Chapter 3: Mysteries
"They're hiding something," said C.C. in a monotone as she walked with Suzaku in the Imperial Gardens. She paused to smell a white rose for a moment and then continued on, without one glancing at her companion. Once Suzaku had reassured Nunnally that her sister was perfectly fine, he had once again found C.C. walking in the gardens. He had wanted to ask her why she was listening in on a private conversation, but before he could ask her, C.C. had spoke first, informing him of her suspicion.
"What gives you that idea?"
"I know this for a fact. Though I'm not certain of what they are hiding."
"You're a psychic now?"
C.C. glared at him in the same way she had glared at him and Nunnally. "I just know. That's all I can say right now. I don't expect you to believe anything I say."
"Then why did you accept the Empress' offer to become a special advisor?"
C.C. chuckled softly in amusement. It annoyed Suzaku immensely. He could not even imagine why Nunnally would take in C.C. How could she be trusted? It was not as if she held any allegiance for Britannia or her highness. He imagined that she was just using all of them like she had always done.
"Why do you call her Empress when we are entirely alone?"
"It's a sign of respect," He said with gritted teeth. She was really trying his patience. He was beginning to wonder why he would pay any attention to this witch in the first place. Even if she was beautiful...no, he could never think that way. C.C. was of no matter to him and he could not betray the memory of Euphie with impure thoughts of this mysterious woman.
"You, a man who must hide his face, shows respect toward the little sister of your former best friend? A girl you have known for several years? It must be strange becoming a subordinate to the child. You're Suzaku Kururugi, pilot of the Lancelot."
"Quiet! People could hear you speak my name!"
"So you plan to keep your word forever? The last curse of the demon emperor?"
Suzaku hung his head low. "Yes, I swear on my life that I will fulfill the last wish of Lelouch VI Britannia. It is my duty."
"I remember that you once said you are the sword of Lelouch and I am his shield. But now he is gone. So what purpose am I to serve now? Advising Nunnally? She does as she pleases, anyway. She's more like Lelouch than people realize. She's the Empress and I'm just a witch."
Suzaku almost believed that C.C. was going to cry, but she just sniveled quickly and looked away toward a lilac bush. He once again pitied her sadness and suppressed the urge to take her in his arms and hold her as she let it all out and cried. Instead, he watched her, waiting for her to turn back around to look at him.
When she finally did, he said, "Then why do you stay here? You are free to travel anywhere you desire. What's holding you here?"
"You're wrong. I have nowhere else to go. And this is where..."
"Where what?"
C.C. shook her head and she changed the subject back to Cornelia and Guilford. "I think they will arrive shortly, in any case. And then the mystery will be solved."
"Cornelia has not seen the Empress in a year. Perhaps she doesn't want to be reminded of the family that she has lost."
"If you have someone important you, then you should keep them at a distance," murmured C.C.
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Suzaku demanded in an angry tone.
C.C. laughed again at him. "The same kind of nonsense as what you believe. Now I'd like to be left alone."
Suzaku scoffed at her. "As you wish, then." Even though she was rude and ungrateful, Suzaku was still intrigued about what truly went on in that head of hers. What did she mean by saying that she had nowhere else to go? Did she still feel attachment to Lelouch through Nunnally and by staying here? He supposed he would never get a straight answer out of C.C. and perhaps that was for the best. He hated to see a woman cry.
Later that day, he and Nunnally decided to share dinner alone in a private dining hall. He wished to ask her about C.C. "Nunnally, why do you allow C.C. to stay in the royal palace?"
"I like C.C. I know she's kind of weird, but she was close to my brother. I value her opinion and when I'm around her, it's almost like being around Lelouch again."
"I see. Forgive me if I am bold, but she does not seem to care about staying here. It's almost as if she feels that she has nowhere else to go."
Nunnally smiled and brought her hand on top of Suzaku's. "I would like it if you two became friends. Will you take off your mask? No one will see. I miss seeing your face."
Suzaku took off the mask and smiled back at Nunnally. She was not able to see his face when she was blind and so it seemed that she was making up for all the lost time. She wished to see his face whenever possible. It was rather sweet, Suzaku thought.
"Don't worry, Nunnally. I know Cornelia will come as soon as she can, and I'm beginning to see a new side to C.C." Suzaku said this all, smiling and with a light tone, but in his mind he had a bad feeling. What was really going on with Nunnally's older sister and why was he suddenly interested in C.C? But, he knew in his heart that he could never be attracted to a woman in the way that he had been to Euphie.
