I really think that I should clear certain things about the last chapter. My two wonderful reviewers noticed the change in the behavior of Lelouch's siblings and also questioned whether they were somehow involved in the murder of Marianne.

Well I can assure you that none of Lelouch's siblings were involved in the murder but I can't guarantee whether or not they would take advantage of the current situation. Their actions may seem weird but these will play an important role in the story and will be explained properly later.

Now enjoy the confrontation. Hope you like it.

As the doors of the courtroom opened Lelouch could hear that the room what eerily silent. Lelouch was tempted to look around and see who all had gathered there but he didn't spare a glance at the nobles who had gathered in the court for his eyes were strained on his father's face who just sat on his throne with a bored expression on his face.

What! How can father be just sitting there? Didn't he love mother the most among all his consorts? Lord Daemon had warned me that my father must have been using mother. Was it true the whole time? Did father just use mother as an all time bodyguard? Were me and Nunnally just pawns for him, just like Daemon said?

Just thinking that his father might have used them made his face scrunch up in anger. He could only see red. When Lelouch entered the courtroom he tried to stay strong and not lose his temper right then and there. As he proudly walked up to his father's throne he could hear the mutterings about his mother's death from the crowd of the nobles who had gathered.

Well I at least now I know that the information about mother's death was not withheld. But how can these people not want to investigate her death? Oh! I see they are afraid that insisting on doing an investigation would land them up in trouble? How pathetic! But I must stay strong I cannot let my emotions, my anger get to the best of me now, not when I've come this far.

He was doing quite well but when he heard that he no longer had any standing he was shocked but he didn't stop. It was only when he heard that the Ashford family were finished that he stopped momentarily in shock wondering how that would have happened. Ignoring his temporary falter in step he continued walking as if he was in complete control of the situation. He had decided that he could look up at the Ashford family matter later during the day. He had to concentrate on the matter at hand currently.

Nunnally had about her brother's safety since he had left the infirmary in the morning. Her big brother may seem to be a boy who could maintain his cool and think rationally in any situation but she knew how he let emotions control him when someone he loved was hurt or there was some kind of injustice. This was the main reason why she had insisted that Lord Daemon should go with Lelouch.

Lord Daemon was one of the most trusted nobles their family had known. He had worked for them since the last 10 years and was extremely loyal to them. He was the last member of the Tourneville family, a very wealthy family that had been massacred leaving no member alive other than a missing son whom no one had seen in the 18 years of his life. A year later when the family assets were going to be used for charity Lord Daemon had arrived with his family heirloom and claimed his family's assets. He had spent two years helping people and restabilising his family's name. Only when that task had been completed did he join the Royal Guard. Despite being a noble he had insisted to work his way up by starting from the lowest rank offered. When asked he would just answer that he didn't want to take his position as an excuse for what he achieved rather he wanted to earn respect his position offered with honour. Her mother had often told her Lord Daemon's life story while putting her to sleepand thus she ad grown up admiring the man.

All years that Nunnally had known him he had been much attached to both her and Lelouch. As a matter of fact he was among the very few people who could knock some sense into them when they were being their usual stubborn selves. Nunnally had counted on this ability of his to keep Lelouch from taking any rash illogical decisions that would land them into much more trouble. She really hoped that what she had done was right. Sighing that she couldn't do anything to help her brother, she closed her eyes and waited for her brother's return.

When Lelouch finally reached the end of the stairs that led to his father's throne he said, "Your Majesty the Emperor my mother has passed away"

"And what about it?" said his father nonchalantly.

"What about it?!" My mother was killed, my sister was crippled and all this man who calls himself my father is asking 'what about it?' Does his man have no heart?

"Did you seek an audience with the emperor of Britannia just to say that? Bring the next. I don't have time to play with children."

Lelouch wanted to say that he was no mere child; he was the emperor's own flesh and blood. But all he did was cry out "Father!" and run towards the throne.

The guards stationed beside the emperor took this as an offence and started towards Lelouch only to be stopped with one wave of the emperors hand, with an affirmative bow they complied, showing that they would obey his orders for the time-being but they made no move to go back to their previous positions and stood in close proximity with the Emperor.

"Why didn't you protect mother?" Or have you killed her yourself? Was she of no more use to you or was she an hindrance to some of your plans? open your eyes and look at me. Please father give me some answers. Why are you doing this? Maybe I should provoke him furthur to get some answers.

"You are the emperor, are you not? You are the greatest person in this country, are you not? You should have protected her! At least you could have visited Nunnally.

"I have no use for the weak."

"The weak?" Is this what my father is? A monster with no morals, no remorse.

"That is the true nature of the Royal Family."

This angered Lelouch to no bounds. The Royal Family! My foot! This is no family it's a breeding house for father where he gathers his pawns to play his games, to fulfill his needs. I don't need such a family, neither does Nunnally. We shall be better off without a father who doesn't care what happens to us, half-siblings who use us, play with our feelings to secure their own needs and step-mothers who despise us. I must take Nunnally away from this world of pretense. That is the only way in which I can keep her safe.

He closed his eyes trying to keep a check on his emotions. But he was only a child burdened to deal with his mother's death and protect his little sister. He couldn't fight the anger building up inside him any longer, so he let it free. He let his resentment control his words and then he spoke the words he didn't even mean to without thinking.

"Then I don't need the right to succeed the throne." The entire room looked at him with shocked expressions on their faces.

"I've had enough of it! I won't succeed you or get involved in any more conflicts."

"You are dead."

Lelouch just stared at his father. What could father mean by this?

"You have been dead since the day you were born. Who gave you those clothes you wear on your back right now? Your home, your food, even your life; I am the one who gave all that to you! In other words you have not even once been truly alive! And yet you show such insolence?!"

Saying this, his father stood up and looked into Lelouch's eyes with hatred and malice. Lelouch had never been as frightened as he was then for he had realised how true his father's words were. He tried taking a step back to get away from his father but lost his footing and fell to the ground. This made him feel even smaller in front of his gigantic father.

"Lelouch. A dead person like you has no rights. You will go to Japan with Nunnally. As prince and princess you will be good trading material. Take him away. I have no more time to waste with such weak fools."

Soldiers were instantly standing by Lelouch's side and dragging him towards the exit. That is when Lelouch understood the gravity of his mistake. He had just gone and done what he had feared the most. Since he was technically disowned by his father he and Nunnally were now going to lose the protection of being royalty.

No what have I done. I can't let this happen. I must do something. Think Lelouch think. Use your brain to get out of this mess you created for yourself. I need to buy some time. Once I'm out of the courtroom I will not be able to do anything.

"Father I'm sorry. What I did, what I said was wrong. I should have shown more control. Please forgive me father, this won't happen again."

"Stop your blabbering. I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense. Take him out of my sight immediately."

The guards had started moving faster and so had Lelouch's thoughts. His mind was racing with possible ways of changing the situation into his favor. That was when it suddenly struck him.

"Wait father! I have a proposition to make, a proposition that involves Japan."

"Oh! Do you? That certainly makes things more interesting. Release him."

How was the chapter? Please review to let me know about your opinions.