Hot Wheels goes vroom~vroom
Kallen Stadtfeld, Knight of Ten
Imperial Capital Pendragon, Emperor's private chamber
Two and a half months after Lelouch's accession
What's that red… is that a pimple-? Shit, shit-shit-shit, damn it! Kallen yanked open the bathroom drawer, fanatically searching for anything useful that could cure the degradation of her womanly appeal.
With a sharp needle in hand and her knowledge on proper pimple treatment all but forgotten, Kallen was ready to nip the wart in the bud before the infestation could continue to spread. Feeling somewhat anxious, Kallen steadied the grip on her tools before carefully pinching the red spot that scarred her looks.
But then what she initially believed to be a pimple fell off, revealing itself to just be a patch of dead skin on her cheek.
Well then… Kallen sighed, a combination of disappointment and relief.
The bashful Knight of Ten went back on track, applying the finishing touches of a mild makeup for the rest of the day. Thinking back on it, it still boggled her mind that she would end up taking Marrybell's advice on beauty and style so seriously. Not that she was a slothful tomboy before this, but Kallen never would have imagined herself polishing her eyelashes in front of a mirror aboard the Ikaruga.
After she was satisfied with the minuscule adjustment to her appearance that in reality is most likely impossible to notice, Kallen spread a smooth layer of moisturizing lotion over her face and upper torso. Finally, she decided to pander to herself, giving her breasts a quick fondle; just a little bit, just making sure they were still firm but soft, mellow yet perky.
Nice… bigger than C.C.
Before she forgot, Kallen picked a set of earrings from a moderate selection of accessories lent to her by Marrybell. Amidst was a pair that resembled extremely closely to the Geass sigil, the chains balanced the two tips of the wing by connecting to the heavier crevice on the bottom. It was a fitting adornment on her, Kallen judged, impelling her to take it for a test run.
Thereby concluding her mission in the washroom, Kallen entered the bedroom and was immediately greeted by the illimitation of a winter sun beaming a tame morning ray through the windows. She traced the ray of light to its conclusion on the king-sized bed, where Lelouch was peacefully resting on, with a tablet one hand and a sandwich in the other.
"Breakfast in bed, Your Majesty? How very… lenient of you." Kallen said to the Emperor, his attention still mostly on the touchscreen.
"I am known to be a magnanimous ruler, you see." Lelouch raised his sight to meet hers, but for just a moment it got stuck on her breasts instead.
It was an instant of hesitation no normal person would have noticed, or resist. Although Kallen was confident that she gave no other man alive the opportunity to catch a glimpse of her body as she gave to Lelouch. And to witness his profound gaze linger ever so slightly over her natural assets made the Ace pilot's day a little more fulfilled.
"Hmm? Seeing something you like, Your Majesty?"
"Must you take after the worst aspects of the witch?"
"Boo~! You're no fun. Is C.C. your get-out-of-jail-free card?" Kallen inched closer, despite knowing her bra and uniform were hung in the closet instead of somewhere near Lelouch.
"See, you're actively choosing to mention her in this conversation, against your better judgment."
"Well, I did do this to myself, I guess." Kallen paused, determined to discard the spoiled topic for something more engaging.
She moved her body closer to the bedside, obviously signalling to him that she is within arm's reach. "You've been visited by the… ermm- by the boobies of good fondles! Enjoyment and pleasure will come to you, but only if you… post a… post a honk, honk in this thread!"
It wasn't a flawlessly executed invitation, she stumbled twice on the improvisation. However, it did earn a heartfelt chuckle out of Lelouch, even as he tried to conceal his amusement of her immature humour behind the tablet.
"Kallen, this will not please you, but I must decline. I'm sure we'll have ample opportunities to resume tonight." Although as he declared his reluctance to feast on the meal, Lelouch did plant a sturdy grip on her breast, albeit momentarily, only as an appetizer.
"Kyaaa, what a perv~" Kallen deadpanned a moan.
"Alright, now go get dressed, we have a country to run… or try to."
"What's on the schedule today?" Kallen asked while picking out a pair of underwear that she predicted would most align with Lelouch's taste came nighttime.
"Probably a lot of maintenance for the fallout of losing France and Germany to the UFN. As expected of Kaguya, to sway two sovereign nations to take up the federation banner in such a short time is no easy task, I'm starting to think I underutilized her when we were still with the Black Knights."
"I mean, she is really smart. Although if you took a more hands-on approach, she won't be able to hold a candle to you. I guess it isn't too big of a problem since you're letting… what's-her-face…? I can't remember the name, but your Prime Minister, she's doing alright."
"Guinevere, she isn't stupid. She isn't Schneizel smart… but not stupid. There's that one time when she tried to open over a hundred internment camps across the Areas, but which of my siblings haven't." Kallen simply shrugged, it was hard to judge most of Lelouch's relatives now that their characteristics had been revised to erase some of their major flaws.
"Well, I don't mind if you make others endorse your laziness, I endorse it, in fact. But are you sure the rest of the country is fine with that also?"
"Truthfully, I have been slothful… nonetheless, Britannia is still on the upturn. We're maintaining our status as a world power without oppressing those less developed countries, I'd like to think of it as a happy middle ground. Besides, if it wasn't for me, we'd be fighting against… the entirety of the world right now."
"Touché" For better or for worse, the world could only be enjoying its period of peace thanks to the generous rule of Britannia's Emperor of Justice. To Kallen, even if his title was a charade, it was the man under the crown whom she cared for.
"With that out of the way, I need a favour from you, it's really fast." Kallen spun around at the king's demand, catching the closet door on the way out after she clipped on her cloak.
"What can I do?" The job came soaring towards her in the shape of a small metallic object, thrown by Lelouch.
Kallen snatched it out of the air easily, in her closed fist she felt the object was roughly palm length long and about half as high. Its glossy aluminium surface and weighty mass didn't compile a picture that fitted her initial image of what the item could be. It was a model car, shiny and chrome. From a single glance, she could already tell there was excruciating artisanship behind every nook and cranny of the minimized vehicle crafted by hand.
"Dude… very nice Hot Wheels. Do you think I can afford a McLaren P1 in real life with my salary?" While she was puzzled by the purpose Lelouch sought to achieve by passing her his toy, it didn't take too much effort to respect his taste.
"Give it a couple of years. Now just stand there for a bit." Lelouch confidently replied, his focus soon switched to his phone.
"A couple of years? Sounds like I need a raise."
"Yes, yes… now look at me." Kallen heeded his order, and the crimson bird of Geass lit ablaze in Lelouch's irises were the first thing she saw. "I want you to… want you to… roll that car over your face and make some engine noises, like a five-year-old."
Approximately two seconds passed in complete silence and stillness, just enough time for Kallen to be befuddled.
"What the hell…? Are you trying to Geass me? Haven't you done that once already?"
"No, no. Don't worry about it, just pass me back my car." Rattled by the unsolved mystery before her, Kallen wordlessly tossed the toy to Lelouch.
"Wanna tell me what that's about?"
"In time, I promise. But for now, let's actually get going. There're meetings to sleep through today." Hastily cutting off the conversation and dressing in his garbs, Lelouch's attitude made it very obvious that wasn't a discussion to be had at that time.
"…Great, I'll practice my ability to sleep upright." Howbeit bemused she was, Kallen didn't let the strange action of her beloved king linger in her thoughts.
Imperial Capital Pendragon, Imperial Palace
For about four hours, Kallen was subjected to some of the most mundane disputes she ever had the displeasure of attending to. Talks of politics, talks of economy, talks of diplomacy; none of which drew anything more than a bore out of the Knight of Ten. And all of it caused by the UFN's sudden acquisition of two major European nations.
I'm gonna get you for this one, Kaguya… making me sit through all this crap. Kallen's only saving grace was the mask she hid herself behind as she stood by Lelouch's side, enabling her to yawn all she wished without exposing the coarse action. If the Emperor was just as bored as she was, the meticulous technique he won his debates and arguments wasn't a sign of it.
After four whole hours, the conference was finally wrapped up once Lelouch gave a final speech regarding the future of the two superpowers enduring a bloodless competition. His points were tight and message thorough. At the rate things were heading, the escalating tension between Britannia and the UFN was bound to lead to another outbreak of war.
— —
"Y-Your Majesty! A moment please!" As many members of the council slowly trickled out of the meeting, a crisp and high-pitched voice caught Lelouch's attention when he and Kallen made their exit.
"Miss Einstein, or is it Doctor now?"
"Oh, no, no! I'm still missing my Master's, that's something I need to start putting a bit more effort into." The implication being that Nina blasted through the rest of her courses on her way to obtaining a PhD.
"Good luck with your studies. So what is this about?"
"Yes, errm… right, here we go. I'd like your permission to relocate my sakuradite and F.L.E.I.J.A. research from Camelot to a new R&D department under my jurisdiction… if-if it's alright with you, Your Majesty!" Nina boldly requested. Her legs started to tremor timidly when Lelouch wordlessly stared her on.
"Is there something wrong with Camelot?"
"No, not at all! It's just that… our objectives don't really line up and Earl Asplund is much more interested in Knightmare development. I'm hoping to put more research into the energy production aspect of sakuradite…"
"Did you speak to Lloyd about this proposal?"
"Yes, of course! I have his approval, and I'll submit a formal petition tomorrow! I wanted to run this by you to see if you're willing to give it a green light…" Lelouch seemed deep in thought, the conference room he came from had mostly emptied out by now.
"Is it necessary to also move the F.L.E.I.J.A. research if your goal is the sakuradite?"
"I need it to finish my development of the F.L.E.I.J.A Eliminator, I don't want to lose precious time in the bureaucracy otherwise. N-not that I don't trust Camelot to-to takeover for my work! It's just… we have enough warheads to cover every inch of the planet in fire… the Eliminator should come in handy were things to…" That was a daunting statement coming from Nina, Kallen couldn't imagine how it must feel to have an arsenal large enough to destroy the world under one's thumb.
"…I'll take a look at your formal submission tomorrow, then we'll see."
"Right… thank you very much, Your Majesty!" Nina politely bowed and left, still somewhat nervous under her skin. Kallen supposed it couldn't be helped, being the sole inventor of a WMD capable of wiping out humanity tends to do that to a person.
"All the stockpile of F.L.E.I.J.A. we have, what for?" Once the scientist was out of sight, Kallen asked her liege as they walked away from the nearby crowds.
"For Schneizel, to prevent him from using his stockpile."
"I know that, but what about after you defeat him?"
"Not 'if'?" Lelouch humorously nitpicked.
" 'When' you defeat him."
"I cannot say. With the prospect of F.L.E.I.J.A.'s devastation in my hand, and only my hand. I can unite the world. Sure, it'll be through fear and domination, but there will be everlasting peace."
"And will you?"
"Will you let me?" That question had Kallen stumped, despite the easy answer she thought she held.
"No… if you become that evil… I'll stop you. I promised I'll be there to drag you out of whatever mess you'll make." However, there was a shred of unseen hesitation when she made her declaration.
"Excellent, then we're in agreement."
"Let's not talk about that too much, I trust you won't be dummying me with a bomb in the near future. Why don't we go grab a bite to eat? We can dine out if you have nothing else going on in the afternoon."
Lelouch peeked at his phone, checking the time. "Sure, take me to your favourite restaurant."
"You'll be looking at a long list, pick a number from one to seven hundred, we can go from there."
Kururugi Suzaku, Knight of Zero
Imperial Capital Pendragon, Medical Ward
Two rapid knocks, a pause, and two more, that was the pattern. "Euphie, I'm coming in."
As Suzaku swung open the door carefully to a temporary studio apartment at the far end of the hospital and saw a tranquil Euphemia slouching on the couch, he grew immediately hesitant. The first sight of his princess recognizing his arrival was a vehement flinch, one that both of them were quite accustomed to by that point in their relationship.
"…Suzaku, do you like anime?" If she didn't want to comment on it, he too would quash his worries.
"Oh, they're… alright. I rarely watched them as a kid. After the invasion, I never had the time."
"Come to me, sit." Euphie patted the empty spot on the sofa beside her, a reluctant Suzaku obeyed. "I think you'll like this show, it's about this really muscular guy in the middle ages and his band of mercenary soldiers. It's really gory and stuff, but I really enjoy it. There's also a guy that sounds just like you! It's pretty crazy."
"But anime is made by…"
"Yeah, that's why I'm hoping it helps. Exposure therapy." Euphemia tapped on her own forehead, indicating her vast sum of knowledge. Her cute smile swayed Suzaku's ambiguity.
While the princess under house arrest was absorbed by the animated television presented on a wide flatscreen, the Knight of Zero preoccupied himself with more consequential affairs that he couldn't stop worrying.
Suzaku, for his part as the sole culprit accountable for her revival, made sure Euphemia was well cared for under the conditions that bound her. He wanted to think her every need was met and none of her wishes was denied as long as they stood reasonable. Three meals a day plus all the snacks and drinks she could dream of, a computer and a gaming device with a limited internet connection to keep her entertained. In Addition, she was always one press away on the intercom from dialling his or C.C.'s number.
In spite of all that, Suzaku was still fretted by the apprehension of Euphie's new unpredictable personality, and her honest opinion of being kept locked up in a single bedroom without true freedom. Also, there was the smidgen of guilt that withered at his consciousness, whispering to him that he didn't have the right to hide Euphemia's presence to the world.
"-Suzaku… Suzaku! Hello!?"
"-Huh? Oh, yes. What's wrong?" The Lancelot's Devicer shook himself awake, realizing that he had gone into his own head for far too long.
"I'm starting to wonder if you ever listen to a word I say."
"Of course I do! I was just… thinking about you and… other stuff."
"Right… and what was I talking about when you were zooming out?"
"Hmm… was it how this anime…" Suzaku peeked at the screen, hoping to snatch some sort of hints to free himself from Euphie's interrogation. "Looks kinda old…?"
Reading the dejected accusation that surfaced over Euphemia's pout, Suzaku shied away from meeting her eye. Slowly and carefully, she slumped from where she sat into the knight's lap, gently taking a free hand of his into her own fingers and borrowed it to stroke her cheeks.
"Suzaku… my love, I do not wish to pressure you needlessly and you do not have to answer me honestly. But why must it be so strenuous for you to be happy? Egotistical as I may sound, are you not delighted by our reunion?"
Suzaku's instinct told him to react strongly, to immediately deny any allegations that served to provoke a dissatisfaction from him even after bringing back the Euphie who laid comfortingly over his knees.
However, he gave her suggestion some genuine thought and found it not without its merit. "I don't know… it still feels so unreal to me, like any moment… I could wake up from this dream, and be confronted with a cruel reality."
"How can I prove to you that my existence is attested? That my love for you is authentic?"
"I… I also don't know." How was he supposed to convince himself of the happily ever after that he earned if the story had yet to reach its finale, Suzaku had no clue.
"How about this? You can let me out of this room, then we can go back to the way things were. I was going to renounce my name and status for the SAZ, but that didn't end up making the headlines. It's the one silver lining that's left." That suggestion tensed every fibre in Suzaku's body, not without reasons.
"Euphie… I'm sorry to be the one telling you this; but even if you haven't renounced your title, they deprived your status afterwards for what happened. Besides, I don't think the world will take to your return with enthusiasm…" The rationale behind his statements was palpable, but logic didn't seem to meld well with the abandoned royalty.
"I told you, I don't care what the world thinks! The only ones I'll look out for from now on are me and you!" Euphemia was riled up by Suzaku's rejection, not knowing how much it pained him as well. "It'll be so easy, Suzaku. I can take a picture on your phone and in less than five minutes, the news of my reappearance will be halfway across the planet."
"I'm sorry… I cannot allow that, Euphie. If you ask to be reinstated to the royal bloodline- not even that- if the world knows you're still alive. You'd jeopardize many plans Lelouch and I drew together."
"What plans!? What plans does His Imperial Majesty Lelouch have that can be jeopardized!? What plans… can be jeopardized by giving me back what is mine…? He took it, didn't he? He took everything from me…!"
"Euphie… it's going to be okay, it'll all work out in the end." It was all he could think of to say, to relieve her of suffering a crisis he didn't bear.
"He's… he's my brother, Suzaku! We've been together ever since we were children! I… I adored him, I loved him! I was ready to give up everything for his goal!" Tears of remorse and resentment started to burst out uncontrollably from the disheartened victim of Lelouch's Geass, damping Suzaku's knees as Euphie hiccupped between some of her words.
"And yet… how could he do this to me! After saying that we'll work together to maintain the SAZ! After saying he was giving up… he used his power on me! He made me- made me kill thousands of people that day! He made me into a monster for his own ambition! Even now, it still haunts me… even now I'm still a shadow of my former self!"
"Euphie… it's okay, Euphie. I love you… Euphemia."
Nothing could he say would ease the traumatized heart of the girl he loved, Suzaku understood that clear as day. Even if she judged his attempt at comfort to be shallow and frivolous, he couldn't stop repeating the tragic princess' name until her heartbreaking cry eased down.
Lelouch… why did you do such a thing? I understand you better now than ever before… but I don't understand why you did this to her, to your own sister. It was easy to sympathize with Euphemia, to sympathize with a blameless angel brought to ruination through no fault of her own. It was the Emperor's past that Suzaku couldn't interpret, it didn't match anything he had done since.
"Suzaku… you're the only one I have left, you're the only one for me… Please, promise me that you'll never betray me… that you'll never leave me."
"I promise you." It wasn't a hard vow to make, and Suzaku would make sure it wasn't a hard vow to keep.
"It's a bit embarrassing now… to think I was planning on consoling you when we first started talking about all this… what am I going to do without you in my life, Suzaku…" Hearing that, and seeing Euphie's depressing frown disappear set a smile to Suzaku's own scowl.
"I'm really just happy that you're a part of it, Euphie."
"Well, I just thought of a way you can prove it. Heed a proposition of mine, will you?" Ever so briefly, Suzaku thought he saw a flash of smirk cast over Euphemia's features once her tears dried up.
"Yeah… what is it?" Again, too fleeting for his brain to properly register, but Suzaku could swear he saw the tip of Euphie's tongue wet the corner of her mouth.
Suddenly, the pure and innocent royalty yanked herself up by the collars of Suzaku's cape, catching him by surprise and dragged his upper body towards her onto the sofa with her. The next few seconds happened in slow motion for the stunned pilot, as Euphemia flipped her body on top of his in a spectacular display of agility, her bright-red lips snatched his own in a moment of explosive passion, Suzaku was completely incapable of responding in kind due to the shock of her bold action.
"-Eupi-mm—!"
However, his unpreparedness didn't demoralize the princess from continuing to explore the inside of his mouth. Too slow did it become apparent to him that Euphemia was not only seeking a simple peck on the lips, instead it was turning into a true French kiss that wasn't going to stop until Suzaku's lungs were drained of oxygen.
Eventually, only when both of them couldn't last a moment longer without breathing, Euphie released him from her grip, hungrily inhaling all the air which was deprived of her a dozen seconds prior. Nevertheless, when Suzaku tried prudently to pry the drooling princess off his body, he was opposed by the fierce clutch she wrapped firmly around his neck.
"Euphie… we can't." When her intentions became as obvious as her flushed cheek that in all likelihood mirrored his, Suzaku's heart rate spiked.
"Says who, my love?" The question was simple, yet it perplexed him all the more. "Let me prove to you just how reliant I am of you, Suzaku. Let yourself be pampered in the bosom that you deserve…" Seductive in a manner Suzaku never imagined Euphemia to be capable of, she muttered so sweetly into his ear as she unzipped the top of her blouse.
"B-but you are-!"
"What? A princess? That got revoked, remember? Or what, a virgin?" The upstanding knight tried as he may to stop her, but the resolute princess overpowered his shaky resistance easily.
"No! -Yes! -I mean- you're both of those!"
"Well… we can fix one together… real fast."
"No, still…! We- we can't! Lelouch will—"
"-Don't bring him up! DON'T!" In a whimpering squeal, Euphemia made it very clear where her preferences laid. "…Please, you'll ruin the mood, please."
"But… but Euphie…"
"Is it this body…? My scars, my stitches? In your eyes, am I a walking corpse, an abomination of a creature?" Growing desperate, Euphemia clawed at the Y-shaped wound slicing across her chest. Instantly, the sheer terror that struck him crumbled Suzaku's mental fortitude in bulks.
"No, never! You're beautiful… the most beautiful person I've ever set my sights on!"
"Then why won't you get it, Suzaku? Do I have to do a striptease for you to be into me?" Suzaku shuddered at the mere imagination of Euphie's enticing offer, barely keeping himself a man of morals before needs.
At least he maintained that standard all the way up until Euphie's crystal purple irises glistered a new glint, a devilish smirk graced Suzaku's view as he became more engrossed in the gritty girl than ever before. His body stiffened under her weight, giving her easy access to nib at the brim of his ear and breath softly down his neck.
And then she muttered something directly into Suzaku's ear, settling the short bout between her temptation and his determination in an instant.
"Fuck me… in any way you like…"
Kallen Stadtfeld, Knight of Ten
Imperial Capital Pendragon, Pisces Imperial Villa
Partially, Kallen was thankful she didn't have to accompany Lelouch for his afternoon meetings. Something about being a tad more adventurous with his attendants, he asked for Anya to guard him in place of the usual Knight of Ten. Then again, the feeling that she got swapped out for a petite child who was half her size across the board wasn't too pleasant, despite knowing it wasn't a competition in the least.
Holy shit… I'll literally kill myself if he's a pedophile.
"Kallen, my pretty. Brainstorm something intriguing, will you?"
"…Pardon, what was that?" As she sipped on her soothing tea and daydreamed about Lelouch's elegance, Kallen missed words that came from the young princess sitting beside her in the Villa's garden.
"I said," Marrybell gracefully coughed, clearing her throat. "Let's talk about something fun, not just drinking tea and eating biscuits all day."
"Well, I do have this one thing that's been bothering me." Kallen gently placed her teacup on the saucer and whipped up a trivial nuisance of hers that could be solved right then and there.
"Go right ahead, darling."
"So Lelouch gave me the alias 'Morgan Mercury' when we were undercover last time, I'm just wondering what it means. I believe I have some idea for the Morgan, most likely named after Morgan le Fay."
"The sorceress from Arthurian legend, we certainly like those. Regardless, why do you think that is?"
Kallen found herself blushing when she opened her mouth to reply. A temporary hindrance, she told herself, it wasn't like the reason was supposed to be confidential or anything. "Lelouch… he's liking to call me his 'queen', quote, unquote. Probably to satisfy his chess analogy, what a weirdo, am I right. But yeah, since Guinevere is already taken, I have to settle for the other queen."
"I see, most… fascinating. It is smart of him." Marrybell said, earnestly nodding to show her approval.
"But it's the Mercury part I don't get, like- what is that? The planet or the element? Maybe the Roman god? Roman mythology sucks though, so I don't understand." Kallen ranted on as Marrybell narrowed her eyes in contemplation, perhaps musing somewhat too in-depth on a nickname that could be created on a whim.
"Mercury… mercury… not a movie, unlikely a book… a character? But also queen… oh- ahh! I see, I see!" Suddenly, a flash of brilliance illuminated Marrybell's expression, she soon started to laugh like a schoolgirl after a prank gone aright. "That is rather brilliant, and hilarious indeed! As expected of my brother, most fitting I see."
"So? What does it mean, please tell me?"
"Wait, wait. Give me a second… yes. You see, it's an apt alias for you since you're quite a 'killer queen' yourself." Marrybell seriously couldn't stop grinning as she ensnared Kallen with a deliberated glance.
"Okay… thanks? But seriously, what does it mean?"
"Oh… oh no…" The second exclamation almost sounded disappointing. "Hmm, how about this. 'I'm feeling pretty lonely by myself these days. Please, can you find me somebody to love?'"
"What? Don't you have—?" That was when Kallen stopped herself, realizing that Marrybell wasn't speaking on a surface level. "Well, I'm having a real whoosh moment right now, I don't think I get it."
"Oh dear, no worries, here is another one. 'As the commander of the undefeated Glinda Knights, sometimes I really feel like we are the champions."
This time, Kallen only gave a depressing head shake as her reply.
"Alright… 'You know, when you're together with Lelouch, don't you think you can be princes of the universe?' Wait- the gender makes no sense, blah! Whatever."
"I'm starting to feel really bad about this." All of Marrybell's effort brainstorming ways to construct her sentences were totally lost on the perplexed and humbled Devicer.
"…Bohemian Rhapsody." Marrybell simply said, her energy annihilated.
"I'm really, really sorry."
"Unreal… utterly unreal, my pretty. You're just so… you're giving me a 'sheer heart attack'! There, that's my last one, I don't wanna do anymore. You're driving me unconditionally bonkers." Marrybell pouted, still adorable despite her pent-up anger.
"Yeah, it's getting kinda cringy, not gonna lie."
"You said it."
"Can you tell me what this is about now?"
"I take it you've never heard of the band Queen, and their lead singer Freddie Mercury?"
"…No."
"Oh… oh, oh! I am literally, physically, about to explode."
— —
"~To avoid complications- ~she never kept the same address. ~In conversation- she spoke just like a-baroness~!" Marrybell struck on the keys of her piano with zealous sparkle, her body bobbing and nodding to the upbeat rhythm that reverberated nicely in one of the Villa's many living rooms.
"~She's a Killer Queen~! Gunpowder, gelatine~ dynamite with a laser beam~! Guaranteed to blow your mind…~ anytime~! ~Recommended at the price~ insatiable an appetite~ …~Wanna try…?" In due time, the music faded out and Marrybell relaxed her posture and her voice.
"Woah… that was… incredible. You weren't kidding when you said you dabble in music." Kallen didn't even notice she was offering thunderous applause until her hand stung a little from how long she clapped for the pianist. "Where did you learn to play?"
"It was part of my curriculums growing up, every child of the noble blood has to have something they can boast about… and by 'they' I meant their mother."
"And suddenly it's not all sunshine and rainbows."
"Partially, but I never disliked music. It's a language that transcends all barriers. No gender, ethnicity, social class or politics can stop someone from understanding music." While sounding philosophical as she seemed to like to do, Marrybell paused. "Well, I guess not deaf people, they don't get to enjoy it. But why am I shooting myself in the foot."
"A question for the ages."
"Anyway, all of my successful siblings have something they excel at. Schneizel and Lelouch have their art of war, Cornelia has her generalship, Guinevere has her… ability to spread her legs-? You didn't hear it from me." Heartily, Kallen laughed. "And Carine has her… her, you know what, she isn't successful."
"What about Odysseus?"
"Odysseus… oh dear, this metaphor is falling apart. I suppose Odysseus is very gentle, it's almost unfortunate, he would've lived a better life were he not born of the Imperial blood. The same can be said for Clovis, he was too kind for the world." A glare coming from Kallen made Marrybell flinch in the middle of her reminiscence. "But we'll speak of this no longer, seeing as it can prove to be contentious."
"Contentious won't cut it. You're sympathizing with a mass murderer! Do you not know what he did in the Shinjuku ghetto?!" However, the newest Knight of Rounds still had Japanese blood running in her veins, and was unwilling to drop the souring conversation.
"I didn't say sympathize; I can empathize with him, understand the difference. I would've done the same thing in his place." Those were the feistiest of fighting words to ever grace Kallen's ears, especially when it struck so close to home.
"You're willing to kill thousands?!"
"If it means saving millions? Absolutely. The terrorists had access to a lethal poison gas that could endanger the entire Tokyo settlement, the lives of thousands is a necessary sacrifice under those conditions."
"It was prison gas Britannia created!" Kallen fiercely countered. Understanding that they were arguing the hypothesis instead of the truth, she didn't find it necessary to bring up the real content of the container.
"In a safe and controlled environment! In the hands of the civilized, weapons are not just tools for slaughter. They're a means to negotiate, to deter, to terrify our enemies. Just like what Zero did at his first appearance." Kallen rattled her brain to design a comeback, but her tongue was tied at the roots.
"In fact, why do you think we're still standing here, right now? Why is Pendragon still standing and not a crater? Lelouch's F.L.E.I.J.A. keeps Schneizel at bay, keeping us alive and the city protected!"
"And I wish it weren't so! I wish something so devastating like F.L.E.I.J.A. was never invented!" Just recalling back to the pink mist that swallowed Tokyo and the millions of souls who lived there sent chills down her spine.
"Kallen, everybody can wish! I wish that my family is still alive, I wish that we can have world peace and put an end to this endless war, I wish that Oldrin will love me again! Wishes and hopes are worthless, the only thing that can change the world is results. In the end… result is the only thing that matters." Solemnly, Marrybell ended her restless shouts with a creed she believed.
"So you're willing to do anything, kill anything to achieve that result? Is that what you're telling me?"
"God Kallen, you're such a hypocrite. I am one too, but at least I'll admit it. But you, you're a woman fighting for love, fighting to secure power for your boyfriend. Where do you find the galls to criticize me? And before that?! You were going around killing the very people you're serving right now!" A personal attack was a low-blow, although it pained Kallen all the same.
"People change, allegiances change, even for me! But my ideology still remains! I still follow what Zero believed in, protecting the weak. And with Lelouch on the throne bringing peace to the world, it's the best way to attain that goal."
"You say peace like it's just within the grasp of our hands. Peace only comes after the war, the carnage. Peace demands a sacrifice of lives, an offering of blood. Humans by nature are vicious creatures, we'll only obtain world peace when we have something better to do than killing each other. You know the saying, right? 'Si vis Pacem'…"
"-Para bellum'." Kallen finished the phrase in her place. However, the wisdom behind another language didn't take the weight off her shoulders. "To achieve peace, make war…', God, that's so fucked… why does it have to be this way? Why can't we just coexist?"
"Someone must be sacrificed; someone must be the villain. All of us stained our hands with blood for something, all of us will get our comeuppance. Until that day, I'll keep fighting, keep killing in hopes of reaching a better tomorrow." Listening and debating against Marrybell's ideals had led Kallen to a single, albeit outlandish conclusion.
She wasn't that different from Lelouch, from Zero.
"Killing for something… is better than killing for nothing, I guess. I'm glad we can agree on that. At least you're better the last Knight of Ten, Your Highness. Or the massacre princess." Peeking at the bright side of the dispute through their curtain of misery, Kallen recognized that her Viceroy friend could always be much worse.
"Euphie… she established the SAZ, just to kill all those people… I don't understand, I really do not understand her reasoning." To Kallen's surprise, she was seeing an authentic expression of bewilderment on Marrybell.
"Maybe she's just plain crazy."
"I don't want to believe that, the Euphemia I remember is always so nice and sweet. I don't want to think that someone was a better faker than me." Marrybell's dilemma was almost funny enough for a chuckle. "I mean, how can someone appear sane for their entire life, and then just snap like that? All she did before that was meeting Zero… Zero? Zero… made her do it?"
In that exact moment, as Marrybell struggled to analyze the vindication behind the actions of an insane tyrant, their eyes met; one was of revelation and enlightenment while the other was of angst and uneasiness. Unquestionably, Marrybell made a discovery so outlandish and unthinkable yet at the same time, ground-breaking.
Oh god… why did I mention Euphemia? I swear to God if this girl figures it out. It would be an abstract deduction to make, but not impossible. Outlandish would she initially consider the concept to be; that Lelouch was Zero, and Lelouch Geassed the sub-Viceroy of Area Eleven at the time to commit the unthinkable genocide. However, that was the irrefutable truth he tried to secrete, a truth which was on the brink of discovery.
"Zero… must've threatened her with the lives of Lelouch and Nunnally, yes, that makes sense. My siblings were exiled to Japan and declared dead after the war. Since the latter has proven to be false, it only makes sense that Zero was aware of their identities… and potentially held them hostage during his rebellion…"
Okay… okay. Not there yet. Kallen slightly mitigated the tension in her body once Marrybell was assured by her take on the story.
"I won't say it's not something Zero would do, I wasn't so close to him at that point." To neither straight up confirm or deny the theory was Kallen's best bet.
"Regardless, it is the most likely theory. Sadly, powerless am I to make a difference now, as both of them are dead and have taken the truth to their graves."
"Well, that's that, I guess. What were we even talking about before we got sidetracked this hard?" Seizing the opportunity, Kallen tried to distract Marrybell as soon as possible to suppress her from dawdling on the year-old massacre.
"I was going to send you my link to download Spotify premium, positively cannot believe you don't have it." The friendly and affable Marrybell reappeared at the snap of the fingers, just a little bit scary how abrupt her mood could swing.
"Yeah, how primitive of me, pirating songs off the internet? Shame."
"Keeping your hubris in check, I see. I'm sure I've induced you to the wonders of play-as you-go. Now, you want me to PM you on Twitter or Instagram?" Those were words almost too foreign for Kallen. Her social media presence was one of the few aspects of her life she couldn't brag about.
"Doesn't matter."
"Twitter it is, closer on my home screen. Also, consider following me, I'm quite popular."
"Oooh… sorry, I can't. I'm supposed to be dead, remember. Haven't posted anything in three months." It was a sacrifice she had to make to be with the Britannia Emperor. The image left behind by her former self will be dearly missed, Kallen promised herself.
"Tragic, I'm almost at forty million followers." Marrybell subtly bragged. A hint of pride lit her smile as she tapped at a ludicrous speed on her smartphone.
"Holy shit, that many? What do you even post?"
"Oh, you know… just like- selfies and blogs and whatever." That was what they all said. "And here you go, use my link for a year of premium, call me again after that and I'll renew for you."
"Thanks, princess. And… sorry, for picking a fight earlier."
"Already forgiven and forgotten."
Swiftly, Kallen tapped on the notification icon and was taken to a download link for the app Marrybell endorsed. While the download was in progress, she browsed around her Twitter timeline seeking insignificant news and gossip that probably wouldn't be able to retain her attention long enough after the headlines.
That stood true, mostly, all except the two highest trending tags. Impossible… impossible…
"…Why is… Euphemia's twitter account on trending…?" Kallen barely managed to scrape together a question after overcoming her first inclination to panic, only to be faced with the same horrifying expression that Marrybell shared.
"And it's trending with '#massacreprincess'… oh, dear." Announced the young commander fearfully, her hands passively shaking ever so slightly. "Oh… no, Euphie's account posted a video…"
"When?"
"Five… minutes ago."
— —
Author's note
How do three major scenes take up an entire chapter? Is my writing too verbose? Is the pacing too slow? Should I be bothered by the word count on everyone chapter? Let me know by telepathing your opinion directly into my brain.
Not gonna lie, Kallen was pretty cute this chapter, it's weird me saying that since I wrote it, but I can see her behaving this way canonically if given the circumstances. I've given her lots of interactions with other characters, seeing as she didn't really have many friends in canon and that's kinda sad.
I wish my interpretation of Euphemia isn't too OOC. Obviously, she's a different person compared to how she was before dying. I don't think it's too out there for her to blame Lelouch for killing her since to her she just sees him pretending to agree to the SAZ and then Geassed her. I don't want to write her as too edgy or emo or whatever, just a little bit wilder and Japanese-kill-y, so hopefully I'll succeed.
She is an important character though, like Marrybell. I hope you can tag more than four characters in the description, I've added her and Euphemia to it. I wish that the Marrybell I've written (who admittedly is like- one third an OC) is somewhat a good character, I really liked her design when I first saw it in the manga, and it gave me the idea of adding her in the story. Although the lack of translated works means that I had to supplement a lot of her character by this point in the canon timeline. Hopefully, she isn't too terrible, or cringe. (Unlike the Queen songs joke, I found that cringe pretty funny when I wrote it, might delete later on repeated readthrough)
Replying to Marche V's review about how he missed Lelouch (since he isn't making frequent appearances like before): Lelouch is still relevant, that's for sure. But for now, he's more of a static, or passive character, because he doesn't really want to go ahead with Zero Requiem but still wants a peaceful world, so he's just procrastinating. Sooner or later something will happen to pull him back in the thick of it, or else what am I writing?
Bye.
Post-upload reply to Divide by Zero's review on Euphemia's character presented in this story, this reply will be reposted on the next chapter's AN:
Real fast, thanks for leaving your review, I've always wanted to discuss this story with someone who's interested. Now, my opinion on memories is that the brain is altered under the effect of Geass, that's why people forget what happened once it wears off, since Euphemia died while the Geass was still active, her altered mindset never reverts back even after being revived. So even if a Geass canceller is used on her, it won't change anything since the Geass itself is gone, but her brain is still altered. That's why she isn't constantly trying to kill Suzaku since it's effect has lessened because the year that passed and the imperfect reconstruction of her brain.
In this chapter, when Euphemia said Lelouch promised to work together on the SAZ and give up his plan before Geassing her, that was referring to their conversation in the G-1. So yes, Euphemia more or less remembers everything. That's all I can say for now without getting into spoilers, but I promise I have her character mostly planned out. You just have to trust me on it. I also want to point out that since the scene with her takes place from Suzaku's PoV, the narration is just his interpretation on her thoughts, whether Euphemia really hates Lelouch or not is up to future chapters, it'll be a pretty sizable plot point though.
