Chapter 3: Christmas Campaign
"Happy Birthday, Lelouch. Still working late as always?"
The Eleventh Prince stared at the screen and then at the clock that read 10:30 PM.
"Clovis! What a wonderful surprise. You're a day early aren't you?" Lelouch smiled slightly at the image of his half-sibling drabbed in his most dashing regal finery. "Today's the fourth."
Clovis la Britannia was an interesting figure to say the least. Vain, preppy and the epitome of a royal snub, he was a thoroughly unpleasant character to be around with under normal circumstances, but he had also been kind and generous to the Lamperouge siblings when it had mattered most. Neither Nunnally nor Lelouch ever forgot that.
"Ah, my mistake. The time difference always gets me mixed up. Did you receive my gift?"
"I did and thank you for that."
The Third Prince was also a huge patron of the arts and had apparently hosted a contest in honor of Marianne the Flash. He sent the original work of the first place winner to Aries Villa as an early birthday gift, a gesture Lelouch deeply appreciated.
"Who drew it?"
"A very promising second year Eleven student from Lady Margaret's Preparatory School. Did you like it?"
An Eleven? That was a surprise.
"I love it and I know Mother would've approved."
"Yes, I know. My education minister did make a whole lot of fuss about it though. Didn't think Elevens should've been allowed to participate much less win first place. I hope that's not a problem?"
"Of course not."
Even if Lelouch was inclined to be excessively jingoistic, it would've been hard for him to look down – figuratively as well as literally – on the ethnicity of others when they could walk on two legs and he couldn't.
"Good, I'm sure the artist would be thrilled," Clovis stated with sincerity.
Lelouch couldn't help but find irony in the child's enthusiasm, that he and his peers wished to exalt and celebrate one of the figures that contributed – albeit indirectly – to their homeland's subjugation.
"I'm sorry I can't make it to your birthday gathering this year. My obligations here…"
"I understand, Clovis." Lelouch had read the intelligence reports regarding the JLA.
The Viceroy of Area 11 nodded his thanks and bid him goodbye before closing the link. Lelouch stared at the clock again. It was almost midnight and his birthday. It would be the first one his sister, Nunnally, would not be a part of. Not wishing to dwell on that depressing thought, he decided to whip up a late night snack to settle his mind.
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"Surprise!"
Lelouch gasped as he fell unceremoniously off his wheelchair.
"Argh, I've been blind!"
Laughter mingled with the explosions of lights and confetti. Arms quickly picked the paraplegic off the floor and settled him back in his chair.
"Oh no, Lelouch! Are you all right?"
"I will be… in a bit." Lelouch groggily shook his head and tested his vision. He stared at the concerned expressions of his favorite sisters. Oh good, he could still see because being blind and crippled would not have been a good combination.
"Nunnally! Euphie!" he cried in recognition, enveloping his girls with a heartfelt embrace, before turning his attention to his older siblings in attendance.
"Clovis, you sneaky bastard!" cried the wheel chaired prince in mock anger.
"Look who's talking." The pompous git was on cloud nine for having successfully fooled his shrewd younger brother, but Lelouch could hardly fault him. It was a fairly rare occurrence.
"I realize we're a day early, but Happy Birthday, Lelouch," Schneizel offered with a gentle smile.
"What about preparing for the operation?"
"It could wait," quipped the Chancellor with a knowing smile.
"I missed you, big brother."
Nunnally approached with outstretched arms. Her brother needed no further prompting and hugged her once again, but with far greater emotion and longing.
When she left for war, Nunnally had been a lovely girl, but now she was a young woman. She had gained at least three inches in height and carried herself with a poise and grace that was reminiscent of Cornelia. She had become hard and strong as expected of one forged in battle, but remained soft and feminine as well, a fact that Lelouch couldn't help but notice and appreciate.
Feeling conscious, the Eleventh Prince broke the embrace. If others noticed his discomfort, they kept it to themselves.
"Given your hobby and your latest victory, we wanted to present you with this in person," Schneizel explained as he produced a rectangular box.
Lelouch unwrapped the gift to find an exquisitely carved wood and ivory chess set with distinctly exotic figurines.
"This set was supposedly brought into Europe in the early 9th century by Islamic traders during the Sassanid era and eventually found its way into the private collection of Napoleon."
Lelouch was impressed. Not only did it look authentic, the pieces bared remarkable resemblance to the shatranj game of old, widely believed to be the early processor to the modern game of chess. He ran a hand gently over the colored, but still distinctive curvatures of the pieces. All that remained was to run a radiocarbon test.
"I-I don't know what to say. Thank you."
"It was Nunnally's idea so most of the credit should go to her."
"You raided the Louvre just to find the perfect birthday gift for me?" Lelouch exclaimed, only half in jest. "I'm touched."
"Of course, anything for you, big brother!" He noticed, however, that she was not joking.
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"But you've only been back for a few hours!" Lelouch exclaimed with a deep frown, the luscious slice of orange flavored ice cream cake forgotten. The disabled prince was not happy. It seemed indescribably cruel to return his precious sister to him only to take her away almost immediately.
"A few hours was the most we could afford," Schneizel was apologetic as he delicately polished off his diary treat.
"I'm sorry, brother. I promise to make it up to you after the operation. The Chancellor pulled a number of favors to allow us to get away as is," Nunnally explained.
"Of course, you're welcome to return with us," the Chancellor added. "I'm sure Nunnally would appreciate the moral support and cousin Juliet is very interested in seeing you again. I'd also personally consider it a favor to myself if you would come. The current operation is largely based on the operational doctrines and articles you wrote for the Imperial Journal of Military Studies."
"They were supposed to be anonymous and I recall them not being well received."
"That was then. When the campaign stalled, your articles became much better circulated. Some did figure out who the author was, but for the most part, your anonymity is still assured."
So that was his game! Lelouch had been genuinely surprised to see the Chancellor take a break from his duties to visit him. How foolish. Of course he had an ulterior motive. The shrewd politician wanted to recruit his politically weak, but brilliant, half brother for an eleventh hour strategy session. And he somehow co-opted Nunnally into his little plan too.
Lelouch almost refused, such was weight of his pride, but then he saw the hopeful expression on his sister's face. He could split hairs about being played like a fiddle or he could go and understand what it was that Nunnally went through every day.
"Very well, I'll go with you. I'll need to inform Alfred of my imminent departure."
Schneizel cracked a smile, like a triumphant victor.
"Excellent! We'll depart in two hours time. In the meantime, you should consider spending some time with Euphie. I believe she's unhappy about us monopolizing all of your time."
Indeed, the pink-haired princess was currently looking forlornly at the gathering of her siblings. Not one to be insensitive about his sibling's feelings, Lelouch quickly wheeled himself over, to the amusement of the Chancellor and his blood sibling.
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Seventy two hours and half a dozen meetings later, Lelouch found himself calmly perched atop a steep cliff overlooking the bristling port city of Valletta, the capital port city of Malta and Headquarters of Britannia's EU Expeditionary Force.
The tiny island of Malta, situated just 93 km from Sicily, has been a flash point between the combatants since conflict began. The European Combined Air Fleets ran no less than twenty thousand sorties against the island's harbors and infrastructure before the Imperial Air Force established air superiority. Even now, Britannia gunships conducted constant aerial patrols while a sizeable flotilla lay offshore to provide seaside protection.
Lelouch watched several squadrons of VTOL transports screaming overhead toward the European frontline. Their functions would become all too apparent in the coming days.
"I was told you would be here."
"Governor General!"
"Juliet is fine, Lelouch," the woman chuckled. "I'm no general and with the military running things, I'm not much of a governor either."
Princess Juliet ze Britannia was a niece of Emperor Charles and born in the waning days of her uncle's succession crisis. She was one of a handful of relatives who retained their titles and stations even as their immediate families became casualties in the bloody royal struggle. In spite of, or perhaps because of, their past, these survivors often developed a very independent streak. As Governor General – but not viceroy – of a region bordering hostile entities like the Euro Universe, Juliet often clashed with Britannian military commanders and imperial representatives. Her consistent opposition to the hawkish policies and tough standards of the powerful Blue Wings also earned her the ire of the oligarchs and aristocrats at the imperial court in Pendragon.
"I'm glad to see you well. I heard that Earl Rosenkreuz tried to have you removed."
"I know. I was surprised as well, but the Chancellor spoke on my behalf."
Of course. If there was anyone who could talk the leader of the Blue Wings from anything, it was Schneizel. How convenient.
"I hope you haven't been too depressed, living by yourself, although I'm sure Euphie provides good company."
The princess chuckled at her cousin's nondescript grunt. His status within the court notwithstanding, the Eleventh Prince's unique relationship with his female siblings has always a favorite subject of speculation. Personally, Lelouch thought it was jealousy. Clovis and Schneizel, they could understand, but fawning over the physically challenged peasant royalty was beyond most nobles.
"Yes, she has been a great help," Lelouch admitted uncomfortably. When they were young, Euphemia's antics were embarrassing, but harmless. As they grew older and her physical affectations remained unchanged, it was becoming something else.
"I guess you're at that age when you start having those dreams." The princess burst into laughter as Lelouch blushed a deep red, like a tomato. "I apologize, Lelouch, but I forget how young you really are sometimes."
Juliet turned away and motioned the young prince to follow.
"I don't presume to understand your relationship with your sister, but you need not worry too much about how others will think. The tabloids and your enemies will, of course, say what they will, but they would do so regardless of who you become involved with."
The Eleventh Prince listened attentively, but offered no response. This certainly wasn't the sort of "advice" he was expecting.
"After all, it's an open secret that your father was involved with two of his blood sisters before the succession crisis." Lelouch stopped and turned to the older woman with a frown. What was left unsaid was that the illicit liaisons stopped because Charles's personal knight and later lover exterminated that side of the royal family.
Given Juliet's generally affable demeanor and her generally warm relationships with the vi Britannia children, it was easy to forget the past.
"What are you trying to say?" A sudden edge finding its way into Lelouch's voice.
"It wasn't an accusation, and I've long since overcome the Empress's role in my mother and brother's death," Juilette explained quickly. "I don't blame you or Nunnally, despite what your sister thinks."
For whatever reason, Nunnally never developed a good rapport with her older cousin. Perhaps it was because the older princess was fond of the idea of Lelouch and Euphemia as a royal couple and was quite vocal about it.
Prefacing her words with a sigh, Juliet spoke what was really on her mind, "I just don't want to see you hurt because there are many who have not forgotten Marianne's blood stained hands. The capital is not going to be a pleasant place for you in the near future, Lelouch. It'll be fine for your sister because she is a hero in the eyes of the people and the nobles, but not for you. And she can't protect you even if she wants to."
Lelouch looked at her as if she was crazy. "Nunnally loves me."
"Absolutely and unequivocally, but are you sure you know, really, truly know what that means? I don't have to tell you that war changes people, especially when someone has been on the frontlines for as long as Nunnally has. The same thing happened to Cornelia."
That was the other thing about conversing with Juliet. It made for a very frustrating experience since she had some very pointed and controversial opinions and god help you if you didn't see eye to eye with her on those issues.
In contrast with Euphemia, Juliet did not get along with Cornelia at all. And while Lelouch was no peacenik, Juilette most definitely was. At one point, she was accused of being "an EU sympathizing, pinko, hippy cloaked in imperial purple" by a conservative circulation. It was an accusation Juliet did not try all that hard to deny. It made her appointment at one of the empire's most militarily saturated frontier regions all the more inexplicable.
"You think the Blue Wings are going to start a civil war? I find that hard to believe." Some of its more extreme members might be pretty nuts, but surely not that nutty.
Juliet refused to elaborate, leaving Lelouch confused and annoyed.
"I just want you to be careful and not become overconfident when we win in Europe," she commented in jest, perhaps trying to lighten the conversation. "Just because you were the brains behind the operation doesn't mean they'll be eager to give you all the credit."
That bit of insight really surprised Lelouch. While Princess Juliet could very well have been privy to some of the strategic ideas discussed because of her position as the local Governor – General, how could she possess such certainty about the ultimate military outcome?
"You were always the smartest and the brightest amongst Charles's progeny, Lelouch. Now that high command is following your dictates, do you not think we would be victorious?" The rhetorical question evoked no response from the prince.
"And what a shame that would be, for us to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when we deserved defeat."
A stunning statement from a Britannian royalty. Lelouch's facial expression must have said as much because Juliet elaborated, "We had a strategically lost position in Europe, but will now likely triumph because of a clever tactical resource, a resource which you discovered, Lelouch."
Lelouch allowed those words to stew in his mind as they descended from the high terrain with Juliet slowly pushing him along toward the security entourage.
"It was good seeing you one last time, Lelouch. I always did like you best."
The Eleventh Prince frowned. What a curious choice of words. Before he could respond, a tall man with Mediterranean complexion stopped in front of them. Despite not wearing the uniform of security personnel, Lelouch wasn't concerned and neither was Princess Juliet, who met him with a warm smile.
Neither royalty recognized the semi-automatic pistol being raised until it was too late.
Lelouch was thrown to the ground in an instant, either by reflex or by the force of the princess pushing his wheelchair away as the first bullets hit her. The Eleventh Prince blacked out just as the security detail swarmed over them and cut the assailant down with a hail of bullets.
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Lelouch opened his eyes heavily lidded slowly and with great exertion. He spun his head to take in his surroundings, like a lethargic animal awakening from a deep hibernation. White sheets, white walls, and sterile air. It didn't take long for him to recognize the stale environment of a hospital room. The prince reached for the call button to request assistance only to find his arm hindered. His eyes settled on the waves of pink hair splayed over his torso.
"Euphie?"
The princess flinched and blearily came to. Her large purple eyes stared incredulously at Lelouch's surprised expression.
"Lulu! You're alive!" And with that, the pinkette swept in with kisses and caresses.
"Oh, I'm supposed to get the doctor if you woke up. Wait here and don't move!" Just as quickly, the princess was gone, leaving Lelouch gaping with an open mouth.
Minutes later, an elderly physician accompanied by a cohort of nurses and aids flooded the room. Lelouch founded himself poked and prodded like some inert specimen before the attending doctor provided his diagnosis.
"You're most fortunate, Your Highness," he noted with a pleased smile. "For a while, we were concerned you wouldn't wake from your coma. A bullet fragment caused sub dermal hemorrhaging, but that has healed now."
"Where am I? And how long was I out?"
"You're at the Lady Eleanor Hospital, also known as Dar Al-Fouad Hospital in Cairo, Area 16, and you've been comatose for just under three weeks."
Three weeks.
"I'd recommend plenty of fluid, food and rest, but I'm giving you a clean bill of health."
Euphemia gave the doctor a look. Taking heed, the physician nodded, dismissed the medical assistants and excused himself. "An officer from the Chancellor's Office will be here shortly to brief you on recent events. By your leave, Your Highnesses."
As soon as the man had left, the pink-haired princess threw herself over her brother. "I was so worried, Lulu! I thought I lost you forever!"
Lelouch could not help smiling. If he was stuck in the hospital for a bit longer, it helped to have good company, and Euphemia was most certainly very good company.
"I'm fine. I wasn't the target." The young prince paused before voicing his fear. "Juliet's gone, isn't she?"
Euphemia, with an ashen face, nodded slowly. "She died on the operating table." While Euphie looked up to and loved her blood sister dearly, it was the pacific Princess Juliet that served as the Third Princess's role model.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm just glad you survived." Fearful of the implications, but cognizant of the need for security, (i.e. how exactly did an assassin get to an Imperial Princess surrounded by security?) the duo avoided the topic. Instead, Lelouch quizzed his sister on recent events so that by the time Schneizel's representative arrived, he was already up to date.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness. I hope you're recovering well." The speaker was a tall, well dressed young man, with rosy pink cum burgundy hair.
Euphemia looked between the two.
"I love you, Lelouch. I'll see you tomorrow," she gushed, before making her exit. The officer bowed gracefully as she passed.
"I'm Earl Kanon Maldini, Prince Schneizel's personal aid. He sent me to personally express his warm wishes and condolences. He wants to assure you that the matter will be thoroughly investigated."
"Is the assailant in custody?"
"No, he was shot dead by security." How convenient.
"Then I don't see what more you have to investigate." Lelouch answered, surprising both the man and himself with the sharpness of his tone.
"I see, but we'll make the best of our endeavor nonetheless. In the meantime, as this is a delicate matter, the Chancellor wishes to counsel you to remain below the radar."
"The public doesn't know about the assassination?"
"No. Nothing good would come from it. The public's focus is on our successes in Europe and it was felt that's where it should stay," Kanon explained.
"So the campaign was successful."
"Beyond anyone's expectation. The mass KMF airdrops on Christmas Eve took the enemy by complete surprise. Your sister led the attack that seized control of the Italian capital in two days," Kanon added with an expression of pride.
Not long after that, the Italian government, long a frustrated and embittered junior state within the pan-European entity, left the EU and sued for peace. Aside from dealing a crushing moral defeat to the Europeans, this act effectively trapped elements of the three allied European armies that were in Italy. By all accounts, Prince Schneizel skillfully and effectively leveraged these units and their precarious fates to bargain for a favorable general resolution to armed conflict with the European Universe.
Victory in Europe before New Years! Juliet predication had been correct.
"If I may speak frankly, your sister was extraordinary in particular. She nearly refused to participate in the operation at first, but ultimately performed above and beyond, despite being worried to death about you."
By chance, the flat screen on the far wall was showing the festive celebration from a few days earlier when Princess Nunnally was given a triumph through Pendragon. Emperor Charles, himself, bestowed the title of 1st Viscountess of Rome upon his young daughter in honor of her role in the stunning Britannian victory.
"You should be proud of her, Your Highness," Kanon noted.
Lelouch watched the radiant young girl, waving and throwing kisses at euphoric well wishers, thinking how far she had come.
"I am, Kanon. I really am."
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Nunnally arrived a little past Midnight.
Riding atop a silver Bentley convertible, the newly titled Viscountess of Rome blazed through nighttime Cairo, alternating between flourishing her imperial passport and crashing through checkpoints, to reach Giza. Leaving her dazed driver and befuddled hospital attendants behind, she burst through the double metal doors of the special ward reserved for Britannia's distinguished.
"Lelouch!"
"Nunnally? What are you-" was all the prince managed before he was tacked.
For the second time since waking up, the Eleventh Prince was besieged with kisses that he didn't ask for, but had no reason to deny.
"I nearly lost you," Nunnally cried, with shaking arms and eyes welling with emotions.
"I know."
The dark-haired prince kissed her, first on the forehead and then her lips, treasuring the sensation of his flesh and blood without a hint of hesitance. Nunnally sighed with contentment, allowing herself to be drawn into her brother's arms, allowing herself to believe that everything would be all right.
Lelouch knew differently though. Something definitely wasn't right about Juliet's assassination. The convenient setup, the dead trail, the cover up that was oh so reminiscent of another royal assassination years ago.
It would've been easy, tempting even to cast suspicion on the same people, the Blue Wings ideologues that dominated the House of Lords. All those legacy nobles and oligarchs of the imperial court would've had plenty of reasons to eliminate a thorn in their sides. Except there was one problem.
As Lelouch fell asleep in a comforting embrace, he reminded himself that Princess Juliet was ultimately shot and murdered by her own knight, a Honorary Britannian, who she had handpicked herself.
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AN: Did very minimal historical research courtesy of wikipedia. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't keep a historical artifact at the Louvre, but I'm using that as a place holder until someone tell me what would be a more appropriate location.
Nunnally's title, 1st Viscountess of Rome, is roughly analogous and mirror to the 1st Viscount of Alamein title, which was awarded to Field Marshal Montgomery after his crucial victory at el Alamein over Rommel's Afrika Korps during WWII.
The fans have spoken and I've listened… to a degree. I was going to leave Euphemia in the background until I've advanced Lelouch and Nunnally's plotline more, but I decided to up her presence. And just to get one issue out of the way: I am NOT a Suzaku – Euphemia fan!