Despite the severity of her situation, despite the danger, Jean couldn't help but feel relief as they docked in the familiar hangar bay of Caesar's Palace.

As she was Lord Shaing's personal Knight, and Ashley one of his commanders, their Knightmares were afforded a more private space for them to store, which in turn provided them with a more private space to speak when they disembarked from their frames.

Which in turn made the scolding they received less humiliating. Not by much, but she was willing to take any silver lining at this point.

The first thing she saw as her boots hit the solid ground was Kururugi throwing the mercenary they had captured to the floor from the shoulder of his Lancelot. The foreigner hit the ground with a pained grunt, unable to cushion his fall on account of his hands being bound behind his back.

Kururugi landed on his feet immediately after, sparing a brief look of disdain at the writhing mercenary before regarding her and Ashley. "I'll get to the two of you in a moment," He said, causing her to wince. He craned his neck upwards, where Weinberg and Alstreim were still getting out of their Knightmares. "Gino! You're taking Anya to the medical bay, correct?"

The blonde Knight nodded. "She says she's fine, but she took a nasty fall. I just wanna make sure everything's okay." On top of her own Knightmare, Anya gave an irritated roll of her eyes.

"If you could bring this one to the cells on your way, I'd appreciate it," Kururugi said kindly.

"No problem!" Gino said with a grin, hopping down and hauling the mercenary to his feet. "I'll find him somewhere comfy."

Kururugi nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Gino. Get a bit of rest once you're done. You as well, Anya. I doubt we'll have too much time to get some until we get Kingsley back." He paused, then added hesitantly. "And thank you. Even if we failed, you both did well."

With that, Jean watched as the two Knights left them alone, dragging along the barely conscious soldier between them. Suzaku turned, his attention finally fully on the two of them, and Jean instinctually wilted under his glare.

"Now," He began slowly. "There's the matter of you two. Jean Rowe and Ashley Ashra. Shaing's personal Knight, as well as another Knight belonging to his own Order of Michael. Do you understand what the two of you have done?"

Jean swallowed nervously, and nodded. "Yes, my lord."

"Tell me," Kururugi commanded.

"W-We went against your orders, my lord," Jean said, fighting hard to keep her voice from shaking. "Left the palace, joined the hunt for Kingsley against your wishes, interfered and intercepted him ourselves. It might have been our interference that cost the rescue of Kingsley."

"It likely was a part of it, if not entirely the reason," Kururugi agreed, then turned to Ashley. "And you? What do you have to say for yourself?"

"It was my decision," She blurted, repeating the lie she had told in the sewers. "He never wanted to come in the first place. I ordered him as his superior." She didn't know why she said it then, and had even less of an idea why now. Sure, she couldn't very well tell the truth and say Lord Shaing sent them…but she had no need to shoulder the blame herself.

So why did she do it anyway?

"I wasn't asking you," Kururugi said with a twinge of annoyance. "I was speaking to Ashra. So, tell me, why did you go against my orders?"

Ashley was clearly every bit as terrified as she was, though he hid it far worse. He shot her another confused look, but cleared his throat. "She…she's telling the truth," Ashley said, going along with her lie. At least he was smart enough not to out her for lying. That would only screw over the both of them. "It was on her orders."

"So you're willing to commit treachery on nothing but her orders then?" Kururugi pressed. "What if she ordered you to kill me? His majesty?"

Ashley's eyes widened. "My lord, I only thought-"

"You didn't think," Suzaku growled in frustration. "Neither of you did. And now Kingsley is no doubt across the border by now, and beyond our reach, at least for the moment. I should kill you both now, and to hell with what Shaing thinks of it." Jean's heart stopped, but Suzaku didn't act. He only sighed, taking a deep breath. "But that wouldn't be anything more than petty, childish lashing out. It isn't as if it's your fault. You're under Shaing's orders."

"Lord Shaing had nothing-"

Suzaku waved her off. "-To do with your decision to interfere, yes, of course." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Even if I could prove it, It's not as If I can act against him. Not now, with Smilas breathing down our necks." He laughed. "Hell, I'm sure if I confronted him he'd come out and admit it. Dress it up as some desire to impress me or something like that, but he really doesn't even need to hide it. For the moment…for the moment I can't touch him. And I have no reason to act against you."

Ashley glanced over at her nervously. "You mean…?"

"I mean the two of you are free to go," Suzaku said. "Though not without a warning. Shaing is not the most powerful man in Euro Britannia. And he has many enemies. More importantly…unlike him, the two of you ultimately don't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Think carefully before stepping out of line again. Think very carefully."

"We won't fail you again, my lord," Jean promised with a bow. "I swear, we will make up for our mistake!"

Suzaku raised an eyebrow. "Make sure I never have to speak with you about disobeying my orders again, and I'll consider this a momentary lapse in judgement." He turned away from them, making for the exit. "Go. Report to Shaing, I'm sure he's anxious to hear whatever tale you have to spin for him. But remember what I told you."

Kururugi paused at the door, as if something came to him at the last second. "And perhaps make sure you know what kind of man you're following," He added.

"So we just sit here and wait for Lord Shaing to have us thrown in the cells with that foreigner?" Ashley said, tearing her out of her thoughts.

Jean crossed her arms, throwing him a glare. "Quit being dramatic. He's not throwing us anywhere. He isn't going to be upset with us."

"No?" Ashley questioned. "Kingsley got away-"

"-Which was what we wanted," She reminded him.

"-And Kururugi and the other Knights of the Rounds found out we were involved," Ashley finished. "And because we were involved, Kururugi knows Shaing was, no matter what we say. And that most certainly wasn't what Shaing wanted."

"Well it's what happened," She snapped. "We can't change that. What do you suggest then?"

He shrugged. "I got nothing. We're kinda screwed. I just don't like waiting for him is all."

"Do the world a favor," She said with a roll of her eyes. "Next time you open your mouth, maybe have something worthwhile to say. If you're just gonna complain without trying to find a solution, then save it. I need to think of a way to lessen Lord Shaing's anger if I can."

Not that she had much hope that she could. She screwed up, and she knew it. They never should have gone along with Kingsley's plan…they only needed to keep him away from Kururugi, they didn't need to follow his orders.

But what choice did they have? The whole city was after them, and neither of them had any better ideas. At least Kingsley had a plan. It just all went to shit, like everything else in that city.

They had made it back to the palace hours ago, and every now and then she still broke out into shakes. They had fought Knights of the Rounds, even if it was by accident.

They had fought a princess.

By all rights, they should have been executed then and there. Sir Kururugi had every right to, especially after going against his orders…but he hadn't. He'd let them live, and even let them remain free.

For the moment, at least. Who knew what Shaing would do?

"Why'd you lie to Kururugi?" Ashley said suddenly, breaking the silence for a second time.

Jean raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You told him it was under your orders I went along with you," He clarified. "Shouldered the blame yourself. Why bother?"

She scoffed. "Well I couldn't very well tell him Lord Shaing ordered us to search for Kingsley."

"No, but you didn't have to say it was just you," Ashley countered. "You lied to Kururugi when you didn't need to, just to get me off the hook. I know you can't stand me, and I can assure you the feelings mutual, so why bother?"

"Because…" She frowned, unable to find an answer. Even she wasn't entirely sure why. She owed him nothing. It didn't help her or Lord Shaing in any way, and only risked herself.

So why couldn't she stop herself from sparing him the blame?

"Because it was my responsibility," She said, lying through her teeth. "Shaing placed me in charge. Besides, you never wanted to come in the first place. I wouldn't compromise my honor by letting you take the fall. It was my decision to follow Kingsley anyway."

Ashley clearly didn't believe her, but at least he didn't press the issue. Instead, he switched subjects. "So…what do we do now?" He asked. "Kururugi trusts Lord Shaing a little less now, but he never trusted him much in the first place. And Kingsley's out of his reach, so technically speaking we succeeded. Do we just…go back to the way things were? Is that it? Mission over?"

"We won't know until Lord Shaing hears our report," Jean said, glad the conversation was steering back towards something less…confusing, even if it was something she still didn't have answers to. "I expect he'll either reward us or punish us first. And after that, yes, I imagine things will go back to normal. I'll return to Lord Shaing's side, and you'll go back to the front lines, just like you wanted."

Oddly, Ashley didn't seem very pleased. He scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, that's if Shaing ever actually gets here."

"He probably won't summon us today," Jean said. "I'm sure Kururugi will want answers, and he has appearances to maintain. It may make things…uncomfortable for him, if we were to make our report immediately after returning."

"Does it matter?" Ashley asked. "You said it yourself, Kururugi already suspects Shaing. Why bother jumping through all these hoops if he's still not going to trust him regardless?"

Jean shook her head, sighing. "You don't understand anything about politics," She said. "It's about image. Maintaining reasonable doubt, so to speak. Think of all of this as a game, and one Lord Shaing must stick to the rules for." She paused, then clarified. "Most of the time, at least."

"Not a very enjoyable game when we're the ones getting screwed," Ashley muttered bitterly.

"Lord Shaing isn't just thoughtlessly using us," Jean chided. "We work for his benefit, and he works for ours."

Ashley snorted. "Do you actually believe that?"

"Why wouldn't I?" She challenged defiantly.

"Maybe because he sent the two of us alone into a city to compete with three Knights of the Rounds, a Black Knight, a Princess and her crew of EU operatives, and I don't even remember who else," Ashley said, frustration beginning to show.

"He couldn't have known how many people were after Kingsley," Jean refuted.

"He knew about the Knights of the Rounds."

"And he trusted us to deal with them," Jean insisted.

Ashley raised an eyebrow. "Do you even hear yourself right now? You seriously think Shaing expected us to deal with three Knights of the Rounds?"

She faltered, realizing how desperate she was beginning to sound. "He…he probably wanted us to avoid them," She reasoned. "We chose to follow Kingsley, and he drew the Knights to us."

Ashley shrugged. "Look, whatever you say. I get you've got a thing for the guy, but seriously…at least face reality once in a while."

Jean scowled. "I doubt that you get anything," She said harshly. "And I'd watch what I'd say if I were you. Gossiping about your superiors is a punishable offense."

"Do what you want," Ashley said, sitting up with a groan. "I'm going back to my quarters, to sleep in my bed which I haven't seen for what, two or three days now? I have bigger problems than trying to get you to face facts." He waved lazily as he turned to leave. "See you around, Rowe. Next time, leave me out of your games."

She gritted her teeth as he left, wishing she had some retort prepared…but ultimately, she could only watch him leave, and stew in silence.

He knows nothing, She thought venomously.

But beneath the veneer of insulted pride, a more honest voice cut to the heart of her discontent. So why do you think you know any better?

Marianne's eyes snapped to her phone laid out on the table for what felt like the thousandth time since arriving back at Caesar's palace, and for what felt like the thousandth time she was met with the disappointment of a blank screen.

Almost the second Kururugi had given Anya leave to return to her quarters, she took back control of the girl and sent a quick message on a private line to the Emperor, demanding an audience. He almost never took this long to get back to her, especially if he thought it would be urgent, which she had made very clear that it was.

She needed answers. An explanation, and a proper one at that. She was sure that once she had all of the details, it would make sense to her, but as it is now she couldn't wrap her head around it.

Lelouch…Marianne shuddered at the memory of how he looked. His face was the same, his voice was the same…but it was twisted. The sneering look of derision did not belong to her son, that wild look in his eye was not him.

Something must have gone wrong with Charles' geass. Something more drastic than simply him proving resistant. It was killing him, slowly but surely. Tearing his mind in two, fighting the change all the while.

Charles needed to know. He needed to stop, or else something would happen that they wouldn't be able to fix. As it was, she was beginning to worry it was already happening.

Perhaps…perhaps Cornelia finding him was not such an inconvenience as she initially thought. Maybe this had given them the unintended boon of learning just how much Lelouch had been affected. They couldn't just let Cornelia take him, of course, but they could be more careful in the future.

Anya's phone lit up, and Marianne snatched it up hungrily. "Charles," She hissed.

There was a pause at the other end of the line. "You are upset," He said bluntly.

"Oh, I'm upset," Marianne scoffed. "Excellent observation, your majesty. The finest tutors the world could offer you, and all you have to say is that I'm upset? Of course I'm fucking upset!"

The Emperor sighed. "I don't suppose you'll allow me to guess whatever it is I'm sure I've done wrong this time?" Marianne opened her mouth, but Charles spoke first. "Something in Westminster, considering you've only just returned. Kururugi only finished with his report moments ago. I imagine you're angry Lelouch got away then?"

"You spoke to the eleven before your wife?" Marianne questioned in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

"I have obligations to fulfill, Marianne, though I'm sure Schneizel would disagree," Charles said. "It was necessary. I know what happened in Westminster, so-"

"You have no idea what happened," Marianne said, shaking her head. "Not if you heard it from him. Honestly Charles, I have no idea why you thought having him guard our son would be a good idea. He loathes him…"

"Which ensures that he keeps Kingsley safe," Charles said. "He knows Lelouch hates it. He's immune to Lelouch's Geass, supremely capable, and one of the few people who knows of Geass. He's uniquely suited to the task." He frowned. "What's wrong? You had no objections to Kururugi before…"

"That was before I heard our son howling in agony," She snapped. "Before I saw him fall to his knees, unable to even stand. Do you have any idea what your Geass is doing to him?"

"Kururugi keeps me appraised," Charles said. "I am aware there are complications-"

"Complications?" She echoed in disbelief. "It's killing him, Charles! You weren't there, you didn't see him! That wasn't our son. That…that was someone else. Someone fighting inside of him, and they're going to kill each other. Do you understand that? He's dying."

"You're exaggerating," Charles denied. "I've kept him closely monitored. A less stable mental state has been observed, but so far he's proven resilient."

"He is our son, not a test subject!" Marianne spat. "You think a less stable mental state is acceptable?"

"Then what would you have me do?" Charles said coldly, his anger showing for the first time since he called.

"Answer me," Marianne said. "Did you know how bad it was?"

"I knew it was causing him pain," Charles told her honestly. "I knew he was resisting it, even more than we thought he would."

"And you didn't think to tell me?" She asked furiously.

"What good would it have done?" Charles questioned. "You would only worry, as you are now."

"With damn good reason!" Marianne yelled. "You're killing him, Charles."

"What choice do I have?" Charles roared, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. "V.V. knows, Marianne. He was the one who told Kururugi of Geass. He had him bring in Lelouch, throw him at my feet. He watches even now, I'm sure. What choice did I have but to place him under my Geass? If I refused, then V.V. would demand he be disposed of because of his Geass. As Kingsley, I can claim he is still of use. Do you believe I enjoy watching the fear in his eyes every time Kururugi hauls him back to Pendragon? However much pain he is in, whatever it is doing to him, he is still alive, and that is more than could be said for him if I didn't place him under Geass."

"He won't be for long," Marianne warned. "He…he needs…"

"What Marianne?" Charles demanded. "What does he need? Would you have me remove my Geass?"

"You could try to hide him from V.V…" She said weakly.

"I can barely hide you from my brother," Charles said bitterly. "Let alone Lelouch. And certainly not if he's trying to cause problems for us. He'd never let himself be hidden away, not willingly."

"He would if we told him the truth," Marianne said defiantly. "This entire little sideshow of his in Japan began because we couldn't tell him about V.V. or Geass. Things have changed now, Charles. If he knew I lived, if he knew what we had to do for his sake…"

"Then he would be as belligerent as he is now," Charles grunted. "You underestimate how much of your stubbornness he has inherited."

"Well we can't just leave him be!" She shouted.

"And I don't intend to," Charles told her gently. "But we must be careful. Think this through, Marianne…the time is nearing. We are so close to our dream. Ragnarok is near…but if we stumble now, so close to the end…we may lose it all."

"And Lelouch?"

"With the completion of the Ragnarok Connection, any of these worldly concerns will be a trifle," Charles said. "He will be free in the truest sense of the word. But as things are now…it's been far too long that he's been set in his own idea of what happened. No matter what I say, he would never believe me. Only when lies have been removed from this world will he see the truth, and only with V.V.'s death will he be truly safe. We must be patient."

Marianne shut her eyes, letting out a slow breath. "I know," She sighed. "Ragnarok is our only hope for the future. Lelouch's only hope. We had little enough choice in sending him away, and less in placing him under your Geass…but still, can nothing be done?"

"Not yet," Charles said. "But once he is back in our hands, we can keep him secure, under the guise of imprisonment. It won't please V.V., but it will keep him at bay until we come up with a solution. After Ragnarok…it won't matter."

"Of course not," Marianne agreed.

"Marianne…" Charles said slowly. "I apologize for sparing the details of his condition from you. You had every right to know the truth, but I thought it better to wait. Still…you must see it's the only way."

She nodded. "I do."

"One day, when V.V. is dead, and the Ragnarok Connection is complete, we can do away with this deception, and go to our son together, and show him the truth," Charles said. "But until that day comes, we must remain firm. We have done worse for our dream, and we may be forced to do worse yet. But it will all be worth it." She heard the shuffling of papers on the other end of the line. "I must go. Orders must be given to Norland and Ash, to reinforce Kururugi and the others. Goodbye, Marianne."

The line went dead, and Marianne set Anya's phone down gently, Charles' words echoing in the back of her mind.

We have done worse for our dream, and we may be forced to do worse yet. But it will all be worth it.

So he said, at least. And she believed him, yes…but how much was too much? Ragnarok…their dream for so many years. Everything from nearly the day they met had been done for the sake of their vision…

But in all of those years, she had never once considered what she would do if that dream would cost them their son.

And now, finally giving thought to that very question…she found that she had absolutely no idea.

Shaing regarded the telephone on his desk with a bored expression, tracing the details in his mind. It was old, and had likely been sitting in his office for more than a decade. It was elegant and ostentatious, as with everything in Britannia, with a gold trim. It wouldn't surprise him in the least if he was told real gold was wasted on such a simple item.

He sighed heavily, lifting his head up. He couldn't avoid calling forever, no matter how much he wished he could. Smilas' attack was near, and his own schedule was progressing far faster than he had anticipated, though not without certain…hiccups.

Time moved on, and there was still so much to do. But as those under his command began preparations and carried out that which he had delegated to them, there was another matter that needed to be tended too immediately.

One regarding his adoptive family.

There was very little in this world that gave him pause. His entire life he had dealt with hardship, turned it around to use to his benefit. He was a patient man, and could endure much. But the Shaings…

They were something he had thought impossible. A family, one who had cared for him, one he loved truly.

One that had almost made him forget his purpose.

Not even Akito, his beloved brother, had managed that. Maybe it was because of Akito he had allowed himself to pretend. His failure to kill him, letting Akito persist in this flawed world…it had disheartened him, the knowledge that someone as innocent as his brother would grow up and be corrupted by the same kind of world that allowed people like their parents to exist.

And he had been right, hadn't he? The little boy he had tried to preserve had grown into a soldier, a slave to a country that had as little care for his life as they did their enemies. Shaing had failed him…the child he had known had been killed as surely as if he had followed his order all those years ago.

How he wished it had worked then. Then at least Akito would have been spared the misery of this world. And Shaing would not have to see him become the empty husk he was now. But Akito had proven immune to his Geass, something he had never understood.

He had survived…and the two had gone their separate ways. If he couldn't kill his younger brother, he would let the wretched world he insisted on surviving in finish him off. He had tried, and failed, to put Akito out of his mind as he focused instead on getting revenge on the living hell they were both forced into.

Only…he hadn't counted on finding a place where he belonged.

The Shaing's had taken him in, allowed him into their family, let him take their name. Lord Manfredi respected him, helped train him, sponsored and stood up for him as he rose through the ranks, even groomed him to be his successor. Maria, his new mother, was everything his first wasn't. Alice was as pure as Akito, enamored with her new big brother. He loved them both fiercely, something he thought would be impossible.

Worst of all, though…they had weakened him. Tested his resolve. For years he allowed himself to forget. To pretend that this…this lie could persist. That he would take Manfredi's place when he retired, slowly rising through the ranks. That he could stay with his new family, marry Alice as both she and Maria wished and then truly join their family.

He allowed himself to hope, for a time, that there could be good in the world as well as bad.

But the older he grew, the further he climbed in rank, and the more despicable the horrors he was exposed to. The full depth of Britannia's corruption served only as a reminder of the weakness of mankind's soul.

He had forgotten for so long. But he needed to make himself remember.

That was why he killed Manfredi, in part. He could simply have waited for him to retire. Five more years, ten at the most, and the Order of Michael would be his. Manfredi would still be alive, a mentor and a brother.

But he would be admitting to himself that he was as weak as any other. His plans couldn't wait that long, and so the murder of Manfredi was a choice for him. Let him live, and give up on trying to change the world…or kill him, take his place, and get back on the path he had begun walking so many years ago.

He needed to prove to himself that he could do it. That…that Akito was an exception, not the rule. That he could kill those close to him when the time came. Because it would come. It needed to. He couldn't…he couldn't let them live on in this world. He loved them all too much to subject them to that fate.

And he had done it. Manfredi was dead, and sometime in the next few years, perhaps the next few months…Alice and Maria would join them.

And once his work was complete…he would be reunited with his family in death.

But for now, however, he had to persist. With a final sigh, he picked up the phone, calling a familiar line.

He heard a click at the other end. "Hello?" The soft voice of his adoptive sister and fiance asked innocently.

Shaing smiled at her voice. "Hello, Alice."

"Shin!" Her voice brightened as she realized who it was. "I was starting to get worried! I still get your letters, of course, but you haven't called in weeks…"

"I'm sorry," He apologized. "But I've been rather busy lately. And I'm afraid it hasn't been getting much better. I was actually calling to speak with you about that…I'll have to put off my visit home for a few more weeks at least. Certain complications have arisen, and I must remain here."

"You do?" Sorrow filled her voice, and Shaing felt his heart break.

"I do," He told her solemnly. "It's very, very important, elsewise I'd not waste a moment in returning. But I am needed here. It's classified, naturally, but trust me when I say without me, there would be dire consequences. Even with me, I'm not entirely certain there won't be." Smilas held all the cards.

"Oh…" Her voice fell. "T-That's alright then. I know you're busy, and your work is important…It's just been too long since you've visited."

"Well then," Shaing smiled. "I suppose I'll just have to make it extra special to make up for the wait when I finally get a chance, won't I?"

"Do you promise?" Alice asked eagerly, and he almost laughed at her earnestness.

"Yes, Alice, I promise," He assured her. "For now, though, I'm afraid you'll just have to be patient. Can you do that, Alice? Can you be patient for me? Can you be brave?"

"Yes!" She said, full of determination. "If…if you need me to be, I can be brave. For you."

"I'm glad to hear that," Shaing told her. "I promise to come as soon as I can. It won't be more than a few weeks." Assuming he survived Smilas's attack, that is.

"Then…I'll see you soon," Alice said. "I'll tell mother you called as well. She'll be happy to hear you're okay."

"Thank you, Alice," He said. There was a knock at his door, and he frowned. "I'm afraid I'll have to go now, but it was nice being able to talk to you. Give mother my love."

"I will," Alice said. He almost hung up, but Alice stopped him. "Shin!" She blurted. "Before you go, I just…well, I only…"

He raised an eyebrow, smiling to himself. "Is there something you want to say, Alice?"

He heard her take a deep breath. "No. Not now, at least. But…when you finally do come home…I have something I want to tell you. In person, that is."

"I look forward to it," Shaing said. "Until our next meeting, Alice. Goodbye." With that, he finally hung up, allowing himself a few seconds to enjoy the memory of her voice, before finally straightening up and fixing a stern expression on his face. "Enter," He commanded to whoever was at his door.

It opened, and his Knight walked through with a panicked look on her face. "My Lord," She greeted. "Sir Kururugi has summoned you and his other advisors. Prince Schneizel and Duke Highland are on their way to his office as we speak."

"Again?" Shaing asked, puzzled. "He's certainly becoming more…comfortable wielding his authority." More arrogant, as well.

Rowe shook her head. "It's not that, my lord." She was anxious, more so than he had ever seen her before. "Smilas has begun his attack."

Shaing's heart stilled as his eyes widened ever so slightly. "Oh," He breathed out quietly.

Thanks to everyone who's enjoying the story, and I'd be happy to answer any questions that don't veer into spoilers!

Shaing is a really hard character to, well, characterize. Canon wise his motivation is a little…boring, to me, but I've tried to do what I can to make him into an engaging character without going outside of canon.

And to anyone missing Lelouch and the OTHER side of the story, don't worry, we get back to them next chapter, lol.

Next Chapter: Sunday, May 4th