A/n: Wooh that was a long chapter! :D I didn't know I was going to make it so long! Well since i'm going to AX anyway might as well do long chapters. I won't be able to upload anything until monday night when I come back or even tuesday morning :). It's going to be a long weekend! Thank you for the reviews! I really appreciate that!
I DO NOT OWN CODE GEASS
Chapter 5
I started heading towards the bridge that was at the end of the north village. Out of courtesy, Lelouch walked me over there. As we reached the bridge I took our my hand and gave him a handshake.
"Thank you for the offer" I sheepishly smile.
"No problem" he gave me a wide smile, "It's something new for a change", he cleared his throat, "For you I mean".
I rolled my eyes and thought to myself, "It's mostly in it for you".
Before I went onto the bridge, another question has struck me. How am I going to get inside the castle? I can't just go in there looking like I am now. Not only me, but my mother and my friends can't go in there.
"Umm.." I started to go on.
"You must be thinking how you're going to get inside the castle, am I right?" he gave me a smirk.
"Right through the back" I mumbled. It felt like a stab through the back knowing that he could see through my question.
"Meet me at the bridge in this spot late afternoon and I'll bring a carriage to pick you up" he explained.
I nodded my head, "Okay, thank you", and heads toward the bridge.
"Kallen!", I heard Lelouch's voice and turned around. I saw him waving at me, "I'll see you tonight!".
I couldn't help but smile of how childish he looked and I waved back, "See you!".
I continued walking on the bridge. After a mile walk later, I finally reached my side of the village. I quickly ran home so no one would see that I was up all night in the north side of town. I finally reached the alleyway I lived in and snuck in. My mother was sleeping peacefully on the floor. I couldn't help but feel sad that I was leaving this side of the town. I basically lived here all my life. I'm going to miss being here.
"I should worry about how I could break the news to my friends" I shook my head at the thought of it, "Knowing them they would ask me how I got the job of being a knight for the prince of this kingdom" I continue to think.
Oh crap, I finally found the loophole of this job request and it isn't a good one. By accepting this offer and listing conditions not only my friends and family but also nobles would wonder why a peasant like me had gotten such a noble job. That would mean that I have to say that I saved Lelouch due to the fact he couldn't swim. However, by saying that Lelouch would get into some trouble himself. He wasn't allowed to go out late at night in the first place and knowing that he couldn't swim makes the situation of having a reason much more worse.
"I have to think of a reason" I carefully thought it out.
I don't want to tell them that I met Lelouch late at night and found out that he couldn't swim. I promised him that I didn't tell anyone, I wouldn't want to break that promise.
"Sheesh I'm already loyal to him, how lame" I let out a big sigh.
I could always do some sort of white lie. I could say that I went out looking for dropped money late at night and bumped into Lelouch while he was "visiting" some noble family.
"Now here comes the small white lie" I thought.
I could always say that due to his lack of having a low fatigue, he fainted and I helped him along the way.
"Haha! It makes him sound like such a wimp!" I giggled at the thought of that image.
After telling them that small white lie, I could say that he offered me a job as a knight after helping him out.
"Yes!" I quietly shouted.
At least it was a good enough reason. I quickly went to my side of the bed and closed my eyes. Sadly after a few hours I couldn't bring myself to have a good night sleep. I was too excited for this type of life.
"I could finally understand why my dad loved being a knight so much" I thought to myself.
Surprisingly when I got up I saw my mother making breakfast. I gave a big grin and have her a big hug. She drops the spoon she was cooking the soup with, "Hm? Kallen?".
"Mom I have to tell you something, but I have to tell you with my friends there!" I gleefully said.
"Okay, but honey you have to eat breakfast first" she said with a soft smile.
I let my mom go and quickly sat down. I grabbed the bowl that she had ready and gulped it down as fast as I can. I don't know why I am so excited for this new life. I'm going to miss the one I'm leaving behind, but I can experience something new. I then thought of something. How am I going to help the southern villagers with their food? It was a good thing I didn't lose sight of my original goal. I don't want to steal food from the castle, it would cause suspicion among the people living in the castle. Unless Ohgi and I could come up with another plan.
"This new life is going to be hard too" I let out a sigh.
I'll tell Ohgi the details later. I put my bowl in one of the storage boxes and took my mother's hand.
"Let's go mom" I told her.
She nodded and took the stuff she wanted to bring. We didn't have a lot of personal things. She just took the clothes she had, which was the blue dress I bought her and the two old dresses she had. I didn't have a lot of clothes either. I had my attire which I wear daily (the newsboy hat,white capri,white tank top,brown coat, and combat boots) and a separate long sleeve shirt which I wear during the winter. I'm not much of s shopper like Milly; in fact, I spend most of my money on food. I took my mom to the usual spot and saw the gang there. As expected Milly came up and ran to me. She gave me one of her long hugs.
"Good morning Kallen!" she then lets me go and faces my mom, "Good morning Mrs. Kozuki".
"Good morning" my mother said to my friends and then looks at me, "Kallen has an announcement to make to all of us".
I gulped and cleared my throat, "I have a proposition to make".
I could see that Ohgi had a confused look on his face while the others are anticipating to hear what I have to say.
"I've been selected by the prince himself to become his knight" I said it.
It was silent for a while until Milly broke it, "EHHHHHHHHH!".
I covered my ears so I couldn't hear her scream but then I felt hands gripping on my shoulders. Milly was surprised and so was everyone else.
"How did that happen?" Rivalz also comes up to me with a confuse look.
"Well I couldn't sleep last night and so I went to the northern part of town to look for dropped money" I was telling a white lie to my dear friends except Ohgi who knew that I went out stealing with him, "And I found the prince who fainted out of fatigue and I helped him out" I explained further.
"Why was he out in the first place?" Suzaku questions me.
I cleared my throat once again, "I'm assuming that he was visiting a noble, judging from the house he came out from".
"So the prince would give anyone a job if we helped him out?" Rivalz was starting to get suspicious.
"Oh this is bad" I thought to myself. I can't let anyone get suspicious of me. I don't want to be in a situation where I had to spill everything. I then heard Milly slap Rivalz.
"Rivalz, having the prince faint in the middle of the street would taint his name of being a suitable leader for this kingdom" Milly starts lecturing Rivalz, "Besides, it was probably a good thing Kallen found him and help him out, he probably gave her that job because he can trust her".
"That's true.." Rivalz started to go on.
"Phew, I was saved" I gave a relieving sigh, "Thank you Milly" I thought to myself.
"Didn't you have a rough start with the prince though?" Suzaku ask me.
I then give him a death glare, I could see that his spine shiver at the sight of in. He then gives me an awkward smile and waves his hands back and forth, "Never mind!".
I then gave a quick smile and continue explaining the proposition, "So I accepted his offer in conditions that had to be meant" I took a breath, "I told him that you guys can come in the castle and work there with me and that my mother will be able to live with me, however-" I then look at Milly, "Milly I didn't say that you were going".
Her eyes widen and she then grabs my shoulders, "WHY NOT?".
I sweated a bit, "Well to tell you honestly Milly, you're already a noble, you just became a peasant because you wanted to escape from an arrange marriage" I said it with a straight face, "You can go tell your parents that you don't want to get married, but be with Rivalz instead you know".
I could see Milly's face turn red. She then lets me go and looks at Rivalz, who was also blushing due to my statement. I tried clarifying my statement so it doesn't sound awkward, "Well what I meant was that you don't have to marry Rivalz but you just want to be with him instead of that arrange marriage".
I can see Milly regain her composure and then she flips her hair, "Well all I have to do is talk to my father right?" she then heads towards Rivalz and grabs his hand, "Then I could have an excuse to be with you" she gave a soft smile to Rivalz.
We all clapped for the lovely couple and then I see Ohgi coming up to me, "Can I talk to you for a second?"
I nodded my head and walked away from the group with Ohgi. The atmosphere was sort of tense for a while.
"What did you want to ask me?" I asked him.
"Did you seriously meet up with the prince after I left" he questioned me.
I did meet up with up Lelouch after he left but how he offered me the job was different. I had to lie about that, which I felt terrible about. Ohgi was my first friend in this village and he also had a connection with my brother. He was the only one who knew about my noble blood. Part of that reason was because that my brother told him that his last name was Stadtfeld instead of Kozuki, which gives it out. My brother somehow cared for my mother and I well-being so he would often talked about us to Ohgi, which also led to Ohgi figuring out that I was the younger sister of my brother.
"Yes I did" I responded to him.
"Did you tell him you were of noble blood?" he asks me another question.
"I didn't because I don't want to get any special treatment from anyone in that castle or from the prince himself" I said it in a bitter tone.
Ohgi gave out a loud laugh, "You sound just like your brother".
"My brother?" I tilted my head in confusion.
"Your brother doesn't like being treated well due to the fact he was a noble" Ohgi continues laughing, "He thinks that having a status is stupid and it shouldn't define people" he then slowly stops laughing.
I smile about hearing that about my brother. I was living my brother's legacy he left behind in this kingdom. I wonder where he is now.
"Do you know where my brother is?" I ask Ohgi.
"I have no idea, I haven't seen him for about eleven years" Ohgi scratches his head, "I think he's still out there, somewhere".
"Ah I see" I said to myself, "Hey Ohgi, can you not tell anyone that I am of noble blood, I don't want it to get out, nor does my mother" I told him.
"Of course, I don't think Naoto would want me to tell anyone either so I'll keep it" Ohgi gives me a smile and pats my shoulder.
"Naoto.." I whispered, "It's been so long since I've heard his name" I told Ohgi.
"Haha, same here" he smiles and looks up into the sky, "What are we going to do about the stealing job, I love playing 'Robin Hood' with you".
"I have to think about that, I don't want to risk the consequences of stealing from the castle" I let out a big sigh.
"You said that we can have jobs back at the castle right?" Ohgi asks.
"Yeah, why?" I responded, anticipating for Ohgi's answer.
"What if I was one of the cooks in the castle? I'm very good at cooking as I do say so myself" he then nudges me, "And I could sneak some food out to the southern villagers, in disguise of course".
I laughed, "That sounds like a perfect plan, but I won't be able to go with you often due to the fact I have to be guarding the prince".
"That's perfectly fine, you can come with me on your days off" he gives me a suggestion, "If you do have a day off".
"Let's just hope" I gave a soft smile.
After clearing up some misconceptions, Ohgi and I walked back to the usual spot and we saw Rivalz in a corner. He was on the ground and had his head on his knees. I then pointed at him, "What's wrong with him?".
"Since Milly had to go talk to her father, she had to leave him" Suzaku explained, "And we don't know when she is going to come back but when she does she'll be in front of the castle doors" Suzaku explained it further.
"And we don't know if it is going to go well" I could hear the depressing voice Rivalz made.
I then came towards his direction and bends down. I patted his shoulder and gave him a smile, "At least you're going to start living a new life now".
"I life without Milly" Rivalz whined.
I had an urge to punch Rivalz out of his little hole, but I guess that would make the situation work. I put my hand on his head and began to ruffle his hair, "I don't think Milly would want you to be in a slump like this".
He then nods his head, "Yeah I guess".
He and I got up from our knees and I began to inform the group to gather what they can bring that they consider personal. Being poor peasants to begin with, we don't have a lot of stuff. I told them to meet me at the bridge which I am currently waiting with my mother. I hope Lelouch meant the end of the bridge near the north village. After a half an hour later I see Ohgi, Suzaku, and Rivalz walking. I give them a wave and shouted, "Hey you guys are here!".
"Yeah! We've informed all of our families! We just hope we can visit them once in a while" Rivalz shouted.
Rivalz and Ohgi were the only ones with family while Suzaku lived by himself. I assumed that Suzaku just went to go get his personal belongings and waited for Ohgi and Rivalz. As soon as they reached the the end of the bridge I heard trumpet sounds. I turned around and see a carriage heading towards us. It was a different carriage from before and it seemed a bit bigger. It what black and had white wheels and a white horse. The carriage came nearer and nearer and soon reaches the destination we were standing on. The person who is controlling the horses was a beautiful woman.
"Wow she's beautiful" I quietly whispered.
She steps out of the seat behind the horses and lets go of the thin ropes that controlled the horses. Well I wouldn't say they look like ropes but some fancy large string. She had long shiny green hair that was tied up in a long pony tail and golden eyes that shine brighter than the sun itself. Her attire was fancy itself. She was wearing white pants and a white dress shirt with a white coat covering it. The Buttons were gold colored and she was wearing gold-colored shoulder pads that had small string-like fabric hanging down. Her shoes were ivory black and due to the sun's radiance it was shone bright. I also noticed that she has a sword next to her legs. It was being held by a black belt on her waist. She then bows down and did a hand gesture pointing at the carriage.
"Good afternoon, my name is C.C, Lelouch's first knight" she explains in a soothing voice, "Please enter this carriage" she then looks at me, "You must be Miss Kallen".
"I..uh" I didn't know how to respond, she was so elegant, "You can just call me Kallen" I spit out my word, which isn't so elegant.
She gave me a smile, "Well Kallen, I will be your fellow knight soon enough" she then gives a hand gesture to the seat she was sitting on, "We can share the seat I was sitting earlier".
I accepted her offer and sat on the seat she was sitting on earlier. She then comes up and sits next to me. She grabs onto the rope and slaps the horses, "Go!".
She was so elegant and beautiful yet she was a Knight. You could easily tell she was a woman by her curves. I never wore such fancy clothes in my life so I would never know.
"Does Lelouch only have women as his knights?" I asked her the question.
She gave a small chuckle, "I'm his only knight".
I'm not so sure but I felt a sting by those words. I felt like she didn't want me to be here, but I can be wrong with that assumption. I just let it go and responded back to her, "He must really trust you", I shot a smile.
"And he must trust you too" she quickly responded, "I know that he sneaks out at night and that he's not very athletic".
I can see where this is going, maybe she knew the truth, "Do you know why Lelouch asked me to be his knight?".
She gave a small chuckle, "I know everything about him, and yes I do" she took a breath, "You saved him from drowning, which was good because if we lost him the next person to control the kingdom would be the princess and I don't think she's ready to control it".
I don't think this would be involve in a political matter. Wouldn't she care if someone she cared deeply passed on, knowing that she wouldn't see them again.
"Wouldn't you care if he died?" I asked her and gulped afterward.
She was silent for a while and soon answered me back, "It's all part of the job, if he dies then I didn't do my job well and I dishonored this kingdom" she straightforwardly tells me, "Being a knight doesn't only serve the prince and royal family members but also the kingdom" she then turns to me, "You should know that by now".
Yes I knew that, but not because Lelouch told me. My father was a knight himself and due to the fact he was never home was probably he took care of the kingdom.
"Yes I know" I responded back to her.
She gave another small chuckle, "I see".
A/N: okay I'm going to stop now because my sister is whining how I'm not playing video games with her. I won't be updating until tuesday morning! BYEEE :)