A/N: First off, I apologize for the tardiness. I've been super busy, but now have finally gotten everything back on track. Thank you to Titanfire999, CD64, TokusatsuLuv, and Guest for the reviews on the previous chapter. I hope everyone enjoys this new chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass or any of the characters, Sunrise Studios and Ichirō Ōkouchi do.
...
Euphemia stood beside Schneizel, her hand clasping his.
She didn't know why she was so nervous now; she had just left the audience Schneizel had somehow arranged for her to meet their father when she returned to Britannia. Charles zi Britannia had been surprisingly welcoming and Euphemia had now been restored to her place in the succession.
The now reinstated Third Princess couldn't believe what had happened. She knew that her brother had been in the room a little before her, surely he had something to do with it.
"Euphie, are you listening?" Schneizel's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"What?"
The princess looked over to her brother to see his pale eyebrows raised.
"I'm sorry, please repeat that."
"I will need to return to Area 11 soon," the Second Prince spoke. "I understand if you wish to remain here in the homeland-"
"I want to go back with you!" she declared. "I know you'll be incredibly busy, but I...we've not even had a chance to really spend time together and I want to have that chance."
"You really want to go back?" Schneizel was actually taken aback.
Euphemia knew she had to think of something. The whole reunited siblings angle could only go so far and she couldn't tell Schneizel about Lelouch, Nunnally, and Cornelia still being back in Japan. Not yet, anyway.
...
Lelouch growled when he saw the coverage of "The Return of the Long-lost Princess Euphemia li Britannia" on the TV.
How could Euphie be so careless? So foolish?
"Do you have any idea the position this puts us in?" he asked, turning to Cornelia.
"I'm well aware of the dangers now," she frowned. "I should have went with her."
"And be discovered with her?" Lelouch was angry now.
"Lelouch. Cornelia."
Both turned to see Nunnally looking troubled.
"Things are already looking bad enough without everyone turning on each other," she said.
Lelouch took one of her hands and Cornelia took the other. Neither wanted to be the one to upset Nunnally.
"You're right," Lelouch sighed after a few minutes of silence.
The lanky teen then stood up and turned his attention back to Cornelia.
"There's something very important that I need to take care of," he said. "I'll be back soon."
"Oh no, you don't," Cornelia stood up and grabbed his arm. "It's too risky for you to go out there."
"Cornelia, let go."
"You're going out gambling again, aren't you?"
"Cornelia, I said let go."
"Answer me, Lelouch!" Cornelia was losing her patience now. She had already lost one of her siblings, two now since Euphemia had returned to the Royal Family. "Where are you going?!"
"That is none of your concern, sister."
Lelouch pulled his arm free and exited the room.
"Lelouch!" Nunnally shouted as the door closed.
...
The seventeen-year-old hurried through the Ashford Academy grounds, careful to make sure no one saw him. He couldn't afford to be found out now. Not when he was so close!
'Euphie really made things difficult,' the former prince growled inwardly. 'Now things are going to be even more challenging.'
Maybe Kallen hadn't seen the television broadcast yet. If she had...she would be suspicious of Lelouch. And now since he had already used his Geass on her once before, he couldn't order her to forget it. Things were just getting more and more difficult!
"So I take it you have a plan to sidestep this new obstacle?"
Lelouch turned to see C.C. still wearing his clothes standing before him, a cool but intrigued expression on her face.
"So you know too now, huh?" he asked.
"The discovery of your sister will be sure to draw the attention to your other sisters and you as well," the green-haired girl murmured placidly though her amber eyes showed an unspoken curiosity. "What do you plan to do about it?"
Lelouch sighed.
"I didn't count on this. But I believe I can make this work to my advantage."
...
...
This is a little short, considering my absence. But I promise the next chapter will be longer and worth the wait. But for the time being, I hope you all enjoyed it.
The next chapter will be out on Saturday, July 29th. Until then, everyone.