Chapter Text
Wasn't there some saying about having children and them being lessons that one did not learn when they were children? There should be, because as Y/N watched and enraptured by her daughter- she was surely thinking that when she was a child, she was not nearly as smart as her own daughter. All she could do is watch in amazement as her daughter combed her hands through all the dresses that the attendants brought her- shooing away the ones that displeased her with such grace that it was impossible to believe she was only 5 years old.
Her blonde curls framed her rounded face- frowning with determination as she was clothed in a dress with puffed sleeves that stopped short of her elbows and in a royal purple color that made her eyes look even paler in comparison. There was a golden ribbon that wrapped around the waist loosely, and what had supposedly been a bow was now lying limp- untangled.
How time had flown by so quickly, without anyone even catching it. It had at least been a decade since Y/N and Vil’s last year at NRC as third years. They did their fourth year off campus in their own respective apprenticeships, and when they reunited after their almost year long break… well…
“No! It’s not right-“ The little girl cried out irritated. She motioned to the bow on her dress, clearly tied wrong. “It’s supposed to go like this- not that-“ her sentences, though longer, were still extremely simple as she huffed and puffed and got frustrated at the ribbon in her hands. They were too inexperienced- her motor skills still not completely developed- and so, though she tried her hardest to tie it correctly, the ribbon did not obey to her will. She almost looked exactly like- no. She DID look exactly like Vil in that moment, her chubby hands on her waist and the tapping of her foot- frustrated at the circumstances. She turned to her mother, holding out her dress skirt towards her- “Help.” Was all she said and Y/N sighed at her daughters orders.
If Vil was the queen (and he was), their daughter was the princess undoubtedly- and the princess always got what she wanted. Y/N obeyed her daughter, though corrected her words. “It’s ‘Help me, please?’” Y/N crouched down, now at face level. “Do you want to try?”
She pursed her little lips- as if reluctant to ask rather than demand… but she was so sweet when she wanted to be. And so she lifted her little face, and with a smile, she asked; “Help me, please?” She was so cute that Y/N couldn't even contain herself! Her violet eyes sparkled and even her light eyelashes were so long that she almost didn’t look real- like she was a doll. She had certainly taken after her father, and it was for the best she had- though her attitude was something to be desired.
The attendants were no where in sight now- even though the dress shop had been emptied for the mother and daughter so that they could browse privately without the paparazzi catching sight. Her and Vil had agreed early on that they would shield their daughter from the public- so that she would have time to grow up, and be unaffected by others words or judgment on her. She would be able to be her own person- not be influenced by opinions on her father, or what her own role should be in life. By keeping her from the public, they were also ensuring that everything she did in life would be of her own effort and volition.
A rustle came from behind the curtain that separated the dressing room from the rest of the boutique- however, instead of another sales associate with an arm full of more clothing, her beloved poked his head in. “Dear!” Y/N stood from her place beside her daughter, greeting her husband and placing a kiss on his cheek. “You said you wouldn't be able to join us today-”
”I did, but I couldn't bear the thought of my family shopping without me- and I knew you and I have hardly had any time together. So, I worked twice as hard to ensure I would be able to meet you here. Perhaps we can grab a nice dinner whilst in town, how does that sound?” It was like listening to rain when he spoke- so easy on the ears- and he said everything she wanted to hear. He always knew how to make her happy- like he was from a dream.
Their daughter took notice of her father, and her smile widened into a large grin and her eyes widened. She walked over towards Vil, a small pep in her step as she finally reached him- raising her arms and expecting to be picked up. He also obeyed her, because it seemed even the queen could not deny the princess anything. “The fairest in the lands and in my heart-” He held her on his hip and placed a soft kiss to her hair that matched his own. “Have you been behaving for mama?” He asked, brushing the stray stands of baby hairs down, though it seemed like no matter how hard he tried, they were persistent in sticking up at odd angles.
“Yes!” She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging Vil, and he returned the gesture gladly. He looked so natural with her- and had been so diligent when she had first become pregnant with their daughter. He had started reading books about how to not only physically but emotionally be able to care for ones child, and even taken classes- applying himself even more so than if it was any of his jobs. She pushed herself off of him finally, kicking her feet to be let down. When he did so, she put out her arms and twirled around. “What do you think papa? Do I look pretty?”
His eyes softened. “You look perfect to me Kleine- absolutely beautiful.” It seemed like he could not deny his weakness for their daughter either, as the both of them watched her continue her search for more clothing. She continued by making her way back out into the boutique, with Y/N and Vil following behind her and observing.
Y/N leaned in while their daughter shook her head adamantly at a pair of red and blue shoes- clearly not a fan of them. “She gets it from you, y’know?” Y/N whispered, and Vil leaned in towards his wife, raising an eyebrow.
“Does she?” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking towards their child. “If i seem to recall, you certainly had a part in her creation as well.”
Y/N chuckled. “Maybe just a little bit. You could hardly see my contribution though when she is an exact replica of you-” She gestured.
”She did get your smile.” Vil counters- still watching their daughter walk around, feeling fabrics. The playfulness dropped from his voice, becoming something gentler and more sincere. “Im glad, as its her best trait… What I would give to see both of you smile for me for the rest of our lives.”
”Vil-” Y/N started, on the verge of crying as her eyes watered, but she was saved as their daughter called out and let out a delighted squeal.
”Eeeehh! This one, this one!” She jumped up and down- unable to contain her excitement as both her parents came rushing over to her to see what she was holding. In her small arms was a dress that was a pale lilac color, almost bordering on pink. She held it up and exclaimed “This is the perfect dress for me!” It certainly looked like it was made for a princess as it sparkled with glitter and other small jewels sewn into the neckline.
Vil raised the garment for inspection, rubbing the material between his hands just as their daughter had. Everyone looked, waiting to see if the Queen himself approved- and with bated breath it was finally released with a nod of his head. “Do you truly love it Kleine?” She nodded her head, and Vil handed it to the nearby sales associate. “Please get this in her size and add it to our tab.” The lady was more than happy to do just that, taking the garment and walking off towards the backroom to package it.
”Im done- im getting tired and hungry papa.” The girl sighed.
”Then let us go eat dinner, hm?” Y/N reached down and picked her up. After gathering their bags of clothes, the family walked out of the boutique together. Luckily, it was a slow day in town, and so hardly anyone saw the family together, with both Y/N and Vil sporting sunglasses to conceal their eyes and a delicate scarf being tied over their daughters head to hide her face from possible cameras and the suns harsh light. Her skin was still so delicate that too much sun easily burnt her and irritated the skin- and so a scarf or small hat had helped when outside.
They were walking down the sidewalk, which was abnormally empty now that she really thought about it. It was like everyone had disappeared besides the shop keepers- but they also all minded their own business. But that suited her just fine- the less people who approached them, the better.
And then, of course they were stopped eventually- however it was by a director that Vil had worked with on multiple projects previously. Y/N didn't know him personally, but was more than happy to walk ahead and meet him at the restaurant so that they could get a seat by the aquarium. Their daughter enjoyed the aquarium and fish that decorated it.
”Are you sure Leibling?” Y/N nodded her head enthusiastically, and Vil sighed. “I am sorry my love, I’ll only be a moment.” He placed a kiss to his wife head and she went on her way with their daughter in her arms. But then… something odd happened.
She was outside the restaurant, about to go in, when she heard his voice from around the corner in a nearby alleyway. She walked around the corner, confused. She could have sworn she heard him- but perhaps it was an echo of his voice from down the way? She looked around, and then she saw him. Her eyes widened as she stepped forward- “How did you get here love? Was there a backway that I was unaware of that was faster?” She asked- still unaware of what was going on.
He looked different- the same but different. This was her Vil… but at the same time, not the Vil that was the father of her daughter. He looked startled, and a bit flustered as he spoke with such worry; “That isn't your child Y/N. Yo-” He stopped to correct himself. “We don't have a child.”
She frowned, her arms wrapping tighter around her daughter as the person with the face of her love dared to spew such blasphemy towards her; “W-what?” She narrowed her eyes, and even though the group of people who had cornered her couldn't see her eyes, she was sure they could see her eyebrows and just how displeased she was. “Who are you?! What are you talking about? Is this some kind of cruel prank?” It had to be- the cruelest of pranks imaginable as a person with the face of her husband denied their daughter’s existence. She gritted her teeth at that- she would kill them.
He approached her, and with every step he took towards her, she took one step backwards. Where was everyone? Why weren't there any people on the street nearby? Where was her Vil? “We’ve never gotten married, you are still a student at NRC and have never been pregnant. ” His hands were firm on her shoulders, disrupting her silk blouse. He had gifted it to her after he had taken their daughter shopping, and claimed he had seen it in the window and thought she would look good in it. She blinked, startled by his steel gaze, and how determined he seemed in his words. But, she could also feel her daughters body hanging onto her own, and how she shook in fear. “If you had graduated and this is real, then remember our graduation-”
“I- No. I don’t know what you mean-“ She argued back. A pounding in her temple throbbed, and she almost doubled over due to the pain. She felt so weak, and like she was trying to remember something- but it was slipping her mind. NRC… she had finished, and graduated… but then why couldn't she even remember the ceremony? Actually, she didn't recall any memories before the birth of her daughter- just vague statements she knew were true.
The stranger pressed on; “What’s her name then?” He motioned to her daughter, who was now hiding in her shoulder. She couldn't see her daughters face, but it was engrained into her memory at this point- her blonde, thin hair, her violet eyes, round cheeks that puffed out when angry- “When is her birthday? How are you able to go shopping without being followed- despite knowing anywhere I go I am bound to be found and watched.”
“I don't have to answer you! I know my own child's name, and her birthday- I know everything!” She yelled out now- startling the other group members- but Vil remained unchanged in his expression as he watched her. “Her name is…. Her name-“ and two things came to her at once: the first was her daughters name- which had slipped her mind- or perhaps, had never ever been real. “… is Reina.” Reina. The second thing she remembered: Reina was what she would have named the daughter her and Vil would have if they ever did have one… but she wasn’t real. Reina didn’t exist- and Vil had never gifted her a blouse he had seen in a window, nor had they ever gotten married. “It’s a dream.” She whispered out loud.
The moment she uttered the words, it was like the world shattered around her. It was so clear now- the colors were far too bright, she had never even visited Vil’s hometown so for all she knew this was just some random town that she had pieced together in her mind of what would be the perfect place to live. And then the child- her child, her daughter, her physical reminder of her connection to Vil- collapsed into a puddle of a black slime. She was pulled back by a strong hand on her arm, as Vil- the REAL Vil, brought her close to him- helping her to avoid getting the tar like substance on her.
”Vil…” She breathed out, and he looked down to her. He didn't need to say a word, for she knew what he was thinking. How pathetic was she- out of all her dreams she could have, her dream was to have a family with him- a child. But- she couldn't be ashamed in that moment for she felt like her heart had just been ripped out of her chest. “It was so real… I wanted it-” She sniffled, leaning into his chest. “I wanted it to be real!”
”I know Y/N…” He comforted her the little way he could- wrapping his arms around her. “I know…”