Shadows of affection

Ryuko Zoldyck stood before her father, Silva Zoldyck, the inscrutable head of the renowned Zoldyck family of assassins. Silva, sitting in his chair with a calculating glint in his eyes, regarded his daughter with detached curiosity as she broached the topic of the Hunter Exam.

"Father," Ryuko began, her voice devoid of emotion, "I wish to obtain a Hunter's license."

Silva arched an eyebrow, his expression betraying little emotion. "And what, may I ask, is the purpose of this sudden ambition?" he inquired, his tone deceptively casual.

Ryuko met her father's gaze with impassive eyes. "A high-profile client has hired me for a job, and obtaining a Hunter's license will provide me with the necessary resources to fulfill the task."

Silva's lips curled into a knowing smile, his eyes remaining cold and calculating. "Ah, I see," he remarked

Ryuko maintained her composure, her demeanor unflappable. "I've been hired to eliminate the client," she confessed, her voice devoid of any hint of emotion.

"And do you intend to see this job through to its conclusion, daughter?" He says lowly.

Ryuko met her father's gaze with a steely determination, her expression remaining blank. "Yes, Father," she replied with the same lack of emotion. "I will fulfill my contract"

Silva's grin widened further, a sense of pride swelling within him. "Very well, Ryuko," he said, his tone filled with a sinister satisfaction. "Obtain your Hunter's license and carry out your task with the precision and skill befitting a member of the Zoldyck family. And remember, failure is not an option."

At her father's parting words she bows and walks out of his chambers.

-

After her conversation with her father, Ryuko made her way through the winding corridors of the Zoldyck estate to find her twin brother, Illumi. As she approached his chambers, her expression remained impassive, betraying no hint of the unease she felt.

Pushing open the heavy door, Ryuko found Illumi seated calmly at his desk, his piercing gaze fixed on a map spread out before him. His presence exuded a sense of quiet intensity that Ryuko observed with detached interest.

"Illumi," Ryuko began, her voice devoid of emotion, "I need to speak with you."

Illumi glanced up, his expression remaining neutral. "What is it, Ryuko?" he asked, his tone devoid of any inflection.

Ryuko hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm going to the Hunter Exam," she admitted, her words devoid of any emotion.

To her surprise, Illumi's lips curved into a faint smile. "Is that so?" he remarked, his tone cryptic. "How interesting."

Ryuko narrowed her eyes, her expression remaining blank. "What do you mean, 'interesting'?" she demanded, her voice devoid of any hint of suspicion.

Illumi rose from his seat, his movements fluid and graceful. "I, too, have business at the Hunter Exam," he revealed, his eyes glinting with a hidden purpose.

"You're going to the Hunter Exam?" she repeated, her tone neutral.

Illumi nods "Indeed," he replied cryptically. "But unlike you, dear sister, I will be disguised."

Ryuko absorbed this information silently, her expression unchanged.

"And there's one more thing," Illumi added, his tone taking on a hint of amusement. "Our younger brother, Killua, has also decided to participate in the Hunter Exam."

Ryuko's impassive facade faltered for a fraction of a second before she regained her composure. "Kil," she whispers.

-

As Ryuko left her brother's chamber, her steps were measured and deliberate, echoing softly against the polished marble floors of the Zoldyck estate. Though her outward demeanor remained stoic, a whirlwind of thoughts churned within her mind, stirring emotions that she had long since learned to suppress.

Heading towards her own quarters, Ryuko's path took her through the labyrinthine corridors of the estate, each turn a familiar yet unwavering reminder of the life she had been born into. As she walked, the flickering torches lining the walls cast eerie shadows that danced along the cold stone surfaces, a silent testament to the darkness that lurked within the Zoldyck family's domain.

Upon reaching her room, Ryuko pushed open the heavy wooden door with practiced ease, revealing a spartan yet meticulously organized space that reflected her disciplined nature. Stepping inside, she closed the door behind her, shutting out the outside world and enveloping herself in a cocoon of solitude.

Alone in the silence of her chamber, Ryuko allowed herself a moment, and remained steadfast in her resolve, her determination unyielding as she prepared to embark on her journey to the Hunter Exam.