After a delay longer than I expected, here is Chapter Four.

To clarify, anything in italics will either be a memory or a personal thought.

This chapter's purpose is to establish some things that will be serious factors in the future. There are some very interesting tidbits throughout the story that I promise will be referred to as the story continues.

I'm also glad people enjoyed Suzaku's meeting with Ophelia. As much as I love drama, I just had to throw some fun stuff in there. Don't worry, it won't be the last you'll see.

Schneizel el Britannia loved the breeze that would move through the Aries Villa. During his visits with Empress Marianne and his siblings Lelouch and Nunnally, he would always sit in her garden for some time, allowing the calming rush of air remove the stress of his life.

His nineteenth birthday brought more struggles for the second prince of the Holy Empire of Britannia. Like never before, his father, the Emperor, had been pressuring him into taking a greater interest in politics. To make the point, Charles appointed him the Junior Ambassador of Foreign States for the Empire. He would accompany the current Prime Minister, his older brother Odysseus, around the world, learning the rules of diplomacy. His newly busy schedule limited his visits home, especially to the villa. It made him appreciate everything, and everyone.

"Nunnally, be careful!"

Schneizel looked up and saw Nunnally and Marianne in the garden. His mother-in-law was practically chasing his younger sister around, trying to stop her from picking the growing flowers. Schneizel got up from the bench and walked over to the mother and daughter.

"Brother!"

"How is my favorite baby sister today?" Schneizel asked as lifted Nunnally into his arms.

"I'm not a baby!" Nunnally said with a pout, but she broke into laughter when he began tickling her.

"I didn't realize you were here today, Schneizel," Marianne said as Schneizel put Nunnally back on the ground. "Why didn't you come up to the house?"

"I didn't want to bother you. I figured I would just sit in the garden for a while, and then leave."

"Schneizel," Marianne said softly. "You are never a bother. The children are happy to see you, and so am I."

As Nunnally continued to play in the garden, Schneizel and Marianne sat down on a nearby bench, facing the large lake. The garden had an amazing view of both the lake and the large cliff across it. On the top of the cliff was the Castle of Eowyn, the former Imperial Palace and monument to Britannia's rich history.

"When do you and Odysseus leave again?" Marianne asked.

"In a few days. I have many meetings, so today was the only day I could visit."

"How do you feel about it?"

Schneizel was waiting for the question. Marianne was the only member of the family he could truly talk to. His mother and father were proponents of burying unattractive emotions. His older siblings were too concerned with their own lives to bother with him, and his younger siblings were too young to understand. It was another reason why he loved the Aries Villa; Marianne was there, ready to listen.

"It is nice to see the rest of the world, and Odysseus is very helpful."

"But," Marianne said, trying to coax an answer out of the young prince.

"I feel like a pawn," Schneizel said honestly. "My father is using all of us, testing us to see who would be fit to rule in his place."

"Charles wants to an heir who will take Britannia to another level," Marianne explained. "It's just unfortunate that his methods are all wrong. He doesn't realize that the world he wants won't come so easily."

"I just don't understand the pressure he puts us all under. Soon, it will come down on Lelouch and Nunnally."

"My children won't be a part of his plans," Marianne said firmly.

"Marianne, I don't believe it is that simple," Schneizel laughed.

"I won't let him hurt them, Schneizel."

Schneizel looked over at Marianne, who looked serious and determined. He knew that look. It was the same look she gave Empress Arianna when she defended his mother against her attacks. It was the same look that she gave Rutherford B. Ashford when he told her of his plans to scale back research on the Ganymede Knightmare Frame. Whenever Marianne vi Britannia had that look on her face, it meant she wasn't going to stop until her goal was achieved.

"Schneizel," Marianne said, turning to him. "I want you to promise me something, okay?"

"Anything, Marianne."

"When Lelouch and Nunnally get older, I want you to protect them from your father."

"Protect them?" Schneizel asked, slightly confused of what she was asking.

"I want you to watch over Lelouch and Nunnally from your father's plans. I can't have them become pawns in his game. Will you protect them?"

Although he was still leery of what she was asking, Schneizel grabbed Marianne's hands in his and said, "I will Marianne. I will protect Lelouch and Nunnally from my father."

He failed the first time.

The news of Lelouch and Nunnally's deaths in Area 11 had more of an effect on Schneizel than he ever let on to anyone else. The same feeling of failure he felt when Marianne died overcame him again when the death certificates of his siblings came from the police stationed there.

He wouldn't fail them, or Marianne again.

Schneizel sat in his office at the Imperial Government Complex, flipping through a trade agreement with Australia. He was really paying attention to the details though; he had too many things on his mind. He thought about Lelouch and Nunnally, wondering how their first day back at the Palace. He also thought about the length of time it would take before Lelouch visited him at the office.

Schneizel knew Lelouch, even after years apart. He was always an inquisitive child, albeit a respectful one. He was highly intelligent and strategically sound. He was still the only person to ever give him a serious challenge in chess. It seemed unlikely, but the two were very much alike.

He also knew what Lelouch wanted. He wanted revenge, against Charles, the man who exiled him and his poor sister to their presumed deaths. He wanted justice for his mother. Schneizel knew that one of the only reasons why he suddenly reappeared was to achieve those two goals, something he could completely understand. Schneizel would help Lelouch in his endeavors, and in turn, Lelouch would aide his. The catch was, Lelouch would probably not know of either.

"Your Highness?"

Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three, stood in Schneizel's doorway.

"Yes, Gino, please come in."

Gino came in and sat down in the chair across from Schneizel. The second prince was the easiest member of the family to get along with. He had joked to the other Knights that it was because they were both blondes. He honestly wasn't sure why, but whenever he gets a request from the Family, he always hopes that it is Schneizel.

"How can help you, Your Highness?" Gino asked, crossing his legs in a manner like Schneizel.

"Does my father have any plans for you at the moment?"

"No," Gino responded. "Any important mission is usually delegated to Lord Waldstein as of late."

No surprise there, Schneizel thought.

"I have a special assignment for you, Gino, and I want you to take it very seriously."

"Of course, Your Highness."

"I want you to serve Princess Nunnally as her knight, for the time being."

"Are you sure, Your Highness?" Gino asked, surprise in both his tone and face.

"You are one of the best members of the Britannian military, so you are more than capable of protecting my sister," Schneizel explained. "Also, you seem to be a fun-loving person, am I wrong?"

"I do enjoy myself," Gino said with a grin.

"Well, I want Nunnally to be completely comfortable, and she probably won't be that way with an older, more conservative knight. You, on the other hand, would surely make my sister happy."

"Of course, I would be honored to be Princess Nunnally's knight."

"Thank you, Gino. I will inform Lelouch and Nunnally as soon as possible. I suggest you familiarize yourself with them as well. You are going to be spending a lot of time, with both."

"Meeting my mother wasn't that bad, was it?" Euphemia asked Suzaku as they sat with other members of the Family in the meeting room of the Palace.

"Euphie, your mother is…" Suzaku's words dropped off the minute he looked into his Princess' eyes.

"A bitch?" Cassius finished for Suzaku as he read the Britannian Times.

"Brother, how dare you?" Euphemia exclaimed. "In front of Nunnally too?"

"I'm sorry, Euphie, but Empress Ophelia isn't the kindest person on the planet," Cassius explained. "In fact, the treatment she gave Suzaku is probably only a fraction of her crassness."

"I don't agree, Brother Cassius," Nunnally interjected. "When I met Empress Ophelia yesterday, she was very nice to me."

"Of course you would think so," Cassius responded. "You can't help yourself, Nunnally. When you consider your current condition-"

"Cassius!" Odysseus yelled. "You have the nerve to insult your own sister?"

"Oh please, Brother," Cassius sighed. "Where is this show of strength coming from?"

"I see you are already making trouble, Brother Cassius."

Lelouch entered the meeting room with C.C. and Kallen. Lelouch kissed Nunnally on the forehead and gave Cassius a dirty look. The two brothers had a volatile relationship as children in the Palace. While his relationships with Clovis and Schneizel were competitive but friendly, he and Cassius argued almost every day. There was no topic left untouched; the prettiness of their mothers, their physical ability, their intellect. Lelouch really came out swinging when Cassius made even the smallest remark about Nunnally.

"You're back one day and you are already trying to exert your power?" Cassius laughed.

Lelouch turned to Odysseus and asked, "Can you please take Nunnally out of here, please? C.C. will accompany you."

Odysseus smiled and grabbed Nunnally's wheelchair. C.C. followed as Odysseus pushed Nunnally out of the meeting room, telling her they were taking a tour of the Palace. Lelouch waved back when Nunnally did, and then turned his attentions back to Cassius.

"Exactly who do you think you are to belittle my sister that way?" Lelouch asked an unfazed Cassius.

"Lelouch, I don't think it's wise to get into a fight with Prince Cassius right now," Suzaku said.

"It's okay Kururugi," Cassius said, standing up to face Lelouch. "Lelouch is just pontificating. I could easily take him."

"You would serious attack the newly-returned prince of Britannia?" Lelouch baited. "That would go over well. Everyone hates you already. Touch me, and you'll become a pariah."

"Maybe they'll exile me, like you."

"Also like they exiled your girlfriend, Erica? If I recall from the stories I heard, she had to be dragged out of your bed in the middle of the night."

"You bastard!"

Cassius took a swing at Lelouch, but it was blocked by Kallen, who quickly stepped in front of him. Lelouch enjoyed the look of surprise on Cassius' face when she stopped the hit.

"Don't you even think about touching Lelouch," Kallen said firmly, pushing Cassius' arm back.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Cassius yelled. "I don't care if you're Lelouch's plaything or not, I will have you removed from this palace".

"No you will not!"

Everyone looked to the door to see Empress Arianna U Britannia standing there, her arms crossed. The woman walked into the room and stood in front of everyone, looking directly at Lelouch and Cassius.

"Miss Stadtfeld, I will excuse your actions since your father is a trusted politician and you have never been to Britannia before," Arianna said. "However, placing your hands on a Royal Family member is unacceptable, understood?"

Fighting the urge to respond, Kallen nodded and stepped back.

"Odysseus informed me of your words to Nunnally as they prepared for a tour of the Palace, Cassius. Let me make myself perfectly clear; Nunnally is a sweet girl who unfortunately doesn't have the means to defend herself. You attacking her for any reason is absolutely disgraceful."

"I was just pointing out the obvious," Cassius said, falling back onto the sofa.

"I don't care. You will never insult Nunnally again, understood?"

"Yes, Empress Arianna," Cassius grumbled.

"As for you Lelouch," Arianna said "I would appreciate if you don't use incidents like the one you mentioned to discredit any member of the family."

"Yes, Empress."

Lelouch sat down on the couch with Suzaku and Euphemia, opposite of Cassius. His brother still had that smug look in his eyes as he looked up from the paper. Suzaku gave him a look, one that told him to let it go. Of course, Lelouch wasn't someone to let things go easily.

Cassius Le Britannia, you just made yourself an enemy.

"Brother Odysseus, where are we now?" Nunnally asked him when they came to a stop again.

"Well Nunnally, we are in the Hall of Britannia," Odysseus explained. "Here, there are paintings of all the members of the Royal Family, past and present."

"Am I in one of them, Brother?"

"Of course. In fact we're standing right in front of your picture. It's one of you, Lelouch, and Empress Marianne."

"Mother?"

"You look very beautiful, Nunnally. So does your mother."

C.C. followed all of the pictures, stopping in front of one in particular. It was a picture of a young blonde boy, his hair relatively long, dressed in royal robes.

"Your Highness?" C.C called out to Odysseus.

"Yes?"

"Who is this young boy right here?"

Odysseus pushed Nunnally's chair over to the picture. Looking at it for a second, Odysseus said, "Oh yes. This is my uncle, Vincent Di Britannia."

"I didn't see him at the ball last night."

"Well that's because he went missing when he was a young child. He is presumed dead."

So that's the story they're telling everyone, C.C. thought as she stared at the picture. I wonder where you really are, V.V.

So, again, what do you think of this chapter? Please review, it gives me a lot of insight and inspiration.

I also a putting up a poll that will help determine the future of the story. Please check it out on my profile and vote. I definitely want your input.