Hello everyone, if you are wondering why I was in a cave for the past month and didn't update for the past month it was because I was actually living in a cave or as I'd like to call it, my room. You see my dear readers I was (un)fortunate enough to discover visual novels, So I've spent my whole summer playing Katawa Shoujo and Rewrite. Eventually I valiantly climbed out of the cave (my room) and wrote this chap.
Please review and I hope you enjoy the story.
The Tianzi lazily signed another document, seemingly uncaring that the long sleeves of her dress and her white hair were getting in the way. In fact, her head rested on the table as she signed the papers with nary a sidelong glance and a mechanic motion, pressed into her after the millions of pieces of paperwork that came her way.
Her eyelids were tiredly falling, threatening to lull her into a deep sleep out of sheer boredom. Hadn't Lelouch warned her of this? If she remembered correctly, his words were "Paperwork is deadlier than a Knightmare. Don't underestimate it."
At the time, she laughed and took it for mere exaggeration on his part, since Lelouch was prone to make things that annoyed him sound worse than they actually were. Now, she knew that it was probably the wisest counsel he had ever given her.
She raised her head and slammed it against the table in an attempt to get rid of the drowsiness, only to curse herself after the pain shot through. In the past, the numerous bottles of ink that littered the desk would have flown up with the impact and spilled all over the documents, prompting her to sign them all over again. This was not the case now, since she was signing every document with a ballpoint pen.
The ballpoint pen was one of her greatest achievements, managing to push the Traditionalist into allowing their use in the Forbidden City had been hard work, but infinitely worth it. She had also managed to push some reforms allowing the use of certain technology like e-mails and faxes. Nevertheless, there was still a long way to go, since the use of phones and the computer for anything else than messaging was still banned.
Of course, the Tianzi didn't push for all the reforms herself, as such action would brew suspicion in the Traditionalists who would notice the progressive character of the Empress and act accordingly to keep her in chains and in the Forbidden City, pushing back any reform that came their way.
In order to counter this, the Tianzi had different parties under her control to push for different reforms. This made the process seem more organic in the eyes of the Traditionalists, while she slowly but surely built up her power, taking out nationalistic and conservative sectors along the way.
Nevertheless, the implementation of e-mail was a welcome one. Even though it had made communication with the rest of the world much more effective and easier, Lihua still missed the times when she and Lelouch sent letters to each other.
The simple reason for it was that the availability that the e-mail provided made their connection stretched due to the fact that they could send a message in such a short amount of time. She now received a message from him every two or three weeks.
It didn't mean that they had gotten further apart, if anything, they had gotten closer. They told each other their stories and worries. Lihua had lost count on how many times she received a letter from Lelouch complaining about classes and Milly making him wear a dress on a ball.
Lihua wouldn't have been honest with herself if she denied wanting a photo of that particular event.
Another thing she was proud of was the photo that Lelouch gave her before he left for the first time. She would have been unable to have it out on the open when the Eunuchs were in power, but now, after some struggling, she had managed to proudly display it on her desk.
She sometimes spent long periods of time simply staring at the picture, remembering the events that had transpired two years ago, when Lelouch was shot and she overthrew the Eunuchs. That day two years ago where the hopes and struggles of numerous years had culminated.
The now fifteen year old Lihua sighed. She had definitely changed in the two years she and Lelouch had been apart, her features had become more adult-like, giving her an air of maturity that her previously childish face lacked. The Empress had also gotten taller, her hair growing with her. Curves had also started making their appearance on her figure, meanwhile, her lithe frame, coupled with a porcelain-like skin made her resemble a doll more than ever.
One thing that stood out to her was Lelouch's brother, Prime Minister Schneizel. To be quite honest, she resented the man. She wasn't sure why, but seeing the Second Prince of Britannia always gave her a bitter aftertaste.
Maybe it was that hidden "mightier than thou" undercurrent which he always carried himself with. For the life of her, she didn't understand how no one noticed it and called him a humble and charming man, when he probably believed himself touched by God.
Or maybe she was just jealous that Lelouch considered him an equal. Lihua knew that even though Lelouch cared deeply for her, he didn't hold her at the same level as him. It was a depressing thought, but one she couldn't really change. Lelouch was innately arrogant, and his "mightier than thou" attitude, contrary to Schneizel, simply oozed out of him.
Lelouch likely didn't do it on purpose, or was unaware of the fact he unconsciously held everyone below him, but the fact remained that, in his mind, she was below him, and therefore, below Schneizel as well. And even though Lelouch had told her at least a million times that she didn't need to prove anything, she found herself vying for that spot on Lelouch's list, which even Nunnally, as beloved as she was, didn't possess.
Surprisingly, it had become a matter less about gaining his approval, and more about beating him. Under Lelouch's influence, she had become a very competitive person, and when she played, she played to win.
This trait, coupled with the determination, will and strength of the girl, made her nigh unstoppable.
She let out a wry smile. She would beat Lelouch and make him consider her an equal, one way or another.
A knock was heard outside her room, making the Empress straighten up and try to look proper. She wouldn't want an emissary from the Traditionalists to see her half dead and drooling on the table while she daydreamed about a Britannian prince.
She quietly cleared her throat and answered "You may enter." with a deep, calm voice. As the door opened, she flipped down the photo and put on her emotionless mask only to see Xingke peek out of the doorway.
"It's time." he simply reminded her with his usual stern voice, as he only poked his head in, careful not to cross the doorway. His fear was justified, as the last time he casually entered the Tianzi's room, he was faced with several blows to the head, courtesy of Xiangling, who repeatedly warned him not to enter a girl's room so carelessly which each blow.
The Tianzi's face flared up. She had been waiting for this moment for weeks now. According to news from her intelligence service, which she definitely didn't dispatch to keep tabs on Lelouch, there was going to be a big Britannian event, and Lelouch was going to be present.
To be exact, it was going to be a ball in celebration of something Lihua didn't really care about. The important part was that it was going to be televised through the whole Empire, meaning that Lihua could also see it.
So even though it was blatantly selfish and could tick off the Traditionalists, potentially endangering all she had worked for, the Empress pushed with all she had for a Television set to be available for her use for just one night. No one seemed inclined to oppose her, with the Traditionalists quietly stepping aside.
The Empress slowly nodded and got out of her chair gracefully. She made her way to the door where Xingke stood waiting, stopping halfway across the room and turning around, remembering that she was wearing slippers. She made her way towards the shoe locker with badly hidden impatience and took a pair of simple shoes out.
But even if the Empress was ecstatic at the idea of seeing her Prince all dressed and proper, her logistics officer and personal maid Xianling, wasn't. She, unlike the Empress, could exit the Forbidden City into the outside world. And in the outside world, there were unsettling rumors about the Prince. Rumors that should never reach the Tianzi's ears.
Xianling quietly watched from the sidelines as the cheery teen whose joy was present in every move she took, walked forward. Of course, as Empress of the Chinese Federation, she kept her composure and got her body under control. She was walking through the halls with a calm, refined demeanor that did nothing to diminish the happiness that shone through her.
They finally reached the private chambers where they had set up the Television set. No one was allowed in but the Empress and her close confidants. The Tianzi quickly opened the door. After gaining strength over the years, the mere act of opening the city's heavy doors was no longer a struggle for her.
The room was small for a grand hall of the forbidden palace, not more than ten square meters across. There were no grand windows or lavish tapestries on the walls, with the roof, once again, being quite low for a room in the Forbidden City.
But it did not matter, since the room was specifically chosen because of its isolation, a room that wouldn't be noticed in the Forbidden City, therefore keeping the Traditionalists slightly pleased. The Traditionalists were a frivolous group that made their decisions based on grudges, pride, or even sometimes, their mood.
Lihua, thankfully, knew how to handle them. Setting aside her pride, coupled with the political equivalent of sweet talk and regular praises, usually allowed her to get her way.
In the center of the room was a red couch with golden flowers sewn into the fabric. Nothing too special for the Forbidden City, but something probably unaffordable to the common man. In front of the said couch was a modest TV connected to an external battery, one that would be considered a "piece of crap" by many Britannian teens. Nevertheless, it worked, and that was all that Lihua needed.
Don't be tricked though, that this measly Television set was enough for the Empress didn't mean that she carried a modest life without much spending. Little known fact: The Tianzi liked to live a good life in style and luxury.
They made their way through the door. Lihua, almost jumping from excitement quickly threw herself on the couch and grabbed the controller, turning on the TV. The other two walked at a slower pace, opting to stand behind the couch rather than sit on it.
Xianglin had her brows furrowed in concern, her whole body tense in anticipation as she stood to the left to the Tianzi. Xingke, by the right side, wore his usual stern, unreadable expression, however, unlike his companion, he was quite a bit more relaxed.
The Britannian commentator droned through the speakers, speaking of the glory of the Empire and how the festival on screen symbolized it. No one in the room paid any attention to the usual Britannian propaganda, instead taking in the grand decoration of the hall the cameras were filming.
Drapes with the Britannian sigil were everywhere, covering nearly every inch of the white marble walls. A massive golden chandelier was in the center of the roof accompanied by many small ones, shining innocently on the mass below. Numerous tables lined the sides of the room, groaning with their load of food and drinks. A singular red carpet crossed the middle of the room.
"And now for the guest of honour, Prince Lelouch vi Britannia!" the announcer called, prompting all the nobles to turn around and look at the new arrival, most of them seeking to make a good impression on the young Prince.
Lelouch appeared at one end of the carpet with a smile that hid his displeasure at attending such a ridiculously pompous event. He was wearing a black suit with an equally black ribbon, nothing too elaborate or flashy, which surprisingly, made him stand out even more against the nobles that littered the hall.
The moment Lihua saw her Prince so handsomely dressed, her eyes went wide with happiness, turning into a dreamy look. She couldn't help but wish she was there with him, dancing in the middle of the great hall under the shining candles.
Her eyes suddenly widened.
An orange haired girl clothed in a silver dress grabbed Lelouch's extended hand and walked besides him. She was positively beaming with happiness, nearly blinding many of the onlookers.
"And now for the opening dance, Prince Lelouch and his beautiful date, Shirley Fenette." The commentator announced, making said girl blush wildly.
Lelouch bowed as Shirley curtsied, a contrast forming between Lelouch's fake smile and Shirley's honest one. They began to waltz, Lelouch's experience shining through as the girl in his arms could only look up at him in awe.
Suddenly, she bit her lip and lunged forward, capturing the Prince's lips with her own. After a few moments, the stunned Lelouch closed his eyes while the commentator talked about how beautiful young love was.
Xianglin frowned at the screen. Lelouch didn't plan, or even desire the kiss. The girl had forced herself upon him, and he had no choice but to react accordingly or risk a scandal of massive proportions. That being said, it was clear the teens were a couple.
A split second later, the TV turned dark with a click, making her blink. Both Xingke and Xianglin turned around to see the Tianzi no longer sprawled in the sofa, but sitting, holding a remote and pointing it in the vague direction of the screen.
Her shoulders were slouched forward, her other arm was closely glued to herself, with her hand scrunching her dress in a deathly grip. She was making herself smaller, almost cowering, trying to protect herself from the outside world. Her eyes were pinned to the floor, her long bangs making her face invisible, shrouding the Empress in a dark aura.
The hand that held the remote controller was trembling, no, the Tianzi as a whole was trembling as she wasn't able to suppress the sudden surge of emotions that had taken a hold of her. A few gasped and ragged breaths could be heard as she tried to regain control once again, then silence, complete and utter silence.
Lihua's hand started to slowly descend, still trembling. It made her way towards her lap where it started to clutch the dress yet again, as if trying to get ahold of something or, perhaps, hold something in. The Tianzi stayed a few seconds in silence while her whole body quivered like a cold wind had just passed through her.
"I-I..." Lihua started, her straining voice near its breaking point. She started to slowly raise her head, enough for the other occupants of the room to gaze upon her face. "I don't want to watch this anymore." She said with a falsely cheerful tone as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I just don't want to watch this anymore." she repeated with the same fake happiness, closing her eyes and smiling sweetly with her head slightly cocked to the right, tears still falling.
Ignoring the other two occupants, she slowly stood up, pushing away the hands and support that were offered to her, she made her way to the door, stumbling along the way and supporting herself with various objects. A few sniffles could be heard for every step she took.
She didn't hear Xingke behind her ordering the guards to clear the halls and make a perimeter. No one could see the Empress like this.
But The Empress was too far gone to care about such trivialities. She walked through the halls with both hands grasping her chest, where her heart was. There was an agonizing pain residing in there, a pain Lihua didn't understand yet, but was getting closer to it by the second.
She stumbled a bit more, her long dress making it hard for her to drag her feet. Lihua stopped for a second, grabbed her long skirt, and tore it with all her might releasing the latent anger that had begun to build up, not caring in the least for the ruined fabric.
With the excess dress discarded, she quickly made it to her room. Closing her door behind her, she spent a few seconds leaning against it. The hurt that had previously immobilized her now gone, in its place a pained anger took control of the Tianzi.
After a few moments, she spoke to herself in a low voice "Who does she think she is?" The Empress asked no one in particular, her voice raising by the second. "She's not worthy of him." she stated, her voice now loud, and her hands trembling yet again, but this time in anger, not shock.
"She doesn't deserve him!" Lihua argued while pacing through the room "She is but a worthless commoner, I'm the Empress of the Chinese Federation!" she argued with fury, the tears coming back again as she neared the desk where the mug Lelouch gave her so long ago stood.
"Then why?" she asked in a low, threatening voice as she came nearer, gingerly picking up the mug and examining it.
"Then why is he with her!?" She cried at the top of her lungs, throwing the mug with all the betrayal and anger she felt. It flew across the room with incredible speed, hitting the picture frame that contained both her and Lelouch's photo.
Both items fell to the ground, smashing into smithereens as they made contact with the cold, uncaring stone floor.
The Tianzi huddled in the corner, hugging her knees close to her chest and resting her head on her arms. "Why?" she whispered one last time, slightly touching her lips before her body was wracked by sobs and tears.
After an indefinite amount of time, once there were no more tears to shed and she had calmed down, the Tianzi slowly stood up. She weakly made her way where both her treasures laid shattered. She got on one knee and gingerly started to pick up the pieces.
"I understand my feelings now." Lihua realized as she put as many pieces as she could hold on the night table. She threw herself on the bed, taking a big sigh as she stared at the roof. "Am I not pretty enough?" she wondered "Am I only his little sister?" came the second question, this one laced with venom.
Even though she thought there were no more tears, somehow, they appeared again as she huddled herself within the covers, hugging herself tightly and shutting her eyes closed.
"Please, Lelouch, come back to me. I love you." she whispered before falling asleep.
Yes, I'm aware that I'm a heartless bastard
Please review. It will male Lihua really happy and she needs consoling right now, so do it for her.