Recap: Lelouch has succeeded in rescuing the hostages at the Kawaguchi Hotel, but in a strange twist, his sister, the other members of the student council, and Kusakabe have disappeared. With tensions on the rise, Suzaku desperately tries to take care of his brother, Ko. Meanwhile, Leila accepts Prince Lelouch's favor, giving her a place in the Britannian military and, once again, putting her in the reach of Prince Clovis.

Chapter 35: Our Friend, the Monster

December 5, 2002

I guess it makes sense for Empress Marianne to host her son's third birthday before she goes off to establish Area Seven. The Andes mountains have always held Britannian at bay, but Father is sure of his upcoming victory. We must expand to appease the various nobles and dilute their power with fresh blood loyal to the new regime.

The attack must be quick, securing the new Area before the freezing temperatures of winter set in. Marianne the Flash is uniquely suited to the task, and with their current recession, the Numbers will see us as their savior.

For now, Marianne ignores the impending war, doting on her son like there is no tomorrow.

I fear that Lelouch is too intelligent. It will only lead to trouble with the line of succession packed already. 17th in line is far too low to have any real power. It will chaff, knowing that he can accomplish more but only ever being a pawn. The best thing to do would be to allow him to pursue his own interests, outside the realm of politics, but I fear Father will never allow that.

Lelouch is finally walking, having skipped crawling altogether. He is a strange child and part of me worries that he will be another Schneizel. At least he isn't prone to biting like he was, but that is not much of a reassurance. Clovis attended as well and was thrilled to dote on an adorable younger sibling. Lelouch barely tolerates him. It's quite fascinating how a three and nine year old can get into such explosive arguments.

—Excerpts from Odysseus's Journal

Viceroy Palace, Area Eleven

Donning the uniform of the Britannian military made bile rise in her throat, and Leila closed her eyes, counting down from ten. It was merely the second day. With time, the feeling would pass, and then there would be nothing distinguishing Leila from the Britannians around her. She didn't even own her name. Breisgau, as they insisted on calling her, was the name of a noble family who had neglected their lands and turned traitor instead of paying their debts.

Her father had been a good man. But before she was born, he had been everything she hated.

General Bartley greeted her coldly; she saluted as was expected anyways. They shouldn't accept her. She was an enemy officer within their midst. They would never turn their back to her, fully expecting her to betray them.

A low ranking officer dropped a stack of paperwork on her desk and left without a word. Her family name and Prince Lelouch's recommendation meant that Clovis had commissioned her as a major. It was more than she expected or deserved, and her stomach clenched painfully every time she thought of it. She would be expected to return the favor somehow.

Slowly, she sorted through the paperwork, frowning at the various inconsistencies and diligently noting them on a notepad.

For all the faults the EU had, they at least kept their paperwork in perfect order.

"Sir!" An officer rushed into the room, his hat slightly askew. General Bartley's eyes narrowed, and the officer diligently fixed his hat before saluting primly. "The alarm was tripped at the Kawaguchi hotel!"

"A false alarm?"

"I will check, sir!"

Leila lowered her head and continued to work. It was none of her business that Britannia was crumbling on the inside. Prim footsteps followed half an hour later, and Clovis stood in the doorway, sneering at them all.

"My report is late. I should not have to come down here myself to ask for it," Clovis snapped.

General Bartley blanched and rushed forward with a stack of papers. He bowed deeply. "Your Highness. I apologize for this egregious breach of decorum. I will make sure the officer in question is punished for failing to take his duties seriously."

Leila was quite sure General Bartley had told no one, but judging from the nervous glances around the room, one of them would take the blame regardless. Sickening.

"Is something the matter?" Clovis asked, approaching the table with a map of the region.

"The alarm at the Sakuradite Conference went off. It is probably a false alarm." As General Bartley spoke, another light flashed red in Tokyo. "I will take care of it, Your Highness. There is no reason for you to concern yourself with lowly criminals who dare to impede on the proceedings."

"Lowly criminals? Yet, we assured the diplomats of their safety and arranged for the most stringent security measures possible. How would lowly criminals even manage to infiltrate the building?"

General Bartley flushed. "I am unsure, Your Highness. Something else must be afoot."

Clovis frowned. "What of the general my father sent?"

"Your Highness?"

"The conference is in Tokyo. My minder is supposed to handle all military matters within the city. Alert their forces of the affair and let them handle it."

"But Your Highness, if this is something serious—"

"Then I will be seen as wise for allowing the proper authorities to handle the matter. If it fails, then the blame lies at his feet, and Father will be forced to recall him. Either way, the situation will resolve in my favor." Clovis stopped in the door. "Lady Breisgau, if you will follow me?"

She ignored the hateful glares from various members, tidied her desk, and rushed after him. The time had come. She clenched her fists behind her back, focusing on the sharp pain of her nails digging into her palm. She could handle this. She would for the EU.

Clovis led her into a sitting room decorated with contrasting shades of gold and purples. A bouquet of flowers rested on the center table—tulips, much like those that Yoan had gotten her.

"Please, sit," he ordered, gesturing to one of the armchairs. A servant rushed in with a steaming teapot, and Clovis steadily began to prepare the tea. "I wish to apologize for the last time. I realize now that I moved too quickly, ignoring your own comfort. A lady must be wooed."

"Yes?" Leila said weakly. For once, she wished her governess was here. At least with the Emperor's spy, Clovis would be limited in his actions.

"Sugar?" he asked, and she shook her head. He passed her the teacup before serving himself. "I wish to do things properly this time. Will you spare me some of your time and pardon a fool such as myself?"

Leila took a sip. The tea blistered her tongue. She took another. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

Anger flashed across his face, and he gingerly broke the scone before dabbing it in the jam. When he spoke, she would have believed him to be the picture of innocence if she didn't know better. "I consulted my brother, Odysseus, and he explained that I am easily swept up in passion, but like a bombastic orchestral piece, it relies on subtle and slower melodies. Only when we have a strong, stable foundation, may we dance through the skies, lifted by our eternal love."

Pointing out that they were not in love would be a futile affair. Leila lifted the edges of her mouth. "I was ever so surprised by your previous advances. Britannia unfortunately is so overwhelming."

His eyes widened. "Yes, yes, yes. You were so cruelly ripped from your country by your traitorous father, and while you have now returned, this must all be so frightfully confusing for you."

"Tremendously so," she said dryly.

Seeming quite pleased with himself, he set down his cup. "We shall have lunch tomorrow. That dreary woman Father assigned to you can hardly show you the true glory of Britannia. And," he trailed off. "You must have impressed my brother for him to recommend you a commission."

"We talked frequently in Australia. There was not much else to do." She refrained from saying that they had met a few days ago. "I am afraid I don't know what I did for him to give me this honor. I do not understand him very well."

That drew a chuckle from Clovis. "Then you are wiser than most to recognize that. All these fools are running around court, believing he desires the throne and scheming with plans within plans. Each one of them is so sure they understand him, from a foolish child to a bloodthirsty upstart who wishes to disband the nobility. No. They do not understand him at all."

"But you do?"

Clovis preened. "He is my favorite brother. Lelouch really has not changed much since he was a child. He guards what is his jealously and when threatened, he retaliates viciously. The secret to his loyalty is his sister. Whoever can ensure her safety will have his support in claiming the throne, but he has no interest in it himself."

Leila very much doubted that. In under a year, he had become a figure of interest. That did not happen if he was truly the recluse he claimed, and then there was his relationship with Kaguya, who had a vast amount of capital at her disposal. But Clovis was right: Lelouch was territorial. She had misstepped in targeting Frederick, and suffered for it.

She knew nothing of his sister, but if he reacted so strongly over a guard—whom Britannian society considered disposable—she didn't want to face his wrath when his sister was involved.

"Have you met her?" Clovis asked.

Leila shook her head. "I have not had the pleasure."

"He was protective of her even before the accident, but afterwards, it was well warranted. She is such a delicate little thing, stunning too. Father will be beginning the season on her birthday, and I have no doubt that she will have a dozen marriage proposals within a week. They will seek to take advantage of her," he finished sadly.

"The accident?"

He sighed. "She is blind. It is such a pity, her potential cut short, but Lelouch is much too sentimental to ever let her go. It would be far kinder to disinherit her. I have no idea what Father is thinking, but then, Lady Marianne is quite attached as well. He bows to her whims far too often."

"Maybe she is far more capable than you think," Leila snapped, offended on the girl's behalf.

Clovis snorted. "Now I see why he likes you. It is so difficult for a girl to catch his attention. But her ever being anything more than a burden is a fanciful notion. She will be an eternal chain, keeping him from the skies we all know he can soar through. Britannia is not the EU. There is no room for such soft-heartedness. I do not particularly mind. He is much easier to court as an ally this way."

His gaze once again drifted to her speculatively. Again, she had Lelouch to thank because his recommendation confirmed she was under his protection, and Clovis was not willing to burn that bridge. He would be respectful for now, not give her a reason to complain. Maybe he even hoped that warm words from her would endear himself to his brother.

"Thank you for the tea, Your Highness," she said. "Hearing a brother's perspective of Lelouch was quite enlightening, but I fear that I must return to work. They will miss my absence."

He stood, and his hand settled against her back as they walked through the door. "Bartley forgot about the briefing, did he not?"

Tensing, she considered her answer carefully. Truth won out; the world needed more of it. "He didn't assign any officers to it."

Clovis hummed.

"An innocent person will be punished!"

"If I reprimand Bartley, then I will embarrass him and reveal that you told me the truth. If I say nothing, he will assume you kept silent and have no reason to turn against me. Not to worry, Bartley will not choose anyone of importance to punish."

Anger burned within her at his callousness. This was the norm here in Britannia; it would never fly in the EU. If it wasn't for the advantage knightmares offered Britannia, they would not be winning. Their military was fractured, too focused on in-fighting and political gain.

"But really, this incident cannot be repeated." Clovis spun her around, the full weight of his attention on her. Slowly, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Bartley has you doing low level paperwork, correct?"

"Yes, Your Highness." Her heart thundered. He was much too close.

"You worked as an aide to a general before... I need someone with a sharp mind. I am surrounded by enemies on all sides. They assault me with their incompetence, their grievances, yet none will be honest with me. My dear, what do you say? Will you be my assistant in military affairs?" He smirked. "Then you can be assured that no petty noble will suffer again for Bartley's forgetfulness."

And she would be in his debt for such an unprecedented promotion. The hungry glint in his eye was back.

This was his attempt at seduction. He would trap her in hundreds of minor chains of debt and obligation until she was entirely at his command. But if she said no, then she would burn through any good will they established and be sent back to her estate with no power or way to gain it...

If he accepted her rejection gracefully at all.

"You are much too kind, Your Highness."

"Excellent." He leaned forward and grabbed her hand which he raised to his lips. "Then we have a deal."

His arm looped over her shoulder, pulling her tightly against him. The officers rose as they entered the command room, and Bartley rushed to explain the current hostage situation. She could barely focus on his words, too aware of the hungry stares boring into her. One of the female officers nodded as their eyes met. Her face expressed no malice, but when her eyes drifted to the left, her lips curled.

She knew how the officers back home would look at the situation. Some had already accused her in much too loud whispers as she passed by of whoring herself out to instructors. Here, they thought the same—and Leila was guilty—but they held Clovis in contempt for his weakness, while most respected her for twisting the situation to her advantage.

Lelouch had even said that Clovis would never say no to a pretty face.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax, leaning in. She was in control here. Across from her, General Bartley narrowed his eyes, and she smirked. Yes. Clovis really should not have promoted her. She was still loyal to the EU; they all suspected it. But Clovis was too enamored with her to weigh the risks.

"The terrorists have demanded to speak with you," General Barley said. "They are deluded to think that is a possibility."

"Most certainly." Clovis sniffed. "Talking to terrorists? I could never risk the sanctity of the royal family. Next thing you know, the upstart savages will be throwing rocks and holding Britannians hostage, demanding to speak with royalty. Absolutely ridiculous."

"There is one other matter," General Bartley said. "If perhaps we could discuss it in private?"

"Come, my dear," Clovis said, leading them both into a side room. "Now Bartley, what is it?"

General Bartley tilted his head at her in a clear, silent demand.

"Do you really think so little of me as to only choose her for a pretty face? Even if it is most enchanting?"

Yes. Absolutely everyone thought that.

Clovis sighed, and his hand wandered uncomfortably low as he pulled her even closer. "Lelouch recommended her. And I asked an old friend about her as well. He told me that she scored at the top of her class. She is a little prodigy in her own right, and Lelouch stole her right from beneath the EU's nose."

"Your Highness, I must—"

"I will trust Lelouch's judgment," Clovis snapped. "So out with it."

General Bartley glared before composing himself. "Princess Euphemia is among the hostages."

"Does Cornelia know?"

"Not yet."

"Refrain from informing her. I do not need her breathing down our necks, demanding for us to do something. Who else knows?"

"We three... and the general in command."

Clovis paused. "You know who it is."

"It's Zero."

Leila tensed.

"Well, if he fails it is on him," Clovis finally said.

"But if Princess Euphemia dies—"

"Then Zero can deal with Cornelia's wrath! You should have informed me immediately when you determined who was in charge. Why would Father- No. Do you know how much of a disaster this is? I have the Purists conspiring behind my back, thinking I won't notice. They will pounce on a second of weakness. And Zero will give them that opportunity. Who knows what orders Father has given him. Why is he even so concerned with the ghettos? They are filthy Elevens!"

Bartley frowned. "If Zero has asked for us to negotiate with the terrorists, we should comply."

"Damn him to hell! He'll ruin everything. No. We cannot let him succeed. I'll be ruined if he has a moment of time to investigate."

"Your Highness, I beg you to reconsider."

"You believe I cannot win against Zero, is that it? You have already decided the battle is lost?"

"No—"

"Or do you know who he is? Well? Spit it out! I am still the Viceroy. You swore loyalty to me!"

General Bartley took a deep breath and slowly knelt until his forehead pressed against the ground. "Your Highness, I am as always your loyal servant. I would not have accompanied you this far if I were not. The Emperor forbade us from divulging his identity. I do not think Zero will move against you unless you insult him. Please, assist him in recovering Princess Euphemia."

"I already made my position clear. Tell them that Zero may present himself to me if he truly feels like my assistance is required, and he cannot accomplish the task the Emperor had entrusted to him." Clovis paused. "Distract him. I am sure you have means at your disposal that will not be traced back to us."

"Princess Euphemia—"

"Cornelia would never believe I let her precious sister die, even if she will invite herself over and rage for a few months. It's a tragedy. She is a sweet girl, but we are all passengers of fate." His fingers sifted through Leila's hair. "What do you think, dear?"

It was disgusting; she knew too much. "We should stage a fight about my presence, so when the officers are interviewed afterwards, none will suspect that any of us knew about Princess Euphemia. Whoever passed on the message from Zero will need to take the blame for failing to have delivered it."

Clovis pressed a kiss to her scalp. "Didn't I say she would be helpful?"

Oh god, she was complicit in planning the assassinations of a member of the royal family. Her superiors would be pleased by the resulting chaos, but that had not been part of the plan! Some young, unknown girl was going to be dead because of her. Along with however many other hostages were in the hotel.

Fervently, she closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer that Zero would pull off the impossible once more and rescue them.

They returned to the room with Barley storming away, his insults at her just loud enough to be heard by everyone. She played her own part, leaning into Clovis and fluttering her eyelashes.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for the opportunity. I promise I won't disappoint."

"Oh, you won't." He caught her lips and pulled back satisfied.

She was going to vomit.

OSI Base, Area Eleven

Alex tossed his phone between his hands as he stared at the cot above him. Everything had worked out in the end. Nunnally would be fine. Two friends were a small price to pay to clean up the mess she made.

The justification rang hollow.

Lelouch wouldn't have hesitated to sacrifice them to save his sister.

Hearing footsteps approaching, he pocketed the phone and swung himself out of bed. Mark entered and threw himself into the chair with a loud groan. His rubbed his red eyes and streaks of dust marred his black shirt.

"You have cobwebs in your hair," Alex said helpfully.

"Goddamn it. So many stupid files." He ran his hands through his hair and paused, inspecting them. "My hair is fine, isn't it?"

"Yup." Alex grinned. "Except for the spider."

"I hate you," Mark grumbled before brightening. "Heard you did well snatching the two girls. They're so young. Normally we have to deal with old geezers. Worst I ever did was scare a few kids off because they were trying to break into the pizza parlor at night."

"Don't know what they're teaching them."

"Lord Ashford's fault, definitely. He puts dangerous ideas in his head, but soon we won't have to worry about that anymore."

Alex frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Overheard our handler talking about it. Lord Ashford disinherited his son years ago, but the title can only go to family members. He has a lot of enemies, and his son has been currying favor with him. They have a plan to grab the heiress and blame it on some terrorists. He's weak, so he'll do anything to get her back, not that he will."

"They're nobles," Alex said slowly. "We never found any evidence of treason."

"The student council?" Mark challenged. "Why do you even care? He is a poor excuse of a Britannian, spreading dangerous ideas. Attacking a margrave is brazen, sure, but we're the OSI. The little noble heiress is going to be so shocked."

The door banged open, and Shawn stepped through, arms crossed and eyes brimming with excitement. "They got them."

"Really?" Mark asked.

"Lord Ashford must have set up extra security because we lost over two-thirds of our agents. Damn shame they didn't take the man alive. I would have loved to have a chat. I saw Luke's body. He had his throat torn out."

"Luke's dead?" Alex asked. He thought they were friends.

"Yup." Shawn grinned, not a hint of grief. "Lucky bastard. Come. You two have to see this."

Hesitantly, they followed. The morgue was filled to the brim with fallen agents. At least, most appeared to have died quickly from one quick and debilitating injury. It was so different from how OSI agents generally killed—long and drawn out.

For some inexplicable reason, the scene reminded him of Henry. Over the years, his fighting style had morphed into ruthless brutality with not a single motion wasted.

"Who was he?" Shawn asked eagerly.

The coroner shrugged, gesturing to a body dressed in deceptively simple and plain clothes. "No identifying gang marks. Was in surprisingly good health despite his numerous scars. No ID either. No clue how he managed to even enter the hotel."

Shawn growled and grabbed Alex's shoulder, dragging them out of the room and to the lower floors. "The kids will know more."

"The kids?" Alex asked.

"Yes. Caught the rest of the student council." He shook his head. "You know the blind girl? Somehow, she's the fucking Black King. I couldn't believe it myself. She's blind. I checked. Can't see a fucking thing."

Mark snorted. "No, seriously, who is it?"

"I'm not joking. She's not talking and Sir is mad at me for knocking her unconscious."

Oh, shit...

Shawn pushed open the door, entering the grungy room where the student council was strung up against the wall. Alex's wrists winced in sympathy, and he averted his eyes from their pleading gazes. Shirley was the worst, wide awake and her eyes filled with betrayal. He would happily leave, but on the far right was Nunnally, hanging unconscious. Her hair was no longer in a customary braid but spread around her.

How the hell was he going to get her out of here? Prisoners who entered the base only left in body bags.

"Won't people come looking for them?" Alex asked, buying time. The interrogation hadn't yet truly begun.

Their handler sneered. "Leave such matters to your superiors, boy. The hostage situation at the hotel will cover us well enough, and when the media learns of the failure to recover such an influential hostage, the upstart commander will have to deal with the fallout."

Lelouch?

The pink haired girl, Euphie, stirred. Surprisingly, she didn't panic. Her lips pressed together, and she analyzed the situation, her eyes briefly stopping on Alex. She either had experience with being captured or training.

"Who are you?" Euphie asked.

Their handler didn't bother looking up from his paperwork. "We will be asking the questions here, Prisoner 278."

Her eyes narrowed. "Military? No... You don't have a French or Chinese accent. You're not an Eleven, are you?"

"I'm Britannian, you imbecile," their handler hollered, face red.

Incredulously, Alex met Mark's eyes. Had their handler truly fallen for the girl's ploy so easily?

"OSI then?" Euphie guessed. She twisted her head, checking on her friends. "Under what charges?"

Their handler stood. "Treason."

"I want a chance," Shawn whined quietly. "Why does he get to have all the fun?"

Alex grimaced. There were no options left. Could he ask to speak with his handler alone and confess that he recognized her as an Imperial Princess? It wasn't ideal, but surely, they would consider releasing her then. Nobody wanted to deal with Empress Marianne on a rampage.

Snickering interrupted his thoughts. Baffled, he turned to the girl.

"Treason?" Euphie asked. "I'm Princess Euphemia li Britannian, and you dare to accuse me of treason!"

Oh... that was where her strange accent was from. Yes! She could negotiate for their release, and Alex wouldn't have to do a thing. The OSI had no problem with General Cornelia from what he heard. They wouldn't kill her younger sister to spite her.

Next to him, Mark paled and slumped against the wall. Shawn merely stuffed his hands in his pockets and yawned.

Their handler shook his head. "Princess Euphemia would hardly attend a commoner school."

"Should we call my sister and confirm? I am sure she would love to hear of your unsanctioned actions. Who authorized this?"

"I did," their handler mumbled.

"Release me and my friends, and I shall forget to mention this grievous mistake of yours."

"Sir," Alex added helpfully, "we cannot interrogate a member of royalty."

"Especially without the Emperor's approval," Mark added.

Shawn sighed. "We're already screwed. If Princess Cornelia hears of this matter, she will personally hunt us all down. Her Highness over there has no reason to keep her mouth shut."

Alex's heart sank, and he stuffed his hands into his pocket.

"Yes, you are quite right." Their handler ran a hand through his hair. "But nobody has to know the truth. Princess Cornelia will blame the upstart general and the terrorists, removing two of our problems.

"This is treason," one of the younger members of the student council, Rolando, said. "You are sworn to serve the Imperial Family."

Their handler huffed. "And I serve my nation faithfully, but I will not have my career tarnished because some spoiled little princess could not keep her hands to herself."

"I doubt your superiors will agree," Rolando said.

"Don't bother." Euphie hung her head. "We no longer exist. He can do whatever he wants, and no one will ever know."

An infuriated scowl crossed the boy's face, and he desperately jerked in his bonds then suddenly collapsed in exhaustion. His heavy pants echoed in the room. Clearly, he was not the athletic type.

"You're a princess?" one of the girls whispered.

"I'm sorry," Euphie said. "I should not have let you be wrapped up in this."

"Or we could sell them," their handler mused. "Quite a few lords would love to have leverage over Princess Cornelia. It would serve her right. Or marriage..."

Shawn's head whipped around, and he glared at Alex. He raised his chin defiantly and tried to calm his thundering traitorous heart. A fist slammed into his abdomen, throwing him into the wall.

"What is the meaning of this?" their handler snapped.

A hand reached into Alex's pocket, prying the phone from his grip. Shawn grinned and held it up victoriously. "You were always a little strange. Not right for one of York's students. You care about these foolish children."

Alex sunk to the ground, cradling his stomach and reaching for the glass knife hidden in his boot. Before he could, a kick sent him across the floor.

"Who did you text!" Shawn demanded. "Unlock it. Now!"

"Someone who I should've texted a long time ago." Alex bared his teeth against the pain. "You are all dead."

He closed his eyes as another strike stole the air from his lungs and his ribs cracked. Everything hurt, but he had experienced worse. His hand finally wrapped around the makeshift knife. He lunged upwards, driving it into the mass huddled above him.

Mark gasped, falling backwards, hand desperately pressed to his neck. "Alex?" he gurgled.

That was not who he intended to hit. Where was Shawn?

A strike whistled by his ear; Alex barely brought up his arm to parry the follow-up strike. His knife was lost in Mark's neck, but he refused to bow over. He was going to die. He couldn't take on the entire base by himself when their handler inevitably called for reinforcements.

His knuckles rammed into Shawn's trachea, and he fell backwards with a pained cry.

A jolt of electricity ran up his spine, and he gasped for breath on the ground. Confused, he raised his head. Shawn's blurry hand wrapped around his neck and slammed him back into the ground. Blood filled his mouth. His ears rang.

How? What?

Another burst of electricity set his muscles ablaze.

"A useful tool to keep rebellious agents in line," his handler said. "Now, I think we should have a talk regarding whom you work for."

"No one," Alex rasped.

Shinjuku, Area Eleven

Suzaku gazed longingly at the fences and the patrolling soldiers—and the freedom which lay beyond. On the other side, Britannians had begun to gather, heckling both the soldiers and the Japanese who wandered too close to the line. Something had angered the Brits today; they were out in force.

"Ni-san?" Ko tugged on his hand. "Are we seeing Mommy today?"

He swallowed. "Not yet. We have some chores to do first." He hoisted the bag which was filled with loot from the wrecked buildings. "Maybe we can find some toys today."

Ko hunched his shoulders and stopped, wiping his nose.

"Hey." Suzaku kneeled, "What's wrong?"

"I want to go home! And you're lying. She's dead!" Ko fell to the ground. "They said you were lying. That everyone died! And that means they don't come back. I want to see Mommy!"

Suzaku drew him in a hug, once again feeling wholly inadequate. His brother deserved better than what Suzaku could give him, but he was trapped in the ghettos with only Suzaku for company.

Nagisa would've known what to do. Tohdoh as well. But it was only Suzaku, unable to protect anyone.

If only Ko was a bit older, then they could both attempt to escape through the sewers and make contact with the JLF. Ko would have his father, not his imposter of a brother.

Small fists beat into his shoulder, and Suzaku let Ko exhaust himself.

Finally, he picked him up as the sun sank below the horizon, leaving only dirty yellow lights to illuminate the ghettos as the Britannian structures nearby sparkled. "Let's find a few more things and go back for dinner, okay?"

"I don't want rice." Ko sniffled. "I want ramen."

"We'll see," Suzaku said. It was going to be rice.

His eyes wandered to the encirclement. They offered rations, a break to the food Ban had stockpiled. But to go out there would inevitably lead to his arrest. Suzaku couldn't protect Ko like that.

He swallowed. His very identity threatened Ko. People knew his name, if they sold him out, the soldiers would come in and drag him off, leaving Ko to fend for himself.

Loud shouting echoed across the fence, and Suzaku pulled Ko closer, eyeing the soldiers warily. Drawn by the sound, people exited their houses, armed with pipes and bats and salvaged rifles. They wouldn't let the Brits slaughter them without a fight.

Against a knightmare, none of them would accomplish a thing.

"We need to— Ko?" Suzaku whirled around, looking for the short form of his brother as the crowd continued to grow. "Ko! Where are you! Ko!"

Heart hammering in his chest, he rudely pushed his way through the crowd, ignoring their insulted cries. And there, at last, way too close to the fence, he was. He grabbed his hand and ripped him back just as the patrolling soldier approached.

The soldier stopped, staring into his terrified face. Then his gaze dropped to Ko, and he grimaced. "Go home. There is going to be trouble."

Suzaku nodded and pulled Ko back.

"They're the bad men." Ko struggled in his grasp. "They killed Kaachan! Let me fight."

"No, you idiot. They'll kill you too. I can't lose you. Please Ko..."

"But—"

Suzaku reached into his pocket and offered him a small packet of gummies as a bribe. They needed to leave.

The roar behind him grew louder, and Suzaku turned around, horror dawning. The soldiers kept them in, but more importantly, they kept the Brit out. Distant chants rose through the air, demanding justice.

"We need to go," Suzaku hissed and threw Ko over his shoulder, breaking into a desperate run. But the crowd was too thick, growing ever larger as people poured in, drawn in by the promise of violence.

A gunshot cracked through the air and small explosions echoed behind him. Emboldened, the crowd pushed forward.

He was never going to make it out of here in time. The distant shouts were becoming clear, demanding justice and death for all traitors.

Desperately, he shoved his way to the side of the small buildings. The doors were boarded up. The next was locked and refused to break away as he rammed his shoulder against it.

Then the screams began.

"Sensei!" a young voice screamed. He turned, trying to find the voice. "Up here!"

"Chino?" he whispered, eyes traveling up cracked concrete to the open window above. Without Ko, he could easily scale the wall. A man blindly stumbled into them, blood gushing from a cut to his head. Suzaku knelt. "Ko? Wrap your arms around my neck. Don't let go."

The too tiny arms reached around, almost choking him.

The screams grew louder as more people joined. Explosions and gunshots went off every few seconds. He closed his eyes. Tried to chase away the memory of blood soaked streets, and he began the precarious climb, all too aware that a wrong move would send not only him, but his brother tumbling to death.

At the window, Chino reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him through.

Ko cried out in pain, and he twisted around. A small shard of glass at the top of the window frame dripped red.

"Hold still," Suzaku ordered, parting the hair to examine the damage.

"I'm sorry. I thought I cleaned it," Chino said desperately.

"It's fine, it's fine," Suzaku insisted, already tearing off a piece of cloth to press against the wound. "Head wounds always bleed a lot."

She sniffled. "You sure?"

"Of course. I hit my head a lot as a kid." What he didn't say was those required stitches, and here, without proper medical care, that could be a death sentence. "Why don't you lie down, Ko. Just relax and wait here. Okay? You're being super brave. Press that against your head."

"I'm scared," Ko whispered between sniffles.

"I know. You're going to be fine. Trust your brother."

Suzaku didn't deserve the title, not when he couldn't keep his family safe. He peered out the window and winced as more soldiers flooded in, but they didn't turn and face the ghettos. Instead, they desperately tried to hold back the ever growing crowd of Brits.

"You're alive!" Chino cried, wrapping her arms around his torso. "I thought you died. I couldn't find you. And the others— I should've fought. Then they wouldn't be dead!"

"Then you would be as well," he whispered. "Do you live here? What happened to your—"

"Dead." She withdrew and opened the fridge filled with moldy food. "I had to drag her out."

"I'm sorry."

Chino climbed onto the crooked kitchen table and sat down. She ducked her head, biting her lip. "Don't be. Dad died before. He joined the Samurai guys, and then he didn't come home. Mom— She was so stupid! She kept helping them, even after they killed Dad! And then the Brits came, and now she's also dead. I hate them."

"It's okay," Suzaku whispered. "I hate them too." But never Lelouch and Nunnally.

"No. My parents." She threw herself at him and cried on his shoulders. "They didn't stay. They left me!"

Hesitantly, his arms curled around her, unsure of what to say. Useless. That was what he was. He couldn't protect his brother or his students. If only he was better, then this could have been avoided.

"Why don't I make dinner?" he suggested.

By the time he set the table and managed to salvage the least moldy vegetables, the roar outside had quieted and the top of Ko's head was caked in blood. Thankfully, the bleeding had stopped.

Chino poked at her food sullenly. "Thank you, sensei."

"Anytime," he whispered.

Ko grinned. "It's not rice!"

At least one person was happy.

Finishing his meager portion—only large enough so the two wouldn't complain—he stared out the window and wondered what had riled up the Brits. They would have to stay the night. It wasn't safe to wander in the dark, especially with tensions running high.

"I met your friend again," Chino said after he tucked Ko in.

He would take care of the wound in the morning when there wasn't a chance for it to begin bleeding again. Checking the medicine cabinet, he absently asked, "Which one?"

"The one who you played Smash with and made curry."

"Lelouch?" He jerked, hitting his head on the sink. He bit down a curse and gingerly rubbed his head. He must have misheard.

"Yeah! He's a soldier, and I thought... I tried to kill him."

His lungs refusing to cooperate, Suzaku slumped against the wall. "You tried to kill him?"

"It didn't work." She rubbed her arm. "He could've killed me, but he let me go. You never said he was a soldier."

"He's an old friend," Suzaku explained. "Declaring him a Brit soldier would've caused all sorts of trouble. When did you see him?"

"This morning," she said cheerfully. "A few soldiers were pushing inwards. They were looking for someone."

Lelouch was here. Of course he was. He would never trust someone else to handle the situation which meant the soldiers guarding the ghetto were beholden to Lelouch somehow. But in what capacity was Lelouch here?

"Was he in charge?' Suzaku asked hesitantly.

"No. Someone else was barking all the orders."

Suzaku relaxed. If he was here as a prince, then he would never have been allowed to enter the ghettos. It was far too dangerous.

"Don't tell people he's here," Suzaku ordered. Others would put the pieces together and taking out a Britannian prince was much too appetizing when his people were starving for revenge.

"That's what he said." Chino snorted. "He said you needed to keep your head down and you can beat his ass later."

Suzaku chuckled. "I would thank him."

Chino glanced away. "I want to live. There's no future here, and Lelouch—he said they protect their own."

"They?"

"The soldiers."

"You'll die!" Suzaku grabbed her hand. "It's suicide. They will use you and throw you out." Hadn't he once considered the same thing as a way to reunite with Lelouch and Nunnally? "You remember what Ban-san said. It's a lie. Whatever plan you have, it won't work."

"I just want to live," she whispered. "There's nothing here, just a grave. And Ban? He didn't actually hate it. Sometimes, I think he misses it. And the soldiers there? They're happy. They get three rations every day. They're strong, like the Blood of the Samurais without stealing food."

"You would have to fight your people," Suzaku whispered.

She hugged herself. "If they stopped fighting, then people wouldn't die. There's nothing left here. I just— Please don't hate me, sensei."

"Never. I only—" He sighed and wrapped his arms around her. "Give yourself some time to think about this. Once you sign up, there is no turning back."

Please, he begged, let her change her mind. His fate was already decided. If he wanted to find shelter among the resistance groups, then he would have to fight. He would be in a knightmare, but she would be on the ground, an enemy.

He would never know if he killed her, his student.

Lake Kawaguchi, Area Eleven

For hours on end, Lelouch had been holding back the panic in his heart. He had comforted himself with the promise that his sister would be okay, that he would see her soon.

Now, she wasn't there, nor was Kusukabe, but Gwen was.

Why was she even in the Area? She was supposed to be on the Ashford Estates back in the Homeland. She was supposed to be a small time reporter for a local newspaper of no importance. Her family made barely any money. How had she even been able to afford a plane ticket to Area Eleven? Was she part of this plot?

Gwen glared up at him, her red hair shining under the distant rising sun. She ripped her arm free from his grip and gently massaged it. "I don't have to tell you anything, especially a liar like yourself, Lelouch. Or should I call you 'sir'? 'My lord' would be more proper, right?"

He stepped closer. She stepped back.

"If you insist on being obstinate, I have no qualms with arresting you for treason," he warned.

Swallowing, she raised her chin. "For minor trespassing? Don't bluff. Or do you mean to say you will frame me because I dared to ask what you did to my sister? So we're running from uncomfortable questions now? That's a far cry from the boy I used to know. You always questioned everything, even when you shouldn't. You're a fucking hypocrite now, Lelouch." Tears welled in her eyes. "Tell me what you did to Allie. Please. She's only fourteen. She doesn't deserve—"

Allie? Why would she be missing? She hadn't been on the list of hostages.

Gwen rubbed her eyes furiously. "I don't know what game you are playing. I don't care. I'll take her place. Just give her another chance. She barely did anything, and your sister—"

"Where is Nunnally?"

"Why would I know! I was only supposed to meet with Allie today—yesterday." Gwen bit her lower lip. "Just let me see who you've detained. I have authorization from Mr. Reid, Prince Clovis's Director of Media. Half the reporters out there do, and unless you want to defy an order from royalty..." Her brow furrowed, confusion momentarily overriding her rage.

Clovis, again. He was clearly not pleased with having an agent of the Emperor messing around in his business. In his position, Lelouch would have done the same, but not with a hostage crisis.

Lelouch sighed. "I have done nothing to Allie, and if she were to be arrested, I am sure she would have come to the idea of mentioning Nunnally's name which would have brought the matter to my attention. I can double check for you, but I am not giving you a list of all the detainees."

Her gaze sharpened. "You have a legal requirement—"

"Not for an ongoing investigation."

"Protesters are not an ongoing investigation!"

He paused. "Why would Allie be protesting?"

Flushing, Gwen finally dropped her gaze.

His conversation with Kallen flashed through his mind, and his stomach clenched. He should have talked to Nunnally sooner, but he had been so busy, and she had been in Pendragon. Unfortunately, Kallen only knew what happened up until she had left. What if they had done more in the time in-between?

There was no way for the terrorists to escape the encirclement, so if they were alive, then they had left before. None of them knew how much time had passed in the hotel before the silent alarm was triggered.

Roy's proper footsteps approached from the left and he stopped sharply. "The dive team hasn't found anything yet, but we checked the security footage. The footage of the attack was lost but we confirmed the student council was there before the attack began."

So they hadn't been kidnapped on the way to the hotel with agents checking in for them.

"Wait, Nunnally was in the hotel?" Gwen asked.

"Yes," Lelouch snapped.

There was a piece staring right at him. If only he could see it. How had the terrorists escaped? How had they infiltrated the building in the first place? Security should have been tight. Was there a connection to Allie? She had gone missing the same day. Was it a mere coincidence? Why had Kusukabe decapitated one noble but pushed the other hostage out of the window?

"Roy?" Lelouch said slowly. "I need everything we have on the two hostages which were killed. I also want to check for everyone who had plans to attend but never arrived... And double check the time of the silent alarm with the lost footage."

Because Kusakabe could not have infiltrated the hotel without inside help which suggested a Britannian traitor. But was the traitor the one who targeted the student council as well?

None involved would escape Britannian justice.

Turning to Gwen, he smirked at her rising apprehension. "I will offer you a deal. You will tell me absolutely everything, and when I find Nunnally, I shall pardon the student council's recent activity. If Nunnally is for any reason harmed, then I shall punish all of you. And if I have any suspicion that you are withholding information from me, I will charge you with treason."

"Your father isn't a noble," she whispered, eyes wide. "There was a rumor, because Lord Ashford was so close with— B-But you enlisted? I was there. It was a ridiculous conspiracy theory, drunken ramblings."

"I do not have time for your pointless—"

"But you're an officer now. And Allie—she knows. That's why she keeps lying. I thought it was because she has a—"

Lelouch would deal with his secret identity dissolving all around him after his sister was safe. Then run damage control. And maybe not threaten the sister of his sister's best friend? When was the last time he had slept?

Left without another option, he bared his teeth. "Enough. You understand the position you are in. Talk."

And she did, stumbling over her words and trembling like a leaf in the wind. Gwen didn't know about Nunnally's grudge with Clovis, but she knew more than enough. Allie had called her for advice in helping spread uncomfortable news. Diethard Reid, the man who Clovis trusted to run his image, had betrayed his liege to throw his weight behind Nunnally instead—Gwen clearly hadn't figured out the implications of that yet.

Lelouch really should have talked to his sister sooner. The entire city was simmering with discontent because his sister's friends were a little too eager and had been fanning the flames.

He pinched his nose. The number of people who would purposefully target the student council had gone from none to every one of Clovis's backers. Fucking hell.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"Something about the Black King?" Gwen ducked her head, the picture of submission. If his sister had managed to piss off the biggest crime lord in Area Eleven, he was going to kill her. "I'm sorry. Allie wasn't really clear who he is, but he works for them now? They've been distributing flyers and keeping thugs off the press's back."

"She didn't kill him, did she?" he mumbled, pieces falling into place. The Black King most certainly had the Britannian resources to help a Japanese terrorist cell infiltrate the hotel.

"What? Why would she kill him?"

His phone buzzed. An unknown number. A pizza parlor?

"She's not to talk to anyone until I get back. Put her in a cell," Lelouch ordered.

"Lelouch!"

He ignored her. He held up the phone again, showing the address of a rather familiar pizza parlor where too many of his tails slunk back to after he lost them. The OSI. They wouldn't be pleased by a change of leadership in the underworld. Had they taken the student council to use as hostages against her and force her into compliance?

Or were they targeting Nunnally because of their mother?

Was this a trap?

"Lelouch," Roy interrupted quietly. "The silent alarm was triggered twenty minutes after the footage. And the noble Kusukabe executed? He went missing three days ago. He— Are you alright?"

"Nunnally pissed off the entire underworld by stealing the Black King's title," he said numbly. "She's not even fourteen."

"You personally managed to piss off the Count as a kid."

"Kusakabe was never there," Lelouch realized. "They hijacked the video feed. That's why he was in a separate room and why he only killed one hostage personally. He never intended for his men to escape." Rage burned through his fatigue, sharpening his mind. "The plan was to humiliate Britannia, and nobles helped because it would only humiliate us... Or Clovis."

"I'll expand the perimeter. They would have been close." Roy grabbed his shoulder. "We'll find your sister."

Lelouch waited until Roy had disappeared before striding off in the opposite direction. If the OSI had his sister, he needed to move now.

Lake Kawaguchi, Area Eleven

Kallen hastily ate her portion of rice as the sun steadily climbed. Her part of the mission was done. She had briefly seen Kaguya among the rescued hostages. None of them had been released yet as each one was being interviewed. Kaguya would be fine. She was smart enough to twist the situation to her advantage.

Ahead, flanked by Sullivan and Elric, Lamperouge rapidly approached. His face was carved from stone, and she shivered, remembering his expression during the attack at the Fadiman's house. This was the Lamperouge who had terrified her, who had not come out to play again for all the brief moments they interacted so far.

Had she blown her cover? Was he coming to execute her? Should she run?

"Lelouch," Gino cried, sprinting over. "The Emperor wants to talk—"

"Not now, I'm busy," Lelouch interrupted, brushing past him. "Stadtfeld. With me."

She rushed to her feet, unsure what was happening, but following regardless. Behind her, Gino gaped, and she shrugged in solidarity. One did not brush aside the Emperor... except Lamperouge had, without a second of hesitation.

"Lelouch!" Gino shouted.

Lamperouge picked up his pace, and they crammed in another truck with more soldiers, all of them dressed for battle. Hadn't they rescued the hostages already? Why was he personally leading them? What had gone wrong for his face to lack all emotion.

They stopped in front of a pizza shop.

"On me, Frederick, Stadtfeld," Lamperouge ordered. "Henry?"

Sullivan snapped to attention. "Yes, sir?"

"Secure the lobby before they raise the alarm." He raised his hand; Sullivan was already gone. "Everyone else, form a perimeter. Anyone who tries to break through is considered hostile. Lethal force is authorized. Keep a few alive for interrogation."

Was this the Blood of the Samurai's hideout? A pizza shop? Why did he want her here? What the hell was happening?

The door opened, and Lamperouge rushed out, Elric letting out a string of muffled curses. She rushed after them, her gun resting comfortably in her hands. Hadn't she killed enough of her people today?

Stepping inside, the scent of blood assaulted her. It was everywhere. Fresh. And mixed with human groans. She looked around, over the pristine floors and the innocent pizza plushy laying on the counter. To the boy cowering on the ground and crying.

Elric raised an eyebrow at him. "He's getting better."

Lamperouge ordered the boy searched regardless.

They stepped into the backroom, and Kallen gagged, bile burning in her nose. Blood. Everywhere. Fresh corpses splayed across the floor. The lights swayed dangerously. Bullet holes littered the walls.

"I take it back," Elric mumbled.

Sullivan stepped back into the room, blood splattered across his face. "All clear. Prisoners are held on the fifth floor. A new batch arrived today."

Heedless of the blood squelching beneath his feet, Lamperouge walked forward. Kallen hunched her shoulders and tried not to breathe. Sullivan was the monster she feared Lamperouge to be. Lamperouge was worse; he ordered the monster.

"You got this," Elric whispered. "Just focus on the mission."

"Where are we?" she whispered.

"The OSI."

Her breath stuttered. "We—He can't— They report to the Emperor." This was treason. "Why?"

"We'll be fine. The most he'll get is a slap on the wrist." Elric pulled her aside as someone charged from the hallway. She fired on reflex. The boy, even younger than her, desperately dragged himself across the floor, leaving a trail of blood. "Good job. Stick next to Lelouch."

Sullivan cleared each floor in much the same manner. On the third floor, the emergency lights turned on, drowning the halls in more red. She tried not to look at the corpses and the way too young faces among them. A few, Sullivan allowed to live. The second their hand shifted to a weapon, they fell to the ground, a bullet in their head and Elric lowering his gun.

Sticking close to Lamperouge as he rushed through the halls, she debated the merits of killing him again. This version of him was so... unsettling. His expression never changed as he took in the carnage around him. Elric at least appeared vaguely disgusted although he performed his job with remarkable efficiency. Even Sullivan felt more human with a soft eager smile which was entirely out of place.

Finally, Lamperouge paused before a door. "The alarms don't go off inside the cells so as to not alert the prisoners. Henry, take care of any stragglers and then guard the door. Leave a few for interrogation."

"I should go first," Kallen said as Henry bounded off.

Lamperouge considered her for a moment before nodding. She pushed open the door, afraid to ask what she would find. A gunshot rang in her ears, and she watched as a man crumpled to the ground with a pained moan. A bruised boy stumbled to his feet, eyes wide as he looked at them. On the ground next to him was another teen, dead in a dark red stain.

Her breath lodged in her throat as she looked up at the student council shackled to the wall and in various states of consciousness. To the right was Nunnally. Her eyes closed and chest rising steadily. If it wasn't for the slight tilt of her head which always accompanied her attentive listening, Kallen would've said she was sleeping.

Now, she understood, and she was suddenly too glad for the monster standing at her back.

"Who do you think you are?" a nasally aristocratic voice demanded.

"Move an inch"—Lamperouge rested a hand on her shoulder as he stepped forward—"and I blow off your head."

"I am Lord Claymoore," he haughtily replied. "This is an OSI operation. You have no right—"

Lamperouge laughed and ice ran down her spine. "To be here? You had no right to steal away young, promising students and yet you did it anyway."

"They are traitors to the crown."

"All of them? Or perhaps the traitors are you, turning the power granted to you by the Emperor into brief political gain."

The noble paled. "Doe! Arrest the intruders!"

The boy scowled, radiating defiance.

"Alex, please restrain this nuisance," Lamperouge ordered.

The boy, Alex, steadied on his feet and rushed at the man, swiftly taking him down.

"W-Who are you?" The noble squirmed in his bonds. "A-Anything you want. I can give it to you. Money? Girls? Information? Please!"

Lamerpouge ignored him, stepping past him and stopping in front of his sister. His shoulders remained tense. "I do not know who I am more disappointed in. The OSI's treasonous incompetence is almost to be expected. My subordinate knowingly defying my wishes is not. Nor my sister thinking she can fake sleeping and ignore the mess of her foolish actions."

Nunnally flinched. "Lelouch—"

"Do you even know what you have done? Did you for once stop and consider the consequences? I never thought my sister would be so foolish, so spoiled to act as if the world revolves around her!"

"Please, Lelouch," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it. You were kidnapped by the OSI!"

Kallen took a step forward, and Elric dropped a firm hand on her shoulder pulling her back.

"Clovis killed him!" Nunnally screeched. "I promised to protect him; I gave my word. But Clovis had him assassinated because of his stupid pride."

"As is his damn right!" Lamerpouge raised his hand and slowly lowered it. "You were supposed to be safe. I did this because of you—"

"Then stop protecting me! You would have never gotten hurt if it wasn't for me. You could've been safe!"

"Except you wouldn't be."

"You were tortured!"

"I'm fine," he snapped automatically—an obvious lie, even to Kallen's ears.

Everyone had their demons, Milly and Fadiman had said. Nunnally and Lamperouge's were simply greater than most's. She hadn't imagined this. Who had it been? Nunnally clearly blamed Britannia, but Lamperouge, for all his bitterness, served his nation faithfully.

"No, you're not!" Nunnally sobbed. "You're not, Lelouch. And he keeps sending you out there, and you let him. I don't want to lose you."

"It's necessary. I can handle it if it keeps everyone safe."

"I'm old enough to fight my own battles!" Nunnally's voice cracked. "I can do it. Stop letting him hurt you because of me. You always do that, and I hate it."

Lamperouge stepped back, his voice frigid. "Very well, if that is what you think." He turned to the other student council members. "That merely leaves the rest of your traitorous friends. I can forgive their ignorance, but Milly—Lady Ashford, you should have known better and you helped her anyway. As for you, Euphie... Your sister will be informed and I will leave the details of your punishment to her."

"What—No!" Euphie squirmed. "Lelouch, you can't! Please!"

"You should have thought of that before. I refuse to believe you are so naive to have never seen any problems with this scheme."

"It was the right thing to do."

Lamperouge chuckled. "The right thing to do often has an unfathomable price. Your sister truly has sheltered you too much although I acknowledge that my sister is to blame for roping you into this asinine scheme of hers. You lack the initiative."

Euphie recoiled as if she had been struck, and Kallen grit her teeth. For all that she didn't really like the girl, there was an earnesty to her. She didn't deserve to be insulted, not now, especially right after having fallen victim to the OSI.

"Brother, stop it!" Nunnally cried. "I did it. I'm sorry! It's not her fault."

Slowly walking to the table covered in various instruments of questionable intent, Lamperouge said, with false calm, "Yes. You orchestrated this, so you should take the blame."

"Yes, please," she begged. "It's my fault."

"Except we live by different rules, Nunnally. You know that. So what would Father do?"

Both Euphie and Nunnally paled, and Kallen remembered Lamperouge's terror at simply hanging up on the man. The consequences would have undoubtedly been dire. Milly began struggling in her restraints, tears brimming in her eyes as if she knew what was coming next. To her side, Allie merely watched in wide-eyed horror.

"Please, don't," Nunnally begged. "Lelouch..."

"Of course you would be fine," Lamperouge said, leaning against the table. "Mother would throw a fit if you were injured, and Carine seems to be more of the exception to Father's brand of discipline. But everyone around you? Well, they are not special. Not even Lady Ashford here. In the end, they are all disposable. So choose, Nunnally. Who will it be? Who will suffer in your place?"

No, not this. It was unimaginably cruel.

Swallowing, Kallen desperately met Elric's displeased eyes. His jaw tightened; he made no move to interfere. Kallen should, but her loyalty was clearly in doubt. Interfering suggested she agreed with the student council—she did, impressed that a handful of Brits managed to cause such an uproar.

So she remained silent as well.

"Choose, Nunnally," Lamperouge demanded. "Who will you sacrifice?"

"It's okay," Allie interrupted. "I can do it, Nunnally."

"No!" Nunnally broke into sobs.

"Choose."

"I can't!"

"Choose."

"Milly!" Nunnally gasped. "No. Don't. Lelouch!"

"Stadtfeld," Lamperouge ordered over her begs. "Release Lady Ashford and secure her to the post there."

"Kallen? You're here?" Nunnally shook her head. "You can't. Please!"

Disturbed, Kallen turned to Lamperouge, trying to understand. He raised an impatient eyebrow, and she bowed her head as she approached Milly. They had been friendly once; now, only hateful glares greeted her. She couldn't do this. This was wrong. Yet her hands moved regardless.

Milly didn't resist as Kallen guided her to the post. Her body trembled violently beneath her hand, but her eyes were wide in betrayal, flicking between her and Nunnally.

"Please," Milly whispered weakly. "How can you— Lelouch! Please!"

If he allowed the student council to live, they would never forget this; they would never forgive her. And that was the point, wasn't it? The Japanese would learn of her part in freeing the hostages. She had basically confessed to being a traitor to Kaguya's maid. They would never accept her as one of theirs. And now the student council. She would forevermore first be Lamperouge's subordinate to them.

Lamperouge handed her a whip as she stepped away from Milly. "I believe twenty-two lashes is standard."

"Lelouch, no!" Nunnally screamed.

Kallen trembled. "Sir, I can't. Please—"

"Strike to the side," he whispered. "We're almost done."

On the ground, Milly began to hyperventilate, begging between rapid breaths. "Your Highness, forgive me, please!"

The whip cracked, striking only air, and it fell out of Kallen's grasp as the words finally registered. Lamperouge pinched his nose, glaring at the girl. Frederick shifted to his side and his eyes bore into her in silent warning.

Shirley gasped. "You're Prince Lelouch."

The son of Marianne the Flash, Lelouch vi Britannia, Kallen remembered. The one who Kaguya deemed a challenger to Prince Schneizel. Royalty was why he could be Zero and be so cavalier with his words. The last piece settled into place. Her enemy stood before her.

"Nunnally is a princess?" she asked. That did not compute.

"Alex, release them," Lamp—Prince Lelouch said tiredly. He cast one last glare at Milly before striding to his sister and finally letting her down. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing, and he held her tightly in a hug.

Kallen owed him her life. Lord Ashford had known. He sent her to the division with the one person who could stop Empress Marianne's rampage-her son. He was nothing like what royalty was supposed to be; Nunnally even less so. They were too critical of their nation.

"I'm sorry." Prince Lelouch stroked his sister's hair. "I needed you to understand."

Nunnally hiccupped, her voice too quiet to hear.

"You're going to Pendragon—"

"What!"

"You're grounded," Prince Lelouch said firmly. Gaze turning to the bruised boy, he sneered. "You too, Alex. You're cleaning up this mess and then not leaving my sight."

Did Kaguya consider him an enemy? They knew each other at least. Kallen couldn't make a move until she talked to her. Prince Lelouch was too high profile, and he and Nunnally were potentially sympathetic to their interests. Unlike the rest of the nobility, and presumably royalty, they treated the Numbers as human. And at least, Prince Lelouch wasn't following his father's footsteps. He had been panicked after hanging up on the Emperor-in hindsight, a sentiment with which Kallen agreed with wholeheartedly.

One did not hang up on the Emperor, nor—

Kallen cleared her throat. "You brushed off the Emperor."

"What?" He turned, eyes widening. His face paled. "Shit."

Tokyo, Area Eleven

The hostages had been saved. Leila wasn't an accessory to plotting a girl's assassination. She vomited into the toilet regardless.

She collapsed into her lavish bed and glared at the swaying canopy. Maybe it was the stress and the guilt. She felt absolutely miserable. Or maybe it was the disgusting feeling of Clovis touching her. She wanted to kill him. He brought nothing of value despite his flowery words. He saw absolutely nothing wrong with his actions. Maybe he had once been kind, but absolute power corrupted absolutely.

It would be easy to kill him. He lowered his guard around her. Poisoned tea? A good old knife to the back?

She inhaled shakily. This wasn't right. Britannia was turning her into someone else, and she was so desperate for a scrap of power to call her own. She could kill Clovis, but then she would be executed as well. She wasn't ready to die yet.

His attention would wane eventually. He flitted from mistress to mistress. She merely needed to bear it.

"You have a visitor," her governess interrupted from the door.

Groaning, Leila glanced longingly at the bathroom. "Tell them I'm not feeling well."

Three minutes later, Lady Everette pushed her way in the room and asked for a tea set so she could care for her ill friend.

Friends didn't exist in Britannia. Leila pushed herself out of bed and ignored the nausea. She couldn't appear weak.

Thankfully, her governess left the room without much hassle.

"I heard you have been granted a commission by Clovis," Lady Everette said, pouring her a cup of tea. As the host, Leila was fairly certain that was her job, but she was too tired to try and decipher the meaning. "Congratulations. I am curious as to what led to that wonderful opportunity."

Leila accepted the cup. "Prince Lelouch put in a word for me."

"Did he?" Lady Everette gently stirred her tea, eyes drawn together in contemplation. "I was not aware that he held you in such high esteem. At the ball, he was rather dismissive of you."

Or of her, Leila wanted to say. She sipped her tea, biding her time. She could feel a trap closing in around her. "He was sympathetic to my plight."

"When did you see him? I was unaware His Highness was in the Area."

"Kaguya had a small birthday celebration which he attended as well," she answered honestly. A sliver of unease warned her to be careful with her words.

Lady Everette pursed her lips and set down her spoon. When she looked up again, her eyes were hard. "I took a considerable risk with approaching you. I hope that you do not intend to pay me back in subterfuge. Prince Lelouch and Sumeragi are terrible enemies to have, more so than most know, but they never form honest alliances either. Maintain friendly relationships with them, but you are a fool to think they will ever protect you."

Wisely, Leila remained silent. Kaguya had protected her, thrown her power against Clovis. Whether she was a JLF spy or a traitor to her birth nation remained to be seen. Prince Lelouch meanwhile offered her a favor, and she had no doubt that he would shield her from trouble, if only to have the chance to collect later.

"Prince Clovis meanwhile is a fool. Nothing you gain there will last. He is on the cusp of being removed." Lady Everette stood and dropped a hand on Leila's shoulder, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "Your position is beneficial to us as long as you don't develop any fanciful ideas."

Leila shuddered. "I am not your pawn." She was sick and tired of being pushed around by everyone. At least with Clovis, regardless of how much she desired to drive a knife through his eye, she had the chance to gain her own power which would protect her in the future. "I thank you for your kindness. For that, I will remain cordial, but I will walk my own path."

"You have been feeling sick lately, haven't you?" Lady Everette asked, drawing away with a pleasant smile.

"I imagine it is the stress." Leila narrowed her eyes.

"Hmm. Your regular visits with myself are quite relaxing." She pulled out a vial and leaned over the table, emptying half in Leila's cup. "Drink. It will make you feel better."

Poison?

Lady Everette dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "I shall see you tomorrow. This delectable flavor of tea is only half-finished. I am sure that you will remember the loyalty you owe us for reaching out first. It is delicious, right?"

Hesitantly, Leila stirred the cup. The powder had dissolved entirely.

A hand dropped on her shoulder, and Lady Everette whispered, "Not to worry. It's not poison. It's the antidote. You will feel quite better tomorrow, especially after finishing the remaining dose. It's a custom blend Lord Oberstein developed. If you betray us, you will die." More cheerfully, she declared, "I hope you feel better soon, Lady Breisgau. Illness really does not suit your beauty."

Leila listened to her leave and glared at the cooling cup of tea. Poison. She had been poisoned already.

"She is a good friend," the governess noted. "You did well endearing yourself to her. I doubt she checks on her other allies when they are feeling under the weather."

Furiously, Leila drained the cup.

712th Division Base, Tokyo, Area Eleven

Lelouch cradled his head as he explained the situation to his father and why he had wiped out an entire OSI cell. As for Nunnally, he chose his words carefully, downplaying her more destabilizing actions. It was Area Two all over again with Britannians riled up by terrorist propaganda.

Except this time, his sister was riling them up. Nunnally had exposed so many of Clovis's less favorable dealings; her friends had distributed pictures of Shinjuku.

He was supposed to calm Tokyo, yet Nunnally had done the exact opposite. Worst of all, she had shared how to skirt Britannian censors and how to fly under the radar. However well intentioned her actions had been, they armed the resistance cells.

The OSI cell had acted out of political greed with no regard for Britannia's interest, yet they had been correct in investigating the student council for treason. Nunnally had turned Diethard Reid against Clovis. Part of his job was to pacify the population; she convinced him to do the exact opposite.

And then there was her blog...

"I'm sending her to Pendragon." Lelouch stifled his yawn and closed his eyes against flashes of Carine's bloody back. "The situation is deteriorating here. It's no longer safe. I made sure she learned her lesson, but I would suggest keeping her away from the internet until things have settled. Or keep her occupied. She found way too much trouble."

"Her lesson?" his father asked, his tone unreadable.

Carine laughed in his ears, mocking him. She had broken the rules, attacked a family member. Nunnally had been wiser, attacked indirectly, but it was the same. Worse, her tactics attacked the foundation of the Empire itself.

His hand clenched the phone. "I punished her for her recklessness. She will be more cautious in the future." Or at least not get caught. "I handled it."

He hurt her. She wasn't lying on the ground, sobbing like Carine with a shredded back, but he had hurt her, betrayed her trust. It had been necessary. His father had no mercy. He couldn't be given a reason to punish her.

"I will trust your judgment," his father said finally. Lelouch relaxed; one disaster averted. "Why did the OSI target her specifically? It would have been far easier to grab the other student council members."

Lelouch swallowed. At least this part was merely reckless, not treasonous. "Nunnally stole the Black King's title and neglected to kill him. The OSI was less than pleased to lose such a lucrative informant, and he happily sold her out."

His father hummed. "A novice mistake. She will learn, much like you did."

"You will allow her to continue?"

"Having the criminal underworld directly under the sway of royalty is beneficial." Was he pleased? "Whether she will be able to maintain her control without relying on my power is to be determined."

A test then.

"I wanted her to have a normal life, a chance to have a childhood." Unlike himself.

"You coddle her, Lelouch. She chose her path, much like you chose yours."

He flinched.

His father sighed. "And the terrorists?"

"I failed," Lelouch whispered. His heart pounded in his chest, and he hated the slight tremor in his voice. "Kusukabe turned over hostages of interest to the OSI in exchange for their assistance. He never set a foot in the building. We found a makeshift studio hidden in the woods by the lake. I will catch him. I swear."

"I know you will; although, your job would be easier if you had not wired them three million."

"I couldn't let the hostages die. The public won't know... Unfortunately, I suspect Kusukabe will publicize his survival shortly. I would prefer to be upfront, even if it makes us look temporarily weak. I apologize. I should have foreseen—"

"Two casualties after they went public; three during their initial assault." His father paused. "None of the diplomats were harmed or the major players. Hostage situations are difficult; this was a success. You did well."

He calmed, heartened by the praise. "Thank you."

"Release a press statement emphasizing the Britannian elements at play and how they used the Elevens as pawns in their political machinations. I expect the Blood of the Samurai will rear their heads soon, emboldened by their perceived victory and infuriated that we brushed it off. Try to finish this quickly. Area Eleven needs stability and your soft approach is too slow."

Lelouch grit his teeth. "My soft approach works in the long run. Half the problem is the Britannians. Cracking down on the Numbers wouldn't resolve the issue, and killing Britannians is generally inadvisable. Besides, I thought my focus was investigating Clovis."

It had been the Britannians who had stormed the encirclement around Shinjuku, seeing no difference between the Blood of the Samurai and the innocent in the ghettos. Undoubtedly, he would be lambasted for it in the next news cycle. Clovis had no interest in making the life of the Emperor's agent easier.

"Do it your way then. In the future, avoid injecting former foreign agents into your brother's entourage. One could call it sabotage."

"She won't allow China to invade. Asprius is insufficient, and Clovis is a fool."

"Yes, he certainly has been acting like one."

"How—How is Mother?" Lelouch asked hesitantly.

His father snorted. "Having way too many near collisions with small objects and her skull for my comfort. Unfortunately, she insists on doing it her way instead of going for the easier route. I think she is enjoying herself? Stubbornness is clearly a trait that runs in her side of the family."

"I'm not stubborn," Lelouch mumbled.

The silence spoke volumes.

"I was a child," Lelouch protested.

Warmth seeped into his father's tone. "You were always pertinacious. It is an admirable quality in moderation, even if you caused me quite a few headaches."

"I'm sorry?"

He chuckled. "The Purists have invited you to their equinox soiree."

Lelouch frowned. "I thought you stopped reading my mail?"

"Security concerns have made it necessary once more. Mail screening found ricin by chance last week."

"Who?"

"Depends. Have you given Sumeragi a reason to wish for your demise?"

His heart thundered in his chest. "No. I just saw her for her birthday. She wouldn't—"

"I know. She has very little to gain from your death. Most likely, it is an attempt to discredit her as well. If you could confirm whether she wrote the letter or if it's a forgery, that would be helpful in tracing the assassin."

"That is a great question to dump on someone: Did you try to kill a royal?" Lelouch grumbled. Paranoia roused its treacherous head. There were plenty of reasons for Kaguya to wish for his death, none of which he begrudged her for. "Why are you so certain—"

"—that your Eleven friend isn't responsible? I suspect she would be hard pressed to harm you even if it was in her best interests. If for some unfathomable reason she did intend to kill you, it would be a far more creative attempt at least."

"What do you mean?" Lelouch asked warily.

"She sent the head of one of Greenford's assassins back in a box. If I were to wager, she was behind the death of that unfortunate secretary who kept losing her applications, but none of my agents have been able to ascertain how it was pulled off." His father sounded entirely too amused. "I accepted the invitation for you."

"I'm busy," Lelouch protested.

"Indulge my curiosity, Lelouch. The Purists are quite eager to have you, going as far as to threaten Sumeragi's affairs."

"She'll be my plus one," Lelouch challenged.

"They will be expecting it. I took the liberty of securing your rooms nearby. You will merely have to present yourself. Your subordinates can handle Area Eleven for the few days you are gone."

Lelouch yawned again. "Understood."

"When was the last time you slept?'

"Thirty hours ago? Maybe?"

"Get some sleep."

"Can't."

"That was not a suggestion. You have enough bad habits without picking up my own. Remember to take care of yourself."

The line disconnected, and Lelouch stared blankly at the phone before refocusing on the reports from Shinjuku. There was work to be done.

Henry rapped on the door. His lips quirked. "Your father says it's bedtime."

"I'm not a child," Lelouch mumbled.

"I will drag you out of your office," Henry warned.

"Fine."

He would sleep for a scant few hours, listening to the endless screams of his dreams.

Various Thoughts:

- Absolute monarchies don't really lend themselves to systems based on merit. Britannia runs on nepotism. It's useful if you happen to know royalty, terrible if you're a nobody.

- Kusakabe tends to be killed off pretty quickly, which is a shame because an old-fashioned Japanese nationalist running around sounds like a wonderful source of conflict. Resistance movements are rarely monoliths after all. People have different visions for the future.

- Suzaku is a controversial character for many reasons, one of which is him betraying his country to serve Britannia instead. I always found the idea interesting, but I think Suzaku wasn't the best character to explore the idea. His trauma is a reason but his position in the narrative doesn't give the audience adequate time to delve into it or much of an incentive to root for him. Him being the son of the Prime Minister also complicates matters. But I found the question interesting, and as a result, introduced various characters that share some aspects of Suzaku's reasoning. So we have Ban, Pablo, and now Chino, each with very different motives.

Author's Note:

Hey, no cliffhanger this time. :)

I hope you enjoyed the 13k chapter. The next one will probably be in two weeks on Friday instead of Wednesday.

Thank you Dark, Jarod, and Nektry for your beta work. :)

Chat with me on the discord: discord . gg / uSBegVj