Hi! So here's the 2nd chapter for this story. I would like to clear some things up. The story is not set during the Medieval period, but in the modern times. The Britannian Monarchy is just stricter on following its traditions especially if there are special events. So don't be surprised if a mobile phone or a car is mentioned. Or other gadgets for that matter.

Also, I will try to release at least one chapter weekly. I am already working and sometimes my schedule is tight. Please be patient, and thank you for understanding.

And most importantly, thank you for the wonderful reviews for this story. I truly appreciate them. Please keep on anticipating this story.

Everyone, have a nice day ahead!

Chapter 2

There are so many wrong things in the situation that make the scene look right. Like the Empress not informing Lelouch about Lady C.C. being invited to the party. Like everyone in the palace knowing that she will come except for him (the twins didn't even care to give him a hint and they were with him the whole day).

Or like C.C. turning into a beautiful lady since the last time Lelouch saw her, not that he's going to tell her, no no, he won't give her the upper hand. But he's a man afterall and he appreciates beautiful women, too, though, there are only a handful of women he considers beautiful.

But most importantly, he clearly remembers that there was no mention of that cheese-filled bread goodness called 'pizza' in the invitation. He is sure of it. He was the one who composed the words in the invitation so that it would be simple but pleasant. God knows what would be written there if he let Clovis handle that matter, too. So why did C.C. say that 'pizza' was mentioned there?

"Mother, what does C.C. mean when she said that there's 'pizza' in the invitation? I don't remember putting it there," he asks the Empress as he watches C.C. eats her 6th slice of the food from his throne.

He hears his mother let out a giggle from his side. She has been giggling so much since C.C. arrived. Well, at least she finds the situation amusing, while he, on the other hand is already planning strategies on how he wouldn't let the witch win against him. "I might've sent her a customized copy of the invitation with a picture of a smoking hot pizza."

"And why does no one care to tell me that she would be coming?"

"If we tell you, that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it? And aren't you glad to see your childhood friend again? You haven't seen each other since she left to study abroad," a giggle, "Have you seen the faces of the nobles when she called me and you by only our name? I knew I won't regret inviting that child. Things just got more interesting here."

Oh, it really does turn more interesting now. The guests are curiously watching C.C. devour her eight? ninth? he actually lost track, slice of pizza. Some are amazed by how this slender girl eats slice after slice without getting her stomach big. Some are disgusted by how unladylike she is behaving with the amount of food she is eating. And some, mostly men, are looking at her in a way that irks the prince.

He stands up and decided that he had given her enough time to eat and now it's time for them to get acquainted again. Afterall, it's been three years.

People part for him as he makes his way to her table. Clearing his throat to get C.C.'s attention, he offers her one of his gloved hand.

The maiden stares at it, looks up and blinks at him blankly then stares at his hand again. "If you're thinking that I am going to give you pizza, you should think again, Lelouch," she says nonchalantly then proceeds to devour the slice she is holding.

Blushing from embarrassment for being misunderstood, Lelouch exclaims, "What?! I'm not asking for a slice of pizza. I'm asking you for a dance."

He watches as a slow triumphant smirk forms on her lips. He knows that smirk too well and he suddenly feels dreadful. "I know, Lelouch."

She knows? Then why does she say those words? What does she mean – oh, OH. He wants to slap himself upon realizing what she meant. Of course this is one of her classic tricks. She wanted him to ask her to dance verbally. To hear those exact words from him, and for him to be heard by the crowd. Because if he does (which he did) he, the Prince of Britannia, the next in line to the throne will look as if he wanted her attention. For it is a general knowledge that His Highness, Lelouch vi Britannia never asks other girls outside of his family to dance with him. Never.

"Are we going to dance, or you'll just keep on standing there which is also fine by me. I can get back to my table anyway," C.C. says.

Placing his hand behind him, he stands straighter and faces her who had managed to already pass by him.

"I'm just giving you a head start, C.C. As the saying goes, ladies first," but once she is out of sight, he mutters, "Witch."

From the other side of the room, two pairs of violet eyes curiously and fascinatedly watch the events that are unfolding before them.

"Brother and Lady C.C. are really close. Eventhough it's been a while, they easily picked up from where they left," the boy says.

"I'm glad she came. Lelouch looked like he's ready to leave a while ago. Remember when we were younger? They were inseparable back then. Lelouch was always there to look after Lady C.C. because he's so worried she might cause some trouble while Lady C.C. was always with brother to tease him. Hey, Rolo, why do you think Mother invited her today?" the girl asks.

Rolo tears his eyes off the middle of the room where the prince and the maiden is currently dancing and looks at his sister confusedly. "What do you mean, Nunnally? She's brother's bestfriend and is also a close friend of our family, of course she would be invited."

"Hmmm," Nunnally muses while tapping her finger on her chin. "I just have this feeling that it isn't the only reason. Say, Mother really wanted this party to be a way for brother to find his future wife, right?"

Rolo's eyes widen upon realizing what his twin meant and stare at her incredibly. "Y-You mean, she's a candidate for his hand? But… But," his forehead furrows as he thinks of something hard, "I think it would be so out of Lady C.C.'s character to agree to that. I mean, they're bestfriends, but not the typical bestfriends. And what about Princess Shirley? Isn't she the strongest candidate and Mother's favorite?"

"Well, I have a theory. Come closer."

The older boy leans closer to his sister, his eyes scanning his surroundings to make sure that no one is eavesdropping. They are talking about important matters, anyway. The future of the monarchy.

"I think Lady C.C. doesn't know, let's say, Mother's possible plan," Nunnally whispers. "That's what the pizza in the invitation for. To make sure that she will attend. To lure the prey to the trap. Have you read the invitation they sent to her?" Rolo shakes his head. "It says, 'We are going to serve the cheesiest, mouth-watering, thick-crust hot pizzas that will be baked through the collaboration of the best chefs in the country. These pizzas will come in different flavors such as pepperoni, four-cheese, all-meat and margherita. The chefs will also be available to grant your request for a customized pizza during the event.' " Nunnally lets out a small laugh. "How can Lady C.C. turn away from that? And I don't think that Mother favors Princess Shirley that much. She's just the most convenient because she's already a royalty. Do you remember how Mother always teases Lelouch that she wants Lady C.C. to be her daughter-in-law in the future when we were younger? Brother hated that," she ends with a light chuckle.

Rolo returns his gaze to the couple still dancing on the floor. He notices that despite the irritated look on his face, the way his older brother's eyes shine so lively while looking at his partner is clear evidence that he is truly happy. And Lady C.C. is also the same with the soft and serene smile plastered on her face.

"Nunnally, I think we need to do everything to make those two stay together."

"That's what I've been trying to say, Rolo." And she, too, stares at his brother and his bestfriend fondly.

Lelouch will not do it. Nope, no, never.

"Lelouch, it's just skin," C.C. says sternly.

"It's your skin."

This makes C.C.'s eyebrows rise. "Do you have a problem with my skin? Don't worry, boya, I bathed with milk and rose petals a while ago. I also lathered extra longer and before that I applied oil to – "

Lelouch covers her mouth so suddenly that she is taken by surprise. The prince is blushing furiously, too. Now, this is interesting.

"Stop, I don't need to know that," he hisses. "What I meant is that it's your skin, a girl's skin, and I just want to respect your… your…"

"My?" C.C. asks from behind his hand.

"You know what I mean. Don't make me say it."

She shakes her head. He's already regretting arguing with her because there's no winning for him.

Turning away, he says quietly. "I just want to respect your body."

He feels her hands slowly remove his from where it is covering her mouth and gently grab his face to make him look at her. In the most serious face he has ever seen her wear, she asks, "Lelouch… Are you gay?"

It takes a moment before her words sink in for he is too mesmerized by her golden eyes. But when they finally did, he lets out a gasp and almost trip when he steps away from her. "What?! NO!"

"Then stop making a fuss about this and place your hand on my back," C.C. says while rolling her eyes. "We won't be able to start dancing if you're standing five feet away from me and I want to get back to my pizza as soon as possible."

When the prince doesn't move from his place, C.C. walks towards him, grabs his left hand rather harshly and places it on her exposed back. "See? Easy-peasy. Now let's do that dance you've been desiring from me."

But Lelouch is too stunned to react. He is touching her back. He is touching her bare ivory back. For the first time. Despite wearing gloves, it still feels weird to be putting his hand on her skin like this. Why, oh why does she have to wear a dress with an open upper back exposing her skin for all the world to see. Doesn't she feel cold? Isn't she afraid that an insect could bite her? What if she dances with other men? Thinking about some men's hands other than him having contact with her skin makes his blood boil. Of course, she's his bestfriend, it's just natural to be protective of her. Right?

"Don't worry, I won't dance with anyone other than you tonight," she silently says.

He looks down at her and finds her smiling genuinely at him.

Ah, now this feels right. Now, he's with his bestfriend and not the witch. They start moving with the music. Their feet remembering all those dance lessons they took together when they were 13 and 11 years old. They dance for a while, enjoying the music and the comfortable silence between them.

"So, how's the Prince of Britannia been doing? Any angry jealous girlfriend I should look out for in this occasion?" C.C. asks teasingly.

Lelouch shakes his head. Why are the women in his life so keen on marrying him off? He's just been 21 for a few hours for God's sake. "None. End of discussion. For all I know, you might be the one who left a boyfriend abroad."

A frown appears on C.C.'s face. "I don't have time for that. I'm too busy at the university to spend time with that nonsense."

"Well, I guess we're on the same page, then. Anyway, care to tell me why you didn't warn me about this whole ordeal?"

"And ruin the fun? No thanks."

Lelouch sighs. "I should have been suspicious when I miss a text from you for a day. I let it go so easily."

"Don't believe him, Lady C.C. Brother glared at his phone for 15 minutes while waiting for your text earlier."

Surprised by the interruption, the pair turns around and sees the twins smiling at them.

"Rolo, Nunnally," C.C. gladly greets them.

"Lady C.C.!" The twins excitedly run to her and enclosed her in a tight hug. Eyes closed, a happy smile plays on the older girl's lips.

Lelouch steps back and watches the beautiful scene before him. His younger siblings are very close to her. Well, his whole family for that matter, but Rolo and Nunnally show a greater admiration and fondness of C.C. than any of his relative. They found something in her that they liked so much and now they are smitten. The witch must have casted a spell on them.

He notices a young man, a son of a duke? he can't remember, staring so hard at C.C.'s back so he loudly clears his throat to get the bastard's attention and glares at him.

"We miss you, Lady C.C.!"

"I miss you, too, my favorite children."

"Lady C.C., we're not children anymore. We're 15 now!" Nunnally laughs.

C.C. touches her chest and sighs apologetically. "Oh, is that so? I'm so sorry then. Looks like there is only one child left in the family," she says while looking at him mischievously.

That witch.

"Now, why don't you tell me more about Lelouch heartbreakingly glaring at his phone while waiting for my text. I hope he didn't cry."

The prince decided that it's time to join the conversation before his ego be flattened on the ground. "I was not heartbroken and I did not cry."

Both of the twins giggle. "Well, Rolo and I are going to leave so you can get back to dancing. We hope to talk to you again, Lady C.C."

"Oh, do not worry, we'll have so much time to talk and play. And Lelouch and I will go eat pizza now. Right, Prince?"

"Yeah, whatever."

After the twins leave, Lelouch asks C.C. one thing that he should have asked first. "How long are you going to stay here?"

"Oh, haven't I told you?"

He waits for her answer.

She stares.

And he waits.

And stares.

And waits.

And stares.

"C.C…"

A triumphant smile makes its way on her lips. "I'll be staying here for as long as I wanted to. That's the Emperor and Empress's decision."