As Marianne sat on the plush sofa in the main sitting room, waiting for her hostess to make an appearance, her hand unconsciously came to rest over her stomach. She failed to notice the unintended gesture, far more concerned with more pressing matters, as her fingers lightly caressed the skin hidden under layers of silk and the finest cotton available. She knew she was pregnant again. Her cycle was only a few days late as of yet but she was certain that she was indeed with her second child.

Beside her, her first, Lelouch, but three years old, fidgeted with the type of restlessness only children could accomplish. He was clearly already bored with the new surroundings as he picked idly with the rich velvet upholstery and ran his fingers over the finely detailed markings on the tarnished wood. She hadn't told him that he would soon be a big brother, she hadn't even told her husband. No one knew, not even her attendants. It wouldn't do to be so forth coming with such information after all and if she had it her way Charles would likely need to take a few days of bed rest after the shock of her surprising revelation. Even so …

A small frown tugged at the corners of her lips. Her husband was far from that kind of man and would more probable than not insist on spreading the word as quickly as possible. He was a proud man and, if Marianne herself didn't know better, she'd almost think that engendering the next two generations of the Britannian family was his favorite past time.

Admittedly, she was not his only wife and Lelouch was far from his only child, but that was the sort of privilege the head of a noble family, especially one as prestigious as the Britannia family, garnered with his status. He all but ruled England, the only person with more power being the Queen herself. Though, if he had his own way then ...

"Mum'?"

Blinking out of her thoughts, Marianne titled her head to look into her sons wide violet eyes. "Yes dear? And don't slouch like that, otherwise Mrs. McCorston will think us rude. You don't want that, do you?"

A gentle press to his small back was all the incentive he needed to sit up like a proper boy and, pouting, he fixed his mother with woeful eyes. "I'm hungry. Will we get to eat cakes with our tea here?"

She couldn't help but giggle softly, highly amused by the pure innocence he displayed. He was still too young to fully comprehend the status he automatically received by being the son of Charles zi Britannia and that the subsequent treatment was not special to just certain occasions but all, regardless of time or manner. He had yet to grasp that one day he could control the whole of Britain with just a flick of his wrist. It was cute, to be perfectly honest – and if Marianne had any say in his upbringing he'd retain that same sense of equality to a certain degree. She'd be damned if he grew to be a spoiled little ninny like his older half brother Schneizel whose mother seemed to do everything in her power to make him have as much of a superiority complex as possible.

The boy was charming on his own, no doubt about that, but if he tried to assert himself as Lelouch's superior one more time she was going to bend him over her knee herself.

"Of course, Lelouch. Why wouldn't we? You don't think Mrs. McCorston is a rude hostess now do you?"

"Well, no ..."

The woman in questions chose to make her appearance at that moment, sweeping in through the door in a flourish of lace and too bright hair, her orange curls looking odd with her blue and white dress, and her mouth already running a mile a minute. Marianne quickly focused in on the words flying from her painted lips as she gently placed a reassuring hand on Lelouch's smaller one.

"- simply must forgive me, there was a matter I absolutely had to attend to before I could come to greet you. Oh my, you are looking well, dear Marianne. Oh! And little Lelouch! You look bigger since the last time I saw you. Please, please sit down! There's no need for formalities. Yes, there you go dear. Would you like a cup of tea?"

Marianne did her best not to show the exasperation she felt when in Mrs. McCorston's presence. If she didn't babble so much it would be a different story altogether, though as it were, if Marianne hadn't needed such a big favor from her she would have backed out of the invitation today altogether. It wouldn't have been a hard thing to do, after all, she could claim that morning sickness was grabbing hold of her all over again. But, on second thought, that would have ruined the surprise …

"Yes, thank you. That would be lovely." Lelouch gave her hand a small jiggle and she quickly added, "And I do so hope we'll be lucky enough to partake in your wonderful cooks delicious cakes while we drink. The last time I was here I thought for sure I'd bust from all the cookies and scones I'd eaten."

The middle aged woman laughed along with her guest as she waved off the maid who'd followed her in. She took the time to cross her legs before replying in a friendly tone. "Yes, but that was right before you gave birth, sweetheart. You were about to bust, regardless."

"That is true. Lelouch certainly did make me balloon out, didn't he?" I hope the same doesn't happen this time round …

"But your labor went by fairly fast it seemed. From what I've heard, that is." Mrs. McCorston made an infinitely pleased sound. "And he is nothing but a charming little angel so I wouldn't look back at it with a frown, Marianne."

A faint blush claimed the little boys cheeks. "T-thank you, Mrs. McCorston ..."

She cooed over him for a minute more than seemed to sober up, readjusting the skirts about her ankles as she focused on the woman across from her. Marianne straightened, likewise focusing her attention on her hostess and Lelouch fell into silence, recognizing that he wasn't included in the upcoming conversation. "As to that matter we last discussed ..."

"Have you gotten the chance to talk to your daughter then?" Marianne felt slight excitement swell in her stomach. If she could only secure this opportunity …

"I did. She still isn't entirely positive." Blinking, Mrs. McCorston brought a hand to her mouth. "Oh, not to say she isn't entirely humbled to even be considered for such an honor by the Britannia family, its just her baby is still so little and ..."

Marianne lifted a hand to silence her. "Its alright, I understand. If I had a daughter, I wouldn't want to betroth her so soon either. Did she at least say she'd consider?"

"Oh! But of course! As I said, she is very honored to even be offered such a royalty and she said she'll certainly give it due thought. Though," she simpered, leaning forward so her copper hair fell over her shoulders. "if you want a mothers diagnosis, I can just about guarantee she'll concede by fall. I think she just wants to continue seeing her baby as only hers for a little while longer before promising her off to another."

"I'm glad to hear to that. I would so like for us to become family." Deep blue eyes sparkling, she glanced down at her son as her hand came to rest across her stomach once again without consent. "Well, Lelouch? What do you think of Shirley?"

His thin brows furrowed slightly as he gave his mothers question proper consideration. "I like it! It's a pretty name!" He proudly announced at length, kicking his little legs back and forth.

As the two adults shared another laugh, he couldn't help but think there was something he wasn't catching onto. Something that was being pulled over his eyes without his noticing and even though he didn't understand the implications, he couldn't help but dislike the feeling.

It was, after all, a feeling much like that of being lied to.

To be continued …

(XxXxX)

Erm … first Code Geass fic? Not your average one (so I'm assuming) as it is placed in, about, 18th century Britain with Lelouch a noblemans son rather than a prince. Erm … please tell me what you think. X D I'd really like to continue this, I always said if I ever wrote a fic for Code Geass it would be set in the 18th century and here this is.

Despite that the power of geass does not exist in this alternate universe like in the canon one, there will be just about as much deceit and power struggles to go around. I would also like to point out that I honestly can't say what the final pairing will be, so don't even ask. To be frank, I'm not a fan of Lulu being paired with C.C., Kallen OR Shirley though, for the sake of this fanfiction, God only knows where I may end up … lets just say nothing is set in stone but at the same time, nothing is completely ruled out either. : /

Please support me and help me get through my first chapter fic! Hopefully, this will be a fic to celebrate 50 of my stories on FF.N! I'd love nothing more than to actually finish one of these (is notorious for not finishing multi chapter fics) and I'd be most honored if you checked out any of my other fics. : ) Until next time; au revoir!