The Winter Courts were passively aggressive, and didn't take too kindly to strangers, even more so than Lord Sirius. They were extremely cautious, so getting Mab to meet C.C here was extremely difficult, especially since Titania took care in letting the fairy know how much she hated her. The minuscule information C.C actually possessed was doubtful, considering the insults Titania threw around.
Still, Euphemia needed them out of the way. "They'll be a major hindrance if they get involved," was what the witch recalled her saying. But it shouldn't be difficult; because of their haughtiness, C.C could easily secure a sort of cold pact with them, a promise of nonintervention, if you will. They won't help, but they won't invade either; they were much too prideful for that, a sharp contrast to their natures, but perhaps that is what made them so easy to deal with. If they had any ounce of ambition, Euphemia would've been deposed long ago.
But even more than that was a possible economic alliance with the nation. The fjords in their area practically begged C.C for attention, and the cold, piercing climate made the nation a good battleground should the need arise; a few squadrons were actually training there now, on neutral territory. The minerals were abundant and vast, and in exchange for a quarter of the harvests, both Seelie and Unseelie Courts will gain access to the precious metals. It's not like they were going to use them anyways; their houses were sculpted with magic and ice, and there was little evidence of human life there. The climate was too harsh.
Euphie had to calm the protest, so she couldn't meet with the queen herself. However, it wasn't like there were a lot of people against Lelouch anyways; in fact, they loved him. Many major leaders found the fool charming, invigorating, yet wise at the same time. He solved so many disputes when he took up the Viceroyship, to the point where he almost replaced Euphemia as the "Angel" of the Courts (C.C laughed incredibly hard). The citizens admired him, but of course, all the credit went to his sister, who had "the good of the people in mind." C.C wondered what Euphie was telling them to explain his sudden disappearance. Had she given Lelouch a deadline?
Did she want him to stay in that world forever?
C.C stiffened, but continued on with her business, reviewing the points needed to be said, imagining any situation should the compromise fail. She knew she was persuasive, and her acting skills were superb. But as she stared at herself in the mirror, she began growing more and more self-conscious; her long, black dress snugly fit around her equally endless legs. A simple, gold necklace adorned her neck, and in the back of her ear, a withered iris peaked out, its smell sweetly diffusing across her body. Her long, green hair seemed to curl around the dress, providing an enigmatic curtain that tempted many of the male guests away from their previous discussions.
She was beautiful. Of course she was, but why did she still feel nervous? She's done this many times before with political leaders, with Euphie, even with Lelouch. What was different this time?
Her bangs carefully hid the sigil on her forehead, and she narrowed her eyes. Ah, so that was it; she didn't know what she was dealing with. She's had some experience with magic, but not to the extent of Arthur or Titania; most of the time, she was the one getting scorched by the spells. How easily it conquered her, attacking her directly even when her guard was up, and combined with the slightest hints of instability made it extremely dangerous.
She heard a knock on her door and pried her eyes away from the mirror. "Her Majesty, Mab, is here."
"I'm coming down now," she replied, her heels softly pattering on the marble floors. She opened the door suddenly and almost banged the poor servant, but she paid no heed. She swept through the corridors, replaying the scenes over and over again in her head. It was until she came to the throne room did she see Queen Mab.
She was standing near the windows, her sickly gray hair pinned back by thorns and thistles. A small, calendula bud swung from the strands wildly, giving the fairy a more feral yet beautiful look. Her dark green eyes surveyed the kingdom around her, her flawless skin depicting her state to which she found the Seelie Courts; too bright, too naive. She wore a tattered, white dress, which reminded C.C of the wraiths and banshees she's seen in the books. Her bare feet weren't as sullied and hard as Lelouch's; rather, they appeared clean and cool, and they weren't nearly as warm as his. She never played out in the sun, it seems.
Mab turned when she sensed C.C, her thin lips suppressing a smirk. "The Viceroy Morgan, I take it?"
She bowed low, her face cleared of any doubts. "It's an honor to meet you, your Majesty. I apologize for making you wait so long."
"No need. I was just admiring your fields. Truth be told, we never this in the Winter Courts."
C.C blinked. "The snow has a more enchanting quality. Pure, untainted; your Courts are extremely beautiful. Your curiosity is similar to mine, in that sense."
"I see." Mab pushed herself from the wall and made her way to the witch. "And that curiosity is why I've taken an interest in your proposal."
"Are you speaking of Queen Euphemia, milady?" she asked.
"Somewhat," Mab answered. "I've heard many things about your kingdom. Good things, and I would appreciate it if we commence the deal." She looked around, a slight twinge of awkwardness on her face. "Erm…"
C.C laughed lightly and stretched her arm, as if guiding Mab toward her. It was the same tactic she used with Euphie. "This way. Once again, I'm sorry if I appear a bit boorish to you-"
"No, it's fine." C.C took note of Mab as she visibly relaxed; she didn't like being out in public it seems. And where were her guards? Surely they wouldn't allow their queen to come alone.
She took Mab by the hand and tightened her grip ever so slightly. She had a pistol in the folds of her dress, and though useless, her personal guards were in close range. Even if Mab did try something, C.C could use it as another excuse for war. "This way," she said lightly, leading the queen down the hall.
It took a while for her to grasp the situation. "Um…you're extremely informal…"
"That's just in our nature," C.C explained. "Nothing can be gained if you keep yourself at a distance." A lie, but it appears she struck a chord with Mab. She shook her head. "But…what of your heart. Your heart, if not anything, is still vulnerable."
"True. The heart can be trampled on, beaten down, shattered, torn apart, but it manages to work. Strange, isn't it?" The two women walk up the stairs, the light cascading down the Romantic columns. The vines of the surface protruded slightly from their points, the gold leaf mixing well with the silver. Tiny oak trees sprouted from the ground, which gave the room a more enchanting glow.
When the two were in C.C's office, Mab shut the door and sighed. "Your manor is so…unique. Now, about your proposals; I was thinking that we could form a deal. You need weapons and a trading partner, correct? We will be happy to supply you with this, as long as you defend us with your might."
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline," C.C said. "We only requested your metals, nothing more. Besides which, wherever would you get the idea we needed weapons?"
Mab betrayed no emotion. "We've already seen those machines. They're light, strong, flexible…am I incorrect to assume it's for defense?"
"Defensive purposes only," C.C stated. "We would never imagine attacking a country as powerful as yours."
Mab raised her eyes. "How do we know we have your word?" So that's it; by now, news of the invasion must have spread across other courts. No matter how hard they tried to hide it, their citizens would find out, especially when they come to ruined homes and blood splatter all over the walls. Euphemia had a hard time containing the demands, though in the end, they'd probably just go away, like any other bad memory.
C.C sat on her desk, an apologetic smile on her face. "It's why we called you here, is it not? Queen Euphemia was hoping to extend a nonaggression treaty with you. We promise not to go back on our word, if you're willing to compromise, of course."
"Perfectly," she responded cooly. "Assuming what you're asking for is within reason."
"Very well then." C.C straightened herself. "To strengthen our bonds as fellow nations, we, as you've correctly guessed, have decided to establish a trade agreement with you. In exchange for our harvests, you will give us your minerals. Besides which," she saw Mab twitch, "your nation runs primarily on skilled trades. You specialized in traveling abroad and working overseas, and we would be lucky to work with you."
"You're amounting your country to little more than servants then." Mab said interceded. "Surely you must want more than that."
C.C placed her hands in front of her, showing she had nothing to hide. "Nothing more. And I prefer you didn't see us as servants. Rather like partners."
"Partners don't toil under the sun for the sake of a fragile business deal." Mab held up her fingers, as though twisting C.C under her eyes. She watched as the queen strolled around the room, gazing out the window, sometimes examining a book. "I've heard Euphemia overthrew Arthur, and later Titania. A violent deposition, don't you think."
"We've no intention of doing that toward you, if that's what you mean."
"It just…doesn't seem like Euphemia would get anything out of this deal." Mab explained. "She's always held vast to her reputation as the 'Commoner's Queen', right?" Then, in a dark tone, she asked, "Is she militarizing the nation?"
"Of course not." C.C said bluntly. "Why would she, when there's so much domestic reform to do? Why? Do you want a peak at our political aspects? I alone, should be enough."
"Why on earth would that satisfy me child?"
"I carry out her policies." Mab stopped, and turned to stare at C.C. She hadn't moved from her spot, and forged an earnest expression, her eyes wide with determination and innocence, eyes that said, It'll be fine. Just trust me. Her face brushed aside the potential crimes Mab listed in her mind. Still, the queen never said anything.
C.C got off the table, and smiled. "I was, and still am, a court jester to her Highness Euphemia. She is my mistress, but she is also my friend. But I am not that weak as to give into her demands; because she is my companion, and because I know her wishes, I know what is best for her, and our people. I do her bidding, but I will only do so when I know it is for her sake. Surely you, of everyone, can understand that."
No, she can't. C.C knew what it was like in the Winter Courts, however secretive they were. They relied on the traditional, authoritative monarchy; they shunned the democratic ludicrousness other courts seemed to pride themselves in. They firmly believed in having a good leader, instead of allowing the people govern their own. If the rule should stay in that one family, then corruption was less likely to prevail. There was no doubt Mab was confused by all of C.C's sentiments.
And it was that confusion C.C so successfully played on.
She could practically see Mab looking back on her tragic past. It seems that the girl had no friends to call her own, and the fairies that had gotten close to her, she was to stay away from. If she did not heed her elder's warnings, they were to be executed, for their "wicked blood." Such cruel punishment should've warranted a rebellion long ago, but because the government offered an ultimatum, to stay away or be slaughtered, naturally, people chose the safest route. The country prospered from trade like that.
The one problem that remained was their unskilled labor.
There was too little of it. It was nice, that everyone was educated, but because of the royals' prejudice against the "peasants," no one wanted to come home. It was harder to enforce regulations, what with everyone so far away. They could easily support themselves, since food, shelter, and luxuries, were right there, in their reaches. But what did that mean for the aristocrats, who were supposedly ruling over them?
They were in trouble of course! They've let their subjects roam free without meaning to! But because they were enslaved in their illusions, they hadn't realized the power slipping away from their grasp. It was Washington's Rebellion all over again, except there was very little chance the mother nation would win against her children. It was so pathetic it was almost laughable. It appears Mab needed one more push, so C.C walked toward her and cradled her fingers gently. "So can you help me? Will you help Euphie?"
"I…I have to ask though…"
"You are the queen, milady." She let go. "They should be listening to you."
"Our people are world travelers." Mab sighed. "They don't consider the Winter Courts their home anymore."
"Then you'll bring them back. You're a kind and compassionate girl."
She laughed emptily. "Is that what you'll do for me, if I agree to the trade?"
"Yes. Euphemia would be more than happy to have a friend as good as you."
Lelouch followed closely behind Zero, their footsteps banging against the metal. He stared at his friend quizzically, but never said a word; there was a certain aura Suzaku exhibited if he was angry.
The base was just as sophisticated as Lelouch remembered it. But of course; he saw the plans himself. Though the halls were derived of people, for the time being, Lelouch allowed himself to remember the lies he told everyone, the trust he'd broken, the relief after all of it was gone. He didn't feel particularly guilty; he needed to do it, even if everyone hated him for it. And there were people who knew the truth, people who would carry that secret to their graves.
He came into the enormous lounge, a lounge that had a few more toys than he cared to see. He walked near the trashcan, and flinched when he saw a couple of beer bottles. He thought Tamaki owned a restaurant; was he wrong?
A thought came to him, and he turned to his friend. "Have you been drinking?"
Finally, he saw a reaction from the famed "Zero." "No, I suspect it was one of the new recruits. You know how they are."
"You should impose more stringent rules on them."
"Perhaps. Come on, the office is this way."
"You moved it?" Lelouch cocked his head as the two strolled down the dark corridors. He thought he heard a chuckle from Suzaku. "Yeah. You never had a sense of style, did you?"
He huffed. "This coming from the guy who wore nothing but his underwear for his first date."
"She was my cousin," he reminded. "It…I don't know, felt kind of weird."
"She never left Nunnally alone after that," Lelouch continued. "She kept filling Nunnally's head with weird ideas about you. You're fault."
"I'm not the one who looks good in a dress." When he didn't hear Lelouch answer back, he turned, finding the immortal gone. He hastily looked back, finding him admiring the new office wing.
The room was big, with windows that peered through the entire oceans. In the horizon was Vermillion, the Forbidden City. Lelouch always knew it was big, but he never imagined he could have seen it from here, even with the Shinkiro hovering above Japan. It was expected however. He was always so busy making plans he never really took in much "beauty" that came with Britannia's rule. The city would look nice, especially at night.
"Amazing, huh?" Suzaku came beside Lelouch.
"I…yeah. Does Nunnally go there?"
"Well, yeah. I mean…she is the Empress."
"I see. Is she getting along with Tianzi?"
"They're good friends. She actually taught Tianzi how to make origami."
"Huh." Lelouch folded his arms. "And I trust the Chinese Federation hadn't tried anything?"
"Of course not. The eunuchs were removed, which allowed Lady Tianzi to attend the UFN meetings."
"They probably have a grudge against her."
"It's not like they can do anything. They neither have the influence nor the resources to do anything." Lelouch was making Suzaku nervous; both his hands were pressed on the glass, and the window was opening ever so slightly. His friend was tempting the fates, so he stretched out his arm to pull him back, when Lelouch put his hands down and stared at the bottom floors. He blinked. "What are they doing?"
"Hmm?" Suzaku looked down and saw a couple of soldiers talking, their faces urgent. There was a young man with them, his own face as red as blood. He was stammering, trying to walk away from the group, when one of them grabbed the scuff of his collar and continued to drag him away. Suzaku's lighthearted laughter surprised Lelouch. "I thought that was going on. It seems nowadays, everyone only has time for love."
"Why would you bother with that?"
Suzaku shrugged his shoulders. "We need distractions. Of course, we'll deal with Vivien. She's coming here three days from now. You can see for yourself what she's doing."
"Right." Lelouch's eyes continued to follow the group. They were all so carefree, so much so he practically saw the student council again. He was grateful for the memories, and come to think of it, he never did get to graduate with the rest of them, save for Milly. He turned around and leaned against the glass. Suzaku stood by his desk, observing his movements. "From what I understand, Vivien can toy with memories, and since she's already used her power on the Black Knights twice, we can conclude that she can manipulate them as many times as she wants."
"I've figured that out when she attacked you." Suzaku grimaced at the images. "She's gotten better on the battlefield, but she's still not experienced. It's best to nip the bud before she blooms."
"Right." Suzaku nodded. "I'm going to EU tomorrow to settle something between France and Germany. If you want, you can come see for yourself what the world's like."
"I don't need to. You and Nunnally have done enough." When Suzaku left, Lelouch kept staring outside, worry in his eyes. He gripped his arms, criticizing himself for lying so smoothly. The simple fact remains that Titania and Arthur were still pawns in Vivien's game, and if she was able to sneak her way into the Black Knights, she was an impressive opponent indeed. Suzaku might not even be free of her influence, though he acted naturally around Lelouch.
Zero's new files might have something about Vivien, and if he pressed his former knights, he could probably get something out of them. His eyes followed the group again; they were standing there, teasing the soldier about his apparent crush. Their guards were dropped, and it was by that relaxation he could invade their minds with ease.
But he didn't know them. He needed some sort of contact.
He sighed frustratedly, and pressed himself against the glass. He caught a look at his reflection, and blinked. The eye that once housed his Geass was now a stark gold. His hand went up to that eye, and rapidly turned back. He stared at his shadow for a bit, pondering on how the two were doing back in the Courts. Strange as it was, he liked it there; he wasn't as restricted, and as long as he finished his work, he could very much do whatever he wanted there. Moreover, he missed little Lisette, who always came scrambling up to him with bugs or worms, all of which he would promptly slap away before getting the girl to a bathroom to wash up.
Was Euphemia getting any better? And what about C.C? Were the nightmares getting worse? All these questions rang through his mind, and he bit his lip to keep from showing his emotions. The newly acquired eye kept swimming back to him, and in truth, he should be, at the least, concerned with this new development.
But he wasn't. It reminded him of a certain person, someone he couldn't pinpoint his affections for. But for some reason, his pride wouldn't let him realize it. He wondered why.
He felt himself swirl around, and before he had time to think, he felt the rush of air behind his back. The sound had left his voice, but somehow, Suzaku still managed to appear, already racing forth to catch the falling boy. Their hands almost touched, yet for all Zero's reflexes, he still couldn't catch Lelouch.
So he fell.
