A/N: I did a long chapter yesterday and I'm happy about that ^^. Let's see if I can finish one today, it'll probably be shorter than yesterday though. My sister's birthday was a few days ago and we had two parties for her that lasted for two days x.x. I'm also going to my grandma's house tomorrow, so if there are no updates don't be surprised! They have microsoft word and everything but I'm not so sure if I feel comfortable typing a fanfiction there . Okay enough of me talking, I'll start now!
Chapter 7
The morning sunrise had approach through the window seat I was sitting on. Accidentally, I ended up sleeping on the seat on the window instead of my bed. I was anxious to see how my coronation will go so I ended up just staring at the night sky instead of resting peacefully on my bed, which wasn't very smart.
"Damn, I barely got any sleep last night" I cursed.
I wasn't so sure when the coronation will start but it will probably be in the late morning I presume. I'm assuming nobles don't get up so early since they sleep late due to the amount of free time they have. I got off from my seat and took a look at my uniform.
"I guess it won't hurt to change into it now" I told myself.
I took my clothes off and during the process I put my uniform on, it fitted me perfectly. I went up to my vanity and twirl around, testing out my new uniform. I then did a checkup on my face and hair.
"I wish my hair was long as C.C's" I began playing with the strands that were coming out of my hair.
My hair was up to my shoulders, however most of the time when I'm out I would wear the headband Ohgi gave me and that puts my hair up. Since I preferred that style, I begin to look for my headband frantically. I finally found it. It was on the floor next to the window seat. I picked it up and put it around my head. I then went to the vanity and checked myself out on the mirror.
"Now that's better!" I told myself.
I then heard a knock on the door, "Come in!" I shouted.
I saw C.C coming into my room. She then closes the door and say, "Your coronation will start in about two hours", she then scanned the knight uniform I was wearing, "The uniform suits you well" she then gave a soft smile.
I thought C.C was very pretty. She was slender and had long hair, however I was a bit taller than her. I'm kind of curious to ask her what had happen between her and Lelouch, but I must not pry into private matters.
"I see you looking at my body" C.C have a smirk.
I turned red out of embarassment, "No...no! I wasn't!".
She then gave a small chuckle and pointed at my breasts, "Well those are pretty big as I must say so myself".
I didn't know how to react to that statement. Since I was always wearing baggy clothes, I never really care for my body (or what's on it). I was wearing a fitted uniform, of course it was going to reveal my body more. I never noticed I had big breasts, "Oh well I can't hide it now" I thought to myself.
"Are you still in this world?" my thoughts were interrupted by C.C.
"Oh! Haha I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something" I gave a sheepish smile and scratched my head.
"I see" C.C then starts out heading toward the door, "The Coronation will take place in front of the castle, near the gardens"
"Wait!" I shouted.
"What do you need?" C.C turns around.
"Well, are you going to be there? I'm kind og nervous to be there by myself" I look away in embarassment.
She gave a smile, "Yes I will, and Lelouch will too; in fact, the entire castle and some of the nobles that live in the village will be there", she then leaves the room.
That didn't help me at all. It made me more nervous to think that a lot of people will be there. I just hope my mother and my friends could be there too, it would definitely make me less nervous. After getting myself ready, I went out to the hallway. Since there was nothing upstairs, I went down one flight of stairs and made a right turn. On the first door to the right was Suzaku and Rivalz's room. Out of courtesy I knocked on the door first before anything.
"Come in!".
I wasn't sure who voice it was, but I went in anyway. I saw Suzaku putting his clothes on and Rivalz was still sleeping on his bed.
I pointed at Rivalz, "He's still not awake yet?".
Suzaku shook his head, "No, we were arguing for so long last night that we eventually knocked out, so I am assuming that Rivalz didn't get enough sleep because he was just mad" Suzaku said that in one breath.
I couldn't help but giggle to myself, "My friends were so silly" I thought to myself.
"Nice uniform you got there!" Suzaku gave me a thumbs up.
"Thanks Suzaku" I smiled, "Hey are you guys going to my coronation?".
"Of course we'll go! You're my friend after all, so I wouldn't miss it for the world" he smiles, "I'm speaking for everyone else too".
I started to go teary, but I had to stay strong. I took a look at Rivalz again. I somehow wanted to prank him. I then look at Suzaku, "Hey wanna wake Rivalz up?" I gave a mischievous smile.
Suzaku scratches his head, "Sure why not" and then smiles.
We went to one side of Rivalz bed. Knowing that Suzaku was very athletic and strong, he can easily flip over the bed.
"On the count of three, we'll flip over his bed" I whispered to Suzaku and he nodded his head.
"1...2...3.. FLIP HIM!" I shouted.
Suzaku and I flipped over Rivalz's bed. We can hear the loud thud that landed on the ground. We started laughing and cracking up at the sight of it. Suzaku and Rivalz's bed wasn't like mine; in fact, it was a single bed, so it wasn't so hard to flip over. I saw Rivalz coming out and under his covers. He stood up and rubbed his eyes.
"What the hell happen to my bed" he sounded tired.
I went up to him and put my arms around him and gave him a noogie, "You wouldn't wake up so we flipped your bed over" I gave a small laugh.
I could still see Suzaku laughing. I'm sure Rivalz wasn't too amused to be woken up by a flipping bed, but oh well.
"You're coming to my coronation right?" I asked Rivalz.
"Of course!" he went to the cabinet and got his working attire out, "Hey Kallen can you turn the other way".
"Sure" I turned the other way, "Hey do you know which room my mother and Ohgi are in?".
"I think your mother is in the opposite direction from us. She might be in the second room to the left and Ohgi is probably two rooms down from us" Rivalz explained.
"Ah I see" I said in response.
I didn't mind that Rivalz was changing, probably due to the fact I've seen them change into swimming clothes a lot. Surprisingly, all the guys that I hung out with didn't mind me being around when they're changing.
"Hey have you two heard from Milly yet?" I asked.
"So far, not yet" Suzaku responded.
I can feel that Rivalz was admitting a depressing aura into the air, but what can I do, he loves her. He turns around with his chest bare, clinging onto the shirt he was holding.
"I miss Milly!" he cries out.
"Woah calm down Rivalz!" I went up to him to calm him down.
"How can I calm down, I love her! Have you ever been in love with anyone Kallen?" he continues to cry in a comedic matter.
That is true, I've never had such strong feelings for someone for that matter. At the most part, I was too busy focusing on my own goals to worry about that kind of stuff.
"Now, now stop yelling at each other" Suzaku tried to calm us down.
I wasn't yelling at Rivalz though. At the most part I was trying to configure my own thoughts out. Before I knew it, an hour had pass by and I still had to find my mom.
"I'll see you two later, I need to go find my mother and Ohgi" I bid them a farewell.
"Okay, we'll see you in an hour!" Suzaku shouted and he came towards to me, "In the meantime I have to calm this idiot down" he whispers to me, referring to Rivalz.
I nodded and gave him a thumbs up and went out of the room. I went to the left side of the hallway and saw the second room. I knocked on the door first.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Kallen".
Suzaku and Rivalz weren't mistaken at all. My mother was in this room and she was happier than ever. She was tending to her hair in front of the vanity in her room.
"Good morning Kallen" she turns and smiles to me.
I couldn't help but smile back, "Good morning mom".
I ran up to her and gave a big hug. She also hugged me back in return. We soon let each other go, since hugs don't last that long.
"Mom, are you coming to my coronation?" I ask.
"Of course honey, I wouldn't miss it for the world" she smiles at me.
I started to get teary again, but I quickly wipe my eyes so my mother wouldn't see. My mother came closer to me and touch my face.
"You're growing up so quickly" she then smiles, "Your father would be proud".
Indeed he would be proud, my father was part of the royal knights after all.
"He died an honorable death" I told my mom.
"Yeah, but don't you die on me now Kallen" she gave a small giggle.
"I won't mother, unlike father, I'm tougher!" I joked around.
"Haha! Of course deary" she starts laughing, "I think you should go now, you wouldn't want to be late for your coronation.
I nodded and gave my mom one last hug before I went out of her room. I started walking down the stairs and the more I get down the more nobles and workers I see. It kind of bothers me though, I could hear them gossip about me.
"Hey is that the new Knight that is going to be by Prince Lelouch's side?".
"Yeah, I heard she was a peasant that saved Lelouch".
"A peasant? How dirty, she probably begged Lelouch for the job".
"I know, she probably doesn't have manners".
I got pissed off by those remarks. Peasants may be dirty and poor, but that is due to the fact we have no money. Judging by status, is completely rude. Just because you don't come from a "higher" class doesn't mean you aren't a good person.
"You nobles are the rude ones" I mumbled to myself.
I continued going down the flight of stairs until I reached the first floor. I could see that everyone was running around frantically to prepare for this coronation. I went out of the castle and into the gardens where my coronation will take place. When I was walking, I came upon a woman who had trouble carrying pots of flowers.
"Damn it!" she screams out.
She was very tall and had tanned skin. Her hair was tied into a ponytail and she had golden colored eyes.
"What's up with pretty girls and gold eyes?" I thought to myself.
Nevertheless I went up to her and offered a hand, "Do you need help with anything?".
She saw me and her eyes widen, she quickly turns around, "It's okay, I don't want Lelouch's Knight to help me, I could do it myself" she turns to me and awkwardly smiles, "You should be at the stage where your coronation will take place".
I'm not sure if she wanted to chase me away or was too scared to talk to me, but she obviously can't handle this on her own. I took the two pots of beautiful assorted flowers and carried them.
"I'll grab two and you can grab the other two pots, tell me where I should put them" I smiled.
"But a knight shouldn't be doing a job like this!" she said in a worry tone.
I smiled back at her, "It is my decision to do this, so it's fine".
She stops arguing with me and grabs the two pots of flowers, "Okay then... follow me".
We went on a path that leads to the front gates of the castle. I must say the scenery was very beautiful. This whole land is castle territory. There were the front gates and then there is a long path that leads to the castle itself. I'm assuming my coronation will take place at a stage in the gardens near the castle.
"Villeta"
"Hm?" I turned to her.
"My name is Villeta Nu" she blushes out of embarrassment.
I gave a big smile, "Kallen Kozuki".
I was pretty happy to meet a worker who wouldn't talk behind my back. I was even happier that she introduced herself first.
"I'm happy" I told her.
"Why is that?" she asks me.
"Well you're my first friend in this castle" I turn to her and gave a huge smile. I wasn't so sure but I felt like my eyes were sparkling.
She giggles at me, "You are pretty friendly yourself. You offered me help".
She then looks forward, "Everyone in this castle has to do everything on their own, if we ask for help, we are looked upon ad weak people who couldn't even handle a simple job".
That is pretty harsh to think that. In the southern village, everyone would help each other in an instant. Maybe because nobles had such a huge ego, they didn't want to help others and only help themselves.
"In my opinion, I think that is just plain wrong" I told Villeta.
She then turns to me, "Why do you think that?".
"It is nice to be independent and all, but everyone can't do everything on their own. It's always nice to have friends or family to help you when you fall and I think that is what moves you forward" I explain to her.
I could see Villeta eyes widen and then she gave a soft smile, "You sure are different Kallen".
"Haha, I'm not that different, I know my friends would help me and I know I would do that same" I laughed.
"How can you be so sure?" she questions me.
"Hmm" I said, "We just have to believe in each other and have faith" I told her.
Her eyes widen once again, "You're pretty amazing Kallen".
I snorted, "I'm not, so lets quickly reach our destination and head back".
We finally reach the front gates of the castle. It was not as guarded as before, probably due to the fact they were at the stage. I could see the rows of potted flowers near the castle. It was very warm and welcoming.
"Were you arranging these pots the whole time?" I said in surprise.
"Yeah" she scratches her head, "I'm a tough girl, I can handle this work" she laughs.
I couldn't help but laugh along. We then took the remaining potted flowers and put them near the other potted flowers. Soon I heard trumpet sounds coming near the castle.
"OH NO!" Villeta yells.
"What's wrong?" I ask her.
"The coronation is beginning!" she then turns to me, "I'm so sorry that you had to help me!" she then bows down, "You need to run there now!".
"You don't have to apologize to me, but I have to take my leave now!" I yelled out and ran on the path.
The path was pretty long itself. Villeta must be pretty tired carrying all those pots down to this path. I soon reach the gardens near the castle.
"Now which way" I told myself.
I'm going with my intuition and head left. Luckily I saw a bunch of ribbons and nice décor around the garden I went into, "Thank god for my intuition", I thought to myself.
I then see an opening and went into it. I could see the thousands of chairs that were lined up and the amount of tables that had food on it. I also saw the stage and it was beautifully decorated. All eyes were on me. It was really awkward to be late for my own coronation, but I had to be strong. I walk down the red carpet that led to the stage with my head up high. I could hear the nobles and workers gossiping about me.
"Is that the new knight for Lelouch?".
"I can't believe she was late for her own coronation, she isn't very punctual"
"How selfish of her for us to wait for her 'dramatic' entry".
I didn't let these comments bother me. It was my fault that I was late so I didn't mind the comment. I then reach the stairs that led to the stage and bowed down to the three chairs that were in front of me. There was Lelouch and next to him was a beautiful young girl with her eyes closed. She had light brown wavy hair. And next to her was the girl I bumped into the hallway yesterday, "She's here?" I thought to myself. I could see that Lelouch wasn't very please that I was late, I didn't mind that. I then stood up and wait for what Lelouch needs to do. I scanned around and saw a white decorated table with a sword on it. It was beautifully made and the cover for it was red with gold markings. I turned to the crowd, who is now giving me dirty looks. I saw my friends in the far back, "They must be worried about me" I thought to myself.
"Everyone!" Lelouch gets up from his chair.
"This new Knight will be one of my Knights from now on" he sounded so elegant.
He then grabs the sword and takes it. I'm not sure what to do, but I always heard stories on how people officially become knights. I put one of my knees on the ground and look down. I could hear Lelouch taking the sword out.
"I hereby decree this girl, Kallen Kozuki" I could feel that he pointed the sword on my right shoulder first, "One of the knights to protect, she had saved my life!" and he points the sword to my other shoulder, "You may stand up now".
I stood up and saw Lelouch face to face. He then puts the sword back into the cover and hands it to me. I put it on my belt to lock the sword in.
"Her new title will now be the Flaming red-haired Knight!" he shouts to the crowd of people.
I didn't care for my title, but what kept me busy were the small comments the crowd were currently saying. I don't think Lelouch can hear them while he is giving his speech, but I can.
(OKAY I'm going into a general POV now, so this is not by Kallen's point of view).
Villeta quickly ran into the path that leads to the coronation. She hoped that Kallen didn't get in trouble. She then goes into the entrance, luckily no one was staring at her. However, she heard the awful comments people were making to Kallen.
"The crowd is making me mad" Ohgi stated to the group.
"I agree, Kallen probably had a good reason on why she was late" Suzaku said.
"I hope my daughter is doing alright back there" Kallen's mother said in a worry tone.
"These people must be her friends" Villeta thought to herself.
Villeta went up to them and Ohgi sees her, "What are you doing h-?"
"I'm sorry!" she quietly says it to them, not wanting to cause a distruption.
"What do you mean?" Ohgi makes sure she was alright.
"It was my fault that she was late. I was too weak to handle my job on my own and Kallen offered me a hand and helped me out. She was late because of me. I'm really sorry".
Villeta felt a hand on her head, "It's okay", Ohgi said in a sympathetic manner.
"It's not your fault" Suzaku comes up to her, "It was Kallen's decision to help you out so I don't think it was anyone's fault" he smiles at her.
Villeta begins getting teary, "You guys are such good people".
"What's your name?" Ohgi asks.
"Villeta Nu" she sniffled.
"Well Villeta nice to meet you, I'm Ohgi" he smiles and points to the rest of the group, "That's Suzaku, then Rivalz, and that's Kallen's mother" he scratches his head, "We had another friend, but she's doing some business now so maybe you can meet her someday".
"We're all peasants, but we consider anyone who is friendly our friends" Suzaku smiles.
"Thank you so much" Villeta begins to let some of her tears out.
"No problem, but we must continue watching the coronation" Rivalz whispers to them"
(BACK TO KALLEN'S POV)
"What a sickening young girl"
"She probably begged Lelouch for this job to get attention"
"Are peasants this disgusting?"
I begin to get really mad at them, but I must keep my cool. I didn't want to lose my face during this coronation.
"Look she even brought her friends"
"How disgusting, more dirty people we have to deal with"
"Maybe we can bully them while they work to have some amusement"
I couldn't stand it anymore. I went up to the table and punch it down. It wasn't fully broken in half but the beautifully decorated table it was still broken. It was such a waste to see nice décor being destroyed but I did it to get their attention. I can see Lelouch eyes widen in shock, he finally stops talking.
"Wow she's so violent"
"I'm scared now, I don't want to be near her!"
"Listen up!" I shouted to the crowd, "I don't care what you guys say to me or think about me, but if you DO have something to say, say it to my face" I exhaled, "I can handle all the things you guys say about me" I then point at Lelouch, "As he said, I saved this man's laugh and he offered me to be a Knight for him so I accepted it" I took another breath, "I can't do it alone so I ask this man if I can bring my friends and family, who had supported me all my life, to be there with me in this castle", I started to tear up but I held it in, "This kind man is your very own prince and it was his decision, and if it bothers you, well too bad!" I took another breath, "I'm mad today, not because you don't approve of me but because you badmouthed about my friends and family and even the very people who lives in the same kingdom as you" I took another breath, "You may think I'm rude and assume that every other peasant is 'rude', well newsflash, I think you guys are RUDE to talk behind your very own fellow people", I took one last breath, "You people may not approve of me, but I have friends and family who do, so I will do my very best to protect the royal family and this kingdom, for them and for my friends and family who supported me all the way", I then bowed down look at the crowd.
I could see in their eyes that they were shocked by my speech. I had to let that out. I had to let them know that is what I feel. I then heard a clap from behind. I turn around and I saw the girl that I bumped from the hallway in tears and is clapping for me. Then I see the young girl clapping for me. It was then followed by Lelouch who gave me a soft smile and my friends from the back. As soon as I know it the whole crowd starts clapping for me.
"Thank you very much!" I shouted to them and bowed down.
I didn't know whether they were moved by my speech or just clapping because Lelouch did but it made me feel kind of happy. Soon the late afternoon came and the nobles left their seats and went to the table that serves food. The workers went and picked up the chairs and moved it back into the castle. I wander around a bit in the gardens, trying to look for my friends.
"Are you lost?" I heard a voice from behind.
I turned around and saw Lelouch coming towards me, "No I'm not!" I stuck out my tongue.
He chuckles, "That was a great speech you did back there".
I then turn away from him, "It wasn't that great. It was pissing me off how cowardly they were being by talking behind my friend's back".
I heard his footsteps coming closer to me and felt a warm hand touch my head, "You are now officially my knight" he ruffles my hair a bit.
"Hey!" I turn to him and fix my hair.
I saw him smiling. It wasn't those charming smile he shot to impress girls, but it was actually sincere and sweet. I would be lying if said that it didn't make my heart skip a beat.
"That uniform looks great on you by the way, it's better than what you wore when you were a peasant" he smirked.
I kicked the side of his leg, "What's that suppose to mean?".
I then saw the orange-haired lady coming towrds Lelouch, "There you are Lulu!".
"Honey, what are you doing here?" his tone changed a bit. It sounded protective.
"Lulu? Honey?" I thought to myself, "What's that suppose to mean?" I thought some more.
Lelouch then grabs her hand and made her face toward me, "Kallen this is my fiance, Shirley".
A/N: Buahaha I'll be evil and end it there :D. This was a pretty long chapter if I do say so myself ^^.