A/N: I'm not really sure if the pace I'm developing things at are too quick or slow. But anyways, the chapter is here.

The huge wooden doors of the main hall creaked open as two attendants announce

"Entering; Second Princess of The C Empire, Her Highness Cera C Carolingian."

The announcement drew the attention of the party guests to the door. The princess was wearing a deep crimson ballgown that had mid-length sleeves that flared out. Her hair was in a beautiful up-do which showed off her delicately structured collarbone and pale skin. She scanned around the crowd of people and her eyes locked with a pair of devilish purple orbs. He had a face of satisfaction which was also slightly smug. Cera walked gracefully through the cleared path in the middle of the room and passed Lelouch without hesitation. She stopped in front of the thrones and did a little curtsy whilst holding on the sides of her dress.

"Greetings to father and mother."

They both smiled and the Emperor gestured her to be at ease.

"It's rare to see you attending a celebration like this Cera."

The cheerful voice came from her mother, Empress Anastasia C Carolingian, the first and only wife of the Emperor Connell II C Carolingian. In fact, he only has a few consorts and is a lot more closed in relationships if compared to the Britannian Emperor Charles.

"I didn't have much to do so I thought I'd come and see how it is. I also need to congratulate my younger sister for getting engaged."

The C Empire Imperial Palace was huge but only a few of the Imperial Family members lived here. That included Cera's younger sister, Third Princess Faye Carolingian. The 'C' within the name is only granted to the bloodline of the Emperor and Empress. The Third Princess was the child of the Emperor's consort, Beatrice Carolingian which makes Faye a half sibling.

Cera walked through the sea of people in search for Faye but finds her next to Lelouch, happily chatting away.

"I've heard a lot about you from Faye. Quite interesting." Lelouch began speaking as soon as Cera came closer.

"I wonder what kind of things you heard.

That aside, I must congratulate you on your engagement Faye. I can't believe that you're only 14. Camilla didn't even get engaged until she was 18."

The young girl turned to Cera's direction. She was much shorter and had long curly blonde locks. She wore a royal blue ballgown with white sleeves and collar. She was called the Marie Antoinette of the C Empire.

"Thank you Cera. It's more surprising that you're not engaged as you're already 16."

The reply was sarcastic and full of hatred. You didn't even need to be Cera to feel that, even the bystanders would know. Faye had spat it out without hesitation.

"Well it's not really surprising since I'm a special case."

There was a lot of emphasis put on 'special'. Cera had said this with a deadpanned face. She wasn't wrong since almost everyone close to the Imperial Family knew about Cera. They knew that even if she behaved mischievously she would get away with it. She wouldn't be reprimanded for anything she did. Some even say she has more influence than the Crown Prince and Princess because of the special treatment she receives from the Emperor and Empress themselves. No one truly knew the reason behind this case of different treatment, but they had all accepted it because no one would dare to oppose. Maybe there would be only one person who does and that would be Faye, although most of the time it gets ignored as childish jealousy and rambling.

With that conversation to an end because of Faye's inability to reply, Cera had left them behind and wandered off. Lelouch had his eyes glued on Cera until she disappeared into the crowd of people. He saw from the corner of his eye, the irritated and furious face of Faye. It was easy to tell that she was short tempered, exactly the type of people Lelouch dislikes.

"I really shouldn't have come here tonight...

What was I thinking?" Cera sighed out loud to herself as she leaned forward on the balcony.

The moon shone on the fountain below the balcony and occasionally moved as the gentle wind made ripples on the water surface. It wasn't a cold night but rather a warm and cosy night, a night that Cera would want to spend in solitude. As if like a jinx, she heard footsteps behind her approaching.

"Do you like being alone or something?"

Cera turned around and leaned on the balcony again.

"Do you like disturbing my peace or something?"

A little giggle escaped Lelouch's lips as he tried covering his mouth with his hand. He composed himself and stood next to Cera, leaning on the balcony forward whilst looking down at the fountain. He let out a soft sigh. Not a sigh of frustration or boredom but a sigh of relief.

"You know...

This reminds me of Britannia. In our Imperial Palace we have a garden similar to this. I often go on walks with Nunnally."

Cera turns around and looks at Lelouch briefly then looks at the fountain too.

"Who is Nunnally?"

"My little sister. Only full sibling I have."

There wasn't any reply after that. It was just a comfortable silence with ambient sounds from the garden. The situation wasn't awkward, more like the opposite. The both of them seemed to understand each other without speaking.

"Shouldn't you be with Faye? She's your fiancée isn't she?

That brat might be angry if she sees you with me."

"I don't think I need to be with her all the time, besides I don't really like her."

Lelouch's reponse surprised Cera which resulted her getting up from her lean.

"Why not? Everyone says she's cute."

"She has a short temper doesn't she? I'm not fond of people who lose their cool easily."

Cera giggled at the answer that Lelouch gave her.

"It seems like we have something in common then."