A/N:Thanks for all the reviews! Things are going to become more complicated from now on!

Chapter 10 Uncertainty

Euphemia stared at herself in the mirror. The former third princess of Britannia was noticeably stunned by the changes that could come simply from changing her wardrobe. For one thing, she certainly didn't look like a princess anymore, now that she had different clothes on. But wasn't that something she had always wanted? Ever since she was a child, she had always hated being treated differently than other children her age. Adults would always be treating her in a very respectful manner, which at first Euphemia took to mean that they really cared about her, like her sister Guinevere su Britannia, or her other brothers Schneizel and Clovis.

However, as the years passed, she started questioning the system that Britannia ruled by. There were some pieces to the puzzle that was Britannia's nobility that she simply could not understand. For instance, she'd always wondered why her half-brother Lelouch had gotten exiled. The reason was entirely stupid to her. He had just questioned his mother's death in front of the Emperor, and for that, he got tossed aside in some foreign country with Nunnally to die? That was so trivial that Euphie did not understand why her father had not admitted the truth about Marianne's death. She knew there was something behind it, since Sister Cornelia had always admired Marianne, as she had admitted to Lelouch on the island where they met after seven long years.

To be honest, at first Euphemia had believed Zero to be a foul, heartless man who cared about nothing except destroying her family and the only life she had ever known. She too wanted the Japanese to be free, and that was why she had made the Special Zone in the first place. But she didn't want to have to use violence in order to get it, because that wasn't right to her. But now that she was exiled like Lelouch had been, until he willingly gave himself back to nobility, the impact of what Lelouch had done now hit her in the face. He had seen the nobility's corruption, and like her, he too wanted to live the life of an ordinary person, not some graven image to be worshipped and admired and thought of as a god.

She had always suspected that Zero was Lelouch, but she was never certain until she met him on the island. She also never thought that her gentle, caring half-brother could point a gun at her, and threaten to kill her. The old Lelouch would have never shot his own half-brother simply for ordering the deaths of Japanese. The old Lelouch would never have become a terrorist simply for his sister. If only they had never been separated, perhaps he would have turned out differently. But there was no way to turn back the hands of time. What was done was done, and there was no use in moping over the past.

Euphie turned her thoughts back to the present as she looked over herself again. It felt strange to not wear her dress; she had always adored that dress of hers. In fact, it was a keepsake that was quite precious to her, since Marianne had given it to her when she was only a child. Of course, at the time, the dress hadn't fit her, but Marianne told her one day she would be able to wear it, and become a fine young woman. She now wore a plain and (rather drab) black uniform, with...black pants? This was something Euphie had never worn much. She was no tomboy, unlike that girl who seemed to be Lelouch's bodyguard. That redhead who was so arrogant and mean to her was nasty. Nonetheless, the pinkette couldn't help wondering exactly what about her the girl despised. After all, she had abandoned royalty. Surely the girl would forgive her for being a "puppet" and try to make friends with her.

Also, she had pulled her hair back, since she was a pretty well-known person by now for creating the first Zone dedicated to helping the Japanese. Lelouch seemed pretty content, for the moment. But she still couldn't believe Lelouch had used such a cruel power on her to begin with. The only odd thing about all this, was the fact that she couldn't remember what had happened the last time she had talked to her father. It was all a vague blur in her mind. She wondered what Suzaku was up to.

He must be pretty upset with me. I know Cornelia will find it in her heart to forgive me.

The door opened, and a familiar redhead stepped in the room. Her eyes narrowed as she examined the former princess. There was a look of disdain in her eyes. "So, are you really on the side of the Japanese, and Zero? Or, are you just a spy for Britannia?"

Euphemia remained silent, but flashed her a withering stare. The redhead didn't back down; rather she seemed more angry by the fact that Euphie hadn't answered her question. Well, she didn't need to. Those were personal reasons, and she had no right to know why she had given up her claim to the throne.

The redhead fumed. "Are you going to answer me?"

Euphie shook her head. "I'm afraid we got off on the wrong foot. I'm no longer a princess. I'm just Euphemia, or Euphie now. Speaking of which, I don't even know your name. Can you tell me what it is?" She said politely.

The redhead only snorted proudly. "Hmph! Try and suck up to me! It doesn't work on me, Britannian!"

"I bet you trust Zero well. Zero happens to be Britannian, you know, yet you follow his orders. Why can't you treat me the way you treat him?" Euphemia questioned, keeping her voice calm.

Kallen's eyes widened at that. "You...why I follow Zero is none of your concern."

"Nor is my reason for coming here any of your business." Euphemia said coolly.

The redhead only glared at her before shaking her head. "Zero wants to introduce you to the Black Knights. I'm supposed to escort you, so follow me, Princess." She spat.

"Why do you hate me so much? I've always despised the way my people treat the Japanese, you know." Euphie admitted.

Kallen stared at her in surprise. "Why? You have every right to hate me." She whispered in awe.

"I don't think it's right, either. I always thought my family was right...about everything. But, after meeting Zero and getting to know him personally, I've recently reconsidered everything I believe in." Euphemia said, more to herself.

Kallen was silent the entire way. Then, she spoke up. "You're certainly...different from most nobles I know. My father...is an arrogant bastard who believes all Japanese are inferior swine." She admitted quietly.

"My father believes in Social Darwinism. The strong prevail over the weak, in his point of view. That's why he abandoned my half-brother and sister here in Japan-" Euphemia stopped upon realizing she had said too much.

"Who do you mean? Are you saying Lelouch and Nunnally-" Kallen began.

"Yes. They were abandoned here by my family. They were tools and then left for dead. Lelouch hates his family now." Euphemia said. "Frankly, I don't blame him for it."

Kallen's eyes were wide. "I never thought that arrogant jerk was that good of a person." She admitted.

"You know him?"

"Yes, we went to the same school together."

"Oh, Ashford?" Euphemia questioned. Kallen nodded.

"We're nearly there now." Kallen answered, and then she entered a large room where a bunch of people in identical outfits waited. She motioned for Euphemia to stand beside her. Zero was right up at the front. He stood up upon seeing her. "Ah, Princess Euphemia. Or shall I say, former Princess?"

Euphie frowned. He didn't sound like Lelouch. She wondered if someone else had taken over for her brother while he was away. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, Zero. As you know, I wish to join the Black Knights."

A brown-haired man whose cheeks were flushed snickered loudly. "A princess joining? How preposterous! You Britannian bastards are the very reason we fight against your kind!" He yelled.

"Shut up, Tamaki." Kallen interjected.

"Well, you have to do something to prove your words are the truth, Euphemia." Zero began.

"What is that?" Euphemia asked hesitantly.

"You'll see soon enough. For now, we ask that you..." Zero began.

Euphemia listened closely. Her eyes widened. "You mean...?"

Lelouch sat in front of Schneizel in his office. He was hesitant to be here in the first place, but since he wished to avert suspicion from the noble court, and since his father threatened him, in order to keep up the pretense, he had to swallow the bait. Whatever Schneizel threw at him this time, he would be prepared. He would not let his poker face slip, no matter what his brother said.

"What about Euphemia, exactly?" Lelouch inquired hesitantly.

"Her behavior has really affected Cornelia and her family. You see, the nobles are very fickle, and due to Euphemia, they have already developed a distrust of Cornelia. That includes you, of course, since you disgraced your family name, and are serving Elevens. But I don't hold that against you, Lelouch." Schneizel said smoothly.

"I see. I know you'd never hate me, Schneizel. After all, we are family." Lelouch forced himself to say the distasteful words. He only smiled falsely. As long as he was here, he may as well fake affection for him. For now, anyhow...

"Lelouch? Is something the matter?" Schneizel inquired. There was a look of concern on his face. "You know, Lelouch. I've been curious about something. You haven't been here lately. You've been missing a lot. Are you perhaps...?"

Lelouch's eyes narrowed. Was Schneizel suspicious of him? Had he figured out his secret? If so, then he would have no choice but to geass him. Ah, well. It wouldn't be a big loss. No, he couldn't. That man was keeping a close eye on him. He had already noticed how some strange people had been following him lately. "I'm not affiliated with any terrorists." He said.

"I have suspected you, but that only makes sense, due to you being exiled. It's only natural that you would hate us. You don't still hate us, do you, Brother?" Schneizel questioned, his piercing blue eyes boring into Lelouch's.

Lelouch kept a straight face, and said nothing. He let nothing slip past his mask. "Of course I don't. What do you want me to do about Euphie?"

"Not yet. For now, what we need to focus on is getting you a knight, brother. I believe maybe a member of the Knights of the Rounds might do fine. Besides that, brother, have you had any physical training?"

Lelouch flinched. "I take it you still believe I am physically challenged. I assure you, I am good with a Knightmare. Do I really have to go through physical training?"

"Of course, brother. You wouldn't be a good prince unless you knew how to defend yourself. Is there anyone you had in mind for a knight?"

"I was thinking Gottwald." He said.

"I'm afraid he is too infamous. Why not nominate Mr. Bismarck Waldstein?" Schneizel suggested.

"Who's that?" Lelouch responded, frowning.

"He was an admirer of your mother, Lelouch. He deeply respects the Vi Britannia family, so you need not worry about him being a terrorist." Schneizel said.

"You know about that?" Lelouch asked.

"I believe it is nothing more than paranoia, Brother. I can assure you that even though some people like Carline and Cassius hate you, that none of them hate you deeply enough to want to hurt you."

Sure they don't. You're just trying to get me to admit something. Well, I'm not falling for it. There's some other reason behind this.

The door opened all of a sudden, and a few people came in. There were three...no, four people in the room now. One was a girl with pink hair and red eyes. She seemed to be on a phone. The second was a boy with blond hair tied back in a loose ponytail, and sky blue eyes. He seemed to give off a friendly air. The third was an older man with blue hair and gray eyes. He seemed very royal. The last was a woman with light green hair and blue eyes. She seemed very familiar.

"These are the Knights of the Round, Brother. This girl is the youngest, Anya Alstreim."

The pink-haired girl only blinked.

"This is Gino Weinburg."

A friendly grin, and a wave.

"Bismarck Waldstein."

Bismarck stepped over to Lelouch, and eyed him for a long moment. "I'm glad you're still alive, your highness. I believed you were dead." He said politely, and bowed.

Lelouch only smiled faintly. "Of course."

"This is Nonnette Enneagram."

Lelouch's blood froze. Of all people, why was she here?

"LULU! I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Nonnette shrieked, and pounced on Lelouch. She engulfed him in a massive hug, and Lelouch's face ended up getting squashed in her enormous breasts.

"Nonnette...you're crushing me..." Lelouch muttered. He did not like this at all.

"Lulu, I'm curious about Nana." Nonnette purred. "We can have so much fun!" She exclaimed.

"Can you be more serious?" Anya interjected coldly.

"Don't act too familiar. He is a prince, after all. Nice to meet you, Prince Lelouch. I'm Gino. I hope we can get along." He said, and shook Lelouch's hand.

Lelouch raised an eyebrow. He seemed nice enough. "Nice to meet you, too."