A/N: Special thanks to Freudentraene for reviewing Chapter 3. I can't wait to unveil Lelouch's reasonings too. But we'll get there. ;)

As always a huge THANK YOU to you for reading, reviewing, putting this on your list of favorites, and placing this story on alert.

Questions? Feel free to ask. I answer as long as it won't spoil the plot. Criticize me constructively too. I need it. :)

Chapter 4: The Emperor's Verdict

CC stood before a mirror gilded in yellow gold and dotted with tiny opals at odd intervals. She smiled as she ran a hand down her flowing gown.

It was a blend between bone white and light Spring green. A milky white sash covered her waist, dotted with emerald rhinestones and edged with shimmering gold trim. The dress sported long sleeves that clung to the shape of her slender arms. Translucent in appearance and unbelievably smooth to the touch, it was like a second skin. The neckline wasn't high, but it wasn't too low either. It showed off her jutting collarbones and the tight fit around the chest accentuated her…assets — so to say. Her matching shoes were the color of live coral. Earrings and necklaces would complete the look, but for some reason, her sponsor didn't grant that luxury.

Scrutinizing herself in the mirror, CC daintily touched her free-flowing hair. They didn't pin it up or did it elaborately for the sake of today's occasion like ladies of the court would usually look. They did curl it though, so it cascaded more gracefully down her shoulders.

But now that she was dressed and fully prepared, CC had no idea what to do.

She need not wonder for very long, however. And she turned around slightly when the rustling skirts from the doorway drew her attention. It was to see Sayoko, one of the ladies-in-waiting, enter behind her.

CC had met Sayoko in her short stay at Aries Villa. The maid was designated to her during that day of preening and polishing. She hadn't complained then, and when Sayoko became part of the entourage that brought her back to the palace and into her official room within its walls.

"It's such a pity that you are who you are." The soft-spoken maid commented — not unkindly. "I honestly won't be surprised if you managed to ensnare some noble into marrying you. Perhaps even His Highness, Prince Schneizel, himself." Sayoko gave her a smile as she righted and adjusted the slight train of CC's long gown before kneeling down to brush the assassin's coral shoes.

CC quite liked Sayoko's attitude and her approach. Though the woman often kept to herself and was mostly quiet, CC could easily discern the cheerful spirit that hid beneath her usual professionalism. She honestly wanted to ask the maid what prompted a woman like her to serve the Emperor, but even CC knew how inappropriate it was to pry when she only knew the other woman for a day.

And people like her demanded a sort of respect that they didn't need to ask for; despite their jobs and station in life.

But still…

"Well, it seems rumors about that from the other ladies in the court have already begun." CC commented offhandedly, getting lost in a memory projected in her mind's eye.

The moment she had arrived in the palace this morning, she had already caught wind of a couple of girls giggling and gossiping about Prince Schneizel's newest conquest. (Although, to be fair, CC really didn't think Schneizel was the type to look for women to woo). And rumors being rumors, they spread like they always did. CC could have cared less.

Sayoko straightened up, smiled at CC as she admired her reflection in the mirror again, and gave a light bow. "You are ready to face his Imperial Majesty, my lady."

It was easy to pretend that dressing up this lavishly was for a different purpose other than facing the tyrannical ruler of Britannia. But a world of pretend couldn't stand against the face of reality.

And the cruel truth set in… That today was the day she would be meeting her opponents in the Emperor's competition. Today was the day to stand before the Emperor and sign four years of her life away in servitude when she won.

As if the forces of the universe had heard her thoughts loud and clear, there were three consecutive raps at the door, and both the maid and the lady within turned to see a slightly familiar blonde young man appear at the doorway.

The regal air he carried was palpable. It demanded respect and obedience, and from the corner of her eye, CC saw the maid execute another respectful bow towards the slightly familiar character. CC could recall seeing him briefly at Aries Villa the other day, and in previous undercover missions to spy on nobility in the years before. But at the moment, she couldn't place a name to his face; and though she knew she should have cared, she really didn't.

Her passivity knew no bounds…

"Helena Orynth. Our presence is required at the Emperor's audience chamber immediately. I, Third Knight Gino Weinberg, have been sent to escort you."

And there went the stupid alias Schneizel had forced on her yesterday when he had paid her a brief visit at the Villa to orient her. She wasn't to use her real name or her initials, she was told. A fake persona and a fake name had to be made for the sake of protecting the Crown's pride and to have a significant advantage over the others.

CC had retaliated then and made her thoughts clear on that subject. She thought it was idiotic, to say the least. But the Prince wasn't having any of it. If she still wished to compete, she had to follow his instructions — however frequent or sparing they may be. So despite her not having any sliver of affection for a name like Helena Orynth, she was forced to keep it.

CC bit the inside of her cheek for a moment. Was it a good idea to keep her reputation and her identity a secret? What would the rest of the competition even think of her when she was dressed like this? In lavish gowns and luxurious finery. It was almost ridiculous.

Perhaps a tunic and a pair of silk pants would have been better…

But there was no time to protest or change her mind about the lavish gown because the designated Knight of the Round had marched through the door, approached her, and nigh impatiently offered the crook of his elbow towards her.

"We must hurry, Helena, or hell shall pay." Gino remarked quite enthusiastically as he literally bounded and dragged her out the door. It was a gesture unbecoming of a high-ranked Knight of the Round.

CC only vaguely heard Sayoko's protests about her tripping on her dress or ruining her hair, but the maid's voice was quickly drowned by the blood rushing in her ears. Gino half-dragged half-walked her down the hallway that would take them to the palace. Every once in a while, they would pass by other staff scurrying about or Imperial guards on patrol.

The Witch flashed them her most charming smile, pearly teeth on show, no matter how excitable her current companion was (if he could even be called that). That smile morphed into her familiar mischievous grin when some of the guards gave her almost discreet approving looks.

A pathetic attempt at ogling, she'd say. Even Sir Weinberg's glancing eyes didn't escape her keen notice. Her hold on his arm turned into him with his fingers wrapped around her forearm.

"You know he's not going anywhere." CC huffed, trying to match Gino's long strides. It was his boots versus her heeled shoes. And the latter wasn't helping her at all.

"His Imperial Majesty doesn't deserve a wait. We need to hurry. Tardiness is not an option."

He sounded as in love with the Emperor as all his other fellow subjects were…

"Although, I thought you'd wear something less…" Gino slowed down enough to assess her while walking. "—showy to see the Emperor."

CC vaguely wondered how many people knew of her true identity. Did every Knight of the Round know? Or was the information privy only to Schneizel and the Captain of the Guard? It was impossible to say that a lot of people did. Even Sayoko only assumed she was a girl with a criminal case.

The assassin bit her tongue to keep the nasty comments from spilling out of her mouth. Normally, she wouldn't be so reserved, but the magnitude of the situation just hit her. It really did take a moment to sink in. But she was actually on her way to face the man behind the oppression gripping his entire Empire. It had been easy to laugh and joke about him when she was brought before the Prince to be questioned, but now that she was actually about to face him, CC felt like vomiting.

Gino had been rambling about something or other as they neared the audience chamber. She didn't care to listen to him. And she didn't give a rat's ass if he knew that she wasn't paying attention.

The set of grand double doors carved from oak wood loomed in the distance, like the mouth of a cavernous cave — imposing, and (okay, she would admit it) intimidating. The assassin could already feel her right temple throbbing as the headache began to set in.

She stopped fast walking when the knight did. But she was so nerve-wracked for reasons she couldn't comprehend that she was half-startled when this blonde knight with his sparkling blue eyes laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. His touch was so light, she could barely feel the pressure alight on her half-bare shoulder.

"You're pale." Gino studied her ashen face for a bit.

CC didn't have it in her to snap at him for invading her personal space like this. She just breathed. In and out. In and out. She suddenly hated this gown (doesn't matter how lavish and luxurious it is). She hated this competition. She hated the Emperor. She hated this place.

"Helena." At least the wretched nickname had some use. It called her attention when she was mentally wandering. She blinked and Gino's handsome face came back into clear focus again. His expression was friendly, kind — she dare say. "Whoever Emperor Charles zi Britannia is, remember that he's just a man. But a man who you should treat with the respect his rank demands."

Gino resumed walking again, and she followed. But his pace was slower this time — calmer. "This is just the start of the official competition. It's just a meeting; one that will remind you and the other Candidates of why you're here, what you're going to do, and what you stand to gain." The knight smiled at her. "You're not on trial, okay? There's no throwing you into the execution ring."

She was barely calming down from the distress, but she wasn't comfortable enough around him to dignify his placid words with a response. The person she needed and wanted in situations like this wasn't here. This Knight had no business telling her comforting words when he didn't even know her, nor her true name.

And yet, no matter how much she wished that her Warlock could be here, walking alongside her (the both of them teaming up to smoke this entire farce), she couldn't imagine a fate much worse for him to bear. The poor boy was already in so much hot water with Arobynn after this Summer's fiasco. CC couldn't imagine luring Lelouch into something like this. He hated the Empire with all of his being. Making him do this would open up a different avenue of torture. It would be less painful, but it was going to be torture nonetheless.

Breathing in and out steadily now, CC idly wondered where Lelouch was at the moment and what he would be doing. The Guild obviously heard news about her capture. And standard Assassin Brotherhood protocol calls for the captured assassin to be silenced (killed) before they could reveal information that would endanger the faction. CC knew she was a valued possession to Arobynn, but would her Master choose her, or the Guild? If the man chose the latter, CC knew Lelouch wouldn't allow the inevitable verdict to pass. It was just the kind of thing the arrogant boy would do.

Because they were friends… Because she grew up and trained alongside him… Because he was everything she never got to have.

It was effective. The thought made her smile…

"When you enter," Gino began, his back straight and his eyes focused on the set of double doors looming closer, "—stop where I stop. Bow — low. And when you raise your head to face him, keep it high and stand straight. Don't look the Emperor in the eyes. That would be insolence. If His Majesty asks you a question, address him with proper honorifics. And do not, under any circumstances, talk back. Understood?"

CC caught his glance and shrugged nonchalantly. "I wasn't planning on jeopardizing my chances."

That would just be suicide…

Gino nodded slowly, satisfied with her answer. "They warned me about your mouth." He gave her a lopsided grin. "I'm glad I'm not at the receiving end of it."

The gleam in her bullion eyes was absolutely dastardly. "Yet." She corrected, lifting a slender finger.

He didn't have time to retort though as the four guards standing sentry to the entrance of the audience chamber saluted the Knight and the gigantic doors swung inwards, revealing an equally large — and mostly empty — room occupied with six other people and six other handlers. She couldn't make out their faces in the distance, but she could recognize the members of the Emperor's Small Council that were present. Schneizel was among their ranks, his face set in a solemn mask.

CC took note of the floors next. White marble, its grayish veins visible in the light of the sun shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows. There were chandeliers and torches everywhere, providing ample amount of illumination.

As Gino stopped in the open space before the red and gold throne, CC noticed that most of the Rounds weren't present like they should be. There were a few of them, to be sure. There was Gino. Bismarck Waldstein was at his designated place as a Council member. A dark-skinned female Knight of the Round stood guard at one end of the dais. And the other brown-haired Knight stood on the left, face as impassive as hers.

She actually recognized him…

Not a Britannian, by any means. But he was one who rose the ranks because he gave up his allegiance to his homeland and served his conqueror far too well. But she never noted him for his loyalty rubbish. She had her eye on him because of his rumored prowess in battle.

You didn't exactly earn the nickname of The White Reaper by failing on your sorry ass… No… CC knew he was good, and she was hoping to cross blades with Suzaku Kururugi at some point during 'training.'

CC pulled her gaze forward, all too aware of so many eyes upon her. She dropped into a low bow — as planned, the skirt and train of her gown whispering across the shimmering marble floor. Gino's hand on her back signaled her to rise.

The Knight then proceeded to lead her from the center of the room, where they took up spot beside the rest of the Candidates… where she recognized him.

The rest of the chamber seemed to pause as her own mind went into overdrive. Her body, moving on autopilot, followed Gino's careful guidance. But her attention was elsewhere. It didn't wander outside of the room by any chance.

No, it just zeroed in on one candidate.

No one else. Just him… Him, with his locks of straight raven hair. Him, with his wiry lean build and familiar stance. Him, and his piercing violet eyes she knew all too well… The lower half of his face was concealed with a mask, but there was no way he could hide his identity from someone who had been with him since childhood.

At the very pit of her stomach, she could feel the previous fuzzy feelings she harbored for thoughts of him sizzle away. The acid that was fury bubbled up sharply and suddenly. After all that she—

WHAT THE HELL WAS HE DOING HERE?!

vVvVv

To Lelouch, it seemed like forever before the no-good Emperor finally spoke, but when he did, boy was he relieved for the distraction it provided.

"Now that you have all finally arrived, perhaps it's time we begin."

Lelouch had heard that booming voice — countless of times before. In slightly vague memories flitting to the surface of his consciousness, the Warlock of Britannia shoved them down. Deep down into the recesses of his soul where they were locked away with more than just bolt and key. In the process of doing so, the young man chewed on the inside of his cheek discreetly. He was trying to ignore two things.

One, the nondescript and curious glances he was getting from the rest of the competitors. And two, CC's intensifying glare, burning into the side of his head like a brand…

She had far been too preoccupied with entering the room and appearing decent before the Britannian ruler to notice him. Had she been more alert and aware of her surroundings, she would have seen him immediately. But nevertheless, Lelouch was slightly grateful for the distraction the cavernous chamber and its occupants offered. It granted him enough time to get over his surprise, and school his expression into a more neutral one when the woman sauntered into the room in shimmering finery.

Well, she chose an interesting gown…

He had suspected as much about CC's involvement in this, but he hadn't been actually expecting it to be true. In fact, he already had several plans in place to retrieve her safely while he was on this Champion business or other. Hitting two birds with one stone, they would say. But now that she was actually here, and participating too, (honestly, he should've known better), that created a hiccup in his plans. It wasn't one that he couldn't solve easily though.

But Lelouch was curious to know who got CC on board with this. She was lucky… That, he could only say. After this initial meeting was over and done with, he planned to single her out when the chance would arrive so they could have a long talk. He was willing to bet that her story about how she got roped into this mess was as interesting as his.

A smirk made his lips curl upwards underneath the mask. The manner in which he had persuaded Ruther had been… amusing, to say the least… Questionable his methods may have been, what mattered was that he was here; he got what he wanted.

"All of you were brought to me from across the realm for the purpose of serving your country." The Emperor spoke with confidence; words unfailing as he took in the stares of every person in the room.

Lelouch took note of the Council members in the room, sitting on lavish chairs behind the Emperor who stood at the podium. All seven had sponsored them. He was curious to know who commissioned who. He was obviously Ruther's bet. But the rest was a mystery. And no surprise, Lelouch actually knew every man and woman in the room with them. Some, he actually met in person before. Others, he had heard of or seen riding through the city streets.

The Emperor's sons and daughters were all dressed in extravagant pieces of clothing, while the other men (non-relations of the royal family) wore waistcoats and cloaks emblazoned with Britannia's national coat of arms — a lion and a snake intertwined over royal blue. The same clothing standards held for the famed Knights of the Round Table too.

Lelouch was honestly appalled to find only four Knights — including Bismarck Waldstein — in the room filled with seven people of questionable loyalty. And he and CC were on top of that list. If they had coordinated beforehand to hijack a meeting like this, they would succeed. The feeble security and sheer overconfidence was going to be the Britannian military's downfall someday. (What was Cornelia even doing?)

The Emperor began speaking again as Lelouch pushed thoughts of throwing knives at Charles zi Britannia away from his head. For the record, he could let one fly at the blink of an eye. But that would just be foolish.

"You are each competing for the title of my Champion. My sword in a realm filled with enemies — conspirators and traitors."

CC, forgetting Lelouch's surprise appearance in today's meeting for the moment, watched the Emperor closely as his flinty eyes of familiar purple scanned over each of them. Even when that stare met hers, she didn't flinch. But she felt a chill run down her spine. It was definitely a look that said he knew what she had done, and how she had gotten here.

She let her attention alight elsewhere when he looked away. CC took the chance to observe her fellow competitors…

The perverted degenerates weren't even trying to hide how lewdly they gawked at her. Well, some of them were. Others were as stoic as the front she put up. They were an odd bunch, the seven of them… Most of the men were older, but not old enough to be in their thirties yet. They all had bodies that were built and conditioned for fighting. Two of them were actually in chains, and she wanted to know why.

Were they that dangerous?

She was someone who never judged people's skills by their faces or expressions, but the faces of the two competitors who had fetters around their wrists were quite mild. If looks would be enough to fool her, the two could definitely succeed. One of them stared at her, looked her up and down — the silver-haired one — and CC didn't flinch. The man standing next to one guy with the tanned and pleasant features was broad-shouldered — muscly and grinning from ear to ear when he met her eyes.

And for the gods' sake, there was even a boy younger than her and Lelouch…

By far, this boy — who looked no older than fourteen —was probably the most deceiving of them all. His facade rivaled hers. But a young woman could learn to fight and defend herself. A boy — barely a man — was the ridicule among grown men with puffed up pride and a reputation to uphold. He had light brown hair and pale violet eyes. He wasn't paying attention to his other competitors though. The kid merely stared up at the Emperor with blinking seemingly innocent eyes.

Right and then, she resolved to keep a close eye on him too. The sponsor would have picked him for a reason. Dare she say that his capabilities were as guarded as hers.

And speaking of capabilities… What kind of lie did Lelouch feed to his sponsor so he could participate in this?

"Over the next thirteen weeks, each one of you will dwell in my private estate and compete within the walls of this palace. You will train everyday. And once a week, there shall be a test — where one or several of you can be eliminated." That penetrating stare roamed over the crowd again. "They won't be easy; nor will your training. Some of you might even die during the tests. This Competition will be shortened or adjusted depending on the circumstances. And in the week after the Winter Fests, the remaining Champions will face each other to duel. Whoever is left standing will win the Champion title."

Unbeknownst to the rest, both Lelouch and CC twinged at the mention of that accursed title. After all, it really was just a fancy name for the Emperor's murderer. It didn't take a savant to figure out that the Emperor — in the long run — would continue eliminating people in his path for conquest. Innocent or no, if the Britannian ruler would want someone dead, it has to happen.

A murderer… That's what he is…

Lelouch stole a quick glance at the only female in the Competition. The Emperor was the reason why Lelouch was still brave enough to distinguish himself as human — with an intact conscience. This ruler — Britannia's so-called leader — slaughtered millions of lives in his quest for glory. So many innocent races forced to waste away in slavery — their cultures and entire identities dying along with them. So many countries subdued under Imperial rule for the sake of a Crown that won't even last.

Oh, what he wouldn't give for a clean chance to put this man to death right this instant.

"Am I understood?" The Emperor asked.

There were nods from each competitor in the room. And even if his own head felt too heavy to give a nod, the Warlock of Britannia did it anyway.

"Speak! Anyone of you! Are you not grateful for this opportunity?" His voice thundered across the hall. Even Lelouch spied one of the Emperor's children flinch.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored."

Lelouch heard the redhead — who was Europian — beside him answer. The foreigner's voice melded with the other words of gratitude that left each competitor's lips. The assassin feigned a respectful bow, himself — if only to avoid the trouble. They all missed the 98th Emperor's smug smirk in doing so.

"Well, the following weeks should be very interesting." Someone from the dais cleared his throat, but it went ignored as the Emperor prattled on. "Prove yourselves trustworthy, honor my name and the Holy Britannian Empire, become my Champion; and wealth and glory shall be yours."

Thirteen weeks to execute that coup…

"If there are no other questions," the Emperor said to the Champions and the rest of his Small Council in a tone that suggested he wouldn't think twice of punishing anyone insolent enough to ask, "you have my leave. Do not make the mistake of forgetting why you're here. Travel to my private estate commences at the break of dawn. Now be gone. All of you."

Seven handlers came back to guide the Competitors out of the audience chamber. Lelouch didn't complain against the Seventh Knight prodding the small of his back to get a move on. And although the assassin could clearly see that this Knight wasn't any older than he was and that he would have no qualms taking the official down, Lelouch let him usher their way out. CC was also shuffling out in her gown with the Third Knight — who very well resembled that cliched knight-in-shining-armor trope.

He needed to find a way to speak with her… As soon as permissible.

vVvVv

It was half-past nine in the evening when CC finally decided to retire from an afternoon's leisure at the palace's public library. They depart for the royal family's private villa in Pendragon at the break of dawn, and she sure as hell just knew that the ride there wasn't going to be leisurely.

At least fifty well-trained Imperial guards would escort them there, along with their handlers. And speaking of handler, CC didn't know how to feel about Sir Gino Weinberg being assigned to train her and monitor her progress. She had no doubt Schneizel had chosen him to keep an eye on her.

To have a Knight of the Round monitoring her every move. Was she that unpredictable and dangerous in the Prince's eyes?

They weren't wrong… And it was wise of them to have a Knight of the Round keeping her in line. (Although whether or not Gino could actually stand against her remains to be seen).

The skirts of her dress whispered across the marble floors as she opened the door to her chamber. CC had no idea about the other competitors' living arrangements within the palace walls, but she'd been counting her lucky stars again and again for Schneizel's decision to pamper her. The guest chamber was spacious, and it was divided into three rooms. One was where she could have her meals and read her books and play harmless games. The other was a washroom. And the last room at the end was where she was expected to sleep.

And even though CC didn't feel like sleeping yet, she trudged on towards that final door anyway. Forcing herself to sleep was the better alternative than endlessly ruminating about hers and Lelouch's current situation... And speaking of the latter, she needed to find a way to talk to him.

If they didn't get the chance tomorrow while on the road, then perhaps at Aries Villa. She found a good open spot near the lake where they could talk freely. Open air and flat green grass for miles around meant there was no place for spies to conceal themselves.

"Your guards ought to keep a better eye on the roof."

"What the sh**—"

Lelouch snickered from his spot on the edge of her bed…

Boy, was CC distracted today. Smiling wickedly underneath his usual assassin garb, the Warlock reached back and flipped the hood off of his head. He also removed the mask, giving CC a clear view of his pallid face in the limited illumination provided by the torches on her balcony.

"I could have killed you, you idiot." CC hissed at him, a small knife already held lightly between her fingers, poised for throwing.

He pursed his lips, still trying to fight the smile that threatened to rip his face in half. Her room was dark, and it gave him the perfect opportunity to disguise himself as a shadow. Meanwhile, CC was extremely annoyed that Lelouch beat her by breaking into her room first.

"Where did you get a knife? They de-clawed all of our rooms. At least from what I've noticed in my own room."

CC's smile in the darkness was devoid of any real joy. "Borrowed it from the dining hall."

Borrowed. Sure… Lelouch rolled his eyes and got to his feet. "Of course you did."

Crossing the length of the room separating them in a few strides, CC plucked the makeshift weapon out of Lelouch's grasp. She had made it earlier in the day when she had arrived — out of bone hair pins and cloth thread. It was sharp enough to cut a guard's flesh, distracting them long enough for her to steal their weapons and run (if there was a sudden commotion that demanded she escape).

"A little explanation is overdue, don't you think?" She folded her arms across her chest after she finished lighting the bedside lamps.

In the low firelight, Lelouch's scowl was apparent. "I should be the one demanding an explanation out of you. What the hell happened with that mission back there? Did you not have an inkling that you were walking into a trap? How were you roped into this Champion business? Who sponsored you?"

CC understood that there was a lot to explain. She truly did… But the way Lelouch prattled off his questions one by one was far too rapid that the story she had been prepared to tell him was scattered in a matter of seconds.

"Arobynn wasn't pleased with the news. Asahina and Tamaki proposed we follow protocol. Arobynn thought twice for a second, but conceded, in the end."

She chuckled mockingly to herself. "Why am I not surprised? I assume you vetoed my almost near-death experience."

It was meant to be a joke, but in the dim firelight, Lelouch's face was grim with no humor. "I offered to retrieve you from the Imperial dungeons. Miraculously, I escaped unscathed when you weren't there."

Lelouch subconsciously went on to explain how he moved on to planning on interrogating the Emperor's advisor — the man she was sent to dispatch that day. He explained how one thing led to another; how he discovered the Emperor's plans through Ruther Stadtfeld's illegitimate daughter, whom he found loitering and fighting for coin in the Vaults.

The assassin smirked at the memory of Ruther's so-called test. He had approached Stadtfeld under the guise of a mercenary who had heard and seen word of this 'job opening.' Ruther invited him into his home's spacious foyer, asking him to deposit his weapons at the entrance to a sentry standing guard. He had complied without hesitation to sell his lies, but he realized the test soon enough when Ruther snapped his fingers and half-a-dozen men came at him all at once.

The assassin had no trouble beating them all unconscious or bruised and bloody. He could still remember the taste of blood in his own tongue as Kallen's father had grinned at him roguishly, six well-built men sprawled across the polished stone floors of Stadtfeld's home. He could have sworn he could see the gears turning in the man's head. His dreams of victory and gold were practically too vivid.

Without much preamble, he had commissioned Lelouch immediately — under his pretend name, Zero — of course.

"A quite telling tale for a fantasy book, Warlock." CC was smirking as she tried to hide her real smile; amused that Lelouch had abandoned his interrogation for her in favor of telling his own story.

So he did a lot to retrieve her, did he? How quaint…

"But that still doesn't explain why you decided to join the Emperor's competition in the first place. If your only goal is to retrieve me, then you getting involved in this whole business is but a waste of time." CC frowned.

She would have simply written off his choices as a product of boredom, or something he did for the sake of finding more interesting things to do with his time, or to get away from Arobynn. Perhaps it was all three. She would have disregarded other reasons if Lelouch were that kind of person… But he wasn't. Because for as long as CC had known him, she knew he was conniving. He did everything for a reason — even dispatch missions, although he wouldn't tell her why.

This was definitely part of that giant why…

There were things he wasn't telling her… And while it wasn't in her nature to pry into things that had nothing to do with her, Lelouch's hidden motives were beginning to encompass her. And if her person was involved — in one way or another — there was no way she was going to jump into something completely blind.

"Your explanations have fallen short." CC droned, keeping her pretty bullion eyes locked on his face wreathed in shadows.

Lelouch's answering smile was infuriating, but CC didn't retaliate. That would just be giving him the satisfaction of getting on her nerves. And when she could help it, she didn't like giving the upper hand.

"I was honestly waiting for you to call me out on it." The ring on his finger caught the meager fire light and glinted in the dark. "All these years…" He trailed off, his eyes distant, but they focused again when he said, "I do have more to tell you. It's just… This isn't the place."

CC didn't like the way he phrased that, but conceded. For now at least…

"So, do I get your end of the story, or do I have to wait for the day death comes to claim my body?"

CC rolled her eyes. He can be so dramatic…

She opted to tell him, but then again—

"I'm not sure if I should tell you here." She flashed him her lovely smile, clasping her hands behind her back and swaying side to side, feigning girlish innocence. "There are things you can't tell me now. Well, that goes for me too."

The glare Lelouch sported was enough to kill. (If glares could kill, that is).

"Witch." He seethed through clenched teeth, wary of the fact that they shouldn't cause a commotion warranting everybody's attention.

CC nodded happily, making a mockery of his disappointment. "Yes. Yes I am."

"CC—"

She cut him off with a loud yawn, tossing herself onto the bed and curling up against one of her fluffy pillows.

"Oi." He prodded her nightgown-clad shoulder.

Her response was to turnover so her back was facing him instead. She had honestly been looking forward to this talk. But now that Lelouch was holding back some important details, she didn't feel like indulging her earlier eagerness anymore. She didn't feel like entertaining him. Period. They once joked about how his curiosity was going to be the death of him someday. Well, the arrogant boy could stew in his insatiable curiosity for a few good hours. And in those hours, he could wallow in regret and self-pity for keeping important secrets from her.

CC normally didn't care, but this one though— It felt important. And from the way he spoke just now, she could tell that it definitely was. And it involved her.

"CC."

She growled under her breath. She needed sleep. Now. "Go back to wherever hole you slithered from, boy."

Lelouch fell silent for a few seconds, mulling over CC's words, and watching her closely as her resolve hardened. So she was intent on ignoring him now, was she?

It wasn't forever, but he honestly wanted to know how she landed herself in this mess. But then again, he had kept something from her — in favor of it all being kept secret. So perhaps her denying him the privilege of knowing her reasoning and how this came to be was justifiable. For now.

But still—

He sighed deeply.

"I thought you left already." Came her slightly disembodied voice.

"Is this how you repay the man who saved your life from traitorous assassins?"

Her shoulders moved in the dim light — a shrug. But she didn't say a word…

He did save her life… In more ways than one.

CC's resolve was weakening, and she was about to sit up and tell him, but then she heard him sigh deeply. The sound was followed by the feel of a weight leaving the edge of the bed.

"Never mind… We can have a better conversation at the Villa."

She had her back turned to him, so she couldn't see his expression. And she couldn't decipher the emotion behind his tone either. Was he disappointed? Angry? Indifferent?

CC wanted to know, but for the life of her, she couldn't find it in her to get up, turn around, and rectify her mistake. Did she just start a fight?

"I need to know one thing though." He spoke again, his voice subdued and quieter than before. "Do you still promise?"

CC's half-lidded eyes widened just a fraction for a few seconds before she buried her face further into her pillow.

"I promise." Was the slightly muffled reply, but clear enough for the other person in the room to hear.

A few seconds passed, enough for CC to know that her only friend had left the room as quietly as he had come. There was only the whisper of wind on the open windows — his only sign of entry and exit.

"Thank you, Lelouch."

Unbeknownst to CC, Lelouch smiled from his perch on the windowsill — just about to leave her room, really. She was obviously too embarrassed to admit her mistake. The girl had been through too much. And this was probably enough for one night.

So he let her whisper her gratitude into what she assumed was a then empty room. In exchange, he got to relish her sweet words spoken timidly as it drifted into his ears.

He wanted to cross the bed chamber to go to her. He wanted to do something, but what? He honestly wanted to squeeze her hand reassuringly, but thought better of it and left for his own room, instead.

vVvVv

She was supposed to be asleep… Her body hadn't fully recovered from the beating it had received last night. She usually didn't mind jumping back into the chaos of the Vaults after a grueling fight, but last night's match with Zero had been taxing — to say the least.

She would never tell him that, of course.

Kallen resolved to stay in bed to rest and recuperate today, and even then she still felt like it wasn't enough.

She honestly had no clue if her father was home at the moment. Or her stepmother for that matter. The two could have been out and about in the city, delighting in the frivolous luxuries aristocratic life provided them. She would have gone, out of obligation too, but Kallen had feigned being too sick to get out of bed today.

And she was glad…

There was no way she could have concentrated on being Kallen Stadtfeld for a time with her bruise dotted face and over-occupied head.

For the past few hours, she had been mulling over Zero's proposition. Turning it over and over and over in her head, inspecting every angle for any sign of a con. There were a few; like having to lead a double life — though she did that already. There was also the matter of hiding things from her father. Everyone knew that cooperating with mutiny was a crime punishable by death. Court trial be damned!

But the pros… The pros outweighed the cons considerably. She had yet to know how long the Competition would last, but it couldn't be for more than six months or a year at the most. And because Zero told her he was planning to execute his plan during the Competition, then she only had a few months to help out and finally sail back to Nippon where her real family was.

Kallen groaned, turning over in her feather mattress to stare at the canopy above her. Soft cotton sheets against her bare skin, the redhead flinched slightly when her skimming fingers met with a stiff piece of paper.

It didn't help that she knew exactly what her hand brushed against…

Bringing the piece of valuable parchment to her face until she was almost cross-eyed, Kallen glared at the signature, at the wax seal next to the depositor's name, and at the blank space that was screaming at her to fill it out with the exact amount of money she needed to cross the four seas and then some.

"Kallen, do you believe that in life, certain sacrifices have to be made for the sake of the greater good?"

"I want Britannia gone as much as you do. And even though this offer is too soon for our level of acquaintance, I believe you would be a valuable addition to my secret coup."

"You hate your father, don't you? And wouldn't you want to see your mother much sooner?"

"Name the reasonable amount and it's yours…"

Clear ocean blue eyes drifted to scrutinize the scrap of paper again…

If she said no, wouldn't he most likely kill her?

She was no assassin, like he was. But after betraying a dark secret to someone, offering them a proposal, and then having a part of his plan fail, the risk of having somebody out of the inner circle knowing was too great. To keep his secrets, he would have to kill her.

No amount of swearing that she'd be silent would keep her safe…

She didn't know Zero. Not truly. But he seemed like the kind of man who didn't like things going out of his way. He probably wouldn't even blink an eye if he sent someone or if he, himself, would put a blade through her heart.

Gods, he blackmailed me, didn't he?

Zero offered the bait, and she was the fool who walked into the trap. With such a simple ultimatum, too. But then again, it didn't even look like much of a decision on her end. Kallen didn't need to choose sides… She'd already chosen from the moment she was cruelly taken out of her real home.

In all honesty, she had very little to lose and much to gain from this deal…

With a groan and slight protest from her still smarting bottom, Kallen grabbed the pen out of her bedside table, scribbled her name on the banknote, and sold her allegiance for ten thousand pieces of Britannian gold.