Lelouch sat boredly while the tutor seemed to wait for someone. A few minutes later the door opened and in entered Schneizel with a man that Lelouch didn't know. Lelouch's tutor bowed to him and explained the situation.

"He's so advanced despite being deprived of proper teaching. I thought it'd be best for you to asess his skills yourself."

Schneizel sat down across from Lelouch with an amused look on his face.

"Amazing. You were smart as a kid, but you must have been sharpening your skills in your abscence."

"It was necessary at the time."

"Well then, why don't we test your abilities against me?"

The man that followed Schneizel in came forward and set up a game familiar to Lelouch.

"Thank you Kanon", Schneizel said before turning back to Lelouch. "You remember how to play, yes?"

"I played a few games in the town Nunnally, Rolo, and I lived in. But thus far no one could defeat me." Lelouch reminisced about his many victories.

"If I remember correctly, you never beat me."

The younger sibling's eyes widened.

'He beat me? Impossible! No, not impossible. But still, as far as I know Schneizel doesn't know about my altered memories. So he wouldn't lie.'

"I'm sure after all this time I've gotten better."

- - -

Rolo's teacher stared at him in shock. She wondered what else he had learned. 'I'm starting to think that the rumors of the Demon Prince are true.'

"What's your name?", Rolo asked.

"Nagisa Chiba, your Highness."

"Nagisa, was anyone sad about our deaths?"

"W-what?"

"Everyone seems happy that we've returned, but I don't think they are."

"To be honest, not eveyone was. Some people even felt happy that you died", Nagisa's eyes narrowed in anger. "But there were some that were greatly grieved."

"Like who?"

"Empress Marianne for one. She wouldn't leave her room for days, and her sister had just been banished a few months earlier. It wasn't easy for her."

"Is that so?", Rolo said innocently even though he aquired some interesting information.

- - -

Nunnally was learning a new song when Marianne came in.

"Hello Mother."

"Hello Nunnally, how are you lessons."

"I love learning about the flute. I have a very good teacher."

"It's not me your Highness. Your daughter is very talented", the tutor said.

"Well either way its good news. I have something special to tell you and your brothers."

"What is it?", Nunnally asked.

"Come, let's go and retrieve Lelouch and Rolo."

- - -

"-sigh- I got distracted looking at the flowers, but we should be looking around, shouldn't we?", Euphemia said.

"Yeah. We should", Suzaku agreed.

They left the gardens and wondered where they should look next. For a while it was just the two of them alone in a silent corridor. Suzaku could hear his heart beating a hole in his chest.

'Don't think like that! We're supposed to be looking for C.C.! Anyway, she's a princess. . .she would never. . .'

Meanwhile Euphemia was extremely aware of the blush on her face. She tried to calm it down but it was no use.

'Why do I feel this way. I've only known him for a short while. If Cornelia knew! Maybe I should talk to Nunnally. No! I don't need help. I'll do this on my own!'

"Suzaku."

"Yes?"

"What if, what if I wanted you to stay here?"

"You want me to stay?", Suzaku questioned.

Euphemia faced him fully and gathered the confidence to look Suzaku in his eyes.

"I want you to stay because, well because. . ." The words came easier in her mind. 'It's too hard to say this! Actions speak louder than words!'

She grabbed Suzaku's face with nervous hands. Now his face was red.

"E-Euphie?", he said confused.

She pulled him closer. Suzaku understood her and allowed her to continue. They felt the tension leave being replaced with something else. Something warm and happy. But before they could close the distance-

"Euphie!"

Euphemia pulled back immediately at the sound of her sister's voice. Cornelia rounded the corner and saw her beloved sister with that suspicious boy.

"What are you doing here?", Cornelia asked Suzaku.

"U-um, we're looking for someone."

"Well my sister has some duties to attend to. So she'll be going now."

"But Cornelia, we-"

"Now", Cornelia said firmly.

Euphemia gave Suzaku an apologetic look before following Cornelia. Suzaku was left alone wondering what just happened.

- - -

Lelouch, Rolo, and Nunnally were sitting across from their mother.

"What is it that you called us for?", Lelouch asked.

"His Majesty expects great things from you three. So tomorrow you will demonstrate your skills for him in order to secure a spot for the throne. Many of the nobles expect that you will surpass many of your siblings."

"What will we have to do?", Rolo asked.

"You will be demonstrating what you have been doing today. Nunnally will play her flute, Rolo you will use archery, and Lelouch, your Father has somethin special in mind for you. He wouldn't tell anyone."

"And we'll be doing this in front of him?", Nunnally asked nervously.

"Yes, and others will be there too. That way he can announce if you have moved up in the line." Marianne smiled. "I'm not worried, you three are very gifted. If anything, the only thing holding you back is me."

"You?", Lelouch said confused. "Why would you hold us back?"

"Well the name Lamperouge isn't exactly high and mighty, and then all of those things that happened."

Rolo grabbed Marianne's hand. "It's been a long time Mother. Please, refresh our memory."

- - - - - - -

Hehe, I bet you guys thought they were gonna kiss? -sigh- Later I promise you. Anyways the next chapter might be a little sad, it depends on how I think it should go.

Up next: C.C. is found and Suzaku gets a surprise. And why is Rolo called the "Demon Prince"?