Suzaku was shocked seeing Cecile and Lloyd. Before leaving his "home", he believed he was raised by them, but he knew that they weren't his parents. But to see them here, as imperial scientists.
"Lloyd, Cecile, what are you doing here?", Suzaku asked.
"It's not really our place to tell you that, at least for now", Lloyd said.
"What?"
"Sorry Suzaku. But we've been given direct orders. We're actually not supposed to be here", Cecile said.
"Well then, get your butts out of my lab. Prince Lelouch and I have work to do", Rakshata ordered.
Cecile dragged Lloyd out, saying they had things to attend to themself. Suzaku was still in shock but wandered out of the observatory anyway. Now Lelouch could think clearly about what he had to do.
- - -
"Now now, what's this?", Lloyd questioned when presented with the new project.
He and Cecile were led into the restricted area of the observatory and on the table was the subject.
"But, but this is," Cecile said hesitantly.
"His Majesty wants you to experiment with the subject and attempt to extract its special properties", one of the scientists in the room said.
"Ah, well does our test subject have a name?", Lloyd asked.
"Yes. She goes by C.C."
"C.C. eh? Well then why don't we start with some dissections?"
"Lloyd! You can't be serious. To experiment on a girl? Is she alive?"
"Alive or not, we've been given orders."
"But!"
"Over the stomach and through the blood, to C.C.'s body we go!~", Lloyd exclaimed before picking up a pair of gloves.
- - -
"Euphie, my sister, I think it's time we had a talk", Cornelia said.
When she took her sister away, Cornelia had led Euphie to a more secluded part of the gardens.
"Talk about what?", Euphie asked.
"It's about boys. And, what they do."
"What do you mean?"
"Euphie. . .it's time we had 'The Talk'."
"What?"
"What I mean is", Cornelia's face turned red. "What I mean is, sex."
"H-huh?! What?"
"You should have this conversation with Mother but, she's busy with other things."
"Sister, I already know!"
"Don't struggle with this! This is hard enough for me as it is."
- - -
Rolo and Nunnally were in a spacious sitting room. It would've been used to drink tea, read a book, or relax. But the vi Britannia twins were using it to practice for tomorrow. Nunnally was practicing various songs on her flute, while Rolo was shooting arrows at a target.
"Hey Rolo, do you really think you should be using those in here?", Nunnally asked.
"It's fine. There's nothing valuable in here. Besides, Nagisa says I'm even better than her."
Rolo heard footsteps and turned his weapon toward the person entering the room.
"Pointing an arrow at a prince is a little suspicious, Rolo", Schneizel said.
"Not when someone wants you dead", Rolo said lowering his bow.
"Someone wants you dead?"
"It was about 7 years ago, wasn't it? Someone tried to kill us. They must know by now that they failed."
"It's fine. You're in the imperial palace of the capital city. Being right next to the Emperor is the safest place to be", Schneizel explained.
"Even so, we were in a safe place then. A nobleman's house should be guarded, especially when three children of the Emperor are staying there."
"Well enough about that", Schneizel changed the subject. He looked around. "It's hard to believe the three of you are separated. You never left each other's side before."
"Lelouch had a job to do. We couldn't bother him", Nunnally said.
"That never stopped you before."
"What do you mean?"
"I remember one little incident where you and Rolo tricked Lelouch into skipping his studies."
"We did that?", Rolo asked.
"Yes, of course Marianne scolded you for it later. But I think you two were the only ones who could outsmart Lelouch."
- - -
Suzaku walked down the hallways doing two things: looking for C.C. and avoiding Gino. He tried to sneak around the corners without seeming weird. But that was difficult since he was neither royalty, or a native of the town.
'People would look at me strange anyway. Sneaking around corners would only make me seem suspicious.'
He decided to walk normally, but as quietly as he could. But for some reason that failed miserably.
"Hey there buddy!", Gino said putting a hand on Suzaku's shoulder.
Suzaku stood stiffly and decided to accept his fate. He thanked whatever luck he had that Cornelia had taken Euphie away. There was no way he could let her hear this.
- - -
'And the plot thickens', Lelouch thought to himself.
He wondered just how many people were in on this. The Emperor obviously, Lloyd and Cecile must have some part in this. But then who else? Lelouch sighed, wondering where Nunnally and Rolo are.
He had finished reorganizing the ranks amongst the scientists and was trying to find them now.
"Rolo? Nunnally?", he called.
"In here brother", he heard Nunnally reply.
Lelouch followed the voice and saw Nunnally, Rolo, and Schneizel. He eyed his younger brother's bow and arrow, and the target near him.
"Rolo, don't you think it's dangerous to use those inside?", Lelouch questioned.
"It's okay. I know what I'm doing", Rolo answered.
"If you won't listen to me, why won't you listen to Lelouch?", Schneizel asked.
"If he said it's fine, then it's fine", Lelouch said. "I trust Rolo, and he wouldn't do anything harmful to either me or Nunnally."
"How much are you willing to trust him?", Schneizel smirked.
Lelouch knew where this was going. "With my life."
"Interesting", Schneizel said before leaving.
"Brother, why did you say that?", Rolo asked.
"Be prepared for tomorrow Rolo. I'm sure the Emperor will give you something truly challenging."
- - -
"This is, this is amazing!", Lloyd exclaimed.
"It is! Her body heals itself before we can do anything extensive", Cecile concluded.
"Is this the characteristic of her's that His Majesty wanted?", Lloyd wondered.
"He never specified", some scientist said.
"This might be easier if she wasn't sedated so heavily. We could observe some of her voluntary traits", Cecile said.
"Well there's nothing that can be done about that. All we can do is take a few samples", Lloyd decided. "Cecile hand me a needle."
- - - - - -
Up next: Rolo and Nunnally's presentation. We find out a little bit about Carline's animosity (maybe). And, a kiss? But by who? Dun dun DUN!!