Thanks to all of the readers and reviews so far, it really means a lot.
So basically, everything up until Episode 17 of the first season has occurred. As you've seen Lelouch has revealed his true identity. You'll see why in later chapters.
The Aries Palace erupted in applause as Lelouch and Nunnally vi Britannia made their way through the crowd toward the stage. Women dabbed at their eyes with handkerchiefs while their husbands nodded their heads in pride. Lelouch kept his hand on Nunnally's shoulder, hoping to calm any potential fears that his younger sister had. She could only hear the applause, and he assumed it could've been overwhelming for her.
"Is this what you expected, Lelouch vi Britannia?" the woman pushing her chair asked.
"Everything is going according to plan," Lelouch responded, keeping his eyes forward at the stage.
"How long do I have to wear this annoying wig?"
"Would you like to be captured in the middle of my ceremony, C.C.? Then, go ahead, please remove your disguise."
C.C. sighed in annoyance as she pushed the chair further and tucked a green strand of hair back underneath the wig. She had to admit, the display was rather impressive. It had been years since she had been in Britannia, and she definitely did not remember an event this grand. Yet, this was an unorthodox situation deserving an overdone affair. She had expressed her passive concern at Lelouch's plans to reveal his and Nunnally's identities, but in the end, she saw his reasoning. He wanted to protect Nunnally. It also didn't hurt that he was in the place that would receive his punishment. In fact, it was as if he was killing two birds with one stone.
C.C. pushed the wheelchair to the steps of the stage, where two members of the Royal Guard lifted the chair up and carried it up the steps. Lelouch followed behind her, watching carefully at how they treated his sister. He directed them to place her next to his half-brother Schneizel, who smiled and patted Nunnally on the shoulder. Lelouch then made the rather tedious task of greeting the members of the Family. He shook hands with his siblings, giving a kiss on the cheek to Euphemia. He looked over at Suzaku, who smiled back at him. Lelouch reciprocated.
Suzaku was the one of the reasons why Lelouch and Nunnally were there, although he probably didn't realize it. In hindsight, he was glad that Suzaku turned out to be the pilot of the Lancelot Knightmare Frame. Suzaku's inability to protect Nunnally helped spark his new plan. It was rather ironic; Suzaku always proclaimed that he would change Britannia from the inside. It turns out he would have a new supporter in that goal.
Lelouch finished shaking hands with Odysseus and made one step, now standing before the Emperor. He remembered from his etiquette lessons as a young prince that it was customary to bow before the Emperor. He could tell Charles was thinking the exact same thing, via the smirk on his face. Lelouch had to do it; refusing to would cause a scene and begin to plant questions in people's minds, the last thing he needed. Lelouch, despite his other desires, knew he had to defer to his father at least for a minute.
If he was successful, he would never have to do it again.
"Your Majesty."
Lelouch pushed his cape back from him and kneeled, an act met with applause. He looked down at the floor, refusing to look up at the man who failed to protect his mother and effectively ruined his life. As he knelt, he felt Charles' hand touch his shoulder. The touch was cold, unfeeling, much like the man himself.
"Welcome home, Lelouch."
The deep voice of the Emperor made him shudder slightly. He had to admit, that man still had it in him to rattle his cage. He couldn't allow him to, though. Lelouch needed to stick to the plan, and if that meant enduring his father, he would. Nothing was going to distract him.
Lelouch stood up and quickly turned around, avoiding his father's stare. He walked up to the podium, standing next to Imperial Empress Arianna. He could feel the negative energy emanating from his mother-in-law, and it certainly didn't surprise him. Despite her kind introduction, Lelouch and Empress Arianna rarely got along when he was a boy. There was one infamous incident when she insulted him and Nunnally while they played in the garden of the Palace. When Marianne heard of the scolding, she retrieved her Knightmare Frame, Ganymede, and threatened to destroy Arianna's home, the Athens Villa. Arianna never spoke to the Vi Britannia children again.
She seemingly put aside her dislike of Lelouch though, as she stepped aside from the podium to allow Lelouch to speak. He stepped up directly to the microphone, holding the edges of the pulpit firmly.
"It is a great feeling, being home amongst my people," Lelouch began, his voice strong. "As your prince, it is an honor to be able to serve the people of Britannia once again."
Kallen Stadtfeld looked on as Lelouch spoke. She worked through his plan in her head repeatedly, trying to find some flaw. It seemed ridiculous when he first brought it to her, and she initially refused to take part in it. Unfortunately for her, Lelouch was terribly persuasive, and his plan actually made sense.
"I have a weapon, Kallen, and I am going to use it. Trust me, Britannia and Japan will never be the same."
She did trust Lelouch, and she believed that his plan would work. She just wondered how long it would take.
"It has been a tough several years for my sister Nunnally and I. It seemed like hope was lost. Luckily for us, with help of my half-sister Euphemia and Warrant Officer Suzaku Kururugi, we were able to return, home. My gratitude towards them is never-ending.
"Now that we have returned, I can assure the citizens of this great nation that we will never leave again. I can also promise that after today, things will never be the same. In my name, Lelouch vi Britannia, I declare myself and my sister Nunnally vi Britannia re-introduced as prince and princess of Britannia!"
He extended his arm out as he finished his speech, and the audience clapped harder than before, some people cheering for their returned prince. Lelouch nodded and stepped away from the podium, sitting down next to Nunnally. Arianna returned to the podium and told the guests to enjoy the night and to not hesitate to meet with Lelouch and Nunnally. The members of the Royal Family stood and began to leave the stage, mixing in with the audience.
Lelouch and Nunnally were the last to leave the stage, and were immediately greeted by the overzealous press. Lelouch's temporary Knight, Jeremiah Gottwald, kept the reporters at a reasonable distance from the two royal siblings, still allowing them to ask questions.
"Your Highness, were you aware of the death of Prince Clovis?"
Lelouch felt a little tug in his chest, but he answered the question. "Yes, his death was distressing to both my sister and I."
"Why were your deaths misreported, Your Highness?"
"It was in order to protect myself and Nunnally. The military believed that we would be safer if the terrorists weren't aware of our existence in Area 11."
"Your Highness, will the Ashford family be restored to rank now that you've been restored as prince?"
"The downfall of the Ashford family is definitely one I plan to rectify. If it hadn't been for their support, we would not have survived as long as we did. Nunnally and I owe them our lives."
C.C. looked on as Lelouch answered the reporters' questions. He was definitely like his father in the respect that he had a strong presence. Lelouch vi Britannia, formerly Lelouch Lamperouge, was nothing like the teenager at Ashford; introverted and quiet. The man standing there emanated an energy that was very much akin to a king, let alone prince. The press was eating out of his hands.
"Maybe he can pull this off after all," C.C. mused to herself.
The reporters were soon ushered away by Jeremiah and Lelouch and Nunnally were allowed to mingle with the guests. Lelouch and Nunnally made their way through the ballroom, preparing to meet with their guests.
"Are you okay, Your Highness?" Jeremiah asked Lelouch as he guided the siblings to their first meeting.
"Yes, Jeremiah. Thank you for your concern."
"Of course, Your Highness. I am your Knight, after all."
"It's just unfortunate that it is only temporary," Lelouch said, the gears beginning to turn in his mind.
"If you are satisfied with my service, it can be requested that I become your full-time Knight."
"Really?" Lelouch asked with a smirk on his face.
"Yes. I would be honored to be your Knight. I served your mother, Empress Marianne. The opportunity to serve her children would be a true privilege."
"I will definitely look into it, Jeremiah. For now, will you please accompany Nunnally around the ballroom? I'll be fine by myself."
"Yes, your Majesty."
Jeremiah led Nunnally and C.C. to one side of the ballroom with guests waiting for them while Lelouch went to another side. As he made his way through the left side of the ballroom, mingling with guests wishing him well, he took careful notice of his Family. Through research, he was able to detect the different members of the Knight of Rounds. There was Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three, who stood next to Odysseus. Anya Alstreim, a rather young girl standing next to Cornelia, was the Knight of Six. The man standing near the Emperor was Bismarck Waldstein, the Knight of One.
The Knights of Rounds were a special group of soldiers in the Britannian military, who answered directly to the Emperor. Only royalty could appoint a soldier to the illustrious group, and only the Emperor could choose a Knight of One. It was another piece of information that influenced his decision.
It shouldn't be too hard to turn the Knights, Lelouch pondered as he turned his sights back to Gino.
"Lelouch!"
Lelouch turned around and Kallen stood before him, arms crossed and a very annoyed look etched across her face.
"I would love to see how all of this pomp is going to aid the plan!" Kallen said harshly.
"You look beautiful tonight, Kallen," Lelouch quipped, noticing the form-fitting red dress she wore.
"Stop that, Lelouch. I mean it. Why are you going through all of this trouble?"
"I didn't plan the event, Kallen. Euphemia, my half-sister did."
"Yes, I get it, you're royalty. You know, you never got around to explaining to me how a prince of this cursed nation-"
"Kallen!"
"Your Highness!"
Both Kallen and Lelouch turned around to see Gino, the Knight of Three, standing behind them.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything, Your Highness Prince Lelouch," Gino said, bowing his head in respect. "I just wanted to introduce myself."
"Actually, you did-"
"Ignore her," Lelouch said, interrupting Kallen. "I am aware of who you are. You are Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three of the Knight of Rounds. I have heard of your abilities from my siblings."
"I'm honored to be considered worthy of your discussion. If there is anything I can do for you or your sister Princess Nunnally, do not hesitate to ask."
Mentally recording the last sentence, Lelouch replied, "Thank you, Gino."
"Excuse me!"
Lelouch turned back to Kallen, whose face was tinted in red fury. "I'm so rude. Gino, this is Kallen Stadtfeld, a friend of mine from Ashford Academy."
Gino held out his hand, but Kallen did not attempt to take it at first. Only after Lelouch nudged her with his shoulder did she finally place her hand in his. Gino raised her hand and kissed the back of her palm.
"It is very nice to meet you, Kallen," Gino said smoothly.
"Well, um, thank you," Kallen responded, snatching her hand back. "Lelouch, we will talk later, understand?"
"Yes, Kallen. I will speak with you later."
Taking a deep breath to maintain her composure, Kallen turned around and left, leaving Lelouch and Gino alone together.
"Your Highness, is she always that-"
"Rude, obnoxious, stubborn?" Lelouch answered for him.
"I was going to say beautiful, but I guess those apply," Gino said, watching her as she left.
"Yes, she is always like that."
"That boy seemed nice."
Kallen stood next to C.C., who was holding Nunnally's wheelchair while she chatted with a noble she knew from childhood.
"What are you talking about, C.C.?"
"That blonde boy, the one Lelouch is talking to right now," C.C. responded, pointing him out.
"Oh, he's some knight or something," Kallen said, shaking her head. "He's kissing some serious ass".
"Gino Weinberg, to be exact."
Kallen turned to C.C., surprised. "How do you…?"
"Do you honestly think I would allow this situation to occur unless everything was well-researched? I can identify pretty much every person in this room."
"Speaking of the situation," Kallen said, with her voice lowered. "What exactly is the extent of Lelouch's plans after this?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," C.C. lied, her eyes still focused on Lelouch and Gino.
Just then, Kallen's phone rang. Excusing herself, she left the ballroom and made a right down an empty hallway. She looked down at the phone, and saw Ohgi's name on the caller ID. She slid opened the phone and answered the call.
"Hello? Yes. We're at the Aries Palace. Lelouch is in the middle of the re-introduction ceremony. Look, this plan will work, okay. He will be able to do so much more here than in Japan. Just stay there with the rest of them. We'll call when its time."
Kallen closed the phone and fell against one of the walls. When she first entered the Aries Palace, she was almost entranced by its beauty. It barely connected that an Empire capable of such elegance could also behind the evils levied against her country. She could see why her father spent so much time working in this Palace; it was stunning. She couldn't help but think what a shame it will be when Lelouch's plans for it are complete.