I'm definitely spoiling you guys, lol. I won't be posting every day come next week because of school, so I'm sorry if there are few delays in the upcoming chapters. I'm really glad people are enjoying the story.

In response to GreyeFochs, all of your questions will be answered in the next few paragraphs. Thank you for the advice.

In terms of pairings, the only one I'll reveal is Suzaku x Euphemia. If you paid attention to the last chapter, you may notice a few other possibilities that I'll elaborate on further.

Lelouch vi Britannia was rather impressed; it seemed like the Household went through a lot of trouble for his and Nunnally's return. He stood in his new room, in the Aries Wing of the Palace. He had inquired about the villa where he and Nunnally lived with their mother before her death, but he learned that it was permanently sealed off after Cornelia's investigation. He was quite glad; the memories that were stored in those walls couldn't be at the forefront of his mind. He had a task at hand, a large one at that, and he really couldn't let distractions cloud that goal.

Distractions, Lelouch thought as he observed the spacious room.

His re-entry into the Family was a brilliant plan, and he was kind of upset that he didn't figure out before. Back then, he had much to tend to; Nunnally, Ashford, the Black Knights. Lelouch always worked best when he focused on one thing. He could accomplish many things when he was able to clear his mind of everything except the task at hand. Unfortunately, when he did that, the other important aspects of his life were left unattended. Most of the time, they collided with his plans. Whether he was chasing a cat around the Academy or trying to save Nunnally from a bomb set by that sicko Mao, something, or someone, always got in the way, because he allowed it to.

This plan, however, was foolproof.

The identity of Lelouch Lamperouge was discarded, like a ripped mask, for a greater one; Lelouch vi Britannia. The Eleventh Prince of the Empire, and seventeenth in line to the throne, was a more useful persona than he imagined. He spent years hiding away his lineage, to protect himself and Nunnally. What he never realized was how much protection they could receive by claiming the title he was given. Nunnally would be safer with the support of her brothers and sisters and the Royal Guard. She could finally have tea with Euphemia and have Schneizel read her stories, like he heard her dream many times. As for himself, he would be the doting brother, the curious yet respectful prince. The act wasn't far from the truth; he had lived both descriptions. They would now be veils. No one would expect a loyal prince of Britannia to be behind one of the greatest falls in world history. He was hiding a plain sight.

A simple concept, but it needed some work. He took care of Ashford and Nunnally through the reveal, but there was one more issue to be dealt with; the Order of the Black Knights, the military group he created as Zero, his masked alias. He could've easily abandoned them, letting them flail about without a true leader. Lelouch was smarter than that though. He still needed the Black Knights for his plans, and he promised them the liberation of Japan. He promised not just them, but Suzaku as well, that their homeland would be free from Britannia's tyranny. They trusted and served under him, evolving from a meek resistance group to a serious force in geopolitics. He had no plans on abandoning them.

This meant that they would have to know the truth as well, at least the ones he could trust. He told Kallen first; she would most likely understand the most. She was also living a lie. Beneath her weakling façade at Ashford was the best Knightmare Pilot the Black Knights had. Her first reaction was one of fury, including a slap he could still feel. Luckily for him, Kallen was loyal to him. She was loyal enough to accompany Lelouch to Britannia and help him. Ohgi, Deithard, and Todoh were also informed of his identity. Todoh was less surprised than the rest; he claimed that a brilliant mind such as Zero's could really belong to Lelouch. Todoh had met him before he abandoned his title as prince, at the Kururugi Shrine. He, alongside Kirihara, observed Lelouch's intellect firsthand and they firmly believed that one day, he would change the world they lived in.

Todoh and Kallen worked to sway the rest of the top tier, convincing them, Ohgi especially, that Lelouch could do so much more for Japan through Britannia. Finally, they agreed. Todoh was made the second-in-command of the Black Knights, while Zero remained in Japan as a symbol. Whenever the Japanese needed, Todoh would pose as Zero and assure them.

Meanwhile, Lelouch, C.C., and Kallen departed for the homeland, accompanied by Cornelia, Euphemia, and Suzaku. Unlike the trust he showed the Black Knights, Lelouch did not inform his siblings of his actions while in Area 11. As far as they were concerned, Lelouch was simply a student at Ashford, living as a normal teenager.

Lelouch had three personas; a terrorist leader, a schoolboy, and a prince of the greatest empire on the planet. By the time his main goal was complete, there would be one more added to his impressive repertoire.

"Lelouch?"

Lelouch turned around from the window. Schneizel, the second prince and his older brother, was standing in the doorway.

"I hope you are settling in well," Schneizel said as he stepped inside Lelouch's room. "The staff was desperate to please you."

"Tell them thank you on my behalf," Lelouch said.

"This is truly a miracle, Lelouch," Schneizel said, sitting down in one of the chairs. "The deaths of you and Nunnally truly affected the family."

Lelouch's interest was piqued. "How so?"

"Everyone was devastated by the news, Lelouch. Euphemia and Cornelia took the death particularly hard. Euphemia adored both you and Nunnally, and Cornelia felt your deaths counted as another failure on her part. She never truly got over the death of your mother, Empress Marianne."

"What about you, Schneizel? Was your reaction similar?" Lelouch asked, testing his brother.

"I felt terrible, as did Clovis. To think of all the grief we gave you when you were a boy. I felt guilty over all the times I beat you at chess," Schneizel said.

"I've gotten much better."

"Well then we must have a rematch at some point," Schneizel said with a grin. "Not tonight, though. You need your rest. That ceremony must have been taxing on you."

Schneizel got up and headed for the door. Just as he was about to leave, Lelouch quickly told him to wait.

"Yes, Lelouch?"

"I have a few requests of you. I would've asked Odysseus, but…"

"He's thick as a plank, I know Lelouch," Schneizel laughed. "Age has delivered no wisdom for our poor older brother. Now, what can I do for you?"

"First," Lelouch began, running through the mental list he made. "I want Nunnally to have a knight. Anyone would be fine. She must be protected every single minute."

"I understand. Cornelia told me about her kidnapping. Some Chinese man, if I recall. I know you must be hesitant to leave her alone. I'll assign one first thing in the morning."

"Second, I would appreciate accommodations for my two guests, Kallen Stadtfeld and Nunnally's caretaker."

"Done."

"Third is a question, about the Knights of Rounds."

"What about them?"

"Cornelia only told me so much. What is their purpose, in relevance to me."

"Well, they are a sector of Knights chosen by members of the Royal Family, you and Nunnally included. They report directly to the Emperor, and they do special assignments for him and us."

"So, theoretically, I could appoint one."

Schneizel raised an eyebrow. "Technically, but I wouldn't worry about that too much. You and Nunnally need to re-familiarize yourselves with the family."

"It's just that," Lelouch said, lowering his head oh so perfectly. "I don't want to feel useless."

Schneizel seemingly took the bait, walking over to Lelouch and placing his gloved hand on his shoulder. "Lelouch, don't worry. You are very important to this family. You've been back only a day, and you're more useful than half of your siblings.

"Trust me, Lelouch. When the time comes, your relevance to the Empire's future will manifest itself; sooner than you may think."

Lelouch looked up at Schneizel's face, and smiled. "Thank you Brother."

Schneizel nodded and then left the room. As he made his way back to his own room, Schneizel hoped that he planted the right seeds in his younger brother's head. Unbeknownst to Lelouch, his return tipped the scales greatly in his favor.

Lelouch looked at the closed door and he couldn't help smirking. Oh big brother, I'll play along for now, he thought. I'm going to need you, after all.

"Suzaku!"

"I'm coming, Euphie!"

Suzaku zipped up his Knight's uniform before opening the door to Euphemia, still dressed in the pink ball gown she wore earlier this evening. He still had a hard time responding to her beauty, but the great thing about Euphemia was how comfortable she made him feel.

"We're going to be late!"

Euphemia, much like the other members of the family, loved taking advantage of situations. Of course, her manipulations were kindhearted, compared to even her older sister Cornelia's. For the first time, Suzaku would meet with Ophelia li Britannia, her mother and one of the leading Empresses in the Household. Euphemia hoped that the happy occasion of her half-brother's return would make the meeting easier. Ophelia had a reputation for her style, but also for her fierce protection of her children. Euphemia had suitors before, but they were usually chewed up and spit out by the great Ophelia. Euphemia quietly hoped that Suzaku's status as her Knight might melt the nicknamed "Ice Queen" a bit.

"How important is it that I meet your mother?" Suzaku asked nervously, fiddling with his collar as they walked.

"She's not that terrible," Euphemia said, looking down as she spoke, denoting her lie.

"Maybe I should just…"

"Suzaku, you will be fine!" Euphemia said, grabbing his arm and interlocking hers with it. "I'm sure you and Mother will get along just fine."

"You know, Euphie, you aren't very good at lying."

The couple finally reached the master door of the li Britannia wing. Hesitantly, Suzaku pressed the doorbell. Suzaku and Euphemia waited for what seemed like hours, until the door opened. In front of them was Ophelia, wearing a blue pantsuit, much different from the elaborate gown she wore in the ballroom.

"Hello Mother," Euphemia said softly, holding onto Suzaku's arm a bit tighter.

"Hello, you Majesty," Suzaku said, bowing before the Empress.

"Well Euphemia, I see you have brought along another boy to meet me," Ophelia said in a voice striking similar to Cornelia.

"This isn't just any boy, Mother. This is Suzaku Kururugi, my Knight."

"It is a pleasure, your Majesty," Suzaku said as he bowed.

"I'm impressed, Euphemia," Ophelia said with a smile. "For an Honorary Britannian, he has such good manners".

"Thank you, your Majesty," Suzaku replied.

"Will you both come in? I'm just finishing up some work for the next event."

Ophelia stepped back and allowed Euphemia and Suzaku to enter the palatial suite. Nearly everything was bathed in pink, but there were different shades. The suite looked impeccable, not a painting out of place or a chair out of order. Euphie wasn't lying, Suzaku thought. Her mother was obsessed was style. Ophelia led the two toward the living room, where they sat on the plush sofa opposite of her large throne-style chair.

"I see you've redecorated while I've been gone," Euphemia noted, looking around the living room.

"I had some extra time on my hands, and I decided to incorporate some of the décor tips from Area 12 I learned during my trip there," Ophelia explained. "What do you think of the new look, Suzaku?"

"It's very nice," Suzaku said, still a bit overwhelmed by the grandeur.

"Nice?" Ophelia asked, amused by his confusion. "Euphie, you choose this man as your Knight, and that is all he has to say?"

"I didn't mean to offend you!" Suzaku said frantically, observing Euphemia's slightly shocked expression.

"Relax, Suzaku," Ophelia laughed, holding her hand out. "I was kidding around. You're not the first man to have little to say about decoration. Even His Majesty wasn't impressed."

"Speaking of Father, how is he?" Euphemia asked.

"He had to make an emergency trip to the California district."

"Again?" Euphie said exasperatedly. "That's like 10 times in the last few weeks. Do you know how long it will take for that project to complete?"

"Euphemia, it's better to not ask questions about your father's project. None of us have a clue about it, so neither will you."

"Yes, Mother," Euphemia said softly.

"Now, forgetting all of that, I want to know more about you, Suzaku." Leaning forward, with her elbow on her knee and her chin on top of the back of her palm, Ophelia asked bluntly, "what are your intentions toward my daughter, the Third Princess of the Empire, someone clearly out of your league?"

Lelouch, after saying goodnight to Nunnally, wandered through the halls of the palace. He never thought he would be there again, walking in the same place Cornelia chased him around when he was a kid she was babysitting. There were many memories like that, especially in the Palace that he had to close off. He could never truly forgive the family that allowed the murder of his mother. Yet, he had to live with them. He knew there were some in the family he could trust, who would be on his side, just as many as he couldn't trust.

Euphemia and Cornelia weren't threats. In fact, they were the closest family members of them all. Both had serious connections that he needed to utilize. Cornelia had the strongest group of military in the entire Britannian Army, as well as her role as Viceroy of Area 11. Euphemia was the Sub-Viceroy, and Suzaku was her Knight. She would have knowledge of the Lancelot Knightmare that Suzaku pilots, and she could possibly allow him access to that information. His own friendship with Suzaku wasn't enough. He needed entry into the lab, where he could learn about the Knightmare that nearly killed him numerous times.

Odysseus and Guinevere had no real connection to Lelouch; they were too old to play with him as a child. However, Odysseus was extremely easy to manipulate. His status as the Crown Prince was also a viable asset that he could use. Guinevere had no interest in politics, so there was no point trying with her.

Lelouch stopped at a painting of Cassius and Carline hanging in the hallway. He couldn't trust them as far as he could barely throw them. Cassius, two years older than Lelouch, was a monster to both him and Nunnally as children. He may have calmed down considerably since then, he passed those traits onto Carline. He had heard of her bratty exploits, and it made him so grateful to have Nunnally as a sister.

William and Katherine were also out of the question. While Katherine had connections with the media, she was devoted to Britannia and the Emperor. There was no possible way of persuading her otherwise, and using Geass on her wouldn't be worth it. William was too disinterested in anything besides sports to care about what Lelouch did.

Then, there was Schneizel. He was the first of his wonderful siblings to visit him and Nunnally, and he seemed to fall for Lelouch's little act earlier. Yet, Schneizel was not one to be underestimated. He and Lelouch used to be referred s full siblings because of their matching intellect. When they played chess, Schneizel almost always predicted his moves before he even made them. He had never beaten his older brother in chess, and even as his skill increased, he honestly doubted that he would.

Schneizel could either be his greatest ally or his worst enemy, depending on his own agenda. He would definitely keep an eye on him. No matter what side he was on, Lelouch knew Schneizel would play a crucial role in his plans.

Lelouch finally stopped in front of the painting he was looking for. It was of Marianne, looking peaceful and happy. He wished that this would be the face he identified his mother with, but it wouldn't be. The glassy eyes of his dying mother were forever etched in his mind. Lelouch touched the portrait, and whispered.

"Mother, I promise you, you will be avenged."

"Yes, everything is going according to plan. Lelouch and Nunnally are all settled in. I will be assigning a Knight to her tomorrow morning, but I want extra security placed on her. I don't the Emperor using her for any reasons. She will not be a casualty, do you understand. Same goes for Lelouch. He was asking about the Knights of Rounds when I met with him tonight. He's definitely looking for answers about Marianne. When the time comes, I will deliver them. Lelouch is an important asset. He doesn't understand yet, but he will become the most important one I have."

"I can assure you, Empress Marianne will be avenged."

So, what do you think so far? Don't forget to review. It really does help a lot (Anonymous reviewing is now enabled).