Lelouch slowly paced around his room, back and forth; almost as if he was in a trance. He needed a bit of time to process what Schnizel had said to him days before. About Suzaku and his little sister Euphie. He didn't want to believe that his lover was with his little sister while he lay in a coma. It had to be some sick trick... but at the same time it felt like the truth as well. Schnizel was a lot of things but a liar was not one of them. A complete bastard but never a liar. He was always the one to use the truth to hurt someone, especially if it benefited him in the long run. That was his gift. A gift that he was giving right back to him as punishment for stealing the throne.

The thought made Lelouch chuckle bitterly. "Congratulations... It looks like you got what you wanted, brother." He mumbled softly to himself. He looked at the clock to see that it was almost time. Schnizel had a small banquet prepared for his return. Or to at least announce his recovery. He didn't know what game Schnizel was playing at but this was it. No more. Lelouch was no longer interested in playing these mind games. At least not right now, not while he was not himself.

There was a soft knock on his door. He still wasn't dressed yet. He slowly limped to the nearest chair and sat down with a big sigh. Gino had poked his head through the door, before entering.

"Your majesty.. why aren't you dressed yet?"

"Just thinking is all.." He murmured softly, leaning his head back. "I have no desire to be on time."

Gino chuckled softly making his way towards Lelouch's closet. "Don't worry your highness, just rest." He said softly, picking a few options and laying them on the bed. "Should we go with white, black.. or maybe the Britannian uniform you're so fond of?" He teased softly.

"Black is fine.. I am not necessarily in a celebratory mood. Black seems very appropriate." Lelouch responded nonchalantly. He used his cane to push himself up from the chair, slowly he started to regain his strength but enough to do basic tasks without anyone hovering over his shoulder anymore. The least people knew about what condition he was in the better. He didn't fully trust everyone around him that wasn't C.C or Gino. Especially not after what happened too...

Lelouch closed his eyes tightly, taking a deep breath. He tried so hard to not think about what had happened. But somehow it always managed to come back to him. That last night he and Suzaku were together.. Not realizing that it was going to be their last night. He couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself.

The sudden laugh made Gino slightly jump. "What's funny?"

He continued to chuckle more, slowly wiping the tears from his eyes. "It's nothing... just remembering some things.." He said softly.

Gino nodded slowly, folding his clothes over his arm. He made his way over to him, holding out his free hand. "Would you like to try dressing yourself or?"

"I may be weak but I am not that weak." He chuckled softly, using the cane to help him up onto his feet. He stumbled a bit, quickly holding his composure.

"Very good, your highness." Gino praised softly, turning his gaze away to give him some privacy.

Banquet Hall

"Is his majesty actually going to be here? Or are you just pulling our leg?" Jeremiah asked, a slight annoyance in his tone.

Schnizel had gotten up from his seat, slowly making his way towards C.C, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Of course, why would I lie to any of you?"

"You don't exactly have the cleanest track record when it comes to our King.." Villetta chimed in softly, taking a drink from her wine glass. "Why should we trust anything you say?"

He chuckled some, nodding in agreement with their statements. "You are right, why should any of you trust me?" He said, looking at his younger sisters. "Do you two doubt me as well?"

Euphemia and Nunnally both shifted in their seats uncomfortably. They didn't want to doubt their older brother.. but at the same time they couldn't ignore what everyone else was saying.

"I want to put my trust in you.." Euphemia started softly, coughing into her hand. "Even if everyone in this room doubts you.. I would like to believe."

"Thank you Euphy.. that means a lot coming from you, what about you Nunnally?"

She looked over at him, then soon turned her gaze on C.C. She didn't know what she was looking for when she looked at her. Lelouch seemed to put his complete trust into her.. so she should do the same. "What do you think your highness?" She asked softly, her gaze not breaking away from hers.

C.C nodded slowly, agreeing with her. "Why wouldn't my husband be telling the truth?" She said softly, slowly placing her hand on top of his.

Schnizel grinned, slowly bending down till he was close to her ear, "Very nice love." He whispered softly. She shuddered a bit, reaching for her glass, taking a much needed drink.

Before he could say anything else, Gino stepped into the room. All eyes were suddenly on him. He coughed softly, stepping to the side. "His majesty Lelouch Vi Britannia."

The room filled with gasps from everyone around the table. Lelouch slowly stepped into the room, wearing all black as if he just came back from a funeral. Both Jeremiah and Villetta stood up from their seats quickly, almost knocking down their glasses.

"Your highness!" They both cried loudly, bowing their heads down to him. Lelouch smiled at them as he slowly limped behind his sister's chairs.

"Hello loves.." He said softly, placing gentle kisses on top of their heads. "I missed you both."

Nunnally quickly took his hand in hers, leaving small kisses, "I just knew it.. I knew it." She whispered softly in between kisses. Euphemia smiled brightly as she took hold of his other hand.

"I never gave up hope big brother.. I knew you'd come back to us!" She whispered softly.

"It brings me so much joy to see everyone at this table wishing for my recovery." Lelouch announced to everyone with a smile. He put his hand over his heart, "I'm glad to have such loyal subjects and family gathered around me."

"We never doubted that you would return to us your majesty." Jeremiah chimed in and motioned to the empty spot. "Please sit your highness."

"Yes! So we can make a toast to you!" Villetta said, raising up her glass. "To the health of our king!"

He chuckled softly, raising his hand. "I am not king anymore darling… that title belongs to my brother." He said with a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Yes…of course please forgive me your majesty.." She said softly towards Schnizel keeping her gaze down.

"I'm not easily offended." He chuckled softly, taking a drink from his glass. "When my younger brother is well enough I'll gladly step aside."

The room stayed quiet in an awkward silence from Schnizel's declaration to hand over the throne back to Lelouch. The girls seemed to take what he was saying to truth but everyone else seemed to see right through his words. Schnizel being the type of man to not give up things so easily.

Lelouch coughs softly to gather everyone's attention. "That's very kind of you… but I do have an announcement for all of you." He said, clearing his throat, not really sure how everyone will take his news. "I have come to the difficult decision… to leave the empire effective immediately."

Soon the room was filled with gasps on his news. Then the questions started to come all at once at him. His sisters angry at him for leaving, his advisors completely blindsided and C.C who was equally angry that she wasn't involved in his sudden decision. The only one who didn't seem fazed by his decision was Schnizel who sat there drinking like nothing happened.

Lelouch raised his hands up in surrender, hoping to at least explain his rash decision. "I didn't come to this decision lightly, but I'll be honest with you all. Yes… I may be awake, talking with you all… but I am far from being myself." He sighed softly, smiling weakly. "And I wouldn't be able to lead the empire like I used to and I am afraid that it will either lead to an uprising or some other conflict… And the people of Britannia deserve a strong leader that won't fold. So I am stepping aside for the time being and letting Schnizel rule in my place. And maybe, just maybe I will come back to rule again. But for now it is best that I leave to take care of my well-being."

Hoping that his reasoning would be enough to settle their questions… or at least for now.

Everyone was still stunned at Lelouch's sudden declaration, both Nunnally and Euphemia sat there with the shock written on their faces along with C.C's. She took a big sip from her glass before speaking, "When were you going to tell me about this rash decision."

He coughed into his hand nervously, looking at her. "It wasn't exactly an easy decision darling… but I need your support on this. I do feel like this is something I need to do."

"Sire… I have to protest! You can't abandon the throne! And no disrespect to our current king but you can't!" Villetta protested, standing up from her seat.

Jeremiah reached to grab her arm quickly to make her sit down. "What you just did can be considered treason!" He hissed at her. Nothing would have made him happier than seeing her ruin her own military career… but not like this.

She looked at him completely stunned that he stopped her. She bit her lip nodding slowly at his words. "I'm sorry.." She murmured softly.

Lelouch smiled at the both of them, happy knowing that he still had some loyalty left among his council. "While I still have everyone's attention… I would like for everyone to pledge their allegiance to Schnizel… he is king and he should have your devotion… it warms my heart that I still have your loyalty but no more. When I leave here I would like to leave with a clean conscience and no regrets."

Both of them nodded at his words, completely hating the idea of pledging their loyalty to Schnizel but they were willing to do that last request from their true king.

He smiled at their submission even though he could clearly see the defiance in their eyes. "Thank you…"

"If you must go… please take a knight to protect you. Just because you're not king anymore doesn't make you and less of a prince. And I will have no objections from you but a thank you." Schnizel had spoken up, catching everyone by surprise.

"He's right, no objections my beloved." C.C also said, nodding her head in agreement. "Gino will go with you."

He shook his head in protest, " I can't take one of your round members."

"Of course you can, I'm sure he won't mind, wouldn't you?" Schnizel said, turning his gaze towards him.

Gino shook his head, holding up his hand over his heart. "It be my pleasure to serve my prince."

"See, it's been decided. Now let us enjoy the rest of the evening before your departure." Schnizel said as he lifted up his glass.

So I'm sure a lot of people are going to be very surprised at my update… I want to let all you people know that I haven't abandoned this story. Far from it and if I do for some strange reason I will make sure to let you all know what ending I was thinking of. But as of now I intend to see this through until the very end. For my old readers who are still here, I thank you and apologize for my long hiatus and for my new readers I welcome and hope you too will stick around!

Until next time

-Max Knightmare-