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AN: Hi everyone! nymphik13 here! Been so long, new multi chap fic! I've always wanted to do a fic about them that took place in the "olden times" I'm a sucker for such settings!
Well anyway even if this happened in a historical setting, this is not historically base, so please don't sue me. Just think of it as an AU, well it is an AU, right?
So please enjoy and review!
Disclaimer: Don't own CG! Never will! Never wanna! Because if I did, it would so suck. Hehehehe.
Summary: She was a bored lady determined to save her hopeless romantic friend and remind her of her responsibilities. He was the perfect prince determined to get everything that he wants. In a weighing scale which would weight more, a silver thread or a golden crown? Isas rxr ;)
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Chapter 1: Black Carriage
"Good morning, lady C.C.," a maid greeted an emerald haired teen.
Cecaniah Corabelle, or better known as Lady C.C. was a sixteen year-old teen. She entered the patio, wearing a ruby red sleeved dress, with black linings and black ribbons. She was also wearing a black chocker with a silver cross pendant which has a ruby gem adorned at its middle. Her hair was tucked in a long and slightly messy braid, which was kept bound by black ribbons.
Her bored amber eyes gaze past through the old maid. The morning sun gently touched her porcelain white skin, slightly sending colour to her pale complexion.
She daintily sat on her usual sit and pulled out a pocket book from the pocket of her dress.
It was a wonderful day, and everything seemed perfect. Like the bright blue sky with only a handful of clouds dancing on it. The sun was shining brightly, the flowers outside were blooming as if sensing that spring is at bay. The birds were loudly chirping as a cool breeze silently passed through them.
Everything was indeed perfect, except for this green haired lady who thought otherwise.
She paid no heed to the maid, who was patiently standing at her side and was waiting for an order. Yet, so as not to dally the obviously busy maid; she raised a hand and performed a gesture which signalled that she has granted leave to the pitiful maid.
The maid curtsied, (which has clearly gone unnoticed) before her shadow left the girl alone.
Even if C.C. was completely absorbed in the wonderful world of the written, her senses were remarkably keen, that she was able to hear the maids' whispers.
"Lady C.C., the ever cold." One of the younger maids commented.
"I've heard she has slept with a count." The other added.
"Well, she's certainly popular at court. Not only is she famous for her cold demeanour, but also of her connections with the royal family. What an ambitious girl!" The former has again, commented.
"But isn't she a noble as well?" the latter asked.
"Mother was the only daughter and child of a rich count. Father was a former general. Yes, in a way she is. But she's an orphan now, and though she is entitled to inherit her fortune, she is still quite young. Heaven knows, that she owes a great debt to the li Britannias." The former remarked with clear disgust.
"Really she does?" the oblivious maid asked with utter confusion.
"Yes. They are close friends with the Duchess Euphemia ever since they were young. Although, I can never understand as to why the kind duchess befriended her. When she was orphaned she was supposed to be sent to the abbey, since she has no living relatives that can take care of her. Good thing the li Britannias have decided to adopt her."
"Is that so? Poor child," the younger maid said with clear sympathy.
"Oh no, dear, that child needs not your sympathy. I can tell that she is very manipulative, cold and is clearly a gold digger."
"Oh, since we are having a tete-a-tete concerning court scandal, have you heard..."
And so the gossiping continues...
C.C. didn't bother to pay heed to the pointless gossiping of the maids of the 'li Britannias' house'.
They were wrong in almost everything that they've said, but fighting with someone weaker than you will make you lose your self-worth and would just make you seem as someone easily shaken or threatened.
She has never slept with a count. That is such a scary thought. She is only popular at court since she is close with the li Britannias (one of the direct relatives of the royal family) and with the royal family's daughter; princess Nunally vi Britannia.
Concerning her cold demeanour, court life just simply bores her. The night parties are long hours of agonizingly painful dances, futile flirtations and senseless chatters of nobles.
And yes, she's thankful that she was spared to go to the abbey. An hour of silence for prayer is far worse than sitting alone in the dark as you wait for the clock to strike twelve.
C.C. was lost in thought, but she still noticed her practically cheerful counterpart entered the patio.
"Lovely day! Isn't it C.C.?" Euphemia exclaimed to the bored girl that was once lone in the barren room.
"Pretty much like yesterday." C.C. commented as she flipped to the next page of her book.
"But yesterday was raining?" Euphemia countered as she sat on a chair.
"-"
"Well, anyway... I have news."Euphemia said as she shoved at C.C. a white envelope with a royal seal.
"-"C.C. remained emotionless yet averted her eyes on her companion.
A brightly smiling girl was staring in front of her.
Duchess Euphemia was wearing a white laced dress, with pink roses adorned on it. There were also red ribbons dancing along its white hem and her hair was worn loose.
For a moment C.C. just stared at her.
"Read it." Euphemia commanded C.C., with great enthusiasm.
"Well, it seems that you already know the contents, then why don't you tell me." C.C. told her companion. Yes, she's lazy, when she feels like it.
Euphie gave her a small frown, clearly disappointed in her lack of interest but snatched the envelope from her and read its contents.
"Dear cousin..." Euphemia began.
"I have just arrived yesterday from Japan. I feel quite peculiar at first, considering I've been away for six years. But home is still home and I am quite delighted to be back. Being back made me remember the good old days. So, I hope you will come at the palace for luncheon. It would be nice for me to catch up on what is happening to my country and what is happening with my relatives. You may bring a companion, but please choose wisely, you know that I hate people who makes such a fuss about my presence or theirs. I would be awaiting your arrival. Your cousin, Lelouch." Euphie ended.
After Euphie has done reading, she gazed at C.C. intently. For a moment there was silence in the room.
"I am not going." C.C. told Euphie as she went back to reading.
"Why not?" Euphie said raising her voice and with pleading eyes.
"I am not a fan of the prince. His presence darkens my day and I'm pretty sure that my presence does the same thing to him." C.C. said calmly.
"Then why are you wearing that dress?" Euphie said pointing at the dress.
"Does the dress have something to do with your point?" C.C. sarcastically asked.
"Lelouch gave you that on Christmas." Euphie declared as she crossed her arms.
"Does that imply your dislike of him? Wearing his gifts? Besides, giving you a gift means that he is not having ill feelings towards you. He has been sending you gifts ever since he went to Japan, I'm pretty sure that he's sincere with his intentions"
"A gift is free. Besides he didn't personally choose this. He was in Japan for heaven's sake. If he really did care, he would have bought something from Japan to give to me. He bought you pearl earrings right? Japan is famous for its pearl, now that is sincere. A dress made from France, is simply an object with value just to acknowledge one's presence, though not sincere." C.C. said calmly.
Euphie slumped back to her sit, clearly disappointed.
"I know I can never win against you. But please, come with me." Euphie told C.C. with pleading eyes, and was almost begging her as if her life depends in it.
C.C. having a soft spot for her 'best friend' slammed her book shut, and stood up.
"You owe me big time."
Euphie came running towards her and hugged her tightly.
"I know you couldn't resist. Come on let us change. The carriage would be arriving soon." Euphie said as she tried to take C.C. with her.
"I don't think that would be necessary." C.C. told her as she didn't bug and calmly sat back down.
"C.C. we were asked to be an audience to the prince. Don't you think that we should change to more appropriate clothes to honour his regal presence?" Euphie reasoned out.
"He is your cousin. The letter hasn't stated any form of formality to take place. It is mid-day, and knowing the prince he doesn't really like nobles as well, so I'm presuming that he only expects you to arrive." C.C. calmly pointed out.
"But still. This is a normal day dress. We are going to the Royal Castle of Seath. Don't you think that that would be proper?" Euphie asked again, hoping that she made a point.
"These clothes that we're wearing are proper already, not too casual yet not too formal. Besides, propriety never stated that wearing a day dress in the presence of a prince is morally wrong. It's just a castle, not the imperial palace itself." C.C. pointed out.
Euphie sighed.
"Well, I guess that you do have a point."Euphie had no choice but to heed C.C.'s advice.
Well maybe she is manipulative after all.
-(*-*)-_Castle of Seath_-(*-*)-
"You call this a challenge!" a raven haired boy called out to his companion who was trailing behind him.
He pulled the reins of his black horse and stopped on his tracks to await the arrival of his companion...
A brown haired teen was seen arriving fast and was boarded on a white horse. When he was almost at view, the brown haired boy pulled the reins of his horse. Sending dust to fly in the air and mingle with the cold breeze.
Overhead was the sun shining brightly, and the two boys were slightly panting as few beads of sweat ran down the sides of their faces.
They were staring at each other intently, as if they were engage in a glaring match. For awhile they just stayed that way...
Then they busted out laughing.
The brunette boy, regaining his senses, cleared his throat and spoke.
"Lelouch you are so good with horses and chess. But you are easily defeated when it comes to arm combat, sword fighting and other strenuous activities. Don't you think that is a little off balance?"
"Suzaku, everyone always has a weakness. Since you now know mine, I now consider you as a threat." Lelouch told his companion in a serious tone.
"Aye, Lelouch. I am a threat, but at least not for now." Suzaku told his friend as he went down the horse and the two friends went into the garden.
The two of them knows that these were all just games and their talk backs are never true but were meant to be playfully sarcastic.
"Did you miss your country when you were still in Japan?" Suzaku asked Lelouch
"Surprisingly no, yet I have to admit that I did miss my little sister." Lelouch told him as they approached the stables.
"Why didn't you miss your country?" Suzaku asked him curiously.
"Because I know that for the rest of my life I would be locked in that dreadful castle and would have no more chance to travel. I am quite prepared to face eternal boredom, that's why I chose to be away from home while I still can, and while I still had my freedom." Lelouch told his companion as he removed his white leather gloves and handed it to the stable boy.
"I am also in line to be a shogun in my own land. I think I have the same reasons as you, concerning the fact that I am here." Suzaku said as if to imply his complete understanding of Lelouch's actions.
"Speaking of which, how long are you planning to stay?" Lelouch asked Suzaku.
"Why? Is it because I am such a threat to you that you are eager to get rid of me?" Suzaku asked Lelouch mockingly.
"No. I was just asking."
"A year, or two." Suzaku answered him.
"Is there anyone who is also in line for the throne than you?" Lelouch asked Suzaku.
"Yes, Lady Kaguya's older brother." Suzaku told him.
"hmm, I see." Lelouch told him as they proceeded down the pathway.
"so you have invited you cousin to stay for luncheon." Suzaku told him.
"Ah yes. Duchess Euphemia is one of my closest relatives, and I am as fond of her as my sister is. I think that it would be important for me to reconnect with my relatives so as to keep good will circulating in my family. And there's the welcoming party that would be soon taking place. You do know that I have troubles with girls." Lelouch told his companion.
"Aye, you were always giving me trouble then. I was always like your body guard." Suzaku said agreeing.
"But I had to do the same for you as well." Lelouch pointed out.
"Yes. I am the strength, and you are the brains." Suzaku said and they went out laughing.
"Well, since we are talking about girls, what do you think of my sister?" Lelouch asked his friend.
"She's a charming young girl, quite sweet as well. Sometimes I wonder if she is really your sister since she is an angel and you are quite demonic." Suzaku told his friend in a teasing manner.
"You are quite right Suzaku. I'm glad that you think of her that way." Lelouch said smiling.
Then they entered the royal garden.
Different flowers decorated the scenery. Roses, daisies, zinnias, blue-bells, lavender and more flowers can be seen perfectly designed and grouped together dancing with the breeze. Yellow, blue, white, violet, red, pink, and orange were the colors of the flowers that peacefully gathered in the miniature garden of Eden.
The two friends sat on the chairs that waited peacefully for them. A maid was standing by their side and curtsied at the two of them before asking...
"Would you like some cakes and tea your highness?" asked the old maid.
"Yes. Oh, and when our guest arrives be sure to bring in the rare delicacy that Lord Kururugi here has personally made." Lelouch ordered the maid.
"As you wish your highness, Lord Kururugi." The maid once again curtsied and left the two friends alone.
"So tell me about your plans Lelouch, now that you would be facing eternal boredom." Suzaku asked Lelouch whose cheek was leaning against his palm, and with crossed legs sitting in front of him.
"It's quite simple really. What else is there to do than to seat in the throne." Lelouch answered his friend quite sarcastically.
"An ever specific answer from an ever sarcastic prince." Suzaku replied with a smirk on his face.
"An ever fine compliment, from a supposedly friend." Lelouch countered with his all knowing grin painted on his face.
"Aye Lelouch, a good statement none the less. What are left of us after our explorations than the duty that we have for our countries such are our fates indeed." Suzaku spoke heavily as if it had come from the deepest depth of his heart.
"You speak as if it is such a great burden." Lelouch commented his serious friend.
"Don't you think so?" Suzaku asked him.
"Suzaku, you will not find the word difficult in my vocabulary. Everything is simply set-backs, but in the end I will be the victor. Ruling wouldn't be a challenge to me as long as everything goes according to my plan."
"How about happiness, Lelouch? It is not only the burden of governing that I was referring to, how about happiness? Your happiness, you do know that a king will have to make certain decisions which would disregard his happiness."
"Suzaku, I am not inclined to believing and submitting myself to such fantasies. There is no such thing as a perfect man, a perfect world, or perfect happiness even. There are only people, decisions and the reality that they live in. Now I am not saying that I don't believe in genuine happiness, for as a matter of fact, I do. I just don't believe that I should be selfish to have my own happiness while I see others suffer. But quite ironic that I say such thing right Suzaku? Knowing that I'll do anything to get what I want." Lelouch asked his friend to make the atmosphere light.
"Aye, Lelouch. You are quite philosophical."
"I take that as a compliment."
"Now, tell me about this said cousin of yours." Suzaku asked him quite interested.
"Duchess Euphemia, or Euphie is what I call her. She is one of my favourite relatives she is a really sweet and innocent girl, kind of like my sister Nunally. The only problem I have with her is her best friend ... the despicable Lady C.C. which my sister is also fond of."
-(*-*)-_On the Way to Castle of Seath_-(*-*)-
"What do you think Lelouch would look like now? It has after all been six years? Do you think he has long hair, or a moustache? That would be weird though. What do you think C.C.?"
Euphie asked her indifferent "best-friend" who was sitting opposite to her. They were ridding a black carriage with the "li Britannia" seal on their way to the Castle of Seath.
"Still human, I suppose." C.C. answered her friend with obvious lack of interest for the prince.
"C.C. until now you still don't like him?" Euphie asked her friend.
"Oh no, Euphie. I don't dislike him. As a matter of fact I love him." C.C. told her friend in an unusually weird way of stating.
"Really?" asked Euphie with excitement yet with a hint of disbelief still.
"Yes. I love to hate him." C.C. told Euphie emphasizing the words.
"You're impossible C.C.," Euphie commented as she pouted and crossed her arms.
"Of course, for I am C.C.," C.C. replied quite calmly and with dignity.
"But I do hope you would behave." Euphie told her friend, doubt and aggravation evident in her voice.
"It depends on the definition of behave that you implying, for I may have a different meaning." C.C. told Euphie with a smirk.
"C.C.!" Euphie reprimanded C.C.,
"Fine. Yet I won't promise. I might tease. He might complain. We might fight, and I may win."
"C.C.!" Euphie warned her friend again.
"Did I say something wrong?" C.C. asked playing innocent, with a matching grin on her face.
-(*-*)-_In the Garden_-(*-*)-
"On a scale of one to ten how selfish do you think you are?" Suzaku asked his friend.
"What a girly question Suzaku." commented Lelouch.
"Just answer the question." Suzaku told his friend.
"10."
"How about, selflessness?" Suzaku asked once again.
"10."
"Wait. I am confused. How can you be both?" Suzaku asked him.
"It is because we are human Suzaku. We do not limit ourselves into being only one thing. We can be the other and at the same time its opposite, while not being a complete lie." Lelouch told his friend.
"I'll pretend that I don't understand." Suzaku told his friend.
"Let us take Jesus as an example. No I don't believe in him, but at the same time I am not against him. Going back, Jesus is powerful yet at the same time was powerless. He is considered as the king of all kings but at the same time our slave. He is said to be one hundred percent human yet at the same time one hundred percent divine. He is called as such because he is human. Human beings have emotions and attitudes that differentiate us from animals. Just because you are one thing doesn't mean you can't be the other. I may hate you and wish you dead, but at the same time I may not be able to live without you. I may be weak yet at the same time I am strong. Take King Solomon for example. He is the wisest man in the world then, but he made a stupid mistake. So he is wise yet dumb at the same time." Lelouch answered his friend.
"You say you don't believe in God." Suzaku told his friend.
"You got that right."
"But you used examples from the Bible." Suzaku pointed out.
"Well noticed Suzaku. That is because the summary of my explanation is irony. Everything in this world is irony."
Then they heard someone approaching...
A green haired man, wearing a gold eye-piece and a white suit approached the duo, and bowed before stating his business.
"Your highness, Lord Kururugi..." Jeremiah Gottwald greeted the two friends.
"What is it Jeremiah?"
"Duchess Euphemia has arrived along with her companion." Jeremiah informed them.
"Companion?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes. Lady-" before Jeremiah can finish answering Euphie came into view.
"Lelouch!"
She exclaimed and went running towards Lelouch.
Lelouch stood up to greet his cousin. Euphie gave Lelouch a big hug.
"Lelouch you haven't changed a bit." Euphie commented while still enclosing him in a hug.
"I wish I could say the same." Lelouch said as the two of them broke free.
Euphie giggled.
"Oh how foolish of me." Euphie said and curtsied at Lelouch.
"Your Highness." She said.
"Duchess Euphemia." Lelouch greeted back.
"Well. Of course you have changed. You have certainly grown taller and more handsome. I'm pretty sure girls would come rushing to your feet." Euphie commented playfully and quite teasingly to her cousin.
"And you have grown more beautiful as well. Am I to hear wedding bells soon?"
"Oh, Lelouch. You're such a tease. As a matter of fact it should be me who should ask you that."
The two of them giggled. And Lelouch remembered something.
"Oh Euphie, this is Lord Kururugi." Lelouch said introducing Suzaku.
Suzaku stood up and bowed at Euphie.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Euphemia."
"The pleasure is mine." Euphemia spoke sweetly.
For awhile Suzaku and Euphie just stared at each other. Lelouch hasn't even realized the exchange of glances that they have been making.
"Let us sit down." Lelouch suggested.
As they were about to sit down, someone arrived...
"It seems that you still look human." A sly familiar voice echoed inside Lelouch's ear...
Lelouch turned around and saw a familiar girl wearing a ruby red dress, and her eye-catching emerald locks tied in a braid, her familiar black chocker complemented her red and black accents. It was so weird that both red and black looked good on her even if her hair was a hurtful green.
"Your highness." C.C. greeted as she curtsied, playful mischief evident from her eyes. And a deceitful grin was painted on her beautiful face.
"Lady C.C." Lelouch acknowledge.
His features were tense. Even if it was such a long time ago the feeling hasn't change.
"Welcome home." C.C. told him.
"Glad to be back. Please take a seat."
A cold breeze swept past through them bringing wisps of pink petals and leaves. The atmosphere was tense in the cold stone castle of Seath...
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AN: Yay! Next Chapter is...
Chapter 2: Red Dress
-This involves a sushi, red dress, and a surprise! Hehehe
Well anyway please tell me what you think. Suggestions and request will be very much taken into consideration.
Till then... Please review I really did enjoy writing this, so I hope this story won't disappoint me again. Please do review!
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