I know that I probably should finish my other story before I started on this one. But this story simply will not get off my head. So, here it is. Enjoy!
Aries Villa
Pendragon
Holy Britannian Empire
2010
Ever since the death of the Fifth Empress, Marianne Vi Britannia, Aries Villa had taken a dreary look. For all of its luxuries and the beautiful paintings that adorned it's walls, the palace felt cold, uninviting. With the death of the Empress Marianne, the palace has now taken the countenance of it's new master, the eleventh Prince Lelouch Vi Britannia.
The young prince was sitting in the library on, what used to be the his mother's favorite chair, with the fire from the fireplace being the only source of illumination, in the otherwise dark room. The library had never failed to put the young prince's mind at ease. He was never one for playing games, unless it was with Nunnally or match of chess with Schneizel. In the library, his mind was clear.
But now, his mind refused to stay had somehow managed to get him out of the hospital so that he could get something to eat. Yet, when he came back home, the news that reached him, left him stunned.
How could his father call off the investigation on his mother's murder? Wasn't she his favorite wife? Did he have no feelings for Nunnally, who has still not regained conciousness? Those were the questions that plagued his mind. Unfortunately, he had no answer to any of those.
The opening of the doors startled the young prince. He turned around to see who it was. Though it was dark, it was easy to identify the silhouette of his older sister Cornelia. Had it been anyone else, he would have asked them to leave. But Cornelia was different. She was the only member of the royal family whom he trusted implicitly. She was the only one who was their for the him, even when everyone else had abandoned them.
"Lelouch," she started, but the look of anger on his face was enough to stop her short.
"Why?"
The Princess Cornelia knew what he meant by that one word. But the only answer she could give him would mark the end of the Lelouch's childhood. It would effectively destroy, the illusion of the Emperor, which she knew the late Empress had painted for him. On the one hand, Lelouch deserved to know the truth. However, he was merely a child. Knowing the truth would mark the end of his childhood.
"I will ask the Emperor!" The young Prince exclaimed. "I will go up to him and demand to know why he has closed the investigation."
Lelouch's words sent a cold chill down Cornelia's spine. Should he go up and demand answers from the Emperor, it would mark the end for the Vi Britannia's.
"Don't do it Lelouch," said Cornelia, her voice filled with panic.
Lelouch simple sat there, stunned. Cornelia was looking at him with fear. What danger was he in. He intended to ask his father what was happening, nothing more. Yet, Cornelia reacted as if he was in true mortal danger.
"If you go up there and demand answers from the Emperor, he will punish you." This, Lelouch did not expect. Why should he fear his own father?
"I am a Prince," he stated. "And he is my father. He has no reason to punish me."
At this Cornelia smiled sadly. The time to destroy the illusion had come, and it she, who was going to break it.
"It does not matter. He will not do anything."
"But..but why not? He loves me, doesn't he? Mother always said so." The young Prince cried, desperation creeping into his voice.
Cornelia winced at this statement. Lelouch had always believed what his mother had told him. By destroying that belief, she would be destroying everything that Lelouch believed in. This would lead him to question everything, and maybe he wont ever be able to trust anyone again. But it had to be done, and Cornelia knew it. The alternative, would be unthinkable.
"He doesn't love you, Lelouch. He doesn't love anyone.," she said.
"Wha..?" Lelouch did not know what to think. His mother always said that their father loved. To think that his mother had lied to him. He did not want to believe it, yet there was something in Cornelia's face which made him believe. The way she said it. It was as if she had experienced it.
Cornelia was heartbroken. The look of shock on the her younger brothers face was more than what she could bear. Slowly she reached out to touch him. He stiffened upon contact, but allowed it. She slowly crouched down so that they were both at eye level. Tears were threatening to fall from his eyes.
"He loves no one, Lelouch. He loves only power. Nothing more."
She said all this without her voice quavering. But the sight of her younger brother, with tears falling down his face, broke her resolve. Tears fell from her eyes and she grabbed him in a tight embrace, and made a silent promise, that she would do everything in his power to protect him. That she would do everything to shield him from the vicious wolves that was the royal court. That she would never let him be alone.
Charles Zi Britannia was an intimidating man. He was the most powerful man on earth, and yet he looked uneasy. The recent actions of his brother was troubling him. The attempted murder on Marianne was the latest. He was getting too attached to her, that was V.V's reasoning. And even though he promised that would not intervene again, Charles couldn't shake off the feeling that this was just the beginning.
The Emperor's thoughts were disturbed by the opening of the his bedroom door. He did not bother with turning around, he knew who it was. Only one person would dare enter his bedroom without asking for permission.
"He did not come as you expected, Marianne." He said to the young Anya Alstriem. She remained silent, her face expressionless.
"Should Lelouch stay here, he will want to poke around and look for answers. And there is the threat of V.V as well."
The Emperor waited. But seeing as there was no answer forthcoming. He finally asked.
"What should we do Marianne?"
There was silence for a few moments, and then she answered, grim-faced.
"Send him away. Send him as far away from V.V as possible."
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