The morning was bright and beautiful. The sun shone gloriously, its rays were golden and warm. Seated on the oriel with a small smile on her lips, she peeked through the parted curtains in order to look at the wintry garden properly. While it was still winter, the sun shone unabashedly. Bringing the cup to her lips, she sipped on her tea. It was time to go home.
Home, she thought. The idea alone made her giggle as she brought the cup down her lap. This time she looked away from the garden and glanced at the empty living room. Where did everyone go, by the way? Well, that did not matter much since they would go back home now.
She hopped down from the oriel, her ankle-length pyjamas circling her feet. Her steps were quiet and light as she went towards the kitchen. Despite walking barefooted, she was unmindful of the cold wooden floor. Winter would always be cold and she could do nothing about that. Though this was the season she liked the least, it was also the same time when she was anticipating so much for someone to come back. The smile she had when she was resting on the oriel was still plastered on her face, primarily because the person she was waiting for came back.
"Oh," a door opened from her right. Pools of green irises greeted her with warmth. "You're up early?"
She turned his way, purple orbs admiring his morning face. His eyes were droopy, a sign that he had just gotten up from sleeping. His hair was like a bird's nest, brown and unruly. It was quite dim in that hallway but she could clearly see his sun-kissed complexion.
"Good morning, Suzaku." She flashed an amiable smile which made him fall in love with her. "Everyone has left without any notice. I have no idea where they went."
The said boy looked contemplative for a short while. When the idea registered in his head, he looked at her and said: "So we're alone now?"
She nodded slightly and walked to him, linking her arm to his. "Obviously, Suzaku. Why don't you accompany your princess and have some breakfast?"
He smiled, pulling the girl towards him to place a kiss on her forehead. "Surely, your majesty."
Suzaku was sitting on the counter, nursing a mug of hot chocolate between his cold palms. Despite his sleepiness, he kept his eyes open to watch his "perfect" girlfriend prepare the breakfast. The smell of fried bacons and eggs wafted in the kitchen. The sizzling was like a lullaby, though. He was almost nodding off, but whenever she would move across the kitchen wearing that yellow apron, he was forcing himself to open his eyes wide again.
"A tough battle," he murmured, shaking his head to keep himself up.
She giggled, mocking him. "Why are you fighting your drowsiness? Go get some sleep."
He huffed, drinking from his cup. "If I were to do that, you would ignore me until we get back home. That reminds me, you are exceptionally happy today. What's the news, Euphy?"
She laughed. The stove was shut off with a click and the sizzling slowly died down. There were four bacon strips and four eggs on the plate she served him. Euphy went to the other corner to get the toasts before she sat opposite to her sleepy boyfriend. She was either well-mannered or that she was acting like a wife, she gave Suzaku his part of the breakfast and let him munch on the meal quietly.
"The news? Oh, the greatest I have heard for the whole two decades." She bit her bread and followed it with a slice of an egg. "I'm excited to go home."
"That'll be tomorrow," he swallowed. "What is it about?"
The girl beamed with a sweeter smile, if ever her smile could get any sweeter. Her pink locks gathered in a high pony fell loose behind her after the elastic band snapped. This girl had too thick hair. "It's about time I visit my biological family. I will ask Uncle and Aunt to send me there. That means I have to leave school right at the beginning of winter term."
He gaped at her news. This was shocking: firstly, the fact that Euphemia was still in contact with her biological family. She rarely talked about them; they were hardly ever mentioned in any kind of casual conversations, so he was surprised that she had to go back to them. Secondly, she had to miss school because of this. Euphemia was very studious and passionate when it comes to academics and leadership. She was the president of some social work club which was devoted in outreach programs. Who was this family she talked about? Suzaku had no idea at all.
He coughed, reaching for another piece of toast. "Well, would you like me to accompany you?"
"Suzaku, you aren't my bodyguard." She stretched a hand out and caressed his face. "You need to attend school. You've missed the first week already."
"I don't mind. I enjoy being with you—"
Her laughter interrupted him. He mentioned nothing laughable so why is this fairy laughing at him? Euphemia stood from her seat and walked to him. She embraced him from behind, her chin resting on his broad shoulder. Suzaku's face blushed hard at his girlfriend's way of showing affection, mainly because he could feel her pressing on his back. She was a fine woman, yes.
"I do enjoy being with you. But come on, go to school. Winter break is over." When he didn't respond, having the audacity to sip on his chocolate drink instead, Euphy continued. "I know you're overprotective of me, but the people I'm coming back for are my family. I've never talked about them because we're on a certain situation, but they are fine people—I swear! I will let you meet them." She hesitated a little, but continued: "Father is a strict man. You better brace yourself, I suppose."
He didn't say a thing. Suzaku just grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss on it. She spoke that way again—in a way that sounded a lot like she came from a different status. Who calls their dad "father" until today? That was…formal. There was a reason why he was addressing her 'your majesty' after all. Well, at first it was meant to tease her. However, as time went by, that was rather fitting to her.
"Should I tell him that I dote on you a lot?" he laughed and leaned his head to her. She glanced down at him. They smiled at each other before her lips covered his. Today's kiss, thought he, tasted like chocolate and toast.
The table was already set for a morning meal. It was quite light for a serving: tea and biscuits. Nine bone china cups were filled with freshly brewed Earl Grey tea. There were biscuits served alongside the teapot, something which did not go unnoticed or untouched by the youngest member of the family. It was quiet, as if the people sitting in a circle were waiting for someone's presence before they commence today's agenda. The seven people immediately rose from their seats upon hearing the footfalls. Nunnally put the biscuit she had on hand back to the plate and rose together with her siblings. Everyone had their head bowed, even her mom, so she decided to stoop her head as well. She hated the aura inside the room, but complied anyway.
If she were to greet her father, she could just smile and say 'good morning!'. However, she dreaded what her elder sisters would do to her afterwards.
"How many times did I tell you to raise your head in my presence? We do not live this way anymore," Charles zi Britannia, the supposedly 'head' of the monarchy had it not vanished announced his presence this way. Walking beside him was the royal wizard—er, former Earl—Lloyd Asplund. The said wizard was holding a tray of toast and marmalade with him.
Upon his word, the people looked up and met the gaze of the important man, Charles. Quietly, Charles scrutinized the faces of his children who shared the dominant purple eyes among themselves. Clad in coats and furry scarves, they were dressed a little too extravagant for a family meeting.
Charles winced, knowing that old habits die hard. It was his mother who raised most of these children, and the woman was the previous queen before the revolt. Etiquette and propriety of a royal upbringing was handed down to Charles' eight children.
"Odysseus," Charles called as he sat on a separate seat. "How are you and your family?"
"We are doing well, Father. My first son is graduating from high school this end of school year."
"Very well. How about you, Guinevere?"
The woman with pale rose gold hair gracefully put her teacup down on the saucer. "Marriage has been stressful, but what can I do besides living to my vows?"
The family laughed shortly at her remark.
"I am doing wonderful, Father." Guinevere smiled at him.
This time the elderly looked across the room, eyes landing on the blond beauty quietly perched on his seat. Charles spoke: "You look smart as usual, Schneizel."
The cold expression on the second son's face broke as it was replaced with a small smile. "I do not need your compliment to know that I am."
"Oh, my, my. Your confidence is still the same, Prince." Lloyd shot the blond a smile, briefly after drinking from his cup of tea.
"How about you, Cornelia? Are you sitting well in the military? Are your senior officers treating you well despite your family background?" Charles turned to the second eldest daughter.
"My ability is not justified by my last name—is what I always claim," answered the woman being asked.
Her answer, though, welcomed a curious question from the third son, Clovis. "Why, sister? Do they speak ill of our family?"
The aura inside the room somewhat changed. This silence was uncomfortable and bitter if it were to put in words. Teacups clattered as they touched the ceramic saucer. Tea flowed out of the pot. The strong wind outside rattled the wide vivid panes.
"People born after the monarchy was abolished were those who heard of the very event from history books," replied Cornelia with a strong resolve. "They were all biased, if not fooled. History books were written by the winners of the war, so it only presented the redeeming side. No one will know the real story behind the dethroning, and no one will live to tell the tale."
"If we dare speak about it," inserted Odysseus, "we will attract unwanted attention, even if our family or lineage never committed any of their accusations."
"Stay out of the putrid politics, Clovis." Schneizel picked up his cup of tea, taking his sip. He did not speak another word, so Clovis knew what his brother meant by that.
"We can say our family has been lenient when it comes to the concern of politics and government," added Guinevere with a smile. "However, our principal enemies know that our ties are still strong within the internal affairs. They know we are in the right, and that the tragedy should have not happened. We have to remain neutral, if not indifferent, at all costs."
"That's why I'm telling you to resign from the activist group in the university, Brother Clovis!" Nunnally patted her brother's shoulder, making everyone put down their cups noisily.
"Oh, my, my. Haven't you got your fair share of warning, Clovis?" asked Lloyd as he put his cup down. "Do you remember what happened to your younger brother, twenty years ago? Please quit before more eyes notice you."
"Yes, I will do as you advised." Clovis rose from his seat and made a call on his phone. He knew he should not hesitate anymore, his family always had the upperhand in terms of decision-making. Besides, his younger brother's assassination and disappearance was due to a political conflict associated to their family.
That's it. As Clovis walked away from his family—with a phone dialling the organization's president—he wondered why their parents called for a family meeting.
"I am not going to repeat the reminder. You know what the safest move is for us." Charles looked composed despite the announcement about Clovis' status as a university student. In fact, he decided to ignore it when he revealed the purpose of the meeting. Six of his eight children were in attendance now, but he was expecting to complete their family tomorrow. Euphemia had sent him a message confirming her attendance tomorrow.
"Your father has some good news," Marianne spoke, leaning forward to refill her cup of tea. Hearing what their mother said, the children looked to their father and anticipated the news.
Five pairs of purple eyes stared hard at Charles. He was a man of great eloquence and confidence, but he never had gotten used to his children's stare. In a jiffy, he revealed the truth. "Lelouch has come back."
All had risen from their seats—except Nunnally who knew the news beforehand, of course—and immediately swarmed around Lloyd. After all, it was his silly incantation which sent the youngest son away from the family.
"Where is he, Earl Lloyd?" asked Guinevere, clutching her pouch against her chest. She was asked to look after the infant Lelouch that fateful day their household was attacked by assassins. "Is he aware that we are his family?"
"Earl, bring us to our younger brother. Now." Schneizel looked at the earl with cold eyes, taking no for answer. Since Lloyd was naturally weak against Schneizel, he stood and guided the siblings to their long lost brother.
The family room was left in silence once more. There sat quietly the parents and the two children. Clovis had finished making a call when he came back. Only Nunnally and his parents were there. He was puzzled wherever his siblings went. Noticing Earl Lloyd's absence, it must be somewhere magical, but he could never be so sure.
"Lloyd is still uncertain when Lelouch will wake up," said Charles as he grabbed his cup of tea. This answered all questions Clovis had. And he agreed that this was some good news. "This does not worry me, knowing that once the magical restraints stop acting on him, he will wake up. This universe recognises him as a part of it. However, I am rather wary about what Nunnally told me."
Clovis sat next to his sister and watched their parents.
"Nunnally, is it true that Lelouch and Cècile came back with a lady? And that she is not recognized by Lloyd?" Charles turned to Nunnally, waiting for an answer.
Clovis looked at his sister who nodded intently. "Well, I don't think she will cause further havoc. If anything, I recognize her to be an ally."
"What makes you assume such possibility, Nunnally?" It was her mother's turn to ask.
"Well," the girl began, "I've seen her before in one of the photographs Villeta showed me before. She is not a part of the Chinese Federation or Europia United, so she isn't an assassin."
"Any proof that she isn't one?" asked Clovis, finding Nunnally's reasoning faulty and hopeless.
"She is Villeta's eldest daughter, so I think she is a harmless person. Isn't Villeta someone who swore her loyalty to our family?"
How many times did silence swallow the family conversation so far? Clovis counted twice. How many times was it shattered? Clovis counted twice. The second time was a moment later when his eldest brother, Odysseus, ran to them, panting.
"Lelouch! He's awake!"