Recap: Under orders from General Smilas, Leila works to turn Frederick against Lelouch. Roy has survived Empress Marianne, but he's still in charge of the division while Lelouch is absent. Nunnally tries to prove a point through media manipulation which results in Ashford Academy making a student film.
Chapter 4: Prelude to Revelations
In contrast, the E.U. prefers to dilute fear by exploiting civic duty arising from democracy. Thus, there is no burden to appear infallible and the nation can stand strong despite weak leaders. When the government acts in the people's disinterest, the people are at fault. They were the ones who voted and allowed corruption into their government. When the E.U. shouts about the diabolical actions of Emperor Charles, they stoke fear in the citizens and offer a convenient solution: an increase of executive power.
Over the years, the E.U. has suffered the gradual decline of citizen's rights. If a citizen dares to speak out, they are reminded that, by voting, the majority has surrendered these rights. The activist thus stands alone by rejecting the will of the people. Eventually, the people will realize their lack of power and either renew the nation's democratic roots—returning power to the citizens—or will seek their own God at whose feet to lay the problems of the world. Should the latter come to pass, the E.U. will reject the bonds of brotherhoods and become no better than Britannia.
—Fear: The Double Edged Sword in Governing
Neutral District, Australia
The soft murmurs of the diner rolled over Leila as she patiently waited in the corner booth. She tucked a loose blond strand of hair beneath her hat. Britannia liberally employed spies, and she wouldn't endanger her mission by having her presence reported on. The door jingled and Jeanne, clinging on the guard's arm, gently led him to the booth.
"You're an adorable couple," Leila teased and Jeanne threw her head back, laughing.
Frederick stiffened and carefully withdrew his arm before sitting down and hunching his shoulders. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Trust me," Jeanne assured him. "There's nothing wrong about reconnecting with family. Leila and I share everything. We grew up together."
He nodded hesitantly, eyes darting back to the door. "This feels wrong."
"Please, stay," Leila said, widening her eyes. "Jeanne has been talking about you for days. I only want to meet you, but if I'm making you uncomfortable, I'll happily leave."
For a moment, he studied her intently, then his expression softened and he finally leaned back, relaxing. "It's nice to finally meet you. Lelouch speaks highly of you."
Leila ducked her head. While General Smilas continued to preach caution, the prince was a perfect gentleman to her. Unlike his siblings, he didn't seem to put much stock in propriety. He laughed easily and joked freely. When they accidentally passed each other in the city, he would always take a moment to politely greet her or even invite her along.
It was nice to have proof that all those interactions weren't a lie.
"That's wonderful to hear but lets ignore those tedious negotiations."
Leila caught his brief flicker of surprise as she changed the subject. Good.
For now, the goal was to build a relationship. Frederick would naturally be suspicious that they were using him to get to his charge, which, to be fair, they were. However if General Smilas had not given any orders, Leila suspected Jeanne would've tried to reach out to him anyway. The bonds of family were always strong.
Smirking, she leaned forward. "Did Jeanne tell you of the time she tried to trap Santa?"
"Leila!" Jeanne shrieked and buried her face in her hands.
Afterwards, the conversation flowed naturally. They shared harmless stories from their childhood and built rapport. Frederick segued into more somber stories about his mother and aunt, which Jeanne greedily listened to. Leila noted with satisfaction that Britannia hadn't been kind to their family. It would make things easier.
Frederick laughed as he watched her cut her hamburger. "I'm so glad I only have to stand there for meals. All those posh manners, like which spoon and fork to use, is completely beyond me."
"It's greasy," she explained and ignored her snickering friend. "You don't need to learn proper manners for your job?"
"According to Lelouch it's pointless since I'm just supposed to hover menacingly." His lips quirked. "I'm quite good at that though."
Jeanne didn't need any prompting. As family, her questions would be met with less suspicion. "Shouldn't you be more formal with him? I'd hate for you to get hurt. I just met you."
"Lelouch isn't like that," Frederick quickly assured, falling for the trap. "He doesn't care much for ceremony. Princess Guinevere is constantly berating him for it."
"I guess the stories about the royals are exaggerated." Jeanne chuckled nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ears.
Frederick fell silent, and Leila silently cursed. That remark might have reminded him of the dangers they had so casually brushed off. Not that Leila would abandon him, but he didn't know her well enough to know that.
They had to progress carefully.
"Probably not," Frederick finally said. "They're not a lenient bunch and some of them have a temper. I'm lucky that Lelouch stress cooks."
"He actually cooks?" Leila interrupted. She had thought the sweets he brought in were from his chef. Cooking... was a commoner's task. Then again, his mother had been born a commoner.
"Yes... I really should be used to that reaction by now," he muttered. "Also, Jeanne, I forgot to thank you for helping me with my shopping list the other day. I still have no idea why they'd call a cantaloupe a rockmelon of all things."
"Shopping for a prince." Jeanne shook her head. "He must trust you a lot."
"We're... friends."
Leila suppressed a frown. Friendship would make supplanting Frederick's loyalty much more difficult, perhaps even impossible. He could very well turn on them. But if he and the prince were close, then he would have much more insight than they initially expected. The reward had doubled, but so had the risk.
"I do all of Leila's shopping," Jeanne shared, turning the conversation away from dangerous territory that would strain his loyalty. "She despises the mall. Wait, do you have malls in Britannia?"
Shinjuku, Tokyo, Area Eleven
Every weekend, Suzaku exited the Concessions and the endless insults hurtled his way, and returned to the ghetto. The secret tunnels let him bypass the checkpoints. Tohdoh was always paranoid that his picture would be taken and recognized. Or that he would be harassed by a passing Knight Police patrol and arrested.
While his heart despaired at the suffering of his people, he found solace in the blossoming community. Britannia had tried to wipe out their culture and identity, but if one knew where to look, Japan still flourished.
In the Outer Concessions, where Numbers, Honorary Britannians, and impoverished Britannians mingled, small business popped up and under the staunch Britannian facade, was a fusion of Britannian and Japanese culture. Karaoke bars had become increasingly popular in the past few years. When the Knight Police patrols passed, a watcher would run inside and they would sing proper Britannian songs.
Sometimes, the Knight Police joined in as well.
During the daytime, some bars were converted for community use. Like the establishment where Suzaku worked at, teaching martial arts on the weekend.
The sun high in the sky, Suzaku exited the karaoke bar/makeshift dojo as his various students hollered "Goodbye, Chiba-sensei!"
A young girl ran up to him and bowed, offering a few precious coins. Hardly anything, but Suzaku wasn't technically being paid. He had his jobs in the Concessions under a false identity for that.
The coins weighed heavily in his pockets as he walked home. If his father were to see him, he would be rolling in his grave. The Kururugi heir basically destitute and lowering himself by working menial jobs.
Passing a new stand, he bit his lip and scanned the various magazines. As always, the royals were heavily featured. His hand slipped into his pocket and ran over the serrated edges of the cold medal coins.
He really shouldn't.
The elderly Britannian nodded politely as Suzaku held up his coins and idly looked through the covers, searching for a familiar face. Princess Cornelia was apparently having great success in the establishment of Area Fifteen and United East Africa was finally petitioning to begin negotiations for their formal surrender.
A scandal in the E.U. had forced the Secretary of Defense to resign.
Prince Schneizel won another chess match, humiliating his Chinese opponent.
Beef and chocolate was expected to be more expensive due to heavy winter storms in Area Six.
Turning to the snacks, Suzaku shook his head. Nothing of particular interest. As he reached for the chocolate bar,—while he could still afford it—he caught sight of the open magazine the Britannian was absently reading and a painfully familiar face.
"Excuse me," Suzaku said. "What issue is that?"
The Brit glanced up, startled. His brow furrowed as he looked down at Suzaku's threadbare clothes and finally his face. Despite Suzaku's best efforts, he had never managed to lose Lelouch's posh Britannian accent.
"From last week." The Brit closed the magazine. "You an Eleven?"
"Honorary Britannian." Suzaku chuckled. "I work for a noble family. I swear I mimic every accent I hear. Do you have an additional copy?"
"No. Sold out." He gestured at the cover where Lelouch stood next to two of his older siblings, completely at ease. "The negotiations are old news, but folks are interested in Empress Marianne's only child. It's quite rare to get such a good photo of him. He's rather camera shy."
Suzaku was painfully aware.
"He has a younger sister," Suzaku said absently as he accepted the magazine. Why was his hair always blond? It felt so alien. As if everything of his old friend had been bleached away. Lelouch had probably forgotten him. "How much?"
"You interested in the negotiations... Or the prince?"
Suzaku averted his eyes. It wasn't like he was stalking his former best friend. "The prince?"
"Always heartening to see your folks take an interest in the royals. An inspiring lot. Especially Empress Marianne." Chuckling, he turned and rustled through a stack of papers. "To think she married into the family. Gives a man hope. Well, not me. I'm a bit old for that. Ah, here it is. You play chess?"
"I'm rather terrible at the game," Suzaku said as the Brit shoved a chess magazine into his face.
"From about a year ago. Lord Genz reported on a chess match between Prince Schneizel and Prince Lelouch. He even took a few pictures."
In the first, Lelouch intently studied the board, resting his chin on his folded hands. It was an unusually candid shot and Suzaku was sure he hadn't been aware of the camera.
The second photo had him staring directly into the camera, Prince Schneizel grasping his shoulder in apparent brotherly affection. Lelouch's smile was perfectly polite—the one that suggested he wasn't mad but always preceded a string of minor misfortunes.
Suzaku snorted. Even after all these years, some things never changed.
"You play chess?" he asked, reluctantly setting down the magazine.
"A little. Mostly blitz which is ten minutes for a game. I don't have time for the classical game. Did try my hand at a few local tournaments. Won a few games; lost a lot more. Makes the heart race." The Brit studied him intently. "Tell you what, buy that issue and I'll give you this one free of charge. It's always good to see a young man like yourself embrace our culture."
"Thank you," Suzaku stuttered, passing the necessary coins.
His fingers brushed over the photo. Did Lelouch remember him? Their lives were so different and if they met, they would be enemies. While Tohdoh refused to let him join the JLF before he was eighteen, Suzaku was already skirting the law teaching children Japanese and traditional martial arts.
Tucking the two magazines under his arm, he unlocked the door to their apartment. Chiba would be busy until later in the evening, running the local JLF cell and coordinating with various local resistance cells. Officially, she was a waitress.
Suzaku wandered into the silent kitchen, grabbed an apple, and settled into a chair to read. Perhaps he was torturing himself by trying to keep track of his friend. Nothing good could come from this.
Yet...
He couldn't let go.
The brief glimpses into Lelouch's life were never enough. They revealed nothing of value. Was Lelouch happy? Did he still make up elaborate secret codes? Had he replaced Suzaku with a proper Britannian friend?
At least the chess article, as dry as it was, confirmed Lelouch was still a chess fanatic.
"A chess magazine, really?" Tohdoh interrupted his musings.
Suzaku shot to his feet, hiding the magazine behind his back. Only then realizing that made it look like he had something to hide.
"You're not supposed to be back yet!" he squeaked.
Great. That hadn't been suspicious at all.
Not that he had been doing anything wrong...
Tohdoh observed him for a moment, then began digging through the kitchen. "After the last few weeks, all of us desperately needed a break. How have things been here?"
"Mostly calm except for the fire that broke out last week. We managed to put it out before it could cause too much damage." Suzaku rubbed the back of his head and behind his back, shoved the magazine behind the rice cooker.
Zeroth Division Base, Area Six
Roy stepped into the mess tent and grimaced as the conversation suddenly died and hundreds of boots hit the ground. Suddenly, his men were overly courteous and if Roy found whoever started this grand game of excessive formality, there was going to be hell to pay. When he crossed the base, soldiers would walk in long spaced out lines, deliberately going out of their way to salute him. Propriety demanded he return the salute as he hurried past, their eyes boring into him. He had started to take obscure routes to avoid having his arm fall off.
Grabbing lunch, he spotted Gino hunched over the table, eating with one hand and scribbling with the other.
"That better not be the paperwork you were supposed to turn in yesterday," Roy commented, sitting down besides him. In an attempt to avoid a repeat visit from Bradley, they had decided to supplement their forces by asking for a temporary knightmare pilot. If they could work with Numbers, they would be offered a permanent position after their trial run.
Unfortunately, the task of filling out knightmare pilot requests forms fell to Gino. Roy, in Lelouch's stead, only had to approve it.
Gino's shoulders dropped. "I forgot, sir. I never had to do this much paperwork with Lelouch."
That was a sentiment shared by many.
"Lelouch called your handwriting a crime against humanity. He actively avoided giving you paperwork," Roy said. "Unlike him, I have more patience and will simply make you rewrite your illegible mess."
"I'll have you know I had the finest tutors." Gino sniffed. "My handwriting is gorgeous. You're too plebeian to understand it."
"Lelouch's handwriting belongs in a museum, reading yours counts as cruel and unusual punishment," Roy refuted.
"Oh, is it 'pick on Commoner Boy day'?" Alex asked. As always, no one heard him approach.
Dramatically, Gino clutched his chest and whined, "Alex, my dear friend, are you trying to kill me?"
"If I was, I would simply inform Roy about the giant—"
Gino spun around, slapping a hand over Alex's mouth. Roy decided for the sake of his sanity not to ask. If it was important, someone would bring it to his attention. There was only so much of Gino's antics he could tolerate in any given week. The quota was usually filled by Tuesday.
"I swear Lelouch only keeps you around to shatter the illusion of nobility," Roy grumbled.
Nobles never debased themselves by interacting with commoners. They were superior in every sense of the word. Beyond reproach. Not... Gino.
Roy's experiences had swept aside the rational world his parents presented. His superiors had been cruel, corrupt, and incompetent. They were more concerned with increasing their own wealth than protecting the people who swore loyalty to them. The Numbers, who his parents called untrustworthy scum, made better officers than the nobles.
"And because I'm a good knightmare pilot," Gino added. He cheerfully took a bite of his food. "You know, I miss Lelouch randomly popping into the kitchen. The food was good then."
Roy glared at him. He knew everyone was feeling Lelouch's absence. Empress Marianne's surprise visit had kept them on their toes and united against a common ene—irritant. With her gone, they were free to judge Roy without fear of consequences and found him woefully lacking. Additionally, the heavy winter rains had caused massive flooding, severely impacting many of their families. The people of Area Six were restless, leaning towards a desperate rebellion.
Going after nobles who dared to oppose the Emperor was easy. When it was the Numbers, Lelouch had to walk a delicate tightrope as he balanced his mens' desires with their orders. Hopefully, he would return before Roy had a mutiny on his hands.
Conversing quietly, Pablo entered the tent accompanied by the greying Command Sergeant Major. Known as Lucky Jim, he held the dubious honor of being the longest serving soldier within the division. James Gill had full Britannian citizenship, but his mother was a Five. After questioning an officer, he had been sent to the 712th to die.
Against all odds, he managed to survive for twenty years. After the Count's defeat, he extended his enlistment at Lelouch's request. His experience had been essential to getting the division back up and running after Empress Marianne purged the officer ranks.
Sergeant Major Gill sat down across from him. "Any news?"
Heads turned their way, anticipating his answer.
"Lelouch is indefinitely detained," Roy answered. "Unless he snaps and murders his family. Frederick's words, not mine. Lelouch hasn't said much outside of asking how we are doing and sharing some new recipes." Deciphering the coded messages always gave Roy a headache.
Unofficially, Lelouch expected to return either after Roy's wedding or a few weeks after Empire Day. For now, he would keep the information to himself. Circumstances could still change and giving the men hope, only to crush it, would be devastating.
Pablo, dark bags under his eyes, massaged his temples. "Tell him to hurry up. Unless it is a funeral, in which case, remind him to take care of himself."
"Funerals take forever," Gino chimed in. "Had my Great Aunt's a few years ago and it was just one complication after another. At least nobody trusted me to do anything for it."
Alex laughed. "Someone please tell him his father died and take a picture. I will pay you."
"Will he make it for your wedding?" Pablo asked, shaking his head at Alex's antics.
"Yes," Roy answered, smiling softly. It would be strange to be out of uniform together.
Pablo raised an eyebrow. "Did you tell him he's your best man?"
"No... You know he would try to talk me out of it," Roy defended himself at everyone's judging looks. "He's already agreed to help with the preparations. I'm sure he can come up with a speech on time. And I've left enough hints that he should be able to work it out."
Colonel Lopez sniggered. "He's not. Gosling doesn't understand romance at all. We were out in town and a girl gave him a rose. First, he thought she was bribing him. Then, that it was a secret message. When he couldn't find one, he became paranoid that it was an attempt to distract him..."
"I tried. God help me, I tried," Pablo groaned, burying his head in hands. "I got so close on his birthday too, but he fled when it finally got through his thick skull what was happening."
"I could've told you he wouldn't appreciate the pun on his last name." Roy smirked, remembering the incident. Lelouch hadn't been able to look anyone in the eye for an entire week.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Pablo said. "Next time, I will be more subtle. In hindsight, matters of the heart shouldn't be rushed."
"Next time?" Sergeant Major Gill asked. "He might actually kill you instead of dumping all of his paperwork on you."
"It'll be worth it." Pablo frowned. "Is there anyone he's shown interest in?"
Someone down the table called out, "Major Felix? He did seek out her company."
Roy closed his eyes. "They were geeking out over grammar. Don't ask. I left when they began discussing something called morphemes. She helps him with his local dictionary."
"Anyone?" Pablo asked desperately.
Everyone turned to Alex who paused, fork midway to his mouth. "What are you looking at me for?"
"You're his best friend," Pablo said. "If anyone knows, it's you."
Alex chewed slowly. "Actually, there is a girl. She asks him to marry her every time they meet. He's very insistent that they're not engaged, but he makes custom sweets for her."
The room quieted in eager anticipation. Roy wondered if he should try to preserve Lelouch's precious privacy... But he was curious. For Lelouch to give her presents, he had to be interested. This was something they could work with. Maybe, Roy should gently suggest to Lelouch that he could bring a date. Say that it was customary for a wedding.
Next to him, Sergeant Major Gills caught his eyes, nodding. Roy would defer to his judgement in letting the conversation proceed. He knew the men better than him.
Alex smirked because he was a little piece of shit. "She's how we can afford the extra knightmares."
The room groaned. Of course Lelouch would accidentally seduce a lady and then string her along for money. Really, what had they expected?
"Oh, fuck you, Pipsqueak," someone shouted from across the room.
Pablo's head swiveled with unerring accuracy. "Language! Children are present."
Predictably, Alex vehemently protested that he wasn't a child. Gino, being only sixteen, shrunk in his seat. It didn't let him escape Pablo's protective wrath. Someone suggested that the no swearing rule should be repealed which, once again, began an argument over how old Lelouch actually was.
Roy rested his head against the table as the argument continued over his head. He raised his hand, silencing everyone. "You're all formally invited to my funeral for when Lelouch inevitably kills me upon seeing you sorry lot. I won't forgive you... Actually, I may, if your presence sends my cousin, Charles, after me."
"Charles?" Sergeant Major Gills chuckled. "Pandering much?"
"It's considered good luck to— Never mind, I'm not defending my cousin." Roy scowled. "He's a rotten bastard anyway. My cousin. Not the Emperor."
Pablo rested his head on his hand. "We actually have a lot of Charles... And Brandons among the older folks. My grandfather loves to complain that every tenth girl is now named Marianne, Mariam, or Mary."
Colonel Lopez nodded. "Lots of folks named after royalty. I believe Ody is named after Prince Odysseus. He's rather on par with his namesake."
"Could've sworn there's a Prince Lelouch," someone said down the table.
People chuckled and Roy frowned thoughtfully. There was something...
"The Emperor has like a hundred kids. Not that hard to be named after one of them," Alex said.
"Our Lelouch is better," Pablo said smugly. "Although, can you imagine him trying to deal with a bunch of prissy royals?"
"I doubt General Cornelia is prissy," Gino said. "Empress Marianne knows how to fight and taught her. General Cornelia isn't going to be sitting around in a G-1 Base looking pretty."
"Doesn't mean much," Sergeant Major Gill said. "The Embezzling Prince was some great military genius. Still needed his silk sheets."
"Who?" Gino asked.
"When you were a kid. More of a kid," Sergeant Major Gill said. "There's always some royal genius of the decade they tout. First the Emperor. Then Prince Schneizel. The Embezzling Prince would've been next. Come to think of it, we're probably due for another rising star."
What was Roy missing? Something about Empress Marianne?
Major Palmer walked up to their table and pulled out a few pounds. "I'll bet on Prince Lelouch and Gosling being the same."
Sergeant Major Gill accepted the money and folded it neatly. "There are easier ways to lose money. Like burning it."
"But what if I'm right?" Major Palmer asked. "I would make a killing."
Roy stared, utterly bewildered.
"You lost the last twenty bets you've made," Sergeant Major Gill said, pulling out a notebook. Major Palmer didn't back down. "Fine. But this is the last one. Find something better to waste your money on."
"Why are you betting on Lelouch?" Roy shouted, finding his mind again. "That's completely inappropriate. And you accepted the money. You're the bookie?"
"Relax, Gosling knows," Sergeant Major Gill assured.
Alex laughed. "Of course, we're gambling, Roy. Lelouch takes a small cut of the profits to fund special events. It's also highly entertaining."
Colonel Lopez frowned. "Hey, Jimmy. Remind me what bets Alex made?"
"I never placed any bets under my name." Alex frowned.
Roy sighed. The two of them were too predictable sometimes. "You placed some under Lelouch's name, right?" Sheepishly, Alex nodded. "Well, Lelouch probably had the same idea."
"Impressive. Maybe you want to try your hand," Sergeant Major Gill said. "You'd have better luck than Palmer, at least."
"Absolutely not," Roy said. "I will not condone gambling on fellow soldiers."
Sergeant Major Gill studied him intently, then sagged. "Damn it. I owe Lelouch twenty pounds. I thought for sure I had it this time."
Roy took back every nice thing he had ever said to Lelouch. He was going to murder his friend slowly and methodically.
"Lelouch never gambles unless he's sure he'll win," Alex said. "So, tell me, what did I gamble on?"
"It is your name..." Sergeant Major Gill shrugged and flipped through the notebook. "He only made three."
Roy should claim ignorance and make his escape now. But the offer to peak inside Lelouch's mind was too tempting. "We're waiting."
Sergeant Major Gill's eyes widened, and at Roy's nod, he leaned back. "First: The Prime Minister will lose a public chess game to one of his younger sisters at her birthday party."
The room became deadly quiet. Lelouch had placed a bet on royalty. Was he insane?
"That's very specific," Colonel Lopez murmured.
Gino laughed. "Prince Schneizel losing a chess game? Especially towards one of his younger sisters? That's never going to happen."
Was this some ridiculous plot concocted by Lelouch? He had to know that Prince Schneizel would always win. And betting on royalty was risky to put it mildly. Then again, Lelouch liked pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable.
"He has a fair bit of money on it," Sergeant Major Gill said. "Second: Gino will— Oh right, can't say that one. It's rude to tell someone about bets pertaining to them."
Gino pouted. "Dude, please? You're killing me, here. I want to know what Lelouch thinks. Come on, tell me, please?"
Sergeant Major Gill looked at him dismissively. "Yeah... it's not happening. I can't see it. You're too... you."
"What does that mean?"
"Do you have sudden urges to murder people? Imitate Sir Bradley?"
"No..." Gino's eyes widened. "Don't tell me Lelouch thinks I'm going to turn evil."
Roy pinched his nose. "Gino, we don't call a Knight of the Round evil. What's the last one?"
"If Lelouch Lamperouge takes an extended leave from the division, Roy Fadiman will do admirably in his absence."
The room was gratefully silent.
At the end of lunch, Sergeant Major Gills followed him outside. "Thanks for letting that play out. Most of our men are from Area Six and they're worried about their family. A distraction does them good and Lelouch is gossip worthy."
"He is, isn't he?" Roy whispered. He wondered if Lelouch had planned for his bets to be discovered when he left. To everyone else, they represented his real thoughts and such a statement of trust would assuage the men's uncertainties. It felt like something Lelouch would do.
Sergeant Major Gills chuckled softly. "The rumors help ground him. It's funny watching the greenies stumble over themselves as they connect Lelouch to the venerated Gosling. They think he's unbeatable. Some have money on him being the reincarnation of Napoleon." He shook his head. "How they would ever collect on that, I don't know. Lelouch thinks it's a joke, but they mean it earnestly."
Napoleon, the great conqueror, Britannia's devil. Killed by the people he fought for.
"He's from money," he continued. "Had an education that rivaled yours. Yet, isn't it rather strange, that he and Alex, a street-rat, understand each other best?" Sergeant Major Gills saluted. "Have a good day, Brigadier Fadiman."
Roy was left with his thoughts and a desperate urge to review Empress Marianne's actions.
Ashford Academy, Area Eleven
When the student council was finally galvanized into action, no one could resist the sheer storm of will dragging every unwilling participant along. Kallen included. She had tried her best. Sought every excuse. But in the end, Milly Ashford always had her way.
Her persistence was only rivaled by the sheer determination Nunnally displayed in befriending her. Or whatever her constant invitations that she would be forced to accept were.
Nunnally's casual blackmail behind a deceptively sweet smile, aside. Their excursions were never boring.
The last restaurant, where the Concessions turned into the ghettos, had served both Japanese and Britannian food. After years of only enjoying her culture in Kaguya's presence, it was a relief to relax and enjoy nostalgic dishes. Nunnally had dug into the food with surprising gusto, even using a pair of chopsticks with remarkable ease.
Allie had passed her a pair of chopsticks and then spent the entire course of dinner attempting to teach a befuddled Euphie how to use them.
For Britannians, the three of them were all right.
However, Kallen had numerous questions as to why Nunnally was on first name basis with the owner, an Honorary Britannian, Brian. He had greeted her on the streets like an old friend and then happily accompanied them to his restaurant, both of them conversing in French. Hidden beneath his jacket, was a gun. And if he wasn't strange enough, he apparently owed her brother a favor.
"What were you thinking?" Nunnally shouted as she stormed into the student council room, Euphie on her heels. "Oh. That's right. You don't."
"It's improper to shout," Euphie said, crossing her arms. "I did you a favor. Just because it wasn't your idea, doesn't make it a bad one."
"I can't believe—" Nunnally threw up her arms. "I told you not to tell anyone for a reason."
Allie slipped past them and walked up to her, dumping a collection of chess books on the table. "What are you working on, Kallen? I thought you finished all your homework already."
"Father is taking me on a business trip to New York. So..." Kallen gestured at her work. "I'm making up all my assignments now."
Lord Ashford had insisted she leave the Area during May. Frankly, Kallen thought he was being a little paranoid about Empress Marianne's upcoming arrival. Surely, she had more important things to do that harass some school girl, even if Kallen was the new test pilot.
Lord Ashford hadn't been convinced.
"Why are they fighting?" Kallen asked, setting her work aside in favor of the unusual sight of Euphie getting angry. That girl could be wrongfully accused of murder and not break a sweat. Yet, faced with Nunnally's wrath, she was clutching her hair. "They're normally so close."
"I know," Allie grumbled before sitting down. "It's been brewing for days ever since Euphie intervened with that hotdog vendor."
Euphie half raised her hand as if to slap her. "How can you say that! He's family. He would never hurt anyone."
"Stop sticking your head in the sand!" Nunnally took a step forward. "He'll get someone else to do his dirty work for him of course."
Allie's forehead kissed the table, and she let out a long groan. "This is going to take a while."
"I'm not going to get any work done, am I?" Kallen asked. "Why is Nunnally mad that Euphie told off those men? I wouldn't think she cared about the vendor being an Eleven."
"Well, I don't give a shit about your good intentions!" Nunnally screamed and finally quieted, panting heavily.
"Because he hasn't been able to sell a thing since," Allie said quietly. "The Knight Police got wind of an Eleven forgetting their place. Nunnally's been trying to help him file the paperwork so he can set up somewhere safer."
"So we should do nothing?" Euphie asked, echoing Kallen's thoughts. "I'm not going to idly stand by when I can help."
"But you're not the one paying the consequences," Nunnally hissed. "No. That'll be Mr. Cameron. Thanks to you, he will be seen as an active conspirator!"
Wait...
Kallen whispered, "Is this about Prince Clovis announcing he's supporting the arts by showcasing student work?" At the puzzled look, she explained, "Lord Ashford called Prince Clovis an idiot when he announced it. Apparently, he wasn't informed."
"They're screening the film before it goes public," Allie said.
While Nunnally had snuck in some rather unpatriotic messages inside, that hardly was a reason to worry. There was no law against a disabled actor performing. At most, it would cause a minor uproar, and Clovis would clutch his pearls as he proclaimed some idiotic platitudes.
"I'll pay for it," Euphie declared, extending her hand, "because nothing will happen. Everyone worked hard on it and they deserve acknowledgement for their efforts, Mr. Cameron included. People will love it and demand that Mr. Cameron act again."
"That's exactly the problem," Nunnally snapped.
"Because you're a coward?"
"Excuse me?"
"Every time someone says something rude about you or Lelouch, you ignore them. You let them think you're stupid. Want them to think that. If you don't have the courage to stand up for yourself, then at least do so for Lelouch. At least I fight for my sister."
Kallen winced. The fastest way to draw Nunnally's ire was to insult her brother. The second was to imply she was weak.
Last week, a boy had asked her on a date, and when she politely turned him down, he implied she should be thankful that he had even bothered to notice damaged goods. Everyone heard her verbally eviscerating the boy.
According to Allie, Nunnally was loud because she started every engagement at a disadvantage. To not be ignored, she had to be unavoidable.
Even in chess, Nunnally played with unparalleled aggression. Her voice rang with confidence as she dictated the moves to Allie. Her moments of hesitation preceded a devastating win.
Kallen had learned to fear Nunnally's quiet moments when she faded into the background, forgotten, but still listening. When she spoke softly, it was because she already won. Knew all the right words to achieve her desire.
Despite knowing her for longer, Euphie hadn't realized.
Whatever she was referencing—for it most definitely wasn't at school where Nunnally's brother was respected and everyone knew to speak ill of the siblings was to incite Milly's wrath—wasn't as it seemed.
Perhaps a long con from Nunnally. Or a situation where they had no power.
Commoners didn't have the nobility's luxury of speaking their mind.
"You dare—" Nunnally took a deep breath. When she spoke again, it was cold and calm. "Imagine for a moment. that your sister had to choose between killing some innocent peasant and saving your life. She'd choose you naturally. You are her sister after all. But what if it was an entire village? How many lives are you worth? Ten, a hundred, a thousand?"
How many would Kallen kill if it meant Japan's freedom? She was an ace, expected to serve the Empire and slaughter its foes. If Kaguya insisted, how many would Kallen kill to preserve her cover?
This is what Kaguya had meant, saying she had to become a Britannian. To ruthlessly sacrifice everyone at the altar of a war god and pray it would be enough to ensure victory.
It was how Britannia won...
Kallen shivered. She would happily fight Britannians. They were the ones who had declared war. If necessary, she would even turn on her classmates.
But to kill her own people...
Euphie stumbled backwards and Nunnally advanced, her head slightly turned to the side.
"So tell me, what would you do? They're dying because of you," Nunnally finished, barely audible from across the room.
Thirteen... She was only thirteen, but her words were unfathomably cold. No one should look like that as if all the happiness of life had been sucked away, leaving a husk that barely resembled a human.
Unsettled, she desperately turned to Allie who met her gaze calmly as if nothing was terribly amiss.
Euphie finally found her voice. "I would make sure that she never had to make that decision."
"You aren't afforded that luxury," Nunnally said without a shred of mercy.
Kallen should intervene. Step in. Nunnally wasn't seeking to win their argument, but to draw blood.
"I would remain true to myself and my beliefs. I'm only responsible for my actions and if Nelly were to commit an unspeakable crime in my name, I would make sure she faced justice."
Nunnally threw back her head and laughed. "Then you are a fool. Allie, we're leaving."
She lingered in the doorway as her friend packed her books and stood without a word of protest.
"And what would you do?" Euphie asked.
"Kill them first so my brother doesn't have to sully his hands further. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to do that, am I?"
The door slammed shut and Kallen swallowed nervously at the sudden jarring silence. For a moment, she had seen the real Nunnally. Not the one who laughed in the school halls and always seemed filled with endless good cheer. Nor had it been the one who fearlessly wandered to the edge of the ghetto and found a friend in every direction she turned. Even the quiet Nunnally—who fought viciously with words and secrets she had no right to know—paled in comparison.
The real Nunnally was angry like a dying sun and her rage eerily similar to Kallen's own.
Euphie crumpled to the floor. Soft sobs, barely audible, escaped her. Mostly though, she just sat there. Frozen except for her hands as they gathered the fabric of her skirt.
Awkwardly, Kallen knelt down and patted her on the back, waiting for the minute tremors to subside.
"I'm sure you two will be laughing about this tomorrow," she consoled. That was what a loyal Britannian would do? Or would they condemn a crying girl for showing weakness?
"No, she won't," Euphie said between her sobs. "She'll just pretend it never happened... like always."
"What set her off?" Kallen asked. "She suddenly became... cold. I've never seen her like that."
Euphie hiccupped. "She reminded me of Sch— I shouldn't have brought up Lelouch."
Kallen crossed her legs, shivering as her bare skin made contact with the ice cold ground. Here, finally, was a unique opportunity to make sense of the numerous contradictions that Nunnally left in her wake.
"From the way everyone talks about him, he sounds like an angel." As if a Britannian soldier could ever be anything but a monster. "He doesn't sound like the type to kill innocents." He probably enjoyed it.
"He was never an angel." Euphie chuckled weakly, but at least she had stopped crying. "Used to drive Nelly mad with his constant pranks. I thought it was incredibly hilarious. But he would never condone a senseless slaughter. Even to save Nunnally. I can't believe she—"
Kallen grimaced as she began crying again. "People say things they don't mean when they're angry."
"She used to be so happy..." Euphie wiped her eyes and stared at her lap. "I came here because I thought I could make her smile again. For real."
"What happened?"
"I don't know." Her lower lip quivered and she twisted her hands together. "I know something happened to Lelouch. Before that... She smiled honestly. She had all these grand ideas which we would discuss. Her letters were filled with exciting discoveries or stories about her new found friends. I was so jealous of her freedom. And then, she suddenly stopped. Her letters afterward were... clinical."
For someone who wasn't there, his influence stretched alarmingly far.
The door cracked open and Milly stepped in, her smile slipping as she caught sight of them on the floor. "What happened here?"
"Nunnally had a fight with her," Kallen answered, patting Euphie on the back as fresh tremors tore down her spine. "Something about her brother set her off."
"Oh," Milly whispered and closed the door firmly. A small key locked it shut and Kallen reached for her hidden knife. "Come on, Euphie. Let it all out. Sometimes, you've just got to cry."
Given permission, the dam burst and Euphie latched onto Kallen, fingers painfully digging into her skin. She froze, and Milly shot her a pitying look, before kneeling and pulling Euphie into a hug.
"She hates me," Euphie cried.
"She loves you very much," Milly reassured. "It'll all blow over soon."
Euphie withdrew. "You know." Her voice rose, words dripping in anger. "You know what happened to Lelouch. Say something."
Milly folded her hands in her lap, but remained silent.
"I order you to tell me!"
Kallen flinched at the sudden command, dripping with authority and expectation of obedience. Gone was the vibrant girl overflowing with sickening optimism, replaced with a spoiled noble brat. If this was what Nunnally had dealt with, then no wonder she had gotten angry.
Demanding things as if they were owed to her. How very Britannian.
"I don't know," Milly said without any inflection.
Euphie staggered to her feet. "Don't lie to me. You will tell me the truth."
"No," Milly said, intently studying the floor. "It is not my secret to tell."
"I am—"
"—a student," Milly interrupted firmly," at my grandfather's school. I understand you are upset, but you have no authority over me Lady Lichtberg. If you want answers, you may ask Nunnally or Lelouch yourself. It is their secret to tell. Otherwise, you will drop this line of questioning. Do you understand?"
For a moment, Euphie seemed ready to press further, then she regally strode past Milly to tug the door open. It was locked. Milly huffed and pushed past her to unlock it.
Her loud footsteps echoed down the hall. When they finally dissipated, Milly relaxed and twirled her hair. "Oh, dear. I really didn't expect her to forget her place like that. I think it's best if this is just kept between you and me. Don't want to start any unsavory rumors."
Kallen nodded mutely. That had been the first time she had seen Milly draw on her rank like that. She was always so down to Earth that most people forget that she was Lord Ashford's granddaughter until they said something improper and frantically apologized, remembering who Milly was.
It was always an amusing sight.
That had to be her first display like that. Otherwise, the rumor mill would've never let them forget it.
"Is Nunnally alright?" Kallen asked. "She said some worrying things."
The door shut again and Milly regarded her coolly. "What things?"
"She's very angry, but she implied her brother..." Kallen floundered. "She said she would kill for him."
Milly's eyebrows drew together and her lips thinned. "We all have our demons. Nunnally's are bigger than most's. I'm glad that she's opening up to you. There are things she doesn't dare to talk about with me, but since you're half-Japanese—"
Nunnally had mentioned how the ground shook when a knightmare passed. Likened it to a bomb.
Kallen gasped. "She was here before the invasion."
Milly faced the door, her face hidden. "Both her and Lelouch. Considering my grandfather— Their pain is not something I fully comprehend."
"Yet her brother joined the army." Kallen sneered. How could anyone witness the devastation wrought onto Japan and think the appropriate course of action was to extend Britannia's kindness throughout the world?
"And you're a Britannian noble attending a fancy school built by the man who designed Britannia's most potent weapon. Spare me the moral high ground."
Not stupid enough to admit that she still fought for Japan, Kallen snapped her mouth shut.
"Euphie means well, and while she knows they were here for invasion, she doesn't understand what that means. Nor did I until Nunnally lost her temper with me. I think she's trying to break the news a little more gently this time." Milly leaned against the door, deadly still. "It's a fool's errand. I didn't fully believe it until I snuck into Grandpa's office and read the copies of his report."
Opening the door, Milly stepped through. "Oh. I was thinking we could do a reenactment of Washington's Rebellion for Empire Day. Think of all the costumes. And the special effects." She looked over her shoulder, a lecherous grin spreading across her face. "You would be absolutely gorgeous in a red strapless dress. "
Kallen's cheeks flamed. "I'm... out of town!"
"That's a shame. Guess I'll have to console myself with dropping by in gym class." With that parting comment, Milly left as if they had been discussing the mindless matters of schoolchildren and not the scars of an invasion.
Worldbuilding Thoughts
-Dragged myself out of the Napoleonic wars, only to realize the dates of the wiki are very screwy. According to canon, Napoleon never became the Emperor because he was executed by revolutionists sometime between 1814-1821, "saving the revolutionary republic." Only problem, he became the Emperor in 1804… Also, if Napoleon just went and kicked the bucket, the Bourbons would've retaken the throne. Which is what happened after Napoleon's exile and sent the country into a very tumultuous time period.
- The Zero Requiem is thematically beautiful but hand waves the long term consequences of imperialism and colonialism. Britannia violently oppressed its Areas and it's heavily implied, if not outright stated, that they committed genocides. Tokyo was also rebuilt in the Britannian style implying that Britannia practiced a settler style of colonialism. This means removing the native population, destroying their national identity and language, and establishing a large settler population that completely controls the economy. They only care about the land, not the people. The Chinese Federation also colonized India, so they're a colonial superpower as well. Lastly, the E.U. is French which has a long history of colonization, especially in Africa. Given that they're a democratic nation, they may be employing neo-colonialism which uses economics, politics, and culture to suppress nominally free countries. (And while I'm not counting Akito as canon, it shows the Japanese in what looks like concentration camps…) Point is, every superpower in CG is oppressive implying a world culture that embraces colonialism. After the Requiem, many of the countries (especially older colonies) which are freed won't have the ability to stand politically independent. If they remain a colony, then they perpetuate Britannian/French/Chinese cultural superiority. Optimistically, Lelouch broke the cycle of hatred, but he literally didn't have the time (3 months) to change the geopolitical landscape that incentivizes governments to exploit another for resources.
-On Africa: I goofed. My initial worldbuilding was focused on the Americas and Britannia. So the Middle Eastern Federation sorta ended up in Africa? Yeah, no. Area 18 is supposed to be the Middle Eastern Federation. Cornelia in this timeline is a tad delayed since a) the invasion of Japan happened a year later and b) Charles gave her less resources. As Africa is huge, I split it into a few countries which have strong ties to the E.U. because of colonial history, but are, on paper, at least democratic and independent. Britannia regards the African countries' claim to independence with amusement. They still see them as French territories and like their own Areas but with extra steps. Britannia is willing to acknowledge them though, because it makes it easier to declare war on them without dragging the E.U. into a direct confrontation.
Author's Note
I really meant to update last week, but I sort of wrote far ahead but out of order and didn't get this chapter together until this Wednesday. The next chapter is rather long and I'm trying to trim it a bit through editing, but I'll be posting it next week.
Minor changes to the last chapter regarding military accuracy. I'm also fixing my Middle Eastern Federation flub. Doesn't really impact the plot.
How's the pacing for everyone? I simultaneously feel like I'm going way too fast, but also agonizingly slow. So I have no idea how it feels on your end.
And yes, I wrote an entire scene on Lelouch's lack of a love/sex life. Frankly, every CG fic needs one.
Chat with me on the discord: discord . gg / uSBegVj
Thank you x1tears1X and Spaded Ace18 for your help with betaing. Additional thanks to Curious Beats for reviewing my military stuff.