Chapter 1

It's the Prince's 21st birthday.

Shit.

The Prince, Lelouch vi Britannia, the heir to the throne of the Britannian monarchy, covers his sleepy eyes with his right hand upon remembering what particular day it is – his birthday. To make it worse, it's his 21st birthday which means the Queen is going all out with the celebration which is just another way for her to find a suitable noble lady to be his betrothed.

A headache is starting to grow behind his eyes. It's so early for him to be awake, sunlight hasn't even entered his windows but the noisy footsteps of the servants, their loud chatters, the commands from the head maid and the occasional clangs of whatever they are carrying along the very long hallway (good Lord, please don't let them break any of it) woke him up faster than his alarm clock. He looks at the Cheese-kun clock resting on his nightstand.

5:30 in the morning.

He sighs. At this point, he cannot go back to sleep now that his head is starting to think of every possible way how his mother and of course, he can't forget, his cousin Clovis and his close friend Lady Millicent, or "Milly" will make this celebration the most fabulous, frivolous, and fantastic birthday party ever! Those were their exact words to him yesterday when they found him at the Aries Villa where he was taking refuge with his adorable twin siblings, Princess Nunally and Prince Rolo.

"I promise you, this will be the talk of the town for the next six months, cousin!" Clovis excitedly informed him while touching the fresh rose resting at the middle of his collar.

"I don't really need that kind of celebration, you know," Lelouch calmly said as he watched the twins play with flower crowns in the garden. "Rolo, have you checked the stems if they have thorns? Please be more careful!"

"But my dear son, this is your 21st birthday! Your coming-of-age, the time when you'll become a real man, when every noble cannot deny that you are suitable for the throne, not just because you are a young genius who can outsmart them all. And more importantly…" The Empress's face moved dangerously close to his own, the only thing separating them was the cup where he was drinking his tea from. "More importantly, this is the ideal age to find your other half and produce babies for the throne."

"Mother!" He almost choke on his tea and spray it on his mother's face which would be so unprince-like. He coughed a bit as Empress Marianne returned to her seat, smiling mischievously at her son. "M-Mother," cough, "I told you," cough, "It's not on my plan yet. I prio-" cough, " – ritize my studies for now," cough.

Milly started patting him on the back while cooing, "Poor Lulu, poor Lulu, you got tears on your eyes."

"Yes, yes. My son who is so diligent at studying eventhough he could just easily pass the course in a span of two years but what, he chose to take it normally like an average student. Oh, Clovis! Oh, Milly!" The two quickly went to her sides and rested their heads on her shoulders. "What good did I do to deserve a dream son as outstanding as my little Lelouch?" she ended dramatically.

The two assured her that she was the best empress they ever had so she truly deserved Lelouch as a son while the latter muttered, "I'm not little anymore."

Lelouch lets out a tender chuckle as he recalls the memory. He adores her mother so much, Marianne "The Flash" as the people call her because of her skills in equestrian, but sometimes she's just so overdramatic and excited at everything that involves her children.

Might as well get up and check the preparation, he thought. He doesn't want to be left out of the tricks the trio has prepared and be unpleasantly surprised by the ridiculousness at the end of the day.

After changing from his Cheese-kun pajamas, he gets out of his room only to be almost bumped by a running Rivalz who is carrying a large vase full of white calla lilies.

"Your Highness! Good morning! Happy birthday! I'm so sorry!" he quickly apologizes, his heart racing from the idea of his Prince getting drenched from the almost possibility of him dropping the vase full of water because he was too surprised to see His Highness up this early in the morning.

"Thank you. Next time, be mindful of your surroundings, Rivalz. Is the Empress already awake?" Lelouch asks.

"Yes, Your Highness. Her Majesty is currently at the kitchen supervising the chefs."

"Thank you. You are dismissed."

With that, the servant leaves, walking more carefully, minding his surroundings with observant eyes just like what his Prince told him.

And now, it's time to avoid the kitchen, Lelouch thought.

It is already noon when Lelouch finally finishes receiving phone calls and greetings from his close friends who have the special privilege to have his number saved in their contact lists

Now, he is in the reading room, staring, no, glaring at his silent phone as if it is the most despicable thing to ever be held by his hand.

"Brother, are you waiting for a call from a particular someone?" Nunally asks with a giggle.

"No, Nunally," he grunts without taking his eyes off his phone.

"But you've been glaring at your phone for the past 15 minutes now, Lelouch," adds Rolo.

"I am not."

The twins giggle louder from the books they are reading. "Oh, why don't you just initiate the call so that you'll stop worrying?"

He shakes his head and finally places his phone on top of the desk. "I'm not worried, Nunally. And I will never initiate a call just to force someone to greet me happy birthday. That is quite impolite."

"But you're torturing yourself, brother," Rolo says with a worried look on his face. "Knowing – "

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Lelouch lets out a relieved sigh. He is saved from the innocent interrogation of his younger siblings by whoever is on the other side of the door. As much as he loves the twins, their innocence often causes them to ask too many questions, and many of these questions he prefers not to answer.

"Who is it?" he asks in an authoritative tone.

"Suzaku Kururugi, Your Highness."

"Come in."

The Reading Room's door opens revealing a young man the same age as the Prince bearing a youthful and approachable face, with eyes of shining emerald and hair of chocolate.

"What is it, Suzaku and please, how many times shall I tell you to call me 'Lelouch'? I understand that you were donned as a Knight last week but you're also my bestfriend, or have you forgotten?"

The Knight, Suzaku, visibly relaxes and announces in a friendlier tone, "Your High – err, Lelouch, Princess Euphemia li Britannia has arrived in the palace."

"Euphy is already here?" the twins exclaim happily.

"Yes, Nunally, Rolo. She is currently at the Sun Room talking to Her Majesty. And Lelouch, in Euphy's own words," Suzaku clears his throat and says in a higher, girly voice, " 'Tell my cousin to see me at once so I can give him my gift. Don't he dare hide away from me or else he'll see his room turn into a pink haven' she said."

With that, Lelouch feels chills run up his spine and quickly exits the Reading Room to face another one of his energetic relatives.

He received an expensive, rose-gold watch from Euphy who insistently made him promise to wear it during his party. And so here he is, sitting between the thrones of His Majesty, Emperor Charles zi Britannia and Her Majesty, Empress Marianne watching the guests dance on the floor in their elegant ball gowns and suits as the mini orchestra plays waltz in the background while he occasionally glances at his new watch, silently hoping for the party to end soon.

He is getting bored. He was done dancing with Nunally, Euphy, and even Milly. He had also played a friendly match of chess with his another older cousin, Schneizel which resulted to a draw, an end he isn't sure he is happy about. He frowns. I must practice more so I can finally defeat him, he thought.

Euphy's older sister, Cornelia has also already greeted him and spent some time talking about their military forces and the new trainings she is planning to implement to strengthen their capabilities. That was fun.

He crosses his legs and leans back on his throne. Good thing Clovis didn't go all crazy with his wardrobe and he can still move easily in his clothes. He is wearing a pair of purple tailcoat suit and pants with amethyst gems serving as buttons. The collar and cuffs bear leaves patterns as accents. To complete the look, an elegant deep violet cape with high collar and golden embroideries is draped on his shoulders, giving him a very aristocratic, elegant and sophisticated style, as Clovis had said.

He is really getting bored. He had already entertained dances with three noble daughters, who kept on giving him side glances and giggle with every word he uttered, and that was already past his limit which is one.

He is getting so, so bored but he doesn't want to show any sign to his mother because he knows the amount of hardwork and dedication she had put in this. With all her extravagant and ridiculous ideas, the celebration actually turned quite normal and pleasant. A bit over-the-top with the decorations but still bearable. If only he has more interest in parties, he would have enjoyed this more.

He sighs. He has been doing so much sighing today.

"Are you okay, Lelouch?"

He looks up and finds his father staring at him. Emperor Charles is a big and intimidating man. Almost every servant in the palace scrambles to make way and bow before him whenever they are in his presence. And his booming voice does not help in lessening the fear of the people around him. But the children knows better. For Emperor Charles might be a presence to behold but his heart is as soft as a cotton especially when it comes to his heirs.

"I'm fine, Father. Just a little tired from all the dancing I've done," Lelouch replies with a smile.

"Well, dear, has someone caught your attention?" the Empress asks from his left. "Too bad Princess Shirley wasn't able to attend the party, but she sent her sincerest regret and apologies. She would have looked so lovely in whichever dress she would have chosen to wear. You're in the same age, right? Anyway!" she suddenly declares, her hands clasping infront of her chest, "Looks like the last of our guest has finally arrived!" She immediately stands up and walks over to the entrance. Lelouch, curious, follows his mother with his eyes until she vanishes in the crowd.

He doesn't know that they are still waiting for someone. Well, he doesn't actually know who are invited in the party. His mother does not let him have a peek of the guest list when he asked her about it this afternoon. No matter, she mentioned that this guest is the last one? Finally. He can't wait to lay down on his soft bed and sleep away all the tiredness he felt today.

He watches as the crowd of curious onlookers parted to give way for the Empress and the guest. Whispers start to float from the nobles but are too soft for him to understand a single word.

Now he is really curious. Who is this special guest for his mother, the Empress, to personally fetch from the entrance and provoke gossip from the nobles? She already mentioned that Princess Shirley isn't coming and she's the only one he can think of that his mother would fuss about like this unless…

Wait.

He fishes his phone from his pocket so fast making the Cheese-kun accessory shake wildly and dumbly looks at it. It can't be, right? She would tell him first thing in the morning if she would come. She would have called him to at least warn him about this plan. She would have – He shakes his head, a defeated smile dances on his lips. Of course she wouldn't. She wouldn't. We are talking about the Witch herself here. And what are witches good at doing? Deceiving. He can't believe that he fell for her trick again. He always falls for her tricks despite not seeing her for three years. Slightly chuckling, he stands up while fixing his coat and slowly makes his way to the middle of the room. Suddenly, he's not bored anymore. Suddenly, he's not tired.

He sees her trademark long flowing, emerald hair first followed by her smooth ivory skin. She is wearing a deep green gown with yellow braided linings that perfectly molds on her body. He hears her light teasing voice so clearly amidst the sea of whispers. And when she turns her head away from his mother who she has been talking to as they make their way, he finally sees her shining, golden eyes. A playful smirk, another trademark of hers, is on her lips.

"Lady C.C.," he greets her with all the nobility he can muster when they are a few feet away from each other. His head held high, his back straight.

"Lelouch," she casually replies which earns gasps from their audience.

"It's been a while since you've been here. Thank you for coming to this banquet."

"Three years to be exact," ah, she's already starting, "And I was invited by no other than Marianne," another gasp from the audience, this time more dramatically, "so who am I to turn it down? Now, where is the pizza that you promised in the invitation?" she asks as she looks around the room.

His right eye twitches. She hasn't even greeted him yet.

He glances at his mother who is trying to hold back her laughter, then back to Lady C.C. who is now looking at him with a mischievous glint on her eyes.

He lets out a sigh of defeat.

The Witch is back.