Hey guys, thanks for your support on the first chapter and I've done my best to quickly write this chapter for you all. I had fun writing this chapter so i hope you have fun reading it. If you like this chapter please don't forget to review because it gives me motivation to keep writing.

Love you all,

Giotto-chan

-sama: Used at the end of names for respected or important / noble people. i.e. Sir Lelouch, Master Lelouch, Lord Lelouch.

Oniisama: Romaji for 'elder brother'

Himesama: Princess. i.e. Nunnally-himesama = Princess Nunnally. [I think it sounds cooler than using the Princess in front all the time. :) ]

Ousama: Prince.

—

Long Live Lelouch!

Code Geass

Chapter 2: Let the Game Begin

Waking up in a comfortable king sized bed was the usual for someone like Lelouch. After all, he was a prince of Britannia and even when he stayed at the Ashford's he was treated like the noble he is. However, this time he awoke in a slightly different and more regally decorated room. Not that being somewhere new fazed him much. One of Lelouch's best points is his ability to apply real time strategies and adapt to change. What's more is that he uses the change to his advantage. Lelouch, even to his elder siblings, was and always will be a formidable opponent.

A gentle knock was heard on the dark wooden double doors of his new master bedroom. Knock. Knock. "Lelouch-sama," the young maid spoke softly. "Come in." was all he needed to command for the young brunette haired maid to open the doors and walk in.

"Lelouch-sama, would you like to eat breakfast here or down stairs with Nunnally-himesama?" To Lelouch, such a question wasn't even worth asking to anyone that new him and Nunnally. Although, after a moments thought he realised that everything would have to be said in plain terms for the servants of his new residence. "I will dine with Nunnally whenever I am free unless otherwise stated. After breakfast I would like to be shown around this residence." Last night, Lelouch had promised Nunnally that he would join her during meals whenever he was free. However, Nunnally, still believing in a naive world of peace, was not aware that by Lelouch moving to this new residence would mean he was going to be busier than ever.

The peaceful days at Ashford Academy will seem like a mere dream compared to those to come. "As you wish, your highness." said the maid as she silently withdrew from the room. There was something about the servants of this place… always silently working unless intentionally making themselves known to their masters. Not that he had a problem with it, on the contrary, he valued the silence that let his own thoughts be heard as loudly in his head as if he was speaking them.

More knocks were heard on the bedroom doors, "knock, knock, knock." This time it was more than on servant behind the doors knocking for entry. "Enter." Over the years, he had become accustomed to one word orders. Especially from the fact that he knew he could manipulate people… it was in his genes, coded into his DNA. Giving orders was apart of Lelouch and was something that came in use when he got his geass from C.C.

As soon as his order was spoken, the doors were opened wide and along with two tall butlers clad in black followed four maids with their hands full of regally adorned garments. Perhaps it had been the events of yesterday or the surprisingly comfortable bed he slept in, but for once in his life, Lelouch hadn't bothered to get out of bed yet. Sitting up, he watched the two butlers walk over to him and the four maids lay the garments on the white arm chairs near the windows and then draw open the blinds. The sun brought with it light and pain into the room. Light to the surroundings and pain to his eyes.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he reopens them to the two butlers waiting beside his bed to help dress him. "My Liege, what would you like to wear today?" From the garments he could see laid out on the armchairs he spotted a set of black and gold robes.

"The black and gold robes." Perhaps it was the gold on the robes that shone in the light and brought them to stand out to his eyes, maybe the maids had positioned it in that particular spot for him to see. The butlers brought over the robes and helping him undress, slipping the robes gently onto his thin body. The robes were three layered and on the outer layer a cape was buttoned on with gems and fell to the floor gracefully. Following the robe came a headdress made of the same black and gold silky fabric. The headdress had an out material that draped around the back of his head and reached to his neck. If there was something to describe how Lelouch looked at that moment, it would be that he was the epitome of nobility and that he exuded grace and intelligence. It was a sight to behold, if ever there was one.

"Shall we head down to breakfast, your highness?" inquired one of the butlers.

Instead of bothering with words, Lelouch made his actions speak for him. He grabbed his phone from the bedside table which was made of the same dark wood as the doors and headed towards the doors which the butlers proceeded to open.

Lelouch could feel the emptiness of his stomach as he made his way to the dining room of the residence. He hadn't eaten much recently and C.C had tried to get him to eat, to no avail. Thinking to himself, " The sooner I eat the sooner I can investigate this place and find out their intent on bringing me here. I know they don't want Nunnally and I'm not sure about C.C… but they claim to owe allegiance to mother, Empress Marianne. Ah, the work never stops." Almost as if reading his mind, the recently elusive C.C makes an appearance next to Lelouch.

"If it stopped you would have to go back to playing chess against weak opponents. So don't kid yourself Lelouch, you enjoy this." She was right, Lelouch had more fun when the stakes were higher and he had to play a role. He had become good at acting in a role and somewhere along the way started to enjoy it. Sure hiding behind a formidable defence was good, but to feel the intensity and heat of battle was a whole other story.

"Carissa, please accompany the Princess this evening. I have matters to attend to." Lelouch said in a manner befitting a Prince.

"Of course, Lelouch-ousama. We shall be out of your way for the evening." Closing her eyes and showing a big grin, C.C stared at Lelouch as if to say, 'Is that the best name you could think of?' Lelouch replied her mental remark with a gentle smile and then resumed walking.

After two minutes, they had arrived to a grand set of white doors embellished with gold and blue decor. The two butlers; who had been walking in silence behind Lelouch the whole time, opened the doors and announced them in.

"Entering: His Highness, Prince Lelouch Lamperouge vi Britannia and Miss Carissa Cail." Bowing their heads the butlers motioned for Lelouch and C.C to enter. Last night, before he had gone to sleep, Lelouch told them that C.C stood for Miss C. Cail. It was only just before they entered that the butlers found out her 'first' name.

"Oniisama!" Nunnally called out in delight as she heard Lelouch enter.

Walking to her side, Lelouch hugged his little sister and then proceeded to take his seat at the head of the table. Nunnally was going to take that seat but when the maid explained that he would then have to sit at the opposite end of the long table she agreed to sitting on the left side. As C.C was about to sit opposite Nunnally, on Lelouch's right hand side, a glare was shot across the room from the head butler. C.C took the glare as a sign that perhaps that wasn't the best seat, so she walked around to sit next to Nunnally. Nunnally hadn't realised it was C.C who had entered until she shook hands with her when she sat down.

Whispering gently, "C.C?"

"It's Carissa, Nunnally -sama." C.C said in a way that meant she was going to explain later but that they had to act slightly distant.

"Ah, right. Well, oniisama… when will we be going back to Ashford Academy?" Nunnally inquired.

"I will arrange for you to attend tomorrow if you wish." Lelouch said with his usual smile. At that moment, several butlers entered the room carrying their breakfast. Placed in front of C.C was kranski sausages with fluffy scrambled eggs and two sides of bacon. For Nunnally the same had been prepared but with sunny side up eggs. Lastly, for Lelouch was two eggs-runny and sunny side up, each on white chia slices of bread with four rashers of bacon.

Lelouch wasn't sure if he could finish off everything on his plate, not that he had to worry because if he didn't then C.C would. It must have been that the butlers had noticed when he was getting dressed that he hadn't been eating much so they decided to give him a big portion of food now. Despite the fact they hadn't known him long enough to know.

—

After breakfast, as per their master's orders they showed him around the property. "Your highness, do you know what this residence is named?" a green-eyed maid asked.

"I do not." Lelouch said, shaking his head gently.

"Senry Palace, Lelouch-sama." the maid replied.

Slightly confused, Lelouch motioned for her to elaborate. "It's full name is Senryakuka Palace but was shortened to something easier. All the masters of this palace are referred by the title, 'Lord or Lady Senry'. "

It made sense now, 'Senryakuka' meant 'Strategist'. Their couldn't have been a better choice of residence for Lelouch. Thinking for a moment more he understood something else. This palace was so quiet because it gives silence for the master of the house to plan their next move.

Everything was coming together now, Lelouch was able to speculate reasons why he was brought to this palace. Why? Because someone needed his applied genius and real time strategies. What for? To contend against a worthy adversary… only one life form came to mind. Schneizel. Whether it was Schneizel or not, Lelouch was to find out soon, perhaps tonight even.

"Take me to the study, I have some things I need to set up." One would think that the moment Lelouch stepped foot in the palace that he would have begun to set up a base of operations but this time that wasn't the case. Until he had found somewhere secluded and secure, he couldn't risk the possibility that Nunnally or one of the servants were to see or hear something.

"I suggest you postpone that until this evening when things can be better organised," giving a quick wink, she continued, "Until then I believe the desk in the master bedroom should be suitable."

"I see. Well then, could you direct me to Princess Nunnally's room?" Accompanied by the two maids, Lelouch made his way to Nunnally's room where her and C.C were entertaining themselves.

—

Lelouch, Nunnally and C.C had spent hours entertaining themselves until the head butler came to discretely inform Lelouch that the guests had arrived. "Sir, it's time." whispered the butler.

"Excuse me ladies, I have business to attend to." Lelouch said with a soft smile as he exited the room with the head butler.

"O-oniisama…" Nunnally said in a quiet voice as he left the room.

C.C comforted Nunnally, "It's alright, we will have more fun without him. He always wins anyway." At the last remark, Nunnally giggled and they went back to playing their game.

—

The guests had arrived and been escorted to a room that was a cross between a lounge and a meeting room. "Entering: Lord Senry, Prince Lelouch vi Britannia!" said the butler in a quieter voice than usual but loud enough for the people in the room to hear.

All the guests proceeded to stand from their chairs then bringing their right hand across to their heart they knelt down in honour towards him. "All hail Empress Marianne and the vi Britannias!" the guests proclaimed to him.

"What…" Lelouch walked in and continued to address his new subjects. Yes, he had already classified these carbon-based life forms as his new subjects that he would use to exact his will upon *his* world. "Rise. I thank you for your continued support to my family."

"But of course, your highness. We have brought you back into the 'world' of war for the throne because we have faith in your skills and your blood." Lelouch had known that they brought him back in the 'game' for a reason and he was about to find out why.

"My blood? I presume you mean that of Charles di and Marianne vi Britannia." Lelouch stated his thoughts.

"Yes, your highness. We pulled you back for a reason though… there is a new player who follows your eldest brother, Prince Odysseus eu Britannia, he goes by the name: 'Black Thorn'. Even the second prince, Schneizel-sama, views him as a 'thorn in his side'." said one of the guests who the butler introduced as Aristole Casteif.

"Black Thorn?" Lelouch decided to sit down to think things through. The armchairs in the room had been arranged so that they all faced a white leather like material one that was embellished with gold laced designs. It was obvious that the chair was for the most important person in the room and there was no one more important than Lelouch at that moment. Nor would there ever be. Lelouch was a genius and the only people that could contend with them were Schneizel and possibly this 'Black Thorn' person.

The pieces have been laid out and the king has taken his seat.

"Let the game begin."