"Nothing is impossible for a willing heart."
""[Congratulations, Mrs. Shirley!]""
"[You guys, thank you once again]," Shirley appreciated with the strength left within her as the group of friends continued their endless cheer in Spanish. Ever since the conclusion of class and ceremonies, the 3 guys and girl in the entourage would not stop in their chants. It was surely a brilliant moment for anyone who witnessed the praising of a single orange-hair lady casually approached her apartment complex.
"[Seriously guys, the fourth that I'm sure she'll get the message. Just stop already!]"
"[Don't be such a party pooper, Julie! It's not every day that a sophomore gets her degree and becomes a teacher! With tenure!]"
"[Kiss ass. A pure suck-up to the bone, Pablo.]"
"[As long as I get the grade- Oww!]"
"[Don't spoil our secret plan, esse!]" Juan jabbed at Pablo just before the hidden agenda could be leaked, the other two peers shooting fierce glares in his direction. This was a group action, it would seem. Despite such greedy intentions, Shirley simply smiled as she keyed her combination into the security point. Venezuela wasn't greatly affected by the turbulence of the past conflicts and tyranny of Brittania, but good measures were taken nonetheless in these areas. Thankfully for Shirley this rented house was simply a stone's throw away from the university she chose so long ago and became among its first graduates to graduate so early and earn tenure in its halls.
"[I don't mind at all, but please be sure to learn as much as you can. You'll be making a bad impression on me if you're my first students.]"
""[YES MA'AM!]"" Julie simply brushed off the stupid brigade, bundled together to farther scheme how to firmly seal their marks, and joined Shirley up the climb to the third floor.
"[I'm sure your hubby is really going to be excited to hear the news.]"
"[Very true, though I'm sure he already knows. He's always one step ahead, after all. He was pretty much my own tutor most of the time.]" Shirley looked back into her memories those many nights that her certain husband stayed up all night helping her better understand subjects, enlighten her on how to better improve her charisma, and to share other... benefits. "[I'll be sure to greet him well after he gets off work.]"
"[Geez, you talk so highly of him yet we never ever see him. He must be a genius-level politician or something.]"
"[Nope, he simply does construction and manual labor,]" Shirley teased with the new light of truth, to which Julie stumbled.
"[N-No way! You've got to be kidding!]"
"[Not at all, Lulu's just that kind of guy nowadays. Redeeming himself and that stuff.]" Shirley reached for her set of keys within her baggage, stopping short from her door.
"[Hm, what kind of name is 'Lulu'...]"
"[Ah, sorry, I've never gotten over calling him that,]" Shirley apologized in slight just as she began to turn the key in its lock, stopping short before the door knob. "[You know you all don't have to accompany me every time; I know everyone lives so far away.]"
Pablo suddenly shot out with such dashing hopes shining in his eyes. "[We are not going to live down the chance to see inside your apartment! I've never seen a penthouse suite before!]" Shirley brushed him off before he could try to swipe her keys. She understood his point well though- after all she rented the only central room on the top floor that overlooks the otherwise impoverish region. Staying here was by no means a form of pompous or luxury, but simple her husband's way of pleasing.
"[Maybe one day I'll host a party here, and I'll be sure to invite everyone.]" At that, the great burst of cheer re-emerged from her followers. "[Granted it isn't much of a site really.]" Regardless, another burst shouted out. "[I don't have much furniture-]" Cheer. "[And not much of decoration-]" Cheer.
"[Enough already, we are leaving.]" Julie commanded whilst pulling on Pablo's ear. She waved behind at Shirley before gathering the rest of the crew to leave the corridor. Shirley merely smiled and waved to her friends to which she was so grateful to have in an otherwise foreign world that was Eastern Venezuela. A sudden comforting hum escape her lips as she turned the knob and let her front door swing inward.
The heavy wooden door casually revolved around its old hinges, a creak greeting Shirley as she stepped into the hallway then slipped off her shoes (never quite forfeiting old habits). She was always so glad to come home to this new abode away from Japan- especially to be able to greet her hardworking other after a day long shift. She wished he would take it easier on himself and consider a more appropriate career, but she knew deep down there was intent and purpose for it all: self-sacrifice, a helping hand in restoration, and the cooling touch of a bead of an earned sweat down his brow. Despite the concerns, she always welcomed that man with the same gentle smile and a sincere thanks for his efforts.
On her usual routine, Shirley would visit the immediate attention to the kitchen on the right to begin the evening meal- just prepared in time for his arrival. However, something out of place caught her attention that lured her into the living space; something not seen in so long, more distracting that than dull light of the sun breaching through open curtains from the balcony. On the lone table where the untouched chessboard rested, unused in quite a while, an active battle took place between ebony and ivory. This scene stuck out more than the pleasant smell of an upcoming meal in the air. She smiled even before she was gently embraced from behind by familiar arms.
"[Congratulations, darling.]"
"[Fufufu, good evening to you too, my beloved. So you already knew?]"
"[I couldn't help but overhear those friends of yours while you were approaching the building. Plus I have my sources.]"
"[As usual," Shirley plunged herself deeper in Lelouch's hold, feeling so loved almost like it was a continuously renewed sensation when he returned to her life. It was definitely nice to have his long unruly hair drape onto her face as she gave a kiss to his collar. "Did you get off work early?]"
"[Extra work merits an early leave. I must surprise you every once in awhile else it would not suit me.]"
"[Like old days. What's cooking? It smells delicious.]" Shirley took a deep breath to soak in its aroma. It wasn't anything that she's cooked before.
"Bouillabaisse de tomate d'été avec basilic rouille, servi avec un côté de soupe à l'oignon française . Complété plus tard avec une tourtière du shack." Lelouch gestured to the neatly compiled meal and several pots still cooking over the stove to keep warm. She could cause that several of the sauces were still being prepared on the side based on the numerous plates.
"Oh mon Dieu, tu êtes allé vraiment tout sur ton français . Pour moi?"
"Tout pour une occasion spéciale . De plus, nous ne voulons pas que tu ayez rouillé sur la langue comme un nouvel enseignant en linguistique." Lelouch teased in the same tongue. "Ton histoire peut être tranchant comme une aiguille , mais je crois me souvenir que tu étiez encore avoir un peu de difficulté avec un langage plus récent."
"Je sais que plus tu souvenez, Lulu . Qui est celui qui a obtenu , après tout? Outre que je ai attrapé le plus vite que vous , -si je me souviens correctement-" Shirley countered with a drawn tongue to jest.
"Principalmente perché ero al lingua successiva , mia cara . Multitasking tende a farlo."
"Hm? Is that... Italian?"
"Correcto."
"Never cease to amaze me," Shirley forfeited to the more common English language. She was no match to Lelouch's expansive mind at this point. "Did you learn that just to catch me off-guard?"
"Not necessarily, some documents I found were in Italian so becoming familiar was necessary." Lelouch smiled after giving Shirley a kiss on the lips, letting her free to tend to the ongoing feast needing his maintenance. "Besides a new client for Italy has become invested in the new building so it was a golden opportunity to invest."
Shirley found herself gravitated to the couch before the chessboard, examining the placement that seemed focused and intentional. "Seeing these pieces placed on her seems more coincidental that someone picked up a rather old nasty habit. A certain gambling one, perhaps?"
"Heh, that's the past. Besides I don't have a certain fool to arrange one nor act as my chauffeur. I was merely formulating old tactics to sharpen the mind. Nothing more I'm afraid."
"So you say... Hm? What's this?" Shirley's focus diverted to the stack of papers and notebooks nearby, loosely placed as though previously attended to. She couldn't tell anything concrete at first glance, articles which were obviously written in another language (Italian she deduced which explained Lelouch's sudden fascination), so she picked up the first notebook and examined its cover. It was a well-illustrated and embroiled title for a simple handiwork. "Are you writing a novel now?"
"Oh, so you found it." Lelouch admitted whilst stirring the pot in hand, no doubt one of the many sauces that required some tender attendance. "It's more of an auto-biography if you want to call it something. To recapture the past with some background explanation on things. I must admit I had to dig around for more mythical lore about certain things."
Shirley chuckled. "It has quite a befitting title for you too: The New King and The Old King." Shirley was already beginning to cherish the making as she skimmed through several filled pages. They were not complete of course, segments of rough drafts, summaries, and brainstorms which had meticulous notes skittering the panels. She couldn't wait to read it, albeit she couldn't help but feel a bit amazed and bashful that her own name came up several times... and a few scenes that were a bit exclusive.
"Did... Did you really need to include me in here? I didn't have that much of an effect on the events-"
"So much more than you give yourself credit for. Trust me. Especially in... certain parts." Shirley could tell he was blushing as much as herself at the thought.
"F-Flatterer..." Shirley shuffled further into the pieces below, wandering if more reference material was available or if more items were being made behind her back. However, what she stumbled across was truly unexpected.
She held in her hand another notebook, signed by another person and with a peculiar title that Shirley could not decipher. "What's this one? The Sibling Complication? A medical journal-" *clack**tsch* "Eep!"
The raining sound of metal and liquid echoed out of the kitchen amongst Lelouch's cough. He hurried to the couch to recover that manuscript before more was seen. "N-No, you'd rather not read this one. It's for... peer review from a- a- pen pal."
"Pen pal? Since when has this been going on? Lulu?!" Shirley grew suspicious with this cowering act. Something about its contents were devious by nature.
"Take my word, you won't find any of it interesting. Plus it's not complete by far. D-Don't want to spoil someone else's hard work you know." Lelouch faked a smile as best as possible to buy a distraction. Despite the growing curiosity, Shirley obliged. Instead she found another interesting sight on the opposite side of the chessboard. "And is that today's mail?"
"Y-Yes, that it is," Lelouch breathed in relief with the change in topic, quick to discard the manuscript in the nearby drawer. He was eager to place the bundle into her hands for her to browse. "In fact, one in particular will be quite rewarding to read."
"Really?" Shirley scanned the mailing address of the first envelope, so well-oriented and fashionably designed above the remaining junk and bills below. She knew the sent from address all too well from Japan. "It's from Milly!"
Shirley slipped its elegant contents out from the pre-made slit at the top, no doubt Lelouch's doing from before. She gasped even before reading the first line. "Wow, I can't believe it! She's actually getting married!"
"Who would have guessed to whom though," Lelouch chuckled as he looked to his game, pushing a black pawn forward into the skirmish. He allowed Shirley time to read to not spoil the findings, easing a white knight through its own ranks. In fact even Shirley loosened a spurt from her mouth that just could not be contained.
"So Rivalz finally got that back bone to do it, huh?" Shirley signed in glee as she read over the official announcement: the time, the date, the whereabouts, and the oh-so-wonderful honor for her to become a bride's maid.
"More so she probably drained him of all his mediocre worth to the point he could only find the right 'size' to suit her needs." Lelouch looked to his one emerald ring with a smile.
"And she really shows it off," Shirley amused as she sound the prideful picture of the wedding couple on the back- Rivalz wielding a weakly smile beneath the forced centerfold of a 7 diamond ring beside a strongly smiling Milly. Even Shirley would have been struck envious at the sight should her own ring not have been so intricate and purposeful. Nonetheless she was so happy to see her former peers find their own path. "Now how's this going to work... being among the maids."
She looked to Lelouch even though she knew he already planned this out. He shifted a bishop forward to cut off an advancing queen. "I have the mask already in place to avoid suspicion. I don't she knows about 'Mr. Fenette' by this time-"
"Don't think that's true. Look at the follow up message," Shirley stated as she handed him the personal letter included. Lelouch cut to the end, assuming the top and body were all mushy subjects. His frown expressed the writings all too well.
'Oh do be sure that you bring the ever elusive 'Mr. Fenette' with you to my wedding. It's been so long as I've heard the news in the grapevine. 3'
"...Has devious and cunning as ever, that President."
Shirley giggled as she snugged against her slumped husband, earning his distraction so easily. "I'm so glad everything worked out."
"For them?"
Shirley nodded. "For them. For us. For you. Everyone, really." She interlaced their fingers and brought them to her lips. "Plans can be taken into effect now without any troubles."
"Surely. Even if a rebellion or uprising starts, the system in place will not let it go unnoticed. A series of checks and balances for the future generation to upkeep. Like Nunally." Lelouch fiddled with the brim of that queen, as if testing its possible moves and counters.
"...Future generations..." The thought lingered in Shirley's mind, the catalyst to the embarrassing yet wanting proposal that slipped past her lips. "Do you think, Lulu... we should start thinking about our own? I mean- you know..."
Lelouch gulped at the thought. "I'm... not so sure about that, Shirley." Lelouch diverted his gaze to the settling sun not so far off from their lone window. "Does the world need another Brittania in the future? One who shares my tainted bloodline, and this curse upon me? What possible consequences would happen should that child-"
Shirley pressed her finger into his lips to cut him off. "Last I checked, you are a Fenette now. Lulu." Shirley assured him by stealing his sight. "You will make a great father, as you did an older brother and a wonderful husband. You did your deeds and gave your sacrifices to turn the world from its fate... Isn't that enough?"
"..."
"Besides, I... I..." Shirley stuttered to find the right words, but knew she didn't need to do so. She must speak from the heart. "I want to... make you happy, Lulu. More than I've been able to do before." She took his hand and placed it atop her belly. "If I can bare you a child, give you something to remember me by, that's all I can ever ask for.
"!"
Lelouch was truly at a loss of words. A single tear found its escape from the corner of his eye. This woman was too good for him- to always look out for his best interest and return him to reality. Lelouch knew he made the right choice to return to her arms. "...I love you, Shirley." Despite his internal pessimism, her optimism overtook his ways.
"I love you more."
Lelouch withdrew from the hug, looked down at the table where he slide the white queen into a check against himself. However, such folly was short-lived by the hidden rook that founded a planned, discovered checkmate.
"Before that though, we need to celebrate your achievements. Then this time I will be on top."
Despite her blush, she smiled back at him and eagerly took his command with surety.
A/N: Well, it has certainly been a lifetime. To those, this would be the mark of the triumphant return of Eliya Shirwood, and to one a losing hope in life. Once again I'm remembering the dread of an unrequited love, desperately wondering if my loyalties and devotions are recognized and cherished. To relate, I'm wandering through the true route hoping to hit a trigger to acknowledge I'm doing the right things for my ladies. Working two jobs must have this effect after doing it for nearly two years, getting disowned by my family, moving into the city alone, and all other foul fates...
Hopefully I put enough hints in here to state: YES, other works will be updated in the near future once I rekindle my forlorn muse in writing. Truly it is an odd sensation to read your previous works after a hiatus and see your sense of writing mature vastly. I plan to rewrite all chapters as necessary for a better flow, though only where I can find time despite unable to function 24/7 (RIP caffeine...). I do hope The New King and The Old King becomes what I envisioned so long ago...
To explain this chapter, I wanted the opening dialogue to be only Spanish to emphasize the different location and new learning Shirley had to go through, but there was more talk than I imagined and it would have been a pest for you, the reader, to seek translation every time. Thus please consider any "[ ]" talks to be spoken in Spanish between the actors. Sorry I didn't do the same for the French and Italian as I forgot about it (lol).
In addition, I'm starting to become interested in making PVC models so you may end up seeing some of my works via pictures, though honestly I would like to make some as a sweepstakes for my fans as appreciation for your patience with this writer. I will provide more updates once available. Ah, I shall be at A-Kon this year (Dallas) just in case any one wants to keep an eye out for a 'Pulsefire Ezreal' (modified for great justice as you shall find out!). See you in the future, mon amis.