"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Geass"
"Telecommunication"
Jeremiah Gottwald had never been more content in his life. He had attended the prince Lelouch's birthday celebration! It was a rare privilege because other than royal family, the only handful of people had been invited. The prince must have recognized his devotion and hard work! While thinking about the party, he recalled the gentleman he had met there. Mister Stadtfeld had been very eager to hear about devotion and loyalty to the imperial family and the empire. He was quite a patriot.
'We need more people like him in this country. I wonder if he will subscribe to the new founded 'daily national anthem' movement. I should send him a pamphlet about it.'
His thought of further plans to torment poor Mister Stadtfeld was interrupted by his own sense of duty. Prince Lelouch privately tasked him with a vital mission, and he shouldn't be distracted by any other matters!
He entered the barracks and secretly gathered the members of the nighttime guards. He already contacted off-duty members in advance, so he was able to bring all of them to the prince's private quarters. While taking them to the location, he knew this was his time to shine. He will lead these man to glory and complete whatever mission that the prince assigns to them. Then the world will learn the name of Jeremiah Gottwald and his undying loyalty!
When they finally arrived, Lelouch was waiting for them while reading a book. He gave the prince exaggerated salute. Prince just nodded in response.
"Well done, Sir Jeremiah, well done. By the way, are you one of the nighttime guards?"
"No, your highness."
"Is that so? Then you are dismissed."
Jeremiah bowed to the prince, feeling a twinge of disappointment. He moved towards the door to leave.
"Wait!" Lelouch suddenly stopped him.
"Yes, your highness?" Jeremiah turned around with expectation.
"When do these members are redeployed?"
"Every twelve months, your highness. Next redeployment is in September."
"I see. Carry on, and please lock the door behind you."
"Yes, your highness."
So much for an important task...
After the door was locked, Lelouch looked at the assembled guards.
"Ah, good. You may wonder why I summoned you. The reason is..." Lelouch's eyes turned into crimson red.
"I command you to secretly inform me whenever unusual orders are assigned to you while guarding the villa. Then after that..."
Several months had passed uneventfully. Lelouch was given Knightmare frame pilot training for the time being. Every prince and princess was obliged to take at least the basics. In his previous life, he was only briefly trained for the obligation, but now he will make the most of the opportunity. Of course, he had to grow up for proper training since he was too young to pilot one in full potential. So, for each training, he used some of his supposed training time to meet with military officials. His royal status and the fact that his mother was a legendary figure in the military greatly helped the endeavor. Most officers were glad that the eldest of Marianne the Flash took an interest in the military affairs.
After another long day of training, Lelouch finally retreated to his quarters. Physical training was never his strong suit even if the training was sitting inside the giant metal machine. It can't be helped, though. As he always says, if the king doesn't lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?
He tried to lay down for a while, but the sound of telephone ring stopped him. He received the call and heard the report.
"Understood. Then proceed to the next part of the plan."
"Yes, your highness."
Looks like it is going to be a long night.
It was cold and dark in the hallway. A small, lone figure was slowly walking through it. Due to his small frame, he barely made a sound while walking. Arrived at the appointed location, he waited for the target to appear. Marianne will come out as intended and then-
"When did you change your profession from a cult leader to an assassin, V.V.?"
It was a voice he knew too well. V.V. turned and faced another code bearer.
C.C. came out of the dark. "Unfortunately for you, there is an irremovable witness tonight."
V.V. was disconcerted for a moment. 'How does she know?'
"What is this urgent business you spoke of?" While two immortals were standing face to face each other, the Empress finally made her appearance.
"Don't come down! He is hiding a submachine gun." C.C. warned her at an instance.
V.V. glared at her with a face filled with rage. He gritted his teeth. 'C.C.!'
Marianne stopped, trying to grasp the situation. It took less than a second to realize what was going on. She was once a soldier, after all.
There was unease silence in the hall. Two immortals stared at each other menacingly. C.C. knew V.V. was not foolish enough to attack both her and Marianne all at once. Then again, she also knew he had a bad temper, especially when Marianne was related. If things go south, she can call several guards who are hiding in the proximity, controlled by Lelouch's Geass.
Marianne watched the whole ordeal in awe. She knew if she jumps for cover, it will only provoke V.V. further. She stiffened her back. She was fully prepared to act when the time comes.
V.V. finally managed to regain his composure. "I don't know what you are talking about." He conceded and slowly backed away. "This is all a big misunderstanding. But since you are not in the mood to talk, I will just take my leave." Then he disappeared into the darkness.
After several seconds of silence, Marianne finally stepped down from the staircase.
"Did he really tried to kill me?" She said in disbelief.
"What do you think?"
The Empress reluctantly agreed. "I knew he had something against me, but never thought he'd be willing to go that far. Thank you for saving my life."
"I can't let you die." 'Though I didn't do it for you.'
"Yes, I know, but thanks anyway. How did you know?"
C.C. shrugged. "I somehow knew. Maybe because of codes we both have?"
It was a lame explanation, but Marianne didn't seem to care. She just sighed. "Well, I have to recall the palace guards."
"Yes, you do that. I will go and take some sleep… Oh, by the way, will you tell Charles about it?" She asked as if it just came up to her mind.
Marianne visibly hesitated. "I don't think that is a good idea."
C.C. raised her eyebrows. "Why not? Shouldn't he informed of this 'family dispute'?"
Marianne frowned. "I don't want to concern him. It may alienate those two. It will cause a negative effect on the plan. He already has a truckload of work to run the empire."
"You are too indulgent to Charles, you know that? You let him have 108 wives, and now this? Isn't your whole agenda is 'let's remove lies from the world'?"
Marianne glared at her at the question. 'Okay, I provoked her enough.' It seemed the question just hit her on a sore spot. If any more buttons are pushed, the Empress will turn into the avatar of destruction. But C.C. didn't forget to deliver the last dig.
"One day, your love will bring your doom." With that, she left the scene.
"Maybe you will understand once you found your love." Marianne retorted at her back.
Lelouch was nervously waiting for the news of the outcome. He had been awake for the whole night. He checked Nunnally was sleeping safely in her room and had been remotely ordering the guards just in case something unexpected happens. (He made sure no unwanted bystander like Anya stumbled into the scene this time.) If he could, he wanted to go down and riddle V.V. with bullets himself. But the man was immortal, and the Geass will not work on him. The only sensible solution was let C.C. handle things and let V.V. go, to avoid the suspicion that Lelouch was aware of the plan. He will stop him someday, but not today. Lelouch clenched his fist with fury.
As C.C. entered the room, he finally relaxed. "Are you all right? Did V.V. harmed you in any way?"
C.C. dismissed his worries. "You heard the whole thing through the tap. I'm fine. And even if I hurt, it doesn't matter to me. It is you who are not all right. You should get some rest. You look awfully tired."
"C.C...I am sorry to put you in danger…and I am okay. I can stay awake for a while." He apologized.
She was slightly bewildered at his reaction. The boy is not a one who makes apology easily. And it is not her first time to risk danger for him either. "Don't feel bad about it. We are accomplices. I will be with you until the very end." She said warmly.
He could not help but smile at his accomplice's words. "Anyway, are you sure V.V. will not plan another assassination attempt?"
She dismissed his worries, again. "You shouldn't underestimate Marianne so much. The woman was once a terror to her enemies. Now she is aware of V.V.'s intentions, she won't let her guard down. If V.V. tries to pull the stunt like that again or use one of his agents, it will be his demise."
Her reassurance took the edge of his tension. "Still...I have to think of some...countermeasure...*yawn*"
He didn't like his current body at all. This young body of his preventing him from thinking coolly. He nearly blew his cover against Kallen, and now this? Must be child hormone thing...
Refuse to give in to his physical limits, he concentrated his efforts to stay awake.
C.C. smiled while looking at his desperate attempt. She moved to sit next to him and held him in her arms.
"Wait. C.C...stop. I am trying to...think..." He tried to resist, but eventually, sleep overcame him.
She held him for a while, then slowly lift him up, trying not to wake him up during the process. She gently laid him down on his bed. Without a word, she stared at sleeping Lelouch for a while and decided to take her leave.
'Ah, Marianne, I understand more than you can possibly imagine.'
Author's Note : Next chapter will take longer than usual because of its length. As always, please let me know what you think about the story!
(Apparently, there was a bug. When I upload a file .docx, it somehow deletes the word 'Mister Stadtfeld'(the shorter version of with Mr.). I updated both chapters.)