gently on her forehead. "For once, old man, I agree with you. He literally poisoned Prytania."
Silva interjected. "Before we do any killing, take Prytania to get checked out. Illumi, go with her. Take a butler. Father: watch Chrollo. Don't kill him."
"I used to give you orders."
"You used to be the head of the family."
"Watch your tongue, son, lest I take it from you." Zeno left the room after Chrollo before Silva could get another word in.
…...
~Chapter 16, Fin~
...
I hated writing this chapter probably as much as you all hated reading it I knoooow.
Hang in there though! Good things to come ayyy.
Full disclaimer I've never been to a Japanese wedding before I had to look a ton of stuff up and I'm almost certain that normal ceremonies don't go like that at all LOL.
So I'm going to be travelling for about six weeks. I won't be working on any chapters during that time. I will return Mid-August and then I'll be posting shortly after that. Sorry in advance for the long wait.
I'll be back! Eventually! With a new chapter!
Until then,
Fluffy out.