Milluki Zoldyck

"Why does he look like a monkey?"

"...Our old man isn't exactly handsome either."

"Good point!"

Two sneaky little boys stood in front of the cradle, whispering to each other.

One had white hair and the other black. Their hair colors were completely different, yet they were twins.

The white-haired boy poked the baby's cheek and rubbed his fingers together to feel it.

So soft. If he pressed any harder, would it really not break?

The black-haired boy looked eager to try. Instead of poking the baby's cheek, he started playing with his tiny hands.

"He's so small. If I squeeze him, will he really not break?"

Illumi murmured softly, bewildered and amazed.

Had he been this small when he was a baby?

He couldn't remember.

"Hey, you two brats, go play somewhere else!"

Suddenly, their father appeared behind them, having slipped back from their mother at some point. He scolded them in a low voice.

How long had he been gone? And the two of you were already playing with the baby?!

I haven't even had a look yet! What are you two little brats doing crowding around him?

The brothers shuddered at their father's scolding and instinctively turned around. Looking up at their towering father, they couldn't help but let a trace of disdain show in their eyes.

Who was the one who'd rushed off to see their mother, then chased them both out?!

And now he was acting like they were in the way.

What an annoying old man.

Years of sternness and scowling hadn't kept the brothers in line. Instead, they'd grown accustomed to their father's occasional macho posturing and sudden outbursts.

They weren't afraid of him in the slightest.

Illumi hopped down from the little stool he'd dragged over and tugged on Coleman's hand, signaling that they should leave.

There was no point talking to this man, who'd just become a father again and was still trembling.

Look at how pathetic he was.

Anyone who didn't know better would think their mother had gone to the execution grounds instead of giving birth!

Coleman let Illumi lead him away, but remembered to call back, "Father, little brother is really soft. Be gentle when you hold him. Don't hurt him!"

"Hmph! As if you need to tell me! I held you when you were little, didn't I?"

Right, of course he had. The prickly stubble on Father's chin had scratched him painfully.

Coleman, who'd been conscious and had memories from the moment he opened his eyes, had hated that!

His older brother had cried from getting scratched!

Illumi tugged at Coleman's collar, signaling him to shut up.

What was the point of talking to that old-fashioned old man? Wouldn't it be better to go see Mother?

Silva, completely unaware that his two sons couldn't stand him, stared solemnly at the baby in the cradle.

He tentatively reached out, but had no idea which way to pick the baby up.

All he could do was freeze in place, unable to move.

For a moment, he was so nervous that he couldn't keep his aura from leaking out.

The newborn had never seen anything like it. The solemn look on his father's face scared him into crying on the spot.

"Idiot!"

His father's cold snort sounded from behind him. Silva stiffened, then silently turned around.

Sure enough, Zeno's cane struck Silva on the leg.

"Can't you see you're scaring my precious grandson?!"

"Then do you know how to hold him?"

"..."

"..."

"If you don't, why not find someone to teach you? You're already the father of two children. How can you still not know how to hold a baby?!"

He berated Silva with exasperation, but the moment he looked at the cradle, his expression softened into a kindly smile. "Just look at my precious grandson. So well-behaved and handsome!"

Silva looked at the baby too, baffled and at a loss.

What was handsome about him?

He looked like a monkey.

He didn't look like me or his mother at all.

"You idiot! Newborn babies haven't filled out yet. Don't they all look like that?!"

Zeno struck him again. This time, Silva had learned his lesson and resumed his expressionless look.

He sneaked a glance at his father and saw that all his attention had been stolen by the baby. Only then did he silently breathe a sigh of relief.

This was better. At least he wouldn't get hit like this.

As he grumbled inwardly, Silva tried to think it through.

Where could he find someone to teach him?

Forget it. He'd hire a few wet nurses and childcare attendants first.

Given Kikyo's behavior last time, Silva decided they'd better find someone to look after her and the baby.

Last time, Kikyo had nearly killed those two brothers!

Luckily, the two boys had been tough.

Otherwise, who knew which one would've been the older brother!

"By the way, have you decided on a name for this baby?"

"Yes. Milluki. Milluki Zoldyck."

"Is Mother all right?"

Coleman and Illumi trotted over and stood by Kikyo's bed, blinking up at her.

Kikyo looked a little weak, but her complexion was fairly good.

She stroked both boys' heads and smiled. "Of course. Mother's fine."

"Does it still hurt, Mother?"

As he spoke, Coleman looked worriedly at Kikyo's abdomen.

They said having a baby really hurt.

Kikyo paused, then said with some surprise, "It didn't hurt that much this time."

The labor pains and weakness this time were nothing compared to what she'd endured giving birth to the brothers.

"Mother, you worked hard."

Illumi spoke softly and sweetly to Kikyo. "Mother, you should get some good rest."

Hearing them call her "Mother" again and again made Kikyo very happy. It even eased some of her physical weakness.

"Oh, my sons are just too adorable!"

She couldn't help herself and gave both boys a big hug.

She was also thinking things over.

Maybe this child's body wouldn't be as strong as his brothers'.

Children were born to compete with their mothers for nutrients.

And this time, aside from feeling a little weak, Kikyo hadn't felt particularly uncomfortable.

That suggested the little one hadn't taken much nourishment from her.

Perhaps his body wouldn't be as strong as those two brats, who'd already been wearing down Kikyo's body while still in her womb.

But Kikyo didn't comment on that.

She only smiled a little faintly.

"Is little brother all right?"

"Little brother's fine. Should we bring him over?"

Kikyo's expression paused for a moment, then she smiled. "He's still so little and fragile. He can't handle you two roughhousing with him. Let your father hold him later."

Coleman and Illumi looked at each other. Then Coleman flashed a sweet smile.

"All right, Mother."