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An: Thanks for all your help people! Keep that up and I might just give you all cookies! Love the reviews, requests are taken seriously.
I'm a little disappointed but hey I hope I did better this time.
Enjoy!
Review!
Disclaimer: I-Don't-Own-Code-Geass.
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Chapter 2: Red Dress
Recap-
"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...
End of Recap-
C.C. slightly nodded her head and proceeded to sit beside duchess Euphemia.
A maid came pushing a trolley which carried tea and cakes. The maid curtsied and carefully set the food on the table. While the maid was busy arranging the utensils and the pastries on the table, Lelouch was glaring at C.C., his legs were intertwined, and his arms were crossed over his chest, and although he didn't say anything his piercing eyes says it all.
C.C. seemed to be in a peaceful and calm disposition for she daintily reached out for a teapot and carefully poured tea into all their cups. She returned Lelouch's glare with her secret weapon; an absolute serene face and her golden orbs staring playfully, almost teasingly at him. Indeed, what can annoy Lelouch more than to be in a room with a person who doesn't take him seriously. She then lifted the saucer with the tea cup in its middle, and handed the porcelain china to Lelouch. Still playing with 'his highness'; she held it out a little far, almost, out of reach for Lelouch.
Lelouch; still glaring at her took the teacup from C.C. and decided to lighten the tense atmosphere with a light conversation.
"So, I heard from Nunally that Duchess Euphemia wants to visit Japan. Is that right Euphie?"
Lelouch waited for Euphie to finish with her drink before she started to speak.
"Oh, Lelouch, it's just a bored lady's fantasy. I don't really expect it to come true. I am not that bold as to travel and be on a voyage. I'd rather settle down."
Lelouch looked at his cousin trying to figure out what 'settle-down' means.
"She means she's content being here in Britannia. Aren't you Euphie?" C.C. said disturbing Lelouch's thoughts.
"Oh, yes. But Britannia's pretty boring lately, nothing much to do than to shop, eat, sleep, study and party. Luckily, I have C.C. with me. It gets kind of boring at home since Cornelia's married now." Euphie told them.
"Forgive me for intruding..."Suzaku began.
"If you don't mind me asking, but is lady C.C. a relative of yours? Since Lelouch told me that she lives with the "li Britannia" household." Suzaku asked.
"Well-" Euphie was about to answer when C.C. cut her off.
"Well, Lord Kururugi, I am not related to the royal family, and I think that that is all you need to know about me." C.C. told Suzaku with a calm yet stern voice.
Lelouch, feeling sorry for his friend tried to divert the attention back at C.C.,
"Lady C.C., I almost forgot that you were here." Lelouch said quite sarcastically, which was a clear lie since he glared at her ever since she arrived.
"And I too, thought that you were still in Japan." C.C. replied with an equally sarcastic tone her mouth forming a sly smile.
"Why don't you tell us more about yourself, since my friend here Lord Kururugi seems to be interested in you." Lelouch proposed almost challenging C.C.,
"I'm pretty sure he knows a little about me now, since he is after all, your friend. I presume he knows that we feel the same way about each other. Don't you, Lord Kururugi?" C.C. said eyeing Suzaku.
"You make it sound so romantic." Lelouch said as he took another sip from the teacup.
"I didn't know that you like romances." C.C. replied as she relaxed back in her seat.
"Romance is nothing more than a feeling of infatuation shared with another person..." Lelouch began.
"...who feels the same way, yet infatuation is always a strong emotion, maybe not love but..."C.C. interrupted. Yet was cut off...
"...anger, hate and loath." Lelouch ended the tete-a-tete with his fearsome serious tone, almost as if meaning each word.
"Aye Lelouch, you do know what romance is." C.C. said teasingly, it looked that she was having fun, while Lelouch looked miserable trying to keep himself from strangling the woman. No, she wasn't even a woman, for a woman had a heart. This girl was heartless and determined to make him feel miserable.
No, that's right, she isn't a woman; she is a witch.
For awhile no one spoke. The silence was unbearable and the atmosphere was again, tense. Slowly a maid came to view, pushing a trolley carrying a silver plate enclosed by a silver covering. The maid settled the plate at the middle of the table and took out a black velvet case and placed it beside the plate.
Lelouch waved the maid off and thanked her for her services.
"Do you dream of travelling too, lady C.C.?" asked Lelouch to begin a conversation.
"If it is to get away from his majesty, then yes, you might say so." C.C. replied as she took another sip of tea.
Lelouch frowned and sipped his tea, while trying to keep himself calm.
"Careful Lelouch, I slipped some poison in your tea." C.C. told Lelouch with a teasing smirk.
Lelouch spitted the tea, and stood up from his seat. He was ready to send in some guards.
"Don't get so excited Lelouch. I was only joking."
Euphie was glaring at C.C. as if sending her a 'be tactful' vibe. Suzaku was completely oblivious of the situation but he can sense hate emitting from Lelouch and C.C., what exactly did happen?
"Lady C.C., your word is not to be taken lightly." Lelouch told her with clear annoyance.
"What gave you reason to doubt my sincerity?" C.C. asked quite quizzical.
"I have experience situations that can verify that my act was only reasonable." Lelouch told C.C., as trying to keep himself from pulling a sword and drive it to her heart or rather her mouth. Lelouch sat back down and tried to calm himself before speaking again.
Lelouch pulled the silver covering off the plate and revealed a raw pinkish meat sliced perfectly and at the centre of the plate was a white porcelain bowl that contained a green paste like substance that C.C. and Euphie hasn't seen before.
"What is this Lelouch?" Euphie asked pointing at the raw meat.
"Suzaku, care to do the honours?" Lelouch asked clearly trying to avoid talking with C.C. for the fear of losing his temper. C.C. was always insensitive, yet she was also good on controlling her emotions, she was well-composed. Lelouch was sensible, but sooner or later he is going to blow, since C.C. was always the one who was good with these kinds of games.
"I would be delighted." Suzaku replied.
"This is sushi. It's a native delicacy of Japan. It is made from the meat of raw fish." Suzaku said pointing at the pinkish raw strip.
"Oh, so this is fish. Is it edible?" C.C. asked, clearly showing her insensitive side.
"Sorry Lord Kururugi, my friend is known for speaking her mind." Euphie apologized for C.C.'s behaviour, while glaring at C.C.,
C.C. gave her a 'what did I say wrong?' look.
"It is completely understandable. I am aware that eating raw fish would be weird for people who are not accustomed to the idea of it. Sushi is edible by the way." Suzaku said as he took the black velvet box and opened it to reveal thin platinum sticks with Japanese writings across it.
Suzaku pulled out two platinum sticks and held it out for them to see.
"We use these to eat sushi." Suzaku said.
Euphie was clearly amazed, and C.C. was bored.
"But wooden sticks are what are common in Japan." He quickly added.
"What's that green substance? Is it puke?" C.C. asked as she pointed at the porcelain bowl.
Lelouch once again frowned, and Euphie pinched C.C.'s side, a clear signal that she was going overboard. She just shrugged their silent reprimands off and waited for Suzaku's reply.
"Oh, no. It is wasabi. It adds flavour to sushi. It is quite spicy by the way." Suzaku said as he picked a sushi and gently dabbed it against the wasabi.
Lelouch all of the sudden grabbed the chopsticks from Suzaku and dipped it or rather rubbed it fiercely against the wasabi, almost as if he was trying to get all the wasabi to stick to one sushi.
"Careful Lelouch it is spi-" before C.C. could finish talking, Lelouch drove the sushi into C.C.'s mouth...
C.C. was shocked and could feel her tongued burning up.
"It's quite edible isn't it, Lady C.C.?" Lelouch said with a triumphant grin. Then all of a sudden he laughed 'evilly'.
"Whahahahahhahahaha!" Lelouch laughed quite successfully...scary.
Euphie patted C.C.'s back afraid that C.C. would lose the ability to speak.
"Spit it out C.C." Euphie told her.
"Honestly Lelouch, that was inappropriate." Suzaku reprimanded his 'best-friend'. Lelouch continued laughing.
But rather than spitting the sushi out, C.C. found it quite delightful to her senses...
She chewed the sushi and gulped it down. This made Lelouch stop laughing.
"Yes. It is quite tasty." C.C. agreed which was to Lelouch's disappointment. She practically put all the sushi into her mouth and left the wasabi bowl empty. After she was done eating, she gently wiped her face and glanced at Lelouch.
"Oh I'm sorry, did you wanted to have some?" C.C. asked Lelouch quite 'innocently'. Which was to Lelouch's great annoyance.
Lelouch grumbled a few words under his breath.
Just then, Jeremiah interrupted the four of them.
"Ahem," Jeremiah began.
Lelouch glanced at his direction and stood up. Jeremiah bowed before them before glancing back at Lelouch.
"Jeremiah, what is it?" Lelouch asked.
"Your highness, I would like to inform you that your sister had just arrived from their horseback riding. She would like to inform you that she would be awaiting you in the study for your Japanese lessons. But it would take a while for she would still be changing her clothes." Jeremiah informed them.
"That'll be all Jeremiah. Very well, you may proceed." Lelouch said.
Jeremiah bowed, and then left their presence.
"If you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to." Lelouch said as he moved to exit.
Yet he stopped half way and look back at the three of them...
"If you wouldn't mind, I would like Lady C.C. to accompany me as I wait for princess Nunally's arrival." Lelouch said quite suavely that you would think that nothing was wrong between C.C. and him.
C.C. took another sip from the teacup and slowly glanced up.
"What's in it for me?" C.C. asked all of the sudden.
"Pardon?" Lelouch asked.
"When you are not insulting me, it means that you need my assistance. So what's in it for me?" C.C. once again asked.
Lelouch smiled and rub his temples yet was slightly amused.
"You were always so frank. It would be more appropriate though, if we talk about business in a more...private area," Lelouch suggested as the thought of discussing his dilemma and asking C.C.'s help in the presence of others would be quite humiliating.
C.C. finished her tea then stood up.
"Euphie, behave yourself and Suzaku, no touching please." C.C. said as she prepared to leave.
She approached Lelouch quite calmly and stopped a few paces behind him.
"I'll be leaving Euphie in your care Suzaku." Lelouch called out. The two proceeded down the path walk into the castle. C.C. followed not far behind while playing with her green braid.
-(*-*)-_3rd floor Study Room_-(*-*)-
Lelouch pulled the bronze doorknob of his study and opened the doorway.
"After you..." Lelouch said, as C.C. looked at him quite amused.
"Nothing out of propriety?" C.C. asked teasingly.
"Oh ,God no! I am way above that." Lelouch said.
"I take your word for it." C.C. said with a smirk as she proceeded into the study.
Lelouch closed the door behind them.
The study was well kept. The wood was newly polished, the books were all piled up and a carefully laid chess board was on the wooden table. C.C. sat on the wooden table next to it.
"Off the table C.C."Lelouch called out as he tried to search for something inside the cabinets.
"I see no chairs available for sitting, for clearly books are occupying them." C.C. reasoned as a matter of fact.
"Off the table!" Lelouch said quite sternly now. He arrived carrying a brown leather box with him. He laid it down on the table.
"Now, you might be wondering why I brought you here." Lelouch began as he cleared his throat and processed the script of words he had formulated during their short walk on the way to the study. Seeing that things arrived earlier than expected his script would be in impromptu. Now he wonders what wrong with the statement 'impromptu script'.
"No, you are quite unpredictable Lelouch, I would admit. But you are my worst enemy and we slightly think alike. I studied your actions well before, so I therefore conclude that you and that box has something to do with me. What do you need Lelouch?" C.C. asked as she ran her fingers across the brown leather box.
Lelouch smirked and crossed his hands.
"You were always one of my favourite opponents." Lelouch told C.C.
"I hate you." C.C. said with a smile and in a manner as if stating 'I love you' to a beloved.
"Aye. I hate you as well, yet I cannot live without you. C.C., I need your help..."
-(*-*)-_Back in the Garden_-(*-*)-
"So...do they hate each other?" Suzaku asked Euphie.
"Yes. In a way they do, yet I'm not so sure." Euphie replied.
"Why do you say so?" Suzaku once again asked. He was so curious of Lelouch and C.C.'s relationship.
"Well, C.C. is quite mischievous. She is easily bored and likes to play, or rather toy with people's emotions. Lelouch on the other hand is quite competitive and serious you see. He was never good in physical activities, and C.C. is, she's just simply too lazy to show off. Well for as long as I can remember they were always competing against each other. Of course C.C. would win, she was very witty, yet Lelouch was always a good strategist and in some times he was able to play pranks against C.C., it's just a shame that C.C. wasn't easily annoyed, and Lelouch is hot tempered." Euphie explained.
"So... how did it all start? I'm pretty sure they couldn't just hate each other at the first time they locked eyes." Suzaku said.
"Ah yes, you would never expect them to hate one another. C.C. had always been quite a peculiar girl. I was so fascinated by her. When we were young, girls my age sported long hair with many beautiful hair ornaments, we were also taught to be prim and proper. C.C. was different."
"She was? How so?"
"Well, she had short hair for one. She walks bare footed on the street, and she eats like a pig. Trust me, she looks that thin but that girl could eat an elephant. I was intrigued by her that I befriended her. At first she tried to push me away, saying that I had no business with her. But I kept staying by her side. I thought she was lonely. I would watch her read, and we would just sit at a bench without talking to each other, and even if we didn't know anything about each other, I felt as though we were so close. Then one day she started to talk. She was so different, and I like her that way. Unfortunately, Lelouch found her stubborn and insensitive. Yet she is, for she is C.C." Euphie explained.
"But Lelouch didn't hate C.C. before. The first time they glance at each other I swore I saw Lelouch blushed. I think he had a small crush on her back then. Yet, there was this one incident that made him furious with her." Euphie added.
"What was that?"
"Well, princess Nunally was fond with C.C., and since C.C. was always a peculiar girl, with a different taste for fun, she and Nunally did some things that Lelouch would never agree to. Like playing at mud holes, collecting earthworms, and since C.C. was sarcastic, Lelouch was furious that Nunally grew so unladylike. Yet Nunally was a sweet girl, she was just having fun with C.C., for the Britannia household was always so prim and proper, something new was always good. Since then, Lelouch and C.C. were always fighting with one another. Well maybe competing is the right word..." Euphie narrated and once again took another sip from her tea.
"So, how about the other half?" Suzaku asked
"Excuse me?" Euphie asked quite puzzled with Suzaku's statement.
"The part where you said that you are not so sure that they hate each other, why is that?"
"Oh that, well they..."
-(*-*)-_3rd floor Study Room_-(*-*)-
"Until now you still play chess?" C.C. said as she played with the black king.
"Hands off C.C." Lelouch said as he grabbed the chess piece from her.
"Lelouch you are so hot headed." C.C. commented, as she jumped off the table and dusted her skirt.
"I never liked chess, it was always boring." C.C. whispered to no one in particular.
Lelouch opened the leather box to reveal a plain striking red dress. C.C. ran her fingers against the delicate fabric and gently rubbed her fingers together.
"Red Silk?" C.C. asked Lelouch looking at Lelouch with puzzled eyes. Lelouch never did like red, he was more of a black, blue and violet colour loving prince.
Lelouch nodded.
"Pure silk, straight from Japan, an expensive fabric, it sure is." Lelouch commented.
"A plain red dress I presume." C.C. said letting go of the fabric.
Lelouch once again nodded and approached C.C. closer.
"Yet, not just any dress, it is a kimono." Lelouch said.
"A kimono? For whom, and why buy a plain red Kimono? No embroidery to complement its beauty." C.C. said thinking it silly for Lelouch to buy something red, yet weirder for him to buy a plain red kimono, since he was slightly vain if her memory serves her well.
Lelouch ran his fingers against the kimono a smile crept across his face.
"This is not just a kimono C.C., this kimono would be given to my sister; princess Nunally." Lelouch said glancing up.
"I understand. You want it to be personal, sincere, one of a kind." C.C. said nodding her head in understanding, if there was one thing C.C. knew about Lelouch is the fact that he loved his sister.
"Aye, she is after all, turning fifteen soon. I always gave her kimonos for her birthday while I was still in Japan. All were the same shade of pink. She is turning into a woman soon." Lelouch explained with a proud tone yet a hint of melancholy as if he couldn't believe that his sister was actually growing up now.
"And you need my help because...?" C.C. asked still not getting the whole thing even if she was pretty clever in her own right.
" I've heard a lot of things about you C.C., while I was away. My sister never forgot to include you in her letters, and of course, Euphie did the same. I want you to design the kimono." Lelouch told C.C. as he place the cover back on the box.
"You want me to design the kimono?" C.C. asked perplexed.
"I was going to ask you to do this favour for me next week, but since you are already here that saved me a lot of trouble. Do not think about the expenses, I will give you money for the materials." Lelouch told her as he handed C.C. the box.
"Why me?" C.C. asked as she placed the box back on the table.
"It is only practical. Nunally would be delighted to know that it was you who designed the kimono, and like I said, I heard a great deal about you from Nunally. You studied jewellery making, even sword fighting , arts and embroidery. Nunally has always been fond of your paintings too. I'm sure a simple thing such as designing would be easy for you." Lelouch said in a tone of finality.
"I am not a professional designer Lelouch, I even wear the same dress for more than three days. I am not vain, most definitely not artistic." C.C. defended.
"I know that, you don't really care about the aesthetic part of the world." Lelouch agreed and nodded his head. C.C. didn't know if she should be thankful or to feel insulted.
"Are you saying that I'm ugly and have no taste in beauty?" C.C. asked quite sarcastically.
"Yes." Lelouch agreed. But before C.C. could make any retort, he once again spoke.
"My sister believes in you C.C., she admires you, has great respect for you. I may not trust you or like you even, but she does, and that's all that matters to me. Her smile is all that matters."
"Fine. But I expect that you owe me something later on Lelouch." C.C said.
"Of course, asking a witch for a favour is never cheap. There is always an exchange for everything." Lelouch agreed as he handed C.C. the box.
"Glad to know Lelouch."
As C.C. took the box from Lelouch the door opened, and a brunette teen entered the study.
"Big Brother, I'm here." Princess Nunally entered the study wearing her pink dress with pink ribbons. Her smile was bright and she gazed at the two people standing at the middle of the room. Her smile brightened, it was clearly a great surprise.
"Lady C.C.!" She exclaimed as she rushed forward and enclosed C.C. in a hug, the box still between the two of them.
Finally Nunally broke the hug and peered into C.C.'s eyes.
"Did you come to visit? Why didn't you tell me? What's that?" Nunally said gazing and pointing at the brown leather box that C.C. was hugging against her chest.
"Oh this-" before C.C. could continue, Lelouch spoke for her.
"Oh that's nothing Nunally. It is I dress that I gave to lady C.C.," Lelouch said.
Nunally gazed at her brother and smiled at the wonderful thought of Lelouch giving C.C a dress. Now, isn't that romantic?
"Oh, is it? Why did you give her a dress? May I see it?" Nunally asked.
Lelouch spoke again...
"Well, it is...well...Lady C.C. has agreed to be my date. I gave her the dress for she will be wearing it for the event." Lelouch answered almost out of breath, but he was a good liar none the less.
"I...what?" C.C. asked quizzically while eyeing Lelouch, and getting the message, just decided to play along.
"Oh yes Nunally, the dress is a surprise, you must not see it." C.C. told Nunally while at the same time pondering on the 'date' word. Date to what exactly?
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Nunally exclaimed; beaming at the two of them.
"But brother, I thought you were going to ask cousin Euphemia? That was after all, the reason why you invited her today." Nunally asked looking at Lelouch puzzled by his sudden change of plans, yet she was delighted by the thought of it as well.
"Oh, that. I just change my mind. Could you leave us two for a bit of moment Nunally?" Lelouch asked his sister with his sweetest smile that almost made C.C. laugh. 'A demon prince should never smile like an angel', she thought.
"Oh, okay." Once Nunally has exited the room Lelouch let out a sigh.
C.C. opened her mouth to comment about his 'weird' smile but before she could utter a word Lelouch grabbed her elbow, pulled her close until their noses were only three inches apart. Lelouch whispered in a soft yet stern voice.
"Listen C.C., Listen well..."
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An: That was fun! So what yah think 'bout it? Hope charas weren't OOC though. Hope you like this chapter guys and please review. I would gladly answer any question, but what would really get me inspired is if you click the review button. Thanks for reading...
I'm done with chap three and my updating sched would be literally in your hands.
Only you can will me to update... That is if I get the number of reviews which I am aiming for.
I want to finish this 15 chaptered story, unlike the others that are in hiatus...
Next Chapter: Black Chocker
Things to look forward for: Dance and of course pizza... What could go right? Oh I'm mistaken, what could go wrong...
Soon to come: Glass Slipper
Mwuah! Pls. Review!
Last question: Do I need a beta reader? If so, anyone you know would be willing to?
Trivia about Me: I've officially turned 15! The least you can do is review that be a nice present.
