The driver glanced at the rearview mirror nervously, his gloved hands clenching at the wheels tightly. He took in the figure of the boy in the back seat, where an expression of sheer fury was etched onto the child's face. It was an unnatural look that did not belong on the face of a ten year old.

Yet it was an understandable expression.

After all, having your mother gunned down right before eyes, along with your sister, can be a very traumatic experience. But of course, as if to add insult to the injury, the boy's very own father had just announced that he would not seek further investigation into the assassination. A mere week after the event.

The chauffeur had already guessed what the prince's plan was, having been told to immediately drive them to the Imperial Palace right after the announcement of the investigation's end had been released. no one had been able to stop the prince from leaving, not when his eyes looked as they did, and not when he wielded his anger around him, daring any to speak against him. But his anger would do nothing for him if he planned to disrupt the High Court session just to speak to his father. The driver looked at the dashboard warily, where it showed a few minutes past noon; the session had already begun.

He grimaced as he made up his mind. He couldn't simply watch as Empress Marianne's child endangered himself by placing himself amongst a courtroom of wolves. It was beyond reckless, and not something that the intelligent boy would normally do.

"Prince Lelouch…" he began, cutting into the suffocating silence of the car.

The boy's amethyst colored eyes snapped towards his, their eyes meeting through the mirror. The driver winced at the intensity of the stare.

"I know I may be speaking out of place here… but by interrupting the court session in order to speak to the emperor, nothing good will come of it!"

Lelouch's eyes widened in shock and anger. "Who do you think you're—"

"—Think! Your Highness! I have not served at the Aries Palace for twelve years to simply watch you throw your fragile life away! Think of Empress Marianne! Would she be happy to learn of such recklessness? And what of your sister, Nunnally? Don't you think she needs you the most right now? Instead of your thoughts of reckless revenge, think about the consequences for a moment!"

Lelouch burned with fury, about to open his mouth to deliver a scathing retort, when he realized the truth of his chauffeur's words.

Revenge…

It was all about revenge, he had never once stopped to consider the consequences that would occur if he went through with his initial plan. Nunnally… what would happen to a crippled and defenseless princess of commoner blood?

And with that single thought, all his fury vanished into a collective calm.

"Take….take us back Ashby."

The driver let out a relieved sigh, immediately signaling to turn the car around. He had seen what happened to those that earned the emperor's wrath. Not even Charles zi Britannia's children were exempt from punishment, not when the entire empire cared only for one's own merit.

The young prince sat brooding, his burning fury abated for the moment… but never forgotten. It was in that moment that he remembered how weak he truly was.

※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※

"Prince Lelouch!"

He ignored the startled shouts as he rushed past the many people situated in the hospital. They made way for him, each of them noting the cold look on his face. Trailing behind hurriedly was a procession of guards that had been ordered to guard the esteemed prince.

Stopping in front of the hospital room at the end of the hall, he spared the guards beside the opened door a glance before he stepped inside. He shocked several of the attending nurses and doctors as he brushed his way in. He ignored them in favour of the small figure that was laid on the hospital bed.

Nunnally had never seemed so small and weak. She was pale and her usually smooth hair was in disarray. Looking at the various tubes that were still hooked up to his sister, and the way her chest rose and fell weakly, served to calm his anger.

He walked up slowly towards her side. All strength seemed to seep out from him as he reached out a hand to brush aside a stray hair. This never should have happened, he thought, his mind replaying all of the events that had led to this moment.

"Doctor," he called out, startling everyone in the room. His tone was sharp, and commanding, despite coming from a ten year old boy.

"Yes, Your Highness?" The head doctor replied nervously, almost looking away from the cold glance the boy shot him.

"Tell me her current status," he commanded.

The doctor blinked in surprise, and hesitated before answering. "Prince Lelouch, the damage that has been afflicted on Princess Nunnally is quite severe, at this stage of our analysis the outcome is uncertain..."

Lelouch sensed the hesitance immediately, and frowned. It seemed that the doctor was reluctant to give his prognosis to a child. It irritated him.

Looking at the various nurses and doctors that were looking on with silent curiosity, he sneered at them. "Get out."

His tone was as cold as his expression, and they hastily obeyed, shuffling noisily as they rushed towards the exit. The head doctor looked to be following them before he was stopped by a sharp voice.

"Stay here," he ordered firmly. The doctor obeyed almost reluctantly, standing in place before him. When the doors had shut, he turned his attention back to the figure before him.

"Dr. Morgan." He read the name on the tag. "You seem to be under the notion that I am but a mere child. Let me assure you Dr. Morgan, that I am fully capable of handling anything you tell me." Seeing the doctor look at him in shock, he frowned. "Is that clear?"

"Y-yes!" He squeaked, as the boy glared.

"Now, full analysis if you will."

The doctor obeyed after a short moment. Examining his clipboard, he gulped as he started to explain Nunnally's condition.

"I'm afraid the amount of trauma done to both legs is simply too much to list. The sheer amount of damage done to the femoral nerve in the right leg, cartilage in both knees, and even the bones..." he explained with a grim tone. It was a wonder that the bullets had only entered through the poor girl's legs, as the caliber of the bullets were such that it had cut right through her.

"Chances of recovery?" Lelouch asked quietly. Silence answered him. "I see..."

He clenched his hands in anger, struggling not to lash out. The thought that someone did this to his little sister was sickening. His innocent little sister would never be able to walk again.

"There's something else, my prince." the doctor said reluctantly. "Her eyes..."

He snapped his gaze to the doctor, causing the man to flinch. "What is it?"

"They're not responding to external stimuli."

Lelouch suddenly felt that it was hard to breathe. "...Why?"

"We don't know, my prince, it's too early to tell at this stage, but there could be signs of neurosis."

"Out," he whispered harshly. The doctor obeyed silently with a bowed head, and closed the door on his way out.

Lelouch grasped his sister's hand carefully. They were incredibly cold as he brought the smaller hand up to his face.

"Nunnally..." he mumbled, his eyes watering as he looked up at her pale face. The little sister that had always hovered around him happily. The little sister that had held such love and affection for him. The little sister that he had failed to protect.

"I'm so sorry..."

※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※

It was much later into the night when he arrived back home. The place that he was born and raised in seemed nothing like he remembered. In the short time of a week, his life had been turned upside down. The grand villa that had been so bright, now seemed to be devoid of life.

Dismissing his guards at the entrance, and ignoring the multitude of servants inside, he made for his room. The entire service staff had been fired and replaced after the incident, the reason was obvious. None of them were trustworthy, and as a sign of precaution he had an entirely new staff.

A courtesy of his elder brother.

Lelouch frowned as he recalled the brief meetings he had with his family. They seemed so apologetic, so full of worry for their two siblings that it had sickened him. Behind each of the fake smiles and the fake tears, he knew each of them were celebrating on the inside. The favourite of the emperor was now dead after all.

It was only Schneizel, Cornelia and of course Euphie, that he could feel a semblance of gratitude towards. As the first two had combined their limited powers to grant him as much privacy as he needed. And they tried their best to accommodate any of his requests.

He recalled how Cornelia and Euphemia had cried when they had first seen him, hugging him and trying their best to comfort him. He had been so full of fury then, and he felt regret for ignoring them.

"Your Highness." A voice called out from behind him.

Lelouch turned to see one of the new attendants call out to him, a younger man that he did not know.

"There is a man by the gate here to see you," he said.

Lelouch frowned. "Tell him I'm not seeing anyone, and get him off the premises."

"Of course, Your Highness." The attendant bowed before leaving.

Lelouch paid him no mind as he walked towards the study room. It was a large room that had served as his mother's personal office, but was seldom used. It had a large mahogany desk and a comfortable leather chair. Along with large windows that illuminated the room nicely, it had been a favourite room of his. He had frequently hid himself in this room when he desired some quiet time alone, often absorbed in a book.

His mother or sister usually came to drag him out most of the times, much to his chagrin. Now, sitting on the comfortable chair alone and staring out at the night sky, he felt colder than ever. The pitter patter of rainfall and the screeching wind served to break the tranquility of the room every now and then. The quiet comfort of the room used to be appealing to him. Now, it almost felt suffocating.

Looking down at the table, and at the mess of papers that were spread atop the surface, he grimaced. His research had gone nowhere, even with the inquiries that he had Cornelia make on his behalf proved to be worthless. His mother had many enemies, but all of them kept their contempt hidden. Her strength and reach was considerable after all.

If he were to go by intent, then he would have to consider almost everyone in the imperial family. Most of them were jealous of her status as the Emperor's favourite, and resentful for her commoner blood. What made her even more formidable was the fact that she had been a member of the Knights of Round. Beauty, strength, and political power were all in her favour. Her enemies were numerous, and her allies few. Any one of them would have been happy to plot her assassination.

But who amongst them had the means to do such a thing? To have the connections to arrange such a thing was out of reach for most of them. The only ones that he could think of right from his head were... Schneizel and Cornelia. He shook his head at the thought, while he knew Schneizel could have the means, the intent was lacking. As for Cornelia, the mere thought of her plotting against her idol was laughable, not to mention her familiar connection with them.

The Emperor.

Lelouch gritted his teeth at the thought of the man he had called his father. Calling off the investigation into the murder in only a week, citing the reason as being 'a waste of time'. Truly the man was despicable; to care so little about the woman he had called his favourite. If there was anybody who knew what happened to his mother, then it would be the Emperor. His power was supreme, and his reach was limitless.

He knew there was no way of getting answers from the man however, as the Emperor confided in no one. He could count the number of times he had met his 'father' on both of his hands. It was no secret that the Emperor of Britannia held little love for his children. If he even cared about them in the first place.

He could not get his answers directly, but that didn't mean it was impossible. Plans, and ideas formulated in his head at a rapid pace. Most of them were inaccessible to him given the current state of affairs, namely the fact that he had little influence. In the long term however...

His thoughts were interrupted by a knocking from his door. He turned his irritated gaze towards the attendant that had walked in. The attendant looked ragged as he bowed low and turned his nervous head to meet his gaze.

"Your Highness, I'm terribly sorry to interrupt you once more, but the man... he refuses to leave," he said with a strained voice.

Lelouch frowned. "Why has security not thrown him out?" he asked harshly.

"They have tried twice now, Your Highness, but he refuses to move even at gunpoint. He said he won't leave until he sees you," the attendant replied. "He... he said that his life is in your hands," he added hesitantly.

Lelouch sighed. It seemed that he would have to deal with the lunatic after all. "What's his name?"

"Jeremiah Gottwald."

※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※

He remained kneeling before the large gates of the palace—despite the heavy rain pressing down on him and the harsh winds cutting into his exposed skin. Any discomfort he felt was pushed to the back of his head. His pride and honour would not let him live otherwise.

He had been a mess ever since the shooting, especially after he heard what had happened to the youngest child of Marianne. The incident cut deeply into him, as he felt that it could have been prevented. It was too late now. His idol was dead, and her two children scarred forever.

The only left to do now was to atone... to the best of his abilities.

He saw the two guards make their way over to him once more, and he tensed himself, preparing for a struggle if he had to.

"Get up. His Highness wants to see you," one of the guards called out, the voice barely heard over the heavy rain.

The words shocked him, and he felt a surge of nervousness rise up within him. Even though he had forced a meeting with the prince, he knew what kind of reception awaited him. Despite his sudden reluctance, he rose up from his kneeling position with some effort; his legs had already fallen numb. Steadying himself with one hand, he nodded towards the guards and they began to lead him towards another entrance.

Following them into the guard's entrance, he felt relieved as the harsh weather was kept out. He was now in a small room that was reserved for the security team. Before he could ask them why he was there, he saw another person walk into the room.

He was tall and lean, with immaculate blond hair smoothed back. Dressed in a butler's uniform, the man gave the two guards a nod before they shuffled out of the room.

"You are Jeremiah Gottwald?" The man asked promptly, his tone sharp. "Very well, you must clean up before you see the prince." He continued after seeing his hesitant nod.

The man threw him a large towel, before gesturing for him to follow. Jeremiah wrapped the towel around his soaking head, noting that he was soaked to the bone. He was familiar with the building, and it was no surprise when he was shoved into one of their more sparse reception rooms.

The current area was usually reserved for miscreants.

"You will change into these." A bundle of clothes was thrust into his arms, and Jeremiah barely blinked before he was shoved into a bathroom. It wasn't much, just a white shirt, black slacks, and thankfully a pair of clean socks.

After dressing, he got out only to be subjected to another stern glare from the butler.

"I don't know what your purpose here is Sir. Gottwald. But surely you know how the prince will react to your presence?" He asked.

Jeremiah met his stare resolutely. "This is something I have to do," he told him firmly.

"Are you seeking forgiveness?"

He looked down. "No."

There was no forgiving what he had done, what he had allowed to be done. His purpose here was rather simple. There was no redemption for someone like him.

The period of silence seemed to stretch before the butler sighed. "Very well, come along."

He followed the man silently, noting the guards that fell into step with them. As they exited the building and into the harsh night, he was glad that the guards provided him with an umbrella. Even so, the harsh winds threatened to blow his meagre cover, and constantly pelted him with rain. He was thankful when they entered through the main doors.

Dusting himself off, he scanned the entrance hall with a trained eye. The room was guarded heavily, with trained guards in each corner. It seemed that the royal family was taking no chances with the safety of the prince. He couldn't blame them.

Ignoring the piercing stares from the security team, he fell in step with the butler once more. The direction they were currently heading towards had to be the the main sitting area. As he drew nearer towards the room, he felt a sudden nervous anticipation. He was about to see the remnant of Marianne's legacy; someone who he had failed.

What was he to say, to the boy whose mother he had been charged with protecting? To someone who had every reason to hate him. Nothing but a heartfelt apology? No, that would never satisfy anyone. Not himself, nor the prince.

His thoughts were interrupted as they came upon the sitting room. The large, ornate double doors were guarded by two guards. They spared him a glance before opening the door for the two of them. He followed the blond-haired servant into the room, his trepidation rising.

"Your Highness, Sir. Jeremiah Gottwald is here to see you."

It seemed that the attendant knew who he was, judging by the modicum of formality. The relatively gentle treatment must have been because they recognized who he was. The thought was brushed aside the moment he saw the prince.

Sitting on a rather elaborate leather recliner, was the figure of a boy. His small body seemed to contrast greatly with the large chair. He would have seemed like any other ten-year-old boy, if not for the cold expression on his face as he stared into the fireplace. That look would have cowed even the most staunchest of men.

He had to avert his eyes as the prince turned his cold gaze towards him. Immediately, he dropped down to kneel before the boy. Unsure of what to say, he knelt with his head down, awaiting some sort of acknowledgement from the prince.

"Leave us." His voice was toneless as he dismissed the servant. There was a loud click as the butler closed the door on his way out.

It seemed that Lelouch was content to simply stare down at him. He nervously held his position on the floor. Silently, he steeled his resolve, vowing to remain kneeling the whole night if that was what it took.

"Jeremiah Gottwald," the prince finally said after a few tense minutes. "Of the Gottwald family."

He looked up at that. Knowing that the prince knew of his family did not comfort him.

"Generations of your family have served Britannia. You yourself have not fallen far from the tree. Graduating from school with the highest of honours, and immediately entering military service. Top of the class at the military academy, and recommended for officer training almost immediately out of basic training..." The prince summed up his life, giving no indication that he was impressed.

"And yet..." Lelouch paused, regarding the kneeling figure before him with a calculative eye. "You specifically requested to be placed under the Royal Guard Division. More specifically, the one that would be in charge of guarding the Aries Palace."

Jeremiah felt his heart drop at the prince's words. Did the prince somehow suspect him? He felt horrified at the possibility. He raised his head to meet the prince's gaze for the first time. "Your Highness, I—"

Lelouch raised a hand to halt him. "What do you want, Gottwald?" His tone was chilling. "Is it forgiveness that you seek?"

"No! Your Highness, I would never—" He forcibly calmed himself before he attracted the attention of the guards. "I would never ask for that..." he finished softly.

"Then why are you here?"

"I..." He met his eyes, or tried to. The prince's gaze tore into him with its intensity. "I want to atone."

"Atone?" The prince asked with a hint of shock. If he expected a sympathetic response, then the hope was crushed by the boy's next words. "Someone like you, asking to atone?" he asked angrily.

Jeremiah understood his fury. He had failed the boy in front of him once, and that one mistake had cost him his mother, and crippled his sister. There was nothing he could do to fix that. There was nothing that would atone him. But he had to try.

"Anything, my prince." He pleaded. "My life is in your hands." Though he was shaking slightly as he proclaimed his will, the tone was resolute and firm. He would see this to the end.

"Your life is worthless to me." The sharp tone bit into him.

There was silence.

Lelouch considered the man in front of him. He knew he was skilled, noble, and probably loyal to a fault. From just his records alone, he knew that Gottwald would be a considerable asset to have. Someone like him was just what he needed at the moment. But he had failed him before. Even if the rational part of his mind said otherwise, the man before him had been part of the reason his mother was dead and his sister crippled.

"I want to ask you a question, Gottwald," he said at last, after a few minutes of silent deliberation.

"My Prince?"

"There is something I must do, and someone I must find." There was a cold fury in his voice. "To accomplish what I want... what I need... I'll stop at nothing." Jeremiah felt himself awed by the sheer conviction in the boy's voice. "And If anything should stand in my way..."

The young prince suddenly stood up, startling Jeremiah with the suddenness. He walked up until he was standing just before him. "I will ask of you once, and only once, Jeremiah Gottwald."

He met the prince's gaze steadily, this time without a hint of reservation. "Anything, my prince."

"Swear allegiance to me, and only me. Die and live by my command."

Jeremiah obeyed without question.

※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※

The Ashford manor was grandiose not in its design, but in its history. A structure that had existed since the dawn of Britannia, it served as a continued monument to the wealth and power of the family. Surrounded by vast, vibrant green land, the ancestral home of the Ashfords was a place to behold.

As the car rolled up to the large gates of the manor, he was reminded again of happier times. It would have been just the other month, when he had visited this very place for the birthday party of his dear friend. Milly Ashford was one of the few friends he had outside of his family, and her grandfather was one of the even fewer adults that he respected.

There would no longer be any time for that now.

The gates opened swiftly, the guards having been prepared for his arrival. It would be a short drive to the main house, and he was content to rest his head against the window of the limo. Things had been hectic lately, primarily due to the media. They had been ruthless in their efforts to uncover the next headline, and had been constantly digging up long-forgotten facts about Empress Marianne. Some even had the gall to show up at his gate. Of course, they were promptly thrown out with a severe warning.

He sighed, as he recalled the latest media headline. 'Empress Marianne's Enemies' had been rather sensational in that it placed the Knight of One at the top. Rumours and speculations continued to run rampant, despite the Emperor's stance on the subject. He was thankful that they were mostly content with his mother's past rather than the present. He didn't know what he would do if they started pestering him or Nunnally directly.

The limo rolled to a stop, and he didn't have to wait long for the door to be opened for him. Stepping out, he gave the turquoise-haired man a brief glance before making his way to the large doors. Gottwald immediately stepped into place behind him, dutifully looking around the surroundings with a sharp eye. There had been many protests when he proclaimed that Jeremiah would be the one guarding him, most notably from Cornelia. But he didn't relent, and they grudgingly recalled the personal guards they had assigned to him.

The doors opened before he reached them, and he ignored the procession of servants that had gathered to greet his arrival. His eyes fell on the two figures by the entrance. The large imposing figure of the eldest Lord Ashford and his granddaughter. Before he could do anything, the girl gave a large cry of alarm before running over to him.

"Lelouch!" she shouted before lunging at him. He caught the girl with familiarity and was thankful that he had braced himself. She was crying into his chest.

"Milly..." he murmured into her soft hair, awkwardly returning her embrace. The usually unfaltering girl was a wreck in his arms. "It's alright." The girl clung to him even harder, and he rubbed her back in comfort. "Shhh... I'm here now."

She looked up at him with teary eyes and a watery smile. "Y-you idiot... I'm supposed to say that," she whispered. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the girl had been crying for his sake.

"I know." He mumbled into her hair as she embraced him once again. Maybe later, when they were alone he would allow himself to be comforted. But here, in the eyes of several people he could not trust, he would not.

Never again, would he show weakness.

※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※

It had taken considerable amount of begging and pleading before the blonde girl unleashed her death grip on him. But she made him promise to see her before he left, and had left him to her patient grandfather.

He was now in the main office of Lord Ashford, sitting comfortably before his desk. Ruben Ashford himself seemed to have seen better days. His eyes had notable bags under them, and his grey hair in slight disarray. An unnatural sight on the usually immaculate man.

"My dear boy," he began with a sad tone. "How are you?"

The man before him was one of the few he would allow to call him such, and he smiled slightly at the question. "I have been better, Ruben."

"I'm glad." The older man poured himself a drink, causing Lelouch to frown. He had never seen the man drink in his presence before. "And how is Nunnally?"

"She will recover," he replied stiffly, hands clenched as he recalled her current condition. Being crippled was one thing, but her apparent lack of sight was overwhelming him.

Ruben took note of his anger, and wisely refrained from further enquiries. He was sad that the boy in front of him had seemingly aged considerably. Lelouch had always been mature for his age, but still retained a childish curiosity. Now... he couldn't say that the boy in front of him was a child anymore.

"I'm sorry."

Lelouch nodded slightly at his condolences. On any other person he would have sneered, but the man before him was an exception. He did not pretend to be sad for him, nor did he only have pity, he was truly sympathetic. He was one of the few adults that treated him with respect, and he had vowed to always pay that same respect back.

"Now, what can I do for you, Lelouch?" Ruben asked curiously. He knew the boy wasn't here for a social call.

"The current state of affairs," Lelouch began, gesturing to a mess of papers on his desk. They were mostly financial reports.

"Ah, that." He eyed the reports with distaste. "You know, back in my day, men had the decency to give notice before they stabbed you in the back... if they did it at all."

Lelouch idly picked up one of the reports and scanned over it with a trained eye. It was overly detailed for its message, but it was fairly obvious to anyone to understand what had happened. The business contract was being absolved prematurely and that any further correspondence should go through a legal team. Usually such a thing would cause severe backlash to the person breaking said contract, but it was not the case in Britannia.

There was a simple fact when operating a business in Britannia. Those who did not have the right connections would either be swallowed or destroyed by those who did. It was a harsh system that promoted treachery at every turn. And at the highest echelons of the system was the politics. If someone had a very successful business, then chances were that they had help from someone in power.

The Ashfords, with their considerable wealth, had a stake in nearly every business. But the bulk of their wealth came from the manufacturing and designing of Knightmare Frames. They had one of the largest research divisions in Britannia, and were the largest private manufacturer of KMF parts. Being as successful as they were was only possible due to the support of a Britannian royal.

It was just how the system worked.

Now that their support in the highest echelon of power was gone, they were vulnerable. Business contracts were broken without recourse, since if they pursued the subject, then they would have to go to court. The court was as corrupt as they come, with whoever having the most connections coming on top. It was only beginning, as most of his enemies were just realizing the implication of Marianne's death.

"You're being targeted," he stated.

Ruben snorted at that. "Worse than that my boy, It's an all out war."

"Do you know who?"

"They are numerous..." He had to take a moment to think. He had numerous competitors that would have loved to watch him fall, but very few of them had the means. Being able to attack him from a higher position would indicate someone with royal connections. "But if I had to guess, then it would be the Purist Faction."

"...That is ironic," he mused aloud. Indeed, the notion that a group opposing foreigners would be targeting the Ashfords was humorous. The Ashfords had history spanning even before the founding of Britannia.

"It's one of their leaders, Rupert Callaghan." Ruben spoke his name with a cold fury. "That racist bigot has been trying to interfere with our business for years."

He knew that name. One of the more vocal members of the Purist Faction, he often spoke against any change to the Britannian system. Primarily, the immigration laws and the Honorary Britannian system. But he was simply another businessman, with little to his name.

"The Callaghan's have no power," he stated. "Surely there must be someone else."

Ruben was surprised at the boy's intuition. "Of course, although that weasel is the only public one, there are many in his shadows." He downed his scotch in one gulp. "I suspect that there is support from the Palace."

"You mean..."

"Yes, him and the rest of my enemies, likely have backing from a member of the royal family." He recalled the sheer impunity in some of their business dealings. They made themselves up as if to be invincible, and there was only one way to do so in Britannia.

Lelouch frowned at that revelation. He believed him wholeheartedly, after all, if there was someone the royals hated more than his mother, then it had to be Ruben. He was the one who brought her into the fold, supporting her along the way. If not for his support, then she would never have gotten so far.

"I know what you are thinking, Lelouch." Ruben placed his glass down with a heavy sigh. "And there is no regret in my mind. Supporting your mother had always been, and will always be something that I take pride in."

He was surprised at that, but met the man's gaze steadily. "I know, and we thank you for it."

Ruben smiled wryly. "She was radiant you know..." he said wistfully. "Back then, as soon as I met her, I knew that she would be great. There was no one that could reach her, and even now, there is no one I know that comes close to her strength."

He didn't know what to say to that. His mother's legend had always been something of a fascination to him. He had researched it for weeks in his spare time, with each of her accomplishments serving to increase the awe that he had for her. But he had never really associated Marianne the Flash with Marianne, his mother.

"You're a lot like her too, Lelouch." Ruben said, causing the boy to blink in surprise. "Incredibly strong in your own way, and... indomitable. You both were alike in that aspect."

Indomitable. He thought that the word aptly described his mother. Her records on the battlefield were unmatched. Off the battlefield, her spirit was much the same, and if something stood in her way, then it wouldn't stay there very long. Shaking his head, he put the painful thoughts of his mother to the back of his mind.

"Ruben, what will you do now?" He knew that the Ashfords were in a precarious state at the moment. It would only get worse.

"Nothing." Ruben leaned heavily into his seat, and sighed. "There really is nothing I can do now that... my support in the palace is gone."

It was understandable, with his mother dead, they were as vulnerable as ever. The Ashfords have never made friends with the typical Britannian nobles. They prided themselves on their honour, and did not discriminate based on class. To the nobles, the Ashfords were an arrogant bunch who thought themselves above the rest. They were now wounded amongst a sea of vultures.

"How long?" he asked seriously.

Ruben looked up curiously at the boy. "...A few months I suppose. If it's simply from a financial point of view, we can weather the brunt of most attacks." The Ashfords had no shortage of funds, and could sustain themselves quite easily from their reserves. "But eventually our businesses will fall." He was solemn as he predicted the loss of jobs that would result. The Ashfords were one of the few who employed without discrimination. Most of their workers were immigrants who enjoyed full benefits despite their status. It was even said that the Ashfords were the only real option for the migrant workers.

"But you won't stay," Lelouch concluded. He met Ruben's inquiring stare with his own.

"It's not the financial issue that I am afraid of, Lelouch." Ruben admitted. Even should his businesses in Britannia fall, they would shoulder on. He had no shortage of contacts in other countries, and several business opportunities that he could capitalize on. "It's the personal attacks that I'm afraid of."

Lelouch frowned. "What do you mean?"

"It's only a matter of time. I have made many powerful enemies in my time. And you know there is only one way to attack a noble in this empire of ours."

He suddenly understood. If there was one thing a noble prided above all, it was their name. The family reputation was everything. The only way for a noble to fall was to tarnish their reputation forever. The easiest method would be... treason.

"Where will you go?" Lelouch asked after a moment of silence.

"Japan," Ruben stated simply. "I have several contacts there that should be able to help me."

Lelouch shook his head at the thought. The great Ashfords of Britannia being forced from their own country. It was sickening to see how the system of his country worked. He had been prideful of his country once. He had even believed in the principles of his father; the strong will survive while the weak shall perish.

The simple truth was that his country was built on a foundation of treachery. Even his father had ascended to the top through murder and betrayal. In a country where the leader himself cared for nothing but power, the tradition of honour was considered foolish.

"Ruben..." Lelouch began slowly. "If given the chance to stay in Britannia... would you?"

Ruben stared at him with a blank expression before pouring himself another glass of scotch. "You really are just like her..." he mused.

"I can't guarantee anything. I should say that our chances are high, but I am not a liar." He paused. "I want—no, I need to do this. But I can't do it alone." He finished with conviction.

"...It is not a good sign when I am starting to seriously consider your words. You, a mere child in the grand scheme of things." Ruben sighed wistfully. "But you're not, aren't you?"

"Ruben, I—"

He raised a hand to stop him. "Say no more." He took the time to down his scotch. With a grimace, he set the glass down. Sitting up straight, and finally looking like the imposing Lord he was supposed to be, he stared down at the boy sternly. "What do you need?"

The Ashfords were with him.

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"Milly," he called out softly.

The girl before him was curled up cutely on the large armchair. Her eyes were closed, and she mumbled lightly in her sleep. She had a book that fell onto her lap, and Lelouch had to smile as he read the title. It seemed that she was still into those fairy-tale novels.

He found himself standing before her, simply observing for the moment. Even in her sleep, it seemed that she was restless. She moved around every now and then, mumbling about one thing or the other. He found it adorable.

"Milly." He tried again, this time getting a small reaction as the girl twiched. Holding in a chuckle, he leaned in so that he could whisper directly into her ear. "Wake up."

The girl's eyes snapped open, blinking once. "Eep!"

"Oof."

He fell back onto a crumpled heap on the ground, the petite girl falling on top of him. He groaned pitifully on the ground, and the girl atop of him seemed to calm down. She recognized the boy immediately, and had to blush slightly at her current position. "Lulu?"

He opened one eye to glare lightly at her. She had the decency to smile sheepishly, and got off of him promptly. Offering him a hand, which he grabbed, she took a moment to take in the boy in front of her.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Of course, that didn't hurt that much, you're pretty light."

She pouted in return. "That wasn't what I meant, and I bet you're lighter than me!"

He had to smile at that, this was the girl that he remembered. He much preferred this version than the crying mess back at the lobby. There were bags under her eyes, he suddenly noticed. Along with red-tinged eyes, and messy hair, the girl in front of him seemed more ragged than himself.

"Milly." He raised a hand to smooth an errant lock of hair. "You..."

She took his hand with her own, grasping it tightly. Without giving him warning, she pushed him onto the large armchair that she had been resting on. The chair was big enough to seat the both of them comfortably, a fact that she capitalized on by sitting right beside him. She did not let go of his hand.

"I was worried you know," she said sadly.

"I know." He looked away from her sad expression. He had been a terrible mess in the beginning; filled with such smoldering fury, that he could not see what was in front of him. There were people that still cared for him. "And, I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize..." she whispered, leaning her head onto his shoulders. "I'm just glad."

He did not say anything. He didn't need to, the girl beside him understood him more than anyone else—save for his sisters. She was perceptive and intelligent beyond her age, and despite her typically girly attitude towards him, he liked her presence. She was excitable and emotional, where he was quiet and calculative. Yet, she did not mind him, and somewhere along the way, she had grown on him as well.

"How is Nunnally?" she asked quietly. He gripped her hand tightly at the mention of his sister.

"Good... she woke up sometime last night," he answered. Milly deserved to know about his sister, since they both adored each other. "It was very brief."

"I see..."

He had missed her waking up, and by the time he had arrived at the hospital, she was already asleep. It hurt him to think about how Nunnally must have felt; to wake up in the hospital alone. The doctors had told him that it would be a while, and had urged him back home.

"Lelouch... are you okay?" She looked deeply into his eyes with a worried expression etched on her face.

He opened his mouth to say an affirmative, but couldn't. He wasn't fine. He was hurting, wounded, angry, and a whole mess of other things. He snapped his mouth shut.

"Oh Lulu..." She hugged him close to her. He hugged her back reflexively, taking in her flowery scent as he rested his head against her shoulders. "It's okay. Everything will be alright." She whispered. Her hands smoothed his hair back in comforting motions, and she began to hum.

It was a beautiful melody, and familiar to him. He hugged her tighter against him, closing his eyes in sorrow. He wouldn't cry, wouldn't allow himself to. But here in her arms, he allowed himself a brief moment of reprieve.

The world could wait.

※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※

He sped along the corridors of the hospital at a rapid pace. His footsteps echoed loudly, and the people in his way hastily stepped aside for the moody prince. It helped that the figure of his bodyguard gazed sternly at anyone in their way.

Passing by the rooms rapidly, Lelouch's mind whirled with emotion. His sister was awake. Nunnally was awake. She was waiting for him, and he wanted to see her. He slowed to a more moderate pace. What would he say? He didn't know.

He rounded the last corner, and stepped before her room. He paused. There were two guards placed outside of the door, but he paid them no mind. What was he waiting for? His dearest sister was just a step away from him. He couldn't move, his entire body felt heavy for some reason.

"My Prince?" Jeremiah called out from behind him. "Are you alright?"

He noted that the boy had a hand to the door, and seemed frozen in place. At his words however, the boy seemingly snapped into motion. "Secure the door," the prince commanded before entering the room.

He had entered with more force than he wanted, immediately attracting the attention of the two figures in the room. The one with pink hair raised her hand to cover her mouth. She was shocked at his entrance, but her eyes immediately began to water. "Lulu..."

At the sound of his name, the figure on the bed twitched noticeably. Her sandy-brown hair flying around erratically as she turned her head around to face him. His voice caught in his throat as he saw his sister. She looked fine, if a little bit pale, but her eyes remained closed.

"Big brother?" Her voice was raspy and weak.

He walked towards her slowly, each step weaker than the last. "Nunnally..." he whispered. He was before her on the bed, besides Euphy.

"I- I can't see you." She was panicking. "I can't see Euphy either... brother?"

He immediately embraced her, taking care not to hurt the fragile girl in his arms. "Shh..." He shushed the girl. She was shaking, he realized, and with a start he realized that he himself, was trembling. "It's okay."

She was crying now, and she clung to him desperately. She probably didn't realize the gravity of the situation, but she knew one thing. Her mother was dead, and she was crippled. So she clung to the only thing she trusted. Her big brother; the center of her world.

Sometime along the way, Euphy joined them, and she cried harder than even Nunnally. He comforted them both, and in the process, comforted himself.

Never again. He vowed.

He never wanted to see his dear sisters cry again. To realize such a thing, the world, his world had to change.

If it had to be burned to ashes first... then so be it.

※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※÷※

A/N: Thanks for reading.

This fic is just my attempt at writing a much more capable Lelouch, who does not suffer for his moment of irrationality. Because really, getting exiled was probably the worst thing he could have done.

This will feature a very driven Lelouch who is initially very angry at the world. He is weak at the moment, with little connection and power to his name. But he will change that, because he is intelligent beyond reason, and a master of social engineering. His initial goal is to gain enough power so that he never feels helpless again. Along the way however, he will find his true goal.

To do so, he will need allies and resources. And to change Britannia itself... well, he will need the most powerful of pieces.

Oh and don't worry, our poor genius won't be all alone. He has several girls after his heart after all.