Chapter IV
With Cornelia
It was well into the night when Cornelia dropped her pen on her desk, finally closing her workday. She reached to her cabinet, opening a new bottle of whiskey, pouring the first shot. It was far beyond the time Clovis was leaving his office before her, spending most of his remaining day on parties and paintings.
Normally, it was a giant part of the reason Cornelia would stay here overtime, since his sudden death and painful aftermath of it created Zero and made the situation a lot worse than it would've been. But now she was just trying to avoid meeting other people and especially a certain brown-haired Japanese man, in order not to kill him in her rage. Her training grounds were barely enough to relieve her anger by shooting or mauling her targets.
She drank the first shot, pouring another one in her glass.
The only thing saving Japanese rebel groups from her involving in raids against them was the sheer amount of work, which she had to do to level up security in key settlements, mostly in Tokyo for the marriage not to be abrupted with one of the parties dying or massacre happening because of some terrorists. She knew that Schneizel carefully gave her control over these things just to keep her away from new royal couple. Smart move on his part.
Cornelia tried to stop the wedding from happening, repeatedly trying to contact Schneizel and to negotiate this idiocy. And what did he reply with?
'I merely proposed the idea, after I consulted with Euphy I simply helped her with its realization' She hissed at the memory. That snake! I know he didn't merely "propose the idea", he was the one to push it through!
There were other solutions which she considered and dropped, one being worse than another. Incapacitating Suzaku by poisons or some physical wound for some time would simply delay the wedding, not cancel it. Giving out his exact location to Eleven terrorists would be stupid, since it'd make Britannia's presence in the Area 11 much weaker and it'd be a major win for terrorists.
One option was always available, and Cornelia had never even dared to think about using it, even a thought about which causing her to shiver.
Asking the Emperor to stop this farce.
Cornelia raised her shot and emptied it in one swift move, immediately rejecting the idea with disgust written all over her face. From one side – he is the strongest man in the Britannia and could stop the wedding. From another – he was the one to give green light to the marriage, he will demand an enormous boon off Cornelia to break it off and the most important of all – he'd most likely get to manipulate her with Euphemia even more, making her young sister as large of a target as Marianne was.
General poured another glass, drinking it while small tears were forming in the corners of her eyes, drinking her shot with respect to what her idol and her children were reduced to. The treachery they experienced was too much to forget. Maybe Marianne or Lelouch would harshly criticize her for such move, for not learning out of their fates how cruel the man could ever be. She was certain that Lelouch would've went completely against speaking with Charles. He was an older brother too and he'd never allow anything like that happen on Nunnally, if he was in her situation.
She sighed. There was no good option out of it.
"I should talk to her. Maybe I'll convince her to drop. Marrying an Eleven is a mistake she'll come to regret." Viceroy glanced at her empty glass of whiskey. She crossed off the thought to drink another one, not wanting to go blackout drunk. Her hand reached for her phone, planning to call Euphemia and to meet up with her tomorrow.
Surprisingly, it was her secretary that picked up the phone. "Viceroy, good evening!"
There was some background noise on the line, but Princess couldn't tell what was it. Cornelia tried to straighten up and to minimize the effect the alcohol had on her speech. "Greetings, but I was expecting to speak with Sub-Viceroy. Where is she?"
"Oh, you didn't know?" a surprised voice on the line responded, "She and Suzaku are guests for the night's show!"
She blinked. "A night show? Why in the hell did they go there?"
"We need to make the masses believe somehow in the story, and Hi-TV does have a popular program that we could use. I thought that you were info-"
Cornelia cut the line, slumping into her chair. A TV-show? Really? Next time when I call will she tell that Euphy is dining with him? She was a bit surprised by it, but still reached her hand out to the TV remote on her desk. Inside her brain, curiosity was fighting with gut feeling.
Ultimately, she pressed the button, opening a random channel. Cornelia looked through them, trying to find the Hi-TV. It took a good minute since she didn't particularly use TV much. It was well past ten, so the show was already going. Cornelia furrowed, being upset at missing its beginning, but nonetheless decided to watch it. On the screen, Suzaku and Euphemia sat on a couch, while the TV host was on a chair opposite of them, their faces visible to the audience.
Host was in the middle of his speech when Cornelia opened the TV. "…considering all of that, how did Your Highness end up in the Area 11? I mean, you are the Sub-Viceroy and all that, but you could stay in Pendragon doing anything else."
"Back in the Homeland, I was ending my studies when Clovis was..." she took a small pause, ta, "I never wish death of one's siblings upon anybody. His death was one of the main reasons I decided to go with my sister to Area 11."
"So you wanted to help her?" He asked, getting a nod in response. Cornelia started to grow anxious at the host, he wanted her sister to fumble. "But how exactly did you plan on doing that? You're not very known for your military prowess"
Euphemia, to her credit, wasn't looking too tired, some excitement clearly visible in her. "If we gave the people a chance of having a normal life instead of terrorism, we would have no tragedies as the one that happened to my brother."
What?! I had already told her that she'd need to be an Empress for changing that! Without it, Discrimination of the Numbers is our national policy! What are you doing?! Where is Darlton near you when he's so needed…
Cornelia raised and drank her next shot. She was losing count on how many did she take, not caring about it too much.
"That's… certainly a statement. Would you say that meeting the elev-" Host faked a cough, covering his slip, "I mean, your fiancée, helped to change your views?"
While Suzaku ignored his slip, Euphemia lightly furrowed her brow. "If you're implying that he influenced my opinion, then no. When we first met, it was the day he was released from false accusations, I ordered him to escort me to Shinjuku and protect me. When I saw the ghetto after the battle, I was shocked – so many lives and fates wasted for nothing! I believed we are smarter and better to never resort to violence of such levels, but I was mistaken. We still have a lot to go through to make the world better,"
"Quite a lot of nobles and common Britannians would probably get upset at listening this." Host leaned closer to her, "There is no such level of violence that would be unacceptable when dealing with idiotic terrorists."
Euphemia tensed up, ready to retort. She stopped when Suzaku spoke first to him for the first time since Cornelia opened the show. "Sorry, but don't you think we're drifting off the topic a bit?" Cornelia was thankful for it, her blood boiling at the host for being so aggressive, even though, she thought, Euphemia was going a bit overboard.
The host was a bit surprised, but he quickly hid his reaction behind a sly smile. "Oh, my apologies!" He took a glance into his notebook. "Now we return to the main topic of the show. Your recently announced marriage immediately became the hottest topic not only in the Area 11, but in the entire Britannia. In result, there are a lot of rumors spreading about it. What is your opinion on this?"
"Let them speak what they want," Euphemia responded, her happy expression not changing in the slightest, "I don't see an issue as long as they don't badmouth us."
"Maybe we could discuss your life together?" The way host smiled slightly unnerved Cornelia. "Just so, you know, we could silence them with truth."
Suzaku innocently smiled, "I don't see an issue."
"Most of the negative attention comes from the fact that Sir Kururugi was under investigation for murder of Prince Clovis." Euphemia tensed up slightly, Suzaku not changing his stance not a bit. "Many people think that Your Highness knew Sir Kururugi way before so suddenly making him a Knight. Could you share details of your first meeting? When it happened?"
"It was quite romantic" Euphemia said with a blush.
"I happened to catch her after she fell from a high building. It was on the day I was released from the court," Suzaku reminisced, smile forming on his face, while Euphemia's face continued to redden. "Her Highness said that she was fleeing from some bad people, so I wanted to help. It wasn't after a few hours I realized we were just peacefully strolling through Tokyo, no danger in sight."
"That was also the day we went to Shinjuku. There was some interesting story when we got there." Euphemia remembered, reminiscing the time they stopped the petty fighting between the Purebloods. "When we got there, there was a small Knightmare battle going on the stadium. Suzaku's Lancelot was nearby, so he decided to stop the fighting"
"I don't remember hearing about any skirmish in Shinjuku on that day. Could you elaborate more on what happened there?"
He should know about it. Cornelia mused. Yet the groups, like Purebloods, are popular among nobles and are not defeated in the different Areas of the Empire.
"There was an attempt on Margrave Gottwald's life. I disarmed a few of the Sutherlands, before Her Highness ordered everyone to cease fire. I never learned she was a Princess before she gave this order, so imagine my embarrassment at learning it!" Atmosphere in the show became lighter, as the last phrase caught quite a few people chuckling on his line. Inside, he was thinking of other things. Why people fight all the time? Could they at least try to understand each other for once? They fought their own men for a belief!
"And even then, when he knew nothing about me, he jumped his Lancelot in front of Chaos mine, protecting me from it" she looked to him, for once in the last minute her face wasn't flustered but thankful.
"They threw a Chaos mine on a member of Royalty?" the TV-man asked incredulously.
Cornelia on her end was confused, confusion growing into fuming. She knew there was an accident when her sister got into the middle of a battle, but she never learned what fully happened and what was happening before it. "I thought you were guarded! You were travelling in the Settlement with a stranger? You didn't even bother to go into the Settlement with a proper guard! I will have to talk to you later about this"
Host continued to smile, focusing back on Suzaku. "So, Sir Kururugi, I understand that Princess Euphemia is a leading partner in the relationship? From what we heard, Her Highness was the one that met you, and that you learned about her status only later, correct?"
"Absolutely."
"I knew who he was the moment I saw him. He was quite a celebrity back then!" the couple chuckled.
"Wait, let us return a bit. Is it true that it's Princess Euphemia who decides most in your life?"
Suzaku looked confused at the host. "I am her knight, so yes. Her wish is my command."
"But how much does it extend to? Does it extend to vacations and spending time together?"
"Well, I don't wish to discomfort her. We'd discuss where is better to spend the vacation. Safety is top priority, especially after the recent attack on the Shikine Island."
"Oh, that's quite noble of you to always care about Her Highness's safety. You're truly a loyal knight"
If only I was that noble… Suzaku thought to himself. Not wishing to ruin the good mood, he simply thanked him.
"By the way, there is an important question to some Britannians, does Her Highness dominate in your nighttime activities?"
Euphemia's eyes went wide. She didn't say anything from being too stunned, hoping that Suzaku could find more appropriate response to such question. Same could be said about her older sister, silently observing the show and waiting for his response.
Does he mean whether she's as active in the night as in the day? Suzaku was confused by the question. Milly did tell me that Euphemia did not look tired even in the slightest when she was protecting Nina from the terrorists during the hotel hijacking, and it was evening. Or does he mean she'd call me in the night? If so, then that call during the battle on Kyushu counts…
Blushing slightly at the memory of that call, Suzaku responded. "Yes, Her Highness always does-" Surprised gasps of the audience and of her younger sister Cornelia was not able to hear, her TV "unexpectedly" stopping to work, its screen shattering under the weight of thrown remote in it. She jumped from her chair, almost falling because of it – whiskey did have effects on her brain, causing to lose her control of her body movement.
"KURURUGIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" she yelled, dragging the last vowels for what seemed lika an eternity, her scream comparable only to the trumpets of Jericho. Cornelia rushed inside the knightmare hangar, focused on getting her Gloucester out, only to see Guilford standing in her way. "Your Highness, please reconsider! You're in no condition to pilot a Knightmare!"
"As if I care! I will stop only when I see this Eleven bastard dead! I will cut off everything that makes him male or human!" Cornelia clenched her fists, trying to bypass her loyal knight. He did not back down, stepping to the left to stop her. She tried to go right – same thing happened again.
"I will gladly allow Your Highness to do this, but not when you will harm yourself more than anybody else." Guilford tried to hold her away from the frame, Cornelia pressing forward, trying to break his stance, failing due to whiskey still having effects on her moves. Seriously, how many did she drink?
"I deeeeeeearly love the fact that you care 'bout me, Guilford, but I need to get in my Knightmare! I will crush him with Gloucester arms, maim him, destroy this vermin – do everything I want and you'd be better NOT STAND IN MY WAY!" Cornelia finally pushed Guilford aside, meters away from entering the cockpit. Her gaze focused on the Knightmare, she didn't saw Guilford coming from behind and forcing her into a lock, stopping her from moving forward. "Princess Cornelia, I apologize for this, and I'm absolutely willing to listen to your reprimand tomorrow, but I can't let Your Highness harm herself." He took a syringe from his suit and pressed against her shoulder, causing her to slower her movements. "It will clear your body from all the toxins, but will render you powerless for the next six hours. I will protect you from any harm in that time."
Finally taking effect, Cornelia fell on the ground, powerless and sleepy. Even then through her sleep her voice remained furious. "I…will…kill…the…bastard…the…moment…I…see…him!" Guilford caught her in time from falling, placing her in her room.
Why do I feel like I was saved from something? Suzaku let a small breath. His thoughts quickly returned on fuming Euphemia, that was dragging him out to discuss what happened, so he forgot about this feeling.
With Suzaku
The Ashford Academy was in uproar. There was no student that didn't saw the show or wasn't told about from friends. Many were positively surprised and cheered for Suzaku. Many hated him for doing and admitting on LIVE show about having sex with Princess of the Realm. All of them all experienced secondhand embarrassment on his behalf.
And all, all of them wanted to speak with him.
Being scolded by redder-than-tomato Euphemia right after the interview ended gave Suzaku a bit of understanding of what he had caused. He wasn't much calmer or less blushing himself afterwards.
Suzaku stepped inside the Academy for the first time these two weeks. He had to do a few tasks with his studies that he was ordered to do by Ms. Stevenson, who is quite demanding and was using everything up to threats of making them stay for another year to get him and Lelouch to visit classes. Immediately he was greeted with strange glances from onlookers, as if he was contagious. Just like when I enrolled here, huh…
"Suzaku!", "Kururugi!" he heard students yelling, some treating him like a celebrity, and some like the worst terrorist on par with Zero, both clearly going after him. He didn't like it, since he would lose a lot of time that he could spend with his friends or improving his studies, and them running towards him made him flee the grounds. He moved on instinct inside the main building, skipping corridors and stairs. He saw one half-opened door, and moved inside it, jumping inside, closing the door behind himself.
"At least I got them away," he sighed, pressing his back against the doors in relief and closing his eyes, "this day is already weird as it is". It didn't click in him to where exactly he had jumped to, and as he opened them, a face of Milly Ashford was right before him, grinning like a hunter who caught her prey. She took a microphone in her hands, opening the connection to the entire school.
"Attention all students! Suzaku-hunt is now over, I've got him!" when she yelled into the mic, other familiar faces from the Student Council started to appear around him. "Man, I would never understand how you manage to say what'ya did yesterday" Rivalz tapped him on his shoulder, "And I'm not even touching that, you know, you are marrying into the Royal Family"
"Oh yeah, we didn't have the opportunity to discuss it with you!" Shirley entered the picture, "You never told us about anything like that, and suddenly you're appearing on the news!"
"Well, I didn't plan on this happening. A few people pushed the idea, I was simply put before fact." Suzaku shrugged, not that I was against it anyway.
"Lucky you, pal," Rivalz cheered for him, "it's good to have our man somewhere high!"
"Lucky if we don't count Cornelia," Lelouch entered the room, "they are siblings and the bond between them is quite strong."
"Want to do the same as Suzaku, Rivalz? I'd expect from you to come up with something like this, especially after you were telling how much you wanted to reach that high" Milly poked fun at her friend, yet Rivalz didn't react the way she expected, straightening up instead of stuttering. "Madam President, I'm not suicidal to do that! I heard a lot from the guys during chess matches and from being a bartender – she's crazy, I tell you! I'd never wish to cross paths with her! Rumors have that she beaten up a few paparazzi's going after Princess Euphemia."
"Sounds just like a certain older brother, doesn't it?" Milly winked on Lelouch, who didn't take much offence and shrugged it off. After all, he did save her a lot of times.
"That she is," Lelouch went on reminiscing childhood days, "there was a story about how Princess Cornelia almost strangled another Prince for dancing with Euphemia in ballroom. It took a few important people to stop her from killing him. Eventually she did grow to accept his friendly presence around them" Suzaku and Milly remembered the story, learning about this incident Lelouch's bad luck a while ago, lightening their moods a bit. It only then clicked to Suzaku, that if Cornelia almost strangled Lelouch one time, he'd need to have more luck than ever, causing him to sweat.
Shirley saw that Suzaku stiffened up, so she decided to change the topic for a bit. "You know, that TV host was a jerk. Like, Suzaku is going to be a Prince-Consort, what else would he do with her?"
"Oh, that's true!" Rivalz caught up to that, frowning at the memory "That guy was really getting on my nerves. I don't even remember his name, but it's certainly some gibberish like some Gordiengo or whatever."
Kallen was the last one to enter the room, oblivious to most of the debate. "Could anybody tell me why's the Academy so active? You came up with another Cat Festival?"
Milly immediately jumped, replying with a hint of playful disappointment. "No, and the next one will be THE Giant Pizza in a few days. You really didn't hear about what happened? The story about Suzaku's slip up?"
"Whatever he said, how's it related to the…pizza?" Kallen was half awake and couldn't care less to open the TV or to listen to her school 'friends' from outside the Student Council. While Zero had outlined their goals, the Black Knights still fought against injustice at night, Kallen sometimes taking part in small skirmishes with Britannian Knight Police and rarely against Britannian military convoys. Yesterday was her last raid, since Zero ordered her to not participate in them, sending her to the rear to train more on the Gurren. He did explain it that "We need every advantage we can get, and if we meet Kururugi on the battlefield your Gurren will be our Ace" or something like that, yet Kallen was still wishing to get back into action on the battlefield.
With weariness in mind, Kallen still kept an eye on Suzaku, who didn't seem to do the same. Was he this trustful or did something took his attention – she couldn't guess.
"Oh, so you really don't know. I thought you were joking," Milly smirked, moving around the room, "if our dear Prince-Consort-to-be doesn't wish to reply, then I'll explain to you," Suzaku didn't have the time to reply with anything meaningful, as Milly covered his mouth, "he admitted going much further than mere kisses with Princess Euphemia in the yesterday's TV-show."
Suzaku tried to mumble something in his defence, but both the embarrassment and inability to open his mouth played against him.
Kallen stared in disbelief like a goldfish for a few seconds, blinking a few times before the news started to settle in her mind. Did he just… Damn you, Suzaku, you really outpaced me here of all things? Well, doesn't matter, who'd like to even marry that Britannian bitch? Their royals are always messed up. Her bitter thoughts conflicted with a cheerful smile that was forming on her face. While she didn't went much further than simply (as if it wasn't prestigious enough) a Captain of Zero's personal elite guard, she did find herself to be wishing more than that. Yet, she could have fun. Maybe she could get a small payback for the draws she had against Suzaku? "Never thought you were a playboy. When did this became a requirement for the Knights under Princes?"
Tin of red not leaving his face, he tried to turn the situation around, "Now, there is also Guilford who's steadfast about his loyalty. I hope he wouldn't hear it"
As if he is up to my caliber, we both know he isn't. Though maybe dueling him would get me a bit more recognition and maybe then...No, it will ruin mine fake identity and mother's well-being. The Black Knights know who pilots the Gurren, so there is no reason to disclose it to others. Kallen kept looking on Suzaku, her mask of weakling holding up together only on other council members not paying too much attention to it.
"Calling a lady such as Kallen to a duel – I think that Guilford would be much more insulted by this assumption, Suzaku," Milly finally left her hold on Suzaku, not after leaving him a playful wink. Her attention shifted to a certain redhead, trying to find out why did she
"Seriously, your ability to keep your lips sealed is lacking. No wonder that Red Knightmare never was destroyed in a fight against you." He wanted to retort about not disclosing her record of service in the Black Knights, but stopped himself from doing so. In time, she will understand that they are wrong. Maybe I'll help her to open her eyes on how bad Zero truly is…
"Never thought you watched footage of the battles from the Net to know that, Kallen." Rivalz looked at her a bit confused, "even I try not to do so. Too gruesome for me"
And it's only worse in reality, she thought to herself, deciding not to say it to him. "You're the one that is on more 'shitposting forums' that half of the Academy ever heard of. I simply like to keep in touch." Kallen glanced around, trying to find somebody. "By the way, where's Nina?"
"Can't say, she didn't appear in the Academy at all in the last days" Milly placed a finger to her chin, "maybe something about her project made her pause for a few days."
"Wait, so you did watch those videos!" Rivalz turned back to the topic.
"Well, there's nothing bad learning something new, isn't it, Rivalz?" Lelouch stepped up for her, hoping she won't blab out too much about the Black Knights. He was a bit wary of losing an Ace in such comical situation. "Let her. There are a lot of good information you can get out of this."
Suzaku eyed the two, frown forming on his face. Kallen, I hope you didn't and won't threaten him, since he is my friend, but I am wondering why Lelouch defends the Black Knights this much. I hope he dropped on that promise he made.
Kallen looked at Lelouch, contemplating what he said. If she read more than what she usually did to only keep up with the school program, maybe she could win Suzaku in a fight and get closer to Zero.
"Zero is really good… I mean in battle, don't get it in the wrong way. The way his strategies work out and the way he speaks – I fully agree with Lelouch." Suzaku frowned even more, not really planning on countering Rivalz's argument, "Say, Lelouch – do you think you'd win against Zero in chess?"
Lelouch looked at him in surprise. This was quite a normal question he never really thought about. No wonder – while he did distance his identities far one from another, he didn't seriously consider them facing one against another.
He didn't see Kallen appearing from his back with a small red on her cheeks.
"No!... I mean, Zero is quite strong and this would be really one-sided in his favor. That's not even saying that Zero should somehow meet with Lelouch. He has a lot of work to do for this!"
"Kallen, please, I and Lelouch went to so many not-so-legal places that contacting Zero and challenging him for at least a friendly match won't be hard."
"They'd likely shoot the two of you!" Milly interrupted, "and what do you mean by not-so-legal? Where have you been?"
Lelouch broke from his trance, finally coming up with a satisfiable response. "You know, we could easily organize it. We can create a call and play with two separate boards, transmitting the moves through the radio. He wouldn't have to worry about this being a trap and we about our own security."
I could get C.C. to do the moves I want her to. Playing the game into a draw seems good. Rivalz knows when I fail intentionally, so I can't lose, and I can't win since Kallen is loyal to Zero…
"You know, Suzaku certainly could get in contact with Zero and speak with him about that. I mean, you certainly should've met him once in battle" Rivalz pointed out.
"And he was rescued by Zero! You absolutely did speak with him!" Milly remembered.
"True!"
Suzaku fidgeted "I certainly could speak with him, but come on guys! Why should we do it? Lelouch could get in trouble if Zero wanted to get vengeance for the loss"
"I think we should. It will be fun to watch" Kallen spoke up, causing Suzaku to look at her with surprise.
"You certain? That's Zero!"
"We- I mean, the Black Knights have nothing to do, as much as our Student Council. If Zero is free for a game, then why not?"
And I get to see how this jerk Lelouch loses his cool when he loses to Zero. Kallen was happy with the idea after considering it.
"If you say it like that…" Suzaku scratched the back of his head, "…Her Highness did wish to speak with him, so passing this idea would be possible"
"Wait, Euphemia wants to speak with Zero? Why?" Kallen was a bit bewildered by the idea. She was a bit grateful for saving her friends in Kawaguchi Hotel, but that's where her respect ended and Zero's hate for Britannia started. If he killed her then and there, what'd they do? Or what would they do if he doesn't? What do they even have to discuss?
"She didn't exactly tell me the reason, but if Her Highness wants… Euph- Her Highness explained that the meeting would be held in some neutral land, only with me protecting her and Zero's knight protecting him." Suzaku looked at her in confusion, expecting her to be aware of it. "I thought Her Highness came up with it when speaking with Zero, I thought you knew"
"Why'd she know that, Suzaku? Kallen isn't in the Black Knights and she really shouldn't know Zero." Rivalz asked.
Kallen looked at Suzaku with a bit of fury in her eyes.
"Well…I meant that…" he fidgeted even more, not wanting to break the promise he got there
"Yeah, I get where you getting." Lelouch spoke up, Kallen's eyes looking at him, wondering if that jerk deduced if she's in Zero Squad. "Kallen could've learned the same way she got the videos. Rumors in the Net spread really fast, and maybe on a few of those fan-forums somebody leaked the info."
Yeah, as if we wouldn't get rid of those who leaked the info and if we even allowed such idiots to get this info. Kallen thought to herself but decided not to speak it aloud. I don't get why's Lelouch saving me two times already from blowing my cover, but thanks, I guess.
"Yeah, exactly that. Thanks" Kallen responded.
Lelouch himself was a bit surprised, first time hearing about this idea of meeting Euphemia for the third time. Why'd she ask Zero for this? It must be about Suzaku and the marriage overall. He doubted Euphemia ever came up with this idea herself, so it should've been Schneizel.
He smiled, first time in a while genuinely. What is your game, sister? Whatever it is, I'd be happy to see you again and discuss it.
Forbidden City, Chinese Federation
"Charles allowed her to marry a commoner? Especially an eleven ant?" The largest eunuch spoke, sharing sentiment of the many of his other eunuchs.
"Maybe Cornelia lost his favor and he punishes her by tying her line to this vermin?"
"Ye, and the next time she fails he'll kick her out of the Empire…"
"…and marrying her to Xing Ke" Eunuchs erupted in laughter.
"Well, this is strange that the best general of Britannia can't defeat such a small man like Zero. Is he really that good?"
"We've sent a few of our men to scout. Brits can't keep hold over the elevens, maybe we could negotiate a better deal for sakuradite for giving up a few of their leaders"
"Not that General Cao can even use them anyways."
"So we're all in agreement then, yes?" They nodded. "Then let's test how much Britannia fell off"
Somewhere in the Area 11
Major-General Irwin was furious. Same fury shared his friends-conspirators, gathered in the conference room.
It was true that Area 11 was the most unstable territory in the Empire. Hidden from the public eye, there weren't only the NAC that influenced political landscape in Area 11, but a lot of political clubs of different political opinions also gathered in secret from time to time. They usually had a long talks about some Elevens being too uncooperative and how they should push for a new law that'd restrict Honorary Britannians from getting too high in the hierarchy.
But today, they shared one feeling – they were losing ground and they could not allow that.
"This circus is disgusting! We're being humiliated on LIVE, with a silent agreement from the Royal Family no less!" First officer spoke up, "What did we do to deserve such thing?"
"He's a son of former Prime Minister from a powerful former Eleven's family clan. He isn't exactly a typical Number with no noble background," Another spoke in his defense. "I'm not willing to be the devil's advocate, but this and his good military record are in the way."
"But still – he made a precedent! Now any Number can fuck the royal princess and not be punished for such heinous crime even after admitting it? We cannot allow this to go no more!"
"What about Second Princess?" one of the wondered, "Has Princess Cornelia reacted in any way?"
"Not sure, but I heard that she was furious. Colonel Arley, maybe you know about it more?"
He glanced at the clock, "Princess Cornelia tried to kill Kururugi, but was stopped from doing so. There is a rumor that she got drunk," a few of the officers were visibly surprised, "and that it took Guilford to stop her."
When Cornelia arrived into the Area 11, she threatened the officer with force for them throwing a party in her honor. Some of them started to wander if they could get her on their side, if she was this furious.
The room fell silent, rethinking the events of the day. After all, all of it happened mere three hours before the meeting, and the implications were worrying them quite a bit.
"So, Lord Irwin, what do you think we should do?"
All in the room looked at the Irwin, waiting for his answer.
"We have enough of the support and we can stop this circus from happening" He didn't elaborate on his answer, gesturing to the man on his right, who acknowledged him by presenting himself.
"You don't know me well, but it's to be expected. I'm James Fawkes, Britannian émigré. With the help of all of you, the justice will be restored and…with a boom…Britannia will be cleaned from those, failing it."
AN: I sometimes wish I was as optimistic as Shirley, there are some events happening that don't give such pleasure. At least Uni helps with it, and things do get better. I will try to keep to my schedule of at least one a month.
Other stories will be updated in a small window. This one maybe in October. I really apologize for fucking up the schedule this much