A.N.- Testing out new waters after finishing Code Geass, I was absolutely entranced by the universe and the notion of Geass. What other anime do you fellow Fanfiction enthusiasts recommend?

I. Angry Eyes

"Where do you think you're going?" The ebony haired boy stopped in his tracks and turned around, revealing furious purple eyes filled with hate and sadness that one would never attribute to a child.

"To get answers from father!"

"And what makes you think the Emperor will answer your demands?" Came the biting response as the other occupant, a silver haired individual stared back with bright crimson eyes.

The two were in the spacious homey library in Aries Palace as rays of sunlight effortlessly penetrating through the windows, casting the shadows away. The sunny weather was a contrast to the solemn mood emanating from within.

Lelouch Vi Brittania clenched his fists at the uncaring attitude his guest was displaying. If there had been any other soul present, they would have been shocked by the tone and the informal manner presented by the silver haired young man towards a prince of the Britannia Empire.

Before the young prince could heatedly reply, the next words that came out froze him on the spot.

"You have no power, no leverage, no accomplishments, nothing…in such circumstances, how do you intend to demand anything of the Emperor? What right do you have to ask of anything?"

The silence was damning. Lelouch was only ten years old and the allies that supported Marianne Lamperouge had all but disappeared or fell into obscurity after her passing.

His guest was right, he had no influence, power, plan, nothing. The thought of the culprits behind his mother's death still unknown and the sense of overwhelming despair over his helplessness brought angry tears to the young boy.

"You're right…I have nothing. I have no right to demand father anything. But I…But mother…" Lelouch replied softly, hiding his eyes as he bent his head down allowing his ebony bangs to cover his eyes.

He loathed this sense of helplessness, hopelessness that was engulfing his body. He despised the nobles at his father's courts, which had always been vocal in their disgruntlement of how his mother, a mere peasant was able to rise to the top of Britannia society and eventually garnered the attention of His Majesty.

"And here I was having the impression that you were a genius?" The other occupant in the room remarked, tossing a small figurine the size of his palm at the prince.

This action sparked the grieving prince to look up and to catch what was thrown at him just in time.

Opening his hand Lelouch's eyes widened as he saw a King chess piece in his hand, specifically a Black King. At once, the gears in Lelouch's mind were set into motion as he stared at the piece, eyeing it as if it were holding some unfathomable secret. He then looked up with renewed determination as the indomitable flames in his eyes returned.

"Then, Alessio Collini, will you lend me your strength?...Will you assist me in bringing retribution to those who killed my mother?" Lelouch extended his right hand.

The red-eyed individual in front of him raised an eyebrow, this was the expression he was looking for. The determined look that could make a person reach the skies and defy gods. Alessio reached out with his own right arm and grasped Lelouch's forearm while Lelouch reciprocated the action.

Outside the library and standing guard with the utmost vigilance, one Jeremiah Gottwald was praying to whatever deities he could think of that this scheme from his highness Princess Cornelia Li Britannia would work and avert his Prince from making a big mistake in front of the Emperor.

He had felt nothing but shame and guilt the thought that he had inadvertently caused Lady Marianne's death and offered to take any punishment from the young Prince shortly after the terrible tragedy.

To Jeremiah's surprise, Prince Lelouch, after inquiring the circumstances that led to Lady Marianne's death decided to make him his official Knight. He had immediately accepted, despite the risk it could have upon his career.

He had failed Lady Marianne but he had a second chance in redeeming himself one day by protecting her children to his dying breath.

Jeremiah was snapped out of his thoughts as the door opened with a click and was soon followed by one Alessio Collini walking out.

"Gottwald."

"Ser Collini."

Once the exchange was finished, Jeremiah watched as the other young man walk away and as he peaked into the library a small smile formed on the knight's face as he saw his Prince playing chess with himself as he did so many times before.

What made Jeremiah let out the breath he was holding was the sense of renewed purpose he could see in his Prince's eyes.

It would seem that whatever was said between the two individuals had worked and had halted his Prince's determined rampage straight to the Emperor and demand answers surrounding Lady Marianne.


"Nicol, we're leaving…or you'll be late for your classes."

"Do I really have to, big brother? Ms. Grey is so boring though." A younger boy with bluish green hair and crimson eyes a shade lighter than his older sibling's pouted as he looked up from the game of Jenga he was playing with his partner in crime.

"Awwwh, does he really have to, AlAl? Sister Cornelia and Euphie will be over in a while, I invited Nicol to join us. Ppweeassse?!" At once, the young princess scrunched her face and teary puppy like eyes were made.

Alessio knew that the chances of winning in this situation were nonexistent and decided to cut his loss early. "Fine."

Nunnally Vi Britannia smiled widely much to his added frustration.

"However, next time please ask me beforehand and I'll ignore that last remark." He grounded out as the two hugged his waist.

"I'll go make the necessary precautionary measures, be on your best behav-" He barely finished his sentence before the princess dragged his younger brother away and sped off in his wake.

As he placed his cell phone to his ear a familiar voice barked out, "That won't be necessary, Collini."

Turning his head sideways, he spotted the trademark long violet hair along with a glare that can make any hardened warrior halt in their steps in fear.

"Your highness." The temperature of the room seemed to drop below zero as the two stared into each other's eyes, crimson red clashing against cool violet. Luckily for the two, nobody was present as the servants were all preparing for the arrival of the two princesses.

"I have everything under control. Security will not be an issue." Cornelia Li Britannia said firmly, after assessing the familiar individual before her.

"Forgive me your highness but given recent events, extra sets of eyes can surely only be helpful." Alessio retorted, noticing the second princess clenching her fists in process.

"It's still affecting you, I see…" He thought as he stepped forward and hesitantly placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, causing her to stiffen as she snapped her gaze to his.

"Since no one else is going to say it or you have not had it sufficiently beaten into your head, I shall reiterate. You were not responisible…no one could have predicted what happened."

"I should have done better!...When Lady Marianne ordered me to withdraw-"

"WHAT?! Mother asked you to withdraw?!"

Both Alessio and Cornelia froze as they saw one surprised Lelouch with a resigned Jeremiah Gottwald standing behind him.

The two noticed the position they were in, causing Alessio to quickly retract his hand. Catching the subtle look her…friend was throwing at her, Cornelia sighed.

"Yes, Lady Marianne ordered the withdrawal of all her guards."

Lelouch was stunned, Jeremiah merely had a downcast look.

"Moth—er, Mother asked you to…It...can't be!" Lelouch bit out, not knowing how to react, none of what he was hearing made sense.

"I'm sorry, your highness but what Princess Cornelia is correct, Lady Marianne's last order were to withdraw all her guards." Jeremiah echoed the second princess' statement.

"I…see." Lelouch murmured but was nearly knocked off his feet as a pink blur collided into him, hugging him for dear life.

"There you are Lulu! I've been looking all over the place for you!" The third princess, Euphemia Li Britannia, in all of her high spirit glory, cried out as she had the elder Vi Britannia in a choking hold.

Soon after Lelouch found himself being dragged away by the cheerful third pink princess with his pleas gone unheard as Cornelia, Alessio and Jeremiah stood still.

"Oh Lulu, look what we got!" Lelouch felt the hair on the back of his neck straightened up as his face turned pale. He did not like the looks on the two girls' faces one bit.

"Lulu would be so pretty in pink, right Nana?" Euphemia held in her hands, two pink hair ribbons.

"It's alright, but..." Nunnally placed a finger under her chin and adopted a pose of deep thought. "Big brother looks better in purple."

The younger Vi Britannia giggled, her long luscious light brown hair bouncing as she fished out two purple ribbons from the ribbon basket.

Nicol merely chuckled at his friend's situation as the normally brooding prince was struggling to keep both princesses at bay.

"You're suppose to be my best friend, so stop laughing and come help." Lelouch ordered, trying his best not to hurt Nunnally or Euphie, which was proving to be difficult as they had no intentions of stopping until they have tied ribbons onto his hair.

"Don't listen to this silly oaf, Nicholas Collini, I command you as the third princess to hold our dear Lulu down." Euphie smiled as Lelouch looked at her with shock.

"You're pulling seniority now, Euphie?"

"Uh huh."

The viridian haired boy looked somewhat guilty as he approached the ebony haired prince while the two princess shared a giggle.

"I'm terribly sorry your highness, but it would seem that majority rules…I shall make it painless."

"Wait, wait a minute-" Lelouch barely bit out before outstretched hands grabbed him, moments later a loud scream of a soul in pure agony emitted from Aries Palace.


"It would seem that you managed to convince that stubborn brother of mine." Cornelia mused, tying a floral patterned apron around her waist as she prepared to make place a tray of cookies into the oven, no doubt to cheer up her favorite siblings. It was a side of the 'Witch of Britannia' that most did not see.

"The way in influencing an individual is to be able to fully grasp their psyche, able to see what's hidden beneath the mask, what they desire and in turn act accordingly." Alessio recited, as if reminiscing in a distant memory.

"Lelouch desires answers more than anything, however he is surrounded by illusions of a justice that does not exist and in his current circumstances and in His Majesty's eyes, he has not accomplished anything that merits such requests."

Cornelia turned her attention at her long time acquaintance.

"I merely took away the blindfold that has prevented him from seeing the true nature of this world we live in." The silver haired enigma then inclined his head in respect and turned away, walking away in a leisurely manner and leaving the violet haired princess to her thoughts.

"You've changed a lot…Alessio." Cornelia thought to herself as the sound of his footsteps faded away.

In contrast to funerals seen on television regarding to heroes and notable figures, the funeral of Marianne Lamperouge embodied none of the clichés one would see in works of fiction.

To any individual, it was a day like any other with clear skies and the sun just beginning to rise. Lelouch's eyes were distant as he dressed himself in black with Jeremiah assisting him with his tie much to the prince's dismay.

As he made his way down the stairs, he found Nunnally standing with a downcast look on her face. The young princess wore a simple black gown along with a black veil. He gave his little sister a gentle hug which she returned, each just basking in the presence of each other in dull quietness.

Jeremiah then ushered the Vi Britannia siblings into their black limo and shortly after, the vehicle came to life and started off.

They were joined by only one other vehicle: the hearse carrying Marianne the Flash, the thought made the anger within Lelouch's body fire up once more. His mother was a great woman and deserved more recognition.

Marianne should have had her memorial at the national grand cathedral and performed by the Archbishop himself. Honor guards should have accompanied the road towards her final resting place, and in the face of her services to her country the tradition of gun salutes, half-flag should be upheld.

In reality, no of the things Lelouch wished for came into fruition as his mother, Marianne Lamperouge, who had amazed all who had the privilege of witnessing her skills as a knightmare pilot and inspired fear in all of Britannia's enemies, would be buried with the ostenation of a commoner.

The thought made Lelouch sick to the stomach as his eyes narrowed further as he gritted his teeth.

"Big brother?" Lelouch snapped out of his thoughts as he turned to see the concerned look on Nunnally's teary face.

"What is it, Nunna?" He asked robotically.

"Are you alright?" Nunnally asked and smiled when she felt her older sibling's hand gently patting her head. She did not press on further as Lelouch took her tiny hand in his and tightened his grip.

The traffic was low as it was only a little bit past dawn, and what little people present on the streets barely batted an eye as the two vehicles passed by. The procession arrived at the driveway of a small, normal cemetery where several men were already waiting, ready for the final steps.

The Lamperouges had a plot there where Lelouch and Nunnally's maternal grandparents rested, a secluded and fenced off area located at the far side of the well-managed graveyard. Lelouch watched as the casket carrying his mother was unloaded and hoisted by the workers present with Nunnally refusing to release her iron grip on his hand.

The two followed with Jeremiah keeping a watchful eye. As they arrived at the open ground where Marianne will be laid to rest, Lelouch's spirits were slightly raised as he spotted his best friend, Nicol Collini, giving him a respectful nod and a reassuring smile.

Standing beside the viridian haired boy was Alessio Collini who merely gave the prince an analytical gaze and a nod of acknowledgement. Both were dressed appropriately for the occasion.

What surprised the ebony haired prince was that standing next to the silver haired man were two individuals that he recognized instantly from the shenanigans he, Nicol, Euphie and Nunnally would pull around Aries Villa in more simpler days.

"Lady Enneagram, Lady Kruszewski?!" He exclaimed.

"Your highness." Both young women greeted back in sync, clad in their Knight of the Rounds uniform.

Lelouch was shocked but recovered quickly, "Thank you, for being here."

"No problem," Nonette Enneagram replied with a wink, "Big, bad Knight of Two here would have bounded, gagged and dragged me here anyways"

The light green haired woman gestured suggestively at the silver haired man standing next to her, unmoved.

"Hmm…strong, silent types are my favorite." She remarked with a devilish smirk.

"If you spent all the time you wasted on your questionable antics on your training instead, No one within the Knights of the Rounds would stand a chance." Alessio replied, opening his eyes and revealing the signature bright crimson irises that ran deeply in the Collini family line.

"Oh is that a compliment? Coming from you?" Nonette teased but yelped as a gloved hand covered her mouth.

"I apologize for the shameful display of my associate, your highness." Monica Kruszewski bowed her head.

"No, it's alright. Lady Kruszewski. You were all close to mother and she has only spoken highly of all of you…she would be glad that there is at least a shred of cheerfulness." Lelouch replied with a genuine smile while Nicol and Nunnally shared a chuckle as Nonette shot Monica a wide grin.

"Someone else is approaching." Alessio muttered as Lelouch turned around and saw the unmistakable brilliant violet that could only belonged to one person.

"Control yourself." Alessio reprimanded a giddy Nonette who then looked as if someone had taken her favorite toy away. The Knight of Nine was tearing up comically when she attempted to seek reassurance from the Knight of Twelve but only saw Monica's unsympathetic look.

"Sister Cornelia/Nellie!" Lelouch and Nunnally greeted as Cornelia enveloped the two in a tight hug. The second princess was dressed similarly to Nunnally.

"Your highness." Monica and Nonette greeted. Cornelia blanched at the wild mischievous look Nonette had on her face but returned the greeting nevertheless. Her violet eyes narrowed as she spotted Alessio, dressed in his Knight of the Rounds attire.

"Where is Euphie?" Nunnally asked innocently and immediately Cornelia halted the staring, more like one sided glaring contest.

"She has been kept to her room by mother. She refused to let me bring her."

"Oh." Nunnally looked down.

"She has asked me to be here for her as well." Cornelia smiled, "You should have seen the tantrums she pulled this morning."

Both Lelouch and Nunnally seemed happier as the vicar started reading the rites. The present company watched as the casket was lowered into the ground and the workers began to cover it with dirt. Apart from Nunnally's slight sniffle, the air was filled with empty silence.

When the last shovel of dirt had settled, the workers dispersed silently as Lelouch and Nunnally took a step forward with eyes gazing upon the words inscribed on their mother's headstone.

Marianne Lamperouge

1979-2010.

An extraordinary woman that rose from destitution, persevered by her two children, Rest In Peace.

Since there was no one to organize the whole funeral process, the duty fell onto Lelouch. It is no responsibility a ten-year-old boy should bare yet he did. He was no longer a child, and anything reminiscent to it was shattered after the conversation he had with Alessio, which had brought him back into the harsh truth of reality and the world he was living on. There was only one thing that mattered

Power

Power

Power

Alessio had inadvertently pushed away his childish, naïve thought of approaching the Emperor for justice. This would be one long chess match and the most important match of his life.

He would lie in the shadows, consolidate his strength and knowledge until the opportune window arises. Everyone involved in Marianne Lamperouge's murder would face his wrath, one that would fester and grow stronger with every passing moment.

"I will always remember, mother, I will not retreat. Everyone who has had the tiniest hand in your death will die by my blade. I will kill all of them." He thought viciously.

"-rother? Brother?" Lelouch snapped out of his venomous notions as he surveyed his concerned little sister.

"What is it Nunnally?"

"Can we go see Euphie? I…I don't want to go home just yet." The strawberry blonde Vi Britannia said in a small tone as Cornelia took her other hand.

"If that is your wish." Lelouch smiled as he allowed their older sister to wrap the both of them in a tight hug.

As the group began to scatter, Nunnally shot Nicol a look that made the viridian haired boy chuckle out loud.

"My deepest apologies, your highness. Brother has taken time out of his schedule to teach me himself today. However I vow on my pride as a gentlemen that I shall make up for my absence…forgive me?" The boy took the princess' hand and brushed his lips on the back of her small delicate hand.

"Hmmph…you better." Nunnally scoffed as her cheeks turned an interesting shade of rosy pink.

"Cyrano de Bergerac would have been proud." Alessio commented dryly, walking past the two children who were obviously too young to understand the reference.

"Ooooh, I've never figured you as a romantic type." Nonette followed after him as she elbowed her long time friend in the ribs.

"I'm not. It's a classic that has inspired great writers such as Edgar Allan Poe and Jonathan Swift…unlike those," Alessio leaned his face closer to the frozen Knight of Nine, "Smut fictions you read."

He leaned back and relished how Nonette resembled a ripe tomato. Lelouch, who was close enough to hear the lewd comment could not understand why Cornelia and Monica were also blushing.

"Tut tut, surely you would not advocate displays of violence in front of the young princess. It is unbefitting of a Knight of the Rounds." Alessio smirked and quickened his pace, Nicol following hastily after giving the royalty present a respectful farewell.

"That sneaky bastard…" Nonette grumbled while Cornelia had a superior smile on her face. Turnabout was fair!

Later that night, after a relaxing day spent with his true family, Lelouch tucked his little sister to bed and was currently in the study, reading. On the large table were copies of: An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, Beyond Good and Evil, Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men.

He took a sip of Black tea and took a bite from a Madeleine cake, savoring the combination of the two rich flavors.

Normally such literature would be beyond comprehension for any ten year old but Lelouch was not just your average, normal ten year old.

A knock on the door made the young boy put his book down. "What is it?"

"It's Jeremiah, your highness…I have news that might interest you."


"Have you heard, the Ashfords are leaving Pendragon?" A man in his early fifties clad in a butler's tuxedo said as he placed a glass of red wine and a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top on the clear crystal coffee table.

"Ah." Came the bored response of Alessio Collini as he delicately flipped the pages of his book.

"Milly's leaving? I bet Lelouch is glad to be without her constant harassment, right Walter?" Nicol chuckled as he stirred his cup.

"Miss Milicent does seem to have an abundant amount of energy but I daresay the young Prince might actually like the attention he receives from the young lady." Walter Greyson, long time servant of the Collini family and a former agent of the Secret Intelligence Agency of Britannia, replied with a knowing smile.

"You've been awfully quiet brother. Is everything alright?" Nicol remarked as his brother sat on the sofa facing him, leisurely taking a sip of blood red ambrosia from his glass.

"Nothing you need to worry about." Alessio closed his copy of Heart of Darkness, placing it on the coffee table.

"What's this?" Nicol asked as he heartily sipped his hot chocolate, reveling in the sweetness.

"A call from his highness, Prince Lelouch…Master Nicol." Walter informed the younger boy who took the offered phone.

"Hello?...Yeah, I've heard the news…this sounds a little personal, surely I would only intrude…you're scared of Milly aren't you?…Whatever makes you sleep at night, your highness…fine, I'll come over now."

Alessio eyed his younger sibling's pleading gaze and gave a 'proceed' gesture.

"You're the best!" Nicol jumped up and dashed to his room to change, nearly running into Walter on the way.

"I don't want to hear it Walter." Alessio caught the smirk his butler was displaying.

"Showing that you care isn't the weakness you perceive it as, young master." Walter said as he placed a plate of assorted snacks on the table.

"In a utopia, perhaps such actions will actually carry meaning. However in this country and the reality we live in, such naïve notions will only be taken advantaged of." Alessio responded.

"You've always believed in the worst humanity has to offer, what of the good?" Walter asked the young man who along with his little brother, was the closest thing Walter had to children of his own.

"Good?...You truly believe that good exists?" Alessio asked as he turned to the older man.

"Am I not someone you believe who is good?" Walter responded. Standing to his full height, dressed in an untuck white shirt and dark pants, Alessio made his way to the windows depicting the busy nightlife in the capital, wine glass in hand.

"That's different. You've proven me otherwise." He turned to face his solemn caretaker.

"On another note, off tracking from philosophical debates and what not…Lady Kruszewski has asked me to give you this ticket to tomorrow night's Midsummer Night's Dream."

"I can't help but remember that Monica has not dropped any hint of asking me to such activities." Alessio cast a suspicious gaze at the older man.

"Oh? Would you rather I invite Lady Enneagram on 'your' behalf next time instead?" Walter reveled in the rare look of terror on the young man's face.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Then enjoy it, like all people your age should." Walter handed the ticket to the grumbling young man who was muttering along the lines of "smartass old geezer prying into things that aren't their business."

"You're turning in brother?" An excited Nicol returned and got a singular grunt in response as his elder brother brushed past him with a barely audible good night. The younger Collini caught the twinkle in his caretaker's eyes and smirked, if only he had changed his clothes faster, he would have love to see his brother being caught off guard.


The following morning was a cloudy one, a hint of mist that made one's vision less perceivable. At a private airport, one Ruben Ashford stood alone to bask in the dreary atmosphere.

Behind him was the departing gate that leads to the Ashford family jet which would take them away from Pendragon for the last time. Him and his family would settle in Japan where construction of a boarding school for Brittanians migrants living in that country.

He wore a long brown coat over a grey wool sweater, adequate attire considering the chilling morning air.

At the age of his early sixties, Ruben reminisced about the tens of years he had spent as the head of the Ashford Group and the fatigue that had stacked up due to business and politics. And then there was the death of Lady Marianne, the daughter of a close friend's, a girl that he had watched grown up and sponsored as one of his test pilots.

He was plagued by guilt over the fate of her children with his inquiries regarding their fate to come back with no information. He was even withheld of information regarding to Marianne's funeral.

The noise of a footsteps brought the elderly man back to the present as he spotted a group of individuals approaching. Fear clutched his heart but it was short lived as he was surprised to see the familiar ebony hair that he recognized came into view. Lelouch Vi Britannia and his knight, Jeremiah Gottwald approached the elderly man in a confident manner. Though Ruben was disheartened to find that the prince's face contained no childlike emotions and instead found a stoic gaze.

"Your highness…"

"Good morning, Ruben. Word was that you are departing today, I was hoping we could have a conversation before your departure." Lelouch greeted diplomatically.

"It may be out of line for me to ask, your highness, and undeservedly so, but I feel deeply apologetic for the loss and grief I have caused you." Ruben responded tiredly.

"I…thank you for those honest words. Though the friendship of our families is born out of political interest, I cannot bear ill feelings towards you and your family. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors." Lelouch finished with a hollowed smile.

"Grandpa, mom and dad sent me to get-Lulu!"

It was all Lelouch heard as he caught sight of long golden hair before he felt weight pressed against him and small, soft arms wrapped around his neck.

He did not complain this time at the nickname that his playmate had bestowed upon him. After several attempts, he gave up on correcting the stubborn girl as each time he did so only brought new bouts of migraines to his head.

"Good Morning, Milly." He greeted gently as the blonde terror buried her head face deeper into his neck.

Ruben, deciding to give the two children their deserved privacy, retreated though in his mind he was envisaging what might have been if his granddaughter and the young prince were not forced to separate.

"How is Nunnally?" Milly asked, reluctant to release her grip as she met Lelouch's violet eyes with her blue ones.

"She's recovering from the shock…I'm sure she would be sad regarding your departure." The truth was that Nunnally had not taken the news well and saw it as an example of how easily people would give up on each other for the sake of saving their own skins. Lelouch had been surprised at the amount of animosity in his beloved sweet sister's voice, never had he seen this side of her before.

"Do you think you could visit sometime." Milly looked down all of a sudden.

"I don't think so…but one day." Lelouch placed a delicate finger under the chin of the girl before him. "One day…when I'm stronger…I'll come find you."

Since he was not a member of the fairer sex and despite his intelligence for his age, Lelouch was still a child and was unaware of the consequences of making promises to girls.

Milly blushed prettily at the declaration while her companion was unaware of her quickening heartbeat, the young prince's words had inspired a spurt of bravery within her.

"Ne, Lulu?" She started.

"Yes Milly?" Lelouch stared at the blonde.

"Promise me you won't get mad?" She muttered and Lelouch's eyes widened as he felt a soft pair of lips brush against his cheek.

The simple action had all but rooted him to the spot, a whirl of blonde passed his eyes as he stared at the departing back of his childhood friend, getting further and further away. Leaving him alone in the cold.

If he had the ability to stop time, he would have seen the tears coming out Milly's ocean blue eyes as she turned away from him.

"Ah, Milly's still passionate as ever." Nicol approached the hunched figure of his friend, having only decided to approach the prince after his conversation was over out of respect.

Unwrapping a lollipop, the viridian haired boy dangled the candy in front of the prince's eyes like that of a pendulum within a very old clock.

"Hmm…" The other boy popped the candy into his mouth.

CLAP!

Lelouch jumped to the sound as he returned to reality and saw Nicol, lollipop in mouth with a large smile splitting his face.

"Wow, Milly must have outdone herself this time." Nicol remarked but to his surprise, Lelouch merely smiled bashfully. Together they watched as the private jet of the Ashfords took off into the skies, ascending until it was no longer visible to them.

"Well then, we'll be off then…your highness?" Nicol asked as he started to leave.

"Ah, it's nothing…" Lelouch responded after a minute.

"Why don't we go pick up Princess Nunnally and spent the day at my place…brother won't be around today." Nicol's voice could be heard as the two boys walked.

"Really? How come?" Lelouch's voice echoed back.

"He has a date tonight."

"WHAT?! Really?"

"Yeah, with Lady Kruszewski apparently."


The Great Hall of the Palace was eerily quiet as the Emperor, Charles Zi Britannia sat upon his throne with a formidable aura surrounding him. It was not difficult to see why so many were frightened of the Holy Empire of Britannia.

There was no court in session therefore only the Knights of the Rounds were present at the private meeting.

Bismarck Waldstein, the current Knight of One, was standing on the right side of the Emperor, attentive to every single word His Majesty had spoken.

On the left side, a serene Alessio Collini stood with practiced ease. As there were still positions vacant, the two columns on each side of hall were uneven.

"Rest assured, your Majesty," Alessio spoke calmly, reacting gracefully at the question the Emperor had just addressed him, "Suitable candidates for the posts for the Knight of Three, Six have already been found, their progress are being monitored…candidates for the posts of Eight and Eleven are still in the process of elimination."

"Still? Are you kidding me? How hard can it be to find people that can kill well?" Luciano Bradley, the Knight of Ten, answered belligerently.

"This coming from a rabid dog, how come I'm not surprised?" Alessio coldly responded, crimson eyes narrowing slightly, "To put into terms that even trash can understand. For the posts vacant, one requires more than simple bloodlust to handle the responsibilities that is given…" Luciano Bradley grounded his teeth and turned his head but the Emperor's left hand was not finished, "and if you dare speak out of turn again, Bradley…it won't be a mere finger that I will remove, and you won't be able to sew it back on so easily."

It was a clear threat yet the Emperor seemed to be enjoying the drama as evident from the amused smile that formed at the edge of his lips.

Below him, among the other Knights of the Rounds, Nonette Enneagram was watching on with aroused glee while her comrade Monica Kruszewski was shooting the Knight of Two a worried look.

"Why you-!" Luciano Bradley tightened the grip on his sword, glaring with a hatred that could reduce his target to ash, a strong deep voice pierced the air.

"Luciano."

The Knight of Ten immediately halted due to instinct informing him that to not listen would bring him a whole new world of pain.

"I won't be able to forgive you if you decide to draw your sword." Charles Zi Britannia spoke in a tone reminiscent of a calm parent explaining to a child that had been naughty.

"Che-" Luciano forced himself to calm down and apologize.

"Court dismissed."

With that, the meeting was adjourned as the members of the Knights of the Rounds started to depart, all at their own pace.

All with the exception of the Emperor, Bismarck Waldstein and Alessio Collini.

"That was very unlike you...Alessio." Charles remarked on his throne.

"I've never been a dog person, Your Majesty." Came the brusque reply.

A feminine laughter then pierced the air as a short silhouette of a figure edged out of the darkness.

"So cold and to point…It's no wonder you're the best I have ever taught!"

Out from the darkness, a young girl with light pink haired styled in an elegant fashion with light red eyes commented with manic glee.

The girl then pouted when she received no response from the three men present.

"Neh, I'm complimenting you right now! How can you act like this towards your beloved teacher?" The girl poked the silver haired young man with rigor.

"Forgive me, you might have gotten use to your new body…some of us require more time to adapt to the changes...Lady Marianne." Alessio finally replied.

Marianne Lamperouge, within the tiny body of one Lady Anya Alstreim, angrily placed her hands on her hips and made a face.

"You have known a long time what my Geass does." The 'Flash' bit back.

"Yes milady, but knowing it and actually seeing it in person are two different realities…Poor Lelouch and Nunna, any memory of their playmate gone. Lulu would never know of Anya's sweet little crush on him" Alessio said in a false 'teary' tone.

Marianne's eye twitched, "I'm only borrowing Anya's body for the time, until we complete Ragnorock's Connection."

Bismarck Waldstein was subtly throwing hints at his junior to stop before Marianne's temper escalated any further, even Charles Zi Britannia, under his calm façade was feeling the slightest bit of anxiety.

"Huuruumph! Stupid Vincent, jealous little shit…" Marianne grounded out.

"I understand you've been relatively close to my children recently." Charles addressed his Knight of Two, his curiosity piquing.

"Yes I have." Alessio replied without the slightest bit of fear, causing the Emperor to raise an eyebrow.

"Why?" Charles demanded.

"Simple, if I had not intervened then inevitably Lelouch would have sought an audience with you in front of the full court, demanding why nothing was done regarding to his mother's death which will end in your Majesty deporting his sorry behind to another country as leverage and an excuse to declare war on the unfortunate nation." Alessio responded mechanically.

"You presume to know my thoughts?" The Emperor asked with eyes narrowed.

"No, it's merely my conjecture based on the personality I was conditioned to long ago." Alessio replied calmly.

At which the Emperor started to laugh, his booming laughter echoing through the spacious hall.

"And your reason for intervening?" Marianne entered the questioning, fully serious at this point while ignoring the chuckling coming from her husband.

"Simple milady, for the sake of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer…and there's also the fact of that woman having an unhealthy amount of interest in your son. Having him close to us can only be beneficial in luring her out, it might even be effortless since she has agreed to assist us. Sending Lelouch and Nunnally will add many unknown factors onto the table that might unexpectedly hinder us in the long term."

Marianne, from within Anya placed a small index finger to her chin and after a moment of silence nodded enthusiastically in agreement with her protégé's line of thought.

"And are you both…" Alessio added with a growing smirk, staring at both Charles and Marianne, "not the slightest bit curious of what Lelouch and Nunnally are capable of?"

Please read & review, it was so difficult to write Lulu and Nunna's childhood in a timeline where they have remained in Pendragon. A question for readers, do you prefer this to be a Lulu/Multi fict or sticking to one specific lucky lady?