Chapter 11- Knight of Honour

Disclaimer- We do not own Code Geass

This chapter is written by Gohan-To-The-Max, Razamataz22 and Lord Helen

...

"You can't be serious!" Suzaku replied after the few seconds of shock left his system. His eyes moved around the room; apparently he wasn't the only one surprised with the young princess' declaration, and it seemed that Princess Cornelia and Prince Lelouch joined them in time to hear Euphy's outburst, and they too both fell into the same level of shock as himself.

"I am being serious, Suzaku. No one else fits the criteria as much as you do." The pink haired princess pouted.

"Euphy, you can't!" Cornelia yelped, not supporting the Princess' choice in the slightest. He

was a number, an honorary Britannian. This would cause an uproar with the nobles, not to mention their mother.

"You would refuse this offer, Suzaku?" Lelouch stated as he gave a slight smirk. "Is my little sister not good enough for you to protect?"

Suzaku paused for a second as he looked up towards his childhood best friend. "I would be honoured but..."

"Then that settles it; you are to become Princess Euphemia's Knight."

"Lelouch!" Cornelia hissed, though she was ignored by him. He couldn't do this, he couldn't let his sister get paired off with a number. Not even if this number was as trusted as Suzaku. Sure, if he was Britannian then Cornelia wouldn't complain as much but he wasn't. He was the last of the Kururugi line and was what the Elevens looked up to for inspiration.

"I trust Suzaku with my life," Euphemia put in. She looked happy now that Lelouch sided with her. "No one is as qualified as he is."

"There are several others that are most qualified!" Cornelia argued, outnumbered now that Lelouch had openly stated that he approved. She was fighting a losing battle.

"Then it is decided," Lelouch said, turning to leave.

"Lelouch, you can't let this be-"

"It is Euphie's decision, and Suzaku is every bit capable of protecting her," he hissed back, edging further towards the door. "Nothing more is to be said on the matter. Besides Cornelia there are other more pressing affairs I need to talk to you about."

Cornelia stiffened slightly at that, as she noticed the focused look within her brother's eyes. "Follow me, then," stated Cornelia as she beckoned Lelouch to join her somewhere more private. While she was silently seething in anger over the fact that her sister had declared that somebody not of Britannian birth would become an honorary knight, she would do her best to have Suzaku… reconsider his offer. It seemed however there were other matters to discuss. "So, what is it you wanted to speak of?" she asked.

"This," said Lelouch as he pulled something out of his pocket. "When the Black Knights came and rescued Tohdoh, I figured that the information had to have been leaked somehow, but the only two people who were in the room at the time when the final paper was signed were you and I. So after the jailbreak, I did some searching around the room and found this."

"What is it?" asked Cornelia as she inspected the black machine.

"An audio transmitter of some kind, but the problem is that there must have been a small explosive inside it to destroy it once they knew that we'd be on to them," explained Lelouch as he handed the device to Cornelia. While every word he was saying was utter bullcrap, he knew that he needed to divert any possible accusations away from himself.

"So you're saying that somebody was able to sneak into the building and plant something like this without alerting security," stated Cornelia.

"Not even. It could have been guards on routine patrol or even some cleaners, we shouldn't question just how many connections Zero has," said Lelouch as he leant against the wall.

"If it is one of my soldiers, once I get my hands on them I will show the rest of my men just what happens to traitors," declared Cornelia as she clenched her fist, crushing the small device within her grasp.

"And how do you plan on doing that?" asked Lelouch, his voice raising ever so slightly in a way that made Cornelia jump the tiniest of margins. "March in front of all of your men and state that one of them is a traitor? Just how will that make the rest of your soldiers feel? Just how high will their morale be on the battlefield with the knowledge that the person protecting their rear may stab them in the back instead?"

Cornelia blinked a couple of times as she looked at Lelouch, his words having stunned her. For some reason her mind dawdled back to when they were children and they had shared a chess game with one another. His side of the board would always be set up so that all of his pieces protected one another, while her pieces would generally make way for the stronger pieces. She needed those men to have faith in their leader and so she couldn't show any weakness by revealing that there was a spy in their midst. Even if it would cost her a few good men, if she didn't keep her composure she could potentially lose all of them. Having only a single piece on a chessboard was never a good sign; likewise, being unable to trust none other than oneself was the most vulnerable of positions.

"I'm sorry I stepped out of line there," said Lelouch as he backed away, turning his attention downwards.

"No, thank you. I needed that," said Cornelia as she absorbed everything that Lelouch had said. "If you'll excuse me, I wish to spend some time alone to consider my next move."

Lelouch watched in silence as Cornelia walked down the hallway, the small device in her hand nearly completely forgotten as she made her way to her private chamber.

...

"God damnit!" the young Prince hissed under his breath. It wasn't that he secretly agreed with Cornelia, but he wanted Suzaku to himself. He needed Suzako on his side, he needed him to protect Nunnally and now it's too late. The Japanese boy was an exceptional fighter and a pilot of ace standards, he deserved more than Euphie. He needed someone that wouldn't question his decisions or suspect him of treason, and his childhood friend was just the man. After his military training were to be complete, he knew that he would be pestered into taking a Knight of Honour, and now it seemed that he would be left with Cornelia's dogs. They couldn't be trusted; she already suspected him, and while he had diverted her attention momentarily, there was still a chance she believed that he was a leak to Zero. Any men that Cornelia would suggest to him would likely be acting as a spy. She had already informed him that she would be having more people around him to ensure that he wasn't the leak and that he would behave himself.

He had to be careful now, CC would be expecting information on where to go from here and he had to do this before Cornelia sent her dogs to monitor what he would do twenty-four-seven. As he reached his door, he carefully placed one hand on the handle and opened it. His other hand reaching into his pocket to pick up his phone. When he entered the room, he paused and his mouth dropped a bit.

"Lelouch," CC calmly said as she took a bite into a cheesy pizza. Lelouch looked up and down at her body; she was lying on his bed wearing one of his shirts, though this time, a few of the buttons were undone enough so he could begin to see her breasts. "You took your time getting here."

"What are you doing here, CC?" Lelouch gasped as he turned around to shut the door and look away from the peculiar green-haired immortal. "How the hell did you get in?"

CC chuckled as Lelouch's face turned a shade of pink. "I was bored and infiltrating this place is easy enough."

"I'm being watched carefully at the moment and Cornelia is suspicious enough of me as it is, especially if she finds you in my bed again!" the Prince hissed as he turned back around. "Would you please put on some clothes?"

"I am wearing clothes," she said glumly, taking another bite of pizza. It seemed to be the only food that she ate which caused Lelouch to wonder if she ever would give up eating it. "Why are you so grumpy anyways?"

"Suzaku and Cornelia," he hissed. "Suzaku is to be Euphie's knight while Cornelia suspects me of being in contact with Zero."

"Wait till she finds out the truth." CC sniggered whilst Lelouch gave her a knowing look. "Guessing you have more use of me then?"

"Here's what you have to do."

...

She paced around the room furiously, her long purple hair flying behind her with every stride that she took. After filing away everything Lelouch had said for another day, her mind returned to the drastic matter at hand of Euphy deciding that an Eleven would be her knight. Standing in the corner of the room, Darlton and Guildford watched her with every intention to follow through with what she would order them to do next, no matter how messy it would become. It was within her right to kill the number, or at least that was how she felt. He wasn't capable of protecting her Euphemia. He himself would be a target to both terrorist organisations and Britannian nobles. Whilst this uproar about him piloting the Lancelot was still in hand, he, nor anyone else he associates himself with would be safe.

"We have to do something!" Cornelia growled. "I have to talk her out of this without Lelouch around. Maybe she would listen to me without him there; he encouraged her!"

"My Princess, it seems that your sister has made this decision on her own behalf. Try as you may, but I doubt she would change her mind, especially after the embarrassment of how she announced it," Guildford responded in a calm tone. "There must be a way to see if he is worthy to be a knight."

"I order you to be tough on the number. Test him as you may and I will inform Euphie whether or not he passes the test. If he passes, then he is fit enough to be a knight, although I will not have a liability look after her," the princess hissed. "Ensure he has no connections to terrorists. Do it as you please, but leave his face intact."

...

"Who cares if he's an honorary Britannian? He's still an Eleven!" The whispers ran through the crowd of watching nobles, rumors mixing in with the discontent.

"How did he win the princess's favor?"

"I suppose even princesses have needs." A laugh filled the air as Suzaku walked down the red carpet forming an aisle between the two crowds. Lelouch was at the front as his friend walked up the steps and kneeled before Euphemia. Suzaku wore white in honour of the momentous occasion, the same shade of white which was on the Princess' gown.

Where Euphemia was standing, was where Lelouch wanted to be. He wanted Suzaku for his own, if not for his exceptional skills, it was for Euphie's sanity. It was common knowledge that rumours about the opposite gender to that of the royal family member were often involved in sexual relationships with each other, although the knights' middle class background was often seen too low to marry into the royal family. Rumours of her having sexual relationships with an eleven would not only ruin her her popularity but her innocent nature, and how others perceived her. Lelouch knew that Suzaku wouldn't touch her, however, Cornelia's opinion was a different story.

Suzaku knelt nervously before Princess Euphemia. Her skin was almost as white as freshly laid snow, yet her cheeks had a pink blush spreading across them. Her face was truly delicate and to Suzaku, this was the prettiest he had ever seen her. He lowered his head in respect to her, awaiting to say his part in becoming her knight. This was the first step to changing Britannia for the better. If he could be accepted to be a Knight of Honour, then truly there was hope for the other numbers, and even hope for equality between the races.

He doubted, however, that a Britannian Knight would not go through the same initiation as him. He understood that Princess Cornelia did not approve of her sister's choice, yet was really sending her men after him such a wise thing to do? Sure, they only tested him, and they wanted to ensure their Princess that the right Knight was chosen, but it was almost as though they wanted him to fail. His biggest test of all was to show that he wasn't weak. Underneath the mask his body was presenting, he was under a lot of pain. Guildford and Darlton had beaten his lower body until it was bloody, and then they'd finished it off by dragging the blade of a knife up both his legs. It was his job not to respond to it, not to go to the hospital crying about the pain, and not to let a tear drip down his face. He was told to become a Knight of Honour, he had to put the pain behind him and put the Princess first. He felt both of their eyes watching him carefully. He knew they wanted him to fail right here and now; they wanted him to snap. But he had his honour, and he needed to show his respect in the Princess' choice in selecting him. One show of his pain and it was all over. He wouldn't be able to make Britannia a better place, he wouldn't be capable of protecting his friend, and he wouldn't be able to apologise to the Japanese people of area eleven.

All he had to do now was to remember his words and not mess up.

...

Milly Ashford sat on the sofa watching the Knighting ceremony from afar. Rushing around her were the other members of the student council who seemed to be running backwards and forwards to ensure that the party they were throwing for Suzaku was ready. Already there were members of the royal guard ensuring that security was tight, and that no one gained access to the clubhouse without an invitation from Milly, the other student council members, or the royal family. She placed her fingers between her soft blonde hair and let out a loud sigh. Today was the beginning of the rest of her life, it was today her social standing was to rise or flop depending on the outcomes and the relative success of this party. By now, she'd spent most of her time worrying about what was to happen, so much so that she no longer seemed to care. It was the part of her world that she left behind and it almost felt as though she was being thrusted back into it.

She laughed to herself while Rivalz shot her a concerned look from the other side of the room. It wasn't as if she was being thrown back into this life like Lelouch and Nunnally were; she still had the opportunity for freedom and to not have the press up her backside every time she made a public appearance. She knew it was almost impossible for Sayoko to take dear Nunnally to her favourite pond to feed the ducks without the blind Princess being pestered constantly. The majority of the times, the press was apparently not interested in her, but the dirt they could get out of Lelouch - out of all the emperors children was the one he had been monitoring the most frequently - who as an eligible bachelor they wanted to keep all tabs on him. Or so that was what she heard.

The blonde-haired beauty stood up. She wore a green, floor length gown which was carefully decorated with small crystals and gems. Her blonde hair was loosely curled, her lips a cherry red. She felt Rivalz stare upon her, which made her smile. He was a sweet guy and one of her closest friends. From outside the window, Milly noticed two limos pulling up, followed by a couple of ordinary jeeps with members of the escort for the royal siblings. First one to step out was Suzaku, his face white and sheepish. He placed his arm out and a dainty hand grabbed onto it. Princess Euphemia's hair was the first thing the Ashford girl saw, followed by how radiant and pretty the teenager looked. From the other limo, Lelouch and Princess Cornelia were leaving the vehicle. They both appeared to look more normal, although it was strange for Milly to see him in suit. A large smile was still present upon her face; this was going to be a party to remember and to go down in the Ashford academy history.

It was then when her smile dropped, her eyes watching as one more figure left the limo. "No, please. Not him."

...

Lloyd stood in the corner of the room, in one hand he held a champagne glass while the other was lifted slightly higher as he moved it to aid with his explanation of Knightmare physics to Nina. She appeared to be taking it all in with relevant ease, while Cecille looked on with a bored expression on her face. She enjoyed working with Knightmares, however, working with Lloyd was another story, especially when it came down to other people praising him for the work that he had done and for the ideas that he was currently developing. He always seemed a bit full of himself.

Currently, he was talking to the young girl with glasses and dark hair, who, from how passionately she was talking about Knightmare design, Cecille could see Lloyd in. She was just like the female version of him, although more reserved and kept to herself.

"Great," she whispered as she looked around the crowded hall, her eyes falling on Suzaku as she realised a smile. In her left hand, she held a glass of champagne, although the drink had never been her cup of tea. She saw Suzaku's glance upon her and quickly turned around to see Prince Lelouch behind her.

"Cecille, just the person I wanted to see," the Prince said with a smile upon his face. His head moved towards a door leading out of the beautifully decorated clubhouse at Ashford academy. He walked off towards that door and she followed shortly behind him. Carefully, she shut the door behind herself and stared at the young Prince. In his right arm, he was clutching documentation.

"I would like you to be in charge of this. It's documentation of what I want my personalised Knightmare frame to look and be like. I thought it would be better for Lloyd to not know about it, though, because I don't want it leaking back to my sister just yet."

"I understand," Cecille replied while grinning, she took the documents from the Prince. "I think I will go store these efficiently."

...

Kallen scowled down at the guest bellow her. Nothing annoyed her more than being in a room full of high-up Britannians, royal family members, and her fellow Britannia classmates, and not being able to gain her revenge. She hated being herself. She also hated the way the arrogant Prince kept looking at her - almost as though he was a lost puppy dog. Perhaps her ex-classmate had a crush on her. If he did, then she could get close and exterminate him before he became like the rest of his family and destroy everything she knew and loved.

Once again, she felt his eyes looking up at her. She moved her hands up to her mouth as she pretended to do a sickly cough. She sighed, knowing that she had to go down there and support the party for Suzaku. She didn't know if it was good or bad that the Japanese boy was made a Knight of Honour, especially as he was one of the main suspects of killing Clovis before Zero came along. Now Zero was a man who Kallen could easily fall for. She hated how he didn't trust her enough to show of his face. She hated attempting to picture what he would look like without that mask on. The red-haired rebel jumped slightly as she felt a hand move onto her waist and another one on her hand.

"Care to have this dance, Miss Stadtfeld?" Prince Lelouch asked. A red blush crept across her face as she mentally swore that she was right. Her eyes looked into his as she parted her lips slightly. "You have no say in the matter. Dance with me."

Again she sighed, though perhaps him having a crush on her wasn't so bad. She knew he'd became one of the most eligible bachelors in area eleven since being returned back to the throne. Slowly he led her down the stairs and onto the floor where a number of people were currently dancing. His hands moved onto her hips as he began to lead her in a slow dance. She felt the glare of almost every girl in the room except his sisters', Milly, Nina and the scientists assistant.

As the next song began to play - a slow song at that - Kallen contemplated with the idea of pulling out her purse knife and slicing Lelouch's throat where he was. Given the reaction and shock time, there was also a chance that she could make a break for Cornelia before anybody could properly react. "There's a reason why I brought you down here, Kallen," said Lelouch, breaking the red-haired girl's train of thought. "I want you to promise me that before I say anything else, you will do your best not to react."

Kallen swallowed nervously at that. Was Lelouch really going to ask her out on a date, in front of all these people? She could imagine the tabloids, the internal investigations, and the sudden boost in popularity. What would she say? What would she do? Slowly she nodded her head and tried to brace herself for whatever was to come next.

"Q-1, I need you to relay a message for me," said Lelouch.

Looking back on it she could have potentially braced herself for anything but that.

...

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