Chapter 2: A Tangled Web
Surprising everyone, the Butcher of Plage Eclair has allowed her son to attend the negotiations in Australia. Will our loyal French citizens be allowed to return? Or does Prince Lelouch's presence hint to something more dire? The question on everyone's mind is whether he takes after his mother. Or, as Britannian rumors suggest, is an imbecile. It is too soon to tell, but sources within the embassy describe him as naive and childish.
Perhaps there is hope that he takes more after the Prince Oddysseus, the Fool's Prince, than Empress Marianne.
—Point de Vue: Son of the Flash Steps into the Spotlight
Stadtfeld Manor, Area Eleven
The door slammed shut, echoing through the house. Kallen ignored the outraged cry from her step-mother and threw herself on the bed. She should have never lost control of herself in that knightmare. The whispers followed through her school and, even after hours, she could not escape them.
Lord Ashford had been clear. She was an ace and would be recruited into the army: willing or not.
A year's worth of planning down the drain.
The only silver lining was Lord Ashford needed a test pilot. Everyday afterschool, she was escorted to his labs to pilot one of his prototypes. Guiltily, she admitted that it was fun. There were no simulations, instead agility tests on the expansive testing grounds. She could feel herself improving each day as she pushed the knightmare to its literal breaking point.
She knew she could do more. Shred through the tests. Annihilate her opponents. Caution stayed her hand. She didn't want to know what she was capable of or consider how Britannia would make use of her.
In another life, she could've used her abilities for the JLF. Even in an older generation, she was sure she would've become a credible threat on the battlefield. But now her name was known and if an ace pilot magically appeared on the battlefield, she would naturally be under suspicion.
She was trapped.
Polite knocking roused her from her pity party and she tore open the door, ready to give her step-mother a piece of her mind. Instead, the servant boy,—Japanese although she suspected he was of mixed heritage like herself because of his brown hair—stood there, waiting.
"Miss Sumerragi is here to see you, my lady," he said.
She grimaced. What rumor had made Kaguya deem an in-person visit necessary?
The boy stood perfectly still before her as he waited for an answer. He was one of Kaguya's. One of the many Japanese agents sent to her so they could learn how to act like a servant. They cycled through her house and to other noble families. Kallen's step-mother was always over the moon when she heard the compliment at how well behaved "their Elevens" were.
But unlike the others, the boy only left as to not arouse suspicion. Kaguya had asked her to maintain his education, so Kallen shared her coursework with him. Was he here only to spy on her and make sure that Kallen's loyalty would never waver?
"I guess I shouldn't keep her waiting," Kallen said.
"That would be best, my lady."
"Is she mad?" she asked hesitantly.
"Miss Sumeragi didn't appear displeased, my lady. She brought some mochi with her."
Kallen shook her head and walked past him. She couldn't hide from this forever. Down the stairs in the foyer, she spotted her friend and handler. "Kaguya. It's wonderful to see you."
She giggled. "You're too kind. Come on. I brought pastries to celebrate the good news. I can't believe I'm friends with an ace."
"An ace?" Kallen's step-mother shouted, her head peeking out of the neighboring room. "Kallen, dear, why didn't you tell me? I shouldn't be hearing this from your friend."
Kallen's false smile disappeared and Kaguya winced at her glare. Voice high, Kallen called back, "Sorry Mother. It's just so overwhelming. I haven't even processed it yet. Don't worry, we can discuss it over dinner, but I shouldn't keep our guest waiting."
Thankfully, her step-mother bought the lie and tittered, letting them leave.
Kaguya's servant/bodyguard set the pastries down on a small garden table and retreated to a respectful distance. The servant boy followed shortly after despite his blatant curiosity.
"We're safe," Kallen said, cutting through their idle chit-chat.
"You should've told me the second you found out," Kaguya said crossly.
Kallen bit back the instinctive urge to defend herself. "I know I messed up and I should've said something... I didn't know what to do."
"You didn't mess up." Kaguya took a sip of her tea, staring at the two servants nearby. "This is an opportunity."
"I'm an untapped ace," Kallen said bitterly. "Lord Ashford was quite clear. I will be expected to join the army. If I don't, they'll begin pressuring my family, asking why weren't not proudly serving our country. With my heritage, we can't afford that sort of scrutiny. And if they do find out, I won't be able to say no anymore. So tell me, Kaguya, how is this an opportunity instead of a living nightmare?"
"I fail to see an issue. You'll join the military and with your status you will have access to untold information. As an ace, I'm sure you'll rise quickly to a trusted and influential position."
"You're insane," Kallen hissed. "I'll have to follow orders. Fight Britannia's enemies. Kill our people. I'm fighting for Japan, not against her."
"When you started this, didn't you agree that you would do anything?" Kaguya set down her tea cup and her eyes bore into her. "You didn't want to cozy up to your step-mother, but you did, and attended the noble parties to establish a reputation for yourself. To protect that reputation you stopped seeing Naoto, shunning him in case the truth was ever revealed. You said you would sacrifice everything to allow your little brother to know a free Japan. This is just the next step."
"No, it's not," Kallen said firmly. "I've told you I want to fight and actually do something. Instead, you have me playing nice with the nobles and training servants. If you want to keep me off the battlefield, fine. But I refuse to be on the opposite side."
"Are you truly going to sacrifice everything for some foolish ideal of what is right?" Kaguya sighed. "I could force you. A simple word in the right ear and the JLF would rescind our protection of the hospital he works at. I know all your secrets. How many do you think you can afford to lose before they arrest you for treason and destroy your family?"
Kallen should never have agreed to this endeavor. She had been young, stupid, and so eager to strike out. Naoto was constantly shielding her, refusing to let her do anything more than provide supplies. And then he refused to fight at all, instead focusing entirely on medicine. So when Kaguya laid out the first clue and test of loyalties, she had pounced and sprung the trap.
She wanted this. She could never escape.
"If I do this, I'd become a Britannian," she finally said. "And yes, you could force me. But do the benefits outweigh the risks? People know I dislike the military and if I voluntarily walk into their arms, they'll ask questions. Working for Lord Ashford, I can at least postpone the inevitable. Eventually, they'll forget."
"There are so few aces, that you can memorize each and everyone's name. I doubt they'll forget, but if you insist, I won't push further." Kaguya bit into a mochi, eyes closing. "I admit I'm jealous of you. To still stand there and think of yourself as Japanese. We'll all become Britannian eventually. Have to, if we want a chance to win. Do you know when Kaguya Sumeragi died?"
"No," Kallen answered, surprised by the sudden melancholy.
"When she turned her father in for treason." She laughed bitterly. "He was going to oust the JLF and destroy our last hope of resistance, so I did the Britannian thing to save Japan. Sometimes I wonder if there's anything of Japan left in me. I wouldn't have survived court if I didn't act like them. When this is all over, I'll be an empty husk."
"And if we don't hurry, you'll be some prince's broodmare," Kallen said, pursing her lips.
"Not if I'm executed for treason," Kaguya joked. "Don't worry too much. I've always played to win and should it come to that, I have options."
"Your mysterious friend at court will save you," Kallen teased.
Kaguya wrinkled her nose. "I wish. Unfortunately his ambitions seem limited to trading favors and making fools of the nobility."
"That sounds dangerous to do at court."
"Somewhere, he lost his self-preservation instinct. Near gave me a heart attack when he staged an accident so he could escape the party twenty minutes early. Of course that backfired because apparently his father caught wind of it and decided to check that his son was still alive."
Kaguya chuckled, then grew somber. "Things aren't going to stay peaceful for much longer, Kallen. United East Africa is in its death throes and the E.U. is pretending to be concerned, but they're just using the time to supplement their small army of knightmares and whatever they cooked up in their labs. Their negotiations with Britannia is nothing but a sham and they're milking every minute of it to garner popular support. Meanwhile, the Eunuchs have been undermining their Empress as they hammer out a marriage contract and ensure they have luxurious titles awaiting them after their betrayal."
Once, Kallen would've been surprised. But Kaguya had opened her eyes to the broader world and her weekly luncheons with her step-mother and local nobles meant she kept abreast of rumors.
"We thought we had more time until our reckoning came. We're just waiting for the dominoes to begin to fall and then hope we have the ability to stand against Zero." She paused. "But we're out of time. The Emperor has grown impatient with negotiations and sent... It'll end soon and while General Smilas played Prince Schniezel, I suspect he'll have a harder time with him and thus the first domino will fall, and not in the direction we hoped."
Kallen searched her memory, trying to find someone who could be considered a challenge to Prince Schneizel. Surely, they would be well known. "Who?"
After a moment of hesitation: "The son of Marianne the Flash, Lelouch vi Britannia."
Outside of a few unsavory rumors about his mother, she had barely heard of him, yet Kaguya saw him as a threat. "Is he an ace like his mother?"
Empress Marianne's prowess, even after her injury, struck fear in everyone's heart. To think there could be a younger, more energetic copy of her running around. They wouldn't stand a chance. Before Empress Marianne's recent withdrawal from the battlefield, information on her location fetched a hefty sum. If you couldn't defeat an enemy, the best plan was to not be there.
"Definitely not," Kaguya assured. Then why? "He mostly stays in the shadows. There are two types who stay out of sight. The weakling trying to survive and the predator biding his time. And unlike the rest of the royal family, he doesn't suffer from hubris. So he will succeed where Prince Schneizel could not. When that happens, war will soon follow and Kallen? Even Lord Ashford's patronage won't be able to keep you from the battlefield."
With that final warning, Kaguya bid farewell, leaving Kallen rooted to her seat. A storm was brewing and she was adrift at sea.
Sydney, Australia
Arthur Greenford dismissed the bellboy and scanned his hotel room. While most certainly not as lavish as his own estates, their accommodations would serve him and his nephew, Bedivere, well. It was only for a few weeks and most of their time would hopefully be spent with Princess Guinevere, who most certainly wouldn't have spared any expense.
"Quaint, isn't?" Bedivere asked, collapsing on the couch in a manner not befitting of his heir.
Arthur stepped to the side to allow their entourage of servants inside. "Sacrificing comfort is a small price to pay."
Bedivere sneered and barked at a quivering Number, "Find my nice suits. I will present myself to Her Highness immediately and most certainly cannot wear this drab."
The Number hurried to comply and returned dragging a heavy trunk. Bedivere snarled at a maid to pick something appropriate before departing into the neighboring room to change. A soft knock on the door caught Arthur's attention and he turned around to see Frederick Oberstein loitering in the doorway, completely unruffled by the chaos around him.
"While your nephew sorts his affairs of the heart and the servants prepare the room, would you like to have a cup of tea?" Frederick asked.
"I would be delighted, my friend," Arthur said.
Frederick's rooms were smaller and decorated in a more reserved style. The room was pristine, except for the small desk buried beneath a pile of papers. As always, his friend drowned himself in work, never taking a vacation. The butler served the tea with practiced flourish before making himself scarce and leaving them to talk in private.
"Your nephew's courtship with Guinevere seems to be proceeding well," Frederick remarked.
"Yes." Arthur frowned. "I fear he has lost sight of politics, blinded by his heart."
Frederick set down his teacup. "An unfortunate progression, especially with her losing favor with the Emperor."
"Whatever makes you say that?" Arthur asked and he added some sugar to his tea to hide his racing thoughts. "She and Prince Schneizel are trusted with negotiating with the E.U. A position of considerable influence, as we all have foreign trade and must curry favor with them."
"Ah, but there is another prince in the negotiating room now. Or have you forgotten?" Frederick smiled knowingly. "He is a curious one."
Arthur scowled. "You're obsessed with the Commoner's brat. He has done nothing of renown. The Emperor probably gave him the position to appease his witch of a wife."
"You are an old friend, so I'll correct your folly. Prince Lelouch has been playing everyone for a fool." He smirked. "You fell for his trap as well, seeing only his tarnished blood. In recent years, the Empire has passed a curious number of reforms and if you follow the trail, some key backers were approached by the prince."
"That doesn't mean anything." If it did, then Arthur had gravely miscalculated. In the early years, Prince Schneizel had done much the same, working from the shadows and annihilating his political opponents, before stepping up as the Prime Minister. Too many had been blindsided by his calm smiles; too many still were.
Frederick leaned back, his eyes unfocused. "Perhaps. But what I find most curious is that shortly after turning down Prince's Guinevere regular request for additional funds, the Emperor sends Prince Lelouch to the negotiating table. Knowing His Majesty's callous disregard for his children, they have been pitted against each other."
Arthur swallowed. He didn't want to publicly ally himself with Princess Guinevere yet. It was too soon to see which way the wind would blow. If he chose poorly, his legacy would suffer the fallout. But the only other clear contender for the throne was Prince Schneizel and Arthur refused to allow him to take the crown. Frederick, he was sure, felt similarly.
"I thought we would have a few more years… I guess the time has come then," Arthur murmured.
"For the astute ones perhaps. The rest of the court will live in ignorance until the first public move is made." Frederick stroked his chin. "The world has changed since the Emblem of Blood, thus the rules will be different. Arthur, as your friend, I suggest you withdraw."
Arthur narrowed his eyes, wondering if it was a threat or warning. Frederick always had an uncanny understanding of where the winds would shift. It allowed him to raise his holdings from nothing to national prominence in just a lifetime.
"You have reason to believe Princess Guinivere's bid will fail?"
"Arthur…" Frederick's hands curled around the tea cup. "Princess Guinevere aligns herself with the Purists who have been declining in power and influence."
"Not in Area Eleven. Prince Clovis's support has been instrumental and they only need an opportunity to reclaim the political stage."
He leaned forward, his face grim. "And they have been plotting against their benefactor."
"Jeremiah would never," Arthur defended.
"Lord Kewell would and Jeremiah has always been too close to Lord Ashford and Empress Marianne for the Purists' comfort. Distance yourself, Arthur, or their greed will be your demise as well." Frederick checked his pocket watch, snapped it shut, and stood. "Apologies, Arthur. I have a business meeting. Feel free to finish your tea."
"Who are you backing?" Arthur asked as Frederick grabbed his hat.
He paused. "Britannia naturally. As for who is best for her, I haven't decided."
Listening to the footsteps fade, Arthur took a delicate sip of his tea. The butler entered the room and stood respectfully in the corner, waiting to be of use. His friend was a self-proclaimed coward. Naturally, he wouldn't share his plans and risk a knife to his back. Even to his old friend.
A coup within the Purist party. Unthinkable. Yet as he mulled, he could see the appeal. A Purist installed as the viceroy would grant them the political capital to see their goals achieved—the ability to play a deciding role in supporting the next Emperor. It was despicable that such plans had been made behind his back.
Lord Kewell was young, too young. His inexperience must be why Frederick felt confident that the Purists would fall. He never did care much for their platform. With Arthur's guidance though, Prince Clovis would be revealed as a fool.
What Frederick hadn't said though concerned him. His brother, Rudolph. He had renounced the former Emperor Brandon because of Rudolph's untimely death. Despite claiming vengeance was incomplete, Frederick refused to elaborate, pretending that the matter was inconsequential.
Arthur snorted.
Frederick may have been an accomplished liar, but he couldn't hide his heart. He would find justice for his brother and undoubtedly his plans for the throne would include them.
"I'm in the mood for some cake," Arthur announced.
The butler bowed and departed. Frederick detested sweets, meaning that the butler would not return anytime soon.
Free from spying eyes, Arthur inspected the desk and the mess of papers lying over it. Careful to not disturb the arrangement, he leaned in closer to see what his friend was up to. What he was hiding.
Most were business reports. Arthur's brows furrowed as he recognized some of the names. Liberal business which Frederick publicly opposed. Corporate espionage? That would be in character.
Arthur straightened. Of course Frederick wouldn't leave around incriminating papers.
Disappointed, he turned away. His eyes focused on the packed calendar, devoid of names and filled with addresses or code words. His eyes stopped on the current date. A history museum?
Snapping a photo with his phone, Arthur returned to his seat before the butler could return and discover his snooping. Perhaps the rest of his schedule would reveal more relevant clues as to his friend's schemes.
"I have a slice of pound, chiffon, and sponge cake," the butler interrupted his thoughts. "Which would be to your liking, my lord?"
"Sponge cake, please," he said absently. "Say, is that vase there an antique? I have not seen one quite like it before."
The butler stood. "I do not believe so, my lord."
"Does Frederick have an interest in antiques? I am considering acquiring some myself."
"Only books, my lord," the butler answered.
"A shame. Tell Frederick the tea was excellent as always." If his friend didn't have a sudden interest in antiquities, then why was he visiting a museum? He paused, hat in hand. "Books? I'm rather light on reading material, do you think he would mind me borrowing one?"
"Of course not, my lord," the butler said and returned with a stack of books. Some were new, but the battered ones caught his eye.
Wondering what had caught his friend's attention, Arthur flipped through them. Fairy tales?
Zeroth Division Base, Area Six
Roy lay down the pen and massaged his wrist, cursing Lelouch for leaving him in charge. The infernal clock ticking in the corner reminded him that his brief respite couldn't last. There was work to be done, increasing by the second.
How did Lelouch do it?
Roy drained the last drop of coffee and mournfully put the cup down. His friend was a demon. A paperwork demon. There was no way anyone sane could conquer this paperwork without supernatural interference.
Or Lelouch didn't sleep.
"You alright, Roy?" Alex asked as he hesitated in the doorway, before firmly shutting the door. "You look like shit."
"Thank you, Alex. That's just what I want to hear." Roy grabbed his mug and stood. If he was going to be interrupted, then he could at least be awake. "Please tell me Lelouch is returning and saving me from his personal hell."
Alex snorted. "No, but you do have a meeting."
"That's not on the schedule." Roy blinked. "It's Thursday, right?"
"Yes. It's because... Well, Lelouch apparently doesn't know when he'll be back, so there's some stuff that can't wait." Alex rubbed the back of his head and threw his most innocent smile, betraying his nervousness.
Roy narrowed his eyes and huffed. "Alex, if this a prank of yours, I'm going to murder you."
"No. It's important."
"Surely Communications could've waited a day? I do have a briefing to lead in a few hours. And then I need to help Pablo expedite Gino's repair parts. Or else the operation on Tuesday falls apart."
"It's not—" Alex groaned. "Don't worry too much about the knightmare parts. Bradley's team always brings plenty of spares."
Roy froze. "The Vampire? That's not reassuring! I'm not Lelouch. I don't have the balls to yell at a Knight of the Round for completely disregarding the plan." Slouching, he shook his head. "Damn idiot is going to get himself killed."
Worry gnawed at his stomach as he considered what sort of trouble Lelouch would inevitably stumble into without his men to protect him. And Lelouch would get into trouble. He was the one who walked into a grocery store and accidentally stumbled into a drug ring. It defied the odds and Roy's family was going to be pissed when he returned home with early greying hair.
Dealing with Bradley and his unique brand of bloodlust...
"I'm not cut out for this," Roy whispered. "I'm not Lelouch and I've no idea how he does it. I've barely slept and Lelouch finds time to cook."
"You could ask him for help?" Alex suggested.
Roy winced. "General advice from Lelouch tends to be philosophy."
"You mean to tell me that a rich, spoilt brat like yourself doesn't like intellectual exercise?" Alex teased.
Shooting him a dirty look. Roy said, "No. Philosophy is fine. But when Lelouch does it, he's either quoting foreigners or being borderline treasonous. I'm not having him put it into writing."
"I never noticed," Alex said although Roy could've sworn he saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
Was Alex truly oblivious to Lelouch's faults? Roy knew that Frederick never blinked twice at his statements, but Roy had been trained how to read between the lines. Not to take a noble's word at face-value. Some nobles were better at it than others and Roy remembered at a young age when his parents would have him listen to various speeches to understand what had not been said.
Lelouch relished the freedom of his tongue to the point Roy forgot that his friend had to have been raised as a noble and should know better. Were his family to meet him, they would see him as a liability and demand Roy cut him loose to shield them against the inevitable fallout. Not that Roy would ever consider it.
Because of Lelouch's blatant honesty, people accepted his statements at face-value. When he did lie, it was painfully obvious. Nobody suspected a terrible liar of weaving a deception.
Roy though knew his friend was brimming with secrets, so when he offhandedly rejected the idea of staying away from the battlefield,—"If the king doesn't lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?"—Roy picked apart the words. A commander would've made more sense, yet Lelouch had chosen a king. Or rather, refrained from stating the Emperor.
Alex stopped, bit his lip, and looked around nervously before opening the door. Inside, to Roy's displeasure, Art sat at the table, smiling as if he wasn't supposed to be suffering for what he did to Lelouch. Across from him, Sergeant Malfoire set down a stack of papers. His posture felt distinctly wrong compared to their previous interactions, but Roy couldn't put his finger on the cause.
"Good, you're here," Sergeant Malfoire said and gestured to the seat.
Roy stood, eyes narrowed. "Why is the Crow here?"
Art sighed, but remained quiet, choosing to instead lean back and smirk.
"As Lelouch is on vacation indefinitely, it's necessary to fill you in," Sergeant Malfoire began. "Art is the head of intelligence."
Why would Lelouch put his kidnapper into a position of power?
"What's Communication's interest?" Roy asked, afraid of the answer.
Sergeant Malfoire chuckled. "We're the OSI, boy. Well, not Art. Lelouch refused to surrender him to our custody. Perhaps you'll have better luck rectifying the situation when he returns. I'm actually Warrant Officer York."
Glancing at Alex, Roy silently begged him to refute the story. Instead, he shrunk into his chair, avoiding his gaze. Alex was part of the OSI. When the hell had that happened? The OSI was the monster under the bed. A tool of fear. Not Alex's endless pranks.
Roy slowly sank into his chair, still not understanding. "How? You were an instructor? And Alex?"
Ser—No. York. He was a liar and Roy had never suspected anything amiss. York had always been a steady presence in their tumultuous enlistment. Willing to help. Reliable. A liar. How had he not noticed?
York grinned and there was nothing pleasant or comforting to it anymore. "I was doing recruiting and when the Count's debut ended your training, I followed. The OSI was thrilled that someone volunteered for the 712th."
"You were giving Alex private lessons," Roy realized. His heart sank. "And Lelouch."
Art leaned forward.
"No need to be so dour." York smirked. "Or do you feel betrayed? That two of your friends kept such a massive secret from you. Or maybe jealous that the Fadiman heir didn't receive special treatment. You love—"
"—Enough," Alex cut in. "Lelouch isn't an agent. Can we please get to business?"
Composing himself, Roy nodded and York shifted into a more professional persona, the strange predatory monster vanishing beneath kind smiles. The meeting continued easily enough as Roy listened to the intelligence while wondering at the three liars in the rooms.
Alex had been a street rat, a pickpocket, a con artist. Of course the shift to OSI agent would've been easy to hide.
It did nothing to assuage the feeling of betrayal lodged in his throat.
Alex laughed freely and was infamous for his mischief. The image of a ruthless OSI didn't mesh. There was no way... And then Alex casually suggested assassinating the drug lord's niece and pinning it on a rival cartel.
"That's repugnant," Roy protested and turned to his friend, trying to understand. "She has nothing to do with it."
Alex looked unconcerned. "I could kidnap her. Would be more difficult, but she's easy to access. We need a diversion after last night's mudslide. If we attack from the north, as planned, the enemy will see us coming. And Gino is concerned that the soil is too unstable for a knightmare."
"She's innocent," Roy hissed. "What would Lelouch say to this?"
"Her family is made of criminals. I'd hardly call that innocent." York glared at him. "Lelouch would make the necessary decision as he always does. A distraction to reduce the risk to the division and it only costs one girl's life."
Roy didn't know Lelouch at all. He had always trusted the plan. Left someone else to make the decision who would die and live. Now, Lelouch expected him to fill the void in his absence and make impossible decisions.
"You need backup for a kidnapping," Art said. "I have a contact in the city—"
"—No," Roy barked. Lelouch had been kidnapped by this very man and now he had some contacts who could help arrange another. He would never let Art have such an opportunity again. What had Lelouch been thinking? Had he been blackmailed?
"An assassination is safer," York said. "No need for the Crow's little flock to do any dirty work."
"Alex would be watching me the entire time," Art said. "You know he'd just love to slip a knife between my ribs."
"But how can we trust you?" York asked. "Lelouch is your keeper and this would be the perfect time to fly the coop."
Roy glared at the Crow. Even the OSI agent didn't trust him. "If we must do this, it will be an assassination."
"Excellent. It's decided," York said and continued to less grisly matters as they discussed the enemy's rumored knightmare and the specs gleaned from their whisper network.
At the end of the meeting, Roy fled the room and stood outside, gulping for air. His hands trembled and he stuffed them into his pockets. Lelouch was younger than him, yet he did this all the time. One meeting and Roy was a nervous wreck wondering why Lelouch would entrust the division to him. He couldn't make those calls and the faceless girl would haunt him in his sleep.
The price for victory.
"Roy," Alex said and he flinched at his sudden, way too silent, arrival. "A word, please?"
"Yes?" he asked coldly.
Rubbing his head, Alex said, "I'm sorry for keeping this from you. Nobody is supposed to know and the only reason you're being brought in is..."
"Lelouch is gone," Roy said, exhausted, but appreciating the apology. Alex had been the youngest, of course the OSI would prey on his earnestness. The hurt and anger faded, replaced by pity. Roy should've done better. Seen more. Noticed his two friends had been ensnared.
In hindsight, he should have confronted Lelouch. The little flinches when York passed by no longer seemed so innocuous. He hadn't been afraid of a teacher or a superior, but a killer in sheep's skin.
He had always been willfully blind, hadn't he? Clung to the rules his parents had taught him. Always obeyed a superior. Held his tongue. Never investigated.
Slouching, Roy whispered, "I'm not cut out for this, Alex. Hell, I don't know how Lelouch does this. It's been two weeks, and I feel like I'm drowning."
"It's not easy for him either, Roy. Lelouch was beyond pissed when he discovered that York sent me on an assassination mission for the OSI. But he has to win, so I'll do whatever is necessary to help him."
"Has to win?" Roy asked. He couldn't afford ignorance any longer.
Alex grimaced. "Zero belongs to the Emperor and has permission to do what he wishes, as long as he brings results. That's what Lelouch said at least, and there was a ridiculous amount of security in the hospital." He shrugged. "I have no proof, but Lelouch is absolutely terrified of failing. The pieces fit."
They did, yet the rest of the picture was still missing. "Lelouch has only ever been gone for a week. And that's for his sister's birthday. Do you... Do you think he's alright? He would say if it was a funeral or something, right?"
"Why would that keep him away?" Alex asked, baffled.
"He's related to nobility and that usual means lots of land holdings and business investments. If my father were to die, I would be spending weeks trying to get everything together. I imagine it would be similar for him... Does he have any half-siblings? Or would he be the heir?"
"Don't know. It's not like Lelouch talks much about his family except for his sister." Alex fell silent. "Lelouch did receive an official letter a few days before. He completely panicked and then burned it."
"Well if he's officially a noble when he comes back, then maybe my family won't kill me at my wedding." Roy chuckled and a fond smile graced his lips.
"When did you propose to Selena?"
"We've been discussing it. When I finally get a month off, I'll be proposing properly. She's already started planning the color schemes and everything. We don't want to wait too long. Not with our families..."
"They're upset with ya being in a Number division," Alex guessed.
"I'm supposed to bring honor and prestige, but it's not like I can explain what I'm actually doing. They've been insufferable recently and keep trying to force me to transfer elsewhere. Not that Lelouch would sign any such papers." He groaned. "They're incessant and I don't have any younger siblings who can take up the mantle."
"I think Frederick is the only person with what I imagined a family to be," Alex said. "Still, I don't care 'bout your family. Invite me to your wedding or I'll—"
"—kill me?" Roy teased.
Alex rolled his eyes. "No. I was going to say replace your shampoo with your jalapeno monstrosity. It'll be your wedding present."
"Will you ever let that go?" Roy pleaded as he buried his face in his hands. "I still can't believe I said that to Empress Marianne."
Snickering, Alex said, "A great way to embarrass yourself in front of your idol and it'll forever be memorialized. Maybe I can get a plaque?"
"You're an utter asshole," Roy hissed. "For that, you're not going to be my best man."
"Like you weren't planning on asking Lelouch. I almost pity your family."
"He knows how to be polite," Roy said, ignoring the fact that polite Lelouch was a deadly force. Should his parents protest his marriage to Selena, he had no qualms letting Lelouch tear them to pieces. And considering Lelouch's own tenuous relationship with his family, he would be happy to assist.
Unknown Location, Pendragon
Marianne closed her host's journal with a smile. Katherine Beatrice had immediately noticed the discrepancies in her memories from Marianne's little escapades. But instead of seeing a doctor, she had begun to journal, detailing her life in painful detail and leaving Marianne a roadmap to navigate her host's life.
Fortune had finally smiled on her.
Her Geass was incredibly useful for espionage, but not without drawbacks. Without meeting her hosts in person, she could not infect their minds and become a backseat driver who would take control when the need arose.
Discovering the existence of this lab had been hard enough. Rumors were all she had to go on. V.V. jealously guarded all his personnel and they rarely left the lab.
Last year, she had finally managed to sneak within the compound, buried in the mind of a janitor. He was one of the few people who readily travelled between the lab and his home. But with his freedom in the outside world, he was restricted inside the lab and sheltered from any hint of Geass. Marianne had despaired, thinking this would be as far as she could go.
But then he had asked Katherine on a date, unknowingly sending her to the lion's den where Marianne waited. And she finally had access to a body with security clearance. The only downside: Marianne was not a biochemist.
The alarm on the counter rang and she withdrew her presence from the young woman's mind, leaving just enough awareness that she would notice something interesting happening.
Katherine swore softly as she heard the alarm and hurriedly silenced it, before grabbing her bag and rushing out of the door. Back in the palace, Marianne opened her eyes as medical equipment beeped around her.
Charles, working at his desk in the corner of the room, glanced at her. "Normally, you're out longer."
Groaning, she pulled herself into a seated position. "Katherine has a presentation on hormone fluctuation based on Geass usage... and I'm not particularly interested in seeing the pictures."
"It's a necessary evil," Charles dismissed.
"And since you told me that V.V. wanted to kidnap Nunnally... I keep having nightmares of her lying on those operating tables." Wincing, she freed herself from the wires and pulled on a sweater. "Please tell me you have something interesting for me to do because staring at that woman's test tubes makes me want to cry."
He frowned as he scanned a letter with interest. "Lelouch is begging me to not send Bradley to assist while he's gone. Was there an issue last time?"
"Lelouch likes his plans followed to a tee. Bradley likes running off and killing." Marianne shifted to the edge of the bed and pushed herself into the wheelchair. "He is a loose cannon and without Lelouch there, no one has the ability to reign him in."
"You could reign him in," Charles suggested.
"Two Knights of the Round? For what was it? A drug bust?" Marianne scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. Let them handle it without help. They'll be fine."
"I would... but said drug lord has taken to archeology and collecting things considered metaphysical. Lelouch's plan is to capture the warehouse, not blow it up."
"Then send someone else. You have twelve of us."
"Ten. Riddlesston retired and Luten had to be taken care of. They will have questions if I ask them to blow up the warehouse... Bradley never questions destruction."
Marianne crossed her arms. "There are countless solutions, so what's the real reason you want Bradley?"
"He's my third best pilot and won't shut up about Lelouch's knightmare pilot. Testing him against you or Bismarck... That wouldn't give me an accurate assessment of his skills. Besides, I'm curious to see how the division will run without Lelouch there to babysit."
She had thought the test was sending him to negotiate with the E.U. "A test within a test, really?"
"You asked me to be more involved," he said, defensively.
"Don't be obtuse, dear. You know what I meant."
He sighed. "I think he'd pass out from shock if I just were to talk to him, Marianne. But admit it, you're curious to see how they'll do." He held out a paper for her. "A few days away from the life of Katherine inside your knightmare. There's even a potential ace to test..."
"Fine," Marianne snapped and grudgingly admitted she was curious. "I'm visiting Lelouch and Nunnally afterwards. It's always fun to see an old enemy and Reuben is being unusually cagey about his rumored ace."
"Please don't start a war," Charles begged.
"No promises," she chirped as she rolled out of the room. Elsewhere, Katherine examined her newest subject, and Marianne bit back a shudder. She could do with a distraction, before she worked to advance Katherine's career and get one step closer to V.V.
Neutral District, Australia
Deep in thought, Leila returned to the embassy from their little excursion. At Jeanne's pleading, they had sneaked out to enjoy the sights. Britannia wouldn't dare to attack them in Australia and risk upsetting their neutrality. After having to deal with the scowling Brits stonewalling any possible compromise, she had desperately needed to escape and stretch her legs.
What Leila hadn't expected was to see the new prince, Lelouch vi Britannia, dressed in casual clothes and seemingly at home within the smoggy confines of a casino. The royal family barely deigned to step out on the streets and mix with the riff-raff, lest they soil their hands. While it defied all logic, Leila was sure it was him.
Why the hell was a prince gambling?
"Boredom?" Jeanne, her childhood friend and maid, suggested from beside her. "Didn't you say he looked annoyed at being in the negotiation room?"
"That still doesn't make sense," Leila growled. "If a prince wanted to go gambling, there's the fancy gentleman's club with its own security. He was completely unprotected out on the open floor... Maybe there was something in the smoke."
Jeanne shook her head as they stepped inside. "Well, I haven't met him, so I couldn't say if they just had an eerie resemblance. He did have two guards with him. Maybe even more hidden in the crowd."
Before she could reply, General Smila's booming voice brought them to a halt. "Where have you been! It's not safe for you to traipse around the city."
She flinched at his glower and hung her head. "I have no excuse. My apologies, General Smilas for betraying your trust. I will strive to do better."
"Oh, please," a cultured voice interrupted in English and she looked up in shock to see Prince Schneizel exiting the office. "There is no need to be so harsh. A little youthful exploration is to be expected. It is her first time in another country after all."
Leila bowed hesitantly as she tried to understand his presence and his sudden politeness.
"Shall we finish our discussion?" Prince Schneizel asked. "My time is too limited to watch you discipline the errant youth."
"Leila, come here," General Smilas ordered and Leila cast a desperate look at Jeanne before rushing up the stairs to her mentor. He led them inside the office where another young Brittannian stood.
"Is this wise?" Prince Schneizel asked, lowering himself into a cushioned armchair.
"She is my protegee as I said. I trust her implicitly," General Smilas said and a rush of warmth rose in her chest. "If you wished to not involve her, then you could have waited here."
Prince Schneizel's lips thinned, before an amused smile graced his lips. "Well played. To business then. I have thirty-four Margraves who pledged to aid our agreement. As for the representatives?"
"Twenty-eight. Enough to push a majority vote through on the resolution. I would prefer to establish a super-majority before continuing. Additionally, the president is interested in the proposition, although he has a few additional stipulations. With his support, the resolution won't die in committee or be delayed endlessly."
Prince Schneizel sniffed. "How your government accomplishes anything remains a mystery to me. You do have an election in the coming month. Perhaps we should wait to tackle his stipulations until he has been reconfirmed."
"Remind me how many of your citizens died as your lords feuded over water rights on the Mississippi?" General Smilas picked up a folder and passed it over. "Waiting is pointless. Polls suggest he will achieve a landslide victory."
"A dangerous assumption when a misstep will bring our proposal to a premature end. Patience is a virtue."
General Smilas narrowed his eyes. "Is that a warning?"
"No. Father finds him a useful fool. We have no need to meddle especially with the rather excessive anti-Britannian sentiment of his opponent."
"Then there is no need to wait," General Smilas countered. "Patience may be a virtue, but the longer we draw this out, the more likely it is for the Emperor to discover your plotting. And he is suspicious. Or he wouldn't send his favored son to babysit you."
Prince Schneizel silently accepted the folder, but if he was concerned, he didn't show it. "Marianne may be his favored wife, but that sentiment does not seem to extend to her son. He only involves himself to force Lelouch's attendance at social obligations. I imagine it is at Marianne's insistence. Likely, Guinevere is right and his presence here is a publicity stunt."
Leila took an involuntary step closer.
"What of his character?" General Smilas asked. "Rumors suggest he is incredibly spoiled, but his behavior suggests otherwise."
"You're fishing," Prince Schniezel observed. "You may relax. He is not Marianne's second coming judging from her incessant griping. I admit that I do not know my younger siblings well. We used to play chess and he was moderately talented, but he hasn't improved since. A lack of ambition has stymied his potential. A shame really. If his sister was fully abled, she would be the one to keep an eye on. Alas, an unfortunate childhood accident has left her a weakling."
"Thank you for indulging my curiosity." General Smilas rose and walked to the door. "I trust you will have no trouble returning undetected."
Prince Schniezel shook his head. "Guinevere is sufficiently distracted with her date. Thank you for that. And my brother has moved into the library so there will be no trouble on that end. A pleasure, as always, doing business with you."
General Smilas watched the Britannians retreat. He gestured for Jeanne to enter, quietly shut the door, and collapsed in his chair, cradling his head. "Speak nothing of this."
"Of course," Leila assured, wondering how he had managed to turn the prince into an asset. What she had viewed as showboating in the negotiation room with disgust was turning into something more elaborate. A game of shadows and dagger. "Can we trust him?"
"Of course not," General Smilas said. "He thinks he can control me so he is willing to indulge my requests. For now, our goals align closely enough to make the alliance worthwhile. Jeanne? Not a word. If the Emperor catches wind of this, then everything will be for naught."
Leila frowned. "I don't understand. Why would he turn against the Emperor?"
"Because he has designs for the throne. What else?" General Smilas snorted. "I know our sham in the negotiating room is aggravating, but it is necessary. When we began negotiations, they were productive although perhaps not civil. Both of us wanted to return home quickly so we reached an agreeable compromise. The Emperor rejected it."
"Why?"
General Smilas shook his head. "Because outside of the publicity, the Emperor does not care. He knows that we won't capitulate on certain conditions and has made them non-negotiable, effectively forcing Schneizel to fight a losing battle and chaining him to a post outside of the country. We're his glorified babysitters. Unfortunately, I fear the Emperor has caught onto our little game."
"Because of Prince Lelouch?" Leila asked, trying to understand how he fit into the puzzle.
"An unknown in our plans. The E.U. has been trying to keep track of Marianne's spawns for years; they're like ghosts. The biggest news story on Prince Lelouch was that he didn't have a public birthday party. While strange, it tells us nothing about him. I shudder to think what will happen if he's a knightmare ace on par with his mother. The best strategy for dealing with her remains to not engage her. Thank God that her daughter is blind, and we don't have to worry about her."
"Prince Schneizel doesn't view him as a threat," Leila pointed out. He really couldn't be that dangerous. He had brought cookies to the last meeting and then sulked when everyone refused to eat them out of fear of being poisoned.
"And they're siblings. He could be lying. Or he could have a blind spot for the little kid he's watched grow up. Maybe it's just a publicity stunt, or maybe his parents have spent years grooming Prince Lelouch to be their perfect weapon and this is a test run." General Smilas straightened. "I know he's your age and you find him amusing—"
"—I do not," Leila hissed.
"Then this should be easy. Stay away from him," General Smilas ordered.
"Um," Jeanne said hesitantly, half raising her hand. "We saw him on our outing, gambling in the casino."
General Smilas slowly turned, focusing on her. "Are you sure?"
"Leila thought she recognized him, but it's his guard..." Jeanne strode to his desk and pushed a photo forward. "I wasn't sure, so during the meeting, I dug through the letters Mom sent me."
Leila leaned over General Smilas's shoulder as he lifted the picture of the youth standing proudly in a Britannian uniform. He looked so young and Leila was reminded that Britannians enlisted children. Her own position was more of an internship and she was strictly forbidden from being near any possible combat. The Britannians obviously had no such qualms.
"Who is he?" General Smilas said, setting the picture down.
"Mom kept in contact with the Britannian side of our family. That's Auntie's son, Frederick... He enlisted when he was fifteen and last we heard, was still in the army."
"An accidental meeting, perhaps?"
Jeanne winced. "They can't get travel visas because Mom defected."
General Smilas tapped his finger on the picture, frowning. "Befriend him. He's our best lead to understand the prince's purpose here and the thrill of meeting lost family will strain his loyalty."
"My family—" Jeanne protested.
"Should he turn, we will do our best to safely extract them."
The promise of family would be too great to resist for her childhood friend. They may have been close as sisters, but Leila knew that she couldn't soothe the longing in her heart. Unlike her, Jeanne didn't have the protection of an adoptive family to shield her from the scorn of her fellow countrymen. She only had her mother, a simple maid.
As they exited the office, Leila caught her friend's hand. "Promise me you won't leave me."
"Of course not." Jeanne pulled her into a hug. "I'm proud to be French, but if I can help my Britannian relatives see the monster they serve, then it is my duty to do so."
Worldbuilding Thoughts:
- How governing works in CG isn't really explained in-depth outside of Empire bad. The most we see is with the UFN but even then, the details are minimal and their role to me felt like the E.U. (real world) or the United Nation. The lore is also really unclear about how the entire Napoleon situation went down. Supposedly, he was executed by the guillotine before forming the Empire, but the dates don't align for that to make sense. The point of my rambling is that I'm not entirely sure how the E.U. government should work outside of being representative. I'm not sure whether I should use, the French Consulate, the current French system, the U.S. system, a version of our E.U. with more centralized power, or something else.
- As I said last chapter, Akito's worldbuilding is awful. Supposedly, there are E.U. aristocrats which is most definitely not going to be the case here. Old families with a lot of money and always seem to have a kid in the government, sure. But actual aristocrats when the Geass lore has Napoleon supposedly executed for trying to return to a monarchy? Absolutely not.
- How Geass works is incredibly funky. When thinking about Marianne in the anime, I assume she didn't want to stay in Anya's body. So therefore to forge a connection she has to use her living body. Akito side note: Leila's Geass and how she conveniently received it from C.C. confuses me. Unless people have strong objections, she's not going to have a Geass.
Author's Note
Lelouch: returns
Someone: "I heard your father died."
Lelouch: panics
More seriously, I hope the chapter was engaging despite it being more scheming than anything else concrete. :)
The next chapter will be on Nov 20th instead of the 13th. You can thank my midterms and health for the delay. I will be posting the week directly afterwards though to make up for the delay.
As to my American audience, please remember to vote by Nov. 3.
Chat with me on the discord: discord . gg / uSBegVj
Thank you x1tears1X and on FFN for your help with betaing