Title: A Chance Forgotten
Rating: K/G
Summary: Charles greets the newly created Julius
Author: Aminta Defender
Beneath the purple silk canopy, his son sleeps at ease. He has no memories of death to haunt him anymore; in their absence, the harsh lines of his face soften. Mother, sister, father—forgotten. No royal title. No dead mother. No tragic love. A chance for peace at last.
The finger twitches, and Charles leans back in his chair, unsure as to whether he is ready to meet the stranger wearing the skin of his son. The path he chose is necessary. Lelouch has been causing too much trouble—entertaining as his revolution might have been. A new life: both a blessing and a curse... for both of them. Perhaps at least one of them can now reclaim some of the happiness V.V. stole.
"Still, asleep?" Marianne interrupts, wearing the young girl's body. She observes her son, expression inscrutable. "Was this truly necessary? We could've explained."
"And then what?" Charles asks. "V.V. would wonder why he is here. He would've killed Nunnally had Kururugi not interfered. She's only safe because C.C. warned you, and I interfered. At least this way, she's insurance... and Lelouch will be an asset to the plan."
"He could be an asset if you convince him," Marianne grumbled.
"We still have at least a year." Charles grabbed her shoulder. "Let him have a moment of peace. He deserves that much."
The hand stirs again, and they quiet, waiting for the boy to wake and show his new flavor. What is Lelouch? What is from the trials they placed on him? Charles changed so much. It's impossible to know.
"Your Majesty," the boy mumbles, one eye squeezed tightly shut. An additional precaution. That geass of his is truly a sight to behold. Magnificent. Without equal. "What happened?"
"An accident," Marianne soothes. "Tell us, do you remember your name?"
"Julius." The memories took. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Your Majesty. You did not need to trouble yourself with someone as unworthy as myself. I promise that I will rectify my mistake."
The boy smiles, and Charles falters. Radiant. Sincere. Anticipatory. That is the smile Charles denied himself in the haste to push his son far away. The eyes are filled with devotion—the type due to a father. The boy staggers to his feet and kneels, obedient, yet proud. A prince in all but name.
Charles hadn't erased his son, but his own sins. Before him is the boy that could've been. He isn't ready to send him away yet again.
"A game of chess, Le—Julius," he says and Marianne startles at his side. She casts him a knowing smirk which he summarily ignores. "If you will be taking on the E.U., we should brush up on your sense of tactics."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The boy trembles. "I will make you proud."
He already did, and even in this untested form, he does. The boy's mind is a beautiful creation to behold as he vanquishes each challenge without pause. It makes Charles wonder: Why had Lelouch limited himself?
