A/N: Now, for the long awaited wedding of the century. Hope you'll enjoy it.

(As of 7/20/14: This chapter has been heavily edited with a couple of re-written portions here and there.)

Disclaimer: Code Geass is not my property.

Chapter 3

Early morning two weeks later

7:00 a.m.

The grand ballroom of the government bureau was in an absolute frenzy as the wedding planner and caterers trounced around the room. In two weeks, the team of designers, caterers, decorators, etc, had orchestrated the framework for the best wedding in Britannian history.

On the walls hung streamer after streamer, along with a stunning chandelier in the center of the room. In the far corner stood round tables where the caterers were setting up food for the reception that was to take place a few minutes after the ceremony. Other tables, clad in purple tablecloths and decorated with bouquets of white lilies resting in iridescent vases, were scattered around, though for the wedding ceremony, these tables were set off to the side. In their place were ornate chairs set up in rows by the podium, placed there for the preacher. The ballroom itself was normally clad in red, but for the grand occasion of Empress Euphemia's wedding, the room was completely repainted so that the walls were cream. All the streamers hanging on the recently painted wall were either pink, white, or purple, which were the favorite colors of the new Empress. All that was left was to finish the finishing touches, like getting the grand orchestra in the room and such.

Hours upon hours had gone into planning the event. Everything was just about perfect and it seemed that nothing could possibly go wrong.

However…

"I don't think I can do this."

The new empress was pacing her room as she had two weeks earlier. She hadn't changed into her wedding dress yet, and at the moment she was completely alone. In place of the dress she should have been wearing, she wore a red t-shirt and a black denim shorts. Her feet were bare, which caused some discomfort since the carpeted floor was giving her carpet burn. That aside, she continued pacing on in a frenzied manner.

"After today my life will change forever!" she wailed, glancing at herself in the mirror. After catching a glimpse of her terror in the mirror, she paused in her pacing to look at herself. Her hands started to ruffle through her long pink hair, as if they were begging her to get it together, but after a few short moments she let out another sigh and fell back on her bed. The white wedding dress lay next to her, still wrapped in the plastic garment bag.

"Eventually I'll have to change," she thought after a few minutes had passed. "The wedding starts at noon."

With another sigh, Euphemia laid on her side and curled up into a ball. "I hope Suzaku is faring better than I am."

Yeah, fat chance of that happening.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Suzaku was pacing a room that was on the other side of the government bureau. He wore the pants to his tuxedo with the white dress shirt partially buttoned up. His emerald eyes revealed his panicked state as he tried to take deep breaths. In retrospect, he was more anxious than Euphemia was.

It was around that time when Lelouch entered the room. He was almost fully dressed, though he seemed to be having trouble with the jacket for some reason. His expression was rigid with agitation.

"Suzaku, would you quit screaming!" Lelouch ordered, scrunching his eyebrows together as a means to look more intimidating. "The whole building can hear you! For heaven's sake, shut up!"

Suzaku fell to his knees, an exasperated groan slipping through his lips. "Lelouch…this is too much pressure!"

Lelouch didn't even attempt to try to comfort his friend as he spoke. "If you're that torn up about being emperor why don't you just call the whole thing off!?"

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!"

Lelouch was taken aback. "Me? Out of my mind? You're kidding right?"

Suzaku blushed, his eyes darting to the floor. "Sorry."

There was silence between them. After a long moment, Lelouch finally spoke.

"You love Euphie right?"

"Of course," Suzaku answered with a nod of his head. "There's no one else I'd rather be with."

Lelouch smiled, glad that his beloved half-sister had found a good guy, as crazy as he could be sometimes. "Everything will be fine Suzaku. You just need to follow your heart for once instead of worrying about things you can't control."

"I guess, but becoming emperor of Britannia wasn't how I expected my life to turn out," Suzaku admitted while rising to his feet.

"Well, what did you expect?"

Suzaku paused. "Uh…rather not say."

Lelouch just shrugged. "Just take it one day at a time. If you need help you can always ask me."

"Why would I ask you for love advice?" Suzaku asked, smirking at his best friend. "You can't even admit that C.C. is practically your fiancé."

Lelouch gaped and attempted to state how there was nothing between him and C.C. Unfortunately, nothing coherent came out of his mouth. He ended up losing the opportunity to counter Suzaku's statement.

"Anyway," he continued, temporarily letting the issue of Lelouch's lackluster love life alone. "I'm just worried that I won't be able to make her happy. I want what's best for her Lelouch and I just don't know if I'm what's best."

With a scoff, Lelouch turned away from his friend. "Your petty doubts won't make a difference once you see her walk down the aisle." He inclined his head back at Suzaku and smiled. "The two of you will be fine." Lelouch walked out then, closing the door behind him. After taking a few steps away from the door, he tried in vain to get control of his jacket.

"Having trouble?" a feminine voice asked. Lelouch turned to find C.C. right behind him. She had obviously just arrived since she was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans with sunglasses atop her head.

"Hey," he greeted her, smirking a bit. "How's Euphie?"

C.C. strode over and without permission started to help Lelouch with his jacket. "I haven't seen her yet. Apparently there's an incompetent fool running around with his jacket all twisted up."

Lelouch blushed as she continued her work. "I…I was in a rush. Suzaku was spazzing out."

"Whatever," C.C. muttered, rolling her eyes before she popping the collar of Lelouch's shirt. "There, you're in tip-top shape now." He turned around. "Thank you C.C."

She smirked and started to go on her way. However, after a few steps she stopped.

"That's the second time."

Lelouch lifted his brow in bewilderment. "What?"

C.C. barely turned around so her amber eyes could meet his violet ones. "That's the second time you've thanked me."

Lelouch thought back to two years ago, to that cold winter day in the mountains of Narita. He smiled at the memory.

"That's right. I thanked you for saving me."

"You told me you wouldn't say it again, yet here you are thanking me for a second time," she noted, turning to face him fully. "Have you gone soft on me, Lelouch?"

His smile turned into a devilish smirk. "Probably, but so have you C.C.," he paused for a moment, opting to take a few steps toward her. "Otherwise you would have left me behind a long time ago. After all, I'm sure by now you're tired of waiting for me to grant your wish."

"I suppose that if you had continued down the path of blood," C.C. began, a smirk of her own lifting the corners of her mouth, "you would have."

"Maybe, it would have depended on the wish," Lelouch told her. "Still, you stayed here in Japan with me and you allowed me to keep my Geass even though I haven't had to use it in over a year now."

"Yes, that's right."

"So then, why not take the power back and give it to someone who can grant your wish?" Lelouch asked. "You don't want me to end up like Mao do you?"

C.C. turned away. "Maybe I have another reason to stay. Did you think of that?"

Lelouch noted the sad tone in her voice. He wasn't fond of it.

"Witch, explain yourself." When she didn't answer him he slowly approached her. "C.C.?"

She abruptly turned around and before he had the chance to blink, her lips pressed against his. His violet eyes grew were wide in shock and maybe a bit of fear, but it wasn't long before he fell into her kiss. He wasn't sure what to think of it either, but in the heat of the moment it didn't matter. He only knew that her lips upon his felt right and in the end, it was all that mattered to him.

They broke apart when the need for air arose. Neither of them were sure of what to say to each other. Despite the awkward silence between them, evident smiles were on both of their faces. That definitely couldn't be denied here.

"Um…well…," Lelouch stammered, struggling for anything to say to his witch.

C.C. put a finger to his lips. "Don't talk. Let's just say I've decided on the terms of our contract." Without another word she turned and walked away, leaving the former terrorist speechless.

"That woman…there's definitely no one like her in all the world."

Around 11:45 in Euphemia's dressing room

Euphemia P.O.V.

All of this is so unexpected. Never in my life did I hope to become empress of Britannia. Truth be told, I never really thought of myself as being a royal princess either. I was just a normal girl living through extraordinary circumstances.

But now, after today, I will cease to be Euphemia Li Britannia. Simple little Euphie will be gone too. After today I will become Empress Euphemia Kururugi and will stand alongside my new husband, Emperor Suzaku Kururugi.

After today, the very nature of Britannia will change and the Kururugi's will be the royal family instead of the Britannia's. In all honesty, it is an odd concept to process. Still, though I'm really nervous about all this, I'm grateful that I am marrying Suzaku. I have loved him for a long time now and I know he loves me…it's just…I wonder what will happen to us once we're ruling Britannia. I've always seen Suzaku as my equal, but Suzaku always saw himself below me just as others had.

Therefore, the fact that he's moved up in power is probably scaring him half to death right now.

"You look beautiful Euphie."

I turned my gaze away from the mirror to see my sister Cornelia standing in the doorway. My other bridesmaids had already left to take their places, so she and I were alone.

"Thank you sister," I answered as she walked in. Sitting down next to me, she pushed back the few pieces of hair that were falling in front of my eyes.

"Are you nervous Euphie?"

"A little," I told her, "but…I think I can do this. I guess I have those premarital jitters, though I'm mostly nervous because I'm the Empress now."

Cornelia smiled. "Yes, and now you can change the discriminating system just as you'd hoped two years ago."

I laughed at the irony. "Looks like you spoke it into existence Corny."

My sister scowled a bit. "Euphie, I thought we decided long ago that you weren't going to call me that anymore."

"I can call you whatever I want now. I'm the empress of Britannia."

"Uh oh, looks like the power is already starting to go to your head little sister."

I smiled. "Maybe but…sister."

"Hmm?"

"I'm actually really scared," I admitted while looking at my reflection again. "I don't now if I'll be a good ruler for this country. What if I mess everything up?"

Cornelia wrapped an arm around my shoulders and smiled at our reflections in the mirror. "Don't worry about the fact that you're the empress now. Today is about enjoying the happiest day of your life. After all, you love Kururugi right?"

"Yes, with all of my heart," I replied easily. "It's just…"

"Everything will fall into place the way it's supposed to," Cornelia cut in soothingly. "I may have not liked Kururugi at first because he was Japanese, but you made me see the good in him, and many other Britannian nobles feel that way too. In two years you've managed to change the thinking of so many. Therefore, I have no doubt that you will be a great ruler. You need to believe in yourself Euphie. You need to remember how special you are to everyone around you."

There was silence between us as we both gazed at our reflections. The scene it depicted was that of two sisters that loved each other very much. One was marrying the man of her dreams and the other was acting like a supportive mother figure as the first sister dealt with the pre-marital jitters.

I understood then, that my beloved sister was right. Suzaku and I will be just fine. We just have to move forward in our love for each other and hope for the best. We'll do all we can. That's all anyone can expect.

"So, are you ready Euphie?" Cornelia asked, releasing me and walking toward the door.

With a final glance at my reflection I rose from my seat. "Yes, I believe I am ready now."

11:59 in the grand ballroom

Suzaku P.O.V.

Sixty seconds make all the difference in the world.

A single minute shouldn't mean so much, and to most people it wouldn't. But through tense moments like this, every second counts.

There was no clock ticking, but I could hear ticking in my head along with the chattering of my teeth.

The wedding would begin in another minute and then after a few more minutes my life would change forever. I would become the emperor of Britannia and Euphie would be my wife.

Becoming emperor hadn't been on my to do list. Honestly, the thought of ever being emperor of any country would have never crossed my mind and it didn't. I didn't even expect to meet and fall in love with a royal princess.

It was something straight out of a fairy tale.

Sixty seconds would bring full happiness into my life. It was happiness I didn't deserve, but desperately wanted and needed.

I suddenly heard music, which signified that it was noon and that the wedding was beginning. My eyes gazed straight ahead as Lelouch and C.C. came down the aisle first. Both of them were smiling brightly and I could tell that both of them were blushing too. Looks like Lelouch finally admitted his feelings or perhaps it was the other way around. C.C. isn't one to wait when she wants something, if her addiction to pizza is any indicator.

At the altar they parted with Lelouch taking his spot next to me and C.C. taking her spot next to where Euphie would soon be standing. Behind them came Nina, Rivalz, and Shirley. Lloyd and Cecile were next along with Milly and Gino Weinberg, who was apparently one of the knights of the round.

Then finally, the bride appeared with Prince Schneizel and Princess Cornelia standing on either side of her in as the parental figures. Euphie had never looked more beautiful than she did in that moment. Her dress was a simple, pure white dress that had short sleeves and a mid-length train. Upon her head was a crown of delicate white flowers that was adorned with a sheer veil that covered her angelic face. Her expression was a happy one, though I could tell she was just as nervous as I was.

Lelouch was right. My petty doubts all went away as soon as I saw Euphie walking down that aisle. She was my world, my everything. Life would be unbearable without her.

So in the end, I knew that we'd be alright. As long as we could be together.

The priest at the altar smiled as the three royal siblings reached us.

"Who here gives this bride to the groom?"

"We do," Cornelia and Schneizel stated as they both sat down the open chairs behind them. Euphie turned to face me as soon as they were seated. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears and I silently mouthed "I love you" to ease her nerves.

The formalities of the ceremony slipped away as I stared into her beautiful violet eyes, and when it came time to say my vows I ended up becoming a cheesy idiot as I always did when she was around.

"My darling Euphemia," I began, "there's nothing and no one in the world I love more than you. You've brought me up from the lowest of lows and helped me to forgive myself from awful deeds of my past. You alone Euphemia opened up my heart to joy and happiness again. And I never want to live another day without knowing what true happiness is. Any day without you is unbearable, so I want to live each day with you forever. Through sickness and health. Through sorrows and joys. Through our new roles as Emperor and Empress. I want to walk with you through it all because I know I can face anything with you Euphie. I love you. I always have and I always will."

Tears slipped out of Euphie's eyes. She began speaking from her heart as well. "Suzaku…you make me so happy. So many times people tried to tell me that I was stupid for wanting to help you and that we couldn't stay together because we were different races. But, I never cared about that. I only cared about you Suzaku. You're everything I could hope to have in a man and I want nothing more than to share the rest of my life with you. We're great friends and I've loved you from the first day we met. Everything about you makes me smile and I'm so glad that we can finally be together forever. I promise to stay with you through anything that might come our way." She took a hold of my hands. "I love you Suzaku. I always have and I always will."

The priest's smile widened. "The rings please."

Lelouch handed me Euphemia's ring and C.C. handed Euphie mine.

"Suzaku repeat after me."

I nodded as I began to slip the ring onto her finger.

"With this ring."

"With this ring," I repeated.

"I thee wed."

"I thee wed."

"I promise to love, honor, and cherish you,"

"I promise to love, honor, and cherish you,"

"For all the days of my life."

"For all the days of my life."

The ring was completely on her finger and now it was here turn.

"Repeat after me."

She nodded.

"With this ring,"

"With this ring," she repeated.

"I thee wed."

"I thee wed."

"I promise to love, honor, and cherish you,"

"I promise to love, honor, and cherish you,"

"For all the days of my life."

"For all the days of my life."

She finished slipping on the ring and we smiled at each other, knowing our lives would never be the same, but that we'd get through it together.

"If there is any reason for which this couple should not be wed, speak now."

There were probably some in the audience who didn't agree with this, but they wouldn't dare interrupt a royal wedding.

The priest smiled. "Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Euphie smiled as I lifted the veil away from her face. She ended up kissing me before I could get it over her head good. Our audience clapped and some actually cheered.

"I now present Emperor Suzaku Kururugi and Empress Euphemia Kururugi of the Holy Britannian Empire."

A/N: And that's the end of this chapter. I actually have one more after this one, but it's more like an epilogue. Hope you enjoyed this chapter though.