~Pearl to My Oyster~(WRIOLETTE FIC)

Chapter 36

          Time seemed to fly by without Neuvillette's cognizance, and he silently hummed a tune to himself while he finished up his paperwork from yesterday, moving into today's stack. All the while, Lucille slept peacefully and unperturbed, curled up to his chest like a kitten with its mother.

My darling little daughter...

Fondly, he kissed her head and she stirred slightly, looking up at him with a sleepy smile on her adorable features. Reaching up, she gently pulled his face closer to hers, and with an amused smile, he waited to see what she'd do. 

And then, she softly pressed her baby lips to his cheek.

Neuvillette felt himself melt into his chair at that exact moment, and he picked up Lucille to his face, peppering little kisses all over her face, the blue lip gloss marks being the only evidence to his affectionate assault on her.

"Ma!"

Lucille cooed, and the Iudex smiled wider, nuzzling his nose with hers.

"Yes, mon bébé?"

She let out a string of incoherent babbles, and he couldn't help but softly chuckle, bringing her to his chest and laying her on it. Without any protest, Lucille happily pushed herself into him with a little content hum.

The peaceful and homely atmosphere was suddenly broken with a sharp rap on his office doors.

Hmph, can't a mother bond with their child in peace for a few moments?

Neuvillette thought to himself, and his voice switched back to its firm and authoritative tone, a sharp contrast from the babyish, soft voice he used to talk to his daughter.

A man and a woman stepped in, expressions sharp and wary. The woman placed a hand on her hips and the man spoke first.

"Good afternoon, Iudex."

"Good afternoon, Monsieur, Madame. How may I be of assistance to you today?"

The woman cut the man off before he could even speak, and extended her arms.

"I'm here to reclaim what's rightfully mine."

At first, Neuvillette didn't understand, but when he saw her hand gestures, he narrowed her eyes.

She wanted Lucille.