(EDIT: Some part of the bonus episode's last scene was missing. I fixed it now!)

Sorry for the terrible, terrible delay. I have been sitting on this chapter for what, ten months? *sigh* There were just too many things on my lap to work on this. I will continue, please be patient.

"Speech"

'Thought'

"Geass"

"Telecommunication"

- Writing –

Fearing another ambush from above, Tohdoh and the others were retreating under the shades of the thick forest. They tried desperately to contact the rest of JLF but to no avail. They proceeded further into the route, and they could finally learn the whereabouts of the others as they witnessed the signs of a battle. They realized that the earlier jamming was not for preventing them from calling reinforcement. It was for preventing them from aiding the others.

They separated their forces and abandoned their defensive positions, and let Britannians take full advantage out of it.

At the moment when they realized what had happened and tried to slow down, Lelouch's trap activated.

As Gefjun disturber disables machines within their range, JLF Knightmares were immediately thrown into confusion.

Before they could react, Sutherlands surrounded them from left to right with their weapons drawn. Tohdoh quickly ordered before it is too late.

"They are too many of them. Scatter around and escape! I will hold them off."

"But, sir!" Others tried to protest, but there was little time.

Seeing Tohdoh's Burai Kai drawing his sword, Jeremiah's Sutherland charged with his lance drawn. Other Sutherlands followed him with vigor.

Lelouch and his company had arrived at the command center. While Gino and Kallen both went to leave their own Knightmares to the maintenance, Lelouch entrusted Gawain to his co-pilot.

"C.C., try to avoid Gino if you can. I would rather avoid using Geass on the one who is so close to the Emperor."

She nodded back, then turned her head slightly to glimpse him, who was ready to open the hatch and get out. A vulgar thought occurred to her as she witnesses his features. It was difficult to turn her eyes away from him when he was working so hard. She always loved him, but there was something more on his charms when he was so focused on his work.

C.C. stood up and grabbed the platform. As Lelouch stopped to see what she was doing, she hauled herself up and kissed him. She couldn't help but smile inwardly when his purple eyes widened with surprise.

Briefly stunned, he said after his lips were free. "I can see now why you insisted two-seat cockpit."

"You know, Lelouch, since nobody can see us here…" C.C. leaned dangerously closer to him. A sly voice tickled his ear while her fingers brush against his arm.

"…We are still in the middle of the operation." He replied stoically, but not before pausing for a moment.

The witch made a wicked grin and leaned closer.

When Kallen left Guren and entered Lelouch's command chamber, there was no one but him busy relaying orders, as composed as ever. Looking at the map of the surrounding area, he frowned slightly at the news that several men still managed to escape.

"B-1. Maintain your position. P-2 and P-3, head to point 9 and cut off the remaining escape routes." Straightening his face, he commandeered the troops. While the majority of the JLF had been dealt with, a token force still managed to cut their way through. It was still a huge success in counting the results so far, but Lelouch didn't want to miss this opportunity. If he came here any time later, the outcome would have been not the ideal.

"It's good that I was able to resist that temptation." Lelouch murmured.

"What?" Kallen looked at him quizzically.

"Uh, did I say anything? Nevermind." He replied. It was not in their best interest to make Kallen jealous. Another distraction was the last thing they needed right now.

Fortunately, from the information he had gathered so far, Lelouch was able to specify the location where the runaways will head next.

The problem was, his men were stretched thin.

"Jeremiah is still needed in his position to handle Tohdoh, and the others are all occupied. That leaves…"

That left him Kewell. With a slight frown, Lelouch considered if he had any other option.

"I will go," Kallen suggested.

He raised his eyes from the screen to look at his knight. She continued. "Lancelot has been retrieved, and Suzaku is nowhere to be found yet. That leaves me free. And I know them more than anyone in here."

"Are you sure?" He asked with uncertainty in his voice.

"Don't worry, Lelouch. I can bring them in. Safely, this time. What happened to Suzaku was…well, an accident." She said confidently while hugging him briefly before depart. Lelouch had another concern in his mind of sending Kallen there, but he couldn't say 'no' to her smiling face looking at him adorably.

After she departed, he whispered, staring at the empty space Kallen used to stand.

"…I am not worried about them. I am worried about you."

Emotions. They really hampered him. His love toward Nunnally, his attachment toward Suzaku, his affection toward C.C. and Kallen, all made him inefficient.

But he supposed, at the same time, those emotions were what defines him to be himself.

He looked at the closed door with countless thoughts occupying his mind.

Lelouch's concern was not entirely unjustified.

"I will kill you! Britannian dogs!" A man shouted angrily as he was pressed hard against the wall and subdued.

As the last remaining resistance in the area was subdued, Britannians began to drag them away. The four holy swords were trying to retain their dignity, but they failed to resist themselves from throwing vicious glares of hatred to Lelouch's enforcer.

Kallen bore them.

After they were all carried away and she became alone, she let out a sigh.

Working as Lelouch's knight for a year, she was now quite used to be blamed and be hated by her kinsmen. She had already fought countless resistance groups under Lelouch's command. However, facing the hatred from people who she remembered so fondly was quite…different.

She thought receiving such hatred was no different than usual. She admitted; it was a lot more painful than she had anticipated. Despite working on the other side, she was still Japanese at heart.

A round of tear flowed down her cheek.

It was not because of her pain. She had already gone too far to turn back, not to mention she had zero intention to do so.

'So this is kind of hate Lelouch received.'

It was only a mere fraction of hate he had suffered, but it was enough for her to empathize with him. What made her sad was the hatred, the pain Lelouch had once felt, to be betrayed by his men, to be accused by his own sister, to be denied by Kallen herself, and to be hated by the world.

Wiping out her tear, she smiled.

This time, she will never let it happen.

Or if it were to happen, then she will be right there next to him.

The news of the four holy swords' capture was immediately transferred to Lelouch and C.C., who was on the verge of concluding their whole operation at Narita. Kallen personally reached them.

"Kallen, are you…alright?" He asked hesitantly.

"Of course I am alright." She replied with a smile from the other side of the screen.

However, that was not enough to convince him. Regrettably, he said with slight desperation. "I have become a bad influence on you."

"No, you haven't. I am fine, really. I will move to the next position and meet you there."

He stared at the black screen with a guiltiness as she turned off the transmission. After a moment of self-criticism, he marked next to each of the four holy sword's name in his organizational chart of JLF. C.C. peeked in. All officers were either captured or dead, except a handful of people, which included a man they all knew.

"It seems you haven't found Suzaku yet."

"There is still no trace of him. In this case, it is safe to assume that he decided to hide."

"Or, he could've died at the mountain."

"We didn't find his corpse either. He is too resilient to die like that, besides." Lelouch flatly dismissed C.C.'s assumption.

Of course, the entire operation was not over yet. Traps had been set for just an occasion like this, and all he can do at the moment was to wait. Still, he couldn't help but keep wander where Suzaku could be right now.

He had learned all the locations of JLF's hideouts around Narita Suzaku could physically reach the moment. Every site had been compromised. Even if Suzaku had managed to escape, he had nowhere else to go.

But then-

'Where is he?'

"Thank you for your aid, Inoue-san, Ohgi-san," Suzaku said while trying to lift his upper body as Ohgi's group came in. Inoue stopped him from getting up.

"You still need to rest, Suzaku-kun."

"I am recovered. See?" Suzaku said while getting out of the bed. Inoue's eyes became wide, witnessing Suzaku's quick recovery as he swung his arms and do some basic exercises. Too bad there was not enough room to perform his signature spin-kick.

"What's with the cat?" Tamaki asked, looking at the cat burying his head in the bowl near the bedpost.

"He saved me. I owe him my life." Suzaku smiled and tried to stroke the cat. As the feline bite his finger, he gave up with a slight grimace and sat on the bed.

While some of the resistance made a puzzled expression at Suzaku's words, Ohgi sat down next to him and questioned, "Is it true that what happened to JLF?"

Suzaku confirmed it grimly. "Yes, we were ambushed by Britannian forces. During the fighting, I was separated from the rest of the group. When I tried to regroup, I saw the other members are being hunted down and carried away."

And the rest was obvious. He sought shelter other than JLF's and came here.

Everyone in the room fell silent after hearing the decimal news. Japan Liberation Front, the largest resistance group in all of Japan, had fallen.

"I am sorry for your loss. If you need a place to stay, you can stay with us."

"Thank you for your offer, but I would rather head out and look for survivors while there is still a chance, Not all could have lost. If any of the high commands survived, I should answer to them. There is a secret hideout prepared for a case like this. I will go and check the place out." Suzaku said, determined.

"You alone? We can't let you go alone there. Right, guys?" Everyone nodded in agreement with Tamaki's words.

"I…" Suzaku didn't know what to say. After a moment, he managed to muster a smile. "Thank you."

Ohgi took a look around at the room. They didn't need to summon all of their group. Members gathered here should suffice. With a nod, they departed.

As everyone headed out, the cat licking bowl meowed and followed, but the door shut with a heavy thud right in front of him.

The feline pushed the door a couple of times, but it didn't budge. He screeched and looked above. A draught of fresh air blew in from the window left open.

Suzaku and the company followed what lead they had and arrived at the place.

"I think it is safe, but-" He looked around as if something was hiding in there. He shook his head. He had no choice but to proceed.

As they enter the building, however, they were dazzled as lights were turned on, hampering their vision momentarily. When they realized what had happened, soldiers were already aiming their weapons from above.

They looked back, but it was too late. The way they came in was already blocked. They were surrounded, outnumbered, and ill-positioned.

"Just as his highness predicted." One of Lelouch's royal guard turned to their leader. "Your orders, captain?"

Kallen bit her lips.

The members of the resistance stood back to back, forming a circle.

Kallen took a step forward, somewhat involuntarily, but making sure her advance noticed.

"Kallen?!" Resistances shouted in surprise.

"Yes, it's me." Looking down at them, she replied wearily. "Didn't know you are working with JLF."

After that, Kallen needed no more words to understand them.

Kallen knew who they are, why they were here, and what they want.

Because, after all, she wanted the same thing with them too.

However, hadn't she already faced the same dilemma before? Choosing between Japan and Lelouch? At Ikaruga?

A sudden flashback made her briefly falling into the reminiscence. She finally opened her mouth.

"There is a chance to make up for past mistakes, isn't it? It is never too late to set things right."

"Yes, Kallen. Yes!" She heard all too familiar voices cried with joy and hope.

She lowered her head and stayed like that for a second. Ohgi, probably the person who knows Kallen the most among the people gathered around here, was the only one who felt something was odd. He looked at her and saw her making a faint, sad smile toward him.

"Thanks, then I will do what I should have done." She said after a moment of silence.

As the bizarre feeling reached its peak, he finally grasped what she meant. However, he couldn't do anything but to watch.

As Kallen signaled the guards, and they readied their weapons. Her cold and intransigent voice spread around the place.

"In the name of his highness, Lelouch vi Britannia, JLF and their allies must be neutralized." She stared down her friends expressionlessly. "Surrender, or else."

The resistance members fell into silent despair, not because they were facing unbeatable odds, but because they realized that they lost one of their friends.

"I am really sorry for dragging you all into this. What they want is me, so if-" Suzaku said, determined.

"You don't need to. This is our fight as much as it is yours." Trying to hold himself from trembling with nervousness and fear, Ohgi replied.

Witnessing their stand, Kallen's eyes shook as they decide to throw their lives away. But she couldn't blame them for being foolish because she knew she would do exactly the same thing if she were in their place.

Right at the moment, when everyone was walking on the thin line-

"Stop."

- a calm voice echoed through the place. Despite there was a certain authoritative and commanding aura in his voice, it was not loud. It might've been buried beneath all the squabbles and commotions. However, everyone stopped as the voice demanded, either because of recognizing the speaker or be carried along by the atmosphere.

Lelouch vi Britannia walked into the light. He looked over to everyone. He looked at the resistance group he had once led, then up to his girlfriend who was looking at him half-worry and half-hope, and lastly, his eyes stopped at his old friend who was glaring at him.

"Suzaku Kururugi, we need to talk."

Under the illumination, two men stood face to face.

Lelouch signaled his guard to hold down their weapons and allowed the rest of the resistance to step back while he and Suzaku talk.

As Suzaku continues to glare at him, Lelouch casually initiated the conversation. "In spite of our changed circumstances, I would still like to discuss your surrender all the same."

"And my answer remains the same." Suzaku almost bit his tongue while saying the words. "No matter the condition, I will never stop fighting you. While people live under the rules that you made and enforced."

"Even though your fight leads to nowhere while I can make their lives better?"

"Can you go over the Emperor's words? Can you go over your nation's very foundation and ideal? Your actions or intentions mean nothing. I prefer the logic of systems to individualistic emotions. People may come and go, but the system always remains. While there are still good people left in Britannia, your nation systematically oppresses people."

Lelouch managed to restrain his face from showing any resentment and astonishment. He wanted to hear something like that from his rigid friend all along, but not at this exact moment. He opened his mouth to reply.

"What if I am willing to risk it and attempt to change the rules?"

"I would be a fool to believe that. If you can give us rights, that means you can also easily take it away from us."

"I see. I can respect that. That's why…" Lelouch looked away for a moment as if his eyes could cause any harm to the man in front of him. "…I will not force you to do something against your own free will."

Suzaku's glare intensified with his anger. "Against my own free will?! Do you think any of the Japanese have any say on the matter under your rule?"

"You can blame me as much as you want, but that won't change anything. Besides," Lelouch took a half step back and spread his arms wide to let the sight of his soldiers be shown to his adversary. The guards might have withdrawn their weapons for now, but they were still ready to strike if necessary. It was certain that Suzaku and the others had no chance to make this out alive if Lelouch decided to take them away. "Despite all of my advantages, I am willing to talk with you. Doesn't that mean something?"

"You are wasting your time here. Nothing will change my mind."

"Actually, about that," Lelouch put his hand in his inner pocket. Suzaku immediately went into alert, expecting a pistol, but what came out from the pocket was an envelope, which Lelouch handed over to him.

Throwing a curious glance toward Lelouch, Suzaku opened the envelope. After a moment of recognition of its content, his face grimaced with grim fury.

"In exchange for your surrender, I am willing to let these officers go."

As Suzaku's grip over the envelope became stronger and stronger, photos of the captured officers including his superiors crumpled in his hands. "Why should I trust you?" Suzaku asked. It was easy to tell that he was trying to restrain his anger as much as he could.

"Can I take that as a 'yes', that you will surrender to me if I can guarantee their freedom?" Lelouch asked back indifferently.

Lelouch's voice was stoic, but Suzaku felt like it was pushing him down to the cliff. He didn't trust a man in front of him a bit, but Lelouch's question did ring a bell. Those men were far more important individuals than Suzaku. Wouldn't it be much better if they were free instead of him?

Considering he was surrounded by hostile soldiers, if he refuses, it was certain that he will be forced to face the same or worse fate anyway.

Mustering all of his willpower, Suzaku finally managed to open his mouth.

"No." He replied bluntly.

Lelouch's expression didn't change but only gazed Suzaku deeper.

Fighting his desire to give in, Suzaku continued, "…No." He said again, firmer than before, trying to give himself an assurance. "I won't compromise. You can take my life, but you will not-" Suzaku breathed heavily. He couldn't finish his sentence, but Lelouch could expect what his friend wanted to say.

"Is that so…" After a while, the sub-viceroy finally replied, not with exasperation but with resignation, contrary to what Suzaku had expected.

Lelouch stared Suzaku for a long time. He and his friend, together, they will be unstoppable. However, it seemed such a conception would not be possible for the time being. Simple coerce and blackmail can only work so well. Though, despite his hope, he half-expected the outcome something like this. The boy whose life had filled with self-hatred was now filled his life with hatred toward the world instead. Perhaps he had done no good to his friend by altering the past.

"Then you leave me no choice," Lelouch spoke, his voice cold as ever. "I hereby sentence you and the rest of the JLF into an exile. You and your pathetic rebels are all expelled."

Suzaku was dumbfounded for several seconds. "What?" Was this some kind of sick joke? Why would the prince of Britannia ever let- "What kind of trick is it?"

"Trick? You are saying like I am suffering a loss here. However, it is actually I who gained a lot more than you. You ensured my sister's safety back at the lake, and her life is worth more than your entire rebels combined."

Suzaku scowled at Lelouch's unfair statement. What a typical Britannian way of valuing life's worth.

Lelouch continued. "You think your rebels are something of note, but you are nothing more than a simple nuisance. Your existence is of little consequence to me." He was indeed, an outstanding actor and a liar.

"I think I made myself clear that I will not accept your terms under any situation," Suzaku replied angrily.

"Really?" Lelouch asked back sarcastically, looking him with mocking eyes. "Well, if it's execution you want, I can indulge you," Reading his friend's expressions, Lelouch continued. "Then again, Euphie will be sad if I kill you. Very well, since you continuously doubt my good faith, I will satisfy you by keeping up with your expectations. I will take one of you as a captive. How about…"

Suzaku grimaced. He screwed up again, didn't he? Will Lelouch force him to submit? Wasn't that what his enemy wanted?

"This one." While Suzaku was agonizing, Lelouch bent down and picked up his prisoner.

"What?" Suzaku said unbelievably, looking at the feline, which was wriggling in Lelouch's arms. How did the cat end up here? Did it follow them all the way? And most importantly, why would Lelouch ever take-

The imperial prince turned his back against the confused rebel.

"The rest will be delivered to Yokohama docks tomorrow noon. Do not expect the same kind of courtesy when we meet again. Now, get out of my sight and my Area."

Leaving his puzzled friend behind, he stepped into the darkness.

"What about the other terrorists, your highness? They are not JLF." One of the guards asked.

"Such trifle meager is below my concern. Ignore them." Sub-viceroy ordered.

Kallen exchanged the last parting glances with some of her former friends as they depart. She dismissed the guards and calmly walked down the stairs to see Lelouch.

He was gently stroking the cat's fur. As the sound of Kallen's footsteps stopped in front of him, he raised his head. It was difficult to read her expression.

"This will clearly bite you back in the future, you know." Crossing her arms, she said. "If you hadn't been on the line of fire, I would have shot him down to incapacitate him. He might have taken advantage of your presence."

"He wouldn't do that." He tried to defend his friend, but she took none.

"Really? You do remember that he took you as a hostage in Shikine island when we cornered him and offered him a parley, right? Then Britannians bombed the whole place to kill you both."

Kallen looked at him dourly. Lelouch slightly lowered his eyes to avoid eye contact with her.

"You always go easy on him, Lelouch. Always. Other than the whole fiasco at Shikine island, there were Orange incident, the breakout at General Tohdoh's execution… Do I have to go on for more examples? Moreover, letting him go is one thing, but setting the captured ones free? That was a clear mistake."

Lelouch could do nothing but offer her an apologetic silence while she was criticizing him. He could easily understand her grief toward his decision to let Suzaku go since she was the one who had done the most of the fieldwork. And, well, he knew Suzaku would eventually come back, not in friendly terms.

However, Kallen went silent after that. As she did not scold him any further and just standing there in front of him, he feared that she might be really mad at him. When he finally raised his eyes to see her face, however, he found her smiling.

"But…. I guess that is the Lelouch I love. Brilliant but awfully clumsy at a human relationship, cold but deeply cares about people he loves."

'Wait. Did she just say I am clumsy at relationship?'

As he frowns, she couldn't help but giggle. Looking at her lovely boyfriend, she continued with a smile full of charms.

"Well, at least there is one thing we managed to gain from this event." Kallen took the cat out from Lelouch's arms. She raised the feline up to see its face. "Isn't that right, Arthur?"

Author's Note: Sir Arthur the gallant saves the resistance by sacrificing himself. How noble he is! *sniff*

…

Okay, just, hold on! Please lay down those rotten eggs and tomatoes in your hands!

I told you it might be disappointing and underwhelming… and actually, I am with Kallen on this one. Lelouch shouldn't have let Suzaku go.

But I guess what I think Lelouch should do and what I think Lelouch would do are two different things.

How many times did we think something like this while watching the show?

'Lelouch, this is a perfect chance to remove Suzaku from the picture! Finish him! Kill him! …... No! Why? Oh, why? Oh, why? Why did you let him live…..again!' *Sigh*

Well, none of you might, but at least I did.

It's what C.C. called Lelouch's 'Suzaku Kururugi Syndrome'.

I know, it's me putting the blame on Lelouch for my poor railroading storyline, but please bear with me. Suzaku won't be a problem for a while, at least.

So, no pillory for me, right?

…Right?

Umm, okay, how about, how about a slice of life comedic nonsense episode and let's call this even?

...Please?

"I need your input," Lelouch asked C.C. and Kallen when they entered his office.

"Nunnally said her friend has a crush but needs some advice in winning his heart. She asked for my advice. I dodged her question for now, but I will have to give her an answer eventually."

The two girls exchanged glances. C.C. eyed Kallen, and the redhead gave the nod.

"Lelouch, are you sure she meant her friend? In a case like this, I think there is a distinct possibility that her friend is actually herself."

"Hmm, I never thought of it that wa-it, WHAT?" Lelouch froze. Numerous emotions passed through his once confident and composed face. He turned to C.C., who was about to lie down lazily on a couch. "C.C., I need you to find out who is her interest."

She was about to squash down the big, yellow plushie with her body. Didn't want to miss the opportunity of enjoying her vice, she protested. "Why do I have to do it? Why you or Kallen can't do it?" She gave up on asking for a reason why he would ever want to do it in the first place. Or rationalize about 'Nunnally's friend' might not be Nunnally at all, literally.

"You are the idlest person among us three. And if you don't, I will put viceroyalty's resources to look into the matter instead, and that means there will be a budget cut in the next quarter's pizza spending to compensate the losses."

"There is a budget for her pizza? It's unbelievable." Kallen sighed in desperation.

"C.C. allocated it without my consent when she was head secretary, and now she threatens me that she will not retrieve Suzaku's memory if I ever remove the budget."

"That threat still stands, you know," C.C. said.

"I will risk Suzaku over Nunnally." He replied very seriously.

Checkmated, she left to find the siscon's younger sister.

"I am really sorry again. How could I ever have forgotten you?" When C.C. encountered Nunnally, Lelouch's sister was sincerely apologetic.

"You don't need to apologize, Nunnally. Memories are often misleading." The code bearer was fully aware it was Lelouch's Geass that forced the memory loss.

"You are always so kind and considerate," Nunnally said earnestly with a smile with gratitude.

"You should tell that to Lelouch." With a grin, C.C. replied. "I can use some appreciation from him."

"I will." Nunnally giggled, then she tentatively asked, "Actually, I was looking for you. If you don't mind my asking, my friend has a first secret crush and needs help, but I am not an expert on the matter either. So I was hoping if you could give us any advice."

"I don't mind at all," C.C. replied confidently. She had been living for hundreds of years, who else was better suited to lecture about love? Also, after helping Nunnally, it will be a piece of cake to coax her to spill the details of her love with simple reciprocity. Brimming with self-assurance, C.C. opened her mouth to share her wisdom from her own experiences.

"For starters-"

'Use the power of Geass to be loved.'

She closed her mouth.

She should pass that part.

'Okay. There must be some other ways. Let's see. After I got the code, there was…'

She opened her mouth again. Nunnally looked at her eagerly with expectation.

'There was…'

There was no love, but trickeries, betrayals, and obsessions. There was, in fact, Dash, but it was more like a one-way relationship, and it ended in tragedy.

She closed her mouth again.

"Miss C.C.?"

"Hold on." She raised her hand to buy some time and collect her thoughts. While Nunnally was now worriedly looking at her, C.C. desperately tried to think of some love in her life for minutes.

Going over her memories in chronological order, she found none until she reaches the very end. Of course! There was Lelouch!

'But telling his sister while referencing his case is a little bit awkward, so I was putting that aside. It's not like I was looking for other examples to prove that I am capable of romance.'

Well, self-justifications aside, at least there was a case, at last.

Brightened up, she opened her mouth again.

"I-"

'Tricked him to accept a contract to pass down a curse eventually, then accidentally got close to him while mingle in his life to keep on eye on him.'

Glitter in her eyes disappeared.

Was she…incapable of loving? Was she even worthy?

'Perhaps that's why my Geass worked…that way.'

C.C.'s once-confident face went pale, drained out of her self-esteem.

"I, I should go."

She slowly walked away.

C.C. stoically staggered into the room. She walked like a marionette until she reached the nearest chair and slumped onto it.

"C.C.?" Lelouch asked curiously. "What happened with Nunnally?"

"I need consolation." Ignoring his question, she whimpered while hugging her knees tight.

While wandering what led her to such a state, he approached the depressed immortal while asking Kallen this time to visit Nunnally.

"Don't worry, Lelouch. You can count on me!" Kallen replied confidently.

"Did my brother send you?" Nunnally asked when Kallen came to see her. Kallen after C.C., it was enough to raise her suspicion.

"Uhh…Yes?" The redheaded knight made an awkward smile.

"How thoughtful of him." However, it seemed Nunnally interpreted Lelouch's action as his way of helping her, answering her previous request. "You are here because he told you about my friend's problem, right?"

"Yes, that is exactly why I am here." Kallen nodded eagerly.

"I am really sorry to bother you for this, but…" Nunnally asked for the same request she had asked to Lelouch and C.C.

Kallen blinked. Was she suited for giving such advice? Although she did end up falling in love, love came to her quite unexpectedly.

Because of all the resistance work and fighting, romance hadn't been in her list of priorities, even after she met Lelouch and Zero.

Then, she had a chance to know the real him.

However, when she had faced the truth, she…she had run away, confused by all the revelation.

Then there was this bunny girl undercover she wasn't particularly fond of remembering, the capture, the betrayal, Zero Requiem, the time travel and then-

Kallen snapped out at the last moment.

"Where was I?" She hoped she had not spilled any important, shocking secrets that Nunnally may not handle.

"You didn't say anything yet," Nunnally replied innocently.

Letting out a sigh of relief inwardly, Kallen began to say, "I suppose spending enough time together works. It worked for me, at least. There is a point when one misses the partner's presence and begins to treasure their company." Actually, there was a lot more than that. However, she had to admit; the development of the relationship between her and Lelouch might not be the best example, as long as the participants' physical and mental well-beings were concerned. "Maybe if I know more about this man of yours, I will be able to tell more."

"Man of a friend of mine." Nunnally corrected her.

"Right…"

"Older than me. Old-fashioned and traditional. Oh, and a military officer. From the sound of her tone, I suspect it's someone I already know, perhaps even familiar with." Kallen relayed the information she learned.

"I see." The list and necessary information of all officers working in the military in the Area was in Lelouch's head already. He began deducing possible candidates.

"Lelouch, what are you going to do after you find out who he is?"

He didn't reply, but inferring from his expression, what he had on his mind must not be something pleasant.

"You should respect Nunnally's decision. It's wrong to interfere-"

That moment was when Jeremiah requested an audience.

"I have summoned him earlier for reorganizing military. Let him in." Lelouch said.

The Margrave came in and kneeled, presenting himself with his usual overly excessive etiquette. "Lord Jeremiah Gottwald presents himself before His Imperial Highness and awaits his orders."

Of all people who serve Lelouch either directly or indirectly, Jeremiah was the only one who goes through all these unnecessary, old-fashioned formalities. That was quite an overkill, even for a military man like Jeremiah. Lelouch appreciated Jeremiah's long and dedicated service to him and his sister, but-

The blood drained from Lelouch's face as he realized who Nunnally meant.

"…Your Highness?" Jeremiah said as he saw the three people staring him with varieties of emotions on their faces without a word.

Lelouch jumped off from his seat. "Orange! How could you!" He shouted, enraged by his most loyal subordinate's 'betrayal'.

While Jeremiah was confused, Lelouch's eyes glowed in crimson.

"Lelouch vi Britannia orders you to-"

C.C. quickly ran to him and covered his mouth. Kallen hurriedly led the Margrave out of the room while C.C. was holding angry Lelouch tight.

"What have I done to displease his highness?" When they were out, Jeremiah, clearly haunted by guilt, asked Kallen. It never occurred to him that Lelouch will be mad at him without a good reason. Well, even if there were no reason, Jeremiah would still blame himself for not acting accordingly to the prince's expectations. He must have failed his liege and caused the wrath.

"Actually, it's not your fault," Kallen said in slight desperation. After a brief hesitation, she asked, "But just to be sure, did you find Princess Nunnally act strangely around you lately?"

"Now that you mention it, yes, she did observe me strangely a past couple of days."

While Kallen was briefly perplexed by the answer, another voice chimed in.

"Hello, I think I just heard my name mentioned."

Two knights turned around in surprise and found Nunnally and Anya looking at them.

"Your Highness!"

"I was looking for you, my lord." After drawing their attention, Nunnally continued. "Anya needs to go shopping-" She turned her head and met eyes with Anya. "-to buy something for her and me. Normally I would go along with her, but-" She paused for a moment and turned her head back to see Jeremiah. "But I have other matters to attend. So I was hoping that you could accompany her in my stead."

"I am not sure I am the right person for the task. Perhaps Dame Kallen here, or Villetta, is more suitable than me?"

"I have absolute confidence in your ability, my lord. No one but you can do this."

"As you command, your highness," Jeremiah hesitantly replied, still not grasping the whole situation. "But first, I have to ask forgiveness to his highness-"

After catching a glimpse of Anya's eyes, Kallen quickly assured him. "I told you it's not your fault. I will talk with him."

As all the others encourage him, he had no other option but to relent. As the two depart, Kallen stared at the back of the leaving man and girl. She noticed Nunnally was making a warm smile while looking at them.

"So, the friend you mentioned was…?"

"Yes." Nunnally nodded with a warm smile.

"That answers so many questions…" 'And raise many more.'

Finally realized C.C. and Kallen's intentions, Nunnally said, "Oh, you thought it was me?" She giggled. "I am not interested in anyone yet. I have never met anyone who is my type."

It was no use anymore, but Lelouch will certainly appreciate learning about it. Kallen asked, perhaps slightly more eagerly than she had intended. "May I ask who is your type, then?"

"He has to be kind, caring, and handsome like my brother at least. Oh, and as smart as him. And as tall as him, too." Blushing slightly, Lelouch's sister replied.

'What do I do with these two…' Kallen worried whether Nunnally can ever find anyone like that at all. Lelouch will have nothing to worry about for the time being.

"Is brother in his office? I should thank him for all his troubles."

"Umm, he is occupied right now."

"Oh, I suppose he is busy as usual. But at least I know you are helping him. Please look after my brother." Nunnally made a genuine smile.

"Don't worry, Nunnally. You can count on me." Feeling déjà vu, Kallen replied.

After Nunnally was gone, Kallen looked around left and right to make sure no one was around.

She quickly opened the door.

"-I WILL RIP HIM INTO-"

She slipped in and quickly closed the door.

Kallen shared the whole story in the office room now in shambles.

"Anya? Jeremiah? Who could have imagined?" Lelouch remarked in mild astonishment.

"Actually, after you died, she decided to live with him."

"Huh, the world never ceases to amuse me. But I knew I had nothing to worry about. Jeremiah's loyalty is incorrigible. I never doubted him in the first place." He said proudly with a confidence in his voice.

Kallen put a hand on her hips and raised her eyebrows. C.C. crossed her arms and sneered at him icily.

They both shook their heads in unison.