Chapter Eight

Lelouch stared straight ahead throughout the entire ride up to the 78th floor. He knew that if he didn't focus on the grains of the elevator door, his eyes would wander to the couple next to him, and the last thing he wanted was to lose his temper.

The corner of his lips twitched into the subtlest of frowns as he heard Alexei cheerfully said, "Thanks for agreeing to come with me, C.C. I know how much you hate these kinds of parties, but there was no one else but you that I wanted to ask."

"I only said yes because you don't know anyone here."

"That's not true. I know Suzaku."

"Yes, well, you can't exactly take Suzaku as your date to Suzaku's engagement party, can you?"

"You never know... Science and technology has really advanced these days. Wouldn't you agree, President vi Britannia?"

Lelouch's hand curled into a fist as the bait was thrown at his feet. His nails digging into his palms, he slowly inhaled before politely replying, "It certainly has, although I'm sure Suzaku would know better than the both of us combined. Shiro Nippon Inc. is the leader in technology and innovation, is it not?"

"Soon to be replaced by Britannia Enterprises, as soon as Suzaku and his fiancé return from their honeymoon."

"The merger will take place the evening before the wedding," he said stiffly, "so that the couple may enjoy their time together."

"Was that your idea too? First you suggest selling off your cousin so that you can swallow Shiro Nippon. And then you merge the companies together before they've even been legally bound? Britannia Enterprises is more eager than I had thought, in colonizing Japan."

"Mere coincidence."

"It seems a little too fortunate to be mere coincidence."

"Yes, well, I will leave you to think whatever you wish while I congratulate the couple. Good evening, Mr. Aleksandrovich. Ms. C.C."

Without so much as a backwards glance, Lelouch brushed by them and stepped out into the warmly lit hallway. His shoes sunk into the plush carpet as he moved away from the polished marble floor and down the hallway to the source of the orchestral music, all the while trying to relax. Euphemia was as nervous as is - she didn't need to be further antagonized by seeing him angry, and God knew how everything needed to be perfectly executed. The Japanese public were at a delicate stage. Half had accepted Britannia, and half hadn't, and in order for the merger to become useful, Lelouch needed for Britannia to be wholly and completely accepted by the public. He himself had overseen the entire procedures of the press conference, something that he usually left in the hands of Diethard and Jeremiah. Everything had been planned, down to the number of stitches in the cloth napkins for the dining tables, and it was nearly showtime.

Lelouch did feel a twinge of guilt for turning his best friend and his cousin into two puppets at their own party, but it was a mere twinge that was quickly crushed flat by determination. It was for the best, for their own good. Knowing the two of them, there was no way they'd be able to turn the tide to their favor. Not when they were so nervous and stressed.

"Lelouch? Is that you?"

"It's me," he answered pleasantly. Rearranging his frown into a smile, he closed the door shut behind him as he said, "You look beautiful, Euphemia."

"Do I really? Are you sure it doesn't look strange? I feel a little peculiar."

"Do you want me to call Clovis to bring you a different dress?"

"No, no... He worked so hard to design this one... I don't want to cause anyone any more trouble than I already have."

"What are you talking about? You haven't caused anyone any trouble whatsoever."

"Oh, but you, and Auntie, and Nunnally, and Clovis have been working so hard just for me. Not to mention Mother and Cornelia and Guilford. Everyone's been putting in so much time and effort just for me, and I-"

"Euphemia, we did it because we wanted to. We want you to be happy. You already have enough on your plate with planning the wedding. This was nothing."

"All the same. Thank you, Lelouch."

He smiled before patting his cousin on the back and pulling away from her embrace.

"I have something to give to you before the press conference. Unfortunately, it's not a present, as my present's already been delivered to your home."

"You got me a prese-"

"Later. Put this in your ear."

He held out a small skin-colored bud, and she obediently picked it up.

"I'll be relaying instructions to you through Jeremiah, so listen to his instructions carefully, Euphemia. It is absolute that tonight goes perfectly. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

"Good. Jeremiah most likely already gave Suzaku his earpiece. We'll be testing it in a few minutes to make sure it's working. Are you ready?"

When he looked up from his watch, Lelouch blinked at Euphemia, who was watching him with a frown. Slightly alarmed, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Lelouch, did you bring someone with you?"

"To the press conference?"

She nodded.

"No, I didn't. I didn't want to cause any offense, so I didn't bring anyone to a party where I'd be busy with work."

"Lelouch, please, at least try to have fun. I... Suzaku and I have talked, and we both agree that you should... That maybe you should start looking for someone to start a family with," she mumbled timidly. She fidget as he stared at her before asking, "Did Mother put you up to this?"

"No! No, I... It's really what we think, Lelouch. We think that it's maybe time for you to move on," she said softly.

"Move on from what?" He looked at her blankly. Move on from what? What was he supposed to move on from?

"From C.C."

At her words, he stood up.

"How did you find out about C.C.?"

"I... Well, I-"

"What else do you know? What else has Mother found out about?"

"Lelouch, please, we only want what's best for you. I know you loved her, but now it's-"

A knock interrupted her, and their attention snapped towards the door. A tense silence simmered between them until he said, "It must be Suzaku."

He walked towards the door and paused.

"Euphemia."

"Yes, Lelouch?"

"... We'll discuss this some other time."

"Yes, of course," she whispered. Lelouch closed his eyes as he exhaled. An all too familiar ache was growing in his head. Soon, a head-splitting migraine would set in if he didn't take his medicine. Quickly opening the door, he ignored Suzaku's greeting and strode towards the bathroom. His vision was already becoming blurry as he filled the glass with cold water and reached into his jacket for the small plastic case.

Taking out a single white pill with trembling fingers, he leaned against the sink as he tightly closed his eyes. The pain was unbearable... He had never had a headache on this scale before, and it was making him want to cut off his arm, just to divert the pain to somewhere else. Biting back a pained groan, he raised the glass to his lips before swallowing the pill.

The relief was almost instant, and he slid to the ground with a sigh as the tempest faded away. They had been getting worse lately, his headaches. Even with the pills, they came strong, and frequently. He knew ingesting too many tablets was detrimental, but ever since the car accident, he had suffered from the headaches, and the only solution for relief were the pills.

He would have to calm down. The doctor had told him that they would be more frequent if he became too excited or stressed. He had nearly lost his temper with Euphemia just then, something that had never happened before. It was probably Alexei, and the way he was so clearly taunting him with C.C. So that was what he meant by attacking him, did he?

Well then. If it was a game Alexei wanted to play, then he would gladly oblige. Picking himself up, he straightened clothes and collected himself.

Maybe he would have fun tonight, like Euphemia asked.

He wasn't sure. It solely depended on Alexei Aleksandrovich, and what tricks he had up his sleeve.