Lie and Seek

by draconichero21

On Planet Earth, there are multiple superpowers that oversee the global populace, most prominently are those that follow the Church of Seiros: Adrestia, Faerghus, Leicester, and Britannia. A chance meeting interlocks the fate of Lelouch and Edelgard, unknowingly putting the fate of mankind in their very ambitious hands.

45. Dreams

(A/N: Get out your popcorn and strap on your thinking caps. This one's going to be entertaining)

---

27th Day of the Wyvern Moon

At Babel Tower in Neo-Japan, in the area controlled by the Britannian Embassy, Rex Preto, the Black King, was busy sitting in front of his computer while giving himself a manicure. The head of a successful business empire, Rex could cry crocodile tears for the poor with a fistful of money whenever he wanted. Born in Southern Britannia, he'd crawled his way up the ladder through ruthless action and shows of force. They called him the Black King not just because of the language pun to his name, but because of how he was always in the black. Many dissenters called him such because of his black-market connections, the ones he fiercely denied. Oh, there were many rumors circulating around him: slave trades, piracy (not the digital kind), fraud, and, of course, the hiring of assassins when nothing else would do, just so he could get his hands on whatever he wanted.

As with all greedy men, Rex could not be satisfied with what he had, always wanting more. And now, now he'd set his sights on foreign nobility. House Galatea of Faerghus was among the poorest noble houses with a household name. After splintering from House Daphnel in the war that led to the formation of the Alliance, the Galateas reaped the short end of the stick with poor land to build on and an a ruthless climate. As such, their economy was pretty poor, so poor in fact that it led to House Bergliez of Adrestia gaining territory, since the Alliance's foundation, from the Kingdom.

Galatea territory was far from without its merits, however. Relations, at present, were strong between Britannia and Adrestia. However, Britannia owned no land "across the pond" as it were. It had all been given up when its nobility was driven out of Europe. So, taking some territory and making it jointly owned by Britannia and Faerghus would have great benefit to both. It would mean Adrestia would think twice from taking land from Faerghus again and the land was so close to China that Britannia could begin setting up a military presence to invade should the need ever arise. The heretics of the Chinese that could not welcome the Goddess into their hearts were of far more concern to the Britannians than the warmongers of Almyra that lay across the Southern Altantic.

For Rex Preto, however, Galatea territory went beyond political power. It was an untapped land full of wonder that his business genius could easily build upon. He could turn its trash economy into a thriving part of his business. And, one day, it would be known as House Preto. And then soon, Preto would become a superpower in its own right. Maybe not in Rex's lifetime, but with enough time and money it would. Yeeeeeesssss.

Rex was eyeing the security cameras at his latest investment, Babel Tower, for any women that suited his fancy for his slave trade. Oh, the rumors had merits, for certain, but nobody needed to know that outside his underground contacts. However, before he broke for lunch, he was interrupted by a request for a video call. The Caller ID came in as Zero.

Curious, Rex answered. "You're speaking with Rex Preto, the Black King," he said, meeting face to mask with Zero.

"I understand you are interested in Galatea territory, Black King," Zero stated.

"Is this the making of a threat, Zero? I'll have you know that the rumors about me are completely unsubstantiated," Rex responded.

"No, the Savage Mockingbird considers you useful to him. As such, I've no interest in cutting your Empire down," Zero told him.

"Ah, the Mockingbird. One of my favorite clients," Rex said with a big, smug, toothy grin. "Is this a call on his behalf?"

"No, this is my own initiative," Zero said and then sent an invite to Rex over a secure channel to play…Chess? "I understand this is one of your favorite games. It is mine as well."

"Really now? Well then, by all means, Zero, I would love to play a quick game. I'm terribly bored at the moment."

---

Eleven minutes later…

The game was tense. Rex Preto was clearly no amateur, but Zero knew that well. The man had the title of Master in the underground gambling arenas that littered both Britannia and Neo Japan alike. Despite this, Rex played well enough to force Lelouch, the man behind Zero's mask, into a precarious situation.

The options are two-fold, play it risky and go for checkmate, or play it safe and see what he does next. But if he makes the right moves, this game could end in a draw, but that's on him.

"Queen to f3, check," Zero stated, moving the piece electronically.

Rex looked at the board and became wide-eyed.

"What's wrong? You have plenty of options to avoid my attack. Simply pick one and the game shall continue," Zero told him.

"Heh, well I'll be. Been a while since an opponent forced me this much into a corner. What's say we pre-emptively call this one a draw via the threefold repetition rule?" Rex offered.

And that, Rex Preto, tells me everything I need to know about you. "I accept your offer of a stalemate. Perhaps we can have a rematch after the wedding, in person, of course."

"Ha! And people say you're all business. Never fancied you for a chess man."

"When leading an army, sharpening your mind with strategy is the only way to live. We'll be in touch regarding House Galatea. It holds my interest."

"Oh does it now? And why is that?"

"Because we both stand to gain from a union between you and the young heiress, Ingrid," Zero told him. "The Savage Mockingbird is willing to invest in your business venture into her territory, provided he sees proper return on his investment."

Rex grinned. "Is that so? Hahaha, good to have a man of your caliber on the winning side, of growth and progress."

"Growth and progress, is it? I shall remember those words. Farewell." Zero then ended the call.

---

Without skipping a beat from his meet with the Black King, Zero left his chambers to meet with another person of interest, one he almost never spoke to unless he was forced to: Archbishop Rhea.

He knocked on her office door, shocking her with his presence. "Oh! Zero! Rare for you come visit me during my office hours. Usually you run everything by Seteth."

"I come because it is necessary. May I have a seat and close the door?" Zero asked, fully aware of the security camera at his back.

"Yes, yes of course. Let me clean my desk a little." Rhea's desk was far from filthy, but she still tidied up just a little to look even more well-groomed and professional. Anything to ensure Zero's continued cooperation.

If not for that damned security camera, Lelouch would have Geassed Rhea right here and now, especially with the door locked, to get her to do all manner of things for him. Sure, he could have had Yukiya knock out the cameras ahead of time, but he knew the minute Yukiya did so, Seteth would come running to check on Rhea. Rhea's security countermeasures were airtight. If he was ever going to use his Geass on Archbishop Rhea, it was going to be on the field of battle as an enemy.

Zero sat down across from Rhea to make his request to her. "I'd like it if you could keep Castello Brancaccio vacant of any official business and to the public through tomorrow unless I approve of it. Would that be something you could manage?"

"Castello Brancaccio? The wedding hall? That Castello Brancaccio?" Rhea questioned, quite confused.

"Do you know any other?" Zero asked rhetorically.

"It…would be a simple matter of speaking to the right people and writing a decree, but may I have the reason why? It's a popular tourist venue after all when it's not in use," Rhea told him.

"I'd prefer to keep the reasons to myself. However, I can assure you I have no intention in tearing it down. In fact, I will personally pay out of pocket for any damages accrued to the building through the Battle of Eagle and Lion if that puts your mind at ease. In fact, I'll sign an affidavit. That I, Zero, will suffer any punishment as enforceable by law if the hall were to be demolished from now until the Red Wolf Moon if it can be proven that I, or my subordinates, the Black Knights, or the Ashen Wolves, were present during its destruction."

Rhea's eyes widened. She had no idea what Zero was up to. The fact that he was willing to subject himself to repercussions on legal documentation did not sit well with her either. Still, if it meant meeting Zero on equal footing, she'd gladly accept. It wasn't bending over backwards as much as it was owing him a small concession.

You'll fight tooth and nail to keep that place standing, and that's exactly what I'm counting on, Zero thought as Rhea drafted an affidavit that they discussed the finer language of until he agreed to sign it. Rhea also signed it.

"I am happy to have us cooperating," Rhea said with a pleasant smile. "May it be a sign of greater things to come. May the Goddess watch over you."

"You as well," Zero said and left.

However, as soon as Zero was clear of her office, Rhea's smile faded. Something about this isn't right. I need to be on my guard. …Mother…guide my judgment and see that I do not falter.

---

It was rare to see Dorothea Arnault running all over the Monastery with a purpose. Usually, she stuck to just her comfort zones from the classrooms, the dining hall, the student lounges, her dorm room, the library, and the occasional trips to Abyss for Zero's lectures. Rarer still for that reason to be in pursuit of someone else.

"Not here," she said as she looked in the weapons storeroom.

She poked her head into the hangar.

"Not here."

She looked into the Black Eagles classroom, the dining hall and even the fishing pond, getting frustrated. "Where is he? I know he skips morning lectures, but where does he go to just…vanish off the face of the Earth like that?"

"Looking for someone?" Byleth asked, taking an hour break to fish between classes.

"Oh! Hello, Professor. I was looking for Lelouch actually," she said with a chipper attitude. "Ingrid's in big trouble and I could use his big brain to help me. I already conscripted Zero and he said to gather up whomever I wanted to help. And, well, I thought Lulu would be of great help. You know him like a sister, where would he be?"

"If he's not at the Monastery, probably at one of his usual underground chess venues in Rome," Byleth responded, after briefly thinking it over.

"Ugh, him and chess. I swear, one of these days, he's going to turn into a chessboard."

Byleth smirked, finding this amusing.

"If you think it'll be a fight on your hands, I'm available. Whatever it is," Byleth volunteered.

"You know what? Sure!" Dorothea exclaimed, nodding. "Thanks, professor! With you on our side, Ingrid's in safe hands!"

Byleth nodded. "So, what's this about exactly?"

---

As Dorothea spent time explaining to Byleth what was going on, as she had other members of the Black Eagles, Ingrid spent time rounding up her own group, including Dimitri.

By the time Zero was ready to fire up the Neverland Mk. II for Galatea territory, the members on board to help Ingrid, aside from Dorothea and the Ashen Wolves, were Edelgard, Hubert, Monica, Ferdinand, Petra, Caspar, Rolo, Felix, Dedue, Sylvain, Dimitri, Mercedes, Annette, and Leila.

"I'm surprised you're coming Edelgard. I would have thought you'd consider this a Faerghusian matter," Dimitri stated once the ship hit cruising altitude. All invited parties were taking their seatbelts off.

"I was at first, then Dorothea mentioned Rex Preto the Black King and I suddenly have every desire to see this operation shut down if I can help it. I may not wield a lot of power or influence in this situation, but if Rex Preto finds himself open to having his skull cracked, I'm more than happy to provide my axe."

Hubert gave more practical details, "House Galatea sits north of the Empire's southeastern leg. If Britannia were to gain influence in it, especially to a man of less savory tastes, it would be bad for the Empire."

"I was wondering how a matter completely unrelated to you caught your attention, Hubert," Ferdinand remarked. "Now I understand."

"What I understand, Ferdinand, is that you are a bleeding heart that would not see an innocent maiden forced into a relationship performed only for political gain."

"But of course," Ferdinand said, shaking his fists by his waist, glaring. "Arranged marriages for political reasons exist for a reason, yes, but if the marriage is doomed to fall apart, it is no marriage worth having. Ingrid Galatea can certainly…no she deserves better!"

"Let's…not talk about me like I'm not here," Ingrid remarked.

"Ah, my apologies," Ferdinand apologized, sweating.

"So…what exactly is the plan?" Annette asked. She looked greatly concerned. "Zero seemed a little low on details."

"Yes, Zero. We're always relying on his plans, t'would seem," Dimitri grumbled.

"Do not berate others for their shrewd plans simply because you have none of your own," Hubert remarked craftily.

"Now, now, let's not fight," Mercedes said. "I'm sure everything will work out."

Dorothea looked around, noticing Rolo scratching a finger at his neck. "Something on your mind, Rolly?" she asked.

"Er, nothing major, it's just…we're heading into friendly territory to meet with Ingrid's father, aren't we? The Black King is in Neo Japan though, so why did we all come aboard now?" he questioned.

"Yeah, see, that's what's bugging me too," Annette said.

Hubert was quick to explain. "Given how Zero tends to operate, he may be suspecting the Black King to be up to no good within the Count's territory. He may think the Ashen Wolves alone insufficient depending on the size of the enemy force. That's where we come in."

"Ah, feels like I got too many people involved then," Dorothea said with a frown.

"Nonsense," Edelgard responded. "Field work is important to any officer's academy student. Let us use this as a learning experience."

"Hey! No complaints here!" Sylvain exclaimed. "Just uh…I'll have to…stay outside. Ingrid's dad…doesn't like me."

"Ah yes, how could I forget? You flirted with his scarecrow that one time," Felix remarked.

"Hey, come on! It was dark out and I was what…fourteen? I've grown up! Gimme a break," Sylvain complained.

"No, I'd say you're basically the same as you've always been," Felix shot back.

"Ouch, well that makes two of us, eh Felix?" Sylvain laughed.

"Don't lump me in with you," Felix said in disgust.

"Hmmmm…" Byleth just stared out the window. She too felt apprehensive about all of this. Something about this…didn't feel right.

---

Upon arriving on the ground, the reception in Galatea territory wasn't what anyone was really used to…except for Sylvain, Dimitri and Felix who frequented it here in their youth. There was no superficial escort, no line of limousines like it had been with Fraldarius territory. In fact, the landing had to be done with Ingrid's help to get the Constance to land away from her father's cornfields.

"Cornfields…are we sure this is a noble territory?" Caspar asked.

"Doesn't Bergliez territory host the largest farmland in the known world?" Yuri asked him.

"Hey, at least my dad has private transports and what not. You'd never see his guests landing near his crops, he'd blow his lid," Caspar pointed out.

"Galatea territory hasn't exactly been the most economic or social region since its founding," Dimitri stated. "I'm surprised your father can do what he can with the land his ancestors inherited from Faerghus."

"Bergliez family tradition has always been if it isn't working, try harder until it does. Round peg and a square hole? Not a problem, make the hole round with brute force," Linhardt pointed out.

"Sheesh, sounds like Holst," Balthus remarked.

"Knowing the information I've gathered, the comparisons between Count Bergliez and Holst are well founded. They'd both hear gold on the other side of a mountain and the solution would be to punch through the mountain. Instead of, you know, getting a helicopter or something," Yuri quipped.

"Yeah, that's Holst all right," Balthus remarked, sighing.

"My dad, too. Yeesh," Caspar remarked. "So glad Leicester and Adrestia aren't at war."

Hubert coughed. "Sorry," he excused. "Dust from our landing."

"Well, if we're going on foot, we'd best stick together," Monica requested. "I'll remember our exact path back."

"Most appreciated, Lady Ochs. Ingrid, care to lead the way?" Zero requested.

Ingrid nodded, leading everyone on a thirty minute walk through a sunset field to the Galatea estate.

"Well, at least the estate's still holding up," Sylvain stated. "I remember last time I was here you had a really nasty leak in the greenhouse."

"Ingrid…just how poorly off is your family?" Dorothea asked, concerned.

Ingrid sighed. "If not for my Crest of Daphnel and our family's blood, I imagine the title we hold would have been lost long ago." She looked outright miserable.

"This simply will not do. I should—"

"What you should do is keep your mouth shut, Ferdinand," Edelgard criticized. "We are strangers in a foreign land. We have no power here and anything you say reflects upon the Adrestian Empire," she emphasized the last word to convey her ire to Ferdinand opening his mouth when she preferred it stay shut.

"That is never a reason to not offer a friendly hand. Relations with Faerghus are paramount for Adrestia's continued survival as a superpower. If Galatea territory became indebted to the Empire, even a little—"

"Then all we would have are cornfields and a barren wasteland of poor economic growth," Hubert pointed out. "Did you not see how few shopping malls were here on our descent? I'm surprised we didn't hear banjos as we came down the exit ramp."

"Hubert, being polite goes for you too," Edelgard snapped.

"Apologies, Lady Edelgard," Hubert bowed to her sincerely.

Edelgard cleared her throat.

Hubert bowed to Ingrid. "And to you too, Miss Galatea. I meant no disrespect."

"No…it's fine. It's…warranted in this case."

"Ingrid," Annette said sadly. "M-My territory is close by. My uncle can—"

"Annette, I appreciate it, really. But my father would never allow another region to help us carry our burden. If…If I marry someone worthy of the Galatea family name, they can fix all of this."

"Even so, marrying just to fix your family's problems isn't right. Isn't there something you can do, Ingrid? I know my adoptive father in House Martritz only cares about money, but it sounds like your father is concerned about your family's future, not his own personal gain."

"What he's concerned about, Mercedes, is clinging to ancestry," Edelgard responded, curtly.

"Lady Edelgard," Monica remarked, gasping at her liege's hypocrisy after criticizing her fellow countrymen.

Dimitri, however, saw through Edelgard's attitude. "Is something troubling you, Edelgard? You appear on edge."

"We can talk about it after the count has greeted us if you're so inclined," she responded politely to Dimitri. She looked over to Ingrid. "He's well, I trust?"

"Yes, my father is no warrior, but he's in the pinnacle of good health. He seemed to be on the phone at least."

As the group neared the estate, Sylvain said, "I don't get it, Ingrid. Why's your dad so focused on you? You have older brothers, right?"

"Her older brothers don't have a crest, remember?" Felix asked.

"Been a while, detail slipped my mind," Sylvain acknowledged.

"Anders has been studying at the school of sorcery non-stop and intends to become a scholar there, hoping to do something about our family's failing land, while Eric manages delivery company to neighboring regions. But…it's hard to compete with much more successful organizations."

"Tell me about it," Annette remarked frowning, knowing how much stuff she tended to purchase online and how convenient major outlets were.

"If only Glenn were still alive, none of this would be happening," Felix sighed, actually showing his humanity and sympathy for once.

"I hear you, Felix. This Black King guy's bad news. Minute I see him, I'm gonna kick him where most girls wanna kick me," Sylvain remarked.

"Very comforting you two," Ingrid smiled, happy to have such loyal friends. "I mean that."

The group finally got to the front door. "Well, here we are." Ingrid marched up the staircase, exhaled deeply and then knocked on the door. The head maid answered. "Welcome back, Lady Ingrid. Shall I inform your father you have arrived."

"You may," Ingrid said. "And I've brought an escort. I believe he's expecting a certain someone."

The maid nodded, smiling. "Yes, your father is looking forward to meeting with Zero. Come, I shall bring you to him."

The group marched forward and into the estate, each one looking and taking note of their surroundings—or not at all—in a different way. The Galatea manor was much smaller compared to the glorious Fraldarius estate, but it still fit the bill of noble and extravagant with its blue carpets and expensive paintings and vases.

If the count downsized, he could probably make a quick mint in order to put an economic plan into action, but he won't even do that for fear of losing his title. How dull, Zero thought.

Flashes of what happened with Monica's father went through his mind, followed by Mercedes's earlier comment about Galatea being well-intentioned compared to her own father.

Lelouch curled his lip in disgust nonetheless, but it soon gave way to a grin as everyone made it to the master den. The third set of conditions are now complete. Time to make the next move. Knight to f3.

Zero bowed, pulling his cape over himself as he raised one arm to the air. "Count Galatea, we are honored by your hospitality on such short notice."

Count Gunnar Galatea was a thin man with visible age lines and gray starting to crop into his blond hair. His long mustache went down to his jaw line and his hair was perfectly combed back. If not for his crest on the back of his hand, one could mistake him for just another butler with how snazzy he was dressed.

"And you must be the mysterious Zero," he responded with a smile. "I must admit, I'm not sure what you hope to gain from coming to meet with me on short notice." He rubbed his jaw. "You see, Rex Preto has offered quite the economic endowment for Ingrid's hand in marriage."

"The Black King and I are well acquainted," Zero responded. "In fact, we played chess together just this morning. Apologies for the entourage. I was concerned Preto might be scheming something nefarious on your own grounds. I brought them to have a look while you and I have a chat. But…" Zero held his arms out, palms facing the count, "As I have nothing to hide, I wanted you to at least see who I brought with me, though I understand the heir to House Gautier has chosen to remain outside."

Count Galatea grimaced at the mere mention of Sylvain. "Did you have to bring him here?" he asked his daughter.

"Have to? No. But when I asked Felix to come, he volunteered."

Count Galatea looked to Felix. The sight of Rodrigue's son brought a glorious smile to his face. "Felix! My! It's been ages! You look more like your brother every day, young man."

"If you say so," Felix stated, doing his best not to be rude.

"Ah, and you are also present, your highness," the count stated to Dimitri. "If I'd known you were coming—"

Dimitri shook his head and held up his hand. "As I told Lord Rodrigue, my visit here is as a student, not as an official of Faerghus. You've no need to roll out the carpet for me, Count."

"Nonsense, it is a pleasure to serve royalty," he said with a smile and then spotted Edelgard. "Ah, and do mine eyes deceive me? Young miss Edelgard. No! This simply will not do!" He clapped loud enough for two the maids in the room to be snapped from their duties. "Phillis! Harriet! Order No. 3 from my party planning schedule."

They bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Balthus whistled. "Cute maids."

"Ugh," Ingrid groaned. Sylvain might've been absent but they clearly had another skirt chaser in the party.

"Dinner should be arriving in…" he checked his watch. "Two hours time."

"Your hospitality is appreciated, Count Galatea," Zero stated. "Onto more serious matters."

"Yes, yes, of course. Ingrid told me you wanted to speak with me."

"Alone, if that's all right. Fear not, I know better than to assassinate a man simply trying his best in a desperate situation. I'll not bring the wrath of two royals down on my head," Zero responded.

"Hahahaha," the Count laughed, smiling. "I just put on some tea if you'd like some."

"I might," Zero stated. "We'll see."

Ingrid looked apprehensive, but Dorothea put a hand on her shoulder. "Let's try trusting Zero for now, okay? I'm sure he has it all under control."

Dimitri grimaced.

Edelgard turned around. "He won't make a mess of things, Dimitri. If you want this arranged marriage annulled, best to see what comes into that head of his."

Dimitri growled. "Curse my powerlessness! Were I king this wouldn't be an issue."

"But you aren't, so you have to make due with the power you do have. Zero suggested Preto's forces might be hiding out in Galatea territory. If we use our Hard light frames we can speed to nearby settlements and look for ill activity. You wanted to talk to me anyway, did you not?" Edelgard asked.

Dimitri caved, exhaling. "I…suppose you're right. Very well. Lead the way, Edelgard."

---

For the most part, Zero, the wolves, and the allies that came with them, split up into small groups. Among them, Rolo ventured with Petra and Dorothea. He would have ventured with Clara, but she wasn't here.

"Bernie won't go! So I'm staying right here!"

She needs a hobby, Rolo thought. Clara had become obsessed with Bernadetta lately. The girl consumed her every waking thought almost. Clara was losing her focus on the mission, he felt. Of course, he couldn't exactly criticize her without feeling hypocritical. He'd answered Dorothea's summons independently of Hubert and Edelgard. He just…couldn't say no to how sweetly she asked him.

He wanted to travel with Dorothea alone, but Petra insisted on coming along. Perhaps he could shake her and then…end Dorothea. He didn't like the weird way she made him feel, like he wasn't himself. He had to focus on making sure Edelgard and Hubert weren't doing anything that would upset Lord Arundel. Dorothea constantly getting involved in his personal business made that harder. But…she smelled nice, like strawberries and wildflowers. And that smile was just…

Focus! You idiot! Rolo chided himself.

As he, Petra and Dorothea wandered down a dirt path towards a forest—the perfect place to set up a secret garrison—Petra said the quiet part about Dorothea's involvement out loud.

"Dorothea, pardon me for asking, but…why are being so invested in Ingrid's um…personals? Is that how you say it?"

"Hmm? Oh! You mean why am I trying so hard for Ingrid's sake?" she asked. She glared. "Simple. I can't stand the idea of rich men using their money to prey upon helpless women."

"I am having confusion," Petra responded, bewildered, "The trouble is that he is having money, or that Ingrid is helpless?"

Rolo did his best to try and ease Petra's confusion. "Dorothea's ideals of justice involve sticking it to the nobility, especially nobles that are corrupt."

Dorothea balled a fist, continuing to look and sound mad. "It wouldn't matter if he was poor as dirt. No perverted sleazebag lays a hand on my friends!"

"Ah, so it is the contentment of the character of Ingrid's fiancé that is upsetting you. I am having better understanding!"

"You mean content dear, but yes," Dorothea responded. "I can't stand sexual predators, especially ones that don't try to hide it. They flaunt their wealth and their status and they constantly get away with it. And Britannian ones are the worst!"

"What is making Britannia worse?" Petra questioned.

"Because of the current Emperor. The latest is that he has children with 108 different women. And that's just the official heirs," Dorothea responded. "And his creed is all men are not created equal, so it gives all of the rich corrupt nobles an excuse to prey upon the weak just because they have no money!"

"This is sounding very personal," Petra replied, just a little intimidated by Dorothea's fury.

"Of course it's personal! It's very personal to me, especially because it's Rex Preto!"

"What exactly happened between you two, anyway? You mentioned when you asked for my help that you knew the guy," Rolo said.

Dorothea exhaled, maintaining her anger. "It was three years ago. I'd just finished another magnificent performance and was taking questions when he pushed his way to the front of the line to give me a big bouquet of flowers. The media ate it up. Security escorted me to my dressing room, but he showed up there and almost forced himself on me, telling me I would look really pretty in a bunny costume, even had one in a vacuum bag in my size. I fought with everything I had. When security heard him screaming, they rushed in. When they saw I'd broken his arm, he was rushed to the hospital." Anger gave way to sorrow and fear. "It wasn't my first time dealing with something like that. He eventually dropped the charges, but there was a six-month period where I could have been thrown off the opera company. I'd never been more scared to lose everything before. That…jerk nearly ruined my life…" the anger returned. "And all because he thought he was better than me. I'll never ever forgive him!"

"And I'm guessing you later learned about him after the incident?" Rolo inquired.

Dorothea nodded. "The opera company has great in-house attorneys. You could imagine my shock when I heard I was being litigated, almost arrested since it happened on Britannian soil. I was so concerned that, since I was just a street rat, that they'd toss me to the wolves and go get a new songstress. But…no, I got lucky." She smiled, laughing. "The director likes me. I'm just that good. And when news broke out across the globe about the incident, well, Manuela was already at the Officer's Academy so she used what connections she had to intervene." She exhaled then, sounding exhausted recalling everything. "Honestly, I probably would have been found not guilty in a fair trial. My lawyer had enough evidence to show justified self-defense. But…the fact that I just…had that power, my talent, my status…it all felt…superfluous. If I didn't have my talent, I would have been done. Over with. It scared me…a lot. And it made me think that…if I didn't watch myself…I'd become just like him. That I'd start using my own wealth and status to get what I wanted. What if next time I was the aggressor. I want to find a good husband after all. Imagine if I pushed myself on someone too much because I got old and desperate and nobody stopped me because I was rich and powerful. The thought sickened me to my stomach."

"You would never be doing that," Petra reassured. "You're a being a good person."

Dorothea smiled. "Thank you, Petra. But…yeah, that's why I left Mittlefrank to join the Officer's Academy. I have talent in sorcery despite not being of the nobility, and I'm handy with an energy sword too from all the sword dancing practice and self-defense lessons, plus some martial arts. I…when I get to be Manuela's age…I want to be able to settle down with someone. I don't want my life in stardom to go to my head. She realized it…just a decade later than I did. I want to get a jump start on it. She had talent in a priory before she found the opera company. She had a good home, loving parents. I have…nothing, nowhere to go back to…" she stared at her shoes, "…and no one to take care of me when I'm too old to take care of myself."

"You will be finding someone," Petra encouraged. "I am being certain of it."

Dorothea smiled again. "Thank you, Petra. That really means a lot to me." It's what she said, but Petra's words felt like a dagger in her chest. To chase away the aching feeling, Dorothea pumped her fist. "So, what's say we double our efforts. We've got one hour till dinner! Let's see if there's anything to be found here!"

"I shall be racing to that tree! Last one there is smelling of rotten eggs!" Petra shouted and darted off.

Rolo and Dorothea were now alone. However, the former could not bring himself to harm the latter. Not anymore. "Hey, Dorothea."

"Hmm? What is it, Rolly? That's not your usual tone of voice," she stated, perplexed.

"I…I was just thinking, if you have nowhere else to go, and feel alone…Clara and I…we came from somewhere. We didn't have parents either, but we…made a weird family of sorts. It…it won't be easy, likely painful, but…"

Dorothea pursed her lips. "Oh, Rolly, that's so sweet of you, really. But…" she winked, "I'm old enough now that I'm looking for…a different kind of family." She stopped winking. "Still, I appreciate it. That's very kind."

"I know what it's like to grow up cold and alone," he told her. "Clara does too. If we hadn't been found, although our childhood wasn't really a childhood, we wouldn't be here today if not for certain people. I'm thankful to at least be alive, despite everything that's happened."

Dorothea smiled. "Sometimes, you just gotta keep on living. It's the best revenge for people who wish you were better off dead."

Rolo actually laughed at that. "Yeah, I suppose it is. So…walk together? I don't want to smell of rotten eggs."

Now it was Dorothea's turn to laugh. "Sure, Rolly, come on."

---

Elsewhere, at a nearby gas station, Dimitri came out of the convenience store with a pair of cold drinks. Edelgard was sitting on a nearby bench, waiting for him.

"Sorry, I wasn't sure what to get. Um…do you like apple?" he asked.

"I've never met a fruit beverage I could not tolerate," Edelgard responded, taking it from him. She noticed the bottle he had. "Lemon tea?"

"Cold tea sometimes calms my nerves given what's mixed into it, even if I can't taste the flavors."

"I see," Edelgard responded.

Dimitri sat down and the two gazed outward up at the half moon up above. Dimitri twisted the cap off his bottle and then gulped his drink. Edelgard waited until he had swallowed before doing the same, sipping much slower rather gulping half the bottle.

"We don't get much of a chance to talk like this, you and I," Dimitri stated.

"Should we?" Edelgard asked, turning her head towards him.

"Er, well…" Dimitri blushed. He knew Edelgard didn't remember being his step-sister. She had mentioned that her memory beyond four years ago was fuzzy due to an experiment that caused her hair to bleach. They had this conversation when it was her, Claude, Marrybell, Kaguya and him all in one van during the group exodus at the start of the year. He had to tread carefully to avoid sounding weird. "It's just…I see you spending time with the other house leaders. You've played videogames with Claude and chess with Marrybell. Yet I never seem to be able to even get a sparring session out of you."

"Hmm," Edelgard acknowledged. "I'm not avoiding you, if that's what you're thinking, but you and I think very differently and I dislike wasting my time."

"We…think differently. Yes, I suppose we do. You trust Zero implicitly, where as I question if the man so much as sneezes, in exaggeration," Dimitri agreed.

Things got quiet fast, but Edelgard brought the conversation back to its intended topic, "You wanted to know what has me so on edge about this situation?" she asked, gripping the bottle. "What has me on edge is the fact that we have yet another example of a man using his wealth and influence to grab power and all because Ingrid has a crest. Her father would rather hold onto some…useless title than let it go simply because the blood is strong."

"Isn't that what we are taught though?" Dimitri asked. "That crests are a gift from the Goddess?"

"That's not an excuse!" Edelgard snapped. "Crests this! Crests that! What about letting people succeed on their own merits? What about recognizing the effort of the commonfolk that goes unsung by scholars and historians? No! No one ever does! When Washington's Rebellion occurred in Britannia, people mocked him because he didn't have a crest, so of course he would never have succeeded at stopping the true children of the Goddess. People forget that Benjamin Franklin, the man who ultimately betrayed him and caused his downfall, hadn't a crest either! But he is hardly sung in the history books either, it is the Britannian nobleman who had the brilliant idea to pass the bribe along because he had the crest! Napoleon, one of the greatest conquerors in Adrestia's history had a crest. Would he have been sung by historians were he crestless? The very thought angers me!"

She almost crushed the bottle in her grip and there was still juice in it.

"Edelgard, you're going to splash juice everywhere, calm down," Dimitri told her, putting a hand on her hand.

"How can I?!" Edelgard snapped. "The church's teachings have poisoned the minds of the people and nobody does anything to stop it! Zero and the Flame Emperor are the only ones attempting to do so!"

"EL, PLEASE!" Dimitri shouted, tightening his grip.

Edelgard gasped. She turned to Dimitri, face frozen in fear. "How…how do you know that name?"

"I…" Oh, how best to explain this one?

"Why did you say that name?!" Edelgard shouted.

"I…I just…"

Klonk!

With the cap back on the juice bottle, Edelgard struck him across the face with it and stormed off, likely to find Hubert, Monica, or both.

Dimitri, after picking himself off the ground, rubbed his sore, cold cheek and then grumbled at his own incompetence. "I've gone and stepped in it now. She'll likely hate me for a while. Best to steer clear until she approaches." He gazed in the direction she was fleeing, looking forlorn. "El…I'm sorry, you're one of the many people I couldn't save. But…I am just grateful you didn't become one of the many voices haunting my nightmares."

---

Ingrid was one of the first people back home when dinner would soon be arriving. Because of the smaller budget of House Galatea's party planning schedule, her father would often order out a lot of food from various chain restaurants, including burgers and pizza. She wasn't missing out on any of this.

As she returned to her home, she found one of the maids standing guard in front of her father's audience hall.

"Ah, you have returned, Lady Ingrid. I'll let your father know," with some slightly off center delivery, but Ingrid didn't think much of it. It's not like she memorized the eccentricities of her family maids. However, what she did do was follow the maid inside to the sound of laughter, her father laughing at what she presumed to be something Zero said. He was really going at it too, given he was slapping his knee.

"Zero, you're a riot. If you could show your face to me, my daughter would be all yours," Gunnar laughed.

"Your compliments mean little, but I will take them nonetheless," Zero said and then noticed Ingrid had snuck in behind the maid.

"Lord Gunnar, Lady Ingrid has returned," the maid said.

"Ah, very good," Gunnar replied and the maid suddenly acted like she remembered something important and ran off.

"You two seem to be getting along well," Ingrid stated, sounding hopeful. "I take that to mean the matter's been settled then?"

"Indeed," Zero said, rising to his feet. "You have nothing to worry about."

"Yes, you'll be getting married tomorrow, Ingrid. Can you believe it? Castello Brancaccio is vacant tomorrow! The perfect venue and Zero can get us in for free!"

Ingrid's world felt like it was going to collapse inward. Zero had done…what? No! NO! This wasn't what she wanted at all! That lying scumbag!

The warrior in her wanted her to lash out and attack him with the fire poker but the rest of her was too in shock to move.

"Ah, we have to get you fitted for a dress and, of course, your brothers will be in attendance. Joyous day! My daughter is actually getting married!" Gunnar wept.

Zero walked right up beside Ingrid, facing the opposite direction. "The world is a cruel and uncaring place sometimes. We must all know our place in it. It will be difficult for the Blue Lions to win at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion without you."

Tears welled into Ingrid's eyes. She'd been tricked. Zero never had any intention of helping her. He was doing this…all to cripple her nation, to gain favor with her fiancé. How could he?

"You…HOW DARE YOUUUUUUU!" She shrieked and activated her Royal Alicorn and made to attack Zero, but she was too slow on the draw. Zero had already activated a Dark Matter Emitter. Before she could connect, the HLKMF activated and she fell to the ground.

If her father had anything rude to say to Zero, he kept it to himself. "I imagine tomorrow will be an eventful occasion," Zero said, walking out of the room. "The best TV crew I know will be there, headed up by my publicist, Diethard Reid."

Ingrid could take no more, she shoved Zero aside and ran out of the house, running all the way to the Neverland, not stopping until she found a bed to cry on. Getting married to Rex Preto was one thing, but Zero's betrayal stung far worse. She'd defended him to Dimitri's face, and this was the thanks she got. She was the helpless one and he was casting her aside. She didn't understand.

The first person to find her was Leila, having walked the entire length from the manor to the Neverland with two plates of hot food, one for herself and one for Ingrid. She'd seen the young woman go running out of her own house in tears. She heated up the food in the room's microwave. She then set one plate down on the night table and sat down next to Ingrid, stroking her hair. She had no idea what was going on, but she knew that a good friend and some warm food could help make things better.

When Ingrid could manage words, she told Leila everything. While she did so, Count Gunnar made his announcement. Dorothea was the most shocked out of everyone, but for various reasons, nobody did anything. Count Galatea was the ultimate authority in the situation after all. Everyone else was just a guest.

Leila, of course, immediately tried to change things with her Geass, but found herself unable to activate it. She could not see the different fates and destiny that awaited her and Ingrid. Perhaps she wasn't under enough stress to activate it, or perhaps there was something wrong with the fate she was trying to change. C.C. had told her that her Geass required specific conditions. Leila wasn't nearly brilliant enough to figure that out on her own though and she hadn't any intention to abuse this power to find out. However, Ingrid was suffering. She wanted to help her friend.

So, when the Neverland took off later that night for Rome, she confronted Zero about it. Well…she tried to, but Kronya was guarding his personal quarters.

"I demand you let me zee him, immediately!" Leila demanded.

"Sorry, got strict orders not to let anyone that's not an Ashen Wolf in here. So, unless you feel like dying, little girl, I suggest you move."

"Espèce de salaud suceur de blaireau! Que la déesse vous brûle mille fois, to et Zero!" Leila hissed in rage.

"…I have no idea what you just said," Kronya said, drawing Athame. "But I didn't like the way you said it."

Fortunately, Akito was nearby to help cooler heads prevail, casually parrying Kronya's weapon with his own sword.

"Akito!" Leila gasped, surprised to see him.

"Let's have cooler heads, prevail, yeah?" he asked. "We're all on edge about what happened. Let's not fight amongst ourselves."

"Tell that to her. I'm just doing my job and got cursed out in French!" Kronya snapped. She may not have known the language, but she recognized it.

Akito looked to Leila, waiting for her to take a deep breath, knowing she wouldn't storm off angry. It wasn't in her.

Leila exhaled, calming herself as Akito and Kronya lowered their weapons, both putting them away.

"Come on, I'll brew you some hot chocolate," Akito offered.

"Mmm, thank you," Leila said.

Once in the break room on the Neverland, Leila sat with her warm cocoa and just complained, "I just…I don't understand."

"Honestly, me neither. But…Zero's gotta be up to something. He always is and the rest of us have to play catch up with his brain wondering what he's really thinking," Akito said.

"Ingrid's crying herself to sleep right now," Leila said. "I wouldn't be surprised if she threw up."

"Yeah, I know."

"How can you just stand there? This isn't right!" Leila shouted, getting to her feet. "Even if Zero isn't really planning to have Ingrid married, toying with her emotions isn't right!"

"I know that!" Akito shouted, shocking Leila that he agreed with her, and at the volume that he did so. She sat down. "I know that Zero's acting shrewdly, but shrewd is typically how the Black Knights tend to operate. I'm sure he's got a plan, and yeah, not knowing what the plan is sucks, especially with Ingrid caught in the crossfire, but I can't raise any objections right now. He probably doesn't want to hear them anyway."

"So you're just going to go along with it?" Leila demanded to know.

"…I'm weighing my options," Akito stated. "I have to know what Zero's really up to before I make any rash decisions. I just hope, when it's all over, he'll still be the man I respect."

Leila sighed. "I just hope no one gets hurt, like Baron von Ochs."

"Yeah, I know." Akito said and sat down next to Leila, patting her upper back. She leaned into him and he put an arm around her.

In her hot chocolate mug, two marshmallows floated towards each other and then stuck themselves together, floating there as the warm drink cooled off until Leila was ready to take a sip.

---

It was 10pm at night, an hour before Zero's lecture would conclude when Cornelia and Guilford were outside on a rooftop with a clear view of Castello Brancaccio. The former had binoculars, scanning the horizon.

"Not seeing anything suspicious," she said. "Whatever's going on, it seems we're incredibly early."

"Weren't we told nothing was happening until tomorrow?" Guilford asked.

"If we knew about suspicious activity this far in advance, clearly it means something is wrong with the area," Cornelia told him.

"Are you sure we can trust that anonymous tip?" Guilford asked. "It was anonymous after all."

"The tip came right to my desk phone, Guilford, meaning somebody knew to contact my Glaston Knights, believing it to be a Britannian jurisdiction issue. And since it's not terrorism, from what they could gather, then that means the Glinda Knights as a counterterrorism unit don't have the proper authority that I would to arrest or eliminate the threat. Britannia doesn't have law enforcement in Rome. I'm the closest thing we have."

"All I'm saying is it could be a prank," Guilford stated.

"If it's a prank, we can trace the call, but I don't take chances," Cornelia told him.

"Well, I'll obey any order you give me princess," Guilford stated.

"Good, then boil some hot water and get thermos number two open, we're going to be out here all night. And if something does happen tomorrow, I've asked Captain Jeralt to cover since it will only be a half day of classes."

"Yes, your highness!"

---

That same night, as Zero was wrapping up classes, he called out, "Yukiya, before you turn in tonight, with the Battle of the Eagle and Lion close at hand, I want nothing interfering with last minute training drills. If you could perform some manual network calibrations for Abyss's wireless information, I'd appreciate it.

Yukiya sighed. "Yeah, I'll get it done. It's a pain in the ass, but yeah, I'm on it."

"I appreciate it," Zero said.

"So…are we not talking about tomorrow?" Constance questioned.

"What's there to talk about? The matter is settled and you're all expected to attend."

"Yeah, like I buy that! Come on, Zero! What are we up to, exactly?" Balthus asked.

"If you don't believe me, that's on you," Zero said and headed for the door and promptly walked out of it.

"I'll follow him," Yuri stated. "That guy can't keep secrets from me, no matter how hard he tries."

"Just be careful, okay Yuribird," Hapi told him. "Zero's not acting like himself. It's got me worried."

"Eh, he'll be fine," Kronya said stretching. "Pretty sure he's not the one we have to worry about."

"What Kronya said," Yuri responded. "Now it's late so good little boys and girls should head for bed."

"Yeah, yeah, real funny," Hapi responded sarcastically. "I'm serious. Be careful. Both of you."

Yuri laughed. "I make no promises."

---

As Byleth wrapped up her routine for the evening, she made to get in bed, only for her phone to beep. It was Lelouch. It was a text:

"Studying overnight in Abyss. Don't wait up for me."

She just responded with a thumb's up. She didn't question it. He probably made an acquaintance down there out of one of the wolves, or he was doing research out of the forbidden section, which she too had come across. He'd been missing for most of the day, so maybe he was just practicing a new spell to master at the last second for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. Having a last-minute ace in the hole seemed like something he would do, far as she was concerned. So, not having to wait up until one in the morning to check on Lelouch, Byleth got an early jump on her sleep.

---

28th Day of the Wyvern Moon

Babel Tower, similarly to a casino, was open to the public 24/7. Many of its VIPs were often frequenting it. Among them, Rex Preto, who had a massive financial investment in it, was enjoying some late-night entertainment shortly after midnight. The best kind given the young lady in the playboy bunny outfit between his legs.

However, this was interrupted by a phone call. "Sir, there's a man claiming to work for the Savage Mockingbird here to see you," one of his goons said.

"At this time of night? Really? Very well," Rex grumbled. He looked down at the woman. "Hurry your lazy ass up."

---

While this was going on, downstairs in the VIP parking lot, Zero was busy carrying a very large bomb and attempting to strap it to Rex Preto's car, so that it would trigger if the vehicle was started. Zero was using a note on a cell phone to match information to which vehicle had the correct license plate so the car could be identified. However, Zero had moved too overtly and Rex's men caught the vigilante by surprise, knocking the masked crusader out with sharp blow to the back of the helmet so fearsome it knocked Zero out. The vigilante collapsed to the floor and was dragged away.

---

Preto's visitor turned out to be Yuri Leclerc. The young man had arrived just as Rex's bunny girl was leaving. The two had broken the ice and were just about to start talking about Zero when Rex's goons dragged a just starting to come around Zero into the room.

"Boss! We caught him! We caught Zero!" one of Rex's men exclaimed.

"Well, well, well, and what did you catch him doing?" Rex wanted to know.

"He had a bomb, boss, a big one. He was trying to rig your car!" the man shouted.

"How distasteful," the Black King remarked. "Trying to get me killed, Zero."

"Ingrid Galatea is an innocent maiden. If I forced you to go to a wedding, you'd have no choice but to take your best car," Zero responded.

"Well, as far as plans go, it was a good one. I almost fell for it." The Black King pulled out a gun, aiming it at Zero.

"Hold it," Yuri said, pointing the gun and took aim at Rex…only to, instead, turn the barrel towards Zero.

Zero gasped. "Yuri! You're…betraying me?"

"What can I say? I have ambitions too, you know? You may enjoy helping the helpless and rising up the weak, but I like money. Guess you didn't know who you were dealing with, after all. The Savage Mockingbird sends his regards."

However, before Yuri could take his shots, Rex did it himself shooting Zero three times in the chest. Gagging noises could be heard as Zero, presumably vomited blood inside the helmet and then, the miracle man was no more, going limp.

"Well, now that he's dead, let's see what's behind that mask," Rex remarked.

"Wait!" Yuri stopped him. "Why unmask him now? There's going to be a TV crew at the wedding tomorrow. I say we unmask him for the world. The man who defeated Zero. You'd be unstoppable, Rex."

"Hmmm…HMMMMM! Yes! An excellent idea, young man! Glad I thought of it!" Rex shouted. He clapped. "Take that corpse and load it into my belongings for tomorrow. We'll have a glorious wedding followed up by Zero's unmasking!" The man then laughed hysterically, as Yuri watched on with a diabolically smug smirk.

---

At three in the morning, Hapi woke up feeling lethargic and restless. And whenever she felt like this, she needed the munchies to put her back to sleep.

I'll get a cheesy chicken burrito in me and then it's back to bed. Good thing The Belle is open 24/7, she thought.

However, on her way to her favorite hole in the wall, she spotted a familiar face lying unconscious in a dark alley. She gasped. "Yuki!"

She roused him. "Hey! Hey, wake up! You okay?"

Yukiya instantly woke from the shaking, gasping, patting himself down.

"What happened? Should I raise the alarm? Are you hurt?" Hapi asked, frantically worried.

"I'm…fine…I think," Yukiya responded and immediately went for his phone. Still there. He checked for viruses. None. Spyware. None. Malware. None. None of his less savory apps had been messed with either. No new sent or received messages since he passed out. That moment, from his memory, was about three and a half hours ago. "I mean…I could've sworn I was attacked. Some guy grabbed me and shoved me against a wall by my throat, but after that…nothing."

"A guy?"

"Well, it could've been a lady. They snuck up on me pretty good. Didn't say anything, didn't…demand anything out of me…I think," Yukiya responded, scratching his head. "I just remember passing out, probably from how they were choking me. Slender person too. Freaked me right the hell out."

"Well, I'm glad you're okay. You gonna be all right?" Hapi asked him.

"Yeah, pretty sure. Been through worse after all." Yukiya got to his feet on his own, dusting off his knees, then offered Hapi a hand, helping her up. "What's got you out of bed this early though?"

"Eh, the usual spell of restlessness. But, glad I caught you. Eating this late at night is no fun when its alone. You want a burrito? My treat!"

"A burrito on your dime? Sure, that's a good stroke of fortune after getting jumped."

"Haha! 3am burritos here we come!" Hapi exclaimed. She and Yukiya were back in bed by 4am.

---

At 9am, Ingrid's wedding was in its last stages of prep. All the guests could make it. The dress had already been outfitted and sewn. Because Castello Brancaccio was being used, it appeared Rome was expediting the process for a lot of things that normally took weeks. Gifts were on short notice, but that was hardly a bother.

Ingrid was still miserable though, sitting in her dress, bouquet in hand, staring at her vanity mirror. Her door was shut, but who happened to walk in at that moment but Dorothea. She was in a red dress and she was not happy. In fact, she was fuming with rage.

"I can't believe he did this. The minute I see him, I'm going to throttle him!" Dorothea snapped.

"Dorothea, it's fine. You didn't know," Ingrid responded. "I've…made peace with everything. This is just fate."

"Ingrid…" Dorothea responded, forlorn. There was a long silence before Dorothea shook her head. "No…no I'm not giving up! I…I want to believe! I want to believe that Zero has something planned for all of this. But…I suppose I'm just coping with an awful reality, huh?"

"We both are," Ingrid replied. "For what it's worth, thank you for being my friend."

Dorothea sniffed. "It's not right. I know real life doesn't have happy endings the way operas do but…this isn't right!"

"Well, nothing that can be done about it now," Ingrid said. "We just have to…face the music."

---

After a night of nothing happening, Cornelia and her Glaston Knights now had encircled the perimeter of Castello Brancaccio within a radius of 50 meters. Some members were in KMFs, others were on foot. She herself was in the latter category, rifle locked and loaded, trigger finger itchy.

"Princess, it's just a wedding," Guilford ran up to her, telling her what was going on.

"A wedding?" Cornelia questioned.

"Indeed, but the situation is very unusual. The groom is Rex Preto, the Black King," Guilford told her.

Cornelia broke out into a very amused grin. "You don't say. Then it sounds like whatever's going on, this is going to be quite the show."

"Do you think Zero may have been our anonymous tip, ma'am?" Guilford asked her.

"No, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's involved in some way. Tell Darlton to raise awareness and be ready for anything," she instructed.

Guilford saluted, "Yes! Your highness!"

---

The ceremony began with the groom on the altar and a priestess in charge of the ceremony. She was hunched over with big spiral-styled glasses, using a cane to support herself. Her bright green hair was bunched up in a bun behind her head and a golden and blue shawl adorned her white dress.

Diethard Reid already had the cameras rolling. Zero had told him to be here twelve hours ago so here he was with his entire crew, ready for the show to start.

Then, down the aisle, came Ingrid, to the tune of well-rehearsed wedding music. She was nervous, but beautiful. Fierce, but complacent. Many of her fellow students were concerned about the circumstances, even those outside of the Blue Lions. Invitations were sent out by her father, with Zero's aide, so a lot of people that wouldn't normally be here, had shown up.

The elderly priestess began with the familiar, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Rex Preto in holy matrimony with Ingrid Brandl Galatea. Marriage is always a happy affair and for these to be joined together is a gift from the Goddess herself."

Rex grinned, only to take a look at Ingrid's face. "Smile. It's your wedding day."

Ingrid refused to look him in the eye. Her face was stern. Despite what she said, she was furious about this.

"Ah, I think I understand," Rex said and pressed a button on his lapel, which had a microphone and receiver connected to it. "Bring it in."

The doors to the hall were suddenly thrown open as Zero's corpse was suddenly thrown into the main aisle, dried blood on the back of the cape and everything.

Hapi gasped in horror.

"That…that can't be!" Balthus exclaimed, startled.

"Weeeeeell, that's unexpected," Yuri remarked, acting as if he had no part in this.

Edelgard thought she was going to pass out, covering her face in shock.

"That's…no…but…but why?" Monica von Ochs wondered aloud.

"This is all wrong," Dorothea mumbled sorrowfully.

"There, the miracle man everyone thought would stop this wedding is gone. Might we please get on with it?!" Rex shouted. "And no one move the corpse. I want to walk over it when I come down the aisle with my new bride."

Diethard's main cameraman whispered to his boss on a cold mic. "Sir, should we stop filming?"

"Are you kidding me? Getting to film the final moments of Zero as he's trampled by the Black King! The ratings will go through the roof!" Diethard berated. "Keep that camera running!"

The man nodded, continuing to film.

---

Meanwhile, not far from the wedding hall, Seteth was running around Garreg Mach in an almost blind panic. Morning services would be starting soon and Rhea was nowhere to be found. He only stopped running around when Catherine grabbed his shoulder.

"Jeez, there you are," she said. "I called your desk but you didn't pick up and you weren't answering your cell phone so I had to go running all over for you."

"I…must have left it at my desk," Seteth excused, clearing his throat. "None of that matters. Have you seen the archbishop? I can't find her anywhere. Morning prayer starts soon!"

"Oh? Did she not tell you? Weird, she told me right before dawn this morning," Catherine responded, clutching her head.

"Told you what? What was I not told?" Seteth demanded to know.

"The archbishop had to attend something urgent in town today that she said came up. She wouldn't spare details, but it was enough that she had me go around and announce that morning services were being cancelled. Sorry, I thought that news made it to your desk already. Guess it didn't. I mean, I told Shamir at like seven this morning. She said she'd run it by you. I know I can trust that woman with anything."

"Perhaps she sent an email or something and I hadn't yet seen it. Shamir often prefers not to make problems larger than they have to," Seteth rationalized. "But still…what could the archbishop be up to that she wouldn't think to tell me first?" he wondered.

---

Back at the wedding hall, the ceremony was reaching its peak as the priestess said words that many movie directors waited for before the wedding inevitably fell apart.

"If there is anyone who thinks these two should not be wed," the priestess began. "Speak now or forever hold your peace!"

And today…was exactly one of those moments.

Suddenly, the doors to the wedding hall were thrown open and a figure nobody expected to be standing there declared, "I OBJECT!"

Rex in particular was the most startled of all. "That's impossible."

Murmurs went around the room. Despite the corpse literally being at their feet, Zero was standing, alive and well, at the opposite end of wedding hall.

"Heh," Edelgard responded, turning her head, smirking and blushing.

Hapi cackled. "That's our Zero!"

"Well," Dorothea remarked, smiling, blushing herself. "Someone has a flair for the theatrical."

"That's impossible! I was right there! I shot you myself!" Rex shouted.

The audience gasped. And so did many live TV viewers at home.

"Wait, but if that's supposed to be the real Zero," Rolo questioned. "Then who is that?" He asked, looking at the corpse.

Said corpse suddenly twitched and got to its feet before yanking off the helmet. The other Zero shook out their long, green hair and opened their cat-like yellow eyes.

"C.C.?!" Constance questioned.

"Huh, I was wondering where she'd got to," Yuri remarked, still pretending as if he had absolutely nothing to do with this. Of course, he'd known the whole time that the Zero that'd been shot was C.C. and not Lelouch. That had been the plan of course. The woman had been faking her morality exceptionally well since the night before.

Furious, but not willing to let Zero interrupt his wedding, the Black King ordered his men to hold everyone hostage, including the priestess running the wedding.

"You think you're so smart, Zero? Well did you think about this, hmm? This wedding will go on! There is nothing you can do!"

"Maybe not, but there is one thing you have yet to understand, Rex Preto, the Black King," Zero told him. "When it comes to making plans," he said as he raised an arm high into the air. "I love to cheat."

As his fingers suddenly snapped, Yukiya gasped and went into his message app, sending a pre-typed yet sent message.

Outside, the recipient found it on her personal cell phone, one Cornelia li Britannia.

The message? Guns at the wedding. Need help.

"All forces move in! We have a hostage situation! Proceed cautiously!" Cornelia declared.

Cornelia's forces stormed the hall, pointing weapons at Rex's men, now surrounding them with her own forces.

"That's cute. You think Princess Cornelia can put a stop to this? Under what authority?" he asked, pointing a gun at the head of the priestess behind him. :We're in Rome, you dumbass! If I'm committing a crime, you'd need a Roman official here to even arrest me before you take me to Britannia for anything!"

"Oh, there's a Roman official here, Rex Preto, and she is ever so tired of your goddessless heathenry," a voice stated from behind.

Rex was completely unprepared as he was sucker punched in the jaw by the very priestess that had been running the wedding. Taking off her glasses and letting her hair down, said priestess was none other than Archbishop Rhea herself.

"But…how?" Rex asked, having tumbled off the altar, now gazing up at a very fearsome looking, very angry Rhea. "How can you be here?"

"How indeed. You see it's all about chess, Rex Preto," Zero said, walking forward, undeterred by Rex's men. They wouldn't shoot. Nobody would dare fire a weapon in a wedding hall with Archbishop Rhea in the room. They feared the Goddess's wrath far too much for that, especially after they just saw her sucker punch their boss enough to bloody his nose. "When I was busy helping Count Galatea send out the invitations, he wasn't aware that I actually snuck in Rhea's work email as a blind carbon copy. After my discussion with her yesterday, I knew she would suddenly suspect I had something to do with this sudden wedding, spurred in the heat of the moment. That meant you would perform the honors of marriage yourself. But you wouldn't me want to catch on, your grace. So you would likely have come here in a disguise. In effect, it kept everyone attending unaware of your presence. But that wouldn't be enough, you also wanted a contingency because you're smart and you don't like to take chances. Since Rex Preto is a Britannian citizen, he falls under Britannia's jurisdiction. But, since he wouldn't be committing an act of terrorism, as he's only a black market tycoon, that meant tipping off Cornelia, who you conveniently have on payroll.

"So that's what happened," Guilford realized.

"Apologies for lying," Cornelia told him. "I knew the whole time that the tip had come from the archbishop but she made me swear to keep it a secret."

Guilford bowed to his liege. "I never doubted your decision making for even a moment, Princess."

"And you may be asking, why did I do this?" Zero asked. "Because, Rex Preto, while you are fantastic at concealing your crimes, you are a coward! I learned as much from our chess game. If things don't go your way, you panic. You look for the easy way out rather than fight. Ingrid Galatea hired me to stop you, but stopping you would be difficult, especially with the Battle of the Eagle and Lion set for tomorrow. So what to do? The answer was simple, set you up to commit a crime all of your own accord. And I do believe you've committed several: taking hostages, confessing to attempted murder, and also threatening the Archbishop Rhea with a loaded weapon. And there is no use denying your crimes as all of the evidence has been captured…on live television!"

Furious, fearful and driven over the point of irrationality, the Black King clenched his gun and rose to his feet in a frenzy to attack. "ZEROOOOO! YOU BASTAAAAARD!"

He was suddenly flung back into the altar by C.C.'s telekinesis, landing face up beneath a still furious Rhea. He dropped to his hands and knees to the archbishop, terrified.

"Please your grace, have mercy. I'll…I'll give you my entire fortune! Every last dime! It can be yours!"

Rhea spoke with furious tranquility. "Greed is a primal sin of mankind and will be punished accordingly." It was only now that Rhea revealed she was armed and with the Sword of Seiros no less. She pointed it at Rex, almost drawing blood with it as she poked him in the nose with it. "If you wish to ask for mercy, ask it from the Goddess. For you will get none from me."

The man let out a frightened whine, dropping to the ground. "Please, your grace! Please! Please! Please! I'll do anything." He was now blubbering and begging for his life.

"Instead of a public execution, archbishop, might I instead recommend a fair trial for this man to be judged first?" Zero requested.

"I had no intention of spilling blood inside this cathedral. I simply wanted this goddess forsaken pig to understand his place," Rhea remarked scornfully.

"In that case, I pose one last question to you, Black King," Zero remarked.

"Wh-what?" he whimpered.

"Which court would you care to face first? Britannia's or Rome's?"

In sheer fear and shock, knowing he'd been absolutely outplayed, bamboozled and screwed over, Rex Preto, the Black King, foamed at the mouth, and passed out.

Zero bowed gallantly. "And that, my dear chess opponent, is checkmate."

---

Following the arrest, Gunnar Galatea was overcome with grief for what he'd done, sitting alone on a bench at the altar inside Garreg Mach's cathedral, praying for the Goddess's forgiveness.

"Dad?"

Gunnar heard Ingrid's voice and scrambled over to her, pressing his nose to the tiled floor. "Ingrid! Sweetheart! I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me! All I could think about was money and…and…oh Ingrid, please! If I can do anything to make it up to you, please tell me!"

Zero, not quite done with the theatrics, had been standing on the back of a pew, having gone unnoticed by the frantic Count Galatea. He then jumped off it with a wave of his cape, his voice echoing in the otherwise empty cathedral. "If you wish to make amends, then cease this foolish pursuit of House Galatea's forceful return to glory. Allow Ingrid Brandl Galatea to choose her own destiny. I believe that would make her the happiest. Not every woman is beholden to the kitchen. Not every family legacy requires an early heir. Ingrid is a fine warrior, one the Ashen Wolves are envious not to count among their ranks."

Ingrid, tired of having men speak in her place, spoke up in her own agency. "Dad, I don't know if I've told you what my ultimate dream is, so listen to me, for once and listen closely. When Dimitri becomes king, I intend to sign on with the Royal Air Force. My dream is to become the head of Faerghus's aerial military. That's my dream."

For the first time since Count Galatea had discussed Ingrid's future with her, only now did he see it with his own eyes. Standing before him, he could see Ingrid, clad in an Air Marshall's uniform, saluting proudly, adorned with medals of honor for her extensive service.

After losing himself to fantasy for a slight bit of time, the fatherly count stood up. "I…suppose I pushed too much on you, Ingrid. I apologize."

"You were just doing what was best for House Galatea. That's your responsibility. And…I know I'm not the most ladylike daughter, but…I'm the daughter you have and…and I'll make House Galatea proud! Just you wait and see!"

Count Galatea began to shed tears and opened his arms to hug Ingrid. She accepted and the two embraced, reconciling.

Smiling to himself, Lelouch left the cathedral, leaving the pair alone. He then used the Absolute Zero to rappel into the canyon below the bridge, slinking into the hidden side entrance to shed his guise. Tomorrow, his wolves would need him now more than ever. For now, he would need to hang up the mantle and spend the rest of the day as Lelouch.

---

It was after classes when Lelouch caught Dorothea in the library, the girl poured over a computer, typing furiously. Normally, he didn't get involved in the business of others, but curiosity had the better of him. Perhaps he was simply riding high of how well his plan came together.

"And what's got you so focused?" Lelouch asked amicably enough.

"Oh! Lulu!" Dorothea gasped. "You startled me." She smiled, composing herself. "Oh, nothing much. Just writing an opera about what happened at Castello Brancaccio this morning." It then dawned on her who she was speaking to. "Wait. Where have you BEEN?! I've been looking for you since yesterday!" she snapped. "I mean…granted everything worked out, but still!"

"Oh, I've been doing some tedious studying in Abyss. The Battle of the Eagle and Lion is tomorrow after all and down there no one bothers you. Just came up here because I needed more books," he said.

"Getting serious about your studies?" Dorothea questioned. She smiled. "Lulu, what's gotten into you?" Lelouch's grades weren't awful but he wasn't the straight A honor student he could have been.

"I hate to lose," Lelouch told her.

Dorothea laughed. "That makes two of us."

"So, you said you were writing an opera," he said.

"Uh huh," Dorothea responded, proud of herself. "It's based on everything that happened with Ingrid since yesterday." She then gave Lelouch the short version. "Honestly, the way it played out was all so…theatric. I'll admit…" she giggled, blushing, "I think I've got a crush on Zero now. I'm…kind of smitten with him." She laughed more. "Honestly, this morning, I was so angry at him, I could kill him, but after seeing how all of the pieces to his plan neatly fell into place, I'm just so…taken with him!" She blushed harder. "It's too bad it's past the cut off point to change houses before the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. I would totally switch houses right now if I could. Alas, seems I'll be helping you and Edie."

"Well don't make it sound like it's a punishment," Lelouch remarked.

Dorothea laughed. She then looked back at her opera's outline. "The only thing I can't figure out is a resolution after the climax," she said, puzzled. She frowned. "I mean…Ingrid doesn't yet have a replacement spouse and while it seems dramatic to send Zero off into the sunset, like the masked vigilante he is, it feels…hollow."

Without even having to think about it, Lelouch had an idea. "Why not turn Zero into Glenn Fraldarius?"

Dorothea did a double take. "What? …L-Lulu, that…might be seen as disrespectful. Glenn is dead and buried," she replied, frowning.

"Yeah, but it's fiction. You can embellish whatever you want with opera, can't you? Besides, it's just so…narratively romantic, don't you think? A mysterious man appears to stop a woman's marriage, only to reveal he was the man she loved and thought dead and buried."

Dorothea's heart fluttered. "Urgh! Dammit! When you put it like that, now I really want that to be the ending. I guess if all parties involved would be okay with it, I could try it. It would be intensely romantic. A masked man come to his former love's aid, faking a wedding just to snatch it for himself at the last second." She shivered. "Ooh! I have goosebumps. I hope Ingrid, Felix and Prince Dimitri don't hate the idea." She closed her laptop and picked it up off the table. "I'm going to go talk to them right now! I can't sit here like this!" She ran out of the library.

Lelouch watched her go with a smile. Smitten, huh? He turned around to the shelf behind him to put a book back on it. As he slid it back into place. Unfortunately, that's a heartbreak waiting to happen, Dorothea, he thought, and you deserve better. He then shoved the book completely back into place.

Lelouch thought that would be the end of his adventures for the day, but as soon as he put the book back, his phone rang. Caller ID: Hilda Goneril.

Lelouch promptly answered. Usually when Hilda called it was Nunnally related. "Hello?"

"Heyyyyyy, you doing anything important at the moment?" Hilda asked.

"Not particularly, why?" Lelouch asked. Her tone of voice sounds like it's a mixture of mischief and apprehension. What could have happened?

"Well, the thing is…Holst is here and he wants to meet with you." Hilda then almost seemed to groan as she spoke. "And he's not taking no for an answer."

Lelouch turned pale. Holst Sigiswald Goneril wanting to talk to him personally could only mean one thing. Lelouch covered his eyes with his free hand. "Yeah…sure…I'll swing by. Where are you, exactly?"

"The entrance hall, waiting for you if you hurry up. Please hurry up. I can't take my brother by myself for one more minute." She then quickly added. "Gotta go." And then she hung up.

Lelouch had every inclination to skip town, but unfortunately the Battle of the Eagle and Lion was tomorrow. Whatever Holst had in mind for him, Lelouch felt it best to just bite the bullet and deal with it.

He made his way to the entrance hall. Holst was too easy to pluck from a crowd. The wild and spikey pink hair with that much muscle—and a tan caused by constantly fighting outdoors—made him easy to spot.

"You wanted to meet with me, sir," Lelouch said, going up to Holst.

"Ah! There's the man of the hour! Lelouch Eisner!" Holst exclaimed, elated and gave Lelouch such a brutish bear hug, he almost crunched the poor teen's bones.

Lelouch, doing his best to keep up the gangly teen shtick, stated, "Uh, pleasure to meet you too, sir."

"Hilda's told me quite a lot about you, you know? In fact, you're about the only boy other than Claude she really tells me a lot about."

Hilda, why? Why did you do this to me? Lelouch questioned. He had a right mind to Geass Holst and get him out of here, but with Hilda watching that might have been seen as suspicious. "Oh…is that so?"

"Yes, in fact, in the last two moons, she's mentioned your name about seventy-seven times that I can remember."

"Er…that's a…good memory."

"She's told me you're not very strong, but that you're extremely intelligent. And, well, brains and brawn put together make a fine pair, do they not?"

"Er, so they say," Lelouch responded in as uncommitting a tone of voice as possible.

"Now then, let me get a good look at you," Holst stated. He examined Lelouch head to toe, even pacing around him. "Hmmmmm, hmm, yes!" Holst stated as walked around Lelouch in a circle. "Yes!" he exclaimed again as he made a full lap around Lelouch. He put a hand on Lelouch's shoulder. "I approve! You may marry my sister!" he declared with a thumb's up, a wink and a smile.

"I…huh?" Lelouch uttered.

"HOOOOLST!" Hilda shouted, embarrassed beyond words.

"Whaaaaat? Is that not why you're constantly talking about him? I mean I know I can't keep you away from boys forever, but from what you've told me he's always chasing other women away. You said you were jealous, did you not? I say go for it! You have my approval!" he then threw his head back and laughed.

"Th-that's not! I wasn't…Arrrrgh! You're insufferable!"

"Now, now, I know marriage and weddings can be life changing events, so don't you kids worry. You can wait until after you graduate. But then I want to see about three children by the time I'm forty."

Hilda groaned and looked at Lelouch with an expression that said it all: I'm so sorry about him.

Lelouch nodded with an understanding smile. "Holst, listen," Lelouch said, finding the courage to speak up. "I really do appreciate you thinking so highly of me, but…Hilda and I aren't like that. We're just friends. And…you can't just force two people to love each other. Besides, arranged marriages are kind of a dying tradition. And, after what I heard happened today at Castello Brancaccio, it would come across as really disingenuous if people heard I was suddenly marrying Hilda."

Holst was taken aback. "What? What happened today? I've been airborne for hours so if it was national headlines, I'm probably in the dark."

Lelouch and Hilda took turns filling him in.

"I…I see, yes that does sound troubling. But…this is completely different," he rationalized, only for his brow to furrow. "Unless, Lelouch, you are trying to tell me that Hilda doesn't mean anything to you. That you are simply a shameless playboy that toys with the hearts of all women which is why you reject any that get close to you."

Sensing incoming big brother murderous intent, Hilda got between Lelouch and Holst. "Okaaaaay, sloooow down there, Holst. It's really not like that. I guess…maybe I talk about Lelouch too much on the phone, but if I don't talk about anything, you get worried. You want to talk to me every day, I don't always know what to say! And…you really can be friends with someone of the opposite sex without it being…you know…a thing!"

With Hilda defending him, Lelouch saw his opening to push past Holst's weakened defenses. With the king moving aside from the queen's check, Lelouch could play the killing blow. Rook to h8.

"Holst, I know how you feel," he told the older gentleman. "I don't know if Hilda has told you, but I have a younger sister too."

"Ah, she's mentioned your sister Nunnally before, but I've never so much as seen a photo," Holst said.

"Would you like to meet her?" Lelouch offered.

"I'd be delighted!"

Like many, Holst was riddled with shock upon meeting Nunnally. After brief introductions, as Hilda took Nunnally into the dining hall for a quick snack, Lelouch and Holst remained outside.

"Who did that to her, if you don't mind me asking?" Holst asked. "Unless…was she born that way?"

"No," Lelouch responded. "And the person who did has yet to be caught. It was…let's call it an unfortunate accident."

"I see," Holst replied. And for a man as unsubtle as him, he was hiding his emotions on the situation well. "Well you needn't worry." He put his hands on Lelouch's shoulders. "Should you choose to accept, there is plenty of room in House Goneril for you and your sister."

"I hope you understand that such a choice will be my decision to make, when I am ready," Lelouch told him.

"Yes," Holst surrendered, backing off, running a hand through his hair, still in a bit of shock. "I may fret about Hilda every so often, but I can take solace in knowing that she can one hundred percent take care of herself." He frowned, making proper eye contact with Lelouch. "I can't even imagine having to wait on her hand and foot for every little thing."

"It's not quite that bad, but it feels like it some days," Lelouch admitted.

"Well, if you ever need help shouldering that burden, you need only say the word," Holst told Lelouch. "You are my top choice for Hilda's husband now, after all. I'll do my best to leave it vacant as best I can!" he declared.

"That's…very kind…and wholly unnecessary."

"Nonsense! Distinguished gentlemen don't grow on trees, you know?" Holst remarked, laughing.

"Well, what about Balthus von Albrecht?" Lelouch inquired.

"Balthus?! Oh! Yes, I do recall he's still at Garreg Mach and in the Ashen Wolf house." He mulled it over. "Hmmm, yes, Blathus would be a good match for Hilda too, without question. Ohhhh, what am I to do?"

Lelouch answered for him. "You let Hilda be Hilda," he said as the girl now had Nunnally snuggled up under a tree, the two sharing snacks from the dining hall. "Sometimes…" he smiled at the two girls. "You just have to learn to let things go and let your sister show you who she truly is. I learned that lesson not that long ago."

Lelouch heard a noise and slowly turned to notice it was Holst holding back some of the manliest spilt tears Lelouch had born witness to. The fist clenched up by the man's shoulder was not helping matters.

"You're a man that truly understands my burden, Lelouch!" Holst exclaimed and then pulled Lelouch to his chest by the neck. "From today on, you're my sworn brother! Duty bound to help me protect our younger sisters from fiends and ne'er-do-wells."

Someone help me! Lelouch exclaimed, having had enough Holst for a lifetime. I'll take even Milly at this point!

Hilda then wheeled Nunnally over. "Heyyyy, Holst. I'm gonna go out shopping with Nunnally just us girls, okay? You gonna be all right without me?" Her smile was overly sweet.

That tipped off Lelouch to exactly what the plan was here. Don't you leave me alone with him!

"I'll be out late," Hilda said. "So sorry, but I won't have time to see you back to House Goneril."

"See me back? Whatever do you mean? I'm on extended shore leave."

"Wha…?" Hilda gasped, confused.

"Oh, did I not tell you?" Holst asked, scratching his head. "Oh that's right! I deliberately chose not to tell you because I wanted to tell you in person!" He then chuckled before adding, "Silly me."

"Tell me…what?" Hilda wondered.

"That I'm going to be this year's guest host for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion! It'll be me and Alois Rangeld just sitting back and throwing out quips and commentary! Isn't this great?! I'll get to watch my own little sister's Battle of the Eagle and Lion! I'm so excited!"

In the next instant, Nunnally felt Hilda's weight on hers. Lelouch and Alois noticed that the pink-haired girl had crumpled into a fetal position on top of Nunnally's lap.

"Ah! Hilda, are you okay?" Nunnally wondered, greatly concerned.

Holst was more confused than upset. "Huh. That's not the reaction I expected. I thought she'd be overjoyed."

Lelouch slapped Holst on the back. "Don't think about it too hard, big guy. Come on, why don't we all go out into Rome and get some lunch? Or maybe we can put it off until dinner?"

"Yes! That sounds fantastic! Dinner with my future brother-in-law!"

He will not let this go, Lelouch thought, groaning internally.

Despite Holst's best efforts, Lelouch was able to get him to cool off slightly on the idea. And, eventually, despite her behavior up to that point, Hilda did at least appreciate a good night out on the town. When Holst wasn't being ultra embarrassing, he was good company.

As evening broke and the moon signaled the start of nightfall, Lelouch was wheeling Nunnally back to her dorm room.

"Hey, big brother…tomorrow we're going to be enemies, huh?" Nunnally questioned.

"It's just for one day. And that doesn't mean you and I have to fight," Lelouch told her.

Nunnally giggled. "Yeah, you're right."

Lelouch brought her into her room and, much to his surprise, despite not being able to see, Nunnally changed herself and managed to fall into bed of her own accord from her wheelchair. Her stomach muscles were strong enough to roll her entire body away from the sheet lip so she could pull it open and get underneath them. Six moons ago, this would have been impossible. Six moons ago, if Nunnally wanted to be tucked in, she would need help. Now? Now despite being blind and unable to use her legs, Nunnally was slowly overcoming her shortcomings.

This is what real big brother pride is like, I guess, Lelouch thought. You're not as weak as I think sometimes, Nunnally. But…I still worry about you, because you're my sister.

"Are you still there, big brother?" Nunnally asked, head propped up on the pillow.

"Yeah, I'm still here. I was impressed you were able to get in bed all by yourself," he told her.

She giggled. "I wanted to show you so that you wouldn't have to worry about me tomorrow. Claude's counting on me, you know?"

"Oh? Is he now?" Going to have to give Claude a Holst-brand talk at some point, I suppose.

"Hey, Lelouch?" Nunnally suddenly called out.

"Yes, Nunnally?"

She raised a fist, balling it tightly. "May the best house win."

Lelouch smiled. "May the best house win." He tapped her fist with his own and then left for his own bedroom. He gazed out the window as he changed into pajamas. Tomorrow would be the battle of the Eagle and Lion. Lelouch knew he had taken every precaution he could think of to be prepared, both as a Black Eagle and the head of the Ashen Wolves.

He'd cancelled lecture for this evening weeks ago so he could get a good night's sleep. There would be no rallying cry for his wolves the night before. They knew what was at stake. And he needed to be well-rested for the battle that lay ahead.

He took one last look at the moon, nodded and grabbed the curtains to close them. I'm ready, he thought and drew the blinds.

---

29th Day of the Wyvern Moon

The Battle of the Eagle and Lion was here at last.

---

(A/N: No, that is not an error. I did not throw in a single sentence and then forget to finish a scene. That's intentional. Now, with that out of the way HOLY MARBLES, I never thought we would get this far. Ladies and gentlemen, we have made it to climax of Phase 1: Academy. The Battle of the Eagle and Lion is at HAND. This is what I've spent the past 45 chapters building towards. This is where Lie and Seek truly explains its purpose as an ensemble story. We have been with these characters for 45 chapters and over half a million words! And now, in the immortal words of Doctor Serizawa: Let them fight.

And may the best house win!

*snaps fingers*

~Blue Skies and a Battle plays~

HERE!

WE!

GO!)

SPECIAL THANKS to my Patrons ShawnH, Nier 99, and Wizard Aro. Without the support of you and all of the rest of you reading this, none of this would be possible! If you'd like to support my work, consider subscribing. Feel free to also leave a comment, write a review, or just say hey.

I do hope I can turn fanfiction into a job if possible, or at least to help me scrape by while I look for a new one, as I am presently unemployed. Please don't forget to share this fic with others as awareness not only drives more traffic to it, but enriches the lives of others. Plus, the larger the fanbase I have, the better my novel coming out later this year will sell! Hate to plug, but I gotta eat, and I will see you all next time!

And what a "next time" it will be…