A/N: Again, thanks to all of the reviews, and to those who answered my request. I see a lot of requests for Carline, and since her brother plays a big role in the story, it should be very easy to incorporate her more.
I was also surprised to see the Ashford love. I will definitely incorporate them into a scene or two in the future.
I plan on utilizing flashbacks more; the one thing I always wanted to see in the show was the relationships Lelouch and Nunnally had with their siblings and other members of court before their exile. Not all the flashbacks will be about them, though (like the one at the end of this chapter).
Forgive me if Chapter 7 is a bit late and long. The Imperial Dinner will be a serious event, if everything goes according to plan.
"I'm forwarding the information to you now."
Lelouch sat at the computer, watching as the files on the Lancelot were transferred to Todoh in Area 11. He was proud to say that everything, from the diagnostic results to the initial schematics, was copied onto the small flash drive. Without attracting Suzaku's attention, he was able to take everything that he needed.
"Suzaku will return to the Tokyo Settlement with Cornelia and Euphemia in the next few days," Lelouch explained over the phone. "When he does, I want you to create some kind of diversion to lure him out. Then, I want him and the Lancelot captured."
"Lelouch, I don't understand."
"My father exiled us, Suzaku. He did it after my mother was murdered in the safest place in Britannia. He sent away a blind, crippled girl who loved and needed him. Do you honestly think he shouldn't have to explain himself?"
"Sure he does, but, what are you going to do to Britannia?"
"If you are worried about Euphie, you need not be."
"From what you're saying, it seems like you are planning on dismantling the Empire. I don't see how either you or Euphie will escape unscathed."
"The people I care about will be protected."
"Lelouch, when I said I wanted to change things from the inside, I didn't mean…"
"Do you want Japan back? If you want your people's freedom back, then you need to let me handle this."
Lelouch had left before Suzaku could respond, but he couldn't risk the possibility of his best friend stopping him. When he returned to Area 11, the Black Knights would capture him and keep him there, until everything fell into place. Then, they, with the assistance of Kyoto House, would begin reproducing the Lancelot. One of them was difficult to handle; an army would be a complete political disaster for Britannia.
"Brother?"
Lelouch quickly hung up the phone and turned and smiled at Nunnally, who was being pushed by Gino. He couldn't believe how easily Schneizel had played into his hands. He had his eyes on Gino since day one, but he didn't expect his older brother to choose a Knight of Rounds to be Nunnally's knight. It worked out amazingly. Gino's job as Knight was to protect Nunnally at all costs, from anyone and everyone.
"Are you ready to go, Lelouch?" Nunnally asked.
"I'm coming," Lelouch said, pulling his coat off the back of the chair.
The three walked to the dining room for the weekly Imperial Family Dinner. Lelouch noticed Gino and Nunnally laughing together, as if they were sharing a joke of some sorts. Although a slight pang of jealously hit him, he knew that it had to be this way, at least until the Emperor was out of the way.
"So, Gino," Lelouch said. "What is it like being a Knight of Rounds?"
"It's never boring," Gino replied with a smile.
"So, you usually do assignments for my Father?" Lelouch asked, trying to prod a bit more.
"Yes. All of the Knights of Rounds report directly to His Majesty. I am here because Prince Schneizel needed the best, and youngest, defense for Princess Nunnally.:
"So he did listen to my request," Lelouch said softly.
"Prince Lelouch," Gino said as he stopped and his face becoming serious. "I swear that I will protect Princess Nunnally with my life."
"I believe you will," Lelouch responded. "My brother wouldn't hire someone untrustworthy."
Gino nodded and they continued walking, finally arriving at the dining hall. There was a large, rectangular table in the middle, with place cards for all of the members of the Family and their respective Knights. The Imperial Family Dinner was the one time every week that the members of the Imperial Family gathered to share a meal. It surely wasn't a coincidence that the Dinner was the day after Lelouch and Nunnally's return; Odysseus changed the date.
In truth, the dinner was more a political maneuver than an actual family gathering. In the past, before Lelouch and Nunnally were exiled from the Empire, the dinner was the premier opportunity for members of the family to feel each other out, to understand what their intentions were for the throne. Charles sat at the head of the table, enjoying as his children, relatives, and wives coolly and calmly argued over their places in the Empire. By the end of said dinner, alliances were made and broken. Lelouch had wondered if one of these dinners had effectively done his mother in.
Lelouch, Nunnally, and Gino were the first to arrive, and they took their seats. Lelouch looked at the place card on his left side. Schneizel, in an odd turn of events, was sitting there. Playing the guardian, aren't you brother? Lelouch thought.
Slowly, the other members of the family began to arrive. First were the li Britannias; Ophelia, Cornelia, her Knight Gilbert G.P. Guilford, Euphemia, and Suzaku. They all stopped to greet Nunnally and Lelouch before taking their seats. The look Lelouch received from Suzaku was not lost on him; apparently, they still had things to discuss. William and Katherine de Britannia arrived with their mother Victoria, sitting on the far right side of the table, away from the rest of the Family. Relations between them and the other Family members had been quite chilly ever since Katherine's interview with a television program detailing the lives of the Royal Family. Lelouch could see the contempt in Cornelia's eyes as she watched them sit.
Cassius and Carline le Britannia came in next. It seemed like all eyes were on Cassius and Lelouch as the brother and sister took their seats near the middle of the table. Lelouch was glad that Nunnally couldn't see how much he hated their brother.
"Well hello, Nunnally," Cassius said. "How are you doing today?"
"Fine, Brother Cassius," Nunnally replied hesitantly. How uncomfortable she felt was not lost on the others there.
"Don't talk to her," Lelouch said through gritted teeth.
"Lelouch, I believe I can speak to my sister if I please."
"Cassius, please," Euphemia said. "You're being rude."
"Get off it, Euphemia," Cassius shot back, prompting Suzaku to stand up from the table.
"How dare you speak to Euphie that way?"
"You have to be joking," Cassius laughed, lying back in his chair as he looked at Suzaku. "You, a filthy Eleven, are going yell at me, a prince of the Empire that owns your country? Why don't you do your precious Euphie a favor and go back to Area 11. It would save her from all of those vicious rumors about her dalliance with an Eleven. I swear, you should've heard some of the names-"
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Cornelia stood up and yelled, shutting Cassius down.
"Cornelia-" Euphie began, grabbing her sister's arm.
"If you think you are going to continue behaving this way without the proper consequences, you are sadly mistaken, Brother. First, you insult Nunnally, who is unable to properly defend herself. Then, you have the gall to talk back to Euphemia, the Sub-Viceroy of one of Britannia's most important areas. Let's not forget she happens to be the sister of one of the highest ranking members of the military. Then, in one breath, you insult my sister's Knight and question her virtue? You are very lucky you are one of the Emperor's children, because if you weren't, God help you!"
"Leave my brother alone, Cornelia!" Carline yelled.
"Shut your mouth, little girl!" Cornelia snapped. "Now, Cassius, you will treat Sir Kururugi with the upmost respect. All of the Knights deserve the respect of the Royal Family for their services, regardless of their personal lives. You wouldn't dare insult Guilford, would you?"
Cassius shook his head, and Cornelia leered at Cassius. You will treat Sir Kururugi with the same respect that you would any other Knight, understand?"
When Cassius begrudgingly nodded, Cornelia added, in a low voice, "If you ever, and I mean ever, call into question my sister's personal life, I will deal with you myself, and trust me, mercy will not be an option."
Cassius nodded again, sitting silently in defeat. Cornelia and Suzaku both sat down in their seats and Suzaku mouthed a "thank you" to her. She nodded in return and chuckled a bit when Euphemia gave her a hug. Lelouch, who thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle Cassius caused, watched his brother wallow his own humiliation. He silently thanked his older sister; maybe he didn't have to deal with Cassius after all.
Schneizel el Britannia and his mother Empress Michaela were the next who entered the dining hall. Schneizel immediately took notice of the subdued atmosphere. "So, who caused the fight and who ended it?" he asked the silent crowd.
Before Cassius could respond, Cornelia said, "It was nothing, Brother. We are just waiting for the dinner to begin."
Schneizel laughed it off and he and his mother sat down next to Lelouch. He reached over and touched Nunnally's shoulder, and the familiar touch made her smile. "How is my baby sister doing tonight?" Schneizel asked.
"You haven't called me that in a long time," Nunnally said. "I'm fine."
"I'm glad," Schneizel said.
"Brother, how are the trade negotiations progressing with France?" Cassius asked Schneizel, ruining the sibling moment.
"Things are going according to plan," Schneizel responded, his tone rather dismissive, which annoyed Cassius even more.
If there was one person in his family that Cassius admired who wasn't his father, it was Schneizel. Technically, he admired Schneizel's power more than Schneizel. Although Odysseus was the Crown Prince, everyone and their mother knew that Schneizel would be the next to ascend to the throne. He was the Prime Minister, and he had already shown his tremendous leadership skills many times before. Cassius aspired to be like his older brother, and hoped to work beside him the day he takes over from their father. He intended on using the dinner to state his position, but Lelouch and Nunnally, the impositions that they are, were taking all of Schneizel's attention. If only he could take care of that problem…
"Hello everyone," Guinevere said as she, Odysseus, and their mother, Empress Arianna, entered the ballroom. The First siblings sat next to Cornelia, while Arianna sat next to Michaela, in the seat directly next to the Emperor's.
"I assume that this morning's issues have been resolved," Arianna said, directed towards Lelouch and Cassius.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lelouch and Cassius responded simultaneously.
"Good. The Emperor will be down shortly."
The other immediate members of the Royal Family filled the seats, leaving only the Emperor's chair empty. Despite his absence, the waiters began serving the family. The first course was brought out, but no one even lifted up a fork. It was customary to wait for the Emperor before eating. It was difficult, though; the chef pulled out all the stops, leaving delicious morsels uneaten in front of them.
After nearly 45 minutes of waiting, two officers holding spears entered the dining hall. Standing on opposite sides of the door, they crossed their spears at the top of the door. Through the spears came Charles, the Emperor of Britannia.
Following protocol, everyone at the table stood as Charles approached the table. Lelouch eyed his father standing there, an apparent symbol of strength and the prosperity of the Britannian Empire. What Lelouch saw before him was a coward. His strong stature and appearance meant nothing to him. Charles Di Britannia, the most powerful man on Earth, was too weak to love his wife and care for his children. Charles abandoned him, Nunnally, and his mother, and when he was done, the whole world would know it. Charles was going to pay.
"I, Charles Di Britannia, 98th Emperor of Holy Empire of Britannia, call the Weekly Imperial Dinner into session," he declared as he sat down in his large chair.
C.C. stared at the castle in the distance, high atop of the mountain. It had been years since she laid her eyes on the Castle of Eowyn, the former home of the Britannian Imperial Family. She hadn't intended on ever seeing it again, but once again, it seemed as if fate intervened.
"I want you to care for him."
C.C. looked down at the sleeping boy in the bed. He looked very sick, as if death was knocking on the door to his soul. She looked up at Frederick von Britannia, the Emperor of the Holy Empire of Britannia, and saw nothing in his eyes as he gazed down upon his son.
"What exactly do you want me to do, Frederick?" C.C. asked, the sigil beginning to glow on her forehead.
"He is virtually useless to me," Frederick said coldly. "Maybe you can find some use for him."
"Frederick-"
"C.C., I want you to. Maybe Vincent can find some use through your support."
"Do you believe that the Power of the King will finally end the conflict?" C.C. asked.
"The conflict will ever end," Frederick said. "As long as there is power, people will fight, no matter the consequences."
"So then, what is the point?"
"I want the next Emperor of Britannia to have the advantage."
So, did you like? Don't forget to read and review. I definitely want to know what you think, it helps move the story along.
If you could also tell me your favorite and least favorite character so far and why, that would be greatly appreciated.