Marianne sighed before beginning her story.

"It has been a while hasn't it? And your memories have been changed. I wonder why though."

"That's what I want to know. C.C. probably has some clues, that's why we've been trying to look for her", Lelouch said.

"I guess I should start from the beginning. I was born a commoner. But my achievements in the military helped me a bit. My sister was with me too. Women aren't common in the armed forces, but Mary and I were determined."

"So you think you'll hold us back because you weren't born in royalty?"

"Yes. I think out of all the empress' families ours is certainly the most eventful."

"Why is that?", Rolo asked.

"Well, Lelouch was born and he amazed everyone in chess. He learned from Schneizel and they were the only ones who could challenge each other."

'So he wasn't lying', Lelouch thought to himself.

"Nunnally and Rolo were the few multiple births that survived. But when they were born, Nunnally was very sick. The nurse maids told me you wouldn't live. But you did."

Marianne smiled at the memory of her daughter living to see her first birthday.

"But Rolo was extremely healthy. The empresses started making rumors about how Rolo stole Nunnally's life energy in the womb. But I knew that wasn't true. Although even then, as you grew up Rolo, people had a tendency to call you the Demon Prince. I asked Cornelia was they meant but she always changed the subject."

"Mother, what happened to Aunt Mary?", Rolo asked. "My archery teacher, Nagisa, mentioned it earlier."

"When I became an empress, Mary was promoted into nobility. She and I were happy for a while, but. . ."

"But?", Lelouch urged on.

"When I was pregnant with you Lelouch, Mary remembered how cruel royal life is."

"What do you mean? How could it be cruel?", Nunnally asked.

"His Majesty takes many wives. He can't focus his attention on one woman, or one of his children." Marianne sighed. "When one is with child he moves on to another one. And that angered Mary to no end."

"I can only imagine. When she raised us she was always so kind", Nunnally said.

"Oh she was always gentle with you three. But she voiced her anger to your Father and went against him, so he banished her."

"All for telling him how she feels? Isn't that a little harsh?", Rolo said.

"That's the way it is. Mary was stripped of her nobility and sent away to a town where people don't even know our names."

"Mary was sent away, and then we die a few months later, only to live with her. And then our memories are altered to make it seem like she was our mother", Rolo speculated.

"But enough about that. Lelouch, you're supposed to go to the observatory to find out what you're supposed to do", Marianne said.

- - -

Suzaku decided he would go on looking for C.C.. He tried to remain focused but his thoughts kept drifting to Euphemia. He outwardly groaned.

"Ugh! Why me?!"

"Why what?", a voice asked.

Suzaku turned and saw a stranger with blonde hair.

"Who are you?", Suzaku asked.

"The name's Gino. So what can I help you with?", he said putting an arm around Suzaku's shoulder.

"I never said-"

"Hehe, the Great Gino knows all! So, is it a girl problem?"

"How did-"

"I was right! So what's the problem? She doesn't notice you? Get into a fight? Trouble in bed?"

"W-what?!"

"Walk with me, talk with me. I solve all sorts of problems."

- - -

Lelouch found his way to the obervatory and found people walking around. He guessed they were the imperial scientists. He walked around until he was approached by a woman.

"Hello hello, my Prince. Rakshata at your service. Are you ready for your assignment?"

"Yes."

"Follow me. I'll show you to it."

Rakshata led Lelouch to another room. Inside were more people.

"What am I supposed to be doing?"

"Well His Majesty was going to make you plan an invasion of the neighborring country. But his advisors gave him a different idea."

"Invade a country?"

"So now you're going to reorganize the people who work here."

"Reorganize them?"

"Demote them, promote them, or create a new rank. We're a special core so we work directly under the Emperor and anyone in his inner circle. There's only a few of us, so it shouldn't be difficult."

"I doubt that man would give me an easy task."

"Well you have to keep in mind what each of us can do and what we work on. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some things to attend to."

Rakshata left and Lelouch pondered on how to do this. Meanwhile, the door opened, but Lelouch was oblivious. However Rakshata was completely aware at who just entered. She hurried over and pushed them into a corner.

"Lloyd, what are you doing here?"

"Exploring?"

"Cecile, aren't you supposed to keep him in check?", Rakshata asked the woman who followed him in.

"I tried to deter him, but-"

"What's the problem? Our orders were to return", Lloyd said.

"You were supposed to stay out of sight until His Majesty gave you us the new project."

"What can I say, the happiness of being back home made me excited. I was just looking around as a. . .tourist."

"Prince Lelouch is in the room. And hisfriend that you took in is somewhere around. It's too risky", Rakshata said.

Lelouch was about to call for Rakshata when someone else entered quickly shutting the door behind him. Suzaku looked frantically around before recognizing Lelouch, and ran up to him.

"Suzaku, what's wrong?", he asked.

"There's some weird guy who won't stop giving me advice! He chased me down the hall!"

"I get running away from a maniac, but what was he trying to give you advice about that made you run away?", Lelouch asked.

Suzaku got quiet and his face turned red.

"What is it?", Lelouch asked again.

"Um. . .well it was. . .it's sort of embarassing."

"And wearing a dress isn't?"

"That's different! I'm not insecure about my masculinity! But", Suzaku got quiet again. "There are some things that are just indecent to talk about."

Lelouch thought for a moment. "I feel like I get an idea what you mean, but it's hard to understand without you telling me."

"Hard huh? That was one of the words he used." Suzaku sighed before whispering into Lelouch's ear.

The other boy's cheeks burned and he stared at shock to his friend. "Sh-sheets?"

Suzaku nodded.

"And. . .tangled?"

He nodded again. "And the word finger came up often."

Lelouch sighed and tried to calm himself before he realized something. "Euphie was with you when you were looking around. Were you talking to her about this?!"

"N-no! She had to leave for something, it was me and this other guy. You know I would never talk to her about this."

The black haired prince grinned. "Trying to sound like a gentleman around her? I see how it is."

"It's not like that at all! Anyway, it looks like you're busy here so I'll go."

Suzaku turned to leave and saw three people trying to sneak out the door.

"Rakshata? Cecile? LLOYD!?", he yelled out the last name in surprise.

""Now why did you sound so shocked to see me? Is it so impossible for me to be here?", Lloyd teased.

"I think some explanations are in order", Lelouch said.

- - - - - - -

Okay so it wasn't as sad as I thought. You can thank Lucky Star for the ending humor. I've been watching it while I was typing this and was in a laughing mood. But the next chapter might be a little sad for Nunnally.

Up next: More explanations? What's the project? What happened to C.C.? And is Gino the sex guru still on the loose?