Milluki Zoldyck

"Why does he look like a monkey?"

"...Our old man isn't exactly a looker either."

"Fair point!"

Two sneaky children stood before the cradle, whispering to each other.

One had white hair, the other black—a stark contrast in color, yet they were twins.

The white-haired child poked the infant's cheek, rubbing his finger against it to get a feel.

It was so soft; would it really break if he used a bit of force?

The black-haired child was eager to try as well. Instead of poking the cheek, he began to fiddle with the baby's tiny claws.

"So small. Won't he shatter if I squeeze him?"

Illumi murmured softly, filled with confusion and wonder.

Was he this small when he was a baby?

He couldn't remember.

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

Suddenly, their father, who had slipped back from their mother's side at some point, stood behind the two children and barked in a low voice.

How long had it been, and you two are already messing around?!

I haven't even gotten a good look yet! What are you two little runts crowding in for?

Hearing their father's reprimand, the brothers couldn't help but flinch. They turned around instinctively, looking up at their towering father, their eyes betraying a hint of disdain.

Who was the one who rushed off to see Mom in such a panic, only to kick them out?!

Now he was complaining that they were in the way.

What a tiresome old man.

Years of sternness and stone-faced discipline had failed to keep the two brothers in line; instead, it had made them accustomed to their father's occasional chauvinism and bouts of overreaction.

They felt no fear at all.

Illumi hopped off the small stool he had dragged over and tugged on Coleman's hand, signaling it was time to leave.

Don't bother talking to this man, who had become a father again yet was still shaking.

Look at how pathetic he was.

Anyone who knew would know Mom had just given birth, but anyone who didn't might think she had gone to the execution grounds!

Coleman followed Illumi's lead, but didn't forget to advise, "Father, the baby is really soft. Be gentle when you hold him, don't bruise him!"

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

Yes, he certainly did, and he had made sure to prick him painfully with his stubble.

Coleman, who had possessed self-awareness and memory from the moment he opened his eyes, found that experience utterly repulsive!

His older brother had even cried back then because of those prickles!

He tugged on Coleman's collar, signaling him to shut up.

What was there to discuss with this old stick-in-the-mud? Wouldn't it be better to go see Mom?

Silva, completely unaware that he was being looked down upon by his own sons, stared at the baby in the cradle with a face full of solemnity.

He tentatively reached out a hand, but didn't know how to pick the child up.

He could only freeze in place, unable to move.

For a split second, he was so nervous that his aura leaked out uncontrollably.

A newborn baby had never seen such a sight, and he was frightened to tears on the spot by his father's stern face.

"Fool!"

A cold snort sounded from behind him. Silva stiffened for a moment before silently turning around.

Sure enough, Zeno's cane had already struck Silva's leg.

"Are you trying to scare my precious grandson?!"

"And you know how to hold him?"

"..."

"..."

"If you don't know how, can't you find someone to teach you? You're already a father of two, and you still don't know how to hold a baby?!"

He scolded him for failing to live up to expectations, but the moment he looked at the cradle, he smiled kindly. "Look at my precious grandson, how well-behaved, how handsome!"

Silva looked too, feeling helpless and bewildered.

Where was the beauty in this?

He looked just like a monkey.

He doesn't take after me or his mother at all.

"How stupid! Newborns haven't grown into their features yet, aren't they all like this?!"

Having been rapped with a cane again, Silva learned his lesson and returned to his usual expressionless mask.

He snuck a glance at his father, and upon realizing all his attention had shifted to the baby, he finally let out a sigh of relief in his heart.

It's better this way; at least I don't have to get beaten.

While grumbling internally, Silva pondered.

Where could he find someone to teach him how to do this?

Forget it, he should just hire a few wet nurses and nannies first.

Given Kikyo's performance last time, Silva decided it would be best to find someone else to look after the mother and child.

Last time, Kikyo had nearly sent those two brothers packing!

It was fortunate that those two kids were tough.

Otherwise, who would be the eldest brother was anyone's guess!

"Right, has a name been chosen for this child yet?"

"It has. Milluki. Milluki Zoldyck."

"Is Mother alright?"

Coleman and Illumi trotted over, standing before Kikyo's bed and blinking their eyes.

Kikyo was only a bit weak, but her complexion was still decent.

She reached out to stroke the two children's heads and said with a smile, "Of course, Mother is perfectly fine."

"Is Mother still in pain?"

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

They said giving birth was very painful, after all.

Kikyo was stunned for a moment, then said with some surprise, "Mother isn't in much pain this time."

The labor pains and weakness this time were far less agonizing than when she gave birth to these two brothers.

"You've worked hard, Mother."

Illumi looked at Kikyo and said in a small, sweet voice, "Mother should get some good rest."

Each "Mother" made Kikyo very happy, to the point that even her physical weakness seemed to diminish.

"Oh, my sons are truly too adorable!"

Saying this, she couldn't help but pull the two children into a big hug.

Her mind, however, was deep in thought.

Perhaps this child's body wouldn't be as robust as his brothers'.

A child is an outsider who naturally competes with the mother for nutrients.

Yet this time, aside from some weakness, Kikyo didn't feel much discomfort.

This suggested, from another perspective, that this little one hadn't "consumed" many nutrients.

His body might not be as strong as those two little brats who had wreaked havoc on her body while still in the womb.

But Kikyo showed no reaction to this.

She only smiled somewhat indifferently.

"Is the little brother alright?"

"The little brother is very well. Would you like to hold him?"

Kikyo's expression faltered for a moment before she smiled and said, "The baby is still frail and can't handle you two tossing him around. Let Father hold him in a little while."

Coleman and Illumi exchanged glances, and then Coleman flashed a sweet smile.

"Alright, Mother."