Chapter One: Welcome, Yotsuba Tatsuya
Contrary to what people said, Yotsuba Maya did in fact have human emotions. All her adult life, she wished for a legacy of herself, of blood and flesh: a son. But alas, she as incapable of it thanks to her tormentors and the experiments that they did on her.
Or rather, that's what she thought. Looking down at the sleeping babe in her arms, she felt tears gather in her eyes. Hugging her child close, she smiled wetly as she gazed at her son's features, memorizing it as she touched her son's soft cheek. More tears came when he raised a tiny hand and wrapped his fingers around her pointer finger and nuzzled into her touch.
She couldn't believe that she has been pregnant but the nine months that she went through for her child didn't lie. The first moment she held him, she felt an over encompassing love for him, one that rivaled or even overwhelmed her feelings towards her clan.
Now, a few days after giving birth to her babe, both mother and son sat in Maya's seat as the head of the clan, listening to the excited talk of her clan about the child. Each of the branch family heads, with the exception of the Shiba family, were present. She paid them no mind as she played with her son, tickling him and listening to his happy laughter.
"Maya-sama, what did the elders say about your son's magical capacity?" One branch family head, the Kuroba family head, asked the happy mother warily. Without looking up, Maya made a gesture and Eisuke stood, coughing to get everyone's attention, before he relayed his information.
"As of now, this information is to be spread throughout the family but not beyond it." The man warned before stating, "The Young Master is in possession of four great abilities, and retains his ability to use all magic."
A few moments later, the branch family heads all erupted in cheers and were dismissed by Maya absently to go tell their families. Hayama, Maya's guardian, smiled from he sat to her right.
"The Young Master sure is making waves already." The guardian chuckled as he watched his mistress play with her newborn child.
"Indeed he is. He's my little treasure though." Maya replied absently. Her absentees caused the guardian to smile in fondness
"Maya-sama, aren't you worried about the branch families?" Hayama asked seriously. From the moment that the Young Master confirmed to only be an embryo barely formed, Hayama made the resolution to protect both mother and son. And it was because of this resolution that made him so wary of the branch families.
His statement made Maya freeze before she looked up, fixing her solemn gaze on her guardian.
"How so?" The head of the Yotsuba asked as she considered his words. As a new mother and of a such a special child like her little Tatsuya, Maya too took her duty seriously, both as the Yotsuba clan head and a mother.
"Maya-sama, you know their ambition of having one of their own succeed you. With Tatsuya-sama born, that means that their ambition won't be fulfilled. They may instead try to get power by pushing the Young Master into an arranged marriage with one of their own and assassinate him then. Or they may even assassinate him out right or make him their puppet." Hayama stated as he considered the possibilities of what they could do to try and get power. Maya's gentle disposition gave way to her usual self, the Queen of the Night, and her eyes narrowed. Lips pursed, she hugged her child closer and rocked him when he let out a soft yawn. Only when he was asleep, and when she was sure that he was asleep, did she reply to her guardian's words.
"Let them come. I will make sure that none live after that. I will not have my son, my only treasure, fall into their hands. No, I will ensure their obliteration." She hissed out. Looking at Hayama, she nodded solemnly and, together, began to plan. Just let anyone of those fools try and touch her Tatsuya with their filthy claws. There will be nothing left of them. Maya and the main family will ensure it.
Mark her words: anyone who tries will have nothing to bury except body parts and ash.
Humming as she dressed, Maya gave herself a once over in the mirror and nodded in approval before she turned to her son, who laid on her bed, playing with his stuffed wolf.
"Tat-chan~," Maya cooed as she danced over to her boy and picked him up, "Let go and get you dressed~."
Her boy looked at her curiously, eyes blue and so very sharp, just like her own, babbled something unknown to her as he reached for her with a toothless smile of joy. Bringing him closer, she bumped noses with him with a laugh before settling him in a cradle and went off to get him dressed too. A few minutes later, she and Tatsuya, both dressed warmly for the cold weather outside, evident by the pure white snow that blanketed the lands of the Yotsuba mansion. Hayama, also dressed warmly, awaited her at the doors.
"We're ready~," Maya sung as she danced over to the guardian. Hayama looked at her and the Young Master and coughed to hide his laughter. Maya was dressed in a dark blue dress with a fur coat, a pair of ankle boots, and had a pair of leather gloves in one hand. Tatsuya had on an adorable green onesie with reindeer horns on the hood which was up on his head. That wasn't the funny part though. No, the funny part laid in the expression that the poor baby was making, one that screamed that he didn't like what was going on even though he had no idea what was going on.
Overcoming his urge to laugh, Hayama followed his lady to the car. Opening the door for her to get in, he closed it after she was in and settled, and got the driver's seat. After making sure that both mother and son were situated, he drove off towards the FLT headquarters.
A few hours later, the trio arrived at the company. Parking in the valet area, Hayama got out first and made sure that there were no threats around before opening the door to let his lady out. Maya was a sight. Her beauty was truly unparalleled, even by Miya, so it was fair when everyone stared at her. Her rich clothing and grace only seemed to attract more eyes. Uncaring of the audience, Maya reached for her pouting son, who Hayama had pulled out of the car and away from his fascination. Placed into Maya's arms, Tatsuya was adjusted and nuzzled into his mother's chest, a sight that was more than welcome by the ladies, who cooed at the adorable scene, and viewed in jealousy by the males. Maya didn't care and made sure that her son was comfortable before heading into the building.
Employees stopped to stare at the gorgeous woman who walked in like she own the place with a baby in her arms and the armed man following her. Ignoring the workers, mere peasants to her, Maya went to the elevators and got in. Hayama slipped in and made sure that they had their own before pressing the research lab level. As they waited, Maya scoffed at the sights that passed her.
"I feel quite sorry for Miya." She said suddenly. Hayama glanced at his lady in confusion and was deigned an answer from her.
"Miya's husband is a sorry excuse. If not for his genes, then I wouldn't have Miya marry him at all." Maya explained carelessly, uncaring of how she basically referred to her own brother-in-law as a donor. Hayama hummed in understanding and returned his gaze to the front. When they reached their level, Maya walked out first, heading to the lab when she met someone she didn't want to see. Pasting a cold smile on her face, she walked down the hall and towards him.
"Tatsurou, still well I see?" Maya enquired coldly, ignoring the woman that stood by the man.
"Ah, Maya-sama, it's good to see you again." The man greeted his sister-in-law awkwardly, knowing that the woman in front of him could easily get rid of him and there would be nothing he could do about it. Surprise etched itself on his face when he saw the baby that Maya was holding.
"Whose child is that?" He couldn't help but ask. Flinching, he awaited her response. Which response, he had no idea.
"Mine. This is Tatsuya, my darling child." Maya replied coldly, her eyes warning him.
Nodding, the Shiba retreated. The woman by his side stared at Maya suspiciously. Maya sneered at the woman and felt her hackles rise when the woman gazed at her child distastefully.
"Shiba, control your mistress!" Hayama snapped, his own hackles rising. Tatsurou grabbed the arm of the woman, his own face pale with fear.
"A peasant dares to stare at my son like this? How daring of you. You met be bored of living." Maya stated sweetly, her tone mocking. The woman, Furuha Sayuri, blushed in anger and made a step but froze when Tatsurou tightened his grip.
"A child has no business here and neither do you. I've never seen you before." Sayuri snapped, unaware of just who she was actually snapping at.
"Oho? You really are tired of being alive, little girl." Maya sneered. Tatsurou felt even greater fear in him at the audacity of his lover for snapping at the most powerful magician in Japan.
"Do you even know who you're talking to?" Tatsurou snapped at his lover and mistress.
"Tatsurou?" Sayuri stared at him in confusion, "Why are you so pale?"
"That's because you're snapping at the Yotsuba Maya, the owner of the company." He hissed. Sayuri immediately paled as she stared at the cold goddess in front of her. This was the Queen of the Night? And she had just snapped at her?!
"I-I-I…" Sayuri stuttered, "I-i didn't know that it was you."
"Indeed. Tatsurou, the moment you conceive a child with Miya, your marriage with her is over and she along with the child will return to the Yotsuba family. I will not have Miya or my niece or nephew and by extension, the Yotsuba main house, suffer the humiliation. You will be the child's father but you will never be able to reveal that, interact as their father, nor claim them." Maya stated coldly, "It will be known that the child's father died and Miya is a widow. It will be as if you never married Miya."
Tatsurou paled even further and staggered to the wall, staring vacantly at nothing. He knew that Maya was cruel but not to the point of cutting him out of his child's life. He knew that Maya would be displeased if she learned about
Maya just sneered deeper and swept past without a glance back, Hayama following while glancinging at the pair with disgust. Entering the lab, she smiled politely once more. Noticing movement from her son, she looked down and blinked slightly in surprise when she saw his keen eyes analyzing all and everything. Giggling softly, she just knew that her sone will become her pride in the future and cement the Yotsuba name into history.
Finishing her business, Maya and her son as well as Hayama left quickly, returning to the mansion.