Recap: Kaguya has learned that Lelouch is Zero and is now invited to the Purists social gathering.
Chapter 37: In the Name of Love
April 4, 1970
I'm going to string him up by his balls and murder the pompous ass. He ruined my favorite dress, the one from Aunt Willicia, but oh no, he won't fix it because he's a fucking stingy bastard. Uncle can take his ever so subtle suggestions of marriage and shove it up his ass! I refuse. I would rather bind my breasts and abscond to the army. Belle already said she will help me.
Seriously, I have no idea why Uncle took him in, but you would think he could show a little bit of gratitude instead of lording over us all. He thinks he's so smart just because he's two years older. He's an immature prat and a pauper! I hope he chokes on a lemon.
-The Journals of Empress Annabeth eu Britannia
Boston, Homeland
Surrounded by too many of his father's men for comfort, Lelouch waited at the airport terminal as people gawked from a distance. His eyes flicked to the overlooking windows and the waiting passengers pressing their faces against them. He was too exposed. A sniper would have no trouble setting up the shot. The general bustling of the people would provide the perfect cover for a potential assassin.
Finally, the private gate opened, and Kaguya stepped through, wearing a more traditional Britannian dress. She smiled softly at him, and he inclined his head, offering his arm. A light flashed in the distance, and he grit his teeth.
"It's okay, Lelouch," she whispered. Her touch grounded him, reminding him where he was. "It's just a reporter."
"Shall we?" he asked and hurried her to the car. Frederick and Henry fell into step behind them. "Where are your servants?"
"I have a feeling they won't be of much use. There's no need to parade an easy target with the Purists around." She tugged on his arm playfully, teasing. "And where are yours?"
He grimaced. "At the villa. My father opened it up for our use. Unfortunately, he sent the servants I was forced to choose along as well." Having arrived a few hours prior, he had completely blindsided them upon entering the property. "They've been spending the last week cleaning."
"That's generous of the Emperor," she said.
"Not really. He is trying to prove a point." He wasn't hiring more servants. "I already told them to ignore all the rooms except for ours."
She giggled, slipping into the back seat. Frederick sat down after him, slamming the door shut. Now, they were somewhat safe. The car would hold for a precious few minutes, even against a knightmare attack.
Henry grumbled quietly before merging into the swarm of black cars.
"The Emperor is taking your security rather seriously."
"My last visit to the East Coast landed me in the middle of a gun fight."
Her lips thinned, and she withdrew from the window. "Who was it?"
"They weren't after me," Lelouch assured her.
She snorted. "You truly have the worst luck."
"Don't you dare start as well."
"As well?" She raised an eyebrow.
Frederick snorted. "Our friend made a chart."
"I've no idea how he became so superstitious. He's convinced something bad will happen because Australia was too quiet."
"If a simple visit to the East Coast ended with you almost dying, I perhaps need to make you some charms. Maybe a kami is at fault."
"Don't," Lelouch begged. "If he finds out those are a thing..."
"Will I meet your mysterious friend at your birthday party then?"
Lelouch grit his teeth. "Yes."
She hummed. "Do I get a name for this mysterious friend of yours?"
"Roy."
"No last name?"
He huffed. "I'm not throwing him to the wolves. You would scrounge up every secret of his beforehand." He narrowed his eyes as she opened her mouth. "Don't try to deny it."
"Fine, fine. Keep your secrets. I'm merely surprised that he would even indulge in a foreign custom." She bumped his shoulder. "Does he know about your dear fiancée?"
He shot her a dirty look. "We're not engaged."
Shrugging, she leaned back. "Technically, we are. If your father ordered it, we would be married tomorrow."
"If the Emperor orders anyone to marry, they will do it with utmost haste," Lelouch said dryly as they finally turned out of the city to the large villa standing before them. Various other rooftops peeked over the towering hinges from other noble estates. "By your logic, everyone is engaged."
"Well, the papers are going to be talking all about His Highness meeting his fiancée-"
"If you paid off a reporter, I swear-"
"I don't need to." Laughing, she shook her head. "You accompanied me in broad daylight at the airport. Really, you should have ordered your men to pick me up."
He sighed. A foolish mistake. "This won't help you in seducing one of my brothers."
"And why are you so opposed to us marrying?" Meeting his eyes defiantly, she dropped a hand on his knee. "It will happen. It takes just one word to the Emperor. If we married, it would hardly change a thing but let us work even more efficiently. Or do you find me so repulsive?"
"You deserve better than me." Staring out the window, he resisted the urge to see her reaction. Together they could accomplish a great deal, but she would never entertain him if she knew he was Zero. It wasn't fair of him to blindside her like that. Besides, he couldn't drag her down with him when he smeared his own name to push unpopular reforms through. "You would be better served with an oblivious prince as your puppet. Can we not talk about this?"
"Fine." The seatbelt clicked and a sudden weight dropped on his legs.
Aghast, he stared at her as she looked up at him from his lap. "What are you doing?"
"I'm tired," she said petulantly.
The edges of his lips quirked upwards despite himself. "We're almost there. I promise you can sleep then."
True to his words, the car slowed to a stop, and he gently pulled her upright. One of his footmen rushed forward and opened the door. Frederick stepped out first, his hand on his holster as he scanned for threats. Henry joined him on the opposite side, framing the car door.
Lelouch offered Kaguya his hand as he stepped outside. The ground was freshly paved, any cracks recently sealed. In front of the door, the servants had lined up along the path, bowing deeply. He had surprised them earlier today by dropping in unannounced. They were clearly intent on making up for the breach in decorum.
He hated it.
"Welcome, Your Highness," the housekeeper, his father's spy, said dutifully.
The steward straightened first. "It is a pleasure to receive you, Your Highness, properly this time. We have prepared the master suite for you-"
"No." Lelouch scowled. "I already said I would be taking one of the adjoining guest rooms."
"But, Your Highness-"
He brushed past him. "I will take care of it myself. Back to work!"
Climbing the stairs after half remembered floor plans, he found the guest quarters. The rooms here were smaller, less grand. A smaller kitchen served the wing, intended for late night snacks. It would be adequate for his needs. While Kaguya had lived on the best that Britannia could offer, she wouldn't begrudge him for offering less.
At random, he chose a door. Surprisingly, the guest chambers had already been cleaned out. A small sitting room connected two bedrooms.
"I will find two maids to attend to you," Lelouch offered. One of which would have to stay by her side to testify nothing inappropriate happened.
Kaguya rolled her eyes. "Don't bother. They'll say whatever you want them to say anyway, and I know you're more comfortable with just your guards." She yawned and shook out her hair, removing the hair pin he gifted her. His breath caught in his throat. "Henry? Would you make sure they bring up our luggage?"
Narrowing his eyes, Henry scanned the room before looking to Lelouch for permission. He nodded.
"About mar-"
She held up a finger to his lips. "You said not to talk about it, so we won't."
"Kaguya-"
Stretching her arms, she inspected the cabinets. "Let's watch a show!"
"I thought you were tired?"
"Would you even be able to sleep? It's a new place." She found the remote and held it up victoriously as the TV slowly extended out of the cabinet. "Come on. Let's watch something ridiclously stupid and complain about it until we pass out."
"Kaguya," he tried again.
"Do you really want to talk about it?" she challenged. She threw a pillow at him. "We're always attending big, stuffy parties together. Last time we were alone, I cried into your shirt. This time, we should have some fun."
He flipped the pillow over in his hands. "I'll find some popcorn."
"I'll do that," Frederick interrupted.
"Henry will kill you if he finds out you left me alone," Lelouch warned, surprised by the offer.
"Don't kill him." Frederick waved aimlessly at Kaguya before ducking out of the room.
The TV hissed aimlessly as Kaguya entered a channel number, and he froze in horror as an all too familiar french logo burst across the screen. Anything but that show.
"Give me that," he ordered and lunged at Kaguya.
Laughing, she ducked beneath his arms and twirled around with the remote high above her head. "I have the power."
"We're not watching that."
"It's a critically acclaimed show."
"Critically acclaimed? You mean my mother spent a ludicrous sum bribing the critic so it could air here."
"It's a cultural touchstone now. We must watch it." She ducked behind the armchair, once again dancing out of his grasp. She jerked to the side, expertly keeping the infuriating piece of furniture between them. "You can't catch me."
His eyes narrowed.
Oh. It was on.
Jumping over the couch, he tackled her to the ground, taking care to shield her from the force of impact. She grinned up at him as he checked her hand. It was one of his boxes of chocolate. The sobbing mistress entered on the television, amplified by the surround sound speakers.
"Not the Myrtle betrayal arc," he whined. "Where is it? Please?"
She fluttered her eyelashes. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Your Highness."
Myrtle gasped dramatically as the music swelled. "Your Highness, you must believe me! This boy, he is your son. Our son."
Sitting upright, Lelouch stared at the TV in bewilderment. "Holy fuck, that dub is terrible."
Rolling away, Kaguya burst into uncontrollable giggles. "You actually watched this?"
"I didn't have a choice." He lunged for her again, and she whacked him in the head with a pillow. "I'm not going through that hell again. Please. Just, where's the remote?"
He grabbed a pillow to desperately defend himself against her ruthless counter attack. Her grin was infectious, and laughter bubbled in his chest, destroying whatever strength he had in his grip.
"Lelouch," Frederick interrupted, empty handed.
"Hold her," Lelouch ordered. "She hid the remote of wickedness."
"Defend me," she demanded. "I'll grant you a fair maiden's kiss-Wait, no. I will grant you whatever your heart desires. Lelouch is too stuck up to do that."
"What? I'm not stuck up. Frederick, tell her I'm not stuck up!"
Frederick stepped forward. "Lelouch!"
"Very convincing, Your Highness," she taunted, then smirked. "You're not even able to indulge a lady's one request. What have I done to deserve such a cruel fiancé?
He gaped. "A simple request? That show is pure evil."
Her dignified facade cracked, and she sank to the ground in a fit of giggles, weakly swatting him as he patted her down in search of the remote.
"Frederick! Find the remote. She hid it somewhere."
"Lelouch!"
"Now!" He narrowed his eyes at her, and she blinked innocently. "Tell me where it is or I won't cook for you?"
"The servants are hardly going to let you," she countered. "They will be up in arms if you try."
"They'll deal with it."
She pursed her lips. "You're going to have to offer a better deal. Or are you going to let your guest starve? After all, how can I trust the food if you don't."
"You're evil," he hissed. "One would think you're a kitsune in disguise."
Running her hands up his arms, she leaned in until her breath tickled his ear. "Perhaps you should check I'm not hiding a tail beneath my skirt. Or ears beneath my hair."
Meeting her eyes, he swallowed nervously. There was absolutely no way she intended to say that. Even if her proposal for marriage wasn't a joke, it would be a union for their political advantage. She couldn't like him.
Heavy footsteps entered the room. "Lelouch."
They froze, turning slowly.
"Your father is here," Frederick said, his quiet voice carrying easily through the sudden silence.
Flushing, Lelouch staggered to his feet and bowed deeply. "Father."
Next to him, Kaguya dropped into a deep curtsy, her back knee inches above the ground. "Your Majesty."
"I apologize for not greeting you earlier," Lelouch said. "We were not expecting you."
"That tends to be the intention of a surprise," his father said dryly.
"Naturally," Lelouch agreed, realizing the rather compromising situation his father had walked in on. "What may we do for you, Your Majesty?"
"Is that..." His father narrowed his eyes at the TV. "The Myrtle betrayal arc?"
"Yes?"
His father sighed. "A word, Lelouch."
Silently, Lelouch followed him into the bedroom, casting one last worried look at Kaguya. One of his father's guards closed the door behind them, leaving them alone with each other.
"Nothing happened," Lelouch blurted out. "We were just goofing around because I wanted to turn it off and we misplaced the remote."
"You do know you can turn the TV off without the remote?" he asked dryly.
Lelouch flushed. In hindsight, that would've been a simpler solution. "Kaguya and I haven't done anything. I don't want people to develop the wrong idea and affect her chances."
"It would hardly change her marriage prospects. Most of your siblings already assume she is sleeping with you."
"What? We've never done anything."
His father rolled his eyes and dropped into the armchair. "As I am astutely aware."
"Why are you here?" Lelouch asked warily. A surprise visit never boded well, and he could only think of one reason.
"I am hardly going to let you walk into an enemy stronghold on your own. The Purists have become complacent in seeking my favor. It would do well to remind them of their place."
"Oh." A political play, undoubtedly one his father had in mind the moment he ordered Lelouch to accept the invitation. His presence gave his father a convenient excuse to attend as well, and the Purists could hardly turn the Emperor away. "I thank you for the honor."
His father snorted. "Let us not start lying now, Lelouch. In that vein, perhaps you could explain why you have picked up two Eleven strays?"
Fuck. Lelouch knew it. But when Henry had unexpectedly barged in, it was inevitable that his parents would be informed. He would have rather found a suitable guardian for them and supported them from afar. Now, they had his parents' attention, and the best course of action was to make it prohibitively expensive for his parents to target them by making it clear how much they meant to him.
A sliver of resentment wound around his heart for Suzaku forcing him into this position.
"They lost their parents, and I couldn't leave them," Lelouch finally answered.
"There are thousands of orphans. Will you be taking in each and every one?"
"No. I'm adopting them, so I will be taking care of them."
"Dump them on an Honorary Britannian. You are not in a position to take care of them."
Lelouch raised his chin. "I gave my word. They're mine."
Massaging his brow, his father said, "They will not be adopted into the royal family. I will not allow it."
Yes, Lelouch wasn't that foolish. Publicly taking in two Numbers would only paint targets on their back.
"I am sure Odysseus will be more receptive when he is the Emperor," Lelouch challenged. He would happily concede this point-no one deserved to be forced into the viper's nest of court-but he had to give his father the appearance of some concession. Clearly, his parents were concerned that he would be this foolish, which played to Lelouch's advantage.
"No."
Lelouch smirked. "It wouldn't be up to you then."
"It would be political suicide."
"I don't care."
His father exhaled heavily. "When most people decide to have kids, they decide to procreate."
Lelouch grit his teeth and inhaled deeply through his nose. "They will be Lamperouge, but I promise you they will have no place in the royal family. In return"-he swallowed nervously-"you will not force Kaguya to marry against her wishes."
Slowly, his father rose, towering over Lelouch. The corner of his lips inched upwards-either a proud smile or, more likely, a self satisfied smirk. "No."
"You cannot stop me."
"Do not push me," his father reprimanded, a sharp edge to his tone.
Lelouch had finally pushed too far. Now, he would see what punishment would befall him. Desperately, he bit the tip of his tongue, the bitter taste of copper flooding his mouth. He needed to keep his father's ire focused on him. He had promised Suzaku. No matter what, the two innocent children had to remain safe.
Resting a heavy hand on his shoulder, his father glared down at him. "As a member of the royal family, your actions reflect on the rest of us. I will not have you pollute it in such a manner."
"It's not like I ever asked to be a royal," Lelouch spat, his heart pounding.
"Do you think you would have accomplished half the things you have done otherwise? Your education and rank... My influence has given you countless opportunities."
Lelouch slowly uncurled his fingers. "No. I wouldn't have." Without his father, Zero would've never risen. "But as a noble, I could've excelled at the academy and earned my rank through traditional means. As a commoner following the Britannian path, I would be dead after pissing off the wrong noble. I am useful for more reasons than my blood-or my older siblings would be less of an embarrassment-but your Britannia is flawed and therefore would have discarded a powerful tool."
"While unfortunate, it maintains social stability-"
He snorted. "No. Because if I wasn't royalty, with you and mother hovering over my shoulder, I would be attempting to burn Britannia down! Stability? It's needless cruelty."
Nervously, he lowered his gaze, and his father's hand snatched his chin, forcing him to look up once more.
"Do you really hate Britannia that much, my son?"
"Yes."
Lelouch flinched at his father's grunt. Admitting to treasonous thoughts was perhaps not his wisest move.
"I will not partake in anything," he quickly assured. "As you said, I am a prince. Different avenues of expression are open to me."
Abruptly, his father released him, taking a step back. "Did you consider following the Count?"
"No," Lelouch lied weakly.
"Lelouch," his father growled.
His shoulders rose. "Yes."
"Why didn't you? She would have been a fool not to offer."
The Count sat in front of him, gently stirring her tea as he strained against his bonds and his burning calves and shoulders. His heart beat erratically from the tea he drank in a moment of weakness, despite her dropping a pill in it. He only needed to accept her generous offer and then the pain would stop.
"Tired?" she teased, raising her cup to his lips. "It will refresh you. I cannot have you passing out just yet."
Firmly, he pressed his lips together.
"Lelouch." One hand squeezed his shoulder. The other pinched his nose. "You have to repent for your crimes. How many suffered because of you?"
He couldn't breathe. And then he opened his mouth, desperately, greedily. Except, instead of the sweet relief of air, he was drowning. And she wouldn't stop. He couldn't move.
Finally, she allowed him the mercy to fall to the ground as he coughed desperately. "Breathe. I need you to breathe."
Her hands rubbed soothingly along on his back. His right hand paused as it felt cool, hard metal. The spoon which had fallen to the ground from the cup. A weapon, at last. His fingers curled around it, and in a desperate lunge, he spun around, intent on bearing down on her with the maximum force possible.
Her eyes widened, barely shifting backwards in time to save her eye.
Then his hand stopped. An unusually strong force holding it still.
"Lelouch." His father knelt on the ground beside him, squeezing his wrist. "Son."
Shocked, Lelouch relaxed his grip, and the knife clattered to the ground. What had just happened?
"What was that?" his father asked.
He frantically shook his head and attempted to scoot away. His father followed him, grabbing his arm and pulling him in for a hug. It felt strange, uncomfortable, alien. It was warm.
"It's alright. Just breathe. You're here."
"I need Frederick," Lelouch gasped. Why now? Why did it have to happen now when his father was watching? He couldn't afford such weakness. "It's fine. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
A hand brushed through his hair before rubbing over his shoulders in soothing circles. The Count's nails scraped over his back. "He knows?"
"I'm fine."
"Where are you?"
"Boston. At one of the villas," Lelouch gasped. Calm. He had to be calm. Push everything down. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I must have eaten something which did not-"
"Shhh... It's fine, Lelouch." Slowly, his father pulled back. "This does not make you weak."
"What?"
"This does not make you weak." His father grabbed his knee gently. His breath hitched, remembering how the Count had pushed and pushed until he finally screamed. "Tell me, what happened?"
Lelouch focused on the carpet and the luxurious fibers curving around his fingers. He messed up. He wasn't operating as he should, and now his father knew, had no reason to keep him. There were plenty of other princes with less baggage. "The Count... She was angry I refused and she forced me to-" He inhaled shakily. "She forced me to drink the tea. And I never said I would join her. I swear. She didn't have a plan, only revenge. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"
"You have nothing to apologize for. Often what we wish to remember the least is the most persistent." Reaching out, his father stroked his hair and Lelouch leaned into the calming touch. "Your mother and I..." He sighed and reached into his pocket, dropping a small wrapped candy into Lelouch's palm. "The taste helps. Concentrate on that."
Hands shaking, Lelouch unwrapped the peppermint and popped it into his mouth. His eyes watered at the sudden strength, but the last tinge of bitter tea in his mouth faded away. Slowly, his heart settled down.
"As a child, I would often sit by the fireplace with my mother and... my father. I would usually read a book while my father discussed various Imperial policies with my mother. It was... peaceful. We hadn't learned of the Emperor's death promptly, but my father's rivals did. They must have bribed a servant as we woke in the middle of the night to flames. My father ordered my mother to take us and run... We did not get very far. To this day, I cannot stand the smell of smoke."
Lelouch nodded, slowly relaxing. "What stops it?"
"Time... And talking about it. I won't force you to tell me what happened, but find someone to trust the details to."
"I told Kaguya some of it," he mumbled. Her tender touch chased the memory of the Count away. "The unimportant things."
"Be careful with her. And Lelouch? You need to stop pushing yourself so hard."
"But-"
"There are two children dependent on you. They will need you for years to come. How do you expect to take care of them if you cannot care for yourself?"
Lelouch's head snapped upright, and he stared at his father in disbelief. "You're allowing..."
"I will allow their adoption under Lamperouge to go through officially. But they will be raised Britannian, which means Britannian names. They will forget that they ever were Japanese."
He swallowed nervously. Names were important, but Lelouch would strip them of theirs. He would deny who they were. To ensure their survival, he could do it. They would have a better life by all measurable means, and when Odysseus finally took the throne, they would have the opportunity to once again explore the heritage Lelouch denied them.
"Yes, Father," he agreed. Again, bowing his head. Playing the long game to survive because no rescue was ever coming.
"Good. I expect you to behave during the gala. No hiding away. The time for such childish games has long passed. You will walk into that room and will not give them a single excuse to complain."
He nodded.
"Come." His father offered his hand, pulling Lelouch to his feet. "How goes the investigation into Clovis?"
Boston Homeland
Hair fixed, Kaguya waited anxiously in the middle of the room, not daring to sit down when the Emperor could return at any minute. Her little game with Lelouch already led to them accidentally snubbing the Emperor. She couldn't afford doing so again. At the side of the room, Frederick nervously watched the door. The only one somewhat relaxed was Henry who had returned with the luggage.
She shouldn't have pushed so hard, but Lelouch was so hard to read at times. He was changing, and those brief lapses in control where he was just normal gave her hope that it was still him beneath it all.
Over two hours later, the door finally opened and she dropped into a deep curtsy, wondering what they could have been discussing for so long. Peering through her extended eyelashes, she bit the inside edge of her lip as the Emperor possessively gripped his son's shoulder.
Something had happened in the span of two hours. Lelouch had entered the room nervous but with a strength to his step. Now, he was calm and subdued-the image of a perfect son.
"Your Majesty."
"Rise, Kaguya," he said, using her name for the first time she could remember. "I will see you this evening for dinner, Lelouch. I am sure you will manage to prepare something appropriate in the meanwhile."
"Yes, Father."
The Emperor stopped before her, his eyes narrowed and unreadable as he scanned her. "You are welcome to join us. After all, you are almost family."
That statement was nowhere near reassuring, but she inclined her head respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Call your sister," the Emperor ordered before his guard closed the door behind him.
"I'm sorry," Lelouch whispered. "I tried to ask that he wouldn't force you into a marriage against your will, but he refused."
So the Emperor still had use for her somehow, even if her influence was no longer required to tie the Chinese to Britannia. Her betrothal wouldn't be canceled, but if the Emperor had refused Lelouch's request despite his favor, then he had someone else in mind.
She smiled weakly. "Thank you for trying, but it's clearly in my best interest to find someone soon before the Emperor tires of waiting."
"About marriage-" Lelouch collapsed into the couch. "I'm not-You deserve to be happy. I cannot do that. With my other siblings, you will be able to sway-break them to your will. Nothing would be able to stop you, and I would gladly support you from the sidelines."
"What if I want to marry you?" she challenged. Why was he such a blind idiot? How much clearer could she be?
"You don't, and you certainly won't," he said bitterly.
"Did His Majesty ask something of you?"
"Nothing more than the usual. No. We have our fun at events, but you barely know me. This is convenient, nothing more."
"I am aware." That he was a dense idiot who gave osmium a run for its money-and was perhaps just as toxic. "But if I must marry, I much prefer someone who understands me, who I can laugh with, who respects me, who provides a challenge. Maybe your other siblings would be more useful"-doubtful-"but I would bore of them. Long term stability is not happiness."
He flinched, his fingers rubbing the hem of his shirt. "You don't know that."
"You will have to marry. The Emperor has shown a disproportionate interest in your affairs. Do you want to be saddled with someone where you must watch your every word? Someone who you can never speak to as an equal because she'll simper and flutter her eyelashes, too enamored with earning your favor to ever oppose you?"
Infuriatingly, he shrugged. "It hardly matters. If she is insufferable, I can park her in a nice house elsewhere. Nothing says we have to spend time together."
"Time is usually required when a child becomes involved."
A glint of panic entered his eyes. "I will never bring a child into this family. That would be mindlessly cruel."
"Aren't you lucky," she spat. "I hardly have the choice, not when my refusal could be conceived as treason. And yes. They would most likely die in the chaos of a regime change. Everyone wants to subjugate the Eleven whore; no one wants to deal with the half-breed child."
His shoulders sank. "You still have some time, Kaguya. You cannot say I am preferable to my countless siblings when you have focused all your energies on avoiding them. At least earnestly try for a year and evaluate them properly."
"And then?"
"If you are still inconceivably convinced that I am preferable, I will ask Father for permission to marry you."
Goosebumps ran up her arm as she considered actually entertaining their gazes. She wasn't even human in so many of their eyes. But if this was the price?
"Another man might get jealous," she teased weakly.
His eyebrows rose slowly. "Why would I be jealous? I want you to be happy."
Everyone became jealous. Family, friend, lover. People wanted to feel special, and nothing shattered that illusion more than watching someone else take one's place.
She bowed. "It's a deal, Your Highness."
Grimacing, he inclined his head. "Of course."
"I won't stop asking you to marry me. People might get suspicious otherwise and think we had a falling out instead of it being a game."
"It was never more than a game," he said, confused. "You are absolutely infuriating sometimes, you know. I have no idea why you derive such enjoyment from it."
She chuckled. "You make the most wonderful expressions."
How she pitied the fools in the Kyoto House. One idiot had suggested she passionately declare her love for him and take him to bed so he would follow her like a lovesick fool against Britannia. He hadn't been the only one under the mistaken impression that Lelouch was wildly in love with her.
No, as every conversation of theirs proved, Lelouch didn't love her. And she was wise to never entertain such a reckless fancy. He cared for her, but not enough to throw logic to the wind.
"I'm going to begin prepping dinner." His hand ghosted over her arm. "Go unpack and settle in."
Then she was alone, except for Henry's watchful eyes. There would be no hasty rummaging through Lelouch's luggage, if she would even dare.
Zero.
Lelouch was Zero, a role which he wouldn't disclose and undoubtedly a part of the growing distance between them. A year. A year to give him space and risk him turning into something unrecognizable.
Until his father came along, Lelouch had still laughed. But the light in his eyes was now extinguished. She wanted him back. The boy from the shrine who pretended to be a demon as a joke. The boy who had frantically helped her adjust to life in court. The young man who occasionally peeked out from behind Lelouch's tired eyes with warmth and happiness.
He had such a capacity for kindness and understanding-when not dealing with romance. But beneath his pleasant demeanor, there was also cruelty. At best, his words turned sharp in defense. But he had a tendency to overreact, to return an insult with annihilation, especially if they spoke ill of Nunnally.
It was that cruelty his father was invested in. A cold heartedness to sharpen his mind. Were he not empathetic, he would be the perfect Britannian-the perfect Emperor. Without it, he wouldn't be Lelouch.
Her hand drifted up to the vermillion bird securing her hair. He wasn't gone yet.
In her bedroom, she diligently worked on her laptop through the various company reports. She wasn't a fool to touch anything too sensitive, even if it was all in the realm of legality. Privacy was lacking under any noble's roof, especially a royal's. The Emperor wasn't inclined to let a socially disruptive company such as hers succeed.
"Dinner will be ready soon, Miss Sumeragi," Henry interrupted from the door.
"Can you send up one of the maids?" she asked.
A few minutes later, a young girl, roughly her own age, with wavy black hair bowed in the doorway. "How may I assist you, my lady?"
"Not a lady," Kaguya corrected gently. "The white and red dress in the blue bag please."
The girl nodded and hurriedly went to work, removing the dress from its protective covering and laying it on the bed. No longer would she wear soft pinks and other pastels reminiscent of youth. Flowers embroidered in bold red wrapped around from the midsection growing larger as it reached upwards, until the high collar and very top of her shoulder was drenched in a vermillion red.
Adept fingers helped Kaguya out of her more modest dress intended for travel. It wasn't something she would have ever worn if she knew the Emperor would be dropping by. It was practically insulting in its plainess, nor was it suited to bowing. The neckline was too low unless she wanted to give every man a show.
Soft silk draped over her and the white skirt settled above her knees. If the Kyoto House knew she wore this, they might succumb to a heart attack. Unable to stop her vibrant blush, she pulled on her boots and stared at the mirror. She barely recognized herself.
"How should I do your hair, my lady?" the servant girl asked.
"I have it." She set the hair pin down on the table and pulled out the golden dragon. Steadily, she combed out her hair and debated whether she would truly be so audacious. But if there was one thing the Emperor respected, it was strength. To make up for her earlier position, she couldn't falter now.
She only hoped that her actions wouldn't be misconstrued.
"My lady," the servant girl hissed, scandalized.
"Like I said"-she smiled, dabbing bright red stain on her lips-"I have it."
As the main kitchen was a considerable distance from the grand dining hall, they were taking their dinner in what was technically the butler's room next door. Despite being next to the servant quarters, the halls were devoid of anyone except the Emperor's oppressive guards. The young servant, Tanya, hunched her shoulders as she passed by them and quickened her pace far more than appropriate.
"Where will you eat?" Kaguya asked, trying to soothe her.
"We won't, m'lady. We are honored to serve in whatever capacity His Majesty and His Highness need us this evening."
Clearly, the servants weren't used to Lelouch's eccentricities yet, and neither had he grown accustomed to them or he would have explicitly told them to take the night off.
"I'll speak to Lelouch," she promised. "I suspect he won't have any reason to call on you tonight."
"His Highness said so earlier, but His Majesty is also here, and Lord Ivan is quite insistent we are ready."
"The steward?" No one else would have the authority to order them against Lelouch's explicit wishes. "Is this a common occurence? Lord Ivan ignoring Lelouch's orders?"
She slowed, somehow hunching even further. "I would rather not say, m'lady. His job is to ensure the household runs according to the standards of royalty, and he is very diligent."
Except Lelouch undoubtedly had a different idea of what that meant.
Tanya stopped in front of a plain door and bowed deeply. "M'lady."
"Kaguya," the Emperor greeted as she stepped inside. His eyes flicked to the girl behind her with a hint of recognition. No wonder the poor girl was terrified; having the attention of royalty tended to not end well.
"Your Majesty."
"No need for that," he said, stopping her before she could curtsy properly. "As I said, you are nearly family,"
Family meant nothing to the Emperor.
"You're dismissed, girl," the Emperor said, and Tanya fled before he could say anything else.
Kaguya dipped her head in respect. "You honor me, Your Majesty."
He approached slowly, his footsteps deafening. "Yet you chose to fashion your hair in the traditional Japanese style."
"Because I am Japanese," she challenged and met his eyes. Where was Lelouch? She was supposed to play this game with him. "My heritage is part of why I am useful to you."
"Perhaps." His fingers brushed over her hair, resting on the hair pin. "A dragon? The phoenix from before would have been more appropriate with your color scheme. Both, an interesting statement to make in my presence."
Her heart twinged. Of course the Emperor would know what they meant. But she couldn't back down yet. The Emperor demanded respect, but the sniveling bootlicker would always earn his disdain.
"They're a gift from Lelouch. It would be rude to not wear them in his presence."
Eyebrows rising, he huffed. "Yet the boy still refuses to marry you."
"It is exasperating." Her grin faded. "I apologize for earlier today. We forgot oursel-"
"Don't. It is fortunate that Lelouch has the opportunity to relax in your presence. You were alone. There was no harm done."
That wasn't what she was expecting. "May I ask... Since you denied Lelouch's request, is there someone you already have in mind for me to marry?"
"Yes." Amused, the Emperor grabbed a seat at the table as she stared at him in despair.
The deal she forced out of Lelouch was for naught. He would never oppose his father. Yet, the Emperor still cared about who she married despite having secured a marriage between Schneizel and Empress Tianzi. The young empress had been quite distressed in her latest letter as she shared the news with her. Through more discrete channels, Xingke had approached her to see if she could postpone it. Was the Emperor aware of the forces conspiring against the Eunuchs, largely inspired by moral outrage?
Was that why he still needed her? To continue expressing Britannia's benevolence when it fell through?
The Emperor leaned forward. "If I had acquiesced to Lelouch's request, do you think you would have been able to convince him to commit in a year?"
She swallowed at the bitter reminder that there was no privacy here. "Your Majesty?"
"I suspect if I were to force you to marry anyone else, they would soon suffer an unfortunate accident."
"Your Majesty, I would nev-"
"Don't-" Scowling, he shook his head. "Don't lie to me. There would never be proof, but you would find a way. Lelouch is the only one whose safety would be assured. Unfortunately, he is rather..."
"Dense," she finished bitterly as her heart soared. But... "Why honor me? A Japanese girl, an Eleven?"
He snorted. "You are hardly Japanese after all these years. You are more Britannian than most nobles. Despite their best efforts, Sumeragi Industries has been thriving. While the Kyoto House is stuck playing in the past, you distanced yourselves from them to your advantage." To protect them in case she was caught! "You have played politics so well with my son that even now the fools are unaware of your influence. Why would I not want such a powerful asset in my son's hands?"
The Emperor of Britannia considered her more Britannian than many of his own citizens. While excellent news for her cover, where had she lost her humanity? She knew it was inevitable... but she thought she had more time.
"Dinner is served," Lelouch announced as he backed through the door, his attention focused on the large tray delicately balancing in his hands. Frederick and Henry followed after him carrying steaming bowls of fresh vegetables, rice, and curry.
Having set down the tray, Lelouch backed away victoriously with a heart stuttering goofy grin. Absently, he swatted away his father's hand as he reached out with a finger. Seeing them act so domestic would never not be strange. Naturally, no one would ever believe her if she told them.
"Stop that," Lelouch hissed. "I will let the dessert burn."
She covered her mouth to hide her fond smile.
"I didn't expect you to be here so... soon." Finally looking at her, Lelouch froze. His eyes slowly wandered down, stopping on her thigh high boots-a most worthwhile expenditure-and he swallowed. "You look nice."
"Thank you," she said sweetly, stopping before her chair.
His elbow knocked into the table as he hurriedly pulled out a chair for her. Behind him, the Emperor rolled his eyes and opened the wine, filling three glasses.
Nervous, she gingerly accepted hers. She had the Emperor's blessing-or the closest one could get to it. The only one relevant who would oppose her now was Empress Marianne... and possibly Nunnally. She had never been too fond of her presence in the brief conversations they shared.
"Regarding tomorrow," the Emperor said, "I have prepared a list of nobles for you to seek as allies. They will be of use in the future."
"Yes, Father," Lelouch said obediently, standing ramrod straight next to the table. Not long ago, he would have begrudged him for being forced to partake in politics. "I will be entering with Kaguya."
"Yes. She will join us."
"But-" Lelouch protested.
He couldn't possibly mean-
"We will be entering together. Left to your own devices, you would find a way to enter the gala with none being wiser."
Her stomach clenched. It would draw way too much attention to herself. The Emperor never entered with anyone except Empress Marianne. To break the mold, with her son... And with her. Was he trying to incite the Purists?
It could be an elaborate attempt to dispose of her. Before their conversation, she would have believed it, but the Emperor still had use for her.
"Will Odysseus be coming as well?" Lelouch asked.
"No. He is preoccupied with transitioning to the Prime Minister's duties and setting his office at ease."
Lelouch narrowed his eyes, the silence stretching between them. "I don't want the throne."
Kagya winced. She had suspected, but why did he feel the need to vocalize it? The entire point of noble politics was to secure a position of trust close to the Emperor, with the throne as the grand prize. One didn't withdraw from the game.
Now she understood why he was so insistent that he couldn't help her achieve her goals. But he was a fool if he thought his father, who was clearly going out of the way for him, would allow him to walk away so easily.
"Yes. Your plan is to retire on a deserted island," his father said with barely concealed disdain.
"Good. Then there are no misunderstandings." Lelouch sat, his hand absently reaching for the knife as he faced her. "I hope you were not bored in my absence." His eyes flicked to his father, and he carefully set the knife down. "Hopefully the hunger was not too debilitating."
How sweet, he was worried his father had done something.
"I'm sure the food is exquisite," she reassured him. Succumbing to temptation, she teased, "We simply discussed your denseness."
She readied her cheshire grin for another comment, but winced when she saw the Emperor glance at her. She took a large sip of her wine instead.
"Among your other failures at romance," his father added. "Like the brothel."
Coughing, she twisted to Lelouch. A brothel? He was not the type.
Bright red, Lelouch buried his head in his hands. "It wasn't like that! I didn't know!"
"Which is why you practically ran out. It still took you a solid ten minutes to realize."
Lelouch shrunk in his seat, shoulders rising defensively. "I noticed, but I thought we were there for something important, not..."
"Why were you..." Kaguya asked tentatively.
"Birthday surprise," he mumbled.
She giggled. "So you're still an innocent flower."
"Yet his power of seduction is without comparison," his father joked. "The broken hearts left in your wake could fill a nation."
"Almost like a fairytale princess."
"Would Sir Weinberg take the place of Lancelot in this tale?" his father mused.
She tapped her chin. "Perhaps it is best you remain unwed so there are no traitorous heartbroken scandals."
"The answer is not to deny the populace but to allow all to have the opportunity to be wed." An uncharacteristic grin stretched across his face. "If you keep an open mind, you would easily surpass my record number of wives."
"Ooh, you could hold a competition," she chimed in. "Whoever delivers the EU's defeat to you has the right for your hand."
His father stroked his chin. "A fine idea actually."
Lelouch stood and grabbed the serving bowl, slamming it down next to him. "I hate both of you."
Unable to help herself, she laughed, surprised by the Emperor's deep chuckles joining her.
"Not to worry," his father assured. "Marianne would kill me if I demoted your heart to a political tool. She is rather invested in this idea of true love. A rather myopic notion when you have the option to marry as often as need be."
How often did the Emperor bend to Empress Marianne's wishes? In hindsight, being so blatantly antagonistic to the woman had been rather foolish.
Serving himself a generous helping, the Emperor continued, "One for love, and the others for political gain, that is how it's always been done. Except for the mistresses who always bring more trouble than they're worth."
"Please stop," Lelouch moaned, food forgotten and head buried in his hands.
"So who has set your heart ablaze, Lelouch?" she asked. Personally, it was a tedious and annoying development as she could never act upon it. Only with those who were already sworn to her, acting with her in treason, did she even dare to think of anything more. If only most of them weren't so old. "Red hair, blonde hair, black hair? Come on. Who have you wanted to kiss?"
"What does hair color have anything to do with it?"
"Never mind. Who is in your dreams?"
His face shuttered.
"I mean," she quickly corrected herself, "who makes you feel warm?"
"Nunnally?" he asked, baffled.
Kaguya groaned and massaged her temples. "Surely there is someone. You see them on the road, and your heart quickens and you think maybe you want to talk to them."
"No? That's just a thing from movies and T.V. to accelerate the plot along. It makes absolutely no sense. If I know nothing about them, how could I even find them interesting?"
"Because-" Why was this so difficult for him to understand the basics of attraction? She didn't love him-couldn't-but he haunted her dreams, more often the pleasurable kind which, upon waking, left her depressed and livid at the world for tempting her with an impossibility. "Who do you want to spend your life with?"
"Nunnally."
"You're such a siscon," she grumbled.
His father frowned. "Siscon?"
"Don't answer that," Lelouch snapped. "And I'm not. There are plenty of people who I hope have a long fulfilling life and I hope to see them long after I am old. Why anyone would arbitrarily choose one of them to marry is beyond me, especially if it undermines your political position."
"It's not just a matter of attraction," his father interrupted. "Odysseus's mother... Annabeth. Her uncle was hiding us, and he introduced me to her. We hated each other. She called me pretentious, melodramatic, callous... and stingy, of all things. I meanwhile considered her beneath me and a vapid little girl." His shoulders shook with barely restrained laughter. "Her uncle was always chasing us down, trying to convince us to actually listen to each other. He died before he could see it, and I left soon after with the few men I had collected to stake my claim on the throne."
Lelouch's brow furrowed. "But that's before..."
"I didn't see her for ten years, but I kept wondering about her. When I ran into her again, at twenty-six, it was because one of my vassals had run afoul of a particularly insidious extortion scheme. She had a small army at her beck and call, so when we rode up, she said we either had to pay up, or she would commit all her forces in exacting her price, even at her own annihilation. That moment I knew I never wanted to let her out of my sight again."
"That sounds terribly unhealthy and impractical."
His father glared. "You should have seen the vassal's face when I knelt and asked her to marry me instead. She recognized me then... and called me stingy again for choosing marriage instead of paying, but she accepted. Sometimes, marriage is political. A question of who would best defend your position. But often, it is a question of who complements your strengths and defends against your weaknesses. And you defend them as well."
Miraculously, Lelouch nodded. "Like a second in command, but in your personal life."
Clearly, Kaguya needed to brush up on her military metaphors if that was how it got through his head.
Lelouch frowned. "But people never talk about it like that. It's always about how they look. Or love with first sight... or a celebrity."
"Because people are fools and approach romance much like one would buy a piece of art."
Or they were both idiots, Kaguya decided.
Jade Manor, Boston, Homeland
His father's hand on his left shoulder and Kaguya clinging off his right arm, Lelouch entered the Purists' Equinox Gala. The announcer's eyes widened upon catching sight of them and he attempted to bow before remembering his place and aborting in an awkward gesture. A faint tremor beneath his voice, he announced them to the room.
They entered to shocked silence.
Lord Greenford rushed forward, ignoring the previous guest he had been greeting and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty. This is an unexpected honor. If we had known of your impending arrival, we could have adequately prepared for you."
"Such is the nature of surprises," his father said. "You invited my son, a most curious development, and I deemed it appropriate to accompany him."
Lelouch swallowed nervously. He had made his position clear in case his father was asinine enough to consider him for the throne, yet he continued to shower him with attention. Others would see it as grooming him.
Why did he bother? Surely, he understood the giant target he was painting on Lelouch's back.
"We are welcome to have you both," Lord Greenford said, pointedly excluding Kaguya from his greeting. He had only glanced at her once, his mouth curling in distaste.
"And Miss Sumeragi?" his father threatened.
Lord Greenford swallowed. "And Miss Sumeragi. You look splendid tonight."
She bowed her head demurely, eyes wide open with childish innocence. Like the previous night, she had chosen a more traditional Japanese hairstyle with his two hairpins proudly on display. Lelouch had no idea what to make of the shared looks between her and his father, but to his relief, he appeared to approve. Her dark red dress meanwhile was more modest, but she proudly wore the boots from the night before.
"Come, Lelouch," his father ordered, and the crowd parted before them as they traveled across the grand hall to the opposing side. His father longingly eyed the serving tables laden with an extravagant number of sweets. "They have become complacent. A decade ago, my arrival would not be conspicuous."
"You rarely attend such events unless it is an official function," Lelouch said.
"Too much to do these days to engage in such trivial social posturing. Speaking of which..."
Lelouch bit his lip, turning to Kaguya. He hadn't meant to accidentally abandon her to his father's clutches the night before. Nothing had happened, but he could hardly justify-
"No need to antagonize those whose favor you're currying by bringing her along," his father interrupted.
But-
"I'll be fine," Kaguya assured, her green eyes warm. While unfathomable, she wasn't scared. "Go on and hurry back."
Casting one last look over his shoulder, Lelouch sought out his first target. Henry and Frederick followed from a respectful distance. Their presence was calming, especially as the nobles grew louder with alcohol buzzing through their veins and various sharp bangs drew his mind to imminent catastrophe.
Still, he forced a kind smile, dealing with lady after lord after lady. A few were prominent figures, but most had drifted into the Purist party seeking greater influence.
In the corner of his eyes, he watched a young girl try to muster the courage to approach Henry, only to reel back as he glowered at her. Lacking such a menacing aura, Frederick had various daughters from minor houses vying for his attention as he stiffly tried to extract himself.
"Will I see you again?" Lady Gallagher whispered, her hand brushing over his sleeve.
Because he was supposed to be making friends, he nodded. "If time permits and you wish it, my lady."
She giggled and leaned uncomfortably close. Normally, he would rebuff such forwardness-it was first and foremost rude-but he couldn't afford to enrage her, not with his father's task on his mind. Her hand crept up his arm, and he stared at it in horror.
"I am afraid I cannot tarry," he quickly said, capturing her hand. "It would be utmost rude of me to only allow you to monopolize my time."
Her face fell. "Of course."
"It was a pleasure, truly," Lelouch lied through his teeth. "At the next ball, feel free to seek me out."
And hopefully by then his father had accomplished his goal, and Lelouch could discard with this charade.
Her shoulders rose, and her gaze turned hard. "Am I not better than your Eleven whore?"
He clenched his jaw. "She is not-"
"Everyone knows it. I don't begrudge you for it." She grabbed his hand and pushed against his chest, her breasts pressing into him awkwardly as she looked up at him through watery eyes. "A man has urges, and she is good for that. But Your Highness, think of your reputation. I hear such horrendous rumors. A proper Britannian lady would serve you best. I assure you, I can do far more than her."
"Will you spend millions on my requests with barely a question asked?" Lelouch tore his arm free. "And for the record, we are not sleeping with each other."
She screamed incomprehensibly as he walked away. Shaking his head, he let Henry intercept her and deal with her tantrum. While his father would be displeased at the outcome, he could surely deal with one failure if Lelouch performed adequately with the rest on the list. He wouldn't allow them to disparage Kaguya and her background.
They thought themselves superior to her? None of them were running an international company and sparring with royalty on a daily basis.
Only a paltry few nobles could hold a candle to her. And those who could were wise enough to not disparage her as such.
"Your Highness," Lord Oberstein interrupted as he scanned the crowd for his next target. "What a delight to have you here. Your presence has revitalized these old nobles."
"One of which is yourself," Lelouch snarked.
The greying man laughed. "May I have a moment of your time?"
Lelouch glanced back at Frederick and Henry, his fist clenching as he saw both of them waylaid.
"Not to worry, Your Highness. I have no need to strike here. I only want a private conversation without certain ears."
"I apologize," Lelouch said stiffly. "I cannot oblige. If you wish to have an audience with me, you may go through official channels."
"I think it is best that you humor me. Certain information could come to light concerning your activities. I doubt Miss Sumeragi would be pleased to hear the Emperor deemed you nothing."
Biting his tongue, Lelouch cursed the crowd between him. It hadn't been paranoia before. Lord Oberstein knew he was Zero. Lelouch merely needed to hear him out, weather this meeting before he informed his father and removed the persistent nuisance from the board. He wouldn't lose any sleep over it; Lord Oberstein was crooked, even if Lelouch lacked the definitive proof.
"Lead the way," Lelouch conceded bitterly. His hand drifted over his jacket, withdrawing one of his knives and slipping it into his sleeve for easier access. His guards would soon notice his absence. Lord Oberstein had a small window for this audacious move.
In a small adjacent hallway behind a glamorous statue of Empress Elizabeth, Lord Oberstein stopped and pulled out a jammer. "Geass."
"What?" Lelouch asked, baffled.
"Have you heard of geass?"
"No." This was nothing like he expected. Was it one of his father's projects? "I am afraid I cannot help you on this matter. Now, if you will excuse me-"
"You have," Oberstein said, stopping him. Yes. Lelouch had. Now he remembered. When the assassin came after him and Nunnally so many years ago. It was something she had possessed, a tool or weapon. A gas? "You have helped me."
Lelouch swallowed. "You're welcome? Next time, there is no need to go to such lengths to isolate me. The crowd was your work too, wasn't it?"
"Your guard," Oberstein said unrepentantly. "He's one of the Emperor's Unspeakables. Has he been experiencing memory issues? Or maybe, strange personality changes?"
Lelouch snapped his head to him, suddenly having every reason to focus.
"I see. The Emperor is quite aware of the cause, and he guards the secret of geass ruthlessly. I could not risk him knowing that I know."
"I won't assist you in treason," Lelouch hissed. "You should save your excuses for His Majesty."
Lord Oberstein snorted. "You're hardly the loyal son you portray yourself as. You've seen what the oldest Unspeakables turn into. I would hardly call that existence living. Without your interference, you will subjugate your guard to the same fate."
Closing his eyes, Lelouch succumbed to temptation-no, to necessity. Henry's disloyalty wasn't his fault, and here was proof. "What is geass?"
"A question many would love the answer to." Lord Oberstein smirked. "You can save him."
"How?" Lelouch snarled.
"We should talk later, Your Highness. I have squandered enough of your time." Lord Oberstein stepped away and paused. "And congratulations on successfully rescuing the hostages. Your other siblings would have been ill suited to the task."
Fists clenched, Lelouch let him leave. If he wanted a chance at discovering the cure that Lord Oberstein dangled before him, he would have to play his game. For now, Lord Oberstein would live. His gamble had paid off. Lelouch cared too much for his subordinates.
"Lelouch!" Henry shouted, stopping abruptly before him and fussing over him. "Why did you-"
"I needed a breather. Lady Gallagher was... frustrating."
Henry's lip curled. "Entitled brat."
Jade Manor, Boston, Homeland
As the sixth woman threw herself at Lelouch, Kaguya narrowed her eyes in displeasure, mask be damned. Watching him work his way through his list, turning what should be bitter enemies into swooning loyalists, was infuriating in its absurdity. And there was the third man. Absolutely ridiculous. He didn't even realize what he was doing!
"Jealous?" the Emperor rumbled.
She stiffened. "Why would I be? It is customary for the Emperor to take multiple lovers, and I have always prepared myself for that eventuality."
"Did you not hear Lelouch yesterday?"
"You never agreed," she countered. "You are in good health and have years to groom Lelouch into the successor you wish. I doubt all this effort is due to some unprecedented magnanimity on your part."
"Yet you are still jealous."
"You already said you intend for me to marry him. None of those harlots have a chance," she countered.
His hand dropped on her shoulder, domineering. "Yes. You will marry Lelouch, but I would be a fool to allow you to monopolize his heart and his attention."
"Lelouch is the one protesting the notion of forming a harem. I have no problem with it."
"But only if they are under your control. None of those ladies would entertain your presence. They will never acknowledge your authority."
"With that attitude they will never capture his heart," she protested. His finger dug into her shoulder.
"Fascinating, isn't it? I tell Lelouch to make friends, and he turns bitter enemies into potential suitors. Even though they consider his blood impure, their families will reach out tomorrow to arrange a possible courtship. The connection to royalty is too tantalizing, especially with their children smitten. If they are to be of use, they will be wise to keep such opinions to themselves. It is only a matter of time until he grows fond of some of them."
She really was nothing more than a tool in his eyes. "You underestimate how well I know him."
"And you underestimate the power of perception. The first wife is often seen as the true wife. The nobility defers to her because she is closest to the Emperor's heart. After Annabeth died, the spot was left vacant. Many assumed it was Guinevere's mother, but even now, they refuse to acknowledge Marianne as such. They never go to her with their requests, and no posturing on my end will change their mind. You are a foreigner, an Eleven."
"You would demote his heart to a political tool?" she accused, throwing his earlier words back in his face.
"I doubt Marianne will object given the alternative."
So she definitely needed to convince Empress Marianne that she was worthy of Lelouch. Fuck.
Biting her lip, she bowed her head. "What do you need from me, Your Majesty?"
He chuckled. "Lelouch has been in contact with someone in Shinjuku. Confirm it's Kururugi for me, maybe then I will have reason to reconsider."
Her mouth dried. She was going to strangle the two idiots! Especially Suzaku. Confirming it for the Emperor would prove her loyalty... but would betray Lelouch and Japan.
"Your Majesty!" Lord Greenford interrupted, rushing forward.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed in displeasure.
He gestured vaguely as a large screen dropped down and a projector flickered to life. "We have reports of the Chinese armada collecting near Area Eleven! They're flying under the Eleven flag."
The Emperor brushed forward, already pulling out his phone. The crowd rippled around him in anxious whispers, and she winced as the Emperor confirmed the Chinese's presence-or rather, the portion masquerading as the Japanese government in exile.
The Fall Equinox. A date when many nobles took the opportunity to celebrate. Area Eleven's defenses would be in disarray.
"Father," Lelouch interrupted quietly as they retreated to a corner. "I have to-"
"Sit down, Lelouch. You can hardly arrive there in time."
A minor noble sniffed. "What can he even hope to accomplish?"
"Well, at least he's willing to fight. Prince Clovis must be quaking in his boots," another whispered.
"Don't give the boy too much credit. What could he even do? He's a child."
Kaguya grabbed his hand. Those were his men in Area Eleven-men who would inevitably be asked to fight.
"Have faith," the Emperor said. "Reinforcements will arrive. They merely have to hold it for a day."
"Then I will-"
The Emperor shook his head slightly. "Lord Greenford. Let us take the opportunity to watch what Zero and Clovis can accomplish."
More screens slowly lowered in response to the Emperor's suggestion-command. As each projector flickered to life, displaying tactical readouts, the nobles filled their wine glasses and gossiped loudly, paying only the barest attention to the unfolding situation.
Worldbuilding Thoughts:
- There is an unfortunate lack of information regarding anything pre-series and even more so for Charles's childhood. The wiki suggests that in some side material his father was very liberal but that was about all I could find. Still, we know his family died and that VV acquired code around that time. Having two young children wandering alone doesn't lend itself to raising an army and such, so it's quite likely they were taken in by a family banking on Charles rising to power when he is older (which is probably similar to why the Ashfords took Lelouch in honestly).
- Looking at the various ages of the royal children, it's interesting to note that Charles had Odysseus at approximately the age of 29. (Guinevere followed shortly after and then a five year gap until Schneizel.) Honestly, this is pretty late to have a kid for royalty (especially with his line at risk of dying out) and even stranger when you remember Charles's ridiculously huge harem and how many princes had to be born btw Lelouch and Clovis. Lots of people argue Charles is a massive horn dog (bc you can't accidentally get that large of a harem) but then why did he only have a kid so late? And also, why a five year gap for Schneizel? And in the intermittent years, if Charles already had two wives, why didn't he have more kids by them? Surprisingly, I'm arguing that Charles shows a surprising lack of horniness in canon... Or rather, results of horniness.
- Charles is totally attracted to women who aren't afraid to try and beat him up XD
- Since Britannia came out of a civil war, Charles's large harem seems more of a way to stabilize the country which implies that the Emperor having multiple partners is customary. I do think Charles abused the hell out of the system because 112 wives is way too much, and unlike other historical emperor + harems, Britannia seems to have no proper way to determine inheritance nor is there evidence that the various "wives/concubines" are ranked.
Author's Note:
Originally: Lelouch is a kid who cares about pairings.
Then: Okay, but there's the political and social expectation of marriage. So pairings are on the table.
Now: Oh shit, my justification for a pairing justifies a harem...
Code Geass is honestly a strange fandom where harems actually make sense as part of the worldbuilding. Whether any fics actually execute them well is a completely different question. While I've tried to bury my head about this slowly dawning realization that I might be writing harem, that's a bit silly and does a disservice to the story I'm writing.
So the situation is that the narrative completely supports politics (and Charles) pushing Lelouch into a technical/ political harem because of societal expectations and convenience. The best way to avert that result is for Lelouch to find the sudden urge to advocate for being monogamous (which has the benefit of making succession less of a viper's den and more predictable). On the other hand, Lelouch could continue to be disinterested in marriage and pretty much not care.
Either way, it's hard to see Lelouch being romantically invested in more than one person at a time. You could say he lacks the bandwidth.
...
I will get to replying to all your wonderful reviews soon. I may have sunk quite a few hours into Rimworld this week. Lol.
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, making up for the previous delay.
Thank you Dark, Jarod, and Nektry for your beta work.
Chat with me on the discord: discord . gg / uSBegVj