Yay new chapter!
This one is also smart, but a new update it coming very soon!
I don't own Code Geass
Enjoy~
Ch. 8
"Today's the day," Leabella said pacing in the training room. It was early in the morning, and nobody was up yet. "Crap, what am I getting myself into?" Leabella groaned going over the day's events. First she would have lunch with Clovis with an interviewer of some big news company. Then, would be the ceremony where Clovis would dub her an honorary knight and brigadier general. After that, would be the ball for her birthday. And then...
"Hey," she jumped at the voice that interrupted her thoughts. Leabella turned around to see Katsu still in his sleeping clothes scratching his head at the entrance leading to the barracks. "What are you doing up?"
Leabella shrugged, "Nervous, I guess."
"Ah, c'mon," Katsu started finding a rolling chair to sit on, "You've been waiting for this since we met you in Belarus."
"You got a point," Leabella answered settling on the training mat.
They were silent for a while, both still groggy. After a while, Leabella spoke up, "Hey, Katsu?"
"Yes, princess?" Katsu said leaning back in his chair.
"Why did you want me to get a new second in command?" Leabella asked softly.
"You mean, back when Marko…?" Katsu started but couldn't finish his sentence.
"Yes," Leabella said. She looked up at him seeing his pained expression, "Why did you back down?"
"I didn't deserve to serve you if I couldn't see Marko's intent," Katsu said leaning forward bowing his head, "You didn't hear it back then, but Yuuto knew there was something wrong." Leabella blinked, this was surprising, "He told me to go against orders, but I didn't listen," Leabella stood when she saw the man's shoulders started to shake, "If I would have listened to him, they could have ejected in time," Katsu covered his face with his hands, "They were too busy fighting to..." Leabella knelt over him placing her hands on his shoulders, "It's all my -"
"Don't you dare say it was your fault," Leabella snapped sternly.
Katsu looked up at her meeting her eyes.
"Nobody could have predicted what was going to happen," Leabella said determinedly, "The others wouldn't have wanted their deaths be in vain, and they aren't. Now stop letting yourself down. I accepted you stepping down, but I won't allow one of my men being like this. You already swore yourself to me, no backing out okay?"
Katsu smiled, "Okay, princess."
"Good," Leabella said rising to her feet. "I'm going to go back to sleep."
"Sleep well, princess," Katsu said heading to the barracks, "Oh, and happy birthday, Leabella."
Leabella smiled brightly, "Thank you, Katsu."
"Your highness," Diethard Ried greeted Clovis, "It's always a pleasure."
"Like wise," Clovis greeted the reporter, "Leabella," said girl approached the two from the entrance of Clovis's dinning office room. She had her hair cascading down her back and her bangs framed her fair face. She wore her 'casual' dress. It was a light green dress that went down to her shins. Diethard thought that was quite odd. Most imperial princesses wore dresses that ran to the floor like rivers of status.
"Hello," Leabella greeted, "It's nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, princess," Diethard replied, "Now, let's begin."
"Now, that wasn't too bad," Clovis said lightly as he walked Leabella to the grand guest room the imperial mansion to the viceroy.
"Oh, of course not," Leabella muttered, "Now I'm going to have the next six hour to act like a noble."
"Remember, there are going to be military personnel at the ball too," Clovis said opening the door for his sister, "You can introduce yourself to them."
Leabella frowned when she saw the many servants in the room at her wait. She briefly heard Clovis bid her a goodbye as he closed the door.
"Hey, it's starting!" Milly exclaimed moving to the front of the television. It was just after school, and the student council had settled in the club house to watch the inauguration of the new sub-viceroy live. She looked over at Lelouch. Everyone was sitting on a grand couch, sans for Nunnally—who was in her wheelchair, and Lelouch who was leaning against the back of the couch. "Not, going to sit, Lulu?"
"No, I'd rather stand," the prince replied. He tried to stop his anticipation, but failed. This was it. The introduction ceremony began and Clovis walking onto stage and addressed the court. Lelouch drowned out his brothers speech about the area, people, blah, blah, sparkly words, blah.
"Now, with out further ado, I present my sister, Leabella vi Britannia."
The camera switched over the front of the room to the double doors that opened to reveal the princess. She stepped forward with confidence. The side sections of her hair were pinned back, but other than that it flowed in soft curls. The top of her dress was corseted revealing her porcelain shoulders and collarbones. The skirt of her dress flowed down the ground in wisps as she walked.
Lelouch smiled genuinely, "Leabella."
"Oh, look at that," Rivalz's voice brought him out of his trance, "Looks like Lelouch is crushing on the princess."
"I am not," Lelouch countered.
"Lulu, you and a princess?" Shirley asked concerned.
"Hey," Nunnally soft voice interrupted them. The young girl nit her brows in anxiety, "Is she pretty?"
Lelouch smiled at her taking his sister's hand, "She's beautiful, Nunnally."
Nunnally smiled. Rivalz was ecstatic to see his friend attracted to a girl, and Shirley frowned in disappointment.
A few people of the royal family were shown, and Odysseus stepped forward when Leabella approached. They held hands as they made their way up the steps to Clovis. Once there Odysseus handed Leabella a scabbard and went down to his seat. When he left, Leabella went on one knee bowing her head.
"Huh?" Rivalz commented, "What is she doing?"
Lelouch blinked, "She's being knighted."
Leabella unsheathed the sword and handed it to Clovis.
"Leabella vi Britannia," Clovis started, "do you accept the responsibilities of being a vessel of the throne, to do that which is just for the empire."
"I do," Leabella said.
Lelouch smiled despite is protest to Leabella being in the military.
"Then I, Clovis la Britannia dub thee, Honorary Knight of Britannia and Brigidier General to the imperial army," Clovis said as he taped the tip of the sword over Leabella's shoulders. "Rise."
Leabella rose and faced the crowed. The royal siblings were the first to clap, then, came a few nobles and soon the entire court.
"Well, how's that," Rivalz started, "She's a general."
"Is it like how most of the royal family automatically gets rank? Does she even have military training?" Nina asked.
"Yes, she does," Lelouch spoke on instinct.
"How do you know?" Milly asked.
"I just do," Lelouch answered just before his phone started ringing. He looked down to find an unknown number calling him. He looked back at the screen seeing Leabella giving a speech before walking out to the hall. "Hello?" he answered.
"Hey, you're Lelouch, right?" a childish voice spoke on the other side.
"Who is this?" Lelouch ordered.
"Just a friend," the voice answered, "Come outside, please." The line hung up, and Lelouch narrowed his eyes. Slowly he made his way out of the club house, making sure not to alert his friends of his depart.
When he stepped outside he was met with a man and young boy. Lelouch blinked. It was the two who would always pick up Isabella.
"It's you two," Lelouch commented eyeing the phone in the boy's hand.
"No time for questions," Richard replied, "C'mon." He started making his way to the entrance of the school.
"And where exactly are you planning on taking me," Lelouch asked making no move to go with them.
"C'mon, kid," Yuuto started, "We got to get you in a tux before we can go to the ball, we don't need you giving us trouble."
"Ball?" Lelouch asked, "Leabella's ball?"
"Yeah," Yuuto replied, "Think of it as a birthday present. Now, c'mon, your sister doesn't like waiting."
Lelouch frowned, "Where Isabella?"
Yuuto paused, "She's with Leabella. Now, start walking."
"Bella!" Euphiama exclaimed as she hugged her sister. "You look so pretty."
"Thank you, Euphy," Leabella replied hugging her little sister back.
"Leabella," Schneizel greeted under his mask, "You look beautiful. And I have to say, having a masquerade ball is a bright idea, though everyone knows who we are."
"Thank you brother, I thought it would add a little…taste to the evening," Leabella said then turned to Cornelia. "Cornelia, I love the dress."
"Like wise sister," Cornelia replied. She was uncharacteristically in a deep red dress that showed off every curve.
"Now, Leabella," Schneizel said offering his arm to the princess, "I'd like to introduce to some people."
The two waved to their sisters with promises of later chats. "You are going to steer me away from non-important people, I hope," Leabella said to Schneizal.
Her brother chuckled, "Well, seeing as how everyone is under a mask, and this is a ball in your honor, I'd say you have to greet all your guests."
"Alright," Yuuto said looking over Lelouch in a tux. He, too, was in his own tux, "That's just about time. Now, just wait here, I'll be right back."
Lelouch nodded looking over himself. It had been awhile since he was in such fancy clothes. "Seven years," he said under his breath in the quite room. From there he could hear the orchestra, so he guest he wasn't too far from the ball room. "Crap," he muttered feeling his heart beat pick up. He was getting nervous. Of course he would! The sister that he hadn't seen since he was ten was in walking distance. But, then again, walking to her would me talking to the other nobles and his siblings.
"A masquerade ball," Milly commented, "Creative."
"I wouldn't think that nobles would be into that," Shirley said.
"Oh, c'mon," Rivalz said, "Milly would be exhibit A against that case."
"I take that as a complement," Milly said holding her head high.
Lelouch was now pacing around the room. He was fighting against his urge to burst into the ball room and find his sister, but that would be exposing his identity.
Yuuto frowned. He had found Leabella, but she was getting escorted all around the ball room to various people by her brother. He couldn't very well interrupt them. He didn't think this out. He looked back at the hall that led to the room he had left Lelouch in. His eyes bugged. He could have had a heart attack from seeing the hidden prince stepping out of the room, looking very much ready to walk into the ball room. Yuuto all but ran to the prince halting him in his advance.
"Hey, hey, hey," Yuuto said pushing Lelouch back in the room. "You can't go out there. Leabella's just a little busy."
"Talking to the nobles?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes," Yuuto sighed.
"Then that's how she's going to be till the end of the night," Lelouch finished. Yuuto grunted breathing in through his nose. "Who are you?" Lelouch asked incredulously.
Yuuto sighed, "I'm Leabella's second in command." Lelouch humphed at that. Yuuto groaned, "You know what? Here," Yuuto snatched the mask that was in his back pocket.
Lelouch looked down at the back mask. He contemplated the idea for a while before taking the mask. He tied the mask around his head, and headed for the door. He briefly heard Yuuto say, "Good luck, kid."
"Well, it is just a delight to be here," a noble woman said fanning her face with an elegant feather fan, "The ambiance is just so glorious."
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Leabella commented trying to sound polite, but her will was dissolving. Schneizel and she had been at it talking with the nobles for close to an hour.
As they walked away from the noble, Schneizel suggested, "How about a long walk to the next one, hm?"
"Please," Leabella pleaded lowly.
"Excuse, your highness," a familiar voice stopped them from approaching the next group of higher class. Leabella looked around to find a tall thin young man. His face was hidden behind a dark mask, but she recognized the dark hair of his. She watched as he bowed to the two, "But, may I have this dance."
Leabella looked over at Schenizel with anticipation. "Hm," her older brother started, "I don't see why not. You should socialize with your own age."
Leabella smiled as Schneizel handed her over to the man.
The pair walked over to the dance floor. "Might I know your name?" Leabella asked giddily smiling at the man. He didn't answer at first, simply clasping his hand with hers and placing his other at the small of her back. She place her hand on his shoulder and they started to sway with the music. "Not going to answer?" Leabella asked seeing the familiar smile grace his lips.
"If I told you my name, what would be the point of the masquerade, princess?" he replied smoothly.
"So I wouldn't have to take off that mask to know who you are," Leabella countered fully aware that they were drifting to the center of the dance floor.
"The same as always, aren't you," he commented noticing the eyes on them.
"Well, I have to say," bring her back to his attention, "You dance better than before."
"Now, how could you remember something like that?" he asked smiling.
Leabella smiled softly and said lowly, "Because the last time we dance it was on our tenth birthday." Lelouch's smile faltered at that. She was right. And, he was found out. Before he could reply she said, "I missed you, Lulu."
"Sh," he said bring them closer so no one could hear, "Don't identify me."
"Right," she said.
They shared a smile.
"Well, they are quite close," Cornelia commented, observing her younger sister dancing with the mystery man.
"I can't guess who he is," Euphy said with a pout.
"Perhaps, that was the purpose of a masquerade," Schneizel commented with a smirk.
"You think?" Clovis said approaching his siblings. He eyed his new sub-viceroy chatting with the young male obviously enjoying herself, "Can't believe she pulled that under my nose. It's quite clever."
"She's going to have to deal with the consequences though," Cornelia chided, "The media is going to be all over this."
"Actually," Clovis started, "Starting tomorrow she's going to start working on the military. She sent in her proposal the minute she arrived at the bureau this morning."
"Can't blame her," Schneizel said, "She had to be inactive for half a year. She must be excited."
"Schneizel, you know about Belarus?" Cornelia inquired.
Schneizel gave her a smirk, "Of course. Leabella was the one that told me about it."
Lelouch couldn't keep the smile off his face. He was in a car with Yuuto being driven back to the academy. He may have taken risks going to the ball, but it was surely worth it. Seeing Leabella even under a mask was amazing. He had seen his other siblings too, and he was uncomfortable being under all of those nobles' eyes. He didn't even falter when he thought of the camera crew recording Leabella and him. Everything was worth it because he had seen his twin.
"Lulu! Where have you been?" Shirley exclaimed when he entered the club house. He jumped caught off guard. They were still here? What time was it? Oh right, the ball was still being televised.
"You missed it!" Rivalz said, "The princess has a boyfriend!"
"Huh?" Lelouch said raising an eyebrow.
"There was footage of her dancing with a Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome," Milly said.
"Oh," Lelouch uttered. Crap that was him.
"I want to know who he was!" Rivalz started, "No way can you just walk up to a girl—a princess, and have her be all over you in minutes." Lelouch sweat dropped. This was going to be trouble.
"Students, today we are getting a new transfer student," Lelouch homeroom teacher announced as said student walked in. Lelouch dully turned his head to see who it was. He briefly noticed Isabella's excited look as his eyes moved across the room.
Lelouch's eyes widened. No way.
"Uh," the boy started, "Hello, I'm Suzaku Kururugi. It's nice to meet you."
No way. Lelouch turned to Isabella. He saw her grin and knew.
"Oh," Isabella said covering parts of the pages with her hands, "Just enrollment forms."
"Oh?" Rivalz said raising an eyebrow, "For who?"
Lelouch looked back as Suzaku started to walk down the aisle of desks. He stopped by Isabella and sat next to her.
No. Way.
Yay new chapter! What do you think? And, no this is not a LeabellaxLelouch. This was simply sibling fluff.
Hope you liked it! Feedback is appreciated.