Notes: Some people keep asking about Xingke and why Tianzi isn't married to him. Well, because that's boring, that's why. But you will find out why she's not with him this chapter, if I haven't made it terribly obvious already (I think I have, maybe you weren't paying attention).

Dream of the King

A Code Geass Fanfic by

Nate Grey (xman0123-at-aol-dot-com)

Part 5: Tianzi li Britannia


Of all the 99th Emperor's wives, only the Chinese Federation Empress has openly confessed to having no genuine affection for the man. "I cannot pretend to love a man who has terrified me largely since I first met him," she once said. "I became his wife only in the interest of peace. Yet I see the way his children adore him, and the pride with which his wives would willingly lay down their lives to preserve his unmatched genius. I cannot help but feel honored to stand among his wives, and cherished when his children reach for me. He will never love me as he does them, but in his home, I am loved, and that is enough."


The bedroom was exquisite, and so was the palace overall, but they only made Jiang Lihua feel more like a foreigner, and it was only recently that those had been welcome in Britannian society.

"Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make your time here more pleasant, Jiang-sama," Sayoko said from behind her, bowing respectfully.

That in itself was nothing new: people had, one way or another, been bowing to the Chinese Federation Empress for most of her life. But this was one of many times when Tianzi felt it was completely undeserved. In the eyes of Britannia, she and Sayoko were essentially equals, both lesser wives of the Emperor Lelouch vi Britannia, and little else. Of course, she had learned that Sayoko was responsible for all things relating to the security of palace, something that Tianzi found rather impressive for a woman, period, and especially a Japanese woman in Britannia.

"You have been very kind to me," Tianzi said after a moment. "May I ask why?"

Sayoko raised her head, blinking slowly. "I realize this situation is not ideal for you, but we have no intention of making you feel like a prisoner. It is our hope that you may one day come to think of this palace as your home."

Tianzi shook her head. "I know all of that. But why are you, specifically, being kind to me?"

"I prefer to believe that I am equally kind to anyone who has done nothing to offend me or those I defend," Sayoko replied. "In your case, though, Chairwoman Kaguya specifically asked me to ensure that you were comfortable here."

"She didn't threaten you, did she?" Tianzi asked at once, frowning. "She has a tendency to do that sometimes..."

Sayoko smiled. "No, it was not necessary. I was happy to be of assistance. I suspect she never told you this, but Kaguya is my little Shinji's godmother. If not for her, he might not be here now. I would do anything she asked of me."

"No, Kaguya never mentioned that," Tianzi whispered, suddenly feeling very ill. She had just held the darling little boy in her lap not more than ten minutes ago. It was difficult enough to imagine him not existing, but that Kaguya was entirely responsible for his survival was making her head spin. It wasn't that she didn't believe, but Kaguya was just so... Kaguya, and Tianzi simply couldn't wrap her mind around the woman even being present during childbirth, as it was entirely too messy and loud for someone such as her. Or so she'd thought, anyway.

"Are you not feeling well, Jiang-sama?" Sayoko asked with concern. "You paled so quickly."

Tianzi forced a weak smile. "No, I'm... just a little nervous. With the wedding being so close and all, I mean."

"I see. Lelouch isn't quite as bad as people make him out to be. Kaguya wouldn't be marrying him willingly if he were that unpleasant."

"That's true," Tianzi agreed. "And she wouldn't have asked me to, either."

"There, you see?" Sayoko smiled triumphantly. "He can't be evil incarnate, then."

"Why did you marry him?" the Empress asked without thinking.

Sayoko paused, considering the question. "Honestly? Because his first wife insisted. I've known her long enough to know that when she insists on something, it isn't to be taken lightly. I had also reached a point in my life where I wanted a child. I suppose I could've taken another route, but Lelouch is one of the few men I've known that never fails to impress me."

"You mean because of his brilliance?"

"No. I was referring to his capacity for kindness and compassion."

Tianzi stared at her in surprise. "I don't understand."

Sayoko laughed kindly. "You understand, you just don't believe. Well, you've met C.C., so tell me: where exactly do you think Mari got her kindness from?"

That was a stumper. From all appearances, C.C. didn't have a kind bone in her body, and if she did, it had either been broken or removed long ago. Frankly, it was very odd, with Mari looking exactly like a much younger C.C. and acting completely different from her mother.

"Don't get me wrong, C.C. can be very understanding at times. In fact, she understands far more than most people ever could. But she has little use for kindness, and prefers wisdom instead. However, I choose to believe that her suggesting I marry Lelouch was a little of both. He needed a Japanese heir, and I wanted a child. It was convenient."

"Then do you love him?"

"Ah," Sayoko sighed, closing her eyes. "That is difficult to answer. I am very fond of Lelouch and Nunnally, and I have been for some time. I swore to protect them as long as they needed me. And though both have released me from that vow, this is where I belong, at Lelouch's side. If you consider that love, then yes, I do love him, in my own way."

"Does he love you?"

"Only Lelouch can answer that. I know that he loves Shinji, and that he had no complaints when we were together."

Tianzi blushed. "Was it...?"

"You have nothing to fear in that department," Sayoko assured her, cheeks pinking slightly. "Lelouch is a considerate lover above all else; C.C. has trained him well. And, like me, I doubt you will be required to take part in it more than once."

"Why is that?" the Empress asked, genuinely curious.

"Because anyone can see that it is Kaguya you love. Lelouch would never exploit you that way, and besides, he'll soon have plenty of wives to choose from. Has anyone ever implied anything different?"

"Well, no," Tianzi admitted. "But I assumed it was already implied."

"You should ask C.C., then. I have no doubt that she will clearly express her feelings on the matter."


"You will share Lelouch's bed as many times as it takes for you to become pregnant. Knowing him, I would say it should only be the one time. He is quite dependable in that regard." C.C. said this all with a somewhat bored expression on her face, which wasn't making Tianzi any more comfortable. Although the fact that they were currently standing a few feet from the bed where C.C. had no doubt shared many nights with Lelouch was a little intimidating.

"Yes, but... am I not expected to, well... pleasure him?"

C.C. stared at her flatly. "Lelouch will soon be married to six beautiful women. Any further pleasure would probably make his head explode."

"Then... once I am pregnant, I never again have to-"

"You obviously have no feelings for him, so no one would expect you to. But a Chinese heir to the throne is vital. So long as there is one, or at least one in the making, you will not share Lelouch's bed."

Tianzi stared at her uncertainly. "But... before you said I didn't have to. Now it sounds like you're forbidding me."

"Before," C.C. clarified, "I was being polite. Now, I am annoyed. You seem to think that sleeping with my husband is a terrible thing. I would remind you that your beloved Kaguya has dreamed of that honor for years. I can appreciate your position, but I do not take insults towards myself or my family lightly."

"I meant no disrespect-"

"I know. That is the only reason I haven't had you removed from my bedroom." C.C. turned away from her, staring at a painting on the wall. "You should know that Lelouch and I are both aware of your feelings. We take no pleasure in asking you to do this, but again, it is necessary. If you do not bear an heir to the throne, the union will not be seen as legitimate. With no possibility for a Chinese heir, your people might-"

"I know all of that," Tianzi interrupted.

"Then why do you act as if you don't?"

She hesitated. "Because I've never been with a man before."

"There isn't much to know. Lelouch doesn't actually expect you to do anything except lie there. Ideally, it could be over in just a few minutes. But I suppose it depends on what Kaguya decides."

Tianzi's head snapped up. "What does Kaguya have to do with any of this?"

C.C. turned to face her again. "She'll be with you, of course. She insisted, and it is a good idea. She has never been with a man either, but she is still quite knowledgeable on the subject matter. You would feel more comfortable with her there, wouldn't you?"

"Yes," Tianzi admitted slowly, "but isn't that... a little awkward?"

There was a brief pause, in which Tianzi would later swear that C.C. was smirking, although maybe it was just a trick of the light.

"I sincerely doubt that it will bother Lelouch in the least."


As the wedding drew closer, Tianzi found that she was less nervous and more curious than anything else. For the most part, she'd been made to feel very welcome, and the few people that did rub her the wrong way tended to have the same effect on everyone, so in no way did she feel like an outsider any longer. The children had taken to her especially quickly, which was surprising for Shinji, at least. Once he figured out that Tianzi, unlike Kallen, was always willing to hold him, he made a beeline for her the moment she entered his line of sight.

Mari was a big help in easing the tension, forever asking questions about what the Chinese Federation was like and if she could go there. Apparently she'd been turned down by her parents, and unfortunately, no one had shared that information with Tianzi until AFTER she'd promised to take Mari home with her one day. It took some major bribing, but Lelouch was finally able to convince Mari that such a vacation was best saved for her sixteenth birthday. And even then, Mari demanded the promise in writing, which she had framed and put on her nightstand, so she could see it every morning when she woke up. C.C. was greatly annoyed by the whole thing, but kept her peace when she saw how happy Mari was about the trip.

Tianzi rarely ever spent time with Lelouch, and when she did, it was always awkward. They simply didn't know what to say to each other, and she was only slightly cheered by the fact that he was just as lost as she was, something that had very little to do with his amnesia, at least when it came to her. But it was hard to stay afraid of a man that was so obviously wrapped around Mari's little finger, even if he was Emperor of Britannia. Having a family seemed to have made Lelouch a lot more relaxed than she remembered. Of course, anything that convinced him not to run around pointing guns at people's heads was relaxed in her somewhat biased opinion.


"Please forgive the intrusion, Empress, but you have a visitor," Kallen said softly in her ear.

Tianzi put down her glass of water and eyed the redhead with some disbelief. "Are you certain, Kallen? I'm not expecting any visitors." Aside from that, she'd been raised to believe that people who visited during dinner simply had no manners.

Kallen shifted uncomfortably. "It's a UFN representative. He's very insistent."

"And this can't wait?" Tianzi asked, aware that she was starting to get some mildly curious looks from the rest of the family.

"It could," Kallen admitted, "but I can't be held responsible for what might happen if it does. Frankly, he's under heavy guard, and I'd like him out of here as quickly as possible, for his sake and everyone else's."

"Does this rather rude man have a name?"

Kallen smirked. "Who else do you know that would barge in unannounced and refuse to leave until he had proof that you weren't being mistreated by our evil Emperor?"

With a soft groan, Tianzi excused herself from the table and quickly followed Kallen to, of all places, the nursery. There they found Li Xingke glaring at anything that moved. Shinji was bawling his head off while Milly tried to calm him down, and Mari was glaring at Xingke with such distaste that it was a wonder he didn't burst into flames.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Milly cried upon spotting them. "Look, whoever this joker is, the kids really don't like him, so could you get him out of here?"

"This," Tianzi slowly, turning to Kallen with a raised eyebrow, "is heavy guard?"

Kallen nodded. "Mari's been on him like stink on a manure pile ever since he set foot in the palace, and the only people she follows around like that usually don't stick around too long."

Tianzi was tempted to laugh, except that Kallen seemed perfectly serious, and Xingke twitched nervously under Mari's gaze. The girl had never resembled her mother more.

"I will speak with him alone," Tianzi sighed.

"No way!" Mari shouted at once, jumping up and latching onto her leg.

A little startled, the Empress placed a comforting hand on the girl's head. "Mari, what's wrong, dear?"

"I don't trust him! I don't like him! What if he tries to take you away?"

"He wouldn't do that," Tianzi assured her, although she had second thoughts when she noticed the outraged look on Xingke's face. "Well, I wouldn't allow him to."

"I'm not leaving you alone with him!" Mari insisted.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with her. One of us must be present, Empress, for the sake of security," Kallen added.

Tianzi nodded reluctantly. "Very well. This won't take long."

Milly and Kallen stepped outside, although Shinji's wails only increased in volume. Clearly, he wasn't crazy about Xingke being the in the same room with her, either.

Xingke sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair. He suddenly seemed older and wearier, although she couldn't really blame him. "I had to be certain," was all he said.

"I'm fine. I'm treated well here, and I'm going through with this. Please stop asking me to change my mind."

He frowned at her. "I can accept that your feelings changed. I can even accept that you've given your heart to another. But I know this is not what you want. This man cannot be what you want."

"What I want is peace for my people," Tianzi replied. "I already have the power to give them that. But with Lelouch's help, and I can do that for others, as well. This is where I can best serve the world, and I would ask that you respect that."

"Would you also ask me to break my promise to you?"

"No. Once I am ready to travel, I will call upon you to escort me. But I will be less inclined to do so if you continue to harrass my new family."

"Yeah, so hit the bricks, chump!" Mari demanded, shaking a fist at him.

"This does not encourage me to leave you in their hands," Xingke pointed out.

"Then trust me to take care of myself. If I can rule over a people, then I think I can handle my own affairs. Besides, Mari is harmless."

"Are you certain of that?" Xingke asked sharply.

Tianzi blinked. "Well, she'd never harm ME."

"But HE isn't you," Mari added, her eyes narrowing in a way that was far too sinister to be the first time they'd done so.

"Are you threatening a UFN representative, Your Highness?" Xingke demanded, his every word dripping with venom.

"Of course not," Mari replied smugly. "I'm just saying that I don't care for someone who CLAIMS to be a UFN representative, yet somehow I doubt that this visit actually represents the stance of anyone else in the UFN, or that they're even aware of it to begin with." Her smile grew wider as Xingke's face went red. "Also, I don't like you because you're a jerk, and because you came here to take Miss Tianzi away. But she's going to be my Mama Tianzi very soon, and if you try this again afterwards, I will personally lead the army that rescues her and removes you from the little power you do still have. Now are you going to leave, or do I have to tell Mommy that you were being mean to me?"


"Stop worrying, Ji-chan. Your dress looks perfect," Kaguya insisted, studying herself in the mirror. "Mine, on the other hand, makes me look fat."

"No, it doesn't!" Tianzi protested with more force than she meant to.

Kaguya glanced over her shoulder, smirking. "Well, I'm glad to hear you feel so strongly about it. Anyway, who would know more about my figure than you? You're the only one I show it to regularly."

Tianzi blushed bright red. "Kaguya, please. Someone could hear you!"

"And what if they do? We're the two most powerful women in the world, and we're less than an hour away from marrying the one person who might be able to do anything against us. I doubt he would, but this way it makes certain people less afraid of him."

There was a pair of soft clicks as the door to their changing room opened and shut, and Tianzi turned just in time to see a green blur vanish beneath her billowy wedding dress, two small hands clamping onto her ankles.

"Hide me!" a panicked voice whispered. "There are reporters crawling all over the place, and they keep taking my picture!"

Kaguya laughed softly as she reached down, gently tugging Mari out into the open. "You're a princess, dear. Naturally, they want to immortalize you on film, because you're so gorgeous."

"But all the flashes make my eye itchy," Mari complained, rubbing at her right eye, which did seem very red. It was only when she dropped her hand that Tianzi gasped.

"Oh, Kaguya, her eye is more than irritated! It's neon red!" Tianzi knelt down and gently grasped Mari's head, turning it this way and that. "She needs a doctor right away!"

"It's okay, Miss Tianzi," Mari disagreed, blinking rapidly. "My eye evolved again last night, and it's always sensitive to bright lights right after. But Uncle Susie let me borrow his shades for the wedding."

"Your eye... evolved? Again?" Tianzi asked, frowning. "What does that mean?"

"That I'll be okay by tomorrow," Mari replied, sounding surprisingly firm on the matter. "But thanks for worrying about me. I think you'll be a great Mommy, and you can practice on me anytime you want." She gave the startled Empress a big hug.

"Oh. Thank you, I guess," Tianzi murmured, returning the hug. "But are you sure you're okay, Mari?"

"Well... a little sister might help me feel better. Twins, if you could manage it."

Tianzi blushed. "Ah... I could try," was all she could think to say.

"You're putting way too much pressure on her, Mari," Kaguya giggled, patting the girl's head. "Now, me, I'd be glad to give you twin sisters. But that might take a few tries, so you may have to put up with a few more little brothers in the meantime."

Mari scowled for a few seconds, then reconsidered. "I guess Shinji will need another boy to play with eventually. But just one!"


C.C. left the reception early, offering the excuse of a headache. She went straight to bed, but only managed to get in a few hours of staring up at the ceiling. For some reason, it was harder to pretend that Lelouch wasn't with another woman this time. Yet there was no real reason for her to be jealous.

Kaguya had always been honest about her feelings, and Tianzi had none for Lelouch to speak of. Neither one was a threat to her marriage, or to Mari, and they would become great assets to Britannia. Tianzi's background and desire to see the world would make her an excellent Foreign Minister, and Kaguya was shuffling her own responsibilities around, no doubt so she could spend more time in the palace.

None of which explained the gnawing emptiness that C.C. felt each time she thought of Lelouch being intimate with anyone else. He would always come back to her, of course: there was no other woman alive that could do the things to him that she did. But all the same, that even an instant should be shared with someone other than her was just unacceptable.

Why, then, had she forced him into it?

There were reasons, of course. Lelouch's dream of creating a better world. The need to give Mari a large but close-knit family, so that she would never experience the doubts and fears that Lelouch had. And, though she would never admit it to anyone aloud, watching Mari grow up was one of the few things that made C.C. forget about ever wanting to die. Back when he'd still had his memory, Lelouch had forbidden her to ever talk about such things, and if C.C. had not noticed the tremble in his voice and the hint of fear in his eyes at the time, she might have ignored him.

He knew that nothing lasted forever. Ironically, the one thing that could, a person blessed or cursed with a Code, never would willingly. And for all his genius and power, Lelouch's greatest fear was that he would wake up to find C.C. gone. She had known that even before Mari came along, and there was nothing that would ever make that fear go away.

In truth, C.C. had done little to comfort him on the subject. As much as she enjoyed her life with Lelouch, it wouldn't last. Their family and friends would die eventually. They would fade away... along with any protection from the ravages of time that Mari had inherited from her. C.C. had already decided that she would pass her Code on when Mari could no longer survive without it. That was why she was hesitant for Lelouch to take his father's Code. He would do anything to save Mari, even give his own life. But C.C. was the one who had lived for too long. She intended for Lelouch and Mari to live on long after she was gone.

That was something she hid in the deepest, darkest part of her heart, where not even Mari's inquisitive gaze could ever reach. Not without C.C.'s permission, anyway, and she would never give it.


Mari left the reception roughly a half hour after her mother did.

It was one thing for a child to merely sense a parent's pain.

But Mari could actually see the moment when her mother's heart broke yet again, and it effectively ruined the celebration for her.

Mari had done an admirable job of masking her own discomfort. She genuinely liked Kaguya and Tianzi, and firmly believed that it would be easy to love them in a short while.

But for all the talks that she'd been given, Mari still found herself unprepared for the reality of the situation. For example, anytime she had a bad dream, or simply didn't want to sleep alone, she could always go to her parents' bedroom, and find them both there.

Not tonight, though. And this was the night that Mari especially needed them both, because she had never felt more distanced from her father. She took some comfort in knowing that her mother felt largely the same way, and knew instinctively that she would welcome the company.

Anything not to sleep alone.

Although Mari's mother just wouldn't BE her mother if she'd ever made things that simple.

"You should be in bed, Mari," was the first thing out of her mouth.

"I am going to bed," Mari answered. "I'm sleeping with you, Mommy."

"Why?"

"Because we both want me to."

No further words were needed, at least not until neither one got any closer to falling asleep.

"I don't remember it being this hard last time," Mari whispered, clutching her mother's nightgown for comfort.

C.C. sighed. "Last time, you were a baby. By the time you were old enough to have an opinion on Sayoko, she was already a second mother to you, and Shinji was here."

"We should always do this," Mari said softly, curling up against her mother's side. "Whenever Daddy has to get married again, I mean. So we won't be lonely or anything."

"That's a very good idea."

"You're not just saying that for my sake, are you?"

C.C. gently ruffled her hair. "Look into my heart, and see your father's love for both of us written there."

It wasn't really a good idea, with Mari's eye still adjusting, but neither one cared at the moment. And it wasn't as if Mari had to look very hard or very long before she saw what she needed to. But it was enough to bring happy tears to her eyes, and after that, sleep came quickly for both of them.


In the Near Future...

As it happened, Tianzi had been pregnant for six months when Lelouch lost his memory again. All things considered, she knew he now had every reason to feel awkward around her. No doubt someone had explained that she was carrying his child, and the hesitant but concerned looks he was giving her spoke volumes.

It was almost adorable, really.

She found that it was easier to associate this blank slate of a man with the one who, under Kaguya's watchful eye, had taken her into his bed the one time. The only real difference between them was the amount of clothing each wore.

Unfortunately, Lelouch could not recall anything from that fateful night, and just as he had with Sayoko, feared that the encounter might have been less than consensual. Once she realized that, Tianzi took him aside and told him the truth.

"It was a little strange for me, but I didn't mind it much towards the end."

"Why?" Lelouch asked at once. "What happened then?"

She blushed slightly. "Well, it... felt really nice. Almost like... um..."

Knowing what little he did of her, Lelouch frowned slightly. "A woman?"

"No, certainly nothing like that. It felt..."

"Good?" he hazarded after a long moment.

Tianzi nodded slowly. "Yes. But it felt like..." She trailed off, searching for the proper words.

"Can you at least tell me what I did that you liked?" Lelouch finally asked.

"I don't think it was anything that you did on purpose," she explained. "You were exhausted after satisfying two women, and you just... collapsed."

"And you liked that?" he asked dully.

She couldn't help the giggle that slipped from her lips. "Not really, no. It was more the way you did it, or more precisely where."

He stared at her expectantly, having no clue where she was going with this.

"You sort of... fell on me, and stayed there," Tianzi stated.

Lelouch frowned, certain he'd heard wrong. "What?"

"I thought about asking Kaguya to roll you off of me, but the longer you stayed that way, the more I started to like it. I could feel your heartbeat against mine, and I just felt-"

"Loved," he murmured.

She stared at him in surprise. "You remember?"

"No. Last night. With C.C.," he explained, turning a little red himself.

"Ah. That makes sense. I imagine it's even better when there's actual love involved."

"I don't-" Lelouch began as she started to turn away. "I mean, I don't... hate you."

Tianzi blinked, smiling slightly. "I'm aware of that, Lelouch."

"What I mean," he tried again, "is that I... uh..."

"Feel something positive towards me, beyond simple caring but not quite in the realm of love?" she offered.

"Yes. That," he breathed, a bit desperately.

"Oh. Well, thank you." With that, she leaned forward and gave Lelouch a lingering kiss on the lips that he was completely unprepared for.

"Do you do that to me a lot?" he murmured after a few seconds.

"Never. But Kaguya is the only other lover I've ever had, and she's been away almost a month now. I may be pregnant, but I still have needs."

He blinked, quickly getting her meaning. "Um... do you want me to...?"

She smiled. "No, that was quite nice. But thank you for offering, Lelouch. It means a a great deal to me."

"If this is because of C.C.," he began, "then-"

"It isn't, not completely," Tianzi assured him. "But we have an understanding, and I would rather not betray the trust she has placed in me."

"So kissing is allowed?" Lelouch asked, growing more confused by the second.

"Infrequently."

"How infrequently?"

She smiled. "What are you doing five years from now?"

He gaped at her. "You can't be serious!"

"I'm not. But you complaining to C.C. would be a very bad idea, trust me."

Lelouch leaned in a little, lowering his voice. "You're afraid of her, too?"

"I prefer to think of it as having a healthy fear of someone who is far more influential than myself, but yes."


In the Distant Future...

"Presenting His Royal Highness, First Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire, Shinji le Britannia!"

"Is it me, or has Shin-chan gotten taller?" Kaguya murmured as the prince strode into the crowded throne room.

"He just has that effect on people, Kaguya," Tianzi replied. "Although I suppose everyone stands a bit straighter at these events."

Both women smothered giggles behind their hands as Shinji was ambushed halfway up the aisle, nearly getting bowled over by an enthusiastic hug from his older sister.

"Mari really shouldn't do that," Tianzi sighed. "I think it's the reason they stopped announcing who was in line for the throne. No one really believes that the Crown Princess would act that way."

"Really?" Kaguya asked. "I just figured it was shorter, and these parties always seem to drag on forever. But I can't really blame Mari. Shin-chan's a real cutie, just like his father. Oh, look, here he comes!"

Shinji had largely regained his composure after extracting himself from Mari, although his mussed hair was a little reminder that he would always be her baby brother. But he needn't have bothered trying to be formal with Kaguya, who started smirking when he was still ten feet away. He just kissed her offered hand in silence, knowing that doing anything more would result in Kaguya reminding him that she had once changed his dirty diapers.

"Welcome home, Shinji," Tianzi said as he took her hand next.

"It's good to see you, Mother," Shinji replied, kissing her hand with obvious affection in his eyes. "Both of you," he was quick to add when he noticed Kaguya about to protest.

"Sit with us for a few minutes so we can catch up," Kaguya ordered, patting the chair next to her. "We want to hear all about your trip to the EU."

"But I haven't greeted Milly or Kallen yet, and-"

"Are you refusing a request from your godmother, Shin-chan?"

Shinji sighed heavily. "No," he grumbled, sitting down.

Tianzi shook her head. "Honestly, Kaguya, sometimes you're worse than Mari. At least she doesn't make him feel guilty."

"Don't be silly, Ji-chan," Kaguya countered. "A man still needs to respect his mother."

"All of them?" Shinji asked weakly, earning a sharp look from Kaguya. "I'm just saying, I've got six!"

"Well, I'm the most important! I saved your ungrateful life!"

"You know I'm grateful, Mother, but-"

"You aren't! I had to practically force you to sit and talk with me!"

Groaning, Tianzi subtly signaled across the room to Suzaku, who was already on his way over, having noticed the rising volume of Kaguya's voice.

Shinji was just about to resort to begging for forgiveness at Kaguya's feet when Suzaku swept in, all smiles as he tenderly kissed Kaguya's hand.

"Excuse me, but I've just obtained permission from my wife to dance with the loveliest lady in the room, and I estimate that I only have a few minutes before she flies into a jealous rage."

Kaguya giggled lightly. "Oh, you!" She allowed Suzaku to lead her away, but not before she called over her shoulder, "You could learn a thing or two from him about how to treat a woman, Shin-chan!"

Shinji sank deeper into his chair, shaking his head. "She's impossible!"

"You know she's only teasing you, Shinji," Tianzi said, patting his arm. "Kaguya loves you as much as I do."

"But you never tease me. Or make me feel like dirt. Or tell anyone that you changed my diapers!"

She smiled. "That is my way, and this is hers."

"Does she ever do things like that to you?"

"Not as much, but when we met, I was far more sensitive than you. It was a long time before I learned not to always take her seriously. But you must always pay attention to her. In fact, you should go dance with her once she's calmed down. I'm sure she'd love that."

"I have missed her," Shinji admitted, smiling faintly. "It was far too quiet without her around."

"Don't ever tell her that, if you want to keep living."

End of Part 5.


Next Chapter: Kallen the Radiant

"Kallen, you're fat," Mari noted after a long moment.

"I know," Kallen agreed miserably, pouting. "Stupid baby. Stupid Lulu. Stupid Milly. Stup-"

"Why's Milly stupid?" Mari interrupted, crawling closer and propping her chin up on Kallen's arm. She sounded remarkably open-minded for someone who was so fond of Milly.

"Because she's the one who forced me into this! 'Get married, have Lulu's baby, you'll be so happy!' I've never been more miserable in my life! This is so unfair! I'm the best Knightmare Pilot alive! Japan's Second Sun! Kallen the Radiant! I shouldn't be stuck in this stupid bed for months on end!"

"I'd be mad if I was fat and couldn't get out of bed, too," Mari murmured, giving Kallen's side a careful poke.

Kallen absently brushed her hand away. "It's not that I CAN'T get out of bed. It's that I shouldn't. For the stupid baby's sake. Or mine. Maybe both. I forget."

"That is stupid," Mari agreed. "What if you have to pee?"

"You don't want to know," Kallen replied flatly.


Endnotes:

If Sayoko's feelings for Lelouch sound confusing, they're meant to be. Heh.

Mari's Geass is not public knowledge, although anyone who was ever a member of the Black Knights is wary of the possibility. I assume Xingke would make Tianzi aware of Lelouch's Geass, to ensure that she wasn't being controlled.

I'm still a bit confused as to who takes precedence in line for the throne. I realize some people are more fit than others, in terms of mental capacity and status, but it still seems odd to me that there was such a large gap between Lelouch and Nunnally. I guess either Lelouch was really that smart, or Nunnally was just way too nice. Of course, that's all conveniently ignored later on in the series, when Nunnally actually is poised to take the throne after Lelouch, so maybe it doesn't really matter much. Probably Lelouch killing off his siblings and a buttload of elite Britannians helped a bit, too.

I realize some of these titles are getting a bit wordy. But realize that the people with the simplest titles are often doing more work than the others combined. For example, C.C. will never be labeled as anything else, simply because she's got her hands in everything and listing it all would be both pointless and frustrating for you and me both. Revised titles are underlined so you can't miss them!

The Imperial Family So Far:

Lelouch vi Britannia, Emperor

C.C. (Cecelia) vi Britannia, Empress

Marianne vi Britannia II, 1st (Crown) Princess

Sayoko le Britannia, Imperial Consort and Palace Security Coordinator

Shinji le Britannia, 1st Prince

Kaguya la Britannia, Japanese Representative and U.F.N. Chairwoman

Tianzi (Jiang Lihua) li Britannia, Chinese Federation Empress and Foreign Minister

Milly su Britannia, Ashford Heiress and Ministry of Information Spokesperson

Kallen u Britannia, Emperor's Knight

Nunnally vi Britannia, C.U.J. Viceroy

Suzaku Kururugi, Viceroy's Knight and Nemo Squad Leader

Rolo Lamperouge, Knight of Zero