"Lelouch, is that really you?!" Clovis was utterly confused. The brother he had long since believed to be dead was now standing before him, gun in hand.

"Yes, my dear older brother, I have returned from the dead. And this time things will be different." Lelouch donned a sinister grin and raised the gun to Clovis, whose eyes widened, fear framing his face. The gun then fell out of Lelouch's hand and onto to the floor, and his grin turned from sinister into a genuine smile.

"Now, enough of the formalities. Stand up, dear Clovis, and give your brother a hug."

Clovis let out a sigh of relief, not realizing that he had been holding his breath in the first place. He stood, and walked over to his dead brother, his smile shining radiantly through the darkness. He embraced his younger brother, and Lelouch returned the gesture.

Clovis stepped back, and looked at Lelouch excitedly. "This is a wondrous occasion! We must return to the homeland immediately to announce your formal return!"

"Of course, brother. Yes, after this, I'm confident that nothing will be the same again." Behind his features, Lelouch hid a triumphant smirk, pleased that his grand scheme had finally been put into motion.

-o-O-o-

Shirley ran to class as fast as she could. She was completely shocked at what she had seen on the morning news.

Lelouch is a... no, that can't be right, she thought to herself, still not fully grasping the situation.

Rounding the hallway that led to her classroom, she threw the sliding door open, however, none of her classmates seemed to notice, as they were all waist-deep in conversation and gossip about the morning's announcement as well. Shirley rushed over to Rivalz and the others, who welcomed her into the conversation.

"Guys, did you hear the news?! Lelouch is a-!" Shirley was cut short mid sentence by their teacher entering the room, causing all to fall silent.

"Everyone sit!" Her tone was strict, and left no room for argument, as today was an important day for Ashford Academy, and the class complied unconditionally. "Today, we will be welcoming a new student to the class. Please introduce yourself to your classmates, your Highness."

"Please, Ms. Stockfleet, I told you there's no need for the honorifics." A familiar voice echoed from just beyond the door, and promptly, an even more familiar young man stepped into the classroom. Reaching the center of the chalkboard, he proceeded to write his name. He then turned to face his admittedly shocked classmates.

"My name is Lelouch vi Brittania, 11th Prince of the Holy Brittanian Empire and 17th in line to the throne. It is a pleasure to meet you all again."

-o-O-o-

"Can you believe this, guy's?! Lelouch has been a prince all this time, and we had no idea!" Milly screamed in delight, though being a member of the Ashford family, she had been well aware of Lelouch's identity for quite some time now; the show she was putting on now was a simple facade. Everyone else in the Student Council was knowingly thrown off by the news as well.

"This is amazing! Me, friends with a prince?! My status is gonna go through the roof!"

Before she could continue, the door opened, and Lelouch stepped into the Student Council office.

Milly was surprised to see him, and immediately straightened her posture. "Oh, umm, your Highness, we weren't expecting you! Please forgive the unsightliness of the place." Milly and the rest of the Student Council awkwardly knelt to the ground to welcome him.

Lelouch looked on at this strange display of loyalty, and couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh.

"You guys are hilarious!" He put his hands to his ribs, and continued laughing, unable to stop.

The other, worried of speaking informally to a prince, stayed silent.

"You know me well enough by now." Lelouch raised a hand, motioning for them to stand up. "Even though I have revealed my identity as a prince, I don't expect, or want, any of you to treat me any differently than you would Lelouch Lamperouge. Please, relax."

The others breathed easier after hearing that, grateful that their friend hadn't left them.

Shirley was the first to speak, "Lelouch, is this all really true? You've been a prince this whole time?"

"Yes, Shirley, everything you heard is, indeed, true, and while I realize that this may be a bit sudden for everyone, I assure you that I have my reasons for revealing myself to the world."

"Well, I won't question ya, buddy," Rivalz cut in, draping an arm over Lelouch's shoulder, "mainly 'cuz I'm afraid that if I do, I'll get my head chopped off!" He made a slicing motion across his neck with his hand, and everyone laughed.

For Lelouch, the moment was as painful as it was happy, for he knew it wouldn't last long. Soon, very soon, everything would change, both for him, and the rest of the world.