a/n O.O Since my dear reviwers did actually count the questions, here's an early update as promised^^
And here are the review replies:
RaveOn - thank you ^^
C.C. Lamperouge - hahaha, yes, poor him ^^ Hm... I think it's 48 XD
marie jeanne - Well, Cornelia's involvement is because of Milly, I guess XD
sakurahanaalice - lol, yes it's not hard to picture C.C. looking like an idiot ^^ And i guess you're right? I didn't actually think you'd count the questions O.O
SuperCeller - Yes, she knows him *evil smile* Yes, there will be others I just want to slowly put them in, a pairing will be hinted in this chapter ^^ As for the questions, I think you got it right...
Vincent-Shin - Yes, don't worry there will be other pairings ^^ Thank you for reviewing, hope to see you again...
the author to be - :) Thank you, although I'm a little sad that it's filler-ish but I think it's needed... Hm... Yes, This chapter will be less humourous, the story is getting serious... Thank you for your wonderful review :)
autofall99, booklover4177 - Thank you ^^
keaRy anCe - I'm glad you like my writing style, thank you!
As for those who hate pink, I don't hate it, it's just too much for me ^^
Alright! On to the story!
Chapter 5 ~There is Always Secret~
It's been two weeks since Lelouch met C.C., school has been just peachy except for the fact that his friends kept on asking him to get laid. He's growing tired of it and he really just wanted a break from it.
"Will you guys stop… please! I'm not getting laid just because you want me to!" Lelouch said to Gino who in turn just grinned.
"C'mon dude! You're approaching eighteen in three weeks! Aren't you worried that people will start asking you questions?"
"You guys already asked enough…" Lelouch mumbled to himself. "I don't care about that. I'm not going to do it with just anyone, got it? I want it to be with someone special, not just some girl I met in a brothel!"
"So as long as it's someone special, you'll do it? What's in this 'someone special' category? Is Shirley included in it?" asked Milly who suddenly popped out of nowhere.
Lelouch backed away, "No, not Shirley. Please, not you too… Enough alright." He turned around and walked away. When he's tired and just plain annoyed he'd go to his favorite place; Nunnally's side.
"Onii-sama! How was your day?" asked the crippled girl. Though she may not be able to walk, Nunnally still remained a strong and healthy girl. This motivated many to strive to become more and complain less. Nunnally is the symbol of strength in the Britannian eyes.
So just like any other Britannians her brother also admired her strength, but then he gets too protective sometimes and forbids her to do many things.
"Hi, Nunnally. Today's just fine, how was yours? Did anyone give you any trouble? Where's Rolo? Isn't he supposed to take care of you?!" Alas, out comes the overprotective brother of the 5th Princess.
Nunnally giggled at her brother, "He went to grab me some food. Don't worry, Onii-sama. He takes very good care of me, you know that. Besides, it's not like I can't take care of myself."
Lelouch sighed, "Good then." He smiled at his sister, being with her was enough to calm his nerve down. That was practically the reason why he didn't really want to date, his siblings was enough to keep him company. Seeing Nunnally smile was enough to keep his day bright and sunny.
"Lelouch, what are you doing in the middle school section? Aren't you supposed to have classes now? Are you skipping again?!" scolded his sister, who was a teacher at their school. Cornelia graduated years ago and after finishing her degree she proceeded to teach science at Ashford.
"Cornelia Onee-sama, don't be angry at Onii-sama, he was just checking on me." said Nunnally frowning at her. Cornelia bent down to pat Nunnally's shoulder, "I'm not, don't worry. It's called hard love, your brother isn't supposed to skip classes just to see you."
Lelouch sighed, "Yes, I understand. I'll be leaving now, be careful Nunnally, okay?" He patted Nunnally's head and gave a gentle smile.
"Okay, see you later, Onii-sama." Replied Nunnally with a warm smile.
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Lelouch vi Britannia wasn't a naughty boy, he rarely gets into trouble. No, no, he NEVER gets into trouble. So today when he skipped class to go see his sister he decided to escape the whole next few periods.
So he wouldn't get into trouble, of course.
Lelouch knew the burden his name brought, being a royalty isn't always parties and meaningless conversations. Even though he's only 18, his future was predetermined by his parents. Unlike Cornelia who got to pick her own future, unlike Schneizel who's so free, unlike Clovis who does nothing but make himself fabulous, unlike his two siblings who were too young, he weighed the future of the kingdom.
That brought great pressure to his mind, of course he never showed this to anyone, he was too proud to do so. But deep down, he'd like to talk to someone, someone he could trust.
A partner…
"Heh… That's unlikely…" Lelouch said to himself bitterly. Who'd believe him anyway, he's only 17 for God's sake. What kind of crazy person would give his kingdom to a 17 year old?
My father will…
Lelouch wandered around the Pentagon, the noise around him seemed distant even though there were many people there. He really is stressed after all.
What should I do? Hmm… Maybe go to the casino? Nah, chess isn't fun when you're always getting easy wins. Maybe I should go there… I did say I'll come around.
For a moment Lelouch stopped to think about something else other than his problem. His thoughts went to a certain green haired girl, evil, sneaky and sarcastic.
She said she was sold… I wonder how she felt…? Maybe she'd understand…
Wait, what?
Lelouch stopped at his tracks, How will a witch like her understand my kind of problem? For all I know she could be lying about herself. Sheesh… She's even infected my mind, yet we just met a week ago.
Before he could continue thinking about the witch he bumped into someone, "Ouch!"
Of course he didn't fall, wouldn't it be funny if he fell? Of course it would, since he bumped into a girl.
"I'm sorry, miss. Are you okay?" Lelouch, being the gentleman here held out his hand.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine thank you." The girl he bumped into stood up without taking his hand and didn't look at him, which Lelouch found very rude. Sure it was his fault for thinking about the witch while walking.
See? It's her fault I bumped into someone. Sheesh, she cursed me. Lelouch glared at no one in particular, then he looked at the girl he bumped into. She looks familiar… Wait… No…
"Euphemia?" Lelouch suddenly said.
The girl tensed, which he found very weird, "Sorry?" She said with a shaky voice.
"Are you Euphemia?" asked Lelouch looking at her intently. Bright pink hair, lavender eyes, it has to be her!
"N-no… I'm sorry… Um… I have to go." The pink haired girl said and quickly left.
"Sorry!" Lelouch called out to her but she didn't turn around to acknowledge him.
I must be really stressed out… There's no way it could be her… Lelouch thought to himself and proceeded towards his original destination, the lair of the witch.
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C.C. and Kallen were busy cleaning the wood floors while having a conversation.
"So~ You and the prince, huh?" asked Kallen with a teasing voice.
"What?" asked C.C. "You don't really think we did anything, do you?"
"I dunno~ For all I know you could be crushing on him. He was different after all~"
"Why would you think so?" asked C.C. cooly.
"Che, you're no fun. " said Kallen pouting. Then she grinned evilly, "He could be your escape you know~" She said in a whispering manner.
C.C. gave her a look, "Shut up, Kallen. Why don't you ask that blonde guy who was next to him?"
Kallen gave her a confused look, "Which? The old one? Eww!"
"The one with the braids, Kalley. Gee, you'd think you're the bright type…" said C.C. rolling her eyes.
"Wha--- Hey! You didn't go to school too!" spat Kallen.
C.C. shrugged, "We homeschooled didn't we? So I guess you're born an idiot."
"C.C.! There's a fine line between dense and idiotic, I'm just dense! Besides the one with the braids is too hot for me!" Kallen immediately regretted saying that for a big smirk appeared on C.C.'s face.
"He's too hot for you?" Kallen's face was beet red and just as C.C. was about to proceed on teasing her endlessly the brothel door slid open, revealing a panting Euphie, both girls gave the pinkette a questioning look.
"I saw… him… just now…" she said between pants.
"Who?" asked Kallen.
"The blonde who's too hot for Kallen?"
A smack was sent towards C.C.'s shoulder and a smirk was sent towards Kallen.
"Who?" Euphy said again, still panting.
"The blonde with the braids." Said C.C. plainly.
"Kallen's interested in one of them?" asked Euphy innocently.
"I'M NOT! C.C., shut the hell up and Euphy, continue with what you were going to say!" Kallen shrieked at both girls.
"Really then why did you say he's too hot for you—"
"SHUT UP!!!"
"O-kay… Are we going back to my story?"
"YES, PLEASE!"
Euphy sighed, "I saw the guy C.C. was with, Lelouch. He bumped into me…"
Kallen's eyes lit up, "You think he's coming here?"
"Don't be stupid Kallen." Said C.C. rolling her eyes.
Just as Kallen was about to argue with C.C. the brothel door slid open yet again, "We're not open ye—OMG!" Kallen gasped, said 'he' was standing at the door looking straight at them.
"Uh, hi." He said, he looked at Euphy then at C.C., "You're busy, I'll come back."
Just as he turned to leave, a hand grabbed his arm, "You can have her for as long as you want." Kallen shoved C.C. at him and winked at her.
C.C. not only glared at her, she hissed, "I'll kill you if I get punished."
"Yeah, yeah, we'll cover for you. Just go already." Said Kallen waving her hand at C.C..
Lelouch gave her a questioning look, "Punished? Are you sure, C.C.? You won't punish me for being punished, will you?"
C.C. smirked, "Let's go."
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Lelouch strode down the busy street, he occasionally looked at the green haired girl beside him. She seemed out of place in the area, the place had this Victorian design and yet she's wearing a black kimono.
"You sure you don't want to change?"
C.C. rolled her eyes for the 10th time, "No. How many times are you going to ask that question?"
Lelouch shrugged, "You just seem out of place, that's all…"
"I'm always out of place because of this anyway." She said while pointing at her hair.
"Touché…" said Lelouch nodding.
C.C. smiled, Lelouch stared, then her smile faded away, "What?"
"You've never smiled that's all."
C.C. scoffed, "You've known me only for two weeks."
"Right…"
"So?"
"Hm?"
"What did you need me for? Help pick out lingerie for a girl?"
Lelouch choked, "WHAT? Why would you think that?!"
C.C. smirked, "Just guessing. So? What shall do for you today, Your Highness?"
"Stop that."
C.C. didn't only smile, she laughed, to Lelouch's interest, "Do you laugh at people all the time?"
The witch shook her head, "Only the miserable ones."
"Witch."
C.C. chuckled, both still walking down the same road of while bricks.
"I wanted to ask you something." Said Lelouch after some time.
C.C. gave him a questioning look but kept her silence.
"How did it feel when you found out that you were sold? Did you feel any burden or sadness?"
C.C. was taken aback by the question, What the hell…? Of all of the questions…
Lelouch cleared his throat when he was replied with silence, "Not that I want to invade your private life but, I just wanted to know how did you handle such a big thing?"
C.C. sighed, "And why should I tell you?"
Lelouch sighed, "I guess that was out of line."
C.C. tilted her head, is this guy having a problem? How odd… Why'd he come to look for me? Maybe he missed me—No, C.C.. Stop that, he's not your escape, he's not your escape… Hence began the battle between the innocent C.C. and the cold C.C..
Well why not? He came to see you like he said didn't he?
Yes, but he only came to ask an absurd question.
He wanted to know how you felt, isn't that enough?
He just wanted to bother me.
Why can't you see that he's different? You heard his friends say that he said you're interesting!
Interesting can mean many things.
You haven't let go of yet…
And I'm not planning to anytime soon. Shut up and go away.
With that, C.C.'s inner battle ended. She proceeded to answer Lelouch, "I took it pretty well. It's been smooth so far for me."
Lelouch didn't seem to believe her, "You 'took it pretty well'? Why don't I believe you?"
"Why are you asking anyway?" asked C.C. ignoring the last part.
"I guess it's fair if I answer yours when you answered mine." Lelouch pulled C.C. into a café.
Immediately stares were given and it's not because of C.C.'s hair or kimono.
Lelouch didn't bother to acknowledge the waitress and went deep in to the café. He ignored the stares and dragged C.C. along with him by grabbing her wrist. They walked passed many tables and C.C. began to think that the café is an endless portal to tables. Finally, after walking passed about a hundred tables, they arrived at a small corner of the café, isolated from the rest of the Victorian building.
There was a table and two chairs, the corner was adorned with many golden decoration; gold linings on the tables, gold plated utensils, wine glasses that were gold plated, even the cloth of the chair was gold.
"Sit." Commanded Lelouch plainly while he himself sat down.
C.C. looked at the place with awe, never once in her life she'd been in to a place this luxurious. Sure the brothel was luxurious, but that was because she worked there that she could stay there. This, this was different.
"Feeling out of place now?" asked Lelouch smirking.
C.C. gave him a deadpanned look and he chuckled. He snapped his fingers and a waitress in a mini maid outfit came, "Yes, Master Lelouch?"
"Get this girl here something to change into."
The waitress bowed and lead C.C. some place else.
You can do that? C.C. arched an eyebrow, What power they have, these rich people…
Lelouch chuckled again, he looked at his surroundings, It's been a while since I came here… When was the last time I wonder…? A few years ago? Yet they still kept this place the same…
Lelouch stared off into space until C.C. reappeared, completely different from her look moments ago. Lelouch's mouth fell open, sure from the first time he saw C.C. he knew she was pretty but seeing her in a black dress that revealed a little of her cleavage was a totally different. Last time she wore a white one piece, not that she didn't look nice but she looked nicer in black.
"Like what you see?" asked C.C. smirking.
Lelouch cleared his throat, "You look…"
"Nice? Gorgeous?" she added.
"… not out of place anymore." He finished with a smirk and earned a smack on the shoulder.
Lelouch laughed, "Alright, alright, you look nice. But that's still thanks to me."
C.C. rolled her eyes, "Right."
Lelouch gestured C.C. to sit opposite of him, "What's the occasion, Your Highness?"
"I said stop that."
C.C. laughed, "It's fun."
Lelouch coughed, "Right… So, to answer your question just now. I didn't ask you just out of curiosity, I thought you might be able to help me. "
C.C. tilted her head in a n innocent manner, "Help you?"
Lelouch sighed, "You just seem insightful so I picked you. Besides, it doesn't hurt telling you that I'm stressed, does it?"
C.C. raised her eyebrows, "You're stressed…?" Then she attempted to stifle her laughter, note, attempted. She ended up laughing anyway… "You-- *laugh* you're stresssssssed *laugh*???"
Lelouch's eyebrows twitched, "What's so funny, witch? Is it so hard to believe that I'm stressed?"
C.C. continued laughing regardless of what Lelouch was saying and nodded, "Yes!"
Lelouch's eyebrows twitched more, "Witch…"
C.C. finally died down after a few moments to Lelouch's relief, "How are you stressed? Not enough pocket money?"
A vein literally popped on Lelouch's head, C.C. chuckled, "Am I right?"
"No."
"Really? Then why are you stressed?" asked C.C. a bit skeptical. "You rich people have everything, what's there to be stressed about?"
"It's basically because I'm rich that I'm stressed." Said Lelouch rubbing his temple.
"Huh…"
"What?"
"You have everything and yet you're stressed? How greedy can you get?"
Lelouch gave an are-you-an-idiot look but C.C. seemed unfazed by it, "Witch, you think I'm that kind of person?"
"Well, I don't know how you are, I just met you." C.C. said shrugging.
"Don't make such assumptions like that." Lelouch felt a headache coming soon, "You know what, forget it."
C.C. gave him a curious look, "What? Why? Tell me, if you're not stressed because you lack material objects then why are you?"
Reluctantly Lelouch answered, "Because I'm future king…"
Silence…
"C.C.?"
Again, silence…
"Oi, witch."
More silence…
Lelouch began to think that C.C. wasn't alive anymore, he waved his hand in front of her face.
A smirk formed, he backed away.
"Is that why your friends told you to get laid?"
Lelouch did a face palm.
a/n Hm... The story is getting serious, although I can't seem to stop the humour... Any suggestions on how to keep things serious? O.o Any constructive reviews are welcome ^^
I'll try to update soon, believe me I love this story too :)