Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. This piece of fiction is written for the sole purpose of my enjoyment. After searching both the Internet, the wiki, and even looking for stories of it, I have failed to spot a single piece of information regarding the past of Charles di Britannia. There was a brief mention of his parents in the anime and the spin-off, Nightmare of Nunnally, but nothing beyond that. He apparently lived during the infamous Emblem of Blood era, and this fic aims to expand upon that.

"Charles, what the bloody hell is a democracy?"

I frowned. For someone who claimed that he knew all there was to the world, Videk could be pretty ignorant. This was most evident whenever politics or government came into play. "It's the form of government used in the European Union. Mr. Sysworth taught us this yesterday."

"As if I was going to listen to that ranting commoner. All that nonsense about free elections and will of the people." Videk flung his hair over his shoulders, something Charles was finding to be an increasing habit of his. "I mean, I have you to listen to that drivel for me. How is that information even relevant to ruling the empire?"

I turned yet another page in my book. "Father says in order to defeat your enemy, you must know more about them than you do yourself." I heard my brother scoff once more. That attitude of his would get him into trouble one day. Never mind the fact the chances of him getting on the throne were as high as Aunt Martrice's chances of finding a suitor were.

"Because that information worked so well in the Humiliation of Edinburgh."

I rolled my eyes. "That was over a hundred years ago, Videk."

Looking up from my book, I saw him nonchalantly spinning the diamond-encrusted globe perched on top of father's desk. Even though father had always scolded him for touching things that didn't belong to him, Videk always seemed to think he could touch anything he fancied, because damn it, he was a prince of Britannia.

"Oh Charles, don't you know? Those that don't follow history are doomed to repeat it."

"I don't see what that has to do with not knowing what democracy is. Besides, if your logic is to be followed, due to the fact you don't know what it is, you are therefore doomed to be banished from the fatherland."

As he always did when he didn't understand what was being said to him, Brother changed the topic. "Do you suppose father will approve the House of Lords proposal to invade Japan?"

"It's unlikely." Another chapter finished, I placed my book back on the shelf and reached for George Orwell's 2034. Sitting back down, I opened the book, the smell of dust permeating through the air. "The political climate isn't right. If we were to invade the island, which may I remind you holds 70% percent of the world's sakuradite, retaliation would surely befall us. The Chinese Federation and the European Union rely on that material just as much as we do. Maybe in a couple of years." I talked about the invasion of a country as lightly as I would the planning of a masquerade ball.

All this information was sure to bore Videk, who wasn't as interested in politics as I.

"Does that mean we won't be able to build my new summer home on Mount Fuji this year?"

"No, Videk, somehow I doubt that father will be able to build an entire palace on top of one of the world's most recognizable landmarks."

He gazed out the stained-glass window, genuine disappointment prominent on his face. "A pity, then."

Listening to this conversation, I suppose we would have sounded like two spoiled rich children. This wasn't too far from the truth. Well, in Brother's case, anyway. The truth is, Brother was nine years of age, and I the same. We were twins, you see, distinguishable only by our personality and shades of hair. Normally, our speech patterns and dialogue wouldn't be matched with that of adolescents, but as princes of Britannia, expectations ran rather high for us.

We were waiting in father's study room while he conferred with the House of Lords. Normally someone as low in the succession as Father wouldn't be considered a political powerhouse, but time and time again he had proved his adversaries wrong. Despite being raised on the beliefs that Britannians were the ruling race in the world, he believed all men were created equal, and that no one person had more value over his fellow man.

He was quite naive.

Of course, neither Videk nor I dared to tell him such, because naive he may be, he was still our father.

Speaking of whom, the polished wooden door opened to his study. Inside came not father, but one of the numerous servants that worked in the Prime Ministers estate.

"Young masters, your father has concluded his deliberation with the lords. He wishes to see you in the dining room."

Hopping out of father's luxurious chair (again, something not even Videk was supposed to sit down in) Brother strolled past the servant, not even bothering to make eye contact.

Internally sighing, I placed the copy of 2034 back on the bookshelf, and made to follow Brother. Glancing back at the servant, I gave a curt nod and hurried after Videk. Father always said to give courtesy where it is due.

Walking through the estate was like walking through a museum. Classical paintings adorned the walls, depicting Britannians during their finest moments. One picture had the image of Washington's Rebellion, Britannian soldiers clad in red besieging New York. Statues of Eowyn, founding father of Britannia, were placed at regular intervals. Lavender drapes framed the stained windows, and the sound of our footsteps were muffled by the Fine carpets underneath us. Light cast from the sun interacted with the chandelier's above us, with prisms of white shining on the walls. It was as beautiful as an art gallery.

And that was just the hallway.

"You know, I've often wondered something."

I listened to Videk, but didn't turn towards him. There was no time for idle chit-chat. Father wished to see us. "What?"

Brother brushed one of his hands against one of the many ornate tapestries we passed. "What do you think the Empress's palace looks like?"

I hesitated to answer. This had come from nowhere. "Aunt Hierria lives only ten minutes away. We're her favorite grandchildren, you could probably ask to visit the Imperial Castle."

"That would be childish." He lowered his hand. "I don't wish to visit the castle, merely compare the architecture of our respective homes."

Silence descended once more over us. Not a single word was spoken between us as we reached the door to the dining room. Nodding to the porter standing guard next to the entrance, he cleared his throat before opening the door for us.

"Their Highnesses Prince Videk di Britannia and his brother, Prince Charles di Britannia!"

It wasn't necessary to bellow our arrival out like that, but for the sake of tradition, we would go along with it.

Though not as gaudy as the hallway, the dining room was equally as huge and decorated as the hallway from which we had arrived. Intended to impress even the most fickle of ambassadors, the Silver Room, as Brother and I so lovingly called it, could rival even Aunt Hierria's Throne Room. A crystal chandelier ( note that the entire object was crystal, not just the hangings of it) was suspended above the table, if you could call it such. Built to seat 100 people, it was quite long and wide, with red cloth draped over it, silverware and glass plates alawys laying polished, despite the absence of guests. The windows, which in the hallway were stained, now depicted the Britannian crest outlined in silver, light cascading down on us. Then there was the main feature, the very object that gave the Silver Room it's name.

As the Empress's throne was made of gold, all of her children were permitted to make their own thrones from anything else they wished. Aunt Martrice's was made of elephant tusks imported from the E.U.'s African territory, Big Brother Gardensch's was carved from the iron of cannons used in Washington's Rebellion, and Uncle Leicetair's throne was crafted from refined sakuradite. Our father had chosen silver not because there was no other sensible material to choose from, but because he wanted to make a statement.

As silver was next to gold in value, he was essentially proclaiming he intended to succeed as the next Emperor.

Raykosch di Britannia, son of Hierria qo Britannia, seventh prince of the Holy Empire of Britannia, Prime Minister, Grand Duke of Nevada, and our father, sat on his throne.

Snoring.

I had bared witness to some Japanese cartoons, 'anime', as commoners named it. In them, anger was represented by four lines, sometimes three, outlined in black or red, usually around the forehead area. In this situation, I could easily picture myself with one of those marks adorned on my visage.

"Oh father, so laid back. That's not the way a son of the Empress should act." Videk was calm about this, he always was. To both of us, seeing father in a situation like this was nothing new, sadly. He just happened to take father's aloof attitude in better stride than I. "What if mother saw you like this? She'd be livid!"

When father didn't react to Videk's words, I watched in absolute horror as Brother nonchalantly placed his index finger inside his mouth, pulled it out, and proceeded to vigorously rub it in father's ear. This was a trick he had learned from Big Brother Fitzroy, who was the joker of the family. Needless to say, it had surprising results.

Instantly jerking awake, father banged his head on the back of his throne, an action which earned a short yell for us. Rubbing his head, he stared at as both in slight anger, until his frown was replaced by a kind-hearted smile.

"Videk, you little tyke. Been taking a page from Fitzroy's book, I see." His voice was warm as it always was, devoid of the usual malice that plagued the rest of the Britannian Royal Family. "Remind me to give Martrice's boy a reprimand when next I see him." Videk, as always, smiled deviously, while I frowned. That was it? Why reprimand Fitzroy when the true culprit was right here? I just couldn't understand father sometimes. He was too soft on the both of us.

"Videk Astroth Vembirch di Britannia the VI, I saw what you just did! You apologize to your father right this second!"

Then again, mother possessed enough fire for the both of them.

Father leaned over the armrest of his throne to get a better view of his wife, who was fast approaching from behind. "Oh, hello dear. Videk was just playing a game. There's no need to-" His voice was halted when a rolled up newspaper smacked him on top of his head. Mother repeated this action twice more. I vaguely noted the paper she was hitting him with was a copy of the Britannian Times. Oh dear, that was quite the number of pages.

"And you, lazing about, in your own throne no less!" She brandished the paper in her hands like a weapon, which considering what mother was capable of...

Father rubbed his head for the second time in the same minute. "Dear, technically this is just the Silver Room's copy of my chair."

Mother scowled. "Your THRONE, not your chair, Raykosch. And do you honestly think that makes it any better?"

"Well-"

"Don't answer that." She turned to Videk and I, a loving smile in place of her scowl. "Children, your father and I have some very important news." She gestured to the chairs on father's right, which two servants had pulled out for us. Sitting in the aforementioned chairs, she sat to fathers left, who in turned cleared his throat, no longer slouching.

" Is something wrong, Mother?" I asked. " Have the Lords overrode father's decision to abstain from invading Japan?"

"Did he embarrass himself again?" That was Videk, of course. "We don't want another repeat of the pepper-shaker incident."

Father, who had the decency to blush after remembering that particular incident, shook his head. "No, nothing like that. Actually, it's a bit of good news. Angelica," he turned to mother, "would you like to tell them? It wouldn't sound as good coming from me."

Smiling, mother looked at us. "Your father and I recently visited Ms. Einstein, and well," she and father shared a look of pure joy, "it would appear you two are going to have a new baby brother!"

The silence in the Silver room was defeaning. No one really said anything, and the only sound to emanate was that of a cough from one of the servants in the corner.

"Well, that's lovely. Has Ms. Einstein predicted an arrival time for the child?" I casually remarked.

"Another brother? I can barely stand this one. Oh well, fresh clay and all." Videk sighed loudly.

Seconds passed, and a somewhat nervous chuckle was passed between the two. "Well," father started, "not quite the reaction I expected, but then again you two are mature for your age."

Mother beamed with pride. "That's my boys! Keeping calm no matter the situation! You two are going to be such good brothers!" In an unexpected event born of excitement, mother threw herself over the table and pulled us in a death grip.

"Mother, please, contain yourself!"

"Yeah, there are commoners watching!"

"Oh Raykosch, we have such wonderful children!"

"Indeed we do, Angelica."

Looking back on that time, that may have been the last moment we were all present in the Silver Room. Mother with her enthusiasm, father with his aloofness, Videk his arrogance, and I my exasperation. It was one of the happier times of my childhood.

Notice how I haven't described my parent's features.

It'd been so long since they were killed, I'd forgotten what they'd looked like.

The year was 1961 a.t.b.

The first year of what would be known throughout history as the Emblem of Blood.

AN: So, if you haven't caught on to it yet, this is a prequel to the series we all know and love. I plan to make this quite long, so it's not just a one shot. Feel free to alert me if you happen to notice any continuity issues. I'll try to make this fit as closely to canon as I can. 'Till next time.