Hi, sweet readers! I hope you all have had a wonderful week! Today is officially 12/12 so you know what that means... It's Medea's birthday! Yup! And in celebration of that, I came to you as your fairy godmother with yet another chapter!

Well, I decided to write this chapter after a friend of mine made me watch The Nightmare of Zoldyck and if you guys still need to watch it PLEASE DO! I'm a fool for that stage play now ( ꈍᴗꈍ) Also, uhhh... This has been in my drafts for a year and a half, so there might be some differences to my current writing which you'll see starting next chapter. Or maybe there's no difference and I'm just paranoid lol

Anyway, there'll be more scenes of Medea interacting with the Zoldycks from now on compared to the previously uploaded version of Cataclysm and, in my humble opinion, it's way better this way. Oh, and for those who have read it before, brace yourselves. There will be MAJOR differences coming!

This chapter also marks that we officially surpassed the length of the previous story! Yay!

Thank you all for the love, support, and kind words. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

P.S.: Follow me so you can be aware of the Christmas Gift I'm preparing for you all! It'll be posted soon, so be sure to follow my account, okay?

—Cherry

REPLYING TO YOUR REVIEWS:

ButterflyQueen16 — I am truly happy to hear this! I try to make things as realistic as possible, including their interactions, so this means a lot to me! I had to leave this story on hiatus for some time, but now I'm back and with more chapters! From the current moment in the story forward, I assure you there'll be much more Illumi and Medea scenes! Thank you so much for the review!

mizukitakuri — Oh, dear, I am truly sorry to hear that! What I can tell you is that the previous version of this story (I'm rewriting it) was way too rushed and it didn't feel like a real story. It felt like a lego building with different parts that didn't connect properly. Although I do understand why not everyone would like long narratives that don't focus on the main couple first, I quite prefer this version because it feels properly written. Illumi and Medea barely know each other and, above the plot, there is a reason as to why I'm not following the same recipe every other fanfic has — because that is my style! The Order is necessary for future plots so I will have to develop it further! A shame you felt it was long, however, what I can assure you now is that from chapter 27 forward, the story is more focused on the main couple. Thank you so much for the review!

YO-ITS-ME — It's not! I just needed a long break due to personal reasons!

lilwicca1989 — More chapters have arrived, friend!

The next morning, Medea was woken by soft, almost inaudible knocks on her bedroom door. It took a while for her to realize that she was neither at the hut nor at Gon's house, but instead at the Zoldyck estate and, apparently, very much late according to what her phone showed her. She hurried to the door and opened it, completely disheveled.

The butler did not meet her gaze at all but told her that her breakfast was ready and that her fiancé requested her presence at the entrance hall in half an hour. He gave her brief instructions on how to get there and left after she took the silver tray in her hands.

There was little to no time to enjoy the oatmeal porridge or the scrambled eggs as she did her best to finish the meal in less than fifteen minutes. Fortunately, she had picked her clothes up before going to bed, so all she did was put them on, brush her teeth, and tie her hair like Illumi had told her to do.

Rushing out of the room, she glanced at her phone, ignoring yet another message from Killua. Ten minutes left. She could get there on time. Maybe.

Medea took a bite of the apple that was served as part of her breakfast as she ran down the stairs, sneakers making a funny noise against the shiny marble steps. As soon as she turned on a certain corner, her eyes landed on a lavish space filled with so many intricate and sophisticated items that she felt out of place for a moment. And then, she saw him.

Standing by a window was Illumi, with his arms crossed and gaze lost in the distance. He seemed deep in thought.

Approaching him with caution, she pulled herself together and evened out her breath. "Morning!"

"You are late."

Medea frowned. "Am I?"

"Yes." He turned to her, visibly annoyed. "By ten minutes."

"I'm sorry, I'm usually punctual, but this morning was truly something else for me." She told him, fixing her turtleneck shirt's sleeves as they headed for the main door.

"What took you so long?"

For a moment, she hesitated. There was absolutely no way she would tell him how her rest had been disturbed by an avalanche of wet dreams, much less that it involved him. Well, both he and Kurapika. At once.

That was something he simply did not have to know about.

Besides, it was not like she was attracted to him. Sure, he was handsome, but that was it. She had no sexual interest in him. He just happened to be near her all the time for the past week, and she was frustrated for not sleeping with Kurapika, who still roamed her mind more frequently than she would like to admit. It was her subconscious. That had most likely happened due to her hormonal imbalance as she got closer to her period. Of course.

But she had to admit, those were some… Really interesting thoughts.

Heat rose to her cheeks and she bit her lip.

"I overslept." Replied the woman. "It will not happen again."

Illumi clicked his tongue. "I truly hope so. If it does, I will have to drag you out of your room, no matter what state you are in or what you are wearing," Before she could make a witty remark, he proceeded, "Even by the hair, if I need to."

She shuddered but forced herself to roll her eyes. " Vurpek ."

"Could stop using Dnihipian at once?" He asked as they walked past the perfumed garden, birds chirping in the distance.

"You don't like it?"

"Not when you use it so often."

"Oh, please, Illumi," She scoffed, "it's not like you don't know the language, so why—"

"I do not."

"Do not what?"

"Know Dnihipian." He stated, staring straight ahead.

"Oh." As she considered his words, she turned to him. "Do you speak any other languages?"

"We are talking in Common Language, no?" Retorted Illumi.

"I mean other other languages." Explained Medea, jumping on a fallen tree trunk and then to the soil again.

Shrugging, Illumi said, "Of course. That is expected of a Zoldyck."

"And I suppose you, as the former heir, have an even greater knowledge than your siblings, right?" Deduced the woman, toying with the hems of her pleated skirt.

"So you know."

"Killua told me… I'm sorry that you lost your title." She muttered. "It must be truly frustrating to have your entire life changing so suddenly."

"Not really," He told her, as calmly as before, "my life's purpose is to serve my family, and that is what I do. It was just a new course of action. Killua is the fittest to be the heir, which is good to maintain our family's dynamics."

"I see…"

"Everything is as it was supposed to be from the beginning." Continued Illumi. "I do not have either positive or negative feelings about it."

"If I were you, I would."

Illumi was silent for a while, but then asked, "Do you speak Ochimanian?"

"No. You do?"

"Yes."

"Cool." Medea smiled. "Never met someone who knew it. You're the first." A smug grin appeared on her lips. "I speak Bourjon, Grettish, Idamolian, three other idioms apart from Dnihipian and Common Language, and some words in specific dialects."

"Bourjon?" He frowned. "I was never interested in learning it."

"It's a rather romantic language, but a pain in the ass to learn," She chuckled, "I hated studying it when I was younger."

"Then why did you do it?"

She bit her lip. "My master. He demanded I knew how to… Intrigue people with my abilities. He said it was charming. I guess it was just, you know, part of my job." Shaking her head, Medea smiled at him. "But it's alright. At least I can use these skills on my travels now."

Illumi stared at her and nodded. "Indeed."

They followed a secluded path, one that Medea had not even been aware of before. The road was full of fallen tree trunks and rocks, almost as if something had dragged them in a rush, and it was also extremely dark due to how thick the leaves were on top of the ivy trees. The entire foliage there was abundant and suffocating and it narrowed the space they had gradually until the two of them were practically touching each other as they walked.

Cinnamon, ginger, and apples were everything she could smell in that still air. However, this time, there was no cypress or cedar. Maybe he, too, had not worn perfume this time. She felt slightly disappointed at the fact; she quite liked the woody-like notes on his scent.

Medea could not help but wonder what she smelled like to him. Was it good? Did he like it? Did he dislike it? Were there even any changes noticeable enough on her scent?

She pursed her lips.

She was overthinking again. Wonderful.

Inside the jacket's pocket, her phone vibrated. Then again. Again. And yet again.

Illumi's eyebrows furrowed. "What is going on?"

Sighing, Medea scraped her neck. "It's Killua."

"Will you not read what he sent you?" He asked, confused.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to talk to anyone right now." Clarified her. "And also because I know what he is talking about. I've read them over the notifications."

"Oh. And what is it?"

She glanced at him, eyes shining mischievously. "Never took you for a gossiper."

"I am not. I am just curious." Pointed out the assassin, frowning.

"Hate to break it to you, but that is the definition of a gossiper, sugar pie." She teased, which earned her an eye roll. "Aw, don't worry. It's cute."

Illumi scowled. "Do not call me that. It is cheesy and unnecessary."

"What? Sugar pie?" Medea chuckled. "Don't get the wrong idea, I am only using that to be sarcastic. I'm not too big on pet names."

"Me neither."

"Good. At least we have that in common."

"You still have not answered me," Illumi said unenthusiastically, "what does Kil want?"

"For me to, quote on quote, stop being a bitch and reply to his messages because they are getting worried about me… Hm, something about Gon's birthday cake being good, and, well," With a deep breath, she proceeded, "that Kurapika and I should talk. Again."

Nodding, Illumi turned his face forward again, quiet. "Do you want to do that?"

Chewing on her lower lip, she shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, yeah, he betrayed my trust and I fucking despise that, but… He was my friend. Even if I am angry, no, fuming with rage, I don't…" A deep breath. "I can't fully hate him, at least not after he told me his motivations."

His face contorted minimally, but she was still able to notice the subtle change. "You and those so-called friends of yours…" He murmured. "It is the second time one deceives you and yet you do nothing."

"And what am I supposed to do?" Medea asked. "It is not like Kurapika did it for the giggles. His methods were low, true, but I can't blame him entirely. His clan…"

"His clan is dead." Illumi said. "Stop making up excuses for him. It is ridiculous."

"I'm not making excuses, I'm simply proving that he is not a bad person. He made bad choices, that's all."

He scoffed. "Good person. Bad person. There is no such thing in the world we live in, Medea. There are only the powerful and the powerless. And Kurapika took away your power by lying to you, do you not agree?"

Pursing her lips, Medea said nothing.

"You should kill him at once and take back what is yours, what was stolen from you. Regain that power. Get rid of this issue. Or allow me to do that for you, if you prefer." Suggested him.

"You will not kill Kurapika." Stated her.

"Why not?"

"Because!"

His big, black eyes squinted at her. "What is it that the two of you had?" His voice was stern but collected as he stared her down. "You never told me."

Huffing, Medea crossed her arms. "He was my friend, I—"

"Do not lie to me, Medea. I might appreciate your lying nature, but do not try to use it against me." He warned her. "Ever."

"I am not, we were friends!" She insisted.

"Do you have feelings for him?"

"Feelings of friendship!"

"You know what I mean, do not play dumb." Illumi's voice was leveled, although the icy edge of it made her heart race. "Did you fall for him?"

Medea inched closer, tilting her head up to stare deep into his eyes, expressionless, and then said, "No."

"But he fell for you." It was not a question. It was a statement. And by the way he said it, a displeasing one.

"Maybe. Maybe not. Feelings are complicated, they can be comprehended in various ways other than what they truly are…" She sighed. "But it doesn't matter. Not anymore. I'm here with you, not with him."

"How can I be sure?"

"Huh?"

"How can I be sure that it does not matter? That you do not care about him romantically?" Illumi inquired.

Medea snickered. "What? You want me to tattoo 'I don't love Kurapika' on my ass?"

"No. I do not want his name or anything related to him anywhere near you." His voice was so deep and serious that it almost resembled a roar, and, for a millisecond, she was taken aback by the sudden display of emotion. No, not emotion. Possessiveness .

"I was just joking."

"I know." He said. "But you, Medea Lanfort, are mine. I do not share my belongings."

A warning.

A threat.

"Then I suppose it is your name I should tattoo on my ass?" Medea joked, trying to dissipate the weird atmosphere that had settled between them.

Illumi blinked. "My handprint would be enough."

She stared at him. "W-Wait…"

To her surprise, he grinned. "It was a joke."

Oh.

"I don't think you're very funny, Illumi." She managed to mumble, cheeks so hot she felt she could explode at any moment.

"I am."

"And very humble, too, I see." Added her, striding past him and climbing onto a boulder, the wind carrying the almost curly loose strands of whitish hair as she devoured the rest of her apple. She took a deep breath, avoiding looking at his face.

For a sober, expressionless assassin, it was certainly quite easy to see Illumi smirking when he was around her. True, she absolutely detested being the object of his vicious attention but it was not necessarily bad — at least he was not intent on punching her face. That was something.

She thought it made him prettier. Not that she would ever admit that out loud. She would rather die than do that.

On top of that, Medea found it better than staring at a blank gaze. That felt unnatural. Robotic. Although she did not know him well, she knew he was not a man completely devoid of any emotion. It was not like Illumi was incapable of feelings, she had experienced his negative ones firsthand.

Still, that was what it felt like, most of the time. He had no strong opinions or preferences to share, did not open up about his past, his present, or his ideas for the future, and refused to entertain her with even the tiniest information on his alliance with Hisoka; and yet, even if he gave her nothing substantial in return, he remained impassive. He did not raise his voice. He did not demand her silence. He would dismiss her quietly before proceeding to whatever they had been doing before with that phantom-like gaze. It was like being near a lifeless statue.

That is, only when it came to himself. When it came to Medea, it was completely different. Illumi listened to everything she said or did with feverish attention, even if he withheld from showing any reaction.

He is doing all of this because he is interested in you , Kurapika's voice rang in her memories. She had brushed him off as being paranoid, but he was right. Illumi had every intention to woo her.

Scheming fucker.

Illumi, much like Kurapika, had spied on her, studied her, and wanted to use her to his advantage, but he had been honest about it from the beginning. That was the difference. He had not deceived her, nor did he want to keep her in the dark about being interested in her Nen, even if she would have expected otherwise.

They had been officially engaged to each other for a bit more than a week now, and she already realized how much of a contradicting man Illumi Zoldyck was.

His chuckles were flat. His warm touch, cold and distant. He gave her nothing and yet wanted to learn everything about her in return. He was apathetic, but always eager to keep her near —the mere territorial response he had to her joke was proof of that.

Nevertheless, Medea found it amusing.

As they walked —the woman slightly ahead as she tried to balance from rock to rock and, eventually, fallen branches—, both of them stayed quiet. Although the silence normally bothered her, she was so curious about her surroundings that it went unnoticed by her. What mattered was the different shades of green on the thick, lustrous leaves. The cold breeze blowing against her skin. The sweet fragrance of the flowers. The occasional buzz of bees.

Unlike most of her memories, they felt tangible, persistent, and even fantastical. The enchanting atmosphere felt like something straight out of a fairy tale. Did that make her the princess, then? Actually, did that make Illumi her prince charming?

A soft chuckle erupted from her throat at the thought.

In this twisted, gloomy fairy tale of hers, Illumi was more fitted to be the captivating villain, the one who stole the nosy adventurer away from her kingdom, from her family, and offered her wishes of a lifetime in return. He was no prince. She was no princess. Perhaps that was all that was needed for a sufficiently favorable ending.

A safe ending.

Safe would not break her heart.

That was good.

A thin, toneless sound rang through her ears and she turned on her heels to face Illumi, confused with the sudden suspension of the silence they shared. She frowned, but he merely gestured for her to approach him with an index. "Come here," Illumi said, not a single hint of his thoughts shining through his voice.

With a sigh, Medea jumped off of the boulder and crossed her arms. "Stop doing that," She told him, irritation dripping from her words, "I am not a dog."

"Not you." Replied Illumi, rolling his eyes. " Him ."

A gust of warm air collided against her neck. As she turned her face, a shadow engulfed her entire figure. A pair of big, black eyes appeared right by her side and no, it was not Illumi. It was the Zoldyck family watchdog.

The long snout opened slowly and Medea froze in place as long, sharp teeth were revealed. Her life flashed before her eyes as their proximity became smaller and smaller.

Stay still. Play dead. He won't eat a corpse… Right?

A hand touched her shoulder and only then did she notice she was trembling. "Stay." The hound's pointy ears perked up and he stopped, but his eyes continued on the woman in front of him. "I believe you have already met Mike, is that not right?"

Medea slowly nodded, scared of making any hasty movement and putting the animal in an offensive stance.

Illumi's fingers grazed the small spot of exposed skin right between her jacket's collar and her hairline. She shivered. "Are you afraid, Lanfort?" His voice was not taunting, nor amused, and she was grateful for that.

"Yes." Admitted Medea, wide-eyed as she stared at the dog.

"There is no need to. You entered the estate through the Testing Gates, therefore you are not food, he remembers that. He will do you no harm." Illumi assured her, still slowly running his index over her skin. "Still, you are seen as a potential threat."

"A threat?" She repeated, appalled. "To him?"

"To the family. That is why he is watching you so intently." He explained, which made her gulp. "As my future wife, Mike needs to associate your scent as being part of our family to be able to protect you if he ever needs to, not that he will, but one can never be too careful. All you have to do is let me continue to touch you as he sniffs you."

"Just that?"

"Yes. Do you think you can do that?"

"Is he not going to bite me?" She retorted.

"No."

"But…"

"I am right here with you." That was his final word.

Medea bit her lip and gave him a short nod. "Okay."

His sharp fingernail scraped her nape and her breath hitched almost imperceptibly. "Stretch out your hand."

"Like this?" Medea asked, glancing back at him.

"Yes."

"And what now?"

He stood behind her and unexpectedly his torso touched her back. Medea shut her eyes. As he leaned down, face nearing her ear, his other hand grabbed her hip. The sweet, spicy aroma emanating from him was enough to stir something inside her, most likely remnants of the wet dream she had had. That had to be the explanation. "You are tense. Relax for me, will you?" Whispered Illumi, hair falling over his shoulder onto her neck and gently tickling her.

Relax for me, Lanfort. You're not letting me go deeper.

Medea felt heat rise to her cheeks when other parts of the dream overflowed her mind.

But it was just her ovulation. It was simply hormones.

Let's get this over with already , she thought to herself, trying her best to ignore the weight of his touch on her.

There was just the breeze. The birds chirping. The plants, the clouds, the smell of eucalyptus. Medea sighed, content.

"Yes, like this." Illumi tapped his fingers on the curve of her hip and stood upright again. "Mike."

Fuck .

"I'm not…"

"Stay still." Instructed him, the hand on her hip trailing a path further upwards and stopping right above her navel, where he pressed down as he pulled her even closer. "Do not retract your hand or tense up, he needs to sense your tranquility. And look him in the eyes."

A cold, damp nose touched her hand and she held her breath. Not good, not good, not good at all !

"Illumi…"

"Talk to him."

"What?" Quietly, Medea asked, palms so sweaty it felt weird.

"He needs to associate the sound of your voice with your scent and your face." Explained Illumi.

Again, she nodded. "Hello, um… Doggy." Illumi chuckled but said nothing. "Good doggy. Pretty doggy."

The hound continued to stare at her, almost as if considering whether she was insane or not, or at least that was what she thought he was doing. Maybe he was simply wondering why on earth his owner was not offering her as food yet.

The purple fur of his snout touched the tip of her fingers as he followed further down her hand, reaching the bracelet on her wrist. It was soft and wavy and, somehow, it reminded her of home, but not Lapet. Drires .

"He is not a lap dog, Medea."

"I can see that." Medea retorted, fingers touching the snout cautiously and stopping when the animal tensed. When he did not move, she slowly went back to touching him. "Are you a good boy, Mike?" His ears perked up, but he did not react in any other way. "Oh, yes, a very good boy… Mike Zoldyck is a wonderful watchdog, that's right… The best boy."

"Mike, Medea is family now." The dog's eyes darted to Illumi with little enthusiasm, but he stopped sniffing her. "You have to protect and obey her."

Trembling as he sniffed her legs, she asked, "Does he understand you that well?"

The finger's ministration on her nape became slower. "Of course, he is a very intelligent animal. His species is unlike any other."

"Is it rare?"

"Very. This breed has a long lifespan, but since it only reproduces sporadically it is quite rare to find pups to train."

"Oh, and what is he?"

"He is a Dririan Foxcatcher."

Medea blinked and turned to Illumi. "Are you serious?"

He nodded. "Of course."

" Dririan ? Really?"

"Yes, we got Mike and the others directly from Grisiav."

She faced Mike. " Witetz, mutsiy . Teschyba sy domav ?"

"I hardly think he will understand you, he was still a pup when we acquired all of them." Illumi pointed out.

"Doesn't matter. It's always good to hear someone talk in your language." She promptly replied. "I knew it felt familiar…"

"What?"

"Nothing…"

The hand on her abdomen pressed her closer to himself, his warm breath on her ear yet again. "We have a date in four days." He said.

"Already?!"

"Well, it was you who demanded a proper courtship, was it not?" The touch on her neck vanished and the once busy fingers grabbed the other side of her waist, keeping her in place. "I am simply giving you what you want."

"Hm. Where are we going?" Medea asked, staring at her engagement bracelet. It still felt weird.

"A restaurant."

"Do I have to dress fancy?"

"Yes."

Humming, Medea continued to look at the contorted silver and the red gems. "I have to go shopping, then. My best clothes are all in Lapet."

"I—" His response was interrupted by a loud buzz. Sighing, Illumi took a hand to his phone and after brief instants, he shoved it back into his pocket. His touch felt harsher. More aggressive. Angrier.

She frowned. "Illumi? What's wrong?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Your aura feels… Annoyed." To say the least , finished the voice in her head. "Is it Hisoka?"

"It is nothing." Dismissed the assassin. "Do not worry about it, everything is fine. What I meant to say was that I can take you to the mall later, if you want."

"Won't it get in the way of your contracts?"

"Not this week." He distanced himself from her and Medea felt colder than she had ever since she woke up. "Now let us follow the way back, we still have a tour around the estate, after all."

Medea nodded. "Yeah, of course…"

"That is enough, Mike. You can go back to your place now."

The hound stepped back and stared attentively at the pair before dashing into the vegetation again.

Medea walked past him, but when no steps were heard, she turned around and arched an eyebrow. "You coming or what?" Eyeing her from head to toe without a shame in the world, Illumi followed her, completely silent, "What?" She asked.

"Nothing."

Medea narrowed her eyes, not too convinced, but simply shrugged it off. Instead, she decided to focus on his long, shiny hair as they strolled back to the mansion.

COMING NEXT:

"We would not want to ruin our first date, is that not right, Miss Lanfort?"

Indigo eyes narrowed, amused, "Most definitely, Mister Zoldyck."

Hm... A shout out on the next chapter to the first person who guesses what Illumi was staring at!

—

DNIHIPIAN TRANSLATION:

Vurpek - Asshole
Witetz, mutsiy - Hello, dear
Teschyba sy domav - Do you miss home?