Interlude 19:

I cringe in Viceroy Cornelia's office. This really isn't how I was planning to spend today.

But, when it comes to Euphemia? Nothing ever goes as planned.

"What the bloody hell are you doing, Euphie?! Have you lost your mind?!"

"I'm doing what someone should have done years ago! This situation is disgraceful, and I'm doing what I think is right!"

I look to my right, seeing Guilford with his eyes closed and a pensive look on his face. "Sir Guilford...have they ever had a fight this bad before?"

He shakes his head, pushing his glasses up to rub the bridge of his nose. "No, Sir Kururugi. And I'm sure you're feeling as ill-at-ease as I am witnessing it."

I nod grimly, wincing as Euphie hits the desk with her palm.

"You think this is a cheap political ploy?!"

Cornelia growls as she towers over Euphie, "What else could it be? Giving the Numbers rights goes against everything the Empire stands for!"

Euphie balls up her hands into fists as she meets her sister's gaze.

"And that's exactly why I'm doing this. It's like I said to you after Kawaguchi. I think... no. I KNOW the Empire is wrong!"

If this weren't such a serious situation? I'd be tempted to take a photo right now. Because the look on Princess Cornelia's face is priceless. Like someone just shot her puppy in the head with a sniper rifle.

"Euphie! I told you not to say such things! You can't let things like that get out!"

My princess narrows her gaze, a vein of anger on her forehead.

"I'm well aware that just giving the people of this Area one small section isn't enough to make up for everything we've done to them. That's why the SAZ is just the start."

Guilford and I both shudder as Her Highness Cornelia stares down at her sister in disbelief and suppressed outrage.

"You think Father or Schneizel will allow this?" Cornelia says in disbelief.

Good point. I can't see either of them going along with this.

"I have already spoken to Brother Schneizel, and he has approved the SAZ as a potential proof of concept."

...What?

"What."

Guilford's face says he's thinking the exact same thing. I remember all too well what Lelouch said to me before we left his house a few days ago.

I comb my hair at the mirror in Lelouch's bathroom as I get ready to leave with Euphie.

Wow...what a night that was. I blush remembering everything we did together.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I turn to see the man himself leaning against the door, a wistful expression on his face.

"Knowing you, you can probably guess, Lulu."

I shudder as he kisses my neck, nuzzling my cheek as he leans on me from behind.

"I hope you had fun. I know I did," he whispers in my ear.

I nod, not trusting myself to say anything.

"Suzaku."

I turn to look him in the eyes...and realize that he's actually being serious right now.

"I thought about it, and while I can't convince you or Euphie easily, I can at least ensure that you're not going back in there blind."

What is he talking abo—

"Suzaku, Do not trust Schneizel."

I turn around to face him, cognizant of how close to each other we are.

"Lelouch, why is this such a big deal to..."

And just like that it hits me.

He's frightened.

I embrace him, holding him tightly as he shivers in my arms.

"Lulu...what...?"

"You don't know him. You don't know what that man is capable of."

He looks me in the eye, violet to emerald, "He already threw you to the wolves once, just to draw me out. Do you think he would hesitate to do so again, if he knew what you meant to me?"

I feel a drop of wetness on my shoulder. I take a deep breath as I stroke his dark hair.

This at least, hasn't changed much. He always feels like he has to be this pillar of strength, an image of heroic resolve. It's only around people he cares about that he can relax and take a breath.

...Euphie was right. I really do love him. Heh, guess I am becoming more Britannian. Otherwise, I might feel weird about doing THIS.

He blinks in surprise as I kiss him, then starts purring as he leans into me.

I smile as the kiss ends, enjoying his flushed look.

"ルルシュ、愛いしてる。 Tell me what you think I need to know. Whatever it is, I trust you." (Lelouch, I love you.)

He sighs in my arms, "You're an idiot. But you're MY idiot. And Euphie's. And probably CC's, at this point, too."

I blink in surprise. CC likes me? Okay, that sounds a bit silly, given the fun we've had, but I thought that was more because Lelouch and I are together.

"Don't act so shocked. Obviously she doesn't feel about you the same way she does me, but she is quite fond of you." He smirks mischievously at me. "Given an opportunity, I'm sure Milly will want a horseback ride on you too, stud."

My cheeks flush scarlet. And yet? I find I'm not opposed to the idea. Especially with the revelation that Euphie not only wouldn't mind, but would probably actively encourage me to do so.

"Schneizel presents a certain image to the world. That of the 'White Prince', a man unsurpassed in his capabilities and of such sterling quality that all who know him marvel at his grandeur."

That sounds like the man I met. The only other person whose presence, whose force of will, felt that overpowering, is Lelouch himself.

He cups my chin, a frosty glare making all warmth drain from his eyes.

"But that's what most other people fail to realize. There's nothing else there."

What? "I don't understand. What do you—"

"He's hollow. There's nothing inside him. No depth of feeling, no human emotion, no honor, no goals. THAT, is the REAL Schneizel el Britannia. An inhuman machine. And that's how he used you too."

"But I talked with him, had tea, discussed philosophy..." I say trailing off as a horrifying thought enters my mind. That little voice in my head is screaming at me now.

All of that was so he could send you to your own execution!

I pale, hands shaking as the dots finally connect to what Lelouch meant.

"He...he...didn't care if I died. He just wanted to see how you would react."

Lulu's eyes light up as he nuzzles my cheek. "Praise Mara! He can be taught!"

A chill runs down my spine at a certain thought.

"Lelouch! Is Euphemia in danger from him?!"

He shakes his head, "No. He cares for Euphie, as much as someone like him is capable of it. He will avoid endangering her directly."

That's not a no! That's a qualification!

"Dammit, Lulu, give me a serious answer!"

He sighs, holding my cheek with one hand, "That is the best answer I have, old friend. He is second only to me in his cunning, without any of my virtues."

I chuckle quietly as something comes to mind that he'll probably like.

"You know, when Euphie found out that he sent me to Kyushu? She screamed at him and slapped him in the face."

The laugh that bursts out of him at that mental image puts my heart at ease.

"Hahahaha!"

It's not his megalomaniacal laugh, nor the crazy one he uses sometimes. It's calmer, more refreshing.

"What should I do about Schneizel?"

He calms down after a moment, taking a deep breath.

"There's nothing that you can do. You're no match for him. Just be on your guard and be wary of anything he says to you."

My eyebrow raises at the casual dismissal of my capabilities. I mean, he's not wrong. I'm not the same caliber of genius as either of them. But something bothers me about this.

"If Schneizel is so dangerous and so intelligent, why does the Emperor tolerate him?"

A snort is his only response for a moment before he speaks. "Because as much as I dislike him, he is the only man on this planet that I consider my equal in terms of strategic and tactical brilliance. He's well aware of what Schneizel is. He simply doesn't care, so long as Schneizel keeps the Empire running and doesn't openly act against him," he whispers quietly, his hands gripping me with surprising strength.

Alright, now I know he's not telling me something. The Emperor doesn't care about his own empire?

"Then what does he—?!"

He points to his left eye as it lights up with a red glow, which quickly fades.

Oh.

I forgot, he's in on that conspiracy, too.

"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Suzaku, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

I should know this, that quote was in class not too long ago.

"What are you quoting?"

Lulu disentangles himself from me with a graceful spin and smirks at me as he's leaving the room, pausing only to reply over his shoulder.

"Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5."

"Have you taken leave of your senses?! Why would Schneizel agree to this?!"

I snap back to the present after daydreaming in reminiscence, and look to see Euphie glaring at her sister as she answers with her own outraged yell.

"Because I asked him politely, because he wanted to make up for his mistake with Suzaku, and because my idea can change the Empire!"

Before her sister can respond, Euphie is standing to her full height and expounding her points.

"WHEN, not if, but WHEN, the SAZ succeeds, I can use it as proof my idea works via the increased productivity and general happiness of the population. Special Administrative Zones, in place of Areas. Where people don't have to be afraid anymore."

That's...

"I'm going to do it, Big Sister. I'll show you and everyone else, that a better way is possible with kindness and understanding. That the Numbers are just as human and deserving of decency as any Britannian."

Cornelia stares in wide-eyed disbelief at Euphie's proclamation.

"You want to not only create this insane idea, you want to expand it? Father will never allow this!"

Euphemia looks to the side dismissively, "Since when does Father care about anything we do? All he wants is the Sakuradite to keep coming and the tax money flowing. This way we can get more of both and and use this as the start of a new way of doing things. One that doesn't exploit people like resources to be strip mined! Once my idea is proven to work, the popular support will make it self-sustaining! And I will ask Zero himself to ensure it so!"

I stare in wide-eyed astonishment at her pronouncement.

"Zero?! You would ask the man who murdered Clovis to endorse your project?!"

She growls, yes, growls at that remark. "A murder that even the two of us privately admit was not entirely unjustified! You yourself told me that I didn't want to know what Clovis did!"

On the one hand, she's not wrong. Even I have to admit Clovis was a vile personage.

But on the other hand? Her Highness Princess Cornelia still hasn't forgiven Zero for that.

"What makes you think you can trust him?! He's a regicidal maniac!" the purple-ette snarls at her.

Euphie's venomous response is icy, so much that even perhaps His Majesty Emperor Charles, would be impressed.

"Why not? You trusted him to save my life, and to hold to the terms of the ceasefire you brokered. Right, Viceroy?"

I frown seeing how deeply that remark cut Cornelia. It's the kind of vicious and acid tongued comment...that CC or Lelouch would have made.

"Suzaku!"

I blink at being addressed. I suppose Guilford and I were both trying to blend in and hope we weren't noticed.

"We're leaving!"

I salute and move to behind her as we march out the door. "Yes, Your Highness!"

A visibly frustrated Euphie marches to her private wing of the palace, staffers fleeing from her glowering face as they catch sight of her.

Clearly the ability to cow people into submission is not just something Viceroy Cornelia can do...

The moment we cross the threshold and I lock the door, I find a bundle of pink in my arms as Euphemia holds me tightly.

"Why can't she understand? Why does everyone insist that things have to persist like this? Why doesn't anyone want to be kind...?" she whispers in a heart-wrenching soft voice.

I wish I could say something appropriate here. That it will all be okay. That the SAZ will change everything.

...Maybe if I was the man I was before Lelouch saved my soul, I could accept it. Maybe if my faith in the system was still blind and unflinching, I could believe that Euphie will succeed.

But the words of Lelouch from the night before echo in my mind.

"ばかやろ! How can the man I love be so dense?! You think that Euphie, of all people, can actually force the change needed?! The only way Britannia changes, is BY BLOOD AND IRON!"

"Suzaku."

I look down, seeing Euphie's gorgeous face consumed by worry, and I find, maybe...maybe I can believe in it, for her.

"Am I doing the right thing?"

I rub her back, breathing in the flowery scent of her hair. I have no idea what shampoo she uses, but it's a cloying, enticing smell.

"I don't know if this is the right thing, Euphie."

She flinches at the wayward tone in my voice.

"But? I know it's the JUST thing to do. Someone has to stand up and say something. No matter what happens, I'll support you."

I feel happy tears staining my uniform as we hold each other. Two souls adrift in a sea of chaos.

"I just want to do something. I can't sit by letting people suffer anymore, watching from on-high."

I kiss her softly, resting my forehead on hers, both our eyes closed as we bask in the other's warmth.

"If more people were like you, the Empire would be a better place."

The smile she gives me is a gift beyond measure. I know what Lelouch wants to do, and I know he'll never agree to this idea.

And someone has to bring it up.

"Euphie, Lulu won't like this. You know he's going to be upset over the SAZ."

My princess sighs at that reminder of the elephant in the room.

"I know. But I have to do what my heart tells me. Even he would agree with that sentiment. And...this is the only way I can see to be with him and Nunnally that doesn't result in innocent people suffering."

And isn't that her goal and Zero's? To stop the suffering of the innocent? It might be a long shot, but I'd rather attempt it and fail than say I never tried and wasn't willing to believe in the dreams of the woman I love.

"I'd be a terrible excuse for a Knight if I didn't give my Princess my full faith and trust, wouldn't I?" I say, holding her by the small of her back as I look warmly into the beautiful lilac that is her eyes.

"Oh, Suzaku, I love you so much."

"And I love you too, Euphie."

As we kiss, our lips meeting in the privacy of our shared chambers, neither of us at the moment willing to address the looming specter over this idea of hers anymore at the moment, I ponder it in the back of my mind.

What will you do, Lelou— no. Zero. What will you do when Euphemia demands your answer?