Hello, lovely readers! How have you been?
I would like to thank you all for supporting this story! I hope my writing will continue to please you with the new chapters :)
Well, I know that originally this story only had thirty chapters, but I've been making so many alterations that I'm afraid it'll reach a slightly higher number. I've been trying to split the longer chapters and it's... It's a lot of stuff. Like there is one that I wrote that has, I kid you not, 20K words, so I split it into two parts, but now I'll have to do it again! Anyway, just know that it'll take longer than I expected to conclude Cataclysm again. Sorry.
We'll start with Illumi's pov this time because he deserves it. His obsessive tendencies are only going to increase from now on, but remember: he is not careless, he won't go full psycho mode. Yet. Also, Silva has the Only-Child Syndrome, I don't make the rules. Anyway, I truly hope you will enjoy this chapter because any Zoldyck family interaction is delightful to write.
Please do not forget: updates take place every Monday and Friday from 12pm to 5 pm PST!
See you,
—Cherry
The Zoldyck family was surprisingly quiet that night. Not even Kikyo mentioned anything about her favorite soap opera, which, honestly, was a relief. There was no way he would be able to live through another dinner if she kept talking about Elowen, Lain, or whoever the hell she was angry at this time. He could not wait for it to be over so she would stop bothering everyone about it.
Silva's purple eyes landed on his son, cold and attentive. "So, Illumi, what did you think of your suitors?" The man asked nonchalantly.
Illumi shrugged. "They were alright."
"Alright? Is that all?" He insisted, arching an eyebrow.
"Very interesting, both of them. Very different as well." He continued.
"And what about their qualities, did you read the information we provided for you regarding their Nen skills and other minor details?"
"Yes."
"Did it make any of them stand out to you?" Silva asked, taking a slice of salmon to his mouth.
"It did. Willetta's Hatsu is quite impressive." Was all he said.
"What about their looks, Illu? Did any of them catch your eye?"
Silva chuckled. "Oh, someone certainly did. You should have seen the way he looked at miss Claybourne."
Kikyo gasped, the light in her visor shining intensely. "What?!" She turned to her son, mouth agape. "Illu, is this true?"
He sighed. "I was merely analyzing her."
"It looked like way more than an analysis." Milluki said. "I thought he was going to take her away when we were not looking, mother." He snickered.
Illumi glared at him, but said nothing.
"Heavens, Illumi! Are you that enchanted by her?" Kikyo's expression was funny, it was as if she was unsure whether that was something good or not.
"What do you mean by that, Kikyo?"
"Nothing, love, it's just that she looks so frail and I worry that she might meet the same fate as…"
Zeno sent her a deadly glare, immediately putting an end to what his daughter-in-law was saying. "Both Himari and Willetta are good options for Illumi, Kikyo. I hope you carefully consider your next words."
"Y-Yes, of course, father. Please, forgive me." She meekly apologized, lowering her face.
He cleaned his throat. "Did you not like miss Willetta? She is a smart and witty young lady, I think you would get along well."
"Indeed she is, however, I am not sure if Willetta suits the requirements that I wish for in a wife." Illumi explained, taking the glass of wine to his lips.
"And what is it that you wish for?"
"Someone with more knowledge in… Certain themes."
He could faintly hear Hisoka's laughter in the back of his mind. Certain sexual themes, Illumi? A sigh escaped his lips and he shook his head.
"I see." His grandfather conceded, grinning in that so-very-Killua way of his.
"I take it that you have made your decision, then." Concluded Silva, staring at him with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
Illumi knew what would come next. Uneasiness spread throughout his core. He had been ardently avoiding that specific subject, hoping that by doing so he would somehow gain more time with the rest of the family, but now, he had nowhere to run. He was cornered. The time had come.
His heart was beating fast in his chest, but he maintained his usual uninterested countenance. "I have."
"Oh, Illu, honey, that's magnificent!" Exclaimed Kikyo, clapping her hands excitedly. "I cannot wait to start picking your wedding decoration with your future wife!"
"You still have a few days to let your suitors know. If you want to, you can still change your mind, son."
He took a deep breath. "It will not be necessary."
"Oh? Then, please, surprise us with your choice!" His father mocked, drinking the wine. "I am sure Himari will be thrilled with the news."
"Actually, my bride is not Himari Claybourne."
Silva blinked. "Huh?"
"He means, my son, that he chose Willetta, is it not obvious?" Zeno said, raising his chin. "Like I told you he would."
He frowned. "Is that so?"
"You owe me a hundred thousand jenny now, child."
Illumi bit the inside of the cheek, trying to not let anyone notice how anxious he truly felt on the inside. "I did not choose Willetta either, grandfather." He declared, taking the glass of wine to his mouth yet again.
"Illumi, you are not making any sense right now." Silva said. "Did you or did you not choose your bride?"
"I did."
"Is it Willetta Betcker?"
Illumi deposited the glass full of wine atop the table. "No, it is not."
"So it is Himari Claybourne."
"No, it is not."
"Do you want both of them? Is that it? It is not what I would advise you to do, but if you are so sure you can provide for the two of them, then we—"
"I chose Medea Lanfort." Illumi announced, raising his gaze.
Silence.
More silence.
Even more silence.
He could not bear to look anyone in the eye, so he merely cut another slice of his salmon and went back to eating as if nothing had happened.
"Do my ears deceive me?" Zeno asked. "Did you say you chose Medea Lanfort as your bride?"
"Who is Medea Lanfort?"
"The thief that tried to rob us almost two weeks ago, Milluki." Kalluto told him in a whisper.
"Oh… Wait, what?!"
"No, grandfather. I said precisely that." He said, staring at his family again.
"Is this some kind of joke? Because it is not funny." Kikyo stated, giving him a weird smile.
"No, mother. I mean it. I will marry Medea Lanfort."
Silva frowned, clearly indignant with the response. He put his cutlery down and crossed his hands as he leaned in to take a better look at his son's face. "No."
"Why not?"
"Are you out of your mind, Illumi?" His voice was cold and harsh, bordering on aggressiveness. "That's out of the question!"
"Why?" Illumi repeated, his expression still calm as if talking about the weather. "You wanted me to choose someone, and I did. I do not see the issue."
"Well, I guess that explains the whole eye-fucking-and-gloves moment in the library. But I do not blame you, brother. She is hot… Ouch, mom!" Milluki whined when his mother slapped his arm.
"What in the actual hell are you talking about?" His father asked, a deep crease between his brows. "Are you even listening to what you are saying, child?"
"I am."
"No, you are not!"
"I guarantee that I am."
"What makes you think she is even fit for it?" Zeno questioned him, brows furrowed.
"She is intelligent, strong, resilient." He listed, raising a finger with each new point he made. "She is barely younger than the other suitors, so her age is not a problem. And, last, but not least, she fills all the demands I have for a wife. She is the ideal option for me."
"Option? Option? Illumi, she was not even part of the selection!" Kikyo pointed out, hands holding the silverware so hard that her knuckles turned white.
"But she was!"
"She was not!"
"The requirements to become a suitor were to be present at the selection, which she was, and to pass on the trial chosen by our family, which she did. Therefore, she fulfilled both of them."
"But she—"
"Medea is eligible, whether you like it or not, mother." Illumi said.
"Dear child of mine, are you going insane?"
He rolled his eyes and simply took a cherry tomato to his mouth, ignoring his mother altogether.
"No, she broke into the mansion to rob us, Illumi." Silva reminded him, purple eyes cold like ice. "Do not forget what her true intention was."
"I have not."
"You most certainly have! She did not come here to participate in the Engagement Ball or to become your bride, her goal was to steal the scroll and only that."
"It still makes her eligible." Illumi insisted, shaking his head.
"It does not!"
"Kikyo, calm down." Silva warned his wife sternly.
"How can I calm down when Illumi is suddenly—"
"Calm down." He repeated, staring back at his son. "And about your second claim, it does not mean anything. The Whispers of the Abyss was not a trial, you know that very well. It was merely a show we put on so Killua would believe we were giving her a chance. None of your arguments are valid!"
"I apologize, but I have to disagree, father."
Silva raised an eyebrow.
There was a faint ache in the back of Illumi's head, probably due to the nervousness he felt. He never opposed his father. Never. This moment was unprecedented. Actually, he could still not believe he was doing it, but he had to. He had to prove his point.
Illumi put his long, dark locks behind his ear.
"The simple fact that my grandfather chose her to be among the others in the training room should already be enough to have her as a valid option, does it not?"
"Illu, that is absurd!" His mother intervened. "You know very well that she was only there so she could be unmasked, literal and figuratively!" Her visor shone brightly, expressing how incredulous she was to hear her eldest son's words.
"At no point was there any conversation between us and her other than about her death," Silva continued, "and, if that's not enough to make you change your mind, then allow me to remind you that she was practically baring her teeth at you. I think that this fact alone should be enough to forget about this nonsense."
Illumi frowned, slightly irritated. "But father—"
"Illumi, the answer is no." He declared. "You have two beautiful and talented young women at your disposal. Choose one of them."
Silva went back to his salmon, satisfied with how the conversation had turned out.
The rest of the family promptly followed him, although Kalluto and Milluki would occasionally steal glances in their older brother's direction.
Illumi stared at his half-eaten meal, wine glass in hand.
This is not fair.
He had given them plausible explanations on why Medea should be his bride, but none of them seem to take them seriously. No, they did not seem to take him seriously. It was frustrating. An unpleasant sensation spread through his insides, filling him with indignation.
Clenching his fists around the silverware, he glared at his father.
Illumi did not want Willetta. He did not want Himari. None of them could appease the need he felt to have Medea by his side.
Not fair.
His body began to tremble ever so slightly.
All of his siblings could have what they wanted. Killua strayed from the path of an assassin, even if momentarily, and bonded with people who were not part of their family. Kalluto could choose to do whatever he wanted to as long as it did not compromise any Zoldyck member. Milluki was allowed to obtain what he wanted, no matter how stupid or futile it was. Hell, even Alluka, that damned creature, was now roaming around freely!
But what about him? Why could he not have a single wish granted?
Among the Zoldyck children, Illumi was the one who best performed his tasks. He never disobeyed any orders and even took responsibility for problems caused by his siblings.
Did that even mean anything? Was he not allowed to make a meaningful choice by himself?
Not fair at all.
A sharp clink echoed through the dining room. Thousands of fragments flew out across the table in various directions, forcing everyone to turn around so as not to be injured. Illumi frowned when he noticed the warm, wet feeling on his hand. Confused, he looked at it and was surprised to realize that he was bleeding.
Between his fingers, there were only the remnants of wine and the crystal glass, which was now completely destroyed. He blinked. Oh, that was not good.
"Illumi!" Kikyo shrieked.
"I will not choose any of them." He said, at last.
"Is this still about that woman?!" She asked, horrified.
"I will not marry anyone unless it's Medea."
"Medea, Medea, Medea… Is that all you know how to talk about, you spoiled brat?" Silva growled. "What does she have that the others do not, Illumi? She is a nobody. A woman like any other. You can find one much better anywhere."
"I want her." He reiterated imperatively.
The man snickered. "Oh, do you? And what makes you think she wants you?"
"She will learn to."
"If Callista had not ruined everything, we would not be going through this right now." Kikyo sighed.
"But she did, and, unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it." Silva declared, dismissing his wife's complaints, or at least attempting to.
"It would be way better if there was, to be fair!" His mother said. "I could handle that, but the thief?" She shook her head. "Oh, honey, no!"
"It has nothing to do with Callista!" Illumi argued.
"No, it has everything to do with a woman who barely spoke to you, who does not even know you!" Silva retorted.
"The same can be said for Willetta and Himari!" He claimed.
"You're delusional! You barely know her, Illumi! We know the Betckers and the Claybournes, what do you know about her family, about her past?"
"I—"
"And do you honestly think this unruly behavior of yours is going to make me change my mind?" Feline eyes glared at his firstborn, gleaming with a silent threat. "It made me nothing but aware of how ridiculous this whole conversation is! What you need is to remember who is in charge of this family! I have been overly permissive with you!"
"That is enough!" Intervened Zeno.
"No, this boy has to be reminded of his place!"
Zeno sighed. "Oh, Silva… You tire me with your hypocrisy."
He blinked. "What?"
"Your disregard for Illumi's choice and severity is truly ridiculous."
"Because it is outrageous that he is even considering such a thing!" The man insisted. "Why should he settle for a woman of her kind when he has much more suitable women to marry?"
"Was that not precisely what I asked you almost twenty-six years ago?"
"It was completely different, father!"
"No, it was not and you know it! Have you forgotten what you did when you decided to marry Kikyo?"
"It was! And I did not—"
Zeno stared at his son coldly. "Then, pray tell me, why did you destroy an entire aircraft in a temper tantrum?"
The man widened his eyes, surprised to hear it. "I did not!"
"You did, my son, do not try to lie now."
Illumi arched an eyebrow, but said nothing. Instead, he looked at Milluki, who looked back at him instantly, suppressing a grin by taking the napkin to his lips — a silent conversation like the ones they had when they were kids.
He rubbed his index and his thumb. Odd.
Milluki scratched the space between his ring finger and his pinky's knuckles. I know. His fingers grazed his cheek, elbow slightly pointing at Silva. Father is mortified.
The corner of his lip curled, but he took a deep breath and stared at his grandfather again.
Kikyo seemed confused to hear her father-in-law's statement, turning to her husband. "Did you really do that for me, my love?"
"He did. He could not accept my response to not bring you with us."
"But Medea's a stranger! A thief with no connections nor an important clan!" He objected, exalted. "She doesn't have what it takes to become a Zoldyck!"
"She is also a Sea Hunter." Said Illumi, starting to lose his patience.
"Silva, honestly, that means absolutely nothing for a family that has accepted a bride from Meteor City." Zeno chuckled. "No offense, Kikyo."
"It is alright, father."
"And, may I remind you, Kikyo gave you extremely capable children. She gave you Killua." The patriarch told him.
"It is not the same! Kikyo was a skilled and experienced assassin!"
"Medea is a thief and a Hunter, a remarkable one. She has quite a few studies and researches of importance, father."
"Which only proves that she could, indeed, become a good wife." Zeno said.
"We have no idea of where she came from, nor of who she is related to, nor what she is capable of." Silva objected. "You all saw what happened at the library, that aura of hers is peculiar and I do not know if it is wise to keep it near us."
"Is that not reason enough to do so? To avoid it being used against the family in the future? Besides, Illumi is right." He granted. "She survived the drug, I doubt the other two would've done the same."
Purple eyes widened. "Father… You cannot be serious."
"Allow me to make something clear to you, Silva," Zeno's expression was stern, eyes narrowing as he toyed with the two golden bands on his ring finger, "you might be the leader of this family, but I am your father. And if I say that Illumi can choose whoever he wants as his wife, then he can. He has as much right as you had."
"I—"
"Someone intervened in your favor all those years ago, now I intervene in Illumi's favor. That is how life works." There was an unknown edge to his voice, a certain shadow in his eyes, an air of danger and authority surrounding his grandfather, unlike any other moment. Illumi was not familiar with it, but from the way his father stiffened in his seat, it could not mean anything good. "Therefore, if he so desires, Medea is a valid option for me." Zeno stated.
Silva's face turned red and his jaw clenched as he stood there, staring at his father.
He hated being opposed to and Zeno knew it very well. Being an only child had made him a rather demanding man — things had to be done the way and the instant he said so. The word no was off-limits to him. So Zeno occasionally denied him some actions, even if he was not the current leader of the family, because Silva could not go against him and it was amusing to him to see his son displeased. But this time… It was not about that.
There was something else about this situation, something that Illumi did not know.
Something obscure.
"Illumi does not want her, he thinks he does."
"Oh, is that so?" The man looked at his grandson and squinted his eyes. "Illumi, look at me."
Illumi merely blinked, but obeyed. "Yes?"
Gray eyes analyzed him attentively as they used to when he was nothing more than a little boy. Zeno smirked. "Now look at your father."
His gaze changed to Silva. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, child, there is not." He assured, chuckling. "See, my son? His eyes are sincere, much like yours on that very same day. He longs for her."
"A relationship based on carnal desires will not last." Kikyo stepped in. "One in their right mind does not trust thieves, they are treacherous. There is no guarantee that she will not try to sell information about us as soon as she can."
"Medea is not stupid, mother. Giving information to others about our family will mean her own ruin… Besides, do not forget that Killua willingly came here to save her." Illumi noted. "If we have Medea with us, the probability of Kil coming home sooner is extremely high." He continued, a triumphant smile on his lips. "And is that not what we all want, in the end?"
Silva leaned against the back of the chair, arching an eyebrow. He rotated the wedding ring on his finger, carefully considering the statements given by his son, eyes slightly lost as he considered the pros and cons.
Illumi bit the inner part of his cheek. "Even Alluka seemed close to her, father. We could also gain a certain advantage from this. Two rabbits, one stone."
Silva clicked his tongue. "Are you sure this is what you want, Illumi?"
He felt his heart speed up. "Absolutely." The assassin ensured. "I will train her, improve her knowledge and help her develop her skills to the maximum."
He sighed and turned to his wife, resting his hand on hers. "Kikyo, will you help her adjust to what is expected of a Zoldyck woman?"
"Of course, love!"
"Then it is decided." He declared. "But I demand that we talk to her first, the same way we did to Himari and Willetta. We have to make sure that you are not making the wrong choice."
"Naturally, father. I promise to bring her home as soon as possible."
"I already appreciate this girl. She made me win a hundred thousand jenny!"
"No, she did not!"
"Yes, she did! I bet that Illumi would not choose Himari, so you lost. I want my money." The man smugly said, the weird tone in his voice long gone.
Silva huffed. "I will deposit it to you when we are finished here."
Zeno laughed. "Medea Lanfort, welcome to the family!"
Can you talk right now?
Yeah
Is everything ok?
Yeah
Just thought of you
Why?
Looking at Mr. Froggy
He misses you
He does?
Yup
And what about you?
Hmmm no
No?
I mean, you're avoiding me so…
No, I'm not
Where did you get that idea from?
You haven't called or texted me in some time
That's the only explanation
Sorry, I've been quite busy with work lately :/
L I E S
You really took advantage of a frail, horny lady and tossed her away
Poor me
T.T
Dhea
You came on to me
How dare you suggest I did such a thing?
I'm a lady! I would never!
XD
Sure you didn't
Just sucked my soul
But didn't come on to me at all
Medea giggled, stretching herself on the sofa, and glanced at her bedroom door just to make sure none of the siblings had appeared. Closed. She stared back at her phone's screen, relieved, and fixed her earphones.
She was quite sure they knew about what Kurapika and her were doing in his room back in Mimbo, but had not openly said anything about it, so she did the same. And she preferred it to stay like that. It was not like they were a thing, anyway; they were just friends enjoying themselves. There was no need to talk about it with the siblings, or anyone else.
It was just… Fun.
There was nothing wrong with that.
That's slut shaming :(
You fucker
Not yet
EXCUSE ME?
You're spending too much time with me
I don't like how you're behaving
It's not fun if I can't corrupt you
Oh?
So you were using me?
…only a little bit
But you liked it, so it's fine (っ˘ω˘ς )
Hypocrite
A sexy hypocrite, at least?
Guess
:D
Btw I forgot to ask you something
Oh no
You and your questions
Shush Goldie Locks
Anyway
When I was blowing you…
Medea, could you please not phrase it like that?
Ok
Sorry
*when your dick was in my throat
Why did your eyes turn red?
She waited.
And waited.
He was taking longer than before to reply, had something happened? Wait, what time was it where he was, again?
Well
That has something to do with my clan
Happens when a Kurta experiences intense emotions
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
NO
So you really liked the way my velvety tongue felt around
STPO
SPOT*
STOP**
Around your own
Dude
So dramatic (￢_￢;)
(ಠ_ಠ)
Why are you like this?
It's my charm
But do all of you have those eyes?
Only the ones with purer blood
They're beautiful
Thank you
Hope to see more of them soon (ω^)
Tease
I've got to go back to work
Talk to you later?
You'd better
Take care
You too
Medea looked at her new phone. It was adorable and definitely more modern than her previous one, which would be of great help when she finally returned to her missions. Too bad it would still take a while for that to happen.
Stupid Lasym, fucking up my life even after I let him die.
She sighed.
There was no need to be nervous. Kurapika was going to defend her during the prosecution, everything was going to be alright. All she had to do for now was relax and watch a new episode of A Million Fallen Roses. Simple as that.
The streaming platform app opened and she clicked on the colorful, delicate cover of the title, yawning as she waited for it to load. "If Elowen is pregnant after everything that happened, I'll drop it, I swear." She muttered to herself.
The screen turned black and she grinned anxiously.
"On the previous episodes of 'A Million Fallen Ro—"
Her phone vibrated in her hand.
A new text from an unknown number. She frowned. How weird. Very few people had access to this number and those were added to her contacts as soon as she got the new device.
Filled with curiosity, Medea opened the message.
Hello
She furrowed her brows.
Hi
How are you?
I'm fine
You?
Fine
Cool
Who is this?
Someone you know
She arched an eyebrow and promptly responded:
Sorry
But I have no idea of who you are
Do you know who you're talking to?
Maybe you have the wrong number
Yes
I'm talking to Miss Lanfort
Are you from the Association?
Is it Gel?
I'm not Gel
But yes
I'm part of the Hunter Association
Oh
Ok
Is it because of Lasym's case?
Because I'm pretty sure the interrogation is over, so…
No
It had nothing to do with Lasym's case, but was related to the Association? What could it be, then?
I see
Did we work together?
Can't say I had the pleasure
She giggled.
From the reply, this person certainly was being honest. No one who worked with her would say something polite like this.
Well, how did you get this number?
It's new
Through a mutual friend
Kurapika?
No
Madam Thoshe?
No
Hm
Then who are you?
I'm not that good at guessing games haha
A friend
A friend?
Yes
You sure?
Trust me
We're going to be very good friends
A chill ran down her spine.
Doubt it
But thanks for checking on me
Now I got to go
Have a good night of sleep, pal
She closed her messages and went back to the streaming app, but stopped as soon as a new message appeared:
You, too
We'll talk later
Until then, take care, Medea
Even if Illumi tried to unalive Milluki, they're close af. I don't care about what anyone else says. Idk, I just like to imagine Illumi carrying baby Milluki everywhere after the homicide attempt as his punishment and then actually learning to accept him. And no, he did not try to dump Milluki outside the Zoldyck property once... Clearly not...
I am actually considering to write a story about their childhood, would you read it? Let me know in the comments, please :)
—
Unbeknownst to Medea, Illumi has made a life-changing decision to the both of them. What will his next step be? And will she be able to pass the final phase of the Act of Choice?
To find out the answer to these and other questions, stay tuned for the next chapters~