USEFUL ➴ Illumi x Reader

LX. Calm before the storm

The familiar trip back to the Zoldyck's Manor was silent. Was he going to lock me up in the dungeon and punish me for eternity?

Was this the calm before the storm?

Did they have different kinds of dungeons for different kinds of torture? Until now all I had seen were the living quarters of the family. There was still so much unknown, so many horrifying rooms to discover, I guess this was the time. What else was hidden on the enormous building?

As I dreaded the arrival to the Zoldyck's estate, it was getting closer. Illumi opened the testing gates effortlessly, and we walked quietly past Canary, who bowed before the young master and winked back at my warm smile. The air was incredibly fresh at nightfall, such were the benefits of having a personal forest in the premises.

A sigh left my lips when we entered the building, leaving the refreshing air behind and meeting the cold grey stone walls that would probably surround me until my last breath.

Gotoh showed up almost immediately, which made me wonder just how did the information travelled so fast? I knew they had telephones and contacted each other but sometimes it was freakishly quick for phone calls...

"Young master," he bowed gracefully, "Miss Y/N, I shall warn master Zeno of your arrival."

"Thank you Gotoh, I have a lot to tell him." A quick glance at Illumi, he didn't seem bothered by the delay, his face was like stone, unmovable. Could Zeno help me out? Probably not... I didn't know enough of this family's dynamics to assume such thing. They had rules.

"Gotoh, take her to see my grandfather and then accompany her back to her room." With that said he went on navigating through the labyrinth of dim lit walls.

Ah yes, this was what my life now, following people around. I tried focusing on the turns and the doors we passed but soon I was lost. "Gotoh, how do you know where to go in this maze?"

His voice seemed a bit amused when he replied, "We have a blueprint of the building for newcomers and soon they get used to the place."

"Oh, so it makes sense that I feel lost every time that I walk around here? Great." He stopped in front of a dark metal door with dragons engraved, "Is it here?" Gotoh nodded, knocking on the door to hear a confirmative sound from inside.

"I'll be waiting for you here." He slid the door open and gestured for me to go in.

"Thank you, Gotoh." The room was wide, thin red see-through curtains hanging from the center to the corners, the old man was sitting in a black padded bench with elaborate dragons carved in the backrest, "Old man! Long time, no see!"

"Y/N, I heard you were here for me but had some important business to take care of." His silver eyes glittering in amusement, "I, for once, think my grandson ticked you off."

My eyes widened, heart beating faster, that wasn't a good way to start a conversation. "Well, if he was half of the angel your Killua is, I wouldn't be so bothered with his very lacking company."

He laughed wholeheartedly, "I think you could help him out, to be a better company. Now, child, sit and tell me about that exam."

I looked around spotting some large pillows against the wall and quickly grabbed them and laid them on the floor, in front of Zeno. When I was comfortably sitting, I started describing the exam and how Killua knocked half of the contestants out and would've done it to all of them if I wasn't there. "A rather quick exam if you ask me, I heard then later from Killua that last years was much more interesting."

"Ah yes, Illumi was there." Zeno nodded.

"Among others, but yeah. Killua must be leaving Greed Island soon, after completing the game, he was being trained by a Hunter called Biscuit, along with his friend Gon. Good friendship they have there. His nen abilities are based on electricity, he'll be a very powerful young man, but I guess you knew that." I smirked at Zeno, he seemed pleased with the news. "It's good that you care about your grandsons, I saw Kalluto too!"

"On the exam?" Zeno's white eyebrow arched up, quivering slightly. What a great confused look, so the Zoldycks can display emotion! What a discovery!

"No, no. When I left after being annoyed by Illumi, I went to Greed Island, saw Killua again, his friend Gon and his Nen master, Bisky, which is a very interesting woman I must say. I helped him out with a game task and sometime after I crossed paths with the Phantom Troupe, I saw Kalluto."

"How is my youngest doing?"

"I think for him to be with the Spiders is an interesting combination, a place both to grow and to prove himself." He seemed to ponder for a while.

"Well I ask for news about one grandson and get two? What an interesting deal." His pale lips curved on a wrinkly smile.

"It's to compensate the delay, old man."

"Haha, you're a smart kid. Tell me now, what are you doing back here?"

"Me and Illumi fought and he stabbed me with one of the powerful needles. So, I guess I'm here to be useful." It was a quick but truthful explanation, I was proud. Finally, to be able to tell someone without a massive headache.

"Oh... this certainly brings you together" Pensive, he got up and stretched, "What an unexpected turn of events, hihihi" Holding his hand out to me, he tilted his head. Zeno sure was a polite old man, I thought as I laid my S/C hand on top of his and was easily pulled back to my feet. "Come child I'll accompany you to your room, let's hope my company is slightly better than Illumis..."

"Oh, you don't have to trouble yourself, Gotoh said he'd wait for me."

"I insist." Zeno retorted, sliding the door open and dismissing the butler.

"I'm glad I won't be getting lost soon." I sheepishly mumbled.

"Oh child, you've strayed so much from your path, instead of feeling lost, enjoy the ride and own the road."

Art By: acetaris (DeviantArt)

Author's Note: I know you guys were expecting Illumi, but I think you'll be pleased with a nice chat with grandpa Zeno.

Thank you so much for 300K reads!!!!