Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass. If I did, the ending wouldn't have been nearly as intense.
Standing to the side of the walkway, Zero watched stoically as Julius crept by. The Empress's arranged dates always made him irritable. None of the men were worthy enough for her.
Once Julius had exited the garden, Nunnally wheeled toward Zero with a half-smile, "You scare Julius when you act so cold, Zero-sama. Sometimes, you act more like my older brother than my knight." She giggled at the thought, and despite himself, Zero relaxed slightly, kneeling before her as a sign of apology.
"Did you hear? Julius asked to marry me today." Zero instantly felt an indefinable prick in his heart. "But I declined."
Surprised, he raised his head to study her face, but it revealed nothing about her decision. There was simply her characteristic smile and those radiant violet eyes he had finally started getting used to.
Looking away, she asked wistfully, "Zero-sama cannot marry, ne?" Once again taken by surprise, he hesitated for a moment before nodding. Slowly, she turned her gaze to his mask. "Then I will not marry either."
"Your Majesty—"he began in a voice greatly softened by long intervals of nonuse, "Nunnally…this isn't your cross to bear."
"But it's the cross I've chosen." Smiling, she gently laced her fingers through his. "Not even Jesus bore his cross alone."
He knew the right thing to do in this situation. The right thing to do was to dissuade her from the celibate lifestyle he had agreed to. The right thing to do was to urge her to consider her own happiness and future above his. Yet, with tears cascading down his face, he could do nothing but bury his face in her lap and whisper, "Thank-you."
A/N: Perhaps not the best thing I've written, but I like it. I might go back and embellish it a little later, but for now, I'm content with it as it is.
Hope you enjoyed it!