Chapter 1: The Black Prince

Fear is the most primal survival instinct of man. it can drive a human being to unthinkable limits just to survive. Lelouch felt his very being shake, and his father's mere words filled him with such dread he landed flat on his ass before the court. The fear quickly sobered him up to the reality of his life. He was nothing, his idyllic life at the Ares Villa had been a mere illusion afforded to him by the protection of his mother. Nunnally's broken body lying on a hospital bed flashed in his mind's eye.

I need more power!

His mind, Lelouch's greatest weapon, kicked into effect. For Nunnally and for his mother, Lelouch swallowed every ounce of princely pride and thought only of how to protect his beloved sister. Lelouch threw his cape over his shoulders, then placed his fist over his chest and knelt gracefully in one fluid move. "Forgive me, Your Highness, for this unsightly display." Lelouch ducked his head further in submission to his father.

The court was silent, even his father who Lelouch dared not glance up at was as quiet. Lelouch felt movement, and for a moment, he thought all was lost, and he all but failed Nunnally. "Begone from my sight." The Emperor's dismissal was as cold as it was disinterested, and Lelouch stood, head still bowed in submission. He turned and strode from the throne room, raven hair covering his face. All around him, the nobility behind expensive fans and gloved hands whispered of his humiliation. They called him a whipped dog, an impudent child, and a disgrace born of commoner blood. But these insults fell on deaf ears, for when Lelouch made it out of the throne room, nobody saw the gratified smile on his face. He avoided punishment that would have surely sent him and Nunnally away.

But for now, Lelouch had to fade away, that display was more than sufficient proof for his enemies that house Vi Britannia was as good as dead. Good, after all, the devil's greatest deception was to make people believe he did not exist. Wrapping his cape around his lithe frame, Lelouch began a lonely walk out of the Imperial Palace. A car was already waiting for him outside. Lelouch entered quietly, and the driver waited patiently for his young master, who sat quietly at the back. "Take me home," Lelouch would face Nunnally another day. When his courage would not fail him.

Upon his return, Lelouch locked himself in his study. Despite himself, Lelouch was at a loss for words. His mind a jumble of emotions and disjointed thoughts; there were many things he had to do. First, among everything that happened, Lelouch knew one grim task was ahead of him. He sat upon his chair and reached across to the desk to pick up the phone receiver. "Connect me to the Royal Coroner," Lelouch spoke with a cool aloofness that betrayed the turmoil inside.

"Yes, Your Highness, please standby."

There was a brief hold, and the Coroner spoke up. "My Prince, how may I be of service." The Royal Coroner sounded weary, but Lelouch ignored it, thoughts of his mother's funeral swirling inside his mind.

"I need all information about my mother's funeral, the military precession, and the list of people invited. I want to go over each person. I will also require adequate transportation for myself." This was good, having a task at hand helped calm his nerves.

"My Prince, I'm afraid there will be no precession or military honors." The Coroner swallowed thickly, "in fact, the Lady Marianne has already been laid to rest."

"What?" Lelouch gritted his teeth, his small hand balled into a fist. "On whose authority? Who dared do this behind my back!" Lelouch practically shouted into the receiver.

The Royal Coroner could be heard fumbling with a computer terminal. "O-on the orders from the Imperial court, My Prince."

Lelouch's earlier rage returned. The sheer indignation that his mother was buried behind his back was bad enough, worse she had been done away without any of the fanfare deserving of her accomplishments. Had his enemies not been contented enough to just take her from him? They had the gall to even deny her body repost at the grand cathedral and a ceremonial service by the Arc Bishop.

Lelouch exhaled as much of his anger as he could, rubbing his temples and sealing off the pain in his heart. "Where is she buried?" the answer should be obvious, in the tomb of queens at the Imperial Mausoleum.

"She is at a small cemetery down Charles Street." The Coroner took a mournful sigh, "forgive me, My Prince. I could do naught but obey."

The young Prince let out his own shuddering breath, today's event had left him drained, and his will was being tested to its fullest. "Where is she?"

"I can have a car take you there, My Prince, do you wish me to inform anyone else?"

Lelouch thought it over for a minute, Euphy and Cornelia had always been closest to him, even Clovis could be counted on to a certain degree. Then again, his enemies had meddled enough in his affairs. "No, just myself, have the car here as quickly as possible." Lelouch hung up without much care for propriety.

When the car arrived, he had dressed in black, as was appropriate for mourning. He added a dark purple half cape as an afterthought. He entered the car and only stopped once to buy a bouquet of blue roses, his mother's favorite. When he arrived at the commoner cemetery, he found it practically flooded with the citizenry. "What's going on?" Lelouch's question was mostly to himself, but the driver answered all the same.

"Everyone loved Queen Marianne, she was an inspiration to every common blooded Britannian." The driver stopped by the entrance. Lelouch noticed the path into the cemetery was kept open by several police officers, yet the streets were lined with hundreds if not thousands of grievers.

"How did anyone know she was buried here?" Lelouch felt something akin to happiness in his heart. He and Nunnally would not be the only ones to remember his mother.

"The Royal Coroner had it leaked to the public, he was as much an admirer of her as anyone." The driver exited the black sedan and opened the door for Lelouch. When the young Prince stepped outside, the people quickly took notice.

"Prince Lelouch!"

"It's the Prince, god bless Queen Marianne!"

"Our hearts weep for Queen Marianne!"

"Justice for Queen Marianne!

The shouts grew louder and muddled together. Bewildered, the Prince was led through the graveyard as thousands of people shouted their condolences. Each step felt lighter, and each word from these people filled him with pride to be the son of Marianne "The Flash" Vi Britannia.

Mother, you are not forgotten by the people of Britannia or me.

Lelouch held his head high with all the dignity he could muster. He made it to the grave, where hundreds of candles were lit and placed around his mother's humble tombstone. The local Coroner was by the gravemarker as was another man in military uniform. As if he had stepped in holy ground, the shouts from the people ceased, giving way to quiet murmurs of prayer.

"My Prince, forgive me. I did not expect you here." The Coroner, a balding older gentleman, wiped away at his forehead with a light blue handkerchief. "Some vandals, however well-meaning carved on your mother's gravestone, I will have it replaced at once, I assure you."

Lelouch moved to the gravestone and knelt on the muddy fresh ground. It read 'Marianne Lamperouge 1980 – 2009 a.t.b,' and Lelouch's grip on the roses tightened. They stripped her of the name Vi Britannia, but below scrawled roughly yet with apparent care read; ' Marianne Vi Britannia Queen of the people.' He could not help it, tears leaked from his eyes, and he stroked the rough scribble. "Leave it, mother would have liked it." His enemies stripped his mother of her name, her titles, and even the honor of being buried as a knight of the realm: no twenty-one gun salute, no Flag over her coffin. No honor guard escorted her to her final resting place, and nobody presented Lelouch with his mother's flag. She was buried as nothing more than what their enemies saw her, a commoner.

"If you are sure Your Highness," the Coroner bowed his head respectfully and left Lelouch to his mother.

The young greaving son placed the blue roses beneath the tombstone. All around him, the people who had gathered to honor his mother slowly began to trickle out. It seemed like an unspoken agreement. This would be the last moment alone between a grieving son and passed mother. "Mother, I feel terrible," Lelouch let out a bitter chuckle.

"It feels like I've woken from a dream," Lelouch looked to his hands. "I was living a lie, and you allowed me to live it." Lelouch clenched his fist, he took all the grief and pain and channeled it. "But no more, the world is cruel, and the people in it suffer from those who profit from it." The vultures in the court came to mind, nothing but scavengers looking for scraps from his father.

"I won't accept it, I refuse it with my very being!" Lelouch stood, no more tears, no more weakness. "If the way of the world is for the weak to feed on the strong, then I will devour the strong!" Lelouch threw his cape over his back and placed his hand over his heart. "I swear to you, I will make those who wronged us pay, and I will create a gentler world for Nunnally, I will destroy this world order and make a new one for Nunnally and everyone who looked up to you. This I swear on my name!" Thunder cracked across the sky, dark clouds that had been gathering let out a downpour upon the Prince. The young man leaned his head back and let the waters cleanse him. Lightning flashed, and Lelouch slicked back his wet hair and looked back down to his mother's grave. Beneath the dirt laid his beloved mother, and with her, he put to rest his childhood. He was born anew into this twisted world, and the heavens themselves saw fit to baptize his rebirth.


"So, who are you, stranger?" Lelouch did not look towards him, the military man had been standing there as silent as the graves all around him. Lelouch folded his arms behind him and finally offered the man a sidelong glance. "Well, are you going to answer me, or are you mute?"

"I…" The man, with dark green hair and orange eyes, opened his mouth before he collapsed on both knees. "I am Jeremiah Gottwald, Your Majesty, and I am not worthy to have witnessed your declaration. Much less stand here before Lady Marianne."

The name was vaguely familiar to Lelouch, as was the face now that he thought about it. "Tell me then, why are you here?" Lelouch tilted his head up and glared down on the man who flinched from him despite only being a child.

"I was on duty when Lady Marianne was killed, she dismissed all of the guards inside the villa." Jeremiah poured out his shame before the young boy. "I should have protested, disobeyed her, and have men hidden just in case. I failed her!" Jeremiah punched the ground, then sat up and knelt. He reached down to his hip and unholstered his service pistol. Holding it by the barrel, he offered it to Lelouch. "I failed in my duty, I failed Lady Marianne in her hour of need. I am as much to blame as the scoundrels who took her from this world. My Prince, please take my life so that I may atone for my failure!"

Lelouch, despite everything that had happened since his mother's death to now, was utterly stunned. Was this man so devout to his mother he was willing to shoulder all responsibility for her death? Lelouch took the gun, feeling the weight of not just the weapon, but the life offered up to him. With conviction, Lelouch leveled the gun at Jeremiah, both small hands grasping it firmly. "Is this truly what you wish, Sir, do you want to give me your life?"

Jeremiah tore at his coat, buttons flying off plinking on the wet ground. He bared his chest for Lelouch, stunning the young man further. "My life is in your hands, Your Majesty." His eyes bore into Lelouch's; he was prepared to die here and now with no regrets.

"In my hands?" Lelouch closed his eyes, the gun never wavering. "Very well, Jeremiah Gottwald, I shall take your life!" Lelouch's eyes snapped open, and he pulled the trigger as thunder drowned out the gunshot.

Jeremiah looked on stunned, he raised his hand to his face and pulled it back to see blood where the bullet had grazed his cheek. "Your Highness…"

"You are dead, just as I died with my mother, you are now gone with her Jeremiah." Lelouch grabbed the gun by the barrel and handed it back to Jeremiah. The soldier took the weapon wordlessly.

"From this day forth, your new life belongs to me." Lelouch stretched out his hand, offering it to the man before him. "Will you go back on your word Jeremiah, or do you promise to serve me and help me bring my vengeance to those who wronged my clan and me?"

Was this a dream, had the Prince shot true, and this was heaven? No, the sting on his face told him he was very much alive. The beating in his heart threatening to burst from his chest confirmed it even more so. Like he watched the young Prince be born anew, so was he. Tears, not of sorrow for he had no more to shed in that regard, flowed from his eyes. The rain masked it well, and the man dropped his pistol and grasped the Prince's hands with both of his. He remained kneeling as a Knight pledging his service to his new Lord. He bowed his head, and he felt his hands trembled with joy as he held the Prince's smaller hand in his. "Yes, Your Highness!" Jeremiah proclaimed with his very soul everlasting loyalty to Lady Marianne's last remaining legacy. "I swear to you, my life belongs to you until my dying breath!"

Lelouch smiled and took a step back, disengaging from Jeremiah. "Then rise Jeremiah Gottwald, as my knight!" Lelouche threw his arms out in a grand display that moved Jeremiah's heart further. The soldier rose and placed his fist over his heart and straighten his back.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Lelouch obtained his first piece on the board, his enemies unknown to him had many, but from this one piece, he would build a force that would topple the world! But for now, he would allow his enemies to grow fat and lazy in their victory.

"It's been a long day," Lelouch commented offhandedly, "I'm sure it has been for you as well." Lelouch adjusted his cape over his side again. "Come, Jeremiah, I will make the arrangement to move you into Ares Villa. When the time comes, I shall have to have a proper Knighting ceremony."

"Yes, My Lord," Jeremiah quickly fell in step behind the young Prince as he exited the cemetery. The people had since long returned home. Lelouch entered his car, and Jeremiah followed suit.

"My Lord, if I may ask, what do you plan on doing now?" Jeremiah broke the silence after a few minutes.

"Nothing," Lelouch crossed his legs and laced his fingers together. He watched thoughtlessly as the scenery of Pendragon passed them by.

"I don't understand My Lord," Jeremiah looked at the young Prince, quickly finding him to be an enigmatic figure.

"You may not know, but earlier today, I sought an audience with the Emperor. There I was thoroughly humiliated and cast down by the entire court." Lelouch closed his eyes, the events replaying in his mind. "My father taught me my first lesson, and that is that I am weak." Lelouch made a fist with one hand and enclosed the other around it. "As it stands, I have nothing but you at my service, and my enemies are unseen and powerful. So much so that they brought down a queen." Lelouch glared at his invisible enemies before turning his intense gaze at Jeremiah. "My enemies are many and have many pieces to play," Lelouch smiled and went back to looking out the car window. "I must gather pieces of my own to even the odds, only then will I strike, and I will rain down fire and brimstone upon my enemies."

"I understand My Lord, then until that day comes, allow me to be your shield and sword." Jeremiah crushed the air with his fist and smiled at his master.

"Thank you, Jeremiah, I promise you that your loyalty shall be rewarded." Lelouch thanked his Knight, and the two settled into a comfortable silence for the rest of the ride home. The car pulled up at the Ares Villa, and when Lelouch stepped out, he noticed the decorative car of his sister Cornelia parked outside. "Jeremiah?"

"Yes, My Lord?" The Knight straightened at attention.

"Please wait here, I will send my butler out to collect you once I see what my sister requires." Lelouch walked towards the house, leaving behind his Knight.

"Good evening, Your Highness, Princess Cornelia, arrived not too long ago, she is in the first sitting room awaiting your arrival." The elderly Arthur, who had served his mother faithfully, bowed in respect.

"Thank you, Arthur, I will see her at once, I also require a room be prepared for my subordinate outside, Jeremiah Gottwald." Lelouch undid the clasp on his cape and handed the drenched garment to Arthur.

"Of course, Your Highness, I will prepare his quarters nearest to your rooms." Arthur bowed, and Lelouch went to meet Cornelia. He found his sister in less than proper attire, she was clad in her uniform, but her blazer was undone, her blouse undone by three buttons, and her hair a mess. She was sitting on the lounge sofa, her face in her hands, and glass of half-finished brandy on the coffee table. He had never known anyone to sneak up on his sister, that she hadn't noticed his presence was a bad sign.

"Good evening, sister." Lelouch cleared his throat and made his way towards Cornelia.

"Lelouch!" Cornelia snapped back into reality and abruptly got to her feet. "Forgive me, I must look a mess." Cornelia smoothed down her blazer in vain.

"You are still the picture of loveliness, sister," Lelouch offered a half-smile.

"Clovis has gotten to you, hasn't he?" Cornelia sat back down, smoothing her hair down as best she could.

Lelouch walked over to her and took a seat next to her on the sofa. "Are you well, sister?" Cornelia had always been closer to Nunnally and him than most of their eldest siblings. Though perhaps Odysseus could count as a close second, as Lelouch believed that man had not a single malicious bone in his body. The man was brotherly to all his sibling's weather deserving of it or not.

"Me?" Cornelia let out a bitter chuckle, she stood up and then knelt by Lelouch. She held him at arm's length inspecting him with bloodshot eyes from an evident lack of sleep and overworking. "Lelouch, I am so sorry, I should never have dismissed the guard when Lady Marianne asked me to." Lelouch felt her grip tighten around his shoulders to an almost painful degree. He bore it quietly, allowing his sister to vent. "You must think the worst of me, I am so sorry Lelouch for Lady Marianne and for Nunnally." At the mentioning of his sister, he felt his heart size. She was still under a medically induced coma, but he had not the courage to see her again. His mother was only a few weeks dead, and though the Doctor had requested a meeting with him. Lelouch had all but ignored the man.

"Sister, I do not blame you any more than I blame the men guarding my mother. They obeyed their orders." Lelouch grabbed one of Cornelia's hands and clasped her larger one between his. "I thank you for coming today, sister. But I think you should go, and just forget about Nunnally and me."

His sister recoiled as if he had struck her. "Lelouch, do you hate me so?"

"No!" Lelouch almost shouted at her. This was for the best, though his heart ached, and he wished to find comfort in Cornelia, he knew this was to protect her and Euphy. His enemies could not be allowed to hurt anyone else he cared about. "This…this is for the best, my enemies took my mother, and almost took Nunnally." Lelouch squeezed her hand, his small body beginning to shake, a mixture of anger and sadness swirling inside. "If they hurt you and Euphy too, I don't think I could go on anymore."

"Lelouch…" Cornelia, with tears pricking the corner of her eyes, stared at her brother. He was different, no longer the youth she watched play with his siblings, Lelouch was acting with none of the traits a child should have. Any other boy would be distraught and inconsolable, yet here was her brother thinking of her instead of himself. "I will never leave you or Nunnally," Cornelia extracted her hand from Lelouch's.

"Sister," Lelouch tried but was quickly cut off.

"I will not abandon you," Cornelia grabbed Lelouch and crushed him against her chest. She held him tightly as if her life depended on it. "You are my brother, and I will protect you for Euphy and my sake as well."

Lelouch tried to fight it, he wanted to push her away, but Cornelia was far too strong. His walls gave way, and despite his earlier conviction, Lelouch felt tears leak from his eyes. The Prince relented and let the warmth of his sister comfort him. He wrapped his arms as best he could around her and cried. For her part, Cornelia also wept for the loss of Lady Marianne, for Nunnally, and Lelouch's lost childhood.


The light of the morning disturbed Lelouch's sleep. He was in his bed, still wearing his clothes from yesterday. He didn't recall when or how he got to bed. He felt something soft pressed against his back as well as a comforting weight around his waist. Turning in the confined space, Lelouch faced Cornelia. She was sound asleep, he figured she had probably not slept in days. Carefully he moved her arm and slid out of bed. He found his sister's boots and his shoes discarded by the foot of the bed. He carefully tucked his sister in better and exited the room putting his shoes on once outside.

When Cornelia woke up, she was momentarily disoriented. Waking up in an unfamiliar place would do that to anyone, but she quickly regained her senses, remembering what happened last night. "Lelouch?" Cornelia looked around the room, and the once unfamiliar place was no more. This used to be Lady Marianne's room. A dull ache tugged at her heart, but frankly, she had cried herself out last night with her brother. She swung her legs over and stood up. She found her blazer hanging on a plush chair, but decided to forgo it and left the room after putting her boots on.

"Ah, Princess Cornelia, I was just about to come to see you. Prince Lelouch wanted you to join him for breakfast." Arthur bowed respectfully to the Princess.

"Thank you, Arthur; I believe I could use some food after everything that's happened." Cornelia nodded and followed the butler to the dining room.

Ares Villa was equipped to cater to every aspect of royalty. From sitting rooms for afternoon tea to a ballroom for social gatherings, and even a fencing arena especially constructed by Marianne Vi Britannia. The primary dining room was no different, extravagant with paintings by renowned artists and some from Clovis himself. The long table could sit up to twelve people, and it was decorated in a pristine white table cloth. Each chair was rich mahogany with plush cushions, and silver candle holders decorated the table at regular intervals. With that said, it was almost comical how only two plates had been set for the table. Lelouch was already seated, and several silver trays with covers were prepped on the table.

"Good morning Sister, I hope you slept well." Lelouch gave her a genuine smile, happy to have her at his home.

"I think that's the best sleep I've had in weeks." Cornelia sighed as two servants silently uncovered the silver treys and served Cornelia a fresh glass of orange juice.

"That makes two of us," Lelouch chuckled, and Cornelia followed suit. This was nice, the dark overcast of his mother's death had not altogether left, and perhaps it never would. But he could not deny having Cornelia here soothed his heart. "I'm sorry about what I said last night, I just wanted to protect you and Euphy."

Cornelia looked at Lelouch fondly, "I understand, but I'm afraid you're stuck with Euphy and me."

"Speaking off, is Euphy okay?" Lelouch would be lying if he said he didn't miss his bubbly sister.

"As well as can be, I was hoping we could go visit Nunnally together." Cornelia sighed, looking down at her food.

"Thank you, sister, I had yet to muster the courage to see her." Lelouch shamefully admitted.

"There is nothing to apologize for Lelouch, you have suffered a great loss and are allowed to feel as you do. Euphy and I will be by your side tomorrow, I promise." Cornelia offered an encouraging smile. Lelouch nodded gratefully, and the two siblings, with the more serious matters out of the way, enjoyed more light conversation.

The next day came, and both parties agreed to meet at the Royal Elizabethan Hospital. While Britannia boasted some of the best medical science in the world, the Royal Elizabethan Hospital within the limits of the Imperial Palace, boasted the most advance medical science to date. From experimental cybernetics to ocular implants. The best healthcare in the empire at the service of the Imperial family, and the prestigious and wealthy enough nobility. To emphasize its exclusivity, the hospital is guarded by the House Cavalry. A Lance of Knightmares less than a kilometer away would deploy on-demand.

"Are you settling in the villa Jeremiah?" Lelouch adjusted his cravat, watching his reflection on the car window.

"Yes, My Lord, the staff has been very accommodating," Jeremiah responded, dressed in his Ares Villa guardsmen uniform. Two silver crowns were the recent addition to the uniform, a designation for his new rank as a Major. Something the man had made quite clear to Lelouch, he disapproved off. Britannia does not reward failure, and Jeremiah felt the position an insult to his honor. Yet he held hope, as his Prince promised him he would give Jeremiah the chance to restore his honor.

The black sedan pulled up to the front gate. Two guards walked over and identified the passengers. With a crisp salute, they were let into the perimeter, and Lelouch met with Cornelia, who awaited him by the front entrance. By her side was her retainer Sir Guilford, a Major in his own right. Lelouch reached his sister at the door, and before he could ask about Euphy, the young Princess stepped from behind Cornelia and hugged Lelouch.

"Lelouch, I wanted to see you and Nunnally for so long. I'm so sorry mother would not let me go and-" Lelouch interrupted her and stroked her head gently.

"Shhh, it's okay, Euphy. I'm just thankful to have you here." Lelouch held her at arm's length, watching tears build up in Euphy's beautiful lilac eyes. "Here," Lelouch reached into his overcoat and handed Euphy his handkerchief.

"Lelouch, Cornelia told me you were so sad yesterday." Euphy dabbed at her eyes before handing Lelouch back his handkerchief.

"Cornelia helped me through my time of weakness," Lelouch nodded to Cornelia, who in return just smiled lovingly at him, though Lelouch did not miss the worry in his sister's eyes at his choice of words. "Come on, let's see about Nunnally."

The Royal siblings and their retainers entered and were expected. One Doctor Humphry, a greying doctor with glasses, took them to Nunnally's room on the fourth floor. The Doctor had asked them to prepare for the Princess vulnerable state and led them into her room. Lelouch immediately was glad his two sisters were with him. Cornelia put her firm hand on his shoulder, and Euphy hugged his arm. Nunnally was prostrated on a bed with tubes and sensor patches over her frail body. The hum and beeping of the machines was the only sound in the room for a solid minute. Doctor Humphry allowed the family and retainers time to absorb the sight.

"How is my sister, Doctor?" Lelouch walked up to Nunnally and placed his hand over hers. Euphy meanwhile placed both of hers over theirs.

"Stable," the aging Doctor said briefly, "all things considered Princess Nunnally was fortunate to be alive. The bullets missed vital organs, and we were able to get to her in time. That said," Doctor Humphry took off his glasses fidgeting with them as he did so. He closed his eyes in sadness, "Princess Nunnally suffered nerve damage to her legs and lower spine. I'm afraid she will not be able to walk again for the foreseeable future."

Lelouch gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, willing away the tears. "What do you mean about the foreseeable future?"

"We have top of the line cybernetics, and can even generate synthetic tissue to hide them." The Doctor put his glasses back on and crossed his arms behind his back. "However, the Princess is too young to undergo the procedure. Perhaps once she is older and her constitution improves, we can consider prosthetics."

"I…I see," Lelouch took a deep breath and stepped away from his broken sister. Euphy stayed holding her small hand. "When will she wake up?" Lelouch turned to the Doctor, content to let Euphy hold Nunnally.

"We have her in a medically induced coma, I believe her body has healed up enough to be woken up. If your majesty wishes she can be let out of the anesthetic. The Princess will regain consciousness over time."

"Don't worry Lelouch, I won't go anywhere." Euphy gave Lelouch a look of determination.

"Guildford"

"Yes, My Lady?" The Knight snapped to attention.

"Please tell Darlton that he is to take charge of my duties for today," Cornelia ordered her Knight.

"Of course, My Lady, I shall make the call at once." Guildford bowed and exited the room.

"My Lord, if you wish, I can wait outside." Jeremiah understood this was a family affair.

"Thank you, Jeremiah," Lelouch nodded in appreciation.

"My Lord, Your Highnesses," Jeremiah properly excused himself and left the family be.

The young Knight stood guard outside the doors when Sir Guildford walked up to him. "Princess Cornelia told me you had entered the services of the Prince, albeit informally, Major."

"Please, the crowns on my shoulders are a mockery I am forced to wear." Jeremiah scowled with disdain at the thought.

"I read the report, all guards have been dismissed, scattered to the corners of the empire. Yet you chose to remain, may I ask you why?" Guildford stood opposite of the fellow officer, his eyes taking in his worth.

"I could not live with the shame, though earlier than I intended it, I was able to meet with the Prince by sheer coincidence." Jeremiah traced the new scar over his cheek fondly. "I offered up my life to him, fully expecting him to exact retribution for my failure."

"You mean to tell me you asked the Prince to end you?" Guildford's tone conveyed no emotion, yet the hint of curiosity in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Yes, and in a matter of speaking, he did." Jeremiah grinned at the memory. "Now, I pledge to serve him until my dying breath." Jeremiah conveyed his total loyalty to his Prince staring right into Sir Guildfords eyes.

"Then I wish you good fortune, Jeremiah Gottwald," Sir Guildford grinned approvingly and offered his fellow soldier his hand. Both men shook hands firmly, an understanding reached between two men deeply devoted to their charges.

It was late in the evening when Nunnally stirred. She felt so weak, and there was a numbness all over her body. She cracked her eyes open to an unfamiliar room. It was white, and it smelled funny. She rubbed her eyes and tried to move, but her legs wouldn't listen to her.

"Mother?" She called out for her mother, then looked to her right. Big sister Cornelia was slumped on a chair with Euphy curled up on her lap. Doubled over by her side was Lelouch, he was sleeping and by the looks of it not well. His face was tight, and he kept mumbling something.

"Big Brother?" she reached over stroking his head lovingly. She tried to move, but again her legs did not cooperate. Questions began to fill her young head, where was she, where was her mother? Then, like cold water poured over her head, she remembered everything. Her mother shouting her name, the pain on her legs, and the once warm eyes of her mother staring at her vacantly.

"No," Nunnally trembled and shook her head. This was not a dream, she was awake, and the pain in her heart told her everything.

"Nunnally," Lelouch woke up from a dreadful nightmare. He saw his sister looking at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm so glad you're finally awake," Lelouch sat up and hugged his sister. In turn, Nunnally hugged him back and cried into his chest.

"Lelouch, mother is gone, isn't she?" Nunnally managed through her sobbing.

"I'm so sorry Nunnally, I wish it wasn't so." Lelouch trembled but never wavered. He found strength in knowing that despite the cruelty bestowed upon him, he would not be alone in this world.

"Lelouch, I want to go home, but I can't get up." Nunnally wiped her eyes and looked at Lelouch with concern.

"Nunnally," Lelouch took a steadying breath, "You were injured, the doctor says you won't be able to walk for a while." Lelouch wanted to break; to cry and demand to god, he fixed Nunnally. But he was done being childish, he had to be strong for Nunnally. "But it's okay, I promise no matter what happens, I will always be here for you." Lelouch stroked his sister's cheek and smiled with all the love he had in his heart for her.

"I will be with you too, Nuna," Euphy surprised the siblings, as she came over to hug them.

"I know it won't be the same, but I will take care of both of you Nunnally, Your big sister Cornelia promises too." Cornelia enveloped them all in her arms. It was a painful moment for everyone involved. But despite everything, Lelouch felt hope, something he thought long gone from his life. It wouldn't be easy, but he would grow strong, and he would make sure nobody could ever hurt the people he loved ever again.


No person had come up with a definitive answer to when the Black Prince was truly born. There are several accounts through his life that could be considered the changing moment that set a young man on a path that would shape the empire. Duke Godfried of the county of Goldshire, claims the Prince became who he was during his historic audience with Emperor Charles Zi Britannia.

"I remember seeing Young Prince Lelouch seek an audience with the Late Emperor Charles. At the precipice of being exiled and possibly disowned, Prince Lelouch skillfully and expertly submitted to his father and spared himself for another day. I genuinely believe this is the moment in time. The Black Prince was born."

Doctor Gregory Humphry, the personal physician, chosen by The Black Prince to handle Princess Nunnally's health claims otherwise, citing the day the Princess woke up as his true birth.

"What you have to understand is that the Prince lost his mother, and was humiliated before the entire court in the span of a few weeks. He even found the Lady Marianne was buried as a commoner without any of her honors. When Princess Nunnally woke, in fact, the entire time he was there, the Prince never shed another tear. I have seen plenty of broken people in my life as a doctor. But the Prince was anything but. I feel it in my gut that this was the moment The Black Prince became the man we all know today."

Accounts vary, and the argument to this day still rages on, as no one has been able to claim when The Black Prince rose.

"The Black Prince of Britannia" History Channel Hit Documentary 2072 a.t.b

Ho boy took me a while to get this chapter done, I feel it got away from me a bit. So I promise to be more focused on the next chapters to come. I have also gone back and fixed our dear Lulu's name. Sorry about that. I hadn't typed out Lelouch's name in ages, and for some reason, my mind pictured and 'e' at the end of his name. But that's not here or there. The next chapter will be a time skip, and not unlike the story I fell in love with, we will get to see Lelouch establish his power base and start his climb to the top. Things will pick up a bit afterward.

Oh, and Nunnally isn't blind here, as that side plot kinda didn't make sense to me in the original show. Given how we find out, it wasn't trauma, but Charle's geass that kept Nunnally blind.

I would also like to thank all those who reviewed, and for favoring and following the story. I will also like to address the issue of shipping. I have my own favorite pairing in the show, and I will follow through with it. That said, I will leave it a mystery and let you guys figure it out. I don't bash other pairings either, so hopefully, nobody comes here expecting a character bash of anyone.

To ChunkyFunkyMunky: I agree, it is a shame it was never finished. I just recently re-read it, and a certain character's demise still gets me every time I go back to it. I think I'll give the Iron Prince a try. I'm a sucker for Lelouch in Britannia stories.

To namey5357: Thank you for checking this out, and I'm glad my characterization is good. I always try to keep the original characters in mind when I write fics. I wouldn't worry about length, my chapters tend to start relatively small and get larger as I go. That said, I felt this chapter a bit long-winded, hope it doesn't come out that way. Anyways please enjoy it!

Thank you all again for reading, see you next chapter!