Chapter 2

This was just wrong, right? The emperor shouldn't know he was alive. He had covered his tracks well enough, for the past years, he had lived his life without any incident that would alert the royal family, and there had not been anyone coming close to visit him. The fact that his half-brother was the governor of this area hadn't changed anything. He had continued to live under his alias.

Was he perhaps dreaming?

Maybe someone was playing a prank on him, acting like the Emperor. However, who would? Lelouch shook his head, killing off those thoughts. He would remember that bastard's voice even if he was deaf. There was no way he could mistake Charles with anyone else. It was just impossible.

Why was the man even calling him?

"You have done well trying to hide, Lelouch, but you were naïve to actually think that you could hide from me. I control the world's most powerful empire and have many countries under my feet; did you really think that you could hide from me?"

It sounded as if the man was mocking his attempts to hide. Lelouch felt so much anger that he trembled silently and when he spoke, he could not keep his righteous fury out of his tone. "I can cut off this line and disappear."

"What makes you think I don't have someone watching you now?" The Emperor asked rhetorically. "Don't do anything stupid. You have enjoyed your time away for long enough. Clovis will come and pick you up tomorrow."

The Emperor hung up.

Lelouch got up from the bed, holding his phone with both his hands. He glared at the phone murderously as if he was glaring at Charles zi Britannia. It was quite an illusion brought up by his danger or his eyes were deceiving him, but he was seeing the man's expressionless mask mocking him on the screen of the phone.

The former prince strangled the phone as if he was squeezing the life out of Charles zi Britannia. But the man's expressionless turned into a smile and Lelouch slammed the phone down the ground before letting out a hate filled scream.

He then went on to stomp the phone trying to break it into pieces. As he was doing that, he was cursing over and over again. Adding something along the lines of 'die Charles, die Charles!'

Childish perhaps, but who would comment on it?

When Sayako rushed into the room, thinking there was an intruder in the house, trying to do something to her master, she found the former royal pacing around the room, with his expression twitching from dark to contemplative. He didn't even notice her.

"Master Lelouch," Sayako called the former prince to get his attention.

Lelouch continued pacing around the room, thinking hard. What if he hides Nunnally and allow himself to be taken away? But the man had known that he was alive, it was possible that he knew that his beloved sister was alive as well. He had to do something to make sure that she did not go back to that place.

The Emperor had not said anything about her and Lelouch would not say anything. But what about Clovis? If the prince does catch a wind of her when he does get here, the man would no doubt try to flout having found his long lost brother. The fact that he had been hiding would not highlighted.

Questions would be asked; maybe he would fake a memory loss. He was announced as dead, having died in the war but now he would make a comeback. How would the Emperor try to solve that?

Well, Britannia's population was possessed with shameful ignorance; they would not even go that far, they would be either happy or furious that he was found alive. Whatever the Emperor would say or would make him say would be accepted without question.

"Master Lelouch," Sayako called again, this time her tone was a little high. She was beginning to worry about the prince. Something was surely not right. For the former prince to pace around like this, with a dark and calculative masks taking turns on his face, something was definitely wrong.

Lelouch's pacing came to a halt, and stared at Sayako for a long minute. "The Emperor just called…"

It was bitterly amusing in the way he said. Lelouch was able to recognize that and let out a bitter laugh. When did he think that a day would come when the Emperor would call him on his private cell? The very thought was ludicrous. He would have scoffed at the very thought.

But it had occurred.

Maybe he was in a world where the gods – if they existed – where playing a cruel trick on him. Where had he gone wrong? He had thought through everything and made contingency plans just to make sure that his identity remained hidden and no one ever found him.

If he had been found by someone of the royal family – who had just stumbled on him, he could have fled. However, the man had called him because he knew where he was. Cursed bastard. He could very well see himself strangling the man to death, with his own bear hands.

The thought made him smile cruelly.

Sayako made a serious look on her face. She could have thought that the former prince was joking, but he did not joke about the Emperor. If anything had to do with the man, it was death – a cruel death and curses.

She did not say a word though.

"He said Clovis will come tomorrow to get me," Lelouch added. "But knowing him, if that bastard tells him now, Clovis will be here within a few minutes with a horde of journalists and a tower for dramatic tears. He would certainly wish for the world to see a reunion with a thought dead prince and his half-brother."

"What about Nunnally?" Sayako asked. She was most concerned about the crippled princess. Lelouch could handle himself. Still, when it came to the Emperor, she did not know.

"He didn't say anything about her, but I am sure he knows she is still alive. At this very moment, I'm royally screwed," Lelouch said, a lot more calm than he was a few moments ago.

He refused to believe that the Emperor could see everything. Regardless of how powerful the man was, he could not see everything. It was a mere threat made to make him feel hopeless, but Lelouch would not fall to the trap.

Now that he thought about it, his plan to hide here had been flawed to begin with. How idiotic had he been to actually think he could hide here? The Ashfords had been supporters of his mother and they fled to this very country. Anyone with enough brains could have first looked at this place if they thought he had survived.

He should have just made more money and fled to another country!

"Sayako," Lelouch started. "I will think of something during the night, but I want you to promise me that you will protect Nunnally, no matter the cost. I will not simply twist and turn at every turn the Emperor demands, yet I won't do anything to risk Nunnally's safety."

"Protecting both of you is my service and I shall carry on that duty with my life."

Lelouch managed a smile. "Thank you, Sayako," he said. He knew he could trust her. She would not hurt Nunnally. She has been taking care if his sister since the Ashfords offered her to them. She was loyal.

But now he needed to inform Nunnally. How would he go about it then? How would his sister even react to it?

Lelouch slowly walked back to where he had left his sister. Sayako didn't follow from behind. Perhaps she thought it was best to give them some privacy, not that what needed to be talked about was anything private. It wasn't like she didn't know their situation.

Wasn't it something though? A Japanese woman called him master and served him with everything that she has even though he was a Britannian prince. When the Japanese see a Britannian prince, their blood boiled. Britannian royalty were deemed as scumbags who needed to be killed – they were hated. Yet this woman served him, and Lelouch didn't doubt her loyalty for even a second.

Why would he?

She was an honest woman who has been by Nunnally's side as far as he could remember. His sister really loved the woman and Lelouch couldn't see anyone else being by his sister for protection aside from her.

Nunnally was by herself, making another origami – another wish. Lelouch walked over to his beloved sister and knelt in front of her, "Nunnally," he started his tone a bit over the edge.

Nunnally was quick to recognize it "Is there something wrong, brother?"

Lelouch nodded slowly as if his sister could see it. "The Emperor called me," the former prince said venomously. Nunnally had to hold herself from wincing at the venom dripping from his tone. "He knows we are alive and said he was going to send Clovis to fetch me." Lelouch explained as slowly and calmly as he could.

Nunnally cocked her head to the side as she processed what her brother had said. "Does it mean that we get to 'see' the others again?" For a moment, she had forgotten about her brother's anger and just thought of happy memories.

The days she could see, running around Aries Villa with Euphemia by her side and Lelouch in front, crying for their mother and cursing Clovis for being a traitor; their mother would only sit and laugh. It had been fun, she had enjoyed those days, but now they were a distant memory.

She could no longer run as she used to, but the idea of meeting the others excited her.

Lelouch's grasp tightened slightly as he nodded. "Yes," he said. "Nunnally, I think you will be allowed to stay here and finish your school. I'm sure the moment Euphemia hears about this she will get on a plane to come to see you with Cornelia behind her, watching the surroundings like the devil."

Nunnally smiled; although Lelouch was trying to make a joke, his voice was cracking; he was not a happy person. Her smile turned sad slightly, "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, brother."

"I hope so, Nunnally… I hope so…"

He said it for her sake; he knew he was going to hell.

The Following Morning

"Fa-Your Majesty," Clovis managed to say stiffly as the Emperor appeared in the screen before him. He then waved his hands, to tell everyone in his office to disappear. No one needed to know what he spoke about with his father.

What did the man even want with him? Could it be because of what Schneizel had been saying the other day? If so, he would need a proper plan to deal with things. He could not lose face in front of his beloved father. The man could be unforgiving at times and he did not tolerate incompetence.

He had seen how the Emperor dealt with those who failed him. He could be cruel so much you'd think the people at his mercy were mere strangers, or just the numbers, but they were his children. Naturally, Clovis didn't allow that thought to bring out questions. His father was the best – at least that is what he chose to believe.

"It was brought to my attention that after Area 11 was defeated, and you became its Viceroy, you tried to look for Lelouch and his sister," the Emperor said.

It was no father and son moment, Clovis hadn't expected anything more. "Yes," the Third prince said. "Unfortunately I did not find them…" he sounded very saddened by the thought. Perhaps a little over-dramatic in the face to the Emperor… what was wrong with showing his father that he really cared for his half-siblings?

The Emperor did not appear moved by Clovis' theatrics. "Did you really exhaust your resources trying to find them, Clovis?"

"O-of course father! Lelouch and Nunnally were my dear siblings. I loved them as if we shared the same mother. No resource was spared when looking for them. Their lives were precious more than anything," Clovis proclaimed.

Did it really come easy for him to say such nonsense even in front of the Emperor? Or did he just believe that the man didn't know anything about his attempts to look for Lelouch and Nunnally? The truth was that he had tried. He wouldn't go as far as to say that he had exhausted everything to find them.

"It is either you're lying to me about them searching for them with everything or you re incompetent, Clovis…"

"I would never lie to you, Your Majesty!"

"I hope so because if you are, there would be consequences for that," after those words reached him, Clovis shrank to his seat. "If you are not lying, then you're just incompetent. You have all the resources of Area 11 in your hands, and yet you couldn't them while they were living right under your nose. How could you not find Lelouch when he was living with the Ashfords this whole time?"

Clovis shrank deeper. He was in deep shit. If he admitted to lying, the Emperor would punish him massively to lying so blatantly. The second option was to say he was incompetent, but he couldn't actually admit that, could he? The Emperor didn't tolerate incompetence and there would be a price for that.

Either way, he was royally screwed.

Wait, had the Emperor just said that Lelouch was living with the Ashfords?

"Do you mean to say that Lelouch and Nunnally area actually alive?" Clovis jumped up from his seat. His prior thoughts no longer a memory. He was merely excited that at the thought of his siblings being alive.

The Emperor didn't bother answering the stupid question. What else would his statement be implying other than that Lelouch was alive and well? "You will go to Ashford academy and take him. Leave Nunnally. I only want Lelouch. I will arrive in a about an hour or more along with the Knight of one to fetch him."

For a moment, Clovis' jealousy got the best of him. When had the Emperor sent his own private plane just for him? That was starting to with the low. When had the man got in the same plane as him? Because Lelouch was alive the Emperor was even coming along just to get him along with the Knight of One.

For a moment, Clovis envied his brother.

Before Clovis could say anything, the Emperor disappeared. Not even a goodbye. Oh well, he could use Lelouch for his public image, but honestly, he was really excited that Lelouch and Nunnally were alive.

Excited as he was, Clovis could not possibly go to Lelouch without a plan. He might not be the strategist like Schneizel, but there was something brewing up and if the Emperor was coming along just to fetch Lelouch, it would send shockwaves around Britannia's aristocracy. He needed to be in between if his father was going to favour his half-brother.

Lelouch could not take the spotlight by himself.

Should he inform Schneizel then? Yes, he should. The man would be happy to know that his chess partner was alive and well. He was sure that Euphemia would be ecstatic and would possibly seek to come along with the Emperor – not that he would permit it.

Without much thought crossing his mind, Clovis called the Second Prince.

"Clovis," Schneizel said, sounding slightly surprised that his brother was calling so soon after they last spoke.

"Before you get any funny ideas, I am not calling for help," the Third Prince of the Britannian Empire was quick to say.

"The thought didn't cross my mind, brother. If you were calling now for help, it would have been a disappointment. Although I offered my help, I believe that you are a capable leader who can turn things around," Schneizel said. "My offer to help was merely because we are brothers and family should help each other out."

Was it so natural that he could come up with such nice words for anyone? If Clovis asked for something practical to back his words, Schneizel would think of something that would get his brother grinning madly, the 'honest' praise from the Prime Minister.

"You flatter me, brother," Clovis said with a smile.

"Not at all," Schneizel said with a slight shake of his head. "It is the truth, Clovis. You Inherited an unstable area that had just been through a war, but you have managed to stabilize things, even though there are a few voices trying to cause a disturbance, Area 11 is doing rather well, economically. I think that is something you should be proud of," the prince said.

After what the Emperor had said that was something Clovis needed to boost his ego. Still, he contained himself from bursting into joy. He didn't have to show that to Schneizel, but he was thankful to his brother for raising his spirits. When he did look at things, he was doing rather well. He could even proudly proclaim that Area 11 was doing a lot better than when the numbers were ruling it.

Clovis cleared his throat. Had he been just blushing at the praise? He shook his head and spoke. "Anyway, I called you because I want to share with you some great news!"

"What is it?"

"Lelouch and Nunnally are alive! They are alive brother!" Clovis said happily, on his feet with his hands stretched out, thanking the heavens. He looked as if he would burst into tears when he did speak, but he was honestly happy that his half-siblings were alive.

The Second Prince stared at this brother for a long minute with a serious look on his face. "Clovis, this isn't a laughing matter…" Schneizel said with a pointed look. Clovis could not play like that, not when it came to Lelouch. "Have you been drinking?"

Clovis sat down and gave his brother a pointed look of his own. "You wound me brother," the prince said in a flat tone. "Father informed me a minute ago. After I get things ready, I am going to fetch him from where he is and he will be coming back to Pendragon with father."

"With father?" Schneizel asked, finding this to be interesting. "Father is going to collect Lelouch himself?" Clovis nodded. "When you do return with him, call me before anything."

It was clear to Clovis that his brother wasn't asking him but telling him. "I will do that."

"Thank you for informing me, Clovis," Schneizel said. "You should inform Cornelia and Euphemia. I am sure they will be happy to know this…" Having said that, Schneizel cut off the line with Clovis.

He thought for a few moments, why would the Emperor go out in his way to fetch Lelouch himself? He had disowned the former prince and made him a political hostage. Schneizel wasn't delusional enough to think that the man was just that happy to have found his son alive.

This also raised the question about the condition in which he found Lelouch. If the former prince was alive and well, then it must mean that he had been simply hiding from royalty. If he was suffering from memory loss and had forgotten home, it would be understandable.

Well, he could not form any conclusions now; he would need to speak to Lelouch in person to confirm. But first thing first, he needed to speak to the Emperor just to confirm if Clovis wasn't pulling a hard one on him.

"Schneizel," the Emperor started, appearing in the large screen in front of Schneizel. "What is it?"

"Clovis informed me that Lelouch is alive and you are going to fetch him," the prince stated.

"What is your question, Schneizel?"

The Second Prince could tell that the man seemed a little impatient. But it could all be a play. He didn't test the waters though. It was always best to be on the safe side when dealing with the Emperor. "Is it true?"

"Yes," Charles zi Britannia said. "Is that all?"

"I just wanted to confirm. My brother can be a little mischievous," Schneizel said. "I look forward to when you return with my dear long lost brother…"

The Emperor offered no response; he merely cut off the line. Schneizel sighed. The man didn't look as if he was just happy to have found his son. Then again, when has he shown happiness over anything? The man hadn't shed a tear when his 'favoured' wife was murdered by 'terrorists.'

Schneizel looked up as he noticed he was receiving a call from the private line reserved for royalty. He assumed it was Cornelia before he even accepted the call. "Cornelia," the Third Prince greeted with charming smile.

"Is it true?" Cornelia asked. Well, more like demanded.

Schneizel smiled at a thought: Straight to the point; no time for small talk. Well, he expected as such from the woman. Besides, this was something important to her. Cornelia had been attached to the vi Britannias as he had been, perhaps a little more.

He considered feigning ignorance on her question for the kicks, but he decided it would not do any good. "If you're talking about Lelouch and Nunnally, then yes. I just spoke to father and he confirmed it. I don't know the details, but Clovis doesn't seem to know about it either."

"I gathered that much," Cornelia said.

"Isn't it interesting that it wasn't Clovis who found Lelouch but father? If anything, it doesn't look like he was found, it seems like he just called our brother and informed him of Lelouch's position. If Clovis had found Lelouch himself, he would have made sure to add that when he informed us of the news…" but then again, he would have had a hard time believing it if it was coming of Clovis.

"Is it the time to be asking those kinds of questions?" Cornelia asked quietly. "Shouldn't we just be happy that our dear brother and sister have been found alive..?" the princess paused. "I will be heading back home to see him in person."

"Perhaps you are right," Schneizel said. "I will see you when you do return," he said. Cornelia nodded and cut off the line.

He didn't say she was right, just perhaps. Those questions had to be asked. He really could not wait to talk to Lelouch and discover the truth. The moment the brother of his lands into Pendragon, he would drag him away to a game of chess. In that game, he would be able to play the questions and hopefully, Lelouch would be in a mood to serve them.

Milly's Residence

When the blond student council president opened her door, she wasn't expecting to see Lelouch of all people. Then again very few people knocked her front door, especially not at this time of the day.

"Lelouch…" Milly greeted the vice-president with a warm smile.

But her smile dropped a second later when she realized that Lelouch looked a little pale and as if he hadn't slept through the night. She got worried just by seeing him in this state. She didn't think for a moment it had something to do with what she said yesterday. There was something troubling him.

She knew Lelouch well enough to know that if something could bring him to this state, then it had to do with the Britannian imperial family. A delicate matter that seemed to suck the life out of him and bring out all the darkness and hatred that laid deep within his heart.

For a moment, Milly indulged in the thought that perhaps Lelouch had come here to seek comfort in her. It was only for a moment. When had Lelouch ever confided in her? They shared a few things, but the former prince never really went deep with what he thought behind the curtains. He was secretive and went to great lengths to keep his secrets.

Some measures she could understand, but some bothered her as they secrets were being kept from her.

"Milly," Lelouch said, his tone dull and lifeless.

Milly noted that his eyes looked a bit dark. She didn't say anything though. She welcomed him inside the house and silently led him to a private room, where they could talk. There was obviously something occurring that was hurting him up in the head.

Once they arrived, Milly closed the door behind and led Lelouch to a couch. The former prince sat down slowly, and a bit weakly. This was probably the second or third time he was showing himself to be so vulnerable and weak. Lelouch always liked to keep things hidden and he didn't like showing this side of himself.

Milly grew a lot more concerned as the former looked up to her, his face no longer showing sadness but anger… it was pure unadulterated anger. He was obviously seething. "The Emperor called me last night."

Milly could hear glass shattering when those words registered into her mind. The Emperor had called. Charles zi Britannia had called. It sounded unbelievable, but Lelouch's expression said otherwise. If it had been a comedy show, she would have been rolling on the floor in laughter.

But the man Lelouch had been trying to hide from had called him. It only meant that he had known. Lelouch's thoughts must have been crushed. With how the former prince depicted the man, she could assume that he had said something.

"Clovis will be at the academy at any moment now to fetch me. I'm going to be sent back to Pendragon," Lelouch added after a few moments of silence.

"Nunnally?"

"She will stay behind. That suits me best anyway," Lelouch frowned at a thought. "She seemed a lot of happy to know that she will get to talk to her siblings again…" he shook his head. He would rather everyone think she was dead.

Nunnally might not even be aware of it, but the Emperor could use her against him. It wasn't just the Emperor, but the enemies he was likely to get when he does get back to the fold of the Imperial family. He had been shielding her from the reality, and would like to keep it that way. At least he was certain that only those who cared would want to see her.

"Milly," Lelouch said; his tone was a lot more serious now. "I won't be there to tell them… it is going to come out soon anyway. Please tell them… I know you will find a way to keep them quiet and calm," he managed a weak smile.

Milly could only smile. She didn't have anything to give him. She didn't know what awaited him in that world. Perhaps her family would be thrilled at hearing that Lelouch was going to be a prince again, but she was worried.

Even so, Milly spoke in a firm tone, betraying her worries. "I don't know what really awaits you at Pendragon, but the Lelouch I know has always faced up to everything that has come his way. You survived a war battlefield, I'm sure you will survive this as well. I know you hate the imperial family, but you can't run away from it now.

"As long as you're given a chance to live, I know you can think of a way to 'live' your life instead of just trying to 'survive' At least now, you can actually do something. You just need to bring out those guts!"

Lelouch smiled at his friend. "Thank you for everything, Milly, but I must still ask you to continue to look after Nunnally."

"You don't have to ask, Lelouch," Milly said. "Have you told my grandfather?"

The former prince shook his head. "Tell him; I need to go back and spend some time with my sister before they come for me…"

Sometimes Milly envied just how much Lelouch loved his sister. She really wished she had someone who would do the things that the former prince could do for his sister. Lelouch would turn this world upside down if it would make his sister happy.

Those who loved her were using her. Lelouch protected his loved ones.

How wonderful was it to be loved by him…

"I will," Milly said firmly.

"Before I forget, Nunnally said you were looking for me yesterday?" Lelouch asked, the expression on his face was a bit normal now.

Milly merely smiled. "Oh, it was nothing. I was just checking up on you," she said. "You should hurry, the Viceroy might be on his now…"

Truth is; she wanted to apologize for what she had said yesterday. However, seeing that there were more matters that needed to be dealt with, she didn't want to remind him of anything. Well, on the bright side of things, he would no longer powerless. If he does regain his privileges, he would no longer be Lelouch Lamperouge…

But Lelouch vi Britannia.

"If you say so," Lelouch said before walking away from the blonde-haired childhood friend of his. He suddenly stopped but did not turn to face Milly. "I might actually be able to do something, Milly. You said it, Lamperouge could not do anything, but vi Britannia can."

Milly didn't miss the bitterness in Lelouch's tone, and I made her feel a bit miserable for saying what she said. She didn't even get the chance to say she was sorry, Lelouch disappeared.

Milly didn't waste any time once Lelouch left. She needed to speak to her grandfather and then prepare to welcome Clovis la Britannia. She would have to usher the blond Governor towards Lelouch's residence and make sure she manages to keep control of things.

It was still early morning, but Milly found her grandfather sitting behind the desk in his office.

Ruben smiled at seeing his beloved granddaughter. "Milly," he said. "I don't get to see you so early in the morning in my office," he said. "Is everything okay?"

The blonde didn't sit down; she wasn't here to stick for too long anyway. She needed to think of how she was going to handle things. "The Viceroy will be coming to the academy to take Lelouch. He is being sent back to Pendragon. He said the Emperor called him last night."

Ruben lost the smile on his face for a long minute before relaxing.

"You don't look that worried…" Milly noted. He had been shocked after hearing the news, but after getting over the shock, everything seemed to just turn normal.

"If Lelouch had been found by someone else, then there would be reasons to worry for his life. But it was the Emperor. I'm not sure 'found' is the correct term to use. If the Emperor called him, then he must have known that Lelouch was here…"

"The thought did come to mind, and I guess that is what was making Lelouch miserable. He must have spent all night obsessing over where he might have wrong to give himself away," Milly said before tilting her head to the side. "What do you mean 'worry about his life'?"

"Don't forget Lelouch's last appearance before the Emperor. He was disowned and sent here as a political hostage. With the Emperor just calling out of the blue, it is safe to say that he must have a purpose for Lelouch," the man paused, appearing to wonder about the purpose the Emperor might have for Lelouch. "In any case, we will just have to wait and see what happens now."

About an Hour Later

Perhaps he had been a bit over dramatic about everything, but Clovis had brought with him an army of knightmares to the academy and they had surrounded it. He hadn't even gotten out of his royal vehicle until the academy was secured. By now, everyone had noticed the war machines around the academy, but when it had become known that it was the Viceroy's guards, no one had panicked.

He hadn't actually told anyone what was the purpose of the visit to the academy. His people just had to follow the orders and soon enough his adoring media will be calling his offices for an interview.

Two armed guards flanked Clovis when he entered the academy grounds, but a blond young woman stopped him. She was rather beautiful if he could say – for a moment, he smiled before turning serious. He had an image to uphold after all.

"Who are you?" Clovis more or less demanded. His thoughts about her beauty were a mere memory, his expression now showed irritation at the woman for standing in his way – a mini him had practically exploded in excitement already, any more wait would not be good for the health of those around.

"Milly Ashford, your highness," Milly said respectfully. She still had it in her. She had thought that perhaps it had gone away when she came here. "I am the student council President, but I am not standing here as a representative of the council, 'his' messenger."

Clovis thought of Milly's words for a few seconds before smiling. He assumed 'he' was Lelouch. All the better. He didn't have to look for that brother of his. "Lead me to him…"

Milly nodded, "Please follow me…"

It wasn't a silent walk towards Lelouch's residence, nothing by that stretch of imagination. The girls were fawning all over the prince walking behind Milly and she was sure that if it weren't for the cold stares of the guards as well as the guns they carried, some may have attempted to get close.

Of course Clovis didn't help matters; the Third Prince indulged himself by waving around with a charming smile that just seemed to melt the girls.

For some reason, Milly didn't find it attractive. She had seen too many plays and she knew a player when she saw one. Clovis was surely enjoying the attention. Then again, when had he stayed away from the spotlight?

He was very different from the other prince.

When they arrived at their destination, Clovis did not wait for Milly to open the door. He marched in front of her, and went through to open the unlocked door. The guards had blitzed past Milly when Clovis disappeared off into the house.

The blonde student Council President didn't go inside, she merely leaned against the door frame; hands folded bellow her bust and watched the scene unfold.

"Have some manners, Clovis," Lelouch said to the Viceroy – his tone was anything but light. Still, he spoke as if he had been speaking to the prince just a night ago. "You should know you aren't supposed to just burst through someone's door without knocking first."

"Brother!" Clovis basically disappeared in a blur. The trained guards who had been behind him didn't even see anything. The next thing they saw was the Viceroy suffocating Lelouch.

Wait, did he just say, brother?

"You're really alive. I was so shocked and excited when father said you were alive!" Clovis said shedding a few tears. "I'm so happy to see you again. I thought I had lost you when I couldn't find you."

Yeah, right, Lelouch thought. He wondered how long it had taken for Clovis to practice his little speech. He knew his half-brother cared, but he also knew the man exaggerated things. He was overly dramatic. Lelouch had seen his brother's appearances in the news.

"I won't be alive anymore if you continue to strangle me," Lelouch said.

Clovis realized he had been holding Lelouch a bit too tight. He smiled sheepishly while both his hands were on Lelouch's shoulders. "You don't look healthy though. Have you been eating enough here? Why didn't you even tell me you were alive and living here? You know, I could have given you everything you needed instead of living in a backhouse."

"I was very much fine living on my own and in this back house, Clovis," Lelouch said a bit sharply.

The sharpness in Lelouch's tone was enough to force Clovis to take a step back, a bit surprised. The prince was quick to shrug it off as one of Lelouch's tantrums. "It seems you haven't changed that much," Clovis said.

"I have changed in many ways than you can imagine, brother," there was a dark undertone that Clovis failed to take note off.

He seemed to be in his own little world; he was looking around, searching for something. "Where is Nunnally?"

Lelouch frowned slightly. If Clovis hadn't asked, he would have not said a word about her. He didn't want her to be brought into the public life – it would just make her life difficult.

As if on queue, Sayako walked in, pushing the blind princess of Britannia.

The Third Prince stared at her for a few moments. He looked at her closed eyes, the wheelchair – she hadn't regained her eyesight. She was crippled. It was unfair for such a kind girl to be faced with such a fate.

He let out a tear.

Perhaps this one was honest.

The Viceroy slowly walked over to his half-sister, a smile on his lips. Once he reached down, he knelt down, but his knee did not touch the floor. He didn't want to get himself dirty. "Nunnally," the prince said quietly. "It is me, Clovis…"

Nunnally smiled brightly. "Brother Clovis," she said in a happy tone; she was holding out her right hand, trying to feel the prince. Clovis held out his and Nunnally gently took it. "It is really you, brother. I have missed you."

"I missed you too, Nunnally," Clovis said. "I'm afraid I can't stay for too long. Lelouch's plane is already on its way and I need to get those filthy clothes off him before our father sees him like this. Euphemia and Cornelia have sent their love. I don't know when they will be able to come see you, but I will return later."

Nunnally nodded.

It hit her; her brother was leaving. Her dear brother was leaving her alone. When had she ever been without him? Always, her brother was with her. He was always there making her happy and she had been quite content with living with her brother alone. Even though she did miss her brothers and sisters, she had been happy here.

They had friends, she did not lack anything.

But most of all, she had her brother – a big brother who loved her dearly.

Those days she used to wait for him to return when he was being late were fleeing away from her. Lelouch was no longer going to tuck her in bed and kiss her good night. She was no longer going to be with her brother every day.

For Nunnally, it felt like death.

Still, she knew her brother. He had been struggling since he brought her the news. He didn't want to leave her and he hated their father. He was being forced to return to the home he had said he would never see again. If she broke now, it would only hurt her brother. She didn't even know what he was going to meet when he does face their father.

Nunnally didn't allow herself to cry. She didn't allow her brother to suffer anymore. He had suffered enough. She could hide her selfish pain.

"Nunnally," Lelouch said, having pushed Clovis away from her side; His hand on her lap, holding hers. "I have to go, but I will call you as soon as I land. I promise."

Nunnally managed a smile, and held out both her hands. Lelouch got up and gave his sister one last hug. It was long, and no word was said between them. They separated and Lelouch walked away with Clovis and his guards.

Milly didn't follow; she walked towards Nunnally and knelt down in front of her wheelchair. "You are truly strong, Nunnally…" the blonde said warmly. "Lelouch needed you to be strong. You did well…"

Nunnally's sadness was all too apparent as she nodded, a tear running through a right cheek.

Her beloved brother was gone… it was not forever, but she would no longer going to see him when she wanted, and when he wanted.

It was a prison sentence.

With Lelouch

Once more again, Clovis waved warmly at his beloved crowd of adoring school girls. They were a little young for his taste, but ignoring them would not help with his popularity. Fame was almost everything. It wasn't enough that he was prince, but he needed something much more.

Perhaps it was power that he was missing.

He wasn't the only getting the smiles and kisses, but Lelouch was getting them as well – they were calling him vice president. By that, Clovis figured the black haired was the vice to that blonde beauty who had welcomed him into the academy grounds.

Still, some where addressing the former prince so casually that it made Clovis believe that his brother had been living the life of a commoner not as a prince. The Third prince could not think that. Hell, he would do everything in his power to ensure that he was never disowned.

"You are rather popular here," Clovis said to his brother – who despite his popularity, wasn't responding to the calls he was receiving. Lelouch seemed to be ignoring them.

"I will be even more popular when they learn I am really a prince," the bitterness in Lelouch's tone wasn't lost to Clovis, but he didn't comment on it. "Let us just get out of here before we start being questioned on why I am walking by your side and talking to you so casually."

Clovis seemed to think for a few moments before nodding. "I wouldn't want anyone from the media doing a story about this before I get the make the grand announcement myself…" he said with a nod.

Lelouch shook his head as fell into silence and made his way towards Clovis' waiting limousine.

The former prince was sitting inside Clovis' car, heading towards the Viceroy. The latter was sitting beside him in silence. Lelouch couldn't really tell what was going on with the prince because he was absorbed with his own thoughts. Troublesome thoughts.

It was happening; he was being shipped to Pendragon because the Emperor had finally found some use for him. It left a bitter taste in his mouse to think that the man had known for while about his survival and yet didn't do anything, but just allowed him to live under the illusion that he was safe from the Imperial family.

Well, the quiet time with his beloved sister had been fun, and now he was going into the lion's den. He was going to be exposed to those parasites who called themselves superior people simply because they were born of noble. Disgusting creatures. They had hated him for being born by a mother who had been a mere commoner.

Nothing could be done now and he couldn't plot on how he was going to deal with it until he met that bastard who sits atop of Britannia.

He didn't have to worry much about whether he had left enough for Nunnally to enjoy everything he had been giving her. He had left all his savings in Sayako's care. The Japanese woman would take care of Nunnally with the money he left. For now, Lelouch had nothing in him. He was going back to that loathsome place empty handed.

Clovis could see that Lelouch was going through some thoughts, but he had his questions. "Why, Lelouch?"

Clovis asked calmly. Lelouch wasn't suffering from amnesia that he could say he had forgotten that he was Britannian royalty. He had known that his brother was governing the place and yet made no attempt to get in contact with him. Why had he done something like that? Would he have shown himself if the Emperor hadn't found him?

"Why didn't you say anything Lelouch?" Clovis asked again. "I am your brother and you know that I care about you? If you wanted to remain hidden, we could have spoken to Schneizel and he could have thought of something."

"I was quite content with the way I was living," Lelouch said a bit flatly. "I didn't want to return. I just wanted to live in peace with my sister."

Was that really too much to ask? In this world, the powerless would always be crushed and devoured. But Lelouch would destroy that system. For his sister's wish to come true, the system had to be destroyed.

Clovis smiled sadly. "Do you hate us that much Lelouch? We may not share mothers but we still share the same father. I thought we got along just fine."

Lelouch sighed as he relaxed slightly. "We did get along, Clovis, but I cannot forget my mother's murder."

He would not and he would not let Charles get away with the way he treated him. He would not rest until he does find out who killed his mother. That person would surely pay dearly. If his mother hadn't been murdered, Nunnally wouldn't be blind now; she would have been the young little sister who used to make his life miserable along with Euphemia.

"Do you think that we had something to do with it, Lelouch?" Clovis asked. "I can assure you; I had nothing to do with it."

"What do you know, then, Clovis?" Lelouch demanded, eyes blazing over his half-brother.

Clovis shook his head sadly. "Cornelia and Schneizel should know something. I don't know anything. You must know I wasn't anything until I was given the post to be Viceroy of this area. Those two hold higher positions than me."

Lelouch said nothing. He should have expected as much. He didn't know if Clovis was hiding something from him, but he didn't ask anything further. He merely looked outside of the window and dived back into his thoughts.

Student Council Room

Rivalz stared at Milly with a confused and curious look on his face. Milly had yet to say anything, but from what was happening outside, something was going on. Not to mention that their Vice president wasn't around, having casually walked away with the Third prince of Britannia and into his limousine they went.

The students were causing ruckus outside, demanding to know where their vice-president was being taken or if he had any relationship with the Clovis. From the way they had been talking, even if no one heard anything, they seemed to know each other – that hadn't been on the memorandum.

Milly put on a rather stern look on her face – surprising her friends. She almost never put on that kind of a look. To them, she was the playful and mischievous student council president, and a pervert in Shirley's eyes. But today, she had to be like this because this was a serious matter.

"What is going on Milly? Is it really true that Lulu was taken away Prince Clovis?" Shirley asked. She hadn't been there to see, but she had heard. Everyone was talking about it in the academy and the student council had been a target for answers.

"What I am about to tell you will not leave this room and you will not tell anyone about it, do you understand me?" Milly looked at every one of them – from Nina, Shirley and to Rivalz. She gave them a look that clearly said she was dead serious.

"You're making me worry, Milly," Rivalz said slowly, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"Lelouch did indeed leave with the Viceroy, but there is nothing to fear," she paused for a moment. She wasn't going to inform them of Lelouch's tragic past… for now at least. If they pushed, she would tell them the half-truth. But it wasn't that she couldn't tell them to shut up and listen to what she was saying.

She would do so because she didn't want them to feel betrayed by Lelouch. They had been living with a Britannian prince for all these time and he never said a word to them. Rivalz had been his friend and would definitely feel crushed if the person he thought was his best friend had been 'lying' to him all these time.

She wouldn't even get to Shirley's case. She would just say enough just to make sure they understood his story and did not resent him for not telling them anything. Well, technically, he hadn't been a prince because he had been disowned. But that didn't change anything, did it?

"The Viceroy is actually Lelouch's older brother, half-brother to be precise. He came here to take him back to Pendragon…"

It was almost amusing just seeing a range of emotions flash through their expressions as they tried to make sense of what she had said. It took some time, but they finally exploded.

"Wait…" Rivalz said with a confused look on his face. "If Lelouch is the brother to a prince, wouldn't that make him a prince as well?" The teen drew a disbelieving look on his face. "That guy is anything but a prince…"

"If Lelouch is a prince then that means Nunnally is..?"

Viceroy Palace

When they arrived at the Viceroy's palace, Clovis made a fuss about getting him the right clothes to wear. He was stripped back into the clothing he had abandoned years ago and never thought he would wear again, but here he was.

"Should we make a public announcement about finding you?" Clovis asked in thought. "I would need to write your script and plan everything. It is a pity that I won't have to throw a party for you…"

"I don't need a party," Lelouch said, a bit tiredly. He could really use with a sleep right now. Nevertheless, he could not sleep until the plane to take him back to that place arrives. Why wasn't he even taking Clovis' plane anyway?

"Sure you do," Clovis said with a wave of his hand. "Now that you are all dressed up, I can call Schneizel. He said he wanted to speak with you as soon as you are available."

Before Lelouch could object, Clovis had already gone his way to connect to Schneizel's private line.

The Second Prince smiled upon seeing Lelouch. "It is really you, brother," the prime minister of the Holy Britannian Empire said with a smile. "When Clovis told me, I thought he had been drinking a little too much."

Clovis butted in before Lelouch could respond. "What do you make of me, brother?"

"It was just difficult to believe. We had believed that our brother was dead after all," the prince said calmly. "I'm very interested in hearing how you have been doing, brother. I have already prepared a chessboard."

Lelouch snorted. It was likely going to be an interrogation. Schneizel would be asking too many questions and no doubt try to use him. With Schneizel everything was calculated. You just didn't take favours from the man.

"I look forward to it," Lelouch said, managing a forced smile.

"Excellent," the second prince said. "I hope you have improved. Our other siblings are not much of players…" Schneizel trailed off when Clovis raised his hand.

"An important call," he said.

Schneizel assumed it was their father, or Clovis would not have interrupted him. "I see… well, Lelouch, have a safe flight."

The Knight of One appeared in the screen. "Prince Lelouch," he said calmly. "The plane will land in a few minutes. Please make your way outside because it will not wait for long."

The Knight of One? Now that he thought about it, Clovis hadn't said anything about which plane would be shipping him back to homeland. He would have preferred to be on a plane alone. Wasn't it something that despite hating aristocracy, he had no problems in enjoying in one of the privileges that came with being born of royalty?

He didn't have to worry get into a public plane, a private plane would do. Hell, most princess and princesses had their own private planes. No doubt the Emperor's pawn would be getting one of this own once he does settle down into the role that the man would be giving him.

He didn't hold any delusions; for certain, he wasn't going back to Pendragon to be executed, but to be used. He was going to be a piece in the Emperor's chessboard – the thought really did leave a bitter taste in his mouth, but there was nothing he could really do about it. He just had to follow through everything the Emperor told him or else Nunnally would be brought into question.

"I will be out then," Lelouch said in a barely audible tone. He stood up and the Knight of One disappeared.

Clovis was staring at him with a curious eye. He didn't allow his thoughts to show in his face. It still bothered him that Lelouch was going to be accompanied by the Knight of One and the Emperor. Perhaps their father was just happy that his son was finally returning home.

It wasn't out of the question in Clovis' mind and he chose to believe that rather than having some bitter thoughts that wouldn't allow him to retain the friendship he once held with Lelouch when they were younger.

"Come on," Clovis said, leading Lelouch to a place the plane would be landing. So, the Emperor would not be stepping into the land of Area 11 or even stepping out to breathe its air or just look at the beautiful palace he had built.

It was sad.

"Don't worry about too much, brother," Clovis said, seeing that Lelouch didn't look too happy. "You have me. Nunnally is right here… once things blow over, I will ask for father to make you my Sub-Viceroy so that you don't stay away from your sister. We can tag team as we did in the past."

Lelouch didn't offer an immediate response. Surely, Clovis had his own motives. He had not become stupid in the past years and he knew that people always had their motives for doing things. Nevertheless, it didn't matter what Clovis had in mind. The half-brother of his wasn't smart enough to make him feel threatened by his scheming's.

"I doubt the father," Lelouch spat 'father' as if it were a curse, "would allow for something like that. He called me to take me out of this area. Well, I will know once I do reach appear before him."

"Father can listen at times, Lelouch," Clovis said firmly, thinking he could persuade the Emperor to allow Lelouch to return to the area.

Lelouch didn't respond; he was staring at the magnificent plane that was alive in front of them. It was certainly not just a plane of just anyone. The Knight of One was standing below the stairways, obviously waiting for him.

Lelouch waved his hand to Clovis and walked towards the plane.

"Prince Lelouch," The Knight of One greeted calmly. "It is good to see you again. It has been quite some time since I last saw you and Princess Nunnally."

Lelouch stared at the man for a moment, going through his memories. Yes, the Knight of One had been a fan of his mother. He had heard that the man occasionally battled with his mother back then before she was brutally murdered.

But what did that change?

Nothing.

"Last time I checked, I was disowned," Lelouch ground out. "But it is a pleasure to be in your company, Sir Bismarck," the former prince of Britannia stated calmly before stepping into the stairs.

Bismarck offered no response to Lelouch, but merely followed the prince from behind.

When Lelouch entered the plane, he froze. He was staring at the imposing figure of the Emperor of Britannia, the man he wished to kill with his bare hands, the man he despised with every bone in his body; this was the man who exiled him from Britannia…

His loathsome father.

The Emperor didn't turn to face Lelouch when he spoke. "My unworthy son, don't you have anything to say to your father after such a long time apart than to stare at me so hatefully?"

End of chapter

Another cliff-hanger… I swear this one wasn't on purpose.

I got found out… I did say 'legend' would be my last story, but I just could not end it without doing a code geass story, especially when I heard that there would be a season three. It really got me excited.

In any case, the reaction to the first chapter was tremendous, I liked it. A really showdown between Lelouch and the Emperor will have to wait for the next chapter.

I really wish I could respond to all of you who reviewed… I did read them and I have to thank everyone of you who reviewed.

The Omnipresent Sage