It was noon, and Lilith was in the garden playing with the ducks. Nikolai had locked his tigers in their cages because they would scare the tiny girl.
"Duckyyyy!!" she squealed as she caught one and chased the others around happily.
Nikolai watched her with his siblings while the girls sat nearby writing a list for the party tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, the group walked in holding bags filled with food.
"Hi, Lily!" they greeted.
"Hellooooo!!" the tiny girl replied, doing a happy little dance that made everyone smile.
Damian walked in carrying different boxes — six in total — all labeled with Lilith's full name.
He leaned close and whispered something into Nikolai's ear.
Nikolai nodded.
"Ducky, ducky, ducky, ducky, ducky!!!!" Lilith sang loudly, spinning in circles as the servants began arranging food on the long garden tables.
Suddenly—
"Bang!"
"Oh come on, let her be!" Zhanna shouted as she shot a man from across the garden who had been aiming directly at Lilith.
The loud gunshot echoed.
Lilith instantly covered her ears.
Everyone pulled out their guns.
About ten armed men rushed toward the tiny girl.
Her panic attack returned violently.
Nikolai grabbed an AK-47, his anger reaching its peak.
"That's IT!" he roared.
Gunfire exploded through the garden.
He shot them one by one without hesitation.
Bodies dropped onto the grass.
Lilith crouched down, covering her ears, trembling uncontrollably.
Nikolai advanced toward the last man who was bleeding out on the ground.
"Tamanna, right?" Nikolai asked coldly.
The man nodded weakly.
Without another word, Nikolai pulled the trigger.
Silence fell — except for Lilith.
She was crashing out.
She screamed, broke flower pots, clawed at her head, crying uncontrollably as her breathing became uneven.
Everyone tried to hold her down.
"Hold her carefully!" Zhanna shouted.
Luckily, they managed to restrain her without hurting her further.
Damian picked up one of the boxes and examined it carefully.
Meanwhile, Nikolai grabbed Lilith gently. She was still screaming, struggling to breathe.
"Calm down, Bambi… calm down," he murmured.
Damian pressed a hidden button on the box.
It opened.
It was a ballerina music box.
Soft music began to play.
Lilith froze mid-kick.
Her breathing was still heavy, but she stopped fighting.
Then a woman's voice began to sing—
"Moonlight kisses, sleep my little heartbeat, sleep…
Drift where golden dreamlands keep…
On a cloud so soft and high,
Sailing through the velvet sky…
Twinkle, twinkle, stars above,
Wrap my baby up in love…
Night will guard you safe and tight,
Till the sun brings morning light…
Close your eyes, my precious one,
Day is done, the stars have come…
Moonbeams paint your cheeks with glow,
Soft as falling winter snow…
Hush now, don't you be afraid,
Sweetest dreams for you are made…
Fairy winds will gently sway,
Rocking you till break of day…
Mama's voice whispers, I believe in you…
Every breath and every sigh,
Lullabies that float and fly…
Sleep my little heartbeat, sleep…
In my arms your dreams I'll keep…
Safe and warm the whole night through…
All my love belongs to you…
Mumma loves you, my little Gem…"
The garden was silent.
It was Lilith's mother's voice.
"M…M…Mumma?" the tiny girl whispered shakily.
She slowly walked toward Damian.
He handed her the box carefully.
She pressed the button again.
And again.
And again.
Six times she replayed the lullaby.
Zhanna gently gave her warm milk.
Eventually, Lilith's body relaxed.
She fell asleep in Nikolai's arms while still holding the music box.
He carried her to her room carefully.
"Damian, Urmila, Vishal — stay back. The rest of you, please go," Nikolai ordered.
They obeyed and quietly left the mansion, returning home.
Lilith was asleep, clutching Nikolai's arm tightly as if afraid he would disappear.
Nikolai sat beside her bed while the three he called remained.
"We need to make arrangements," he said quietly. "Quick ones."
"It will all be done," Vishal assured.
"Yes, it will be done," Urmila agreed firmly.
Nikolai nodded once.
They left the room.
He looked down at the tiny girl, brushing her hair gently from her face.
He patted her head softly, comforting her in her sleep.
The music box sat beside her pillow, the ballerina frozen mid-spin.
And outside, the garden still smelled of gunpowder.