Inside the quiet bedroom, the exhausted Guest was fallen into a deep sleep.

Beside the bed was a small cradle, and Killua stood before it.

He carefully reached out his arms and picked up the baby.

She was so small, fitting perfectly in his arms. Tiny hands, tiny feet. A life so fragile that even his breathing felt too loud.

The baby's fingers twitched slightly, and then she tightly gripped Killua's index finger.

...Hah.

A small laugh escaped him despite himself. Only a single finger was caught in that tiny hand, but strangely, it felt as if his heart had been captured too.

These were hands that had held a sword his entire life. He was used to fighting to protect someone. But holding such a small life was a first.

Killua chuckled softly at himself, feeling ridiculous for being so tense the whole time he held her, terrified he might drop her or make her cry.

Then he turned his head to look at her sleeping in the bed. She couldn't smile brightly or call his name playfully like usual; she just lay there sleeping with a weary face.

'You did good.'

He muttered it only in his mind, unable to bring himself to say it out loud. Because Guest had endured so much, more than those few words could ever contain.

He looked down at the baby again.

...From now on.

He whispered softly.

You, ...and your mom too.

I'll protect you both.

It wasn't the responsibility of a prince, but a promise as a husband and a father.