Chapter 40: Princess Cherry, Princess Rose

If Suzaku were honest, if only with himself, he would say that things had been…good lately, really good. Nunnally's birthday was a major success, made even better because Lloyd and Cecile could participate. He had been worried about them recognising Lelouch and Nunnally, but he hadn't had any recourse to refuse them when Lloyd heard Milly's voice over the phone, and the president had eagerly invited them.

But they didn't seem to notice anything off. However, that could be because Lloyd didn't focus on much that was unrelated to the Lancelot or knightmares, as he had spent some time before they got ready speaking with Milly about the Ashfords' lone unit.

Even before that, he would have never imagined a place like Ashford existed, where he could see that Britannia had good people and that others could be open to change. Yes, some students still didn't mistreat him because of Lelouch's protection, but he was sure it was less than when he first started.

Many of those kids were from powerful families. If they could be convinced to change things, once they took power, that change could be brought about. It was something that left him feeling eternally grateful.

All that because Princess Euphemia took a shining to him. He had no idea she could be so…so Euphie. Honestly, he wondered why Lelouch never brought her up back in the day, but it wasn't like he could ask now, so he would just need to stick with his theories.

But he couldn't just spend all his time with his friends, and thus, he found himself back at base, helping Cecile as they went through some minor tests on the Lancelot. The giant, gleaming white knightmare was not fully repaired; panels remained open, pieces were missing, and its head was still absent, but every single damaged component had thus far been replaced.

“Are the controls handling all right?” Cecile asked, standing at the console, looking over her end of things. At the same time, Suzaku sat in the open cockpit, slowly moving the Lancelot through a small training course.

Finishing it up, he placed the block he had been carrying down so gently it hardly made a sound as he released it. Smiling, he turned to Cecile. "Yes, ma'am. Almost better than before."

She smiled in turn. "Well, the Lancelot is a prototype, so there's room for improvement. All this damage was perhaps a blessing in disguise, as we can improve it." Perhaps the upgrades would ensure that a repeat of this didn't happen. She was terrified when Lancelot had nearly been radiated, and they were sure Zero's last shot had been a kill shot, foiled only by the barrel's compromised state.

"That sounds like a great idea, but I'll need some time to get used to it if you guys can make it perform better. We wouldn't want any mistakes next time we deploy," Suzaku retorted as Lloyd walked into the room, an easygoing smile plastered on his face.

“I see you’re both hard at work,” He mused, happy to see his finest work shaping back into its former glory, nay-rising to greater heights.

“How did the call go?” Cecile asked. Lloyd would have been here if he could have helped it, but he had to take a call from their benefactor, who had managed to find the time to return their requests about the badly needed supplies.

Lloyd’s smile only grew, which could only mean it went well. "Our benefactor was quite understanding of things. Our data on the Black Knight's 2 unknowns caught his fancy, and you know how he gets."

“Lloyd.” Cecile had to remind him, a dangerous look in her smile, that he shouldn't speak about them like this, though Suzaku was left in the dark about who their patron was. All he could tell was that they had to be pretty wealthy and powerful.

Lloyd coughed into his fist, avoiding that landmine as he got to the point. "Well, he approved the express delivery and increased our funds."

Cecile’s brow creased, as that didn’t make sense. “Our funds? Why is that?” She and Lloyd had discussed this and agreed they would make do with the express delivery of missing parts. Lloyd might be…Lloyd, but he wouldn't break his word on not asking for more than that.

Lucky for him, he didn’t need to. “Well, it’s because we’re-”

“Pardon me,” Lloyd's explanation was cut short when a second figure entered the workspace. They didn't seem to be soldiers but carried themselves like assistants. Her gaze went from Lloyd to the other workers, Cecile, before landing on the Lancelot.  “Warrant Officer Kururugi,” They called out.

“Y-yes?” Suzaku poked into view, and the woman nodded before continuing with her stated purpose.

“You’re been summoned by Sub Viceroy Euphemia; she wishes to speak with you immediately.” She relayed to him, which was a surprise for all of them, but not enough that Suzaku forgot his place as he quickly rappelled down.

“Of course, please, lead the way.” The assistant didn't speak, only nodding as she turned and started walking out, Suzaku quick on her heels.

Line Break

Having left the base behind, Suzaku returned to the Viceroy's palace, though not in restraints this time. They didn't use the public entrance, but the private one meant for staff, and he could feel that he was an anomaly in this space. Even the janitorial staff were all Britannians, yet he was wearing his uniform proudly, led through the heart of Area 11's power.

As he rode the elevator with his escort, he couldn't help but wonder why he was summoned. 'I wonder what she wants to talk about? She's been really busy these past few days, not that I blame her with how crazy Narita got.' He had been out there as long as he could be, helping pull out units and bodies, but had since returned so they could focus on the Lancelot. He could only imagine that being the Sub-Viceroy would mean so much work relating to that…and reporting it to their father.

Surely a man who upheld Britannian supremacy wasn’t happy with their lack of success against Zero and his Black Knights.

No, he didn't think it was just that. Euphemia would have most surely been given lesser work, and Cornelia wouldn't want her sister getting their father's ire for the failure. Still, this was odd, as she had no reason to want to speak with him if it was work-related. She would have gone to Lloyd, or he would have come with his boss to speak with her. Was this private between them?

‘But she normally would come to the A.S.E.E.C.s if she needed or wanted to chat, so…this is important official work?’ He frowned, but didn’t speak as they made the final part of the trip to Euphemia’s office, the door alone being incredibly extravagant, covered in intricate and expertly done carvings from near the foot of the door, all the way up over 3 meters in height.

Flanking it were 2 soldiers who didn't so much as flinch when they approached, yet their hands were never far from their savers and pistols. They did acknowledge the assistant, moving to open the door for them.

The office itself matched the doors in design, being a grand space that swallowed you and made it clear who held power. The fine oak desk Euphemia sat at looked as heavy as the title its user held. Two flag poles fixed to the bottom, from which two small Britannian flags were proudly hanging, while the imperial arms were carved into the door-facing side of the desk.

But when he looked at Euphemia seated at her desk, she seemed to only occupy a fraction of it and was perfectly comfortable with it. The office had little in the way of personal items, and her desk had a framed picture, but it was turned away from him, so he couldn't see what it was of.

Euphemia, dressed in her work clothing, looked up from some files she was looking through and gave the two a polite, perfectly formed smile. "Thank you, Lucy," Euphemia said. You may go; I would wish to speak with the warrant officer alone."

It seemed that both Suzaku and the assistant, Lucy, were confused by this, but as Euphemia's expression didn't change, neither fought this as Lucy confirmed it and stepped out, the doors closing behind her.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice. I understand that you and the rest of the A.S.E.E.C. have been busy repairing the Lancelot." Euphemia spoke, her smile…almost the same as he was used to seeing, but there was something there, a nervousness, though he had no clue why.

"The repairs have been going smoothly from what I can tell. We've moved on to testing the system in controlled environments and should be able to move to field tests again soon enough." Suzaku reported, to which she nodded.

"Because we will come into battle against Zero sooner than we would like," Euphemia mused, her smile even more strained, adding to Suzaku's worry. "And how have you been doing? I've been…busy these last few days and couldn't keep up on things."

"I-I've been doing well, your highness," Suzaku reported, but saw her frown, so he relaxed. "It's not as much work as we thought it would be. Honestly, I spend more time doing simple things, or am allowed to attend classes."

“Yes, I nearly forgot that. I am a little jealous about that.” Euphemia’s smile returned, now having a tinge of longing.

“Jealous?” Suzaku asked as she nodded, her gaze moving out to the window and the settlement beyond it.

As she spoke, there was a mix of fondness, yearning, and bitter acceptance in her words. “Yes, I didn’t get to attend normal school until recently, and when my sister was assigned the Viceroyship, I had to accompany her. I still have private tutors, but it's not the same as attending class, making friends, and just having fun."

Suzaku thought about it, and it made sense. He couldn't pretend to know what being a royal was like, but if it was close to his upbringing, then it was pretty lonely. He was an only child, though, so he had no siblings. 'But for Euphie, how close was she to the rest outside Cornelia? Even so, Cornelia is much older than both of us, and could come off more motherly than like a sister.'

“You…Euphie,” Suzaku paused, his suggestion dying on his lips as he needed to figure out another one. "I'm sure that we can find some sort of exception. Maybe things are busy now, but once we handle things with the Black Knights, Area 11 will calm down, and you'll have more time on your hands." He missed how Euphemia’s smile twitched with amusement and a sense of relief.

“Couldn’t I attend Ashford now?” she asked him, which made him freeze as he had no counter, leaving her to continue to lay down as things were. It would be a bit hard, and I know they'll need to accommodate a princess just joining the student body in the middle of the semester, but if you can be s happy there, I'm sure that it's a lovely school."

Yes, Suzaku didn’t disagree with her, but there was a big reason why she couldn't attend, and he couldn't very well say it.

“Well, you see…” Dammit, he wished he were as quick with his words as Lelouch was sometimes. He knew his friend would have probably planned for this or had some sort of quirk explanation that would make perfect sense.

‘Oh, Suzaku…’ Euphemia couldn’t keep the giggle to herself, as it was a little mean to push and prod him like this, so she moved to just end it. “You don’t need to act with me, you know.”

“Pardon?” Suzaku asked, looking genuinely confused.

Before she answered, she stood from her desk and gestured to the side where some seats and a coffee table sat. "Please, let's move somewhere more comfortable for both of us." Guiding him over, she didn't sit opposite him but next to him, her side brushing against his, to which Suzaku went rigid and as straight as a flagpole.

Again, Euphemia giggled at his reactions. Maybe it was the fact that he was the only person she could do such childish things with, but she also liked the idea of doing it with him in particular. Besides, he was far too stiff sometimes. It wasn't as if Nelly would just pop out; she had made sure her sister would be busy with work and unable to pay her a visit.

“Tea?” She offered Suzaku a cup of Darjeeling, her favourite type of tea, which he wordlessly accepted. Pouring herself a cup, she took a slow, calm sip, letting the hot, sweet, and floral liquid hit her taste buds. For his part, Suzaku had no clue what to expect as Euphie kept silent, the two acting like just 2 friends enjoying a cup of tea, which he didn't enjoy. He would like more moments like this, but he couldn't get her last statement out of his head.

After a few minutes of this calm, he finally broke. “Forgive me, but what was I lying about?”

Euphemia shook her head. "I didn't say lying, it wasn't like I sent you to Ashford for any other purpose than you needed to finish your schooling, and since the only questions I've had are about them and how well you're fitting in. I trust that you've been nothing but sincere there." Her words were as soft and sweet as the tea, which gave Suzaku a sense of relief, but still left him confused about what she was talking about.

She placed the tea down, resting her hands on her lap as she continued. Her words grew soft, almost whispering: “If anything, it’s because you’re a sincere, kind person that you wouldn't have ever mentioned it to me if you could help it…you couldn't trust that it would end well for you or them."

“Euphie.” Suzaku reached for her but paused as he remembered he was just an honorary, while she was an imperial princess. He shouldn’t push his luck.

“Do you recall the hotel jacking?” Euphemia didn’t notice his hesitation. "Well, I never told you, but I was there."

“Y-you were?” His hesitation faded, in its place, concern as he laid a hand on her shoulder, his worried green eyes meeting her troubled bluish violet. “Are you okay? Did they do-!”

"I'm fine, Suzaku. Nothing happened, partly thanks to your efforts, my brave knight," She teased him, reaching for his hand so he couldn’t pull away even as his face went red as he realized what he had done.

Euphemia continued with the story: "I went without putting my name in the register. I…well, my sister and I had an argument, and I went with just a couple of bodyguards without telling her. My name didn't appear in the guest list, and I arrived in disguise, so no one knew who I was." Suzaku supposed that made sense. If they had thought they had a princess, surely the JLF would have been open about it and used her as leverage for even more insane demands.

“When the terrorists took over, there was a girl who was scared, and accidentally called them Elevens which you can imagine they didn’t like,” Suzaku’s frown grew, a hint of anger bleeding into it at the thought Euphie or his friends could have been hurt, all because people just couldn’t accept reality, and insisted on pointless fighting. “Right before she was about to get hit or worse, one of her friends spoke up. Here was this blind and crippled girl speaking up in such a terrifying situation, all because her friend needed her to.”

Suzaku's anger and worry vanished, and a deep realization and fear settled in their place. “Blind and crippled…” He repeated, but…but Milly and the rest didn't mention anything about this!

"I didn't think it was possible, but I recognised her. I've never been surer of this, but, Suzaku," Euphemia turned to him. Despite how much she went over this in her head, she couldn't stop her eyes from glowing wet with unshed tears. “I saw my baby sister. I saw Nunnally with Milly and her friends. She’s alive, and she’s been alive this entire time.”

Her other hand came in, gasping his and bringing it between them, where she held onto it, her grip feeling so weak and fragile, like it was glass. Like she was glass. "So please, if you can do just one thing for me, answer honestly." She took a breath and tried to calm herself before she just went out with it.

“Am I right?” How could Suzaku lie to that? How could he look Euphie in the face, see such unshielded hope, fear, and so much else, and reject it, smash it all to pieces? And yet, it had to do so by betraying his friends. Damned if he did, damned if he didn't, so…he had to make a choice, and he made the one he believed he could most live with.

"Yes….Yes, Euphie. Nunnally and Lelouch are alive, and they're students at Ashford. I've known about it since I first arrived at Ashford." He expected Euphemia to get angry, for her to yell at him, or call for the guards to remove him.

What he wasn't expecting was for Euphemia to break down in tears. He held onto her face as she shed hot tears through her fingers, barely keeping her sobs in, or else her security would rush in.

He was about to apologise for upsetting her, already feeling like a complete monster, but then she spoke. “Oh, thank God, thank the heavens they’re alive,” She wasn’t sad, she was…relieved? No, this seemed deeper than that, so much deeper.

“Are…are you not angry I didn’t tell you sooner?” He asked, only for Euphie to whirl around to face him, her face nearly as terrifying as an angered Cornelia.

“I was!” she hissed, Suzaku feeling like he had seen the well-groomed rose grow thorns dripping with poison, a feeling that only grew as she pocked his chest hard. I was so angry, and hurt and betrayed that you would keep something like that from me, but…" But then the rose thorns retracted, as she pulled back and took a breath.

"But then I thought about it. Why didn't they come forward if they've been alive all this time? Why didn't they contact us or Clovis? He loved them; he would have come running if he had even heard a rumour to work off. It was part of why he ever took the Viceroyship, you know? He believed solving the issue of Area 11 was Lelouch's last puzzle for him." Euphemia explained, though she wasn't unaware of the oddity of Clovis doing such a thing, but then and now, with what she knew about the man he became.

Suzaku was equally perplexed, as he knew Lelouch had sent just the one letter while they stayed at the Kururugi shrine, but not to whom. Was it Clovis? Were they close? If they were, how could they brush aside his murder like that, or was he being honest when he said he would mourn the man who was, not the man who he had become?

Regardless, Suzaku didn’t utter a word and let Euphemia continue.

"But they didn't, they kept away from us. Let me, Clovis, Cornelia, and Schneizel all think they're dead, and it makes sense," She sobbed, needing a moment to regain her composure. “Father exiled them because Lelouch demanded he investigate their mother's murder. He sent them to Japan before the war and left them to die. Why would they return when it meant returning to a man who didn't love them or would protect them?"

She hadn't been present for that faithful meeting with their father; none of them had been, as Lelouch requested behind their backs. After that, he was kept at Aries Villa. She knew her sister went to Lady Marriane's funeral and ran into him, but she never spoke about what happened. She just…looked so worried.

Her last memory of her brother and sister's faces was the day they left for Japan. Not all of them had gathered, but those whom Schneizel and Cornelia could see did appear to wish them farewell. Things were so tense then that not a word was spoken. When such were your last memories of your family, of the world you once knew, why would you return to it?

Shaking her head, she looked at Suzaku to ask a question. "You are keeping their secret. You must have become close to them while they lived with you, didn't you?" Really, she was amazed neither she nor Cornelia had thought about it until now, but his family hosted them, and Lelouch wrote then that he had made a friend with a Japanese boy. Who else could he have been talking about?

Suzaku didn't hide and gave an honest response: "We didn't start out that way. I was too big-headed and Lelouch too prideful, but Nunnally has a way of getting through to you, and we became friends—best friends even." He smiled, looking back at the memory and how terrible those first encounters had gone. He hated Lelouch's presence, but then he grew confused by his attitude and interested in why he was like that.

Euphemia's smile was still sad. She was heartbroken that the love she shared with her siblings was far outweighed by caution, but she was mature enough to know it was the right choice. Nunnally, for all her life, would never have lasted at court, even if Cornelia took her under her wing. Father would have ensured she served his goals, one way or another.

So she smiled; it hurt, but it was also a smile of pride. Pride in knowing they were safe and the emperor couldn't touch them. I also have pride in Suzaku being such a good friend to them. She surprised him when she hugged him, as tightly as she could, and whispered into his ear. "So how could I be angry at you for helping your friend by not outing him? If anything, after I had time to think it over, I would have been cross at you if you did. You've known them a lot longer, and I hope my looks wouldn't be too tempting."

“E-euphie!” Suzaku was wearing red Cornelia's suit, which only made Euphemia laugh as she let him go, tapping his nose as she did so.

"I am a lovely young maiden. You know I have plenty of suitors, or would if my sister didn't scare them all off. And I've seen how you look at me sometimes." She muttered that middle part, as even when she was still in school, people didn't dare get close, risking Cornelia's wrath.

Even though he was red-faced and very confused about their relationship, as Euphie was never this teasing, Suzaku laughed. "Nunnally has similar complaints, you know? Lelouch is just as protective of Nunnally as Cornelia is of you. She has a seeing-eye dog, but since the hotel jacking, she’s been going to classes with three other of their dogs."

Euphemia huffed, gesturing to the walls around them. "She's at least allowed to attend classes. After that mess, my sister hardly let me out of her sight. Wait, three dogs? How many do they have?" She asked, recalling Eclare, the English Greyhound she and Cornelia used to have before she passed.

Suzaku didn’t overload her with names. "A bunch. They also have a few birds that just fly all over the place. Oh, and they adopted Arthur. Nunnally even picked the same name as you did for the cat."

“She has good taste.” Euphemia giggled as she wondered how such a place had to be. She recalled how her brother seemed to have a way with animals, and how once Cornelia and Clovis freaked out when they presented them with a field mouse they found in the garden. Cornelia called it dirty, and Euphemia and Lelouch got so angry, as Ms. Squeak was very clean.

But that was in the past, and she was interested in the present. “Suzaku, could you accompany me there? I would like to speak with them, like we used to…”

“I don’t know.” Suzaku didn't fear what she would do; she had proven that she at least cared, but he didn't know what Lelouch would do, as he had no clue Suzaku was this close to his other sister.

“I’m not going to tell Cornelia about them. Sister never listens to me. Once she has an idea in her head, there's nothing I could do, and if that was to bring them home,"  Euphemia sighed as she—Lord knew—she loved her sister, but Cornelia could be needlessly bullheaded. If not forcing them back into the imperial fold, she would try to get them out of Ashford.

“I only found out by chance, but I also don't intend to oust them, particularly given how depressing things have been," Euphemia added, to which Suzaku nodded.

“Clovis’ murderer is still loose, believe me, it’s well known around Ashford.” He wasn't sure how Lelouch could be so calm, but he had remained in hiding for years. The masked man couldn't kill what he didn't know existed.

Euphemia’s smile twitched. "Zero is another reason why I didn't discuss this with my sister, " she admitted, but she moved on without saying more. “She doesn't even know I was looking into it, but that's besides the point. You trust me, don't you?"

“I do.” Suzaku found that he responded without pause or thought.

"Then trust me; I just wish to speak with them. We can frame my visit as a surprise curiosity about your school; that way, no one will know." Euphemia proposed. While she knew she was not the most forward-thinking person, taken by her emotions more often than not, she had worked hard on this to ensure it wouldn't backfire.

With no reason to disagree, Suzaku asked one last thing. "Should we go now, then? Classes should be over and-"

“Please.” Euphemia was perhaps a bit excited as she stood, but she gasped as they walked for the door. Turning on her heel, she stopped him. “Oh, wait a moment! I’ll need a disguise!”

“But aren’t I the disguise?” Suzaku asked as she sighed and rushed back to her table to grab some things.

"For my sister, but if my brother even thinks I'm close, I have a feeling he'll scurry off into some hidey hole," Euphemia explained as someone didn't hide this long without being careful. If he were anything like Big Brother Schneizel in the planning department, which she had ample reason to suspect, he would have escape routes already prepared.

"You're not wrong," Suzaku muttered, though now he would need to worry about Lelouch getting on his case about this.

"Give me five, no, ten minutes." Euphemia got what she needed and led him to the door, giving him instructions on where to meet her before she turned and power-walked towards her quarters to get ready.

Line Break

"Pardon the intrusion, Sub Viceroy Euphemia, but you're urgently…" Dalton knocked and entered the office, a file in hand, only to look up and find it empty. That wasn't right. She was supposed to be handling work for another hour, but even the room, which had been running the heater with the fall chill, had been off long enough that it was cold once more. “Where did she go?”

Stepping out, he turned to one of the soldiers guarding the room. “Soldier, do you know when the Sub Viceroy is returning?”

The man saluted him, but they looked a little scared, as they should have, as this was not protocol. “No, my Lord. She requested an audience with the honorary Britannian from the special corps and left with him around 20 minutes ago. She said she would be touring Ashford after hearing his glowing praise of the school.”

“And she didn’t inform anyone of this?” Dalton asked, as he certainly had heard no word about this, to which the soldier shook his head, relaying how she had seemed to be in a good mood, but also a hurry to leave, and ordered that they not speak of it. Dalton sighed as he hoped this wouldn't become a regular thing. Euphemia and Cornelia's arguments split their soldiers and staff, who wouldn't know who to listen to.

“Did she at least take a guard detail?” He asked, as at least with the Hotel incident, she had 2 agents with her.

To his chagrin, he received another no. “Not that I’m aware of, my Lord. She claimed the Honorary would be enough when she would be leaving in a disguise…”

“This again,” Dalton groaned even harder. “The Viceroy is not going to like this.” He was tempted to send people after her, but if she was travelling in disguise, he feared she would threaten to make a scene.

Now he just had to find a means to explain that the Viceroy.

Line Break

The student council building for Ashford was large, and while it housed all the functions of Milly's chaos machine, it also had plenty of additional space. Much of it was taken by the Lamperouge residence, but there were rooms that served as something of a mixed space, meant for both. One such was the music room, a smaller private space compared to the one the school had for the rest.

It didn't contain as many instruments, but it was a comfy, warm space in which one could get lost, particularly when music was played.  C.C. was playing on one such instrument as she sat with a harp, her fingers let the last arpeggios unfurl — a thin, luminous thread that widened into a slow, bell-like chord. It held a gentle, weathered grace: beauty and quiet knowing, a horizon's breadth in a single tone, then a cool, distant apathy. The sound thinned further, like breath spent after long miles, and dissolved into a patient hush that felt vast and tired.

Opening her eyes, she looked to her lone audience member. “How was that?”

Nunnally clapped, her face filled with profound joy over the 10-minute performance, which seemed to condense a classic Greek story into a wordless song. "It was fantastic. I had no idea that you could play so many instruments, Claude." She complimented, as Claude had blown everyone she knew out of the water with the performance.

C.C. fiddled with the strings. "A woman needs to pick up some hobbies from time to time to keep boredom away."

Nunnally hummed, leaning her head to the side. "You seem to have many of them, are you a polymath?"

“Compared to a true Renaissance woman, you’ll find I’m sorely lacking.” C.C. snorted, as she had met many who would be called such. "I've just had plenty of time to pick up skills here and there." That was an understatement.

“Were you the type who travelled and made their money with music?” Nunnally asked, as she didn't know much about Claude's past. With how she seemed to understand that world, she thought she was from wealth, but she had since let that theory rest. Was she perhaps from the E.U.? It was possible, but she didn't speak with any typical E.U. accent, and she could just be good at hiding it.

"I think it's been a couple of centuries since the occupation of travelling bard has been feasible." C.C. joked before she looked to Nunnally's side. “Would you like to play together this time?” She asked, as Nunnally hadn't just been a passive observer. No, the two had decided to play music together, as Nunnally, despite what people thought, knew how to play a couple of the instruments.

“I’m not so sure about it, I’m still learning with my violin.” Nunnally was a little embarrassed by how she could compete with a performance like that.

C.C. rolled her eyes. “You’ll find you never stop learning. Even one of those revered Renaissance folks needs to refine their skills. Besides, music is a form of self-expression; as long as you pour your feelings into it, it's done its job."

Despite her words, Nunnally giggled as she reached for the violin. “You don’t like the best motivator, you know.”

"I've been told I'm somewhat blunt, but it makes it hard for people to misunderstand me," C.C. replied. She could play politics, but she chose not to. It was a waste of time, as far as she was concerned, and she had seen it result in several misunderstandings and conflicts.

"Maybe I'll get to understand you a little more. Things have been really weird since you came home with your brother." Nunnally placed the violin into position, her other hand holding the bow. "But the good kind. They've been lively, more fun. You came, and then Suzaku came, and Alice and everyone else."

Nunnally smiled, as she knew there was more to all of it, but it just seemed so magical sometimes. Suzaku even brought his bosses for her birthday, and while Lloyd seemed odd, he didn't seem like a bad guy; he was just a bit airheaded on some things. Plus, when her brother would step out, as he had done earlier, she found she always had someone to talk to.

“Are you a sorceress who only casts good spells?” Nunnally giggled, only for C.C. to let out a gasp that wasn't as quiet as he would have liked, which immediately got Nunnally’s attention. “Is there something wrong?”

“No, no-not at all,” C.C. paused, as she had pulled on a cord a bit too hard there. Watching the minor cut head, she took a breath as she was starting to slip because of these siblings. “It’s just nice to hear you say that. You’re truly something else, you know that.”

Before they could try to perform their duet, Sayoko knocked before politely entering. “Pardon the intrusion, Miss Nunnally, but you have 2 visitors. One of whom is Mr Kururugi, " she informed them.

“Suzaku’s here?” Nunnally asked, as she hadn’t been expecting him, but wouldn’t turn him away. “We’ll be right there.” She replied as Sayoko left to handle their guests before Nunnally could see them.

"She said 2. I wonder who he's with," C.C. asked, as it couldn't be Lelouch and she doubted it was the council members. Alice, perhaps? No, she had been around earlier and left to spend time with the rest of the irregulars. Shirley was showing them some moves in the pool, if she recalled it right.

That was a question on Nunnally’s mind as well. "Well, he wouldn't have come with someone weird, but Sayoko did sound like it wasn't Milly or the other council members." She mused, but she didn't hear any panic or fear in Sayoko's voice either; it was just an alarm and a sense of concern. So, it certainly wouldn't have been an immediate threat if Suzaku had been with them, but it was still surprising. Maybe Ms. Croomy. She did say she would try to pass some treats, but Suzaku warned her that they weren't great.

“Should I make myself scarce as you entertain your guests?” C.C. asked, standing up and stretching, but Nunnally was having none of it.

"Our guests, you live here too, Claude. Like Sayoko, you're part of the family and one of these days, big brother will stop messing around and get you the nicest ring he can find." Nunnally giggled, missing how C.C. looked to her hand, envisioning just that.

"A ring... " she whispered, but she chuckled all the same because it was such a silly fantasy. Well, let's go greet our guests then." But she didn’t mind the image of her wearing that white dress, bouquet in hand, and soon enough, a wedding band.

Line Break

Euphemia fidgeted in her seat, her disguise still in place, though it was little more than a hat to hide her hair and a pair of big sunglasses. “I’m a little nervous,” she said as she sat next to Suzaku in the drawing room, which the maid had led them to.

Their trip had been uneventful, as she managed to change into something civilian enough to blend and get out of the Viceroy's palace. Walking wouldn't have worked, so they took a cab, something she knew her sister would have lost her mind about, but the driver hadn't suspected a thing. Navigating Ashford's school grounds once they arrived was also without issue, as they had been seen. Some had asked Suzaku about his 'pretty friend.' Still, he managed to play it off without her needing to speak and possibly outing herself.

Suzaku sat a little closer to her. “Don’t worry, they do that with everyone.” He mentioned that they hadn't even gotten to the student council building before its feathered residents had spotted them and alerted the entire menagerie. Now they had to contend with several dogs, including Pedro and Blue Hammer, eyeing them.

"It's not the dogs that have me on edge; it's been years. What if…what if she doesn't want to see me?" Euphemia asked, having gathered the courage to make the request and risk her sister's ire when she returned to the Viceroy's palace. However, it all felt minor compared to the idea of Nunnally rejecting her.

Suzaku offered an encouraging smile. “She will be ecstatic; I just know it.” Moments after he said that, Nunnally would make her appearance. Helping her was C.C., who blinked at the girl seated next to Suzaku, wondering if he had gone insane.

“Good afternoon, Suzaku. What brings you here?” Nunnally, none the wiser, greeted.

"Well, I had some free time and thought I should swing by," Suzaku replied, before asking. “Where’s Lelouch?” Sayoko hadn't said whether he was home, but he would have expected him to appear. Claude seemed to.

"He went out for some business this morning. He shouldn't be back for another hour," Nunnally replied, to which Suzaku nodded but moved on to the second reason he was here.

“The other reason I came was to give you a present," Suzaku explained, to which Nunnally sighed.

“Suzaku, I already told you, you don’t need to give me a birthday present. You being at the party was more than enough.” Really, he was so hung up on this. She wasn't the sort that needed or wanted trinkets when she could make memories, which she did yesterday.

Suzaku let out a quick laugh. “I know, I’m still going to look around for something I know you’ll like, but this isn’t that sort of present. Think of it as something of a reunion.”

"Reunion? The last time that happened, your brother brought you home. Did you manage to find Kaguya?" She asked, as she wasn't close with the girl, but she recalled some good moments here and there. Plus, if she were here, it meant Suzaku was speaking with the rest of his extended family again.

“H-hello, Nunnally.” Nunnally paused, her smile fading as the voice registered. A voice she had heard on the radio a few times now, one which she couldn’t-wouldn’t mistake.

“That voice, is that you, Euphie?” Nunnally asked, a gleam of surprise and hope in her question.

“Nunnally!” Euphemia, unable to keep herself contained, rocketed towards her sister, pulling her into the biggest hug she could.

Line Break

Far from Ashford, Cornelia had other things to worry about, one of which brought her out of the Viceroy palace and out of the base where she would be getting feedback on her Gloucester. Instead, she found herself at the same air base she had arrived at, waiting for someone else to disembark as their plane had touched down moments ago.

"Of course she pulls a stunt like this…" Cornelia seethed, but kept it professional as it was customary for the Viceroy and the Sub-Viceroy to greet an arrival with such accolades and social status. Still, Dalton had reported that her dear sister had skipped out on work, and with the Honorary of all people.

At this point, she wasn't sure if her sister liked the boy, which she would need to kill him over, or if she was just spending time with someone she knew Cornelia didn't approve of. The worst part was that she knew her sister, and knew which option it was most likely to be, but she couldn't touch Kururugi as long as he was a member of the A.S.E.E.C's

Guilford leaned in as he was present with her, along with the rest of her remaining royal guard and some other important officials. “Your highness, if I may ask, whom are you referring to. The Sub-Viceroy or our guest?” He softly asked.

“Both.” She replied in a similarly low tone. “But I can’t do much about it now. She’s not coming on a whim.”

Cornelia had known her failure at Narita would sit well with the court, or her father, even with Schneizel helping her. She wasn't being replaced, at least not on paper. Still, the emperor demanded someone else to aid with their efforts to stamp out Zero's growing rebellion. Schneizel had recommended one of their siblings who had made a career of it.

That sibling hadn't been slow, as she had been informed that morning, they were already on route. Now, she watched as the giant transport plane opened its cargo doors, allowing its complement of red and black knightmares to move out slowly. She recognised the Sutherlands and Gloucesters models, but with them were two other units that seemed nothing like the rest.

One was overly skinny, with long-looking arms, and the second looked equipped with needless bulk and armour. Its right shoulder is equipped with a massive cannon closer to a tank's than a knightmares. They weren't the only ones, as their sibling had arrived with 3 transports, all of which unloaded men, materials, and knightmares, all bearing the symbols of Britannia's premier counter terrorism force:

The Glinda Knights.

When the passenger doors opened, Cornelia got her first look at her sister in years. She cut an elegant, almost gentle figure as she strode down the stairs. She was young and yet already considered to be a beauty, the sort of person people fell over to speak to. Her violent eyes were similar to Euphie's, while her Spanish pink hair looked like ocean waves, even though it was kept in a ponytail.

As always, she seemed to lean towards dresses with a low cut. This one was pink with red and black details and a gold lining, matching the colours of her unit. The only odd thing about her outfit was the white wings she had attached to the back of it.

Marrybell paused, her eyes looking over the air base, then to the gathered soldiers and officials. Lastly, she landed on Cornelia, and just for a moment, Cornelia saw a glimpse of what lay beneath the beauty before her younger sister slapped on a smile.

“Princess Marrybell mel Britannia, welcome to Area 11.” Cornelia greeted, extending a hand for Marrybell to shake.

Marrybell smiled, but didn’t take the offered gesture. “Viceroy Cornelia, where might the Sub-Viceroy be?”

Cornelia’s frown grew, but not enough to draw attention to it. "She's handling some important tasks. Apologies that she couldn't see your arrival, but she sends her regards." She lied to cover for her sister.

“Does she?” Marybell hummed, but she didn't stay on that point long. Well, I can certainly understand why she would be busy. I had believed you would have this Zero situation sorted by now. He must be a bigger problem than we thought."

Cornelia’s brow twitched at the jab, as she had fought Marrybell on the assignment and just barely won out on account of Marrybell still being busy with a previous assignment. She had expected that she wouldn’t be able to resist the chance to remind her that she hadn’t lived up to her promises yet.

"Quite, though I would say his methods are more of a rat than any proper fighter," Cornelia replied, keeping polite with her sister.

Marrybell laughed at the comment, uncaring of how Cornelia glared at her. “Viceroy, you can’t expect terrorists to fight like soldiers, never mind proper Britannians, for rats is all they are. And they must be hunted as such.” She replied, as Cornelia was far too brutish for this, as she had said before.

Well, no matter, she was here now. "Rest assured that the specialists are here, and I can promise you, Zero will beg for death for murdering brother Clovis." Marrybell's smile seemed gentle, and yet her eyes were anything but.

Cornelia gestured to a car that waited for them. Several others, along with some knightmares, acted as security. "I'm sure we'll crush his little uprising and bring stability to Area 11. Now, I would imagine you'll be tired after your long flight from the homeland."

Marrybell cut her off. "I'm quite rested, actually. I slept for half the journey. But I would be interested in what sort of welcome party you've prepared for us. Certainly not something dreary and colourless, I hope." She smiled wider as her sister now openly glared at her.

“You’re serious?”

She giggled. “As a bullet to the head, shall we get going? I would like to meet the people I’ll be working with to rid these lands of filthy terrorists.” Marrybell wasn't like Cornelia, and both knew it.

And in time, this masked bastard, Zero, would know it well, as she'll enjoy holding up his corpse as a reminder of what happened to those who dared to raise the banner of rebellion within the empire.

Line Break

We're back with another chapter, and I have an announcement: commissions are back on. I'll make a tweet about it, but I should warn you that one has already been accepted. However, with Code Bakugan Brawlers soon to go on a break, I'll be able to take on another, which will be great for all of you.

Now, this chapter wasn't how I originally planned it, but I spent a while going over it in the new notes I drew up and altered them to produce it.