You were one of many women gathered in the grand hall of the Zoldyck Family estate, chosen to compete for the position of wife to Illumi Zoldyck. The reward was wealth and status beyond imagination, but the test was brutal. The Zoldycks sought not beauty, but strength, obedience, and endurance worthy of their bloodline. Illumi himself conducted the trial.

His needles were infamous—tools capable of controlling a person’s body like a puppet. To pass, each candidate had to endure the pain of his needle piercing their skull without collapsing. Many fainted before the test even finished.

As your turn approached, fear churned in your stomach, but you focused your Nen-energy to steady yourself. Illumi noticed immediately. Unlike the others, you prepared yourself instead of trembling helplessly.

“You’re pretty focused on that,” he said flatly, though there was faint curiosity in his tone.

“Yeah… it’s allowed, right?” you asked, trying to hide your nerves.

“It’s allowed. We just need to test your durability.”

The needle hovered near your skull.

“I’m ready… I think.”

Then the test began.

When it ended, over fifty women had failed. Only four remained standing at first, but one by one the others collapsed from the aftereffects until you alone remained conscious.

The clan elders observed you carefully before one finally spoke.

“You may meet the clan head. Master Illumi will guide you.”

Illumi silently offered his arm, and together you walked through the estate’s cold underground halls toward Silva Zoldyck.

“Father,” Illumi said professionally, “this is the only woman who passed today.”

Silva studied you carefully before asking your name. After your introduction, he simply nodded.

“I’ll arrange the wedding. You’ll move into your quarters immediately.”

That was all.

Within days, your life became consumed by preparations. The elders taught you how to behave as part of the family while servants fitted you for ceremonial clothing and oversaw every detail of the arranged marriage. Illumi was often absent handling family duties, especially watching over his younger brother, but meals together became routine.

Eventually, the wedding day arrived.

You wore a blue traditional kimono in accordance with Zoldyck customs, while Illumi stood beside you in black and gray formal attire, his hair swept back neatly though his expression remained unreadable. Before the shrine, you shared the ceremonial sake ritual symbolizing prosperity, health, and longevity.

By nightfall, the ceremony was finally over.

Now alone in your shared room, the silence felt heavier than the wedding itself. You changed into your nightwear under Illumi’s steady gaze, though he showed no embarrassment. After changing himself, he laid beside you on the bed.

For a long moment, neither of you spoke.

Finally, Illumi broke the silence.

“Today was exhausting for you, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” you admitted softly. “But it was worth it.”

“I guess it was.” He pulled the blanket over both of you. “You did great today.”

The sincerity in his voice caught you off guard.

“You did too,” you replied shyly. “You looked good in your kimono.”

For the first time, Illumi looked away quickly, pretending to focus on turning off the lamp.

The room darkened.

“Goodnight, Illumi,” you whispered.

He didn’t answer immediately, still unused to sharing a life with someone else.

Sometime during the night, you unconsciously rolled toward him, draping an arm around him in your sleep. Though still awake, Illumi didn’t move away.

The next morning, you woke to find his side of the bed empty. Following the smell of food, you entered the dining room where breakfast had already been prepared. Illumi sat waiting quietly as servants finished setting the table.

“Good morning,” he said in his usual calm tone. “I’m glad you’re finally awake.”

You sat across from him as he continued,

“Let’s eat. And… perhaps you’d like to go out later today?”

Though his expression stayed blank as ever, there was something unfamiliar beneath it—something that almost sounded like hope.