Hey avid fanfiction readers! Here is the 10th chapter of The Black Steel Prince of Britannia (V2)!
I had planned to finish and post this chapter last weekend, but unfortunately I caught the flu. But now I'm all better, and better late than never, huh? Also, we're currently being hit by a big snowstorm, the second in a week, which did not help things much.
Went to see American Sniper this week(I actually got an idea for a scene from it), but one of the most memorable things about it wasn't in the movie itself. It was in the previews. The one for 50 Shades of Grey. I don't care for it, and so to this day, I had no idea the main character's name was… Anastasia. Hmmmm.
Anyway! In this chapter, we get a family moment with the vi Britannia siblings, followed by a big new year's party at the Constantine's place, where Lelouch will re-acquaint himself with Anastasia, and will discover her motivations!
Diclaimer: I sure as hell don't own any rights to Code Geass!
Without further ado, read on!
Chapter 10:
Late morning of December 5th, 2010 ATB, Britannian mainland, Texas district, 50 minutes out of Dalas, Clara Winchester's Ranch.
Today, the Winchester estate was gearing up for a big party, for it was both Lelouch's and Isaac's birthday. While Lelouch, despite having the day off from training and studying, was already up and spending time with the twins and Victoria, Isaac was enjoying a late morning in bed with Clara, who was snuggled up against him, and both of them were wearing nothing but the sheets on top of them.
"Sixty three years old, darlin'," He said, shaking his head, "To think when I was younger I didn't think I'd reach thirty!"
Clara rolled her eyes, and looked at him with her chin resting on his chest, "You say the same thing each year, Izzy. I know it sucks getting old, but you've had it pretty breezy so far; You're still active, healthy in mind and body, and everything still works!" She smiled mischievously, "Even the plumbing downstairs. Works marvelously well actually if least night is any indication." As she said this, her hand was caressing the mentioned area under the covers, the sensation just enough to make Isaac inhale deeply and close his eyes, but after a short while she stopped, "If that isn't enough for you, then think about this; one of my dad's friend had to start wearing diapers when he was your age."
"Oh dear." Isaac said, "Okay, I see you point, I have it pretty easy." he nodded.
"Good." Clara said, "Now that that's taken care of," she moved herself so she ended up sitting on his belly, " what do you say we do some early morning 'exercise', huh? To make sure everything's still working?"
"I like the sound of that," Isaac smirked.
The two leaned towards another for a kiss, but at that very moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Mistress?" came the voice of one of the kitchen girls through the door, "I've brought yours and Master Isaac's breakfast."
Clara pouted, "Talk about sucky timing." She said under her breath.
"Breakfast sounds good too," Isaac said, "I'm actually pretty hungry."
"So am I, actually." Clara noted semi-regretfully, then got off Issac's chest and off the bed, and picked up her bathrobe that was lying on a chair, "Breakfast it is, then!" She said as she tied the robe, and moved towards the bedroom's door, "But I ain't letting you off the hook about that 'exercise', birthday-man!"
It was *ahem* rather late before Isaac and Clara got out of bed, but once they did, they, like the remainder of the household, spent the remainder of the day before the birthday party with Lelouch and the twins. They mostly sat around the in the mansion's rec room, drank tea and listened to stories told by Isaac and Zachary. At one point, Alex Macleod, who worked as a security guard on the ranch's premises, even joined in at Zachary's request.
At around half past three, they heard Horus barking from the entry hall, signaling the arrival of someone outside. At the same time, Alex's radio earplug came to life to give him info on what was going on.
"Ser," he said to Isaac, "The princesses have just arrived, along with their chaperones."
That immediately got Lelouch's attention, "Some of my sisters are coming!?"
Clara rolled her eyes, "The concept of a surprise too much for you to handle, Macleod?"
"Hey, not me fault ma'am, bloody Stevens told me to let the boss know, used those very words!"
"Yes," Isaac said in answer to Lelouch, "Thought we were not sure they'd be able to make it."
"Who is it?" Lelouch asked, thought he had a pretty good hunch on who it might be, all things considered.
"I'll let you find that out yourself," Isaac said with a grin, "that much at least can be a surprise. Come, let's not make them wait.
It turned out to be Tiffanny, Euphemia, and Cornelia, along with Sirs Ryan Finlay and Gilbert G.P. Guilford, the aforementioned 'chaperones'
Guilford's mistress wasted no time, and Lelouch barely had the time to start on saying a greeting before promptly finding himself in a crushing hug right in the middle of the entry hall. Being smothered in the Third Princess' well developed chest would be the stuff of dream for older men, but Lelouch had not quite reached that point, and currently feared for his life for the lack of oxygen.
"I'm so glad to see you, Lelouch!" Cornelia said, "I'm so sorry I didn't get to see you before this."
"No-…harm done-…" Lelouch struggled to get out, "Sister-…can't breathe!"
"Sorry," Cornelia said, letting Lelouch go, but keeping her hands on his shoulders, "Just look at you! Euphie was right, you have grown a lot."
"Errr, thank you." Lelouch said after he regained his breath, "And thank you for coming, too."
"I would have tried to see you sooner," Cornelia said, "but I have my hands full with the knightmare pilot training program. I needed a break thought, and I thought today was the right time to take one."
"I see," Lelouch said, then turned to Tiffanny, "I really wouldn't expected you to come thought, Tiffa. I heard you've been awfully busy in Area 10."
"I've been busy non-stop actually," Tiffanny said, "So much that my uncle has been insisting that I take a couple days off. Things have calmed down somewhat, so I decided to come back to the mainland for a couple of days. I stopped in Area 11 on the way, and Clovis sends both a present and his wishes. Speaking of which, happy birthday, Lelouch!"
"Thank you." Lelouch said.
"And to you too, Lord Lamperouge."
"You're welcome, your Highness." Isaac answered the mindful girl, "Dinner will be served soon, I would suggest making yourselves comfortable in the living room until then."
"Sounds good." Cornelia said.
And so the royal siblings and half siblings spent the time until diner in the mansion living room, the royal sibling talking about what they each have been doing. Cornelia for her part was especially interested in Lelouch's training, showing both approval and concern for the path he had chosen.
Sebastian arrived just before diner was about to be served, accompanied by Nathaniel Gale. When questioned about his tardiness by Lelouch, he said that it was due to preparations surrounding the present he and Isaac were giving him.
Following the meal and the obligatory blowing of the candles on a sizeable cake came the time for Lelouch and Isaac to receive their presents. While Isaac's most notable one was an engraved solver pocket watch form his grand-children which had a photo of them with Marianne under the lid (Zachary swore Isaac was on the verge of tearing up), Lelouch had two which stood out particularly. One was actually the "item" offered by Isaac and Sebastian, and the reason for the later being so tardy, which were brought in by Nathaniel in a perforated cardboard box, which someone has taken the time to tie up in a big, purple ribbon.
As Lelouch was about to untie it, the box trembled before him with a distinct, sharp yelp, almost making Lelouch back away. Of course the holes were a giveaway, but it was still surprising.
"A pet?" Lelouch asked
"You could say that." Sebastian said.
Lelouch reached again, undid the bow, and opened the lid to discover not one, but two large, black puppies. One had a silver patch on the stomach, while the other one had a patch the same color right behind each ears.
"They kind of look familiar," Lelouch said, petting one.
"As they should," Isaac said, "they're actually my dog's, Horus, sons. Had him breed some time before I went to get you in Area 11, just in case something happened to him. "
"So they're wardogs?"
"Yes, the best Britannian Steel War-Hounds you can get." Isaac nodded, "I'll show you how to train them. They require a firm hand, but if you threat them well, they're loyal to a fault. Also, they're going to need names."
"I'll get thinking about it, then."
The next notable gift was one sent by the Constantines, not so much for the gift itself, an antique chessboard with the grid and pieces made of Ivory and Ebony, but for the letter that accompanied it and that was addressed to Lelouch. It read;
To Prince Lelouch vi Britannia
Firstly, we extend our congratulations on your thirteenth birth anniversary, and offer the accompanying present.
Secondly, we have received and taken into account your notice of acquiescence to the proposed engagement between yourself and Anastasia Florance Constantine, which the Imperial Chancellery has approved. You are invited to be present at our Pendragon estate on December 31rst for our end-of-the-year celebration, were the engagement will be finalized and publicly announced. Invitations for you and your relations are included with this letter. Your presence an hour before the event begins is requested.
Sincerely yours.
Duke Malvollio Constantine, head of the Constantine household.
Lelouch actually gulped when he finished reading the letter, finally starting to get a sense that his engagement with Anastasia was really happening! Also, he decided to do something he had been putting off right then, seeing that moment a good one as any to do it.
He handed the letter to Isaac, and then turned towards his siblings.
"Err, I have something to announce, everyone." He said, then explained about the engagement.
A few hours later, in the Winchester Mansion's rec-room.
"I had heard of a rumor that the Chancellery had approved a marriage between one of Father's children and a high ranking noble," Cornelia muttered as she made the wine in the glass she was holding twirl, "But I never would have guessed Lelouch was involved. But considering what you have been up to, it makes sense."
She was talking to Sebastian, who was standing across Cornelia on the other side of the bar's counter, making himself a drink. Having taken his jacket off, exposing his white dress-shirt sleeves (and his empty handgun holster), he almost looked like a bartender at some fancy nightclub. They were relaxing while the children, along with Tiffanny, were playing upstairs. Guilford was watching over his mistress from a corner of the room.
"There's not just money for making Knigthmares in it." Sebastian said, "There's also a huge boost in influence in the Empire's higher circles, especially when Anastasia will inherit the Leonhart title. I know how well you think of us, especially my late sister, but the hard truth remains that we're seen by a lot of the nobility as half rustic hooligans whose only interest is to cause trouble and change the established order. If Lelouch is to survive in this world, he'll need the boost in status."
"I won't say you're not right," Cornelia conceded, " but the idea of my little brother getting in an arranged marriage so young just seem so… strange."
"He'll be an adult when the actual union takes place," Sebastian said, taking a sip of his drink and making the ice tinkle, "Or maybe it's the 'arranged' part that unsettles you? Well, as I recall, you didn't seems to be opposed to the concept when Marianne tried to put the two of us together."
Cornelia smiled a crooked smile, "Truth be told, I DID have some reservations." Cornelia said, "I have even more now, in case you're considering pursuing the idea."
"Perish the thought," Sebastian said, taking another sip, "We both know we're in totally different places in our lives than we were back then. And in any case, you're now technically working with my competitors, if I recall your open support for Imperial Arsenal. It'd be a gross conflict of interest, and get us both in no end of trouble."
"You're right." Cornelia said, emptying her glass, and getting up, "Well, we'll be going."
"Hmmmm, pardon me, sister," Tiffanny, who had came in sometime during their discussion, said, "Actually, Euphie would like to stay over for the night."
"I'm sure she does," Cornelia said, "But I'm going back to Vancouver tonight, and I don't have anyone who can come pick her up."
"What if I stay over too," Tiffanny said, "And then me and Ryan can drop her off at the Villa in pen dragon tomorrow? Or am I not enough to take responsibility?"
"You're more than enough," Cornelia said, rubbing her eyes, " but what about Area 10?"
"My uncle said I could take up to three days off, so it'd still be okay if I set off tomorrow."
"Alright then," Cornelia nodded, "She can stay. I'll let he villa know about it. Take care."
Two hours later, in Lelouch's room.
Tiffanny and the children, changed in their nightclothes, were now all in Lelouch's room, and all of them sitting on the huge bed with the exception of Victoria, who was snoring in a chair next to the bed (she had woken up at an ungodly hour that morning to pull a prank on Lelouch, but unlike him, she didn't go back to sleep afterwards).
At one point, Tiffanny got up to go to the bathroom, and during that time, Lelouch noticed Nunnally, who was sitting against Euphie, was fidgeting.
"Is there something wrong, Nunnally?" He asked, concern clear in his voice.
She didn't answer right away, but eventually what was on her mind came out. "Are you going away, Lelouch?"
"Huh?" Lelouch blinked.
"If you're getting engaged, does that mean you're going to leave us?"
Lelouch smiled, even thought she could not see it. "Of course not," Lelouch said, and he reached and took her hand in his, "Even if I'm getting engaged, I'm not going to leave you or Rolo."
"But doesn't married people move out together?" Nunnally asked.
"Probably, but I'm not going to get married for many years," He said, "And even if I do move out, I'm going to come see you whenever I can."
"Promise?" Rolo asked.
"Yes, I promise." Lelouch said.
"What about me?" Euphie said, pouting.
"You too, Euphie." Lelouch answered, laughing.
Unbeknownst to them, Tiffanny, having finished her business, had delayed the flushing of the toilet so as to not interrupt the small heart to heart, and was listening through the bathroom's door with a big smile on her face. It was nice to know that, despite what he went through, he still had a kind heart inside.
"I hope you can keep it for the rest of your life, Lelouch." She silently wished, "God knows that this world needs it."
Flushing the toilet, she got back in the room, her smile still present on her face.
"Now, what should we do next?" She asked.
About an hour later, Clara, in her bathrobe, walked down the corridor to check on the kids. When she neared the room, she saw that the light in Lelouch's room was still on and spilled into the corridor, and both Jeremiah and Ryan were standing right outside the door, each leaning on a side of the doorframe, looking in the room with grins on their faces.
"Are they still up?" She asked as she came up to the two knights, "It's way past any kid's bedtime, they should-"
"Shhhhhh." Both men shushed her.
Puzzled, she looked into the room herself. A grin appeared on her own face, as the scene inside was sweet enough to give someone a cavity.
All of the kids plus Tiffanny were lying on the bed, fast asleep. On the far right side, Lelouch was holding on to Rolo, both facing away from the door, and facing them was Nunnally, being held in a similar way by Euphemia. On the far left side, also facing the door, was Tiffanny, who was holding on to Victoria, who had a little bit of drool coming out of a corner of her mouth.
Clara stared for a few moments, then shook her head, "I'm sorry, "She whispered, rummaging in her bathrobe's pocket, "But this" she took out her phone, "is going straight into my album."
*Click*
Moment captured!
"Now," She whispered as she flipped the room's light switch off, "Time to turn in yourselves, boys."
Late evening of December 31rst, 2010 ATB, Britannian Mainland, Imperial Capital of Pendragon, Constantine Estate.
Lelouch was tugging at his collar. The limousine they were all sitting into was just turning past the gate of the Constantine's Estate, and despite his best efforts, he had not succeeding in calming down during the drive from the Lamperouge manor to here. Actually, he had probably gotten more nervous.
"You can relax, Lelouch," Isaac, dressed up in a tuxedo complete with top hat, as befitting a black-tie event, said to his grand-son, who was dressed in an identical, if smaller, tuxedo, "They're not going to eat you in there, and there's virtually nothing you can do to mess anything up. Just act normally."
"Trying as best as I can to do just that, Grand-Father." Lelouch said.
"I still think the four SUV's full of payroll muscle were a bit much." Clara, who was dressed in a dark blue, form fitting evening gown, said to Sebastian, referring to the LAI Security Services vehicles escorting them, two in front, two in the back.
"I prefer to be safe than sorry, I'm sure you understand." Sebastian, who was dressed similarly as Lelouch and Isaac, said, "The Constantines had no problem with it anyway, as long as they made themselves discreet."
"They certainly are discreet enough at my place, sometimes I forget they're there." Clara said, "Speaking of which, looks like the security guys and gals and the ranch hands are having a pool competition back there. Seems like Zach and Vicky are in the lead, " She showed them her phone screen, which had a selfie from Victoria on it, who was grinning and doing a v with her free hand, with a score board in the background that indeed showed she was in the lead with Zach. The accompanying text read: "VICTORY IS NEAR!"
"Seems she got over not being able to come with us pretty quick." Isaac said as he looked at the picture.
"Looks that way," Clara noted, "On the other hand, Zach was more than happy to not have to come. I just hope he can keep a lid on things so we don't find he house wrecked or otherwise burnt down when we get back."
"Shouldn't have to worry," Isaac said, "Mathias is there, he doesn't drink and he's very good at dealing with that kind of stuff."
Shortly after, the limo stopped in front of the large masonry staircase that led to the large Estate's front door, which reminded Lelouch immediately of the stairs that had led to the Kururugi shrine. No wheelchair ramp here either, but this time there was someone he could trust to carry Nunnally up the stairs, a task which was taken up by Isaac. The little princess, in her frilly pink and white dress, looked like a porcelain doll in the arms of her grandfather. Jeremiah, in his best dress knight uniform, was carrying Nunnally's wheelchair.
Lelouch marched up the stairs next to Isaac, holding the hand of Rolo, who also wore a tuxedo. The 8 years old was almost as nervous as Lelouch, but for different reasons; Helen had once gotten into an actual sword fight at Aries Villa with Nonette Enneagram, one of the knights who had trained under Marianne, and they had turned the villa's library into a disaster zone. The event had left quite an impression on Rolo, who had been six at the time and witnessed most of the fight, and before coming here, he had to be given plenty of reassuring that something like that was exceptional and would not happen again.
They were greeted at the door by the Estate's butler, who informed them that their hosts were still preparing, and invited them to make themselves comfortable in the estate's salon.
Lelouch, locating a door that led to a covered open gallery, decided to get some fresh hair to try and calm down his jitters. He had been standing there for no more than two minutes, actually enjoying the smell of the garden's roses that flowed up to him, when he was startled by an unfamiliar sounding female voice coming from behind his and to his left.
"G-good evening, Lelouch." The voice said.
He turned towards the owner of the voice, and it actually took him a few moments before he recognized Anastasia. In his mind, he had been picturing the same round faced tomboyish girl that he spent time with at Aries villa, but during the last year, she had changed, at least physically, and Lelouch honestly found that in his eyes she looked... weird?
First off was the fact that, while he had even seen her naked half a decade ago when they took a bath together along with Nunnally and Rolo, he had never, ever seen her in any kind of actual dresses before, yet here she was, dressed up in a white and yellow dress almost as frilly as Nunnally's.
She had also underwent a major growth spurt, and was now almost a third of a feet taller than him, despite the fact he had grown himself. Probably as a result of this, her face had thinned considerably, and this was accentuated by her hair, which was considerably longer, and she now sported a lock on the right side of her face that starts from the top of her bangs*. Finally, her voice had started to change, which led to his prior delayed recognition.
"G-good evening to you too, Anastasia." Lelouch said, nodding with a smile, a good chunk of his nervousness having evaporated while he was coming to grips with the sight before him.
She walked next to him, her shoes clapping on the gallery's stone paving. Lelouch saw that she too looked nervous, as she was twirling her side-lock in her right hand, while her left one grasped her dress. They stayed like that in awkward silence for a few moments, and Lelouch, his nervousness growing again, was about to say something, but Anastasia beat him to it.
"I-I need to apologize to you." She said, to Lelouch's puzzlement.
"Apologize for what?" he asked, genuinely clueless as to what she could have to apologize for.
"For keeping away from you since your mother…died." She said, "I feel…like I should have met with you before you went to Japan, or at least after you came back, but I didn't know how to face you after that, and I was… afraid."
" You, afraid?" Lelouch said, "That's new. Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of what all that might have done to you, that you'd changed into someone else, really." She said. "I know things like what you went through can change people."
Lelouch tough for a moment about how to respond to that "I believe I understand what you mean," He said, "But you don't need to apologize for it. While it's true that I'm not entirely the same kid as before, I'm still Lelouch vi Britannia, who adore his little brother and sister, loves to play chess and thinks his grandfather is awesome. I guess now, I'm just aware of how fast all of that can be taken away, and maybe that's not a bad thing."
"I see." Anastasia said.
They stayed silent for a few more moment, until Lelouch wanted to ask about something that was on his mind for a while now.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Yes." She nodded.
"Why do you want to be engaged to me?" He asked, "What I mean, it is only to inherit your father's title, or is there more to it?"
She actually stared at him for a while, and Lelouch thought he may have insulted her.
"S-sorry," He said, "I shouldn't have asked that."
"No," she shook her head, "It okay, you just caught me by surprise." She took a deep breath, "My father's title is the main reason why I want to go through with this, it true. But the title itself is not an end in itself for me. Do you know how my father passed away?"
"All I know is he died before you were born, during the Emblem of Blood period."
"Yes," She nodded, "it was all I know myself about it too, until six months ago, when I met my Father's mother, my Grandmother, for the first time. She was on her deathbed, yet she told me all about the event. She wanted me to know why I was the only one left to inherit the title other than my aunt, who isn't able to have children. "
"Okay."Lelouch said, unsure to where this was leading.
"The person who killed my father, it turns out, was his own older brother, my uncle." Anastasia said in a quiet voice.
"Wha-what? But that's…"
"Horrible, yes, I know," she nodded, "but that's what happened. It seems they were very close, too, but for some reason they had a severe disagreement and ended up fighting. And not just them, practically all their close family and relations were divided and fought. My mother says it had something to do with the future of the empire and how it should be ruled, but she isn't sure of the specifics. They kept her in the dark, and she only learned that trouble was brewing at the very last minute. When the dust cleared, my Grandmother, my uncle and my aunt Aurelia were the only ones left of my father's family. But shortly after he killed my father, my uncle went against your father. He was killed then, and it seems your mother played a role in the event."
She took another deep breath, "My father and my mother were engaged in an arranged union, but had fallen for one another along the way, and so I came to be. She witnessed my father getting killed in person, along with several of her friends, and in the following days saw most of my father's family cut one another down, and she was unable to stop it. It was all my grandfather could do to keep her safe until things calmed down. They did when your father took the throne. "
"So the reason I want that title is that I don't want to be tossed around by events around me which I have no control over. I don't want to see people I care about hurt or taken away without being able to do anything, like my mother experienced, or like when you were sent in exile."
When she said that last part, Charles words from back then came back to Lelouch, "You're dead to me, Lelouch! You've been dead to me the moment you were born!"
"I want to have as much control over my own life, to be able to keep what I hold dear safe, and one of the ways I can accomplish this is by having a high nobility rank. As for why I chose you, Lelouch, all I can say is that I feel like I can trust you, that I believe you can help me in my goals, and I know your mother's family is made of good people."
Lelouch actually laughed, then sighed, "I didn't think we were that much alike," He said, "Our goals at least are near identical, for I too wish to be able to have control over my own life and protect what is dear to me, especially after what happened to my mother and what my father put us through. It also made me want to change this country, into a better one! A good one! Both for my own sake and that of the people I care for. I'm ready to fight for it to happen, but I can't do it alone, and I think with you, together, we'd have a much better chance in making that a reality."
To his surprise, Anastasia took his hands in her own, "Then we'll face the world," She said with a small smile, "Together."
Lelouch didn't know it and Anastasia couldn't see it in the gloom, but he was blushing. He simply nodded. "Yes."
"Humm humm!"
They were startled by the Majordomo clearing his throat loudly, presumably to get their attention.
"Mistress Anastasia, Prince Lelouch," He said bowing, "Duke Malvolio and Lady Helen are ready to see you for the signing of the engagement."
"Ve-very well, thank you." Lelouch said.
Lelouch, Anastasia, Isaac and Sebastian were escorted by the majordomo in the office were the signing of the engagement agreement would take place.
Like her daughter, Lelouch had never seen Helen in a dress, but the event apparently warranted the exception as she was dressed in an evening gown similar to Clara's, thought red in color. She had also switched her black eye patch for a white one. She was standing behind a large wooden desk, and standing to her right was her father Duke Malvollio, his massive and bearded frame dressed in a tuxedo. Between them, sitting behind the desk, was a small, middle aged man with sparse hair that was noneless obsessively well combed and little, half-moon glasses. In front of his intertwined hands which were sitting on the desk, was an official looking document, printed on expensive paper, which was awaiting signature with the aid of the two fountain pens sitting on either sides of the page.
"My name is William Clive," The little man said, "attorney in the service of Malvolio Constantine, and I have been asked to draft the document that will render official the engagement between Prince Lelouch vi Britannia, and Miss Anastasia F. Constantine, both present, in the eyes of the Imperial Law, and that binds them to be married before Prince Lelouch's 20th borthday. I am well acquainted with Sebastian Lamperouge, who I assume will sign as witness, and he is well acquainted with my thoroughness and lack of sense of humor. So you can rest assured that, when I tell all involved present here that if they have doubts or any reservations, you won't find a better time to call the engagement off than right now after the ink has dried, I'm serious. Anyone thinks this future union should not take place."
Clive looked at all presents, including the two standing behind him. Seeing no trace of objection, he continued.
"Then let's proceed," he said, "I will require Prince Lelouch to sign here," He gestured to each mentioned lines, "And Miss Anastasia here, then their respective Guardians and Witnesses to sign on the lines under, in that very order."
After each of them had signed on the requisite lines and the ink had time to dry, Clive carefully rolled the document and placed it in a tube. The original will be sent to the Imperial Chancellery, and both Lelouch and Anastasia would receive copies.
Now that it was done, Isaac and Malvolio were talking like old friends (which in a sense, they were), and Sebastian was discussing something with Clive. Helen, for her part, walked up to Lelouch.
"I'm expecting great things from you, Lelouch." She said with a smile, "I hope you won't let her down."
Lelouch knew she was reffering to Anastasia, "I won't, I assure you."
"Good," She said, "Now, tonight is new year's eve, and I dare say we should try to enjoy ourselves accordingly."
Later that night, shortly before the new year's countdown began, Malvolio gathered his guests attention to announce to them the engagement between his grand-daughter and prince Lelouch. As he did so, the two of them stood behind him, blushing like tomatoes at the attention, but that didn't keep them from holding hands.
Even years later, Lelouch would remember every details of that night. Especially the small, somewhat familiar pink haired girl standing inin the crowd, who was smiling towards him in an odd way, sort of like Marianne whenever she had been proud of him…
End of chapter 10!
Man, I feel like I've put a whole lot of fluff in this chapter! It's kinda long, too!
Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter! We'll be having the timeskip in a few chapters. Just have to get Lelouch to Japan, introduce a few more characters, mainly Zachary's children, and explore a little bit of the mad science side of LAI.
As always, if you've got anything you want to say regarding the story, be it ideas, encouragement or critique, I always appreciate words from my readers, so don't hesitate to drop a review or two, or even PM me if you think it's more appropriate!
Until next time, keep it real readers!
-The Amazing Stan Man
*Not sure if I described this part appropriately so you can get the picture, but in case I didn't, her hair looks like Octavia's from Tear to Tiara (PS3 Version), but shorter.