A/N: It's alive! Don't ask for how long, don't tell :p

'v'

'v'

The Palace of Emperor Lelouch; the Throne Room

'v'

It was soon evident to Nunnally that she wasn't the only one who had reservations about the new Zero. 'Before we discuss the future of Britannia, we need a few explanations from you' Xingke had asked almost without preamble.

'Ask whatever is on your mind' the masked man replied impassibly.

'I'll stick to important concerns' Xingke said coldly. 'We all know you are not the original Zero. That man relied on our ignoring his identity to hide his true intentions and motives, and in the end it turned out his only interest in the Black Knights was to use us as disposable pawns to achieve his own set of goals. The rank-and-file of the Order of the Black Knights never learnt of this betrayal, but several hundred members of our higher ranked members know it happened, who manipulated them and how. They won't accept you if they don't know your identity.'

'That demand is a waste of time' Zero replied flatly. 'It's not the person inside the mask which determines Zero's authenticity; his actions account for that.'

'Indeed, and the first Zero betrayed us' Xingke countered. 'Zero's own actions make your identity relevant.'

'Oh.' There was no mistaking the sarcasm in Zero's voice. 'Then I suppose you won't mind telling the rank-and-file of the Black Knights who the original Zero was when you explain why you refuse me.'

'That must not happen!' Kaguya exclaimed herself.

'We will not tell them' Xingke reassured her.

Zero pressed his advantage: 'Then how are you going to explain them you and the members of your staff refuse to follow my lead?'

Both men glared at each other. 'There are means to make this issue as irrelevant as that of your identity' Xingke said, and there was no mistaking the threat in his voice.

The discussion was going nowhere, and Kaguya stared at both men, one after the other. She looked utterly helpless.

Nunnally decided to intervene. Xingke's reasons were sound, but there was something he did not take into account – something, Nunnally thought wryly, which might have escaped her sister Cornelia's attention. 'I trust Zero' she declared boldly, earning herself a surprised look from both Xingke and Kaguya. 'I trust Zero because the public trusts Zero.'

'That is beside the point' Xingke countered. 'The leaders of the Black Knights won't trust him.'

'That is what's beside the point' Nunnally said calmly. 'Zero is seen by the common folk as the man who saved them from the Demon Emperor. That's all they care about. If the Black Knights reject Zero, the people will reject the Black Knights.'

'They won't if we explain things properly to them' Xingke said.

'How are you going to explain why you failed where Zero succeeded?' the masked man said.

'Zero isn't exempt of failures' Xingke replied calmly. 'The Black Rebellion ended with a complete disaster, and Zero's attack on Japan a year later resulted in thirty million innocent deaths when the first FLEIJA was released.'

'Yes, and immediately after that it was announced Zero had died from severe wounds received in that battle' the masked man countered calmly. 'Yet I am here. One might wonder whether Zero might have been… betrayed?'

That last word fell like a hammer blow.

'Gentlemen, don't-' Kaguya began, but she was interrupted.

'They won't' Nunnally said as she gave both men a frosty stare. 'Are we agreed that our gathering is taking place in the seat of power of the Holy Empire of Britannia?' she asked with a hint of challenge in her voice.

'We are' Kaguya said hesitantly.

'At least until Japan's independence has been properly restored' Xingke added with a note of warning in his voice.

'We will speak of that matter later' Nunnally said. 'As for now, since Britannia is the host of the present conference, and in the absence of a formal chair, since the UFN are one of the parties in this conference, it follows that the ruler of the hosting power is entitled to suspend talks on any matter in which she is not directly involved if she deems it suitable and presents a reasonable argument. Or am I mistaken?'

Xingke looked at Kaguya for askance, and the young girl nodded weakly, staring at Nunnally in astonishment.

'Good' Nunnally said. 'Lady and gentlemen, I happen to be the Crown Princess of the Holy Empire of Britannia, the current head-of-state waiting for her coronation, and as your hostess here I deem unsuitable the continuation of any talks about the place Zero shall take in the Order of the Black Knights, as it is evident the parties involved aren't going to reach an agreement tonight. I propose we move on to other matters.'

Both Xingke and Kaguya nodded their agreement, the latter thankfully, the former carefully studying the young Princess.

'Sir Zero?' Nunnally asked.

'Yes, I think it's wise too' the masked man finally said. 'I'll have, however, to voice some concerns in the light of the information you just gave us.'

'I too will have a few questions to ask' Xingke said.

'Let's hear them, then' Nunnally said with a smile. 'I will try and answer your questions as best I can; just remember that it hasn't even been a day since I assumed my current position, and I haven't had time to form a government or to define the new political stance of Britannia.'

'Point taken' Zero said with a touch of irony. 'Please go ahead' the masked man told Xingke with a courteous nod.

'My first question is about Japan: are you prepared, once this conference is over, to make an announcement stating the release of Japan from the Holy Empire of Britannia?'

'I am' Nunnally replied, 'though a formal Japanese government and administration will have to exist before Japan is handed over, and I can't return Tokyo itself to Japan until our capital has been moved.'

'Those seem to be acceptable terms' Kaguya said, 'at least they are to me.'

'They are to me as well' Xingke said, 'as long as Britannia doesn't stay in Japan longer than is strictly necessary.' He went on. 'My second question is also addressed to Miss Kaguya, as the chairwoman of the UFN. I imagine that every member of the UFN will be asked to renounce to their own military force again, and the Order of the Black Knights will resume its role as the UFN's military contractor?'

Kaguya nodded. 'As soon as we can reverse the decisions made under the pressure of Emperor Lelouch, we'll restore the former conventions with the Order of the Black Knights.'

'And is Britannia prepared to hand over all of its armaments as soon as this will be done, as a member of the UFN and therefore bound by its rules?'

'I cannot answer this question right now' Nunnally said with an apologetic smile. 'I would do it, but I will need counseling on the matter.'

'Counseling from?' Xingke asked sharply.

'From my government, as soon as it is formed' Nunnally replied, 'and notably from Princess Cornelia.'

You will have no choice in the matter' Xingke said. 'The last country which ought to be allowed even a symbolic military is Britannia.'

'As I said' Nunnally replied calmly, 'I need counsel before I make a decision on that particular matter.'

'You may very well risk being expelled from the UFN if you don't satisfy this demand' Xingke said meaningfully, drawing a glare from Kaguya.

'I think we should keep in mind one fact while we argue here tonight' she said. 'It is our responsibility to make sure we preserve the peace Zero has gained for us when he killed Emperor Lelouch. For the first time in centuries none of the countries on Earth are at war or are making preparations for war. I don't think any of us here want to risk this peace, no matter how serious our disagreements or our conflicts of interest.'

The other three nodded. Kaguya's words were wise words.

The chairman of the UFN went on. 'Our arguments about Zero's position in the Order of the Black Knights or Britannia's status in regard with the UFN are perfect examples of what we mustn't do.' Nunnally and Xingke winced, but Kaguya ignored them. 'Rather than arguing, we should be working together to find solutions to both these problems.'

'There's no need' Zero let fall. 'I already have a solution for them both.'

Kaguya winced.

Xingke intervened. 'And that solution is?'

'I will personally keep an eye on the government of Britannia until I am certain Lelouch vi Britannia's sister isn't also the Demon Emperor's sister' Zero said. 'This means, of course, that I won't be available to lead the Order of the Black Knights for as long as I stay with the Britannian government and make sure they stay in line.' The masked man turned to face Kaguya. 'Do you think the UFN would agree to appoint me to such a position?'

'It is possible' Kaguya said somewhat hesitantly.

'This would mean Xingke here' and there was no missing the sarcasm in Zero's voice, 'would remain CEO of the Order of the Black Knights in fact, even though he may not be on paper.'

'You cannot-' the Chinese man began, but Zero cut him off.

'It is a perfect answer to the concerns of the higher ranks' the masked man said. 'This way your people won't have to worry about me and the Order's rank-and-file – and the rest of the world – won't be wondering why I'm not actually leading the Black Knights.'

'True' Xingke conceded grudgingly.

'Is this acceptable to everybody here?' Zero asked.

'I think it is' Kaguya said.

Nunnally remained silent. Once more she couldn't help but feel that even though it was Suzaku who wore the mask of Zero he was only a medium through which her dead brother kept controlling the world.

'Certainly your Highness has no reason to disagree with my proposal' Zero said matter-of-factly.

'Nunnally?' Kaguya said.

'I don't suppose I have a choice' the Princess said reluctantly.

'I didn't either' Zero said. 'Are we finished here?' and he stood up as he asked his question. 'I can only be absent from the celebrations for so long before I am missed.'

'I think we've covered the urgent points' Kaguya said. Nunnally nodded.

'I have one last question to ask the Britannian Crown Princess' Xingke said and he looked at Zero. 'I think you too may wish to know the answer to that one.'

'Lelouch has taken care of the Crown Princess from the moment they were both exiled here until the moment she was brought back to Pendragon on Emperor Charles' orders, and he displayed unwavering love for his sister the whole time' Zero said, earning himself a stunned glance from both Nunnally and Kaguya.

Xingke looked at the masked man with narrowed eyes. 'I was wrong about you' he said. 'You are the same as the original Zero.'

Nunnally shivered as she heard the Chinese man's words. Xingke may not know the man under the mask was Suzaku, but he definitely suspected Zero's garb served to conceal some means through which Lelouch was still active. And she was now terrified her old friend's mind may have been destroyed by Geass. Now Nunnally regretted she had not listened to Suzaku earlier when he had tried to confide in her: there was a very real possibility he would never get another chance to open his heart.

'v'

'v'

Coming next:

'You won't understand' Lelouch had said. 'I have to die.'

'Of course' C.C. had replied sarcastically. 'You're not being selfish like some other people with a death wish.'

Not too many people have their hearts run through by a sword and live to tell the tale. Even fewer have to pretend they are dead when this happens for fear of causing many more deaths. Lelouch is one such person. The young man who was once Emperor now has to live in the world he created, a world no longer in his control, where the will of many is now free to challenge the will of the man who brought peace to the world.

Code Geass R3: Lelouch of the Redemption. Next turn: The Servant and the Cat.