Lelouch's Bedroom
"You sure it's wise to let him go like that?" C.C. asked in her usually dull tone from Lelouch's bed.
"It's not like I have any other choice..." Lelouch quietly said as he was thinking back to what happened earlier.
...
(Flashback)
"Alright then. Let's go back." Lelouch said before Joseph wrapped him up around his arm.
"Boys back in town! Haha!" Joseph said in glee.
Lelouch just sighed, but then remembered something he wanted to earlier.
"One more thing Joseph." Lelouch said, getting out Joseph's grip.
"Yeah bro?" Joseph asked.
"Do not reveal our true identities to anyone, especially Cornelia and Euphemia." Lelouch ordered, activating his Geass.
Joseph just stared at him, this confused Lelouch.
"...did it-" Lelouch didn't get to finish his thought as he was flicked on the head by Joseph.
"Ow!"
"What hell bro?! No trust!? Gotta use power?!" Joseph asked Lelouch angrily.
"So it really doesn't work on you." Lelouch said surprised.
"Huh?" Joseph asked in confusion but still angry.
"Joe. You know my geass requires eye contact right?" Lelouch asked
"So?" Joseph asked back.
"So remember when I ordered those soldiers to kill themselves and their security officers to not mention you were here?"
"So?"
"So when I did that, you were looking right at me." Lelouch asked with gritted teeth, now getting agitated.
"...Ooooh, immune! Cool." Joseph said realization, happy he has a superpower of his own.
"So you didn't feel any different when you looked at it?" Lelouch asked.
"Nope, same old, same old." Joseph said, forgetting about his anger towards Lelouch.
"Hmmm...sorry I tried to use it on you. I had to be sure, and I have to make sure Nunnally stays safe." Lelouch apologized. Joseph puts his head on Lelouch's head.
"Bro...get it...sister too...will protect...kay?" Joseph said in a rare serious tone.
"...thank you." Lelouch said, a bit more relaxed if not trepidatious.
(Flashback End)
...
"It's probably the riskiest thing I've done. But I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, he deserves it after what he's put up with all these years. Besides, I'll be sure Suzaku and Sayoko keep tabs on him." Lelouch said.
"Hmmm, never imagined you to be one for pity. Did that little dance routine earlier really make you that soft already?" C.C. teased.
"Shut it, Seaweed." Lelouch teased back with a smirk, which made C.C. actually glare at him.
"Still, any idea why Geass doesn't affect him?" Lelouch asked suspiciously.
"Beats me. I just assume it's because of his mental capacity." C.C. casually said, lying down on the bed.
"Maybe..." Lelouch said, not entirely convinced.
"If she's hiding something, she has a good poker face. I'll let it go for now, but I'll have to keep my eye on her." Lelouch thought to himself.
...
Next Morning
ASEEC
After Suzaku let Joseph spend the night in his room, where he treated Suzaku to a bunch of "Night Songs" until 3am in the morning. He took him to the ASEEC, where he was sure Lloyd could get in touch with the Viceroy and Sub-Viceroy. He couldn't help but blush when he thought about Euphemia.
"Euphie..." Suzaku thought back to her sunny attitude and began to wonder if she always had that or got it from Joseph, who was currently dancing to more music while he was trying to get them inside the base.
"And is "he" with you?" The security guard at the gate asked while giving him a very stern look.
It was clear he didn't like allowing his kind in, and having Joseph here with his appearance might just keep him out for today.
"Uh, yes sir, but I swear, he's here for a good purpose." Suzaku said trying to persuade the guard.
"Looks like a bum to me." The guard sternly said, slowly reaching for his gun.
That was true, while he was cleaner and his coat was refurbished, he still gave off a "homeless vibe". And when Suzaku thought it was hopeless, a certain eccentric scientist came to his rescue.
"Ah! There's my devicer!" Lloyd shouted out to him as he approached the gate.
"H-hello Lloyd." Suzaku said with relief, but also some nervousness as wasn't sure how he wasn't going to explain the situation to Lloyd.
"And who is this fellow with you? Explain to me once we get inside, we have a lot of work to do." Lloyd exclaimed, tugging Suzaku into the base with Joseph happily following them.
...
Joseph looked around in wonder at the base that he was led on, filled with so much technology with buttons and switches that were ripe for touching. The funny scientist was still talking to Suzaku at rapid speed, to which a blue-haired woman walked up to them with a stern look on her face.
"Lloyd! At least let Suzaku get into the base before you start chattering his ear off with the schedule." She lectured before turning to Suzaku with a smile. "Good morning Suzaku, how have things been at school?"
"Good morning Cecile, it's quite well actually, made a lot of new friends." Suzaku said with a smile.
"How wonderful. Is he one of them? You know the base is confidential Lloyd!" Cecile exclaimed to Lloyd, noticing Joseph was there.
"We'll just get him to sign some papers is all. Speaking of which, who is your friend? He doesn't exactly look like a fellow from the settlement." Lloyd asked.
"Well you see-" Suzaku started to explain before being interrupted by Joseph.
"Whoa..." Joseph said with wide eyes in disbelief.
Walking past the three of them, he starred at the same white giant robot he saw back in Shinjuku. Lloyd saw this and smiled.
"Oh, you like it? A passion project of mine. It's called-"
"GIANT WHITE ROBOT!" Joseph exclaimed, jump scaring everyone in the base and causing them to look at Joseph.
"Well I don't know if I would call it with such simplic-Hey! Get off there! You might put a dent in it" Lloyd exclaimed as Joseph jumped on the giant robot with glee, checking out all its features.
"Lloyd! HE could also get hurt! Please be careful!" Cecile exclaimed to Joseph.
"So cool! Same in Shinjuku!" Joseph exclaimed.
This caught the trio's attention.
"You were there that day in Shinjuku?" Cecile asked with surprise.
"Yep-yep! Went pass me, so badass!" Joseph exclaimed as he was checking out the head. He didn't notice the regretful look on Suzaku's face.
("He was in the same area I was and I didn't even see him! How could I be so careless!" Suzaku thought regretfully from his perspective.)
"Well I'm glad someone appreciates my technological advancements." Lloyd said pleased, forgetting for the moment that some random person was climbing all over his Lancelot.
"Suzaku, who did you say this was?" Cecile asked now more confused than ever.
And before he could answer, Joseph answered for him.
"Joseph Du Britannia! How you be?!" Joseph greeted as he jumped down the knightmare, landing in front of Cecile, startling her and Suzaku and then shook her hand rapidly.
"Uh...pleased to meet-wait...Britannia? As in royal family Britannia!?" Cecile asked in shock.
"Well, two surprises in one week. Suzaku, I'm starting to think your strategy is to get in bed with the Britannias." Lloyd casually said.
"L-LLOYD!" Suzaku stuttered.
"Suzaku, is he really?" Cecile asked, still in shock.
"Uh, yes, Cecile. He is a Britannia, you can look up his records if you don't believe me." Suzaku said, getting over the shock of Lloyd's statement.
"No, no, I believe you. Um, a pleasure to meet you, your highness. I'm Cecile Croomy." Cecile introduced herself in curtsy.
"No highness. Joseph or Joe fine." Joseph happily waved off, surprising Cecile.
"A pleasure Joseph, I'm Lloyd Asplund, the head scientist of the ASEEC." Lloyd lazily introduced himself, sticking out his hand for Joseph to shake, which he took.
"Nice to meet! Wait...Lloyd Asplund?" Joseph asked.
"That's right." Lloyd answered. Joseph then scrunched as his eyes at him in analyzation.
"Skinny guy, grayish-blue hair, glasses, lab coat?" Joseph asked.
"...Last I checked, yes." Lloyd chuckled, though now a bit confused.
"...Know Rakshata Chawla?" Joseph asked.
"Why yes I do actually." Lloyd said surprised.
"Cool!" Joseph exclaimed.
To which he then, without warning, proceeded to punch Lloyd right in his testicles.
Lloyd yet out a high-pitched, squeaky, yelp and fell to ground clutching his balls.
"Lloyd!" Cecile exclaimed, going over to him to see if he was okay.
"Jo-Joe! Wh-Why did you do that!?" Suzaku stuttered, looking back and forth from Joseph to Lloyd, very confused by the sudden turn of events.
"Had to. Promised." Joseph happily shrugged.
"Promised?" Cecile asked, now more confused than ever.
"I take it Rakshata asked you to do that." Lloyd said, his voice still clinging for air.
"Mom actually, mom promised, carried promise for mom. Sorry man." Joseph explained, helping Lloyd back up.
"I suppose I should have seen it coming, Rakshata never did like me messing with her children." Lloyd said, a bit more composed now.
"No she didn't!" Joseph happily agreed.
Suzaku mouth "Children?" to Cecile and she just shrugged.
"Well, how exactly did you come upon another royal Suzaku? Did this one fall into your arms as well?" Lloyd asked.
"No, no! It's more he stumbled back onto the campus of the school I go to. Milly Ashford, the president, recognized him from years ago. She told me he had a good relationship with the Viceroy and Sub-Viceroy, so I thought-"
"You bring him here and we could get in contact with their highnesses. You're lucky I came for you when I did otherwise he probably would have shot on the spot for his appearance." Lloyd finished for Suzaku in his usual lazy sounding tone.
"Yeah, I was afraid there for a moment. But I would appreciate it if you could get them down here. I'm sure they would be happy to see him." Suzaku said.
"Of course Suzaku. Your high-I mean, Joseph. How about you take a seat and I'll fix you something to eat." Cecile said with a smile.
"Coolio!" Joseph exclaimed while Lloyd grimaced.
...
Joseph chewed on his chicken for awhile, topped with whipped cream, pickles and a side of grapes.
"Mmmm" He chewed curiously
"MMMM" He chewed happily
"mmmm" He chewed disapointedly
"Hmmm" He chewed as if saying "How about that."
He then hummed his chewing, all while Cecile, Suzaku, Lloyd, and even the workers around him looked at him in antipication. Wondering what he thought of Cecile's "cooking."
He finally swallowed with a blank look on his face.
"...Well...did-did you like it?" Cecile asked nervously, never having royalty try her food before.
"...needs tree bark." Was all Joseph said as he took out his bag of tree bark, crushed a piece of it in his hand and sprinkled it onto the chicken, and then taking another bite out of it. Giving Lloyd, Suzaku, the crew a bunch of WTF faces and making Cecile very happy that a prince liked her cooking.
"I never thought about using tree bark before! Maybe that's just what I needed for my recipes!" Cecile said excited.
"Full of protein!" Joseph exclaimed.
"Uh...right. Anyway, I got in contact with the Viceroys and they're on their way." Lloyd said getting over the shock.
"That's great. Did you explain the situation." Suzaku asked.
"I just told them they were in for a surprise is all." Lloyd said cheekily.
"Ooooh, surprise?" Joseph asked. An idea forming in his head.
...
Euphemia was actually happy to go to the ASEEC again, it meant she would get to possibly see that Suzaku fellow again, which caused her to blush she thinking about him. Not that it wasn't the only reason she wanted to go, she was after all Sub-Viceroy and it was her duty to make sure are Knightmare frames, equipment, and weaponry were coming in at an orderly fashion.
"Honestly, that Lloyd couldn't just show us his "surprise" over the communicator? What could it be that is so important that we have to divert off our schedule just to come down there!?" Cornelia complained, who was at Euphemia's side in the car they were riding in.
"The Earl of Asplund has been know for his "eccentricities" but I think he wouldn't call us down there without good reason." Darlton said from across Cornelia.
"I agree, your highness. Let's just wait and see what he has to show us." Guilford added on.
Euphemia herself was curious what exactly this surprise was, Lloyd just said they would have to see it to believe it.
They finally arrived and they saw Lloyd, his assistant Cecile, and Suzaku waiting for them.
"Good afternoon your highnesses." Lloyd lazily curtsy, which made Cornelia and her knights glare at him while Euphemia couldn't help but have a small smile for.
"Afternoon Lloyd, Cecile, and um...Pvt. Kururugi." Euphemia greeted, getting a small pink blush in her cheeks when saying Suzaku's name.
"It's good to see you, your highness." Suzaku bowed, also a small blush on his cheeks.
"Watch your place, Eleven." Cornelia firmly said.
"Uh, yes, your highness, apologies." Suzaku hastily said, as he straightened himself.
Euphemia sighed, she hated how the Japanese were treated here, especially coming from her own sister's mouth.
"Alright Lloyd. You were able to get us down here. What is this "surprise" that we needed to see to believe?" Cornelia asked sternly.
"Right to the point I see. Very well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you two have a sibling that goes by the name of Joseph Du Britannia, yes?" Lloyd asked with a strange smile on his face.
This confused the sisters, as they haven't heard anyone ask that name in a long time.
"Yes, he left Pendragon years ago. What about it?" Cornelia asked.
To which then Euphemia heard someone landed behind her and screamed, "SURPRISE!"
This caused Euphemia herself to scream in shock and rush into her sister's arm who yelled "WHAT THE HELL!?", to which Lloyd and the stranger suddenly started laughing hysterically.
"Got ya!" The stranger pointed at them as he continued to laugh, before being tackled by Darlton and Guilford.
"Hohoho, that was rich. I wish I had recorded that." Lloyd said as he wiped a tear from face, getting over his own laughs.
This definitely pissed off Cornelia as she now took out her gun-sword and pointed it at Lloyd, shocking Cecile, Suzaku, and Euphemia. Lloyd was unfazed.
"This is what you wasted our time for!? To make some childish prank!" Cornelia asked, now steaming with anger.
"Oh, the prank was his idea actually, I just decided to go along with it. But no, I am being serious when I say that you are indeed looking at your long lost brother, Joseph Du Britannia." Lloyd explained, still smiling in amusement.
The sisters were now more confused than ever, they turned and looked at this stranger before them, who honestly looked like he was from the ghettos.
"Oh please. You honestly expect me to believe that this bum is my younger brother!" Cornelia asked, now pointing her gun-sword at the stranger. Who instead of being afraid, was just confused.
("Why does this keep happening with all the people I know?") That thought coming from his perspective.
"Wait! Release him!" Euphemia ordered.
"Wha-Euphemia?!" Cornelia asked shocked.
"Your highness?" Guilford asked.
"Lord Guilford, Lord Darlton, please. Let him go." Euphemia gently but firmly ordered.
They were hesitant, but they let the stranger go, making sure to keep a close distance in case he tried anything.
Euphemia took a good look at the person in front of her, analyzing him.
"That coat...I seen it before..." Euphemia thought to herself as she started to approach the man.
The man smiled at her and she took her hands to his face, feeling his features.
"This face...it can't be!" Euphemia thought in disbelief. "Joseph...is that really you?" Euphemia asked quietly, afraid this will all turn out to be a cruel joke.
The man's smile got wider, he reached into his coat, causing Cornelia to be ready to fire her gun and her knights to reach for theirs on their waists.
But it was just a walkman. Not just any walkman though, a 1986 Sony Walkman with a turtle sticker on it. Euphemia's eyes widen, she knew only one person who had this device. And if she needed even more proof, he took the back off where the batteries were stored and pulled put a photo, there was another one in there but Euphemia didn't get a good look at it. He showed the photo to her and it was a picture of her when she was younger, with her in that photo was Lelouch, Nunnally, and a younger version of Joseph who still had the coat on and the same grin he has now!
"Oh my...JOSEPH!" Euphemia yelled with excitement and happiness as she tightly hugged Joseph with tears in her eyes, and he spun her around in joy while laughing. Lloyd was amused, Cecile wiped a tear from her eye, and Suzaku just smiled at the family reunion. Cornelia and her knights meanwhile were just plain flabbergasted.
This man, who you probably wouldn't distinguish the difference between him and a common bum, was their brother!?
Joseph finally stopped spinning and put her down.
"Hey Eup! Missed ya!" Joseph said excited.
"I missed you too! Sister, look! It's him, it's our brother Joseph!" Euphemia exclaimed to Cornelia, bringing him over to her.
Cornelia could only look with wide eyes, still in disbelief.
"Could it really be..." Was all she could say.
"Yeah, Corn. Me, Corn. Come on, Corn. Know me, Corn. Right, Corn? Huh, Corn? Corn? Corn. Corn, corn, corn, corn, corn, corn, corn corn corn corn corn corn corn corncorncorncorncorncorncorncorncorncorn-
"STOP! ALRIGHT, I BELIEVE YOU!" Cornelia yelled very annoyed, she knew only one person who could get on her nerves like that and it was definitely her brother, Joseph.
Lloyd and Joseph couldn't help but laugh while Euphemia let out a giggle, her brother did not change at all, and she was glad.
"Get here!" Joseph exclaimed, pulling Cornelia into a tight hug and lifting her into the air. "Good to see, Corn!"
"Yes...you too...please put me down." Cornelia said through tight breathes.
He did so, still keeping her in a hug and then gathering Euphemia in the hug as well.
"Good ol' sisters!" Joseph gleefully said, kissing both of them in the cheek. Getting a giggle from Euphemia and a blush from Cornelia.
"Hehe, your beard tickles." Euphie said happily.
"Indeed, you grown up so much. I can't believe I'm even looking at the same person from all those years ago." Cornelia said nostalgically while holding Joseph's face and examining it.
Guildford and Darlton then decided to approach and gave proper curtsy to Joseph.
"It's good to see you again, your highness. I don't know if you remember us but we-"
"Darlton! Long time!" Joseph exclaimed, walking up to him and shaking his hand.
"Indeed, your highness." Darlton said with a smile.
Joseph then looked Guilford.
"Captain Buzzkill! How you be!?" Joseph exclaimed, patting Guilford on the back. Causing Guilford to sigh, Lloyd to laugh hysterically again, and Euphemia cover up a small giggle.
"Captain Buzzkill, I have to remember that one!" Lloyd said, still trying to get over his laughs.
"It's Guilford your highness." He said miserably at the nickname Joseph gave him.
It actually originated from Lady Rebecca, who used the term on him once when he commented on the activities that were taking place at a fair that him, Cornelia, and the vi-Britannia children attended as well. The name however stuck with Joseph and he called him that whenever he saw him.
"Course, Captain Buzzkill." Joseph replied with his dopey smile, getting another laugh from Lloyd. Euphemia approached him again.
"It is truly wonderful to see you again, Joseph. But, how are you here? When did you get here? How long have you have been in Japan? Did you-(gasps)What happened to your finger!" Euphie exclaimed in shock as she took Joseph's hand and examined the pinkie that was missing.
"Chopped off. Machete." Joseph casually said.
This shocked everyone, besides Suzaku.
"What do you mean, "Chopped off."? A-and what do you mean 'Machete'? What on Earth-" Euphemia didn't get to finish her question as Cornelia touched her shoulder.
"Euphemia, perhaps it's best we discuss it on the way back to the palace." Cornelia suggested, figuring it was better to get her brother back in a stable environment instead of a bunch of bystanders who don't know how to mind their business. "Guilford, Darlton, you're in charge of the schedule for the rest of the day!" She ordered her knights.
"Yes, your highness!" Guilford and Darlton said, standing up straight in Britannian fashion.
"Y-yes, you're right. Thank you Lloyd for bringing him back to us." Euphemia said professionally.
"As much as I would like to take credit, I believe that goes to our devicer here, Suzaku." Lloyd said.
This surprised them.
"This eleven brought him here?" Cornelia asked with a sneer, before being flicked on the head by Joseph.
"Corn. Friend(pointing to Suzaku). Be nice." Joseph lectured to his sister, surprising both Cornelia and Euphemia.
Before they could elaborate, he went over to the Suzaku, Cecile, and Lloyd.
"Lloyd, Cecile, nice to meet." Joseph said, gathering them into a hug
"You as well, Joe." Cecile said, hugging him back with a smile.
"You certainly made this a fun day for me." Lloyd said amused.
He let them go and went over to Suzaku, getting him into an arm lock and giving him noogie.
"See later, training buddy!" Joseph exclaimed.
"You too, Joseph." Suzaku said in strained breath.
Euphemia then decided to approach him.
"Thank you Pvt. Kururugi, for giving him back to us." Euphemia said sweetly.
"Of course, your highness. It was my pleasure." Suzaku said bowing to her while smiling.
Euphemia looked back at Cornelia with a stern expression.
"(Sighs)...You did well Pvt. Kururugi. Keep it up and there might be a place for you here after all." Cornelia said.
Suzaku brought his head back up in surprise.
"Th-thank you, your highness. I will!" Suzaku said determined.
Joseph put his arm around Euphie, and then his other arm around Cornelia, surprising her.
"Sisters trio rise!" Joseph exclaimed. Getting a laugh from Euphemia, and a sigh from Cornelia. Darlton and Guilford followed from behind.
Suzaku, Cecile, and Lloyd watched them leave.
"Well he's certainly a strange fellow." Lloyd commented with an amused tone.
"I will admit, for a prince...well I guess for a human being in general, he's not what I expected." Cecile agreed.
"Yeah, he's something else..." Suzaku said with a smile.
...
So during the car ride back, after Cornelia and Euphemia had to pull his head out of the window(who wanted to feel the wind blow in his hair like a dog), Joseph explained to them, in his own fashion, what he has been doing for the last seven years. All the fun, hardships, and craziness they had, in as many words as he could anyway. When he showed the scars, Euphemia, of course, cried and gave her brother a big hug. And Cornelia swore she would eradicate every single person who touched her little brother. He finally caught up to how he found himself at Ashford Academy(without revealing Lelouch and Nunnally being there) where he recognized Suzaku and Milly Ashford. They cleaned him up and got him back to ASEEC
"Well, we certainly need to give Milly our thanks when we have the chance!" Euphemia said with excitement.
"Indeed, the Ashfords deserve some reward for taking care of our brother." Cornelia said seriously but with a small smile.
Joseph gave a thumbs up sign.
"Still, if you've been in Area 11 for 3 weeks, why didn't you try reaching out to Clovis?" Cornelia asked with curiosity.
"Did. Got shot out." Joseph casually said. This confused the sisters.
"What do you mean shot out?" Euphemia asked nervously.
"Went there(pointing at the Viceroy Palace they were heading to). Said, 'Hey! Where brother Clovis?'. Guard shot at me." Joseph explained with a dopey smile.
Euphemia had a small WTF face while Cornelia was giving him a deadpan look. Out of all ways her brother tried to get in, that was his plan?! She could only think of one thing to say.
"I guess that's a lesson learned for you then?" Cornelia asked.
"...Nope." Joseph said with a smile.
Of course for him, he probably could have gone in there if he really wanted to. But it was clear there was some animosity going on over there, so he thought it was probably better to wait until the heads over there cooled down.
Cornelia just sighed while pinching her nose. Euphemia decided to change the subject.
"Joseph, earlier you called Pvt. Kururugi your training buddy. What did you mean?" asked Euphemia.
"Training buddy! Learned fights together!" Joseph said with gleeful nostalgia.
"When on Earth was this?" Cornelia asked, surprised her brother actually associated with that eleven before.
"Years ago. Mom. Six month trip." Joseph explained.
"Oh that's right, when him and Lady Rebecca traveled around the world to help broaden his mind." Euphemia said happily to Cornelia.
"Oh yes, Lady Rebecca was adamant that you travel with her so you could get a taste of other people's cultures. Though much good it did considering a third of the world is ruled by Britannia." Cornelia said offhandedly, making Euphemia a bit sad from the world's predicament.
"Eeh, still fun." Joseph causally said.
Cornelia couldn't help but chuckle, she always did have a soft spot for Joseph's optimism for things, despite how tiny they might have been. But then she thought about her other siblings.
"Um...Joseph...I don't know how much you're aware of what has happened with our family...but-" Cornelia was slowly approaching the taboo subject, but Joseph finished for her.
"Lelouch, Nunnally, Lady Marianne...gone...should of been there, bad brother!" Joseph said regretfully. This caused for Euphemia to take his hands into hers.
"Please don't say that! Not of it is your fault!" Euphemia cried. She didn't want her brother to feel that burden, it hurt too much.
"She's right, you are entirely blameless in an event that occurred months after you were gone! Whoever the culprit was for Marianne's assassination was a coward, didn't even have the decency to kill her on the battlefield! Besides, if anything, I'm the one to blame for Marianne's death." Cornelia said at the end quietly.
"You?" Joseph asked confused. Cornelia looked down in shame.
"Earlier that same day...Marianne asked me to withdraw the royal guard from her home that night. I strongly advised she reconsider but she would not hear it. I should have stayed behind just in case...maybe then..." Cornelia couldn't finish, as it was a reminder of what couldn't be.
"Sister..." Euphemia thought sadly.
Joseph then out of nowhere brought his sister into a hug and patted her back like she was a baby.
"There, there. All here now. New memories together." Joseph said with comfort in his voice. Euphemia smiled at that.
"Agreed. We'll make so many new happy memories together." Euphemia said with glee as she brought herself into the hug the two were in, which Joseph gladly took.
Cornelia just gave a small chuckle, she honestly felt really happy in this moment. Like a piece of her had been restored.
"indeed..." Was all she said.
However, there was something in Joseph's mind that he couldn't get out.
"If Cornelia dismissed the guard on Marianne's orders, that must mean she was talking to someone she knew that night! Someone she didn't want people to see. That's what all the people do in those conspiracy films! Curiouser and Curiouser, I should bring this to Lelouch's attention the next time I see him."
...
Viceroy Palace
Joseph looked around at the huge mansion they were in, the last time he was in a place this big was probably the Aries Villa.
"Cool." Joseph casually said.
"Yes, the architects certainly did a fine job designing this place." Cornelia said as she and Euphemia gave him a tour.
They stopped by the Viceroy's office first, Joseph glanced at the paintings, especially the one of Marianne with Lelouch and Nunnally when they were kids.
"Here's the viceroy's office, all these paintings were done by Clovis. Such gentle colors." Euphemia said, remembering her brother fondly.
"Yeah..." Joseph said quietly. But then he noticed something.
"No mom." Now he was bit offended.
"Um, well, she most likely never posed for him..." Euphemia tried to explain, but then Joseph took a painting of a bowl of fruit from the wall.
"Eat fruit! Don't waste!" Joseph lectured Euphemia, and then proceeding to throw the painting out the window.
The closed window...
"J-Joe!" Euphemia exclaimed at Joseph's carelessness of Clovis's work and the palace property.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure someone puts it back and fixes the window." Cornelia said tiredly.
Joseph took the picture out of his mom out of his coat and took the nail that was holding the fruit painting up and inserted his mom's picture instead.
"Much better." Joseph said with a smile, and then walking out of the office, making the two sisters have to follow after him. They enter a space that had a television, a table, and a couch.
"Uh, right. Well this hear is the living room where you can relax if need be..." Euphemia said, noticing Joseph touching the carpet.
"Soft..." Was all he said in a somewhat tired tone.
"Indeed, special ordered from Area 8(Turkey)." Cornelia explained before turning around.
"Now to show you where you will be sleeping."
"I don't think that'll be necessary Cornelia." Euphemia said with a whisper.
"What do you..." Cornelia didn't have to finish as she saw Euphemia kneeling next to an asleep Joseph, who was lightly snoring.
Cornelia couldn't help but smile as she kneeled next to Euphemia, who took a pillow from the couch and put it under his head so he could be more comfy.
"I guess it's to be expected. It's probably been years since he's been in a real home." Cornelia said as she brushed locks of his hair.
"Yes..." Euphemia quietly said before planting a small kiss on Joseph's eyebrow before turning to Cornelia. "It truly is a miracle sister, we lost a brother, but we still gained one back." She said with tearful glee and Cornelia couldn't help but share those feelings as well.
"Indeed, and we shouldn't take it for granted..." Cornelia said, knowing now that she was going to be sure that her brother stayed in the same location this time.
Euphemia just smiled, as she was happy in this moment.
Joseph let out a snore from his peaceful sleep.
To be Continued...
Finally done with that one. In this chapter, I really wanted to show how Joseph would react to Cecile's food and what he would finally do when reunited with his sisters. And yes, it is a risk for Lelouch to let his brother go like that, but he still has enough trust left to give it to his brother, and his brother knows how important it is the beans don't get spilled. I also wanted to establish the basis of Joseph's and Cornelia's relationship with each other, his and Euphemia's will be shown later on. Anyway, hope you enjoyed, comment and stay tuned!