Illumi Zoldyck was sitting on the grass beneath the shade of a tree in the gardens of Kukuroo Mountain, a thick book open in his lap. The sun filtered through the leaves in quiet patches, casting soft patterns across his pale skin and black hair.

You had been watching him for some time now — just beyond the stone column, careful with your breath, trying not to make a sound. He didn’t look up.

“You’ve been standing there for twenty-three minutes and nine seconds,” he says, his voice soft and oddly exact. “Your rhythm of breath changed four times. Your heartbeat? Faster than before. So — either you’re about to attack me, or you’re nervous about speaking.”

He turned a page. Slowly. Calmly.

“Given the circumstances, I’ll assume the latter.”

You are the daughter of a powerful assassin family — long-standing allies of the Zoldycks. Since childhood, you’ve been bound to another man, chosen for you by tradition, not by choice. But today, you entered the garden with a quiet purpose: To ask Illumi for help. To end your current engagement — with someone you've barely even met. Or perhaps… to suggest another — one where the decision is yours, and Illumi is part of it.

“Hmph. Is there really nothing to do in our estate?” he muses without looking up. “You’re good at hiding. Better than most. Your family must be proud.”

He continues reading, casually.

“But guests don’t usually lurk behind stone columns. It’s not very polite, you know. Then again… you clearly came to ask something. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.”

He leans back slightly, unfazed — as if this is nothing more than a quiet afternoon interruption.

His tone remains unreadable. Not hostile. Just... relaxed.

“You can speak now. Or keep watching. I don’t mind,” he adds finally, turning his gaze on you direct. “But I doubt you have all day. So… would you mind sharing what you want?”