Chapter Four
Lelouch walked through by the cells of a prison, heading toward a specific cell that housed a man who had tried to forcefully enter Arias Villa during his home arrest.
The prince shook his head; it wasn't house arrest, it was more like being grounded by his 'father' for doing something naughty in the eyes of the man.
The 11th prince snorted at the thought of the Emperor, but didn't allow his murderous thoughts towards the man to get the best of him. He needed to stay focused on the task at hand.
This wasn't the kind of place to allow his thoughts to drift off to the world of unknown. He usually lost himself in his thoughts when he drifted off to that narrow road.
Unlike other princes and princesses, he had no one to walk with him in such places – he was all alone without a guard. The others always had someone to walk with them, their entourage and knights if he could say.
Lelouch vi Britannia was just alone. The thing he had was Aries Villa. His beloved sister was far away from here, but at least she was with Sayako. He didn't have to obsess much over her safety.
A paranoid part of him thought that someone would take the chance to grab him from behind in this cells and silence him. It wasn't unthinkable and the nobles who hated him would not think twice about getting rid of him. He was a parasite to the royal family and stood against everything they valued.
He could not say that Schneizel was his partner, not at least now. He didn't want to depend on the man on everything. He wanted to solve a few things first on his own before he could get into deals with anyone. The 2nd prince would no doubt have his back, but it would come with some strings, and Lelouch didn't want that.
This was the reason that he had felt compelled to come here to see what this man wanted. It had to be something important for the man to have tried fighting against the guards placed at Arias Villa in his quest to see him.
When Lelouch arrived in front of the cell, he stopped and stared deep at the man in bound within. The man was bound, sitting by the corner, looking as if he was faraway.
"Jeremiah Gottwald, leader of the Purist Faction," Lelouch started, getting the man's attention.
Jeremiah's head snapped towards the royal prince. He tried to move his body towards the bars separating him and the prince, but his shackles would not let him move. Yet, he struggled until he fell down flat on his face. The man still attempted to crawl towards the prince.
"My prince." Jeremiah said with all the joy one could muster.
Lelouch was alive, he was here. he could see him with his own eyes. He had talked to Nunnally, everyone said Lelouch was alive, but they had refused to allow him to see Lady Marianne's son. Jeremiah was truly happy to see the prince, he wanted to cry, but he did not, he held himself.
The joy was suddenly replaced by the look of bitterness, sadness and anger over his failure to protect Marianne, to be there for Lelouch and Nunnally when he was needed. He had failed to do his job, he was a failure. But he was here, alive and well. Inside, his heart, he wanted to atone for his failure, in any way the prince felt it would be worth his failure.
Despite his regret, Jeremiah was truly happy that Lelouch and Nunnally were alive. This was a miracle, he had a chance to do something to correct his error. If given the chance, he would serve to the heart of his soul and until there was nothing left inside of him.
And even then, if his body could move, he would continue to serve.
Lelouch raised an eyebrow seeing the expressions from the man. it was something else. Not what he expected. He could not really hide his surprise over the man's actions since he spoke. How much of a fight had the man put if he was willing to crawl just to get closer to him?
"I'm truly happy to see you, my prince. When the news broke, I left my post and spoke to Prince Clovis. He was even willing to allow me to see Princess Nunnally…" the man's mask faltered at the thought of the princess.
Yes, if he had done his job, Nunnally would not have gone through what she did; she would not have been in the way. He would have protected her with everything in his might, she would still have been the same lively girl who ran around Aries Villa with Princess Euphemia, chasing after Lelouch for one of the delightful games.
Those had been the good days, but they were nothing of a memory now and it was because he had failed to do his job.
"Your prince?" Lelouch repeated the words.
"You don't remember me?" Jeremiah asked. He would not be surprised nor wounded if the prince said he didn't remember him. He could introduce himself once more again, speaking of the good days in Aries Villa.
"I do remember you, but why are you insistent on seeing me? I don't owe you anything and I didn't make any deal with you," Lelouch stated.
Who even called vi Britannia 'my prince?' To the Empire's aristocracy he didn't deserve to be called a prince. He was nothing more than a child of a commoner with the Emperor's blood running through him. It was just a status, but nothing that spoke of power or intelligence. Of course, the Emperor would not preach such a message, it went against his beliefs.
Lelouch did find the name calling rather amusing though. Even though his half siblings were of noble origins, they would not be princes and princesses if not for the Emperor's blood. He had a commoner's blond but his mother had been better than all those who claim to be superior because of noble birth.
Jeremiah looked down, "If you do remember me, you'd know that I was supposed to protect your mother and I failed in that duty. I didn't just fail her, I failed you and Princess Nunnally. I know there is nothing I can do bring her back, but my prince, if you allow me, let me serve you with my body and soul."
Lelouch smiled. Wasn't it something that the man who led a purist faction that went against people like him was calling him 'my prince' and was crawling down the ground for him. Well, if he didn't know the man, he would have found this to be suspicious.
The Eleventh prince turned away from the man.
Jeremiah thought Lelouch was leaving without responding, and raised his head as he spoke. "Prince Lelouch; if you don't have any uses for me, I cannot live with myself knowing that I failed and you can take my life away if you feel that is what I deserve!"
Lelouch didn't respond.
"Guards!" He called out.
He turned to Jeremiah, who had a rather firm look on his face. He appeared determined for any judgement he would deliver. Lelouch smiled at this. And a few moments ago, he was worried that he had no one by his side.
Who could have thought that a person like this was waiting for him?
But nothing would pass though. He still needed to test things before allowing the man to do as he wanted. Jeremiah had been working at Arias Villa, there had to be suspicion. It would be naïve of him to just take the man for his word without asking any deep questions.
When the guard arrived, Lelouch gave an order. "Release this man." It was a firm word from the prince.
The guard looked hesitant for a moment, not knowing what to do. He wanted to ask why because they had been told not to allow the man to go.
When Lelouch saw that the guard was being slow, he turned to him, "Lelouch vi Britannia," he dragged the words to emphasise that he wasn't just some brat, "has ordered you to release this man, why are you still standing there?"
The man straightened up, "We were told not to let go of the man."
Lelouch almost snorted at the response. Long ago, he would have snapped at the man for questioning the authority of a prince. But he had come to know that this given power was nothing. He may be a prince, but people were still willing to treat him with disdain in an open way.
Yet, Lelouch felt like reminding the man who he was, even though he had spat and cursed on his status as a prince. He had renounced his claim to the throne and was then banished by the Emperor. He had hated Britannian royalty and everything that had to do with it.
"What is your name?" Lelouch asked. But still didn't have the patience to wait for the man to respond. "Since Schneizel is the one who sent me here, you better hope that the person who gives you orders is of higher rank than the Prime Minister…"
Aries Villa
Lelouch didn't like the fact that he had used Schneizel's name in order to get what he wanted without a fuss. He truly hoped that the second prince did not end up learning of it because if he does, it would be mentioned in one of their future talks. It would certainly be used as evidence that he does need the man's help for survival in this den of lions and vultures.
He wouldn't be having these thoughts if his word carried weight over it. It would not last long though. He was nothing now, but he would get hold of power within Britannia, even if he had to use every trick in the book to get it, he would do so. His word had to carry authority.
Lelouch shook his head; now wasn't the time for such thoughts, he had Jeremiah to deal with.
The eleventh prince was sitting at the stairways of his palace, with Jeremiah kneeling just below, looking back at him. The man wasn't speaking, he hadn't said anything on the way back. Perhaps he was waiting for him to say something after his confession.
Or maybe it was the gun that was playing on his fingers. He had taken it from the guards at the gates. However, he hadn't been pointing it at the man. It was just dangerously playing on his fingers. Lelouch doubted a warrior like Jeremiah would actually fear a small gun when he had seen much bigger weapons in the battlefield.
"Jeremiah," Lelouch started in a calm yet very hardened tone. "I will not forgive anyone who was involved in my mother's death, even if that person is my half-sibling. I will get my revenge on anyone who was involved. It might take some time since I have nothing now, but I will do it eventually, with my own hands." The black haired prince clocked the gun and pointed it straight at Jeremiah's forehead. "Tell me, Jeremiah, did you have anything to do with my mother's death?"
"Never my prince!" Jeremiah denied any involvement in a firm tone. "I would never plot anything against Lady Marianne. It is nevertheless, up to you to say that you believe my word or not."
Lelouch stared at the margrave for a long minute before throwing the gun at him. Jeremiah caught the gun with both hands and looked at Lelouch questionably. "Prince Lelouch?"
"I believe you Jeremiah Gottwald, but that doesn't mean I trust you. You must earn my trust," Lelouch stated. "In any case, you say that if I don't find use for you, you would not have any purpose of living, but Jeremiah, you have been living a rather high standard life in my supposed death… what makes things different now?"
"I-"
"You don't have to answer, Jeremiah," Lelouch said, slightly amused by the man's stuttering. "What do you know, Jeremiah?"
Jeremiah shook his head. "I do not know anything. The Emperor shut down the investigation launched by Princess Cornelia."
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. Everything just turned back to his half-sister. Clovis had said the same thing and he had included his other brother. Lelouch didn't find any surprise in Schneizel's involvement because the man was very influential within the Empire. But he hadn't known the white prince for having anything against his mother.
Then again, he had been a naïve brat back then.
Lelouch thought about his former self with distaste.
Had he not been foolish to think that uncaring man would listen him because he was a prince, perhaps he would have stayed around and learn something about his mother's assassination. He was still without any shed of doubt thought m that the Britannian aristocracy was involved in it. Maybe even the Emperor himself. There was no telling what that man could do.
But how was he going to go about things? He could get around Cornelia just fine, but Schneizel was another monster. There was no way he could go about it subtly without the man noticing. Just to avoid being caught red-handed, he would have to go about it straightforward without any fear. If his brother was serious about working with him, he would have to allow something to 'slip.'
Looking back at Jeremiah, the Prince spoke. "I see." He said. "No one seems to know anything. But I must get something from Cornelia and Schneizel. If I can't get anything from them, then it has to come from the Emperor. If so, it would take years of planning…"
Lelouch went into thought after those words left his lips. He would have to play the loyal prince of Britannia if he was going to get close to the Emperor. There was no way to go about it. Becoming an enemy would just be painting his beloved sister as a target. Charles zi Britannia was cold enough to make his sister disappear for going against him.
Lelouch gave Jeremiah a stern look as he spoke. "Jeremiah, in this den of vultures, only the strong and shrewd survive. Those who are weak, and cannot negotiate for themselves, are devoured. You should know this better than anyone considering what you have represented."
More than that, it was the Emperor's beloved bed time story. The strong deserved to rule and the weak would always be devoured. The man had said that his mother had been weak, that was why she was assassinated. Lelouch had been incensed when the god-forsaken bastard uttered those words. to add an insult to the injury, the man then exiled him along with his crippled younger sister.
Before the man's eyes, she was a weak person who couldn't be of any use. She was useless; he had no use for worthless tools. Yes, all the man's children were just pieces on a chessboard. The moment one piece becomes useless; it was thrown away. He held no attachment to any of his children; they were all just advocates to spread forth his bedtime story.
"I will not allow myself to become prey to Britannia's aristocracy. I will survive this battle, Jeremiah, and I will not just survive it. I will win it and one day, I will get my revenge…" Lelouch said passionately. "For that to happen, I need people I can trust, people who are dependable. I need you, Jeremiah."
"My life is yours, my prince!" Jeremiah was quick to say without a shed of doubt. There was nothing but resolute in his tone and the expression he wore – the man was dead serious. He would follow the prince even to the depths of hell. It would no longer be doing what was right or wrong, but about following his prince and ensuring that his dreams are fulfilled.
Jeremiah would live for Lelouch.
"Good." Lelouch smiled. "Of course, you're not enough. I need to know what I am dealing with, who is the enemy, who can be trusted and used. I need information. I need resources. As it stands, I have nothing but the name that the Emperor gave me. As much as I resent that man, and curse everything about him, being a prince has its own advantages. Even though I am still vi Britannia who has nothing, I am still a prince. These privileges will give me a good start."
Cornelia was already an established military commander. There was no one who could speak with her when it came to military command. The good thing with his elder sister was that she had no interest in politics; she was a soldier at heart. Yet, that didn't take away the fact that she had support and was a force to be reckoned with. The only one who could mess with her was with Schneizel, but his brother was too cold heartedly brilliant to do that.
He didn't have to speak about the Second Prince. Nevertheless, those two were his main opponents. The other princes and princess had powers and influence because of their families… but none of them were smart enough to worry him. But of course, with these vultures, one could never write the off.
"What do you need me to do my prince? If you want me to recruit trusted people, I will be more than willing to do so. I know a few people would follow me. I also have a few connections myself."
"Your choice to leave the Purist Faction may not have earned you many friendlies, but with your actions, it is likely that the faction won't survive for far too long. In any case, you gather the profiles of those who you think will be good additions and I will look at them." Lelouch said.
The Eleventh prince stood up. "I'm going to rest a bit. In the meantime, feel free to survey the palace to ensure that it is secure. If there is anything you feel is lacking for security, tell me, and I will try to gather the funds to get it done. Schneizel should come here in about four hours. Lead him to the study when he does show up."
"Hai, my prince." Jeremiah said with a grin. He was already excited that he was beginning to work. Things have gone far better than he had expected.
Lelouch ignored Jeremiah's smile and walked away from the man. He was already browsing through the contacts on his cell. He needed to get in touch with someone. Finding the numbers he was looking for, Lelouch dialled.
Later
As usual, the chessboard was sitting between Lelouch and Schneizel. The former felt as if the second prince was using the game to poke into his head. But of course, Lelouch wasn't going to make it so simple for his brother. He already owed the prince; he didn't need him to learn of everything about him, including his weakness. He still needed to keep some secrets of his own.
"I thought we should play this before you begin your duties." Schneizel said, his eyes staring at the board inventively. "Once you begin working, there won't be much time for pleasure."
"You ended up not telling what I will be doing." Lelouch said with a glance at his elder brother.
The man had said he would tell him the fate that the Emperor had deemed was sufficient for him but he did not. Something had come up before Schneizel could say something, or perhaps it had been intentional. He was dealing with the Prime Minister of Britannia; you could never say for sure about anything when it came to the man.
"About that…" Schneizel paused as he moved his piece. "I wanted you to join me in politics, but father said that you could also do well in Military. I was rather disappointed with that thought. Your talent can be used playing in the high table with me. But you know our father, once he has said something, no one can change it."
Piloting nightmares was for the hard-headed people like Cornelia. Lelouch had a keen mind, he could play well with him. He did get the game after all. Besides, it was better for his dear little brother to be somewhere he could see him. Not exactly micro manage his every little move, but Lelouch was already far behind the others, and for him to grow quickly, he needed his helping hand.
"So, I'm going to Military…" Lelouch said.
"You won't go to Military academy. He says there is no time for that and if you're truly his son, born of superior blood, you should naturally excel without the need of training. If you're simply given command over Britannian forces, it would create some problems with the chain of command. At least I tried to reason that with father, but he refused to listen to anything I said. In any case, you will shadow me for the next month to learn about politics."
Lelouch blinked as he looked up to his brother. "I thought you said I was going to Military." He said.
"Did I say that?" Schneizel said with a smile. "But yes, you will be joining Military. You have to at least know something about politics. The game is a dangerous one and appearances really do matter as well as who you associate yourself with."
Everything mattered in the game but it would not be easy for Lelouch to gain support with the Aristocracy given his background. Schneizel knew that Lelouch was not the most favoured person. No, that was rather watering the reality bit down. Some people would not be against the idea of killing his brother or even silencing him to the point where he was nothing more than just another commoner trying to play with nobles.
There were other useless princes who didn't have much. However, Lelouch was different. Schneizel could sing praises to and about his brother in ways people could think he was exaggerating – and maybe he would, a little – but that would only be because Lelouch was someone he valued.
Lelouch glanced at his half-brother for a moment before looking back at the chess board. "I would rather not become that yes man we call the first prince. Politics are your kind of thing, I prefer to take the stand and fight for what I stand for. You always use other people, but I like to take the lead."
"All methods are effective, it depends on how you position yourself. There are times I have to play my role as well. Like I said, it depends on how you position yourself…" Schneizel looked up to Lelouch for a second before adding. "But I sense that you mean to take the lead in the battlefield."
The idea didn't please him the least, but he wasn't the one who decided. Whether he liked it or not, Lelouch was going to command a Knightmare with Cornelia and he would enter the battlefield because their father had commanded that it be so.
Perhaps he was merely testing the strength of the Eleventh prince. Surely, if Lelouch does tremendously well in politics with him, their father would have him go back there once he is done with his fair share of military learning.
Schneizel wouldn't be mad if Lelouch fails in Military. He wouldn't even be against the idea of setting things for Lelouch to fail. Of course, once things were over and his father has shoved his brother towards his path, he would have to confess. However, none of that would matter because Lelouch would be by his side and perhaps a little more motivated to give his all.
"Yes." Lelouch said. "But it all depends on what father has in store for me."
"Speaking of which…" Schneizel started slowly. "He wants to see you. I'm not sure what it is about, but it probably has something to do with your deployment."
Another meeting with that man – Lelouch wasn't really excited by the idea. But he still had to go. "He has my numbers, next time tell him to call me directly."
The Prime Minister smiled. "You know I can't do that. But if you really feel the message should be passed, you can tell him yourself when you do go to see him." He looked at Lelouch, just to see his reaction.
Lelouch had no reaction to Schneizel's response. "What else brought you here?"
"Prepare yourself in three days. I want to show you something, but I must first deal with some things with regards to my dialogue with the EU. Once I have shown you this, we will talk over a few things and then you can begin your training…"
"Before I leave…" Schneizel stared fully at Lelouch. "Tell me, what are you planning on doing? We should avoid doing anything disastrous at this stage. The last time you threw a fit, you had yourself exiled along with Nunnally. Father has forgiven you once, he won't do it again, and I would rather not lose you again, brother."
Lelouch stared back; it didn't need his genius mind to figure that Schneizel was talking about the incident that had him demanding the emperor for answers – his mother's assassination. He could not and would not forget about that incident and he would not be satisfied until he has killed whoever was responsible for it. All bets were on the Emperor, but of course, that didn't mean that suspicions were off from Cornelia and this man before him.
Those two had direct knowledge to what happened just after his mother was killed. All questions he has asked so far led him to the two. They had to know something or at least be responsible for it. Of course, if they were responsible, Lelouch would not forgive them either. Even if it was Cornelia, he would put a gun through her head and murder her.
Still, Lelouch hadn't expected Schneizel to directly discuss the matter with him. He had been killing himself trying to figure a way in which he could ease on the subject with the brother of his…
"You're talking about my mother's assassination… or rather, if I am still demanding answers as I was before the Emperor threw me into hell…" Lelouch said calmly.
Schneizel nodded: it was reasonable for him to bring the matter up before they go anywhere. He didn't want a liability on his team, he wanted someone he could trust. Lelouch was smart, but with emotions, he tended to display them rather affectionately, especially when he was angry. Even as they spoke, his deep hatred for the Emperor could not be hidden.
The Prime Minister didn't have a problem if he was like this when it was just the two of them, but if other people were involved, it would be a problem and someone would use that to their advantage. For him, who wanted to bring Lelouch under his wing, it would not be a good story to read.
"I want to believe that you have grown and won't do something stupid again… Considering how you handled yourself last time when you were before the Emperor, I have some confidence, but it doesn't help to be sure. I don't care what you do in your free time but if its consequences are bad for me, I want to deal with it now before anything else…" Schneizel explained.
From that response, Lelouch had the feeling that Schneizel wasn't going to be of any help in the matter unless he really begged for it. Either way, it didn't seem as if the man knew much. If he did, he would have told him already. There was no one that Schneizel feared, but if the Emperor was involved, and it didn't benefit him in any way, the Prime Minister would not involve himself.
If he promised something, there was a possibility, but Lelouch wasn't going to sell his soul to this devil. His life was already in the hands of another devil…
"Have no worries; I have grown. I'm no longer that naïve child." Lelouch said in a firm tone. "In this life; we take actions thinking of our own convenience, the intension never to trouble anyone, but we tend to ignore the consequences of our actions. I'm above that one-sided thinking. So, when I tell you that you have nothing to worry about, you have nothing to worry about, brother."
Perhaps saying 'brother' was merely for effect, but Lelouch didn't think too much of it. He was pleased when Schneizel nodded with that flat smile of his. "Excellent; we will talk once you have spoken to father… that is when I take you out to see how you must survive."
Lelouch merely nodded in response.
He was slightly seething about his loss once more; perhaps that was a bit of an exaggeration, he was frowning upon that loss. No matter, he could never defeat Schneizel. He simply could not be pleased that he could get a draw. He did that when he was just eleventh… hasn't he grown ever since? And his playing style has evolved.
The prince shook his head and walked the Prime Minister out of the palace. The passages were silent, but Lelouch did not mind. The silence gave him time to think and he could be aware easily if an enemy was making moves on him.
Once Schneizel was inside his car, Lelouch turned away, heading back to his lonely palace. As he was walking up the stairway, Jeremiah swiftly came to him. the man seemed on guard. Perhaps he was thinking about what happened before. The incident had occurred on these very stairs. He had seen his mother lying in a pool of blood, with his younger sister hidden in her embrace.
The very thought of the memory made Lelouch clench his jaws; he would get his sweet revenge, even if it was against the man who sought world domination.
"Are you okay, Your Highness?" Jeremiah was quick to ask as soon as he saw the anger within the prince.
Lelouch merely turned his eyes towards the man; a moment ago, he appeared on guard, and now he seems more than ready to pounce on whoever was causing him to anger. Was there anything else he could add about the man's loyalty?
"There is nothing to worry about, Jeremiah." Lelouch said calmly, his anger washed away. "I need you to do something for me. It's an errand, I would have Emma do it, but it requires your knowledge and experience with IT equipment…" Truth be told, he had already drawn a specific list on what he wanted to buy. There would be no need for Jeremiah to think over anything, he just needed the man to at least understand what he was going to buy.
Jeremiah smiled; it was another task being given to him by his prince. "What do you need me to do, my prince?"
The Following Day
Walking into the Imperial court, Lelouch felt as if he was walking into the jaws of death. It had nothing to do with his deep hatred of the Emperor, which could not be explained in words, but perhaps the underlying fear of the man. Lelouch hated Charles with everything he has, but that didn't mean that the man didn't make him feel anxious with just one look.
Emperor could end his life at any moment.
The thought that was not only serving at the Emperor's pleasure but also living at his pleasure made the anger inside of him bubble to dangerous proportions. Had it not been because he had learned from his mistakes, he would have surely sped towards the man and wished for a gun to materialize into the palm of his hand so that he could put a bullet through the man's head.
That was just a wild thought though. The reality was cruel; he had to swallow his bitter feelings and keep an expressionless mask just to stop his emotions from showing. He could not do anything reckless at this stage. He had to play his part before the Emperor.
At least there were no glaring eyes of Britannian aristocracy wishing for him to mistime a step and fall to his death. How Lelouch resented those fools. Yet, again, he could not do anything about it. Well, at least now. He was but a powerless prince who could only cling on to the privileges that came with being the Emperor's son.
He would grow powerful though. The tools for his growth were available. He would expect some people to sabotage him, but that was something he could live with. It would give him a chance to eliminate some nuisance who wanted to stand in his way to glory.
If he grew like Schneizel, he would not be afraid of his life when the Emperor called to see him. The Prime Minister was someone who has grown ridiculously powerful that even the Emperor could not just make him disappear. However, if Schneizel crossed a line, he would pay. The Emperor was still powerful and if anyone dared go against his word, he or she would pay, and no one in the Empire would do anything about it, even if it were Schneizel who was being punished.
The eleventh prince shut off his thoughts for a moment as he knelt and faced the floor for a moment before looking back at the Emperor with a defiant look on his face. He wasn't about to show fear to the man. The Emperor was a mad dog; he could sense fear miles away and if he made the mistake of allowing the man to sniff it out, he would pay dearly by being toyed with.
Charles was only amused by the look on Lelouch's face; well, it was what he expected from his rebellious son. Lelouch had to have a bit of spine for things to proceed smoothly. If the prince didn't show courage, Schneizel would walk all over him. The Emperor didn't fear that though; If Lelouch was still the same person who dared demand that he do something about his murder's assassination, then he would not allow the Second to do as he pleases with him.
The Emperor was optimistic for his son's future after all.
"Schneizel said you wanted to see, Your Majesty." Lelouch said to his father in a slightly cold tone.
Perhaps it was for amusement, but the Emperor narrowed his eyes ever so slightly before speaking. "Is that how you speak to my, my unworthy son?" The man demanded calmly, yet his tone had a chilling effect on Lelouch's spine.
His son's reactions may amuse him but Lelouch still had to learn his place. Charles wasn't going to make the mistake of allowing Lelouch to think that he could get away with anything. No, he might be slightly favouring the prince, but that would end soon once he has settled down.
Lelouch would have to fight his own battles and would not be treated differently from his other children. Well, many would question if he was really favouring the prince, but before the Emperor's eyes, this was favour, as minor as it was. Who other of his children get to behave as Lelouch does and still gets a red carpet on his return from exile?
Lelouch gritted his teeth for a second before toning his voice down a bit. "I am here as you have requested, your Majesty." Lelouch said.
He only said those words to avoid saying he was sorry for using a cold tone when addressing the Emperor. Besides, there was no way he could say 'father' without spitting out like it burnt his tongue.
The Emperor stared for a moment before giving a ghost shrug. "Schneizel should have already informed you of your duties. I don't expect disappointment from you, Lelouch. You're not getting anything from me, however, you will have everything your mother worked hard for…"
Charles paused for a moment as he thought of something that would make things interesting. "You must prepare yourself… I may decide to marry you off to some princess or one of the daughters of some Duke. Your sister is still an option, but you just have to satisfy me enough that I don't have to think of her… but I am sure you can do that, yes?"
Speaking of his sister so casually… Lelouch couldn't help but glare at the man for such a behaviour. He would not allow Charles to touch his sister, even if it meant selling his soul to the devil or working to hi bones to make the man happy. As long as his sister was safe and at the end of the day, he got to think of this revenge and move pieces accordingly, Lelouch would endure everything.
"I understand."
"Good…" The emperor said. "Now, for the reason I called you here…"
A couple of minutes later
Lelouch walked out of the Imperial court, looking much more relieved than anything. At least things hadn't taken a turn he wouldn't like. His life hadn't been made much more miserable than it was already. The threat of marriage wasn't a big deal, at least now that he was thinking about it.
"Prince Lelouch." Jeremiah dutifully called to his prince as soon as the teen stepped out of the hall. He hadn't gone in, but remained outside.
Jeremiah wanted to ask if everything had gone well, but Eleventh prince had a look on his face that the former Purist Faction leader could not even read. Well, from what he has seen so far, Lelouch would have been ranting if things had gone awry, or perhaps brooding.
"Let us just go home, Jeremiah." Lelouch said. "The more I stay around here, the more I give time for opportunists to approach me. For now, I would rather avoid members of the royal family."
He didn't wish to trade insults with anyone and just take some threats with a smile on his face; he wanted to focus on rooting himself to something that would give him some standing in the Empire. Power was everything when dealing with these vultures - It was the only thing they understood. Without it, he could not even speak the same language as them.
Jeremiah nodded; their car was just waiting for them. He led Lelouch towards it before he spoke. "I received a call from the guards at home; they said Princess Cornelia is at the house along with Princess Euphemia. Given their standing, I ordered for them to be shown inside… I hope I did nothing wrong."
Lelouch shook his head. He didn't have a problem with Euphemia. She was the second person he loved the most anyway. He didn't hate Cornelia either, he just wanted to deal with the issues that revolved around her and his mother's death. She was a suspect, even though Schneizel had made it clear that the answers lied with the Emperor.
"No; you did well, Jeremiah." Lelouch said calmly.
Aries Villa
When Lelouch returned home, he found his sisters waiting for him at the gardens of Aries Villa; the two were lying under a shade, talking about something.
The scene just reminded Lelouch of his sister's one big weakness – Euphemia. Now, even though Lelouch knew that, he didn't think of going as far as to use his sister in that kind of a game. Euphemia was someone he would rather protect than use.
Well, Cornelia was no different from him in that regard was she? The Emperor could have them both dancing on his palm with threats to their younger siblings. As Cornelia would do anything for her sister, so would he. There was the fact that Cornelia was a soldier to the core, following orders was something she knew doing. He couldn't even imagine her life without military.
"Lulu…" Euphemia said happily as she tried to get up. She wanted to get up and hug her dear brother. But Cornelia ground her by pulling her backwards. "Sister...?"
Cornelia shook her head. "Lelouch is a teenage boy… Euphemia. You mustn't hug him as you did before."
Euphemia raised an eyebrow, "But he is my brother." She said.
Lelouch looked amused more than anything. Cornelia would always be protective of her sister. Although he was following where the Second princess was taking her thoughts, Lelouch didn't give it much of a thought because he really didn't have such interests in woman. Besides, Euphemia was his dear sister.
Cornelia didn't say anything in response to Euphie. She merely got up and walked over to Lelouch. "What did father want?" She asked, standing just inches away from him, her scrutinizing eyes watching his face like a hawk.
"He wanted to confirm what our dear brother had told me about my duties from now on..." Lelouch said calmly.
Cornelia stared for a moment. She then raised her right hand and placed her fingers on Lelouch's chest. Without even warning the prince, she pushed back. Lelouch fell back rather pitifully as if he was this fragile thing that could not balance itself – a look on shock was on his face as fell.
"Prince Lelouch!" The Dutiful Jeremiah shouted as he ran towards his prince. Although he received a warning glare from Cornelia, that honestly scared him, he still didn't stop rushing to the aide of his prince.
"I'm not attacking him." Cornelia said in a cold tone. "I like you dedication to him though, but at the same time, I dislike that disrespect." She shook her head.
Euphemia spoke the thoughts that made Cornelia shook her head. "I'm sure Guilford would do the same if the situation had been reversed. Knowing how much he loves you, sister, he would have responded with a Knightmare…" the Third princess said with a large smile as she walked over to Lelouch – who was still lying down.
Cornelia coughed at her sister's suggestive tone. "In any case, will you really survive Military Lelouch? How can you when you are this physically weak? I'm sure even Euphie has more energy than you!"
She was worried about Lelouch joining military. If there was something, she could do to stop his deployment, she would have done so, but the Emperor would not take it, and Schneizel had said he had tried as well. Military was dangerous as one had to put their lives at risk. Cornelia loved her brother too much to bear him going through the situations that came with piloting a nightmare.
Well, she could still watch over him in Military… she just had to make sure that he stayed close to her.
"Don't bully Lulu, sister." Euphie said, smiling, as she gave Lelouch her hand to help him get up.
Lelouch took Euphie's hand but didn't get on his feet. He settled down before looking as his elder sister. "That was rather pathetic." He said clearly not happy. What had wounded his pride was the fact that Euphie had said his elder sister was bullying him.
Was he that weak? He was going to pilot a Knightmare and would need to be physically strong to cope with the demands of being soldier. He was sure he couldn't even complete a single minute of Military drills without sitting on his butt out of weariness. He had always avoided those classes that called him to enter the gym.
Seeing the look on Cornelia's face, Lelouch was certain that he would be forced to train physically before anything. Cornelia would make him go through rigorous training because she was an overprotective elder sister. Lelouch frowned at the thought of being forced to sweat by Cornelia. He would not have any way to avoid the training and if he did as he did back at the Ashford academy, Cornelia would certainly 'punish' him.
When that thought passed through his head, Lelouch felt like he was a child and Cornelia was his mother.
"I can take care of myself, sister." Lelouch forced out the words.
Cornelia shook her head. "No, you can't." The woman said in a stern tone. "Don't worry, even though father said there is no time for you to go to Military academy, when you come to join me, I will have people ready to train you. I would rather not, but since nothing is going to change father's mind, it is best to make sure that you're prepared."
Lelouch visibly frowned.
"It will be good for you, your Highness." Jeremiah said with a smile. "I wouldn't mind even giving you a helping hand."
"Since when do you decide what is best for me, Jeremiah?" Lelouch asked.
Cornelia ignored the prince and turned her focus on Jeremiah. "It is has been some time since we last saw each other, Jeremiah Gottwald." The Second princess said before turning towards her brother once more. "At least you have chosen someone capable to watch your back." She said.
Lelouch shrugged. "I doubt you came to bully me, as Euphie says." He said.
"I'm returning to the battlefield, but I want to drop by Area 11 first to see Nunnally. Euphie also wants to go but I can't let her go alone. We will go together. I'm told father doesn't want you returning to that country, for now at least."
"So, we came to ask if there was anything you wanted to give Nunnally." Euphie said excitedly.
Lelouch was silent for a couple of moments; his beloved sister. He could not help but smile sadly at the thought of her. He had truly missed the days he used to tuck her in bed, the days he wouldn't go to school just to take care of her because she was sick, even though Sayako was there.
"Just tell her that I love her." Lelouch said calmly. "I have already sent everything needed."
"Your Highness." Jeremiah started. "Would it best for me to leave with them and return to Area 11 for that other mission? This seems to be a better opportunity. I will return with Princess Euphemia whilst Princess Cornelia returns to her duties."
Jeremiah still had a duty of recruiting worthy people to work for his prince. As it stood, he was the only one who could protect his prince; he needed more muscles given that Lelouch had many enemies within the Empire. Area 11 had someone he could trust with his life.
"What are you saying Jeremiah?" Cornelia demanded. "A knight cannot leave the side of his prince. Lelouch is vulnerable… you cannot leave him alone." She turned her eyes towards Lelouch. "What is this other business you're talking about? Are you being, Schneizel, Lelouch?"
"It isn't anything you have to worry about, sister." Lelouch said with a smile, a charming smile just for effect. "Since when did Jeremiah become my Knight?" He asked with a raised brow.
"What? You will need a knight. If you're going to become active in your duties as a prince, you will need a Knight. I could select some trust worthy people for you if you think Jeremiah isn't enough." Cornelia offered.
Lelouch shook his head. "I will select my own Knight." He said. "You have nothing to worry about, sister. For the next couple of days, I will be travelling with Schneizel. I should be safe in his presence, don't you think?" Lelouch had the idea that if he didn't say something like that, Cornelia wouldn't permit Jeremiah to get into a plane with her.
Cornelia seemed to think for a couple of seconds before finally nodding. "That is acceptable." She said. "This will give me an opportunity to talk to Jeremiah about some things anyway."
That definitely sounded as 'interrogate' than talk.
Ashford Residence
Area 11
Milly was sitting on the edge of her head with a phone on her hand… she was thinking about calling Lelouch. She had taken his private numbers from her grandfather, but after talking with the old man, she didn't know how she was going to start a conversation with him. there were just a lot of thoughts occurring inside her head at the moment to focus.
"Get hold of yourself, Milly!" The blonde told herself.
Since when did she become a nervous person? She was always forward, never lacking in confidence. She could not allow those thoughts to get the best of her. Besides, she really did miss Lelouch. She missed teasing him, trying to break through his masks and learning more about the secrets that he obviously liked to keep to himself even from his beloved younger sister.
It was certainly not the same without him. Rivalz was down, and Shirley was heartbroken that her beloved Lulu was gone. Well, at least Rivalz was happy that he was a friend of the 11 Prince of the holy Britannian Empire. Princes were something like small gods, weren't they? Especially in a world where Britannia controlled most of the population and was a superpower that didn't seem to have any worthy opponent.
Sighing, Milly dialled the numbers.
"Hello…"
It was definitely his voice, a bit cautious, but it was Lelouch. Milly smiled. She had finally reached him. Her grandfather hadn't been willing to give her the numbers but she had used her means to get them from him when she realized that he was in contact with the prince.
"Lelouch, how are you?"
"Milly?" There was a pause over the line. "How did you get this number?"
"What? Is that how you speak to me, Lulu?" Milly asked, a bit dramatically. She understood. Lelouch was a bit paranoid, so he would be worried about how she got his numbers if he didn't give it to anyone but to Ruben. Of course, he would ask, even if it were her.
"No… I'm just surprised to hear from you, Milly. You must understand, only two people in the whole of Area 11 have this number."
Milly drew a thoughtful look on her face before responding. "That would be my grandfather and the second would be Sayoko… then I'm the Third…" She said with a smile. "You didn't answer my question. I heard that you were restored to your previous position."
"Yes… I'm back being a prince and currently residing in Aries Villa…" Lelouch said. "But I am well."
"Good." Milly said. "Isn't it a bit lonely, though? Want me to fly over to entertain you? I'm sure you may have been sitting in a dark corner while brooding about something." The Blonde said with a laugh.
"Don't you mean torment?" Lelouch asked.
"Hey… that is a clever way to get you to react since you're usually stiff…"
"You take it to the extreme Milly. I cannot remember how many times I have been left embarrassed because of your pranks."
Milly could mentally see Lelouch shake his head. "But you have to admit it was always good for laughter."
"For you maybe." Lelouch was quick to say.
Milly shrugged, but nothing came out of her mouth. She only allowed the awkward silence to last for a couple of seconds before asking. "So, how has the royal reception been like? Adjusting to being called, Your Highness again?"
Lelouch sighed audibly. "Don't remind me. But I haven't dealt with many royals. I've so far been locked up in Aries Villa."
"I know…" Milly said. "Nothing really comes out about you in the news."
"That is for the best." Lelouch said… there was silence before he spoke again. "Last time you were saying something about your grandfather trying to get you married to restore your family's fortunes…"
Milly almost skipped a heart bit at those words. She had spoken to her grandfather but she didn't know if he had spoken to Lelouch about it. The thing that made it troubling was that she could not see his face to tell what he was thinking.
"The Emperor also said he may marry me off to some princess…"
"Oh…" Milly was silent for a few moments. "Looks like we are in the same boat." She said.
"Not at all." Lelouch said. "I may have a chance to select who I get married to… If I don't pull off my weight, that man might end up marrying me to one of my half-sisters just to mess with me… anyway… Thanks for the call, Milly, but I must go."
"Am I allowed to visit?"
"You know you'll always be welcomed, Milly."
Milly smiled as Lelouch dropped the call. Well, things had gone smoothly. She had meant it as a joke when asking if she could go to Aries Villa… she really didn't expect Lelouch to say she was welcome. If she told Nunnally that she was going to see Lelouch, the girl would certainly show that jealous look on her face that she hides well, but not from her.
She had even forgotten to tease Lelouch about Shirley… Well, she had his number; she could always call him. He didn't set terms on how she uses the numbers… but even if he had, Milly wouldn't have followed them.
End of chapter
The Omnipresent Sage
