27 Chapter Twenty-Seven: Spring of the Angels

Spring 2018. The first season of the Year Without a King.

Lelouch still slept even when the Easter holiday came around. Nunnally made sure to visit her brother often, sitting beside her mother and Kallen in vigil over Lelouch's slumbering form. He was still in a preservation chamber, meant to protect him from outside germs and potential assassins thanks to the bulletproof glass he was under.

Nunnally considered it a reverse of the classic fairy tale plot. However Kallen's kiss of true love did not revive Lelouch, much to her sadness, and much to Nunnally's sadness as well. She could see the love and pain in Kallen's eyes when she looked down at the injured Lelouch.

"Kallen, do you accept Lelouch's proposal?" asked Nunnally.

It was during one of the times the two of them were alone. Marianne had been summoned to converse with the House of Lords, the difficult arena of politics seeming preferable to war at the moment. Kallen had talked about how Lelouch had fumbled something of a proposal of marriage to her.

Nunnally couldn't help but laugh at the image of her brother trying to stumble along a proposal.

"Well...it wasn't really much of a proposal," said Kallen, blushing as red as her hair and her uniform. "But...if he were to give me a true proposal. I would say yes."

"Oh dear, that's so sweet," said Nunnally, tears forming in her eyes. "I'll have a new sister."

"Nunnally..."

"And then I'll be an auntie," said Nunnally.

'She really is Marianne's daughter,' thought Kallen.

Rivalz had escorted Maria and Alice back to their home, which had been looted and vandalized by an angry populace. Their clothes, jewelry, all valuables had been robbed from them. Derogatory messages were left written on the walls. It broke Maria's heart to see her home so defiled. Alice was sad as well to see her home in such a state.

In addition to Rivalz, Milly had come along, so did Akito Hyuga and Leila Malcal.

Milly and Leila had taken Alice up to her room to see if there was anything she of hers that had survived and wanted to have. This left Rivalz and Akito watching over Maria as she looked over the shattered remnants of her life.

"I'm sorry this happened Lady Maria," said Rivalz.

"It can all be replaced," said Maria, picking up a damaged picture on the floor.

It was a picture of herself, Alice, and Shin from a time when they were all happy. Of course Maria couldn't help but wonder if this was a lie on Shin's part. If he had always wanted to kill her and Alice.

"Oh...Shin...why?" Maria cried, dropping the picture as her tears fell.

Rivalz quickly caught the frame and looked it over. He saw the smile on Shin's face and felt sick. He seemed to truly be happy with the two but none the less sought to murder them.

"What kind of wrong could I have done to make Shin despise us so?" cried Maria, falling on the couch.

Rivalz put down the picture and knelt down. He took the woman's hands from her face and looked into her puffy red eyes.

"Lady Maria, what Shin did...it wasn't because of you," said Rivalz. "I don't know why he did what he did but I can feel in my heart you are not to blame."

"He's right," said Akito. "What's wrong with Shin...it happened long before he met you."

Maria looked over Akito, and she instantly saw the resemblance to Shin. When he and the young Leila woman said they would like to come along to the Shaing manor Maria had assumed that he might be one of Rivalz's Sapphire Crusaders. But now that she got a good look at him and saw how much he looked like her adopted son, it filled her with questions.

"I'm sorry but...just who are you young man?" she asked.

"I'm...Akito Hyuga," said Akito.

Maria gasped at the name.

"Hyuga?" she asked.

"I'm...Shin's younger brother," said Akito.

"I...I never knew Shin had any other family," said Maria. "When I adopted him he had said his entire family had been killed. Oh...oh god did..."

Akito's face fell, answering the question Maria dreaded to ask.

"Shin...I don't know why he killed our clan," said Akito. "I don't know why he wanted your deaths. From what I've heard you were very kind and actually cared for him. I'm sorry he returned this kindness with wickedness."

He took up the photo of his brother with his adopted family and felt a great deal of sadness. Both Alice and Maria seemed so kind, very much like Leila.

"I never had the kind of opportunity you gave him," said Akito. "I was on my own until I joined the army. I...was alone...until..."

"Until you met that young woman," said Maria, a sympathetic tear falling from her eye.

Akito said nothing, he simply tried to hide a slight blush on his face. Rivalz couldn't help but chuckle slightly. Before the three of them could continue the door opened and Diethard came in with a camera crew behind him.

"What are you doing here Diethard?" asked Rivalz. "Shouldn't you be plotting someone else's state funeral show?"

After Milly came to meet him once she arrived in Euro Britannia, after slapping him for his recklessness, she told him about how Diethard had been planning his televised funeral, making him a martyr for the Atlas Fleet. After such Rivalz kind of developed an unease towards Diethard.

"Actually I was hoping on doing a piece on the Shaing family in the fallout of Shin's betrayal," said Diethard.

"No way Milly called you to tell us where we were going," said Rivalz.

"The pains of celebrity my dear Prince Virtue," said Diethard. "People on the street simply can't help but take pictures of their hero on his way to the house of their greatest traitor."

"Then you can hope they don't take pictures of me kicking you out of the door," said Rivalz.

Rivalz then looked at the camera and with his Geass he disabled it mentally. Diethard scowled but kept his composure none the less. He took up a smile and a relaxed position.

"Prince Virtue," said Diethard, addressing him by his new code name. "I understand you only wish to protect Lady Maria and her daughter. But you can't always be there to protect them. So long as people have anger towards Shin they will always seek to harass and harm those who bare his name. No one came after you when you walked with them into their home because of the power you displayed in battling the Dagon. It would be very foolish for anyone, no matter how blind they are by anger, to try and challenge the Blue Unicorn whom they all saw withstand a Sakuradite blast. But the minute you leave their side Lady Maria and her daughter would come under fire. Despite their innocence, their relation to Shin will be all the justification for their want for revenge for how their families had been devastated by Shin's treason."

"Get to the point Diethard," said Rivalz, clenching his blue metal fists.

"What I mean to say is if Lady Shaing will allow it I would like to be given the opportunity to allow her to tell her side of the story," said Diethard. "How a young man she had taken in and loved as if he were her own son consigned both her and her daughter to death. And how the heroic and righteous Prince Virtue came to their defense. Let the people see how the traitor's mother and daughter have suffered by his hand and how their hero Prince Virtue came to their defense. Two damsels betrayed by a vile villain and in comes the dashing hero, to defend their honor from his wickedness and the fury of the masses. It's a magnificent story that will tame the fury of the people and get those of a more sympathetic nature on their side. And on yours as well Prince Virtue."

"You weasel," cursed Rivalz.

"Come now, this is how a war is really won," said Diethard. "You win the hearts and minds of the people. And people already love you Prince Virtue. Even after a month people can't help but keep wanting to know more and more about the mysterious Blue Unicorn who saved St. Petersburg. This would effectively satisfy their need to see more of you and you would be able to turn public opinion in favor of Lady Shaing and her daughter, and direct their fury against Shin himself."

Maria cringed in her seated position on the sofa, the idea of demonizing her son even more, even if he had proven himself a demon, did not sit comfortably with her.

Alice had come down with Leila and Milly, the latter who was surprised by Diethard's appearance. It didn't take Milly long to realize why Diethard was here and why Rivalz looked like he wanted to beat the man's smug face in.

Acting quickly she placed herself between her friend and her boss.

"Rivalz, just calm down for a moment, please," said Milly, her sapphire orbs bearing into Rivalz' grey good eye.

Rivalz took a breath and Milly turned back to Diethard.

"Mr. Reid, will you please just give us a few minutes," said Milly.

Diethard bowed his head slightly and led his crew out of the mansion. Milly then turned back to Rivalz and noticed how Alice had immediately latched herself to her mother, both very visibly worried.

"Rivalz, I don't want to put them in the spotlight either," said Milly. "But just think about this. You're not always going to be there to protect them, neither is the Grand Duke. But you can use your influence to try and persuade people to sympathize with them. To let people know they're as much the victims as anyone attacked by the Dagon."

Rivalz couldn't help but recall what the Grand Duke said earlier about using his newfound celebrity to speak out before the House of Lords. The Grand Duke hadn't pushed the issue since then. While the motion to separate from the main Empire went through without much resistance, debates about Marianne's proposed Federation of Nations was going incredibly slow.

He didn't want to speak before the Lords and he didn't want to be Diethard's propaganda piece. But when he looked at the frightened faces of Maria and Alice, he cursed inwardly. Just because they weren't going after the Eden Elite now that didn't mean they would be deployed later. That would leave Maria and Alice with significantly less protection and he feared what would happen to them. He had been getting close to the two of them over the recent month. With still no word about his mother in Japan, one could almost say he had attached himself to Maria. She was a mother who had just lost a son and he was a son who had lost contact with his mother.

Alice was a delight as well, she was so innocent and sweet, it made him sick to think of what Shin did and what the mob would do to her, to both of them. He tapped into all the technology within the radius of the mansion. He saw traffic cameras that captured views of groups of people, appearing to be drunk, leering at the manor. As Diethard had said they wouldn't risk crossing him to try and get to Maria and Alice. But that couldn't last forever.

He turned to Maria and Alice and took knee before them.

"Lady Maria, Alice, as much as it pains me to say it that man Diethard has a point," said Rivalz. "I can't protect you forever and people are angry about what Shin has done. Their anger ruined your house but that can be fixed, your property replaced. But you two...you're irreplaceable. Letting people know about how Shin's actions have hurt you as well could at least get people on your side. I don't want to force either of you into this but I swear no matter what choice you make I will stand by you both. No matter what, you can always count on me."

He held out his blue hands to both of them. Maria and Alice looked at each other, the latter very confused and somewhat nervous about all of this. Maria looked comfortingly to her daughter, whom she was desperate to protect in all of this.

She then looked at Rivalz's kindly face, the artificial eye and the red horn not mattering when she looked into his soft grey eye. She smiled warmly, and Alice following suit, both taking his hands. Rivalz turned his head to Milly and she allowed Diethard to enter the house again.

"I'll fix the camera and we can begin after that," said Rivalz, rising to his feet.

"Thank you, I knew you could see reason Prince Virtue," said Diethard. "I'll begin..."

"But Milly does the interview," said Rivalz.

"Excuse me?" asked Diethard.

"I agree," said Maria, standing. "Mr. Reid sir, if only for the comfort of my daughter I would like Miss Ashford to do the interview."

"Need I remind you, Prince Virtue, that I am the head of the media department of the Atlas Fleet?" asked Diethard, not hiding the annoyance in his voice.

"That you are," said Rivalz. "But you are also in Lady Maria's house and you will respect her wishes. So you will either respect her wishes and stay silent while Milly does the interview or I can throw you out."

Diethard clenched his teeth but he saw Akito with his hand to his dagger and Rivalz getting ready to draw his own sword. It would be pointless to get into a fight with someone he wanted to turn into a legend so he had to control himself.

"Of course," said Diethard, putting on a false smile.

"Good," said Rivalz, taking the broken camera in hand. "But don't worry you'll get your big chance. After this...I'm going to take the Grand Duke's invitation to stand before the House of Lords."

Leaving her brother in Kallen's care Nunnally returned to one of the remaining hospitals in St. Petersburg. Each hospital in the city had been filled to the brig with injured people who had been caught in the attack of the Dagon and its drones. While many of the wounded had been treated, a considerable number of them placed in temporary housing with their various homes now destroyed, the hospital was still heavily crowded.

Because of this there was no small amount of conflict among the various patients. When Nunnally arrived she saw a scuffle over a loaf of bread between several injured civilians.

Fearing they would hurt themselves even worse or cause a bigger fight, Nunnally activated her Geass and her violet colored spirit self appeared before the wounded civilians. The aura her spirit self gave off calmed the struggling civilians, ending the fight. Peace returned to the wounded and Nunnally sighed, feeling only slightly tired.

"Nunna? Are you okay?" asked Shirley.

Nunnally turned to see Shirley in her own Atlas Fleet uniform. Nunnally looked it over and saw how it had been redesigned from her old uniform.

"I'm fine Shirley, is that a new uniform?' asked Nunnally.

"Yeah, the Fleet's doing some restructuring and part of that includes slight redesigns on the uniforms," said Shirley.

Her uniform was the standard purple color of the Fleet, although inside the globe portion of the log was the symbol of the Caduceus, dictating that she was part of the medical corps of the Fleet.

"It looks nice," said Nunnally.

"Thank you," said Shirley. "So how's Lulu? Any change?"

Nunnally shook her head and Shirley frowned deeply. While she had come to accept that Lelouch had obviously chosen Kallen, having been found wounded in her defense, she still cared deeply about him. The helplessness she felt about his situation saddened her greatly. But she had managed to find the strength to focus on her work, helping those she could do something for.

"How are things going here?" asked Nunnally, attempting to change the subject.

"We've finally managed to get things under control," said Shirley. "The majority of people here are stable but the big issue is how cramped the hospital is and a lot of them have been left homeless by the Dagon. As you saw it can be a bit of a powder keg here at times."

Nunnally thought about the issue and made a decision in regards to it.

The Black Knights had finally finished setting up a Fleet base in China and were prepping to leave to return to Euro Britannia. But before that Ohgi had decided to allow a few days shore leave for the Black Knights before they would return to Euro Britannia.

While this was a welcome gift to many of them, for others it was an extreme annoyance.

"This is intolerable," roared Jeremiah. "His majesty lies wounded and you wish to waste time with pointless frivolity?"

"Our men have worked tirelessly over the past month we've been here in China," said Ohgi, not backing down. "Many of whom were forced to work directly after going through what they did in the battle with Shin. They're mentally and physically exhausted. A little rest and relaxation is good for them. What is good for our men is good for our cause. What is good for our cause is what Lelouch would want if he were here now."

"Awfully arrogant to assume you know the desires of his majesty," said Jeremiah.

The two men stood in the officers lounge of the Valhalla where the others from the old resistance cell watched, along with Viletta and Sayoko, as the two men stared down.

"Technically he's not my 'majesty'," said Ohgi. "He's my ally not my king."

"Disrespectful..."

"Alright I'm cutting this dick measuring contest short," said Viletta getting in front of Ohgi.

"Indeed," said Sayoko getting in front of Sayoko. "Jeremiah, I share your frustration about what has happened to Master Lelouch, but you must not take it out on our allies. Mister Ohgi is the second in command of the Black Knights sect of the Atlas Fleet, as ordered by our Master. We are obligated to go along with his orders."

Jeremiah held a scowl for a moment but eventually relaxed and turned to leave. Sayoko followed suit, leaving the Japanese officers and the Britannian woman alone in the lounge.

"That guy's got issues," said Tamaki.

"He raised Lelouch in the years he remained hidden," said Ohgi, relaxing himself from the tense conflict. "He's just frustrated about what happened."

"I think we all are," said Sugiyama. "But still Jeremiah's...a bit odd."

"Yeah the way he tends to go off about 'loyalty'," said Minami. "Whether its about Marianne or Lelouch, or even Nunnally."

"He's a devoted soldier," said Viletta.

"That's one word for it," said Inoue.

"That's enough," said Ohgi. "You all get shore leave too, enjoy it. I'm going to go back down and check with Xingke to see if there's anything else we need to do here before we leave."

Viletta pressed her lips together and then grabbed Ohgi by the arm and led him out of the room forcibly.

"Hey, what..."

"You're on leave," said Viletta.

"What?" asked Ohgi.

"Have fun buddy," laughed Tamaki from the bar.

Nunnally had gotten a hold of Rai and under Nunnally's direction, and with permission granted by the Grand Duke, they had taken initiative in rebuilding the city. She hoped that they could give those people in the hospital and the temporary shelters their homes back and soon. She had taken a considerable number of Atlas Fleet troops to act as workers.

"It's a kind thing, working to restore what these people lost," said Rai.

"I just couldn't stand the thought of all those people forced to be homeless, left the mourn their loved ones while those who committed these crimes escape justice," said Nunnally.

"It strikes close to home doesn't it?" asked Rai.

Nunnally nodded, thinking back to time her uncle had stolen her home from her.

"Nunnally...I promise I will give you a true home," said Rai.

Nunnally turned trying to hide her blush. Rai was puzzled by this and it was clear on his face. As this happened, Oz, having joined with the work force walked up with a cocky smile on his face.

"Bringing a blush to a young maiden's cheeks," said Oz, having removed his mask and revealing his emerald eyes. "Of course which set of cheeks you'd rather make red are between you and her, Rai."

"Orpheus," said Rai, happily.

The two clasped hands and shook while Nunnally looked on, curious as to this stranger.

"Nunnally, say hello to Orpheus Zevon," said Rai. "He was my best friend in the Geass Order."

"Your servant, princess," said Orpheus, taking her hand to his lips.

Rai gave a slightly annoyed look to his friend pressing his lips to Nunnally's hand but said nothing.

"I'm surprised you stuck around here in Euro Britannia," said Rai. "No new mission?"

"Lady M.M has been understandably busy with the politics of breaking an empire," said Orpheus. "I've been without much to do so when I heard you two were setting up this work force and thought it would at least be something to do."

"But what would you do if you had been given orders?" asked Nunnally.

"Orpheus is one of our best infiltration operatives," said Rai.

"You're a spy?" asked Nunnally.

"Essentially yes," said Orpheus. "I exterminate a target and use my Geass to assume that person's form and take their place in enemy forces. I've mostly worked in a lot of the Areas but I have done work in the Homeland. Not much recently though, and with this I was hoping to get the chance."

"Are you from Britannia?" asked Nunnally.

"I was," said Orpheus. "But that was a long time ago. In truth I don't care about Britannia as a nation. The only things I want in it is to settle a personal score I have with the Eden Elite and to connect with my sister."

"Wouldn't your sister have been in the Order?" asked Nunnally.

"I wasn't raised in the Order like Rai," said Orpheus. "I was rescued by them but my sister...she's still there. She's managed to survive and thrive, despite V.V's efforts to stamp out happiness like insects. She's even met someone special and I've made a promise to both of them."

"What kind of promise?" asked Nunnally.

"It's a personal thing," said Orpheus. "Anyway, I better get to work. You lovebirds play nice, keep each other close."

Nunnally blushed again but Rai looked a little sad.

"Rai?" she asked.

"I'm glad to see that Orpheus is alright," said Rai. "He goes on so many long missions behind enemy lines I sometimes wonder if he won't come back. He's a good friend, a little odd and introverted at times, but he is a good friend. Despite all that's happened to him."

"What happened?" asked Nunnally.

"He...lost someone, let's just leave it at that," said Rai. "It's really his story to tell not mine. I sometimes think he could have become something horrible if it weren't for Lady Marianne and Lord Bismark taking him in."

"And for you, being his friend," said Nunnally, smiling brightly. "I sometimes fear what Lelouch could have been if it weren't for him making friends with Suzaku and all our other friends at Ashford Academy."

Rai smiled lightly and Nunnally took his hands in hers. Her smile had an affect on his soul that required no use of her Geass. He was at peace just looking at her. He wanted to feel this way forever, to have her forever.

Wooden swords clashed for the umpteenth time and Nagisa Chiba ordered an end for now. Ayano and Euphemia put down their practice swords and bowed to each other before turning to bow to their sensei.

Both young women were quite beat from their practices. While Euphemia bore a few more bruises than Ayano, the latter having had more practical experience than the princess, Nagisa was impressed by how dedicated Euphemia was to her training. And she had shown true potential. While Nagisa doubted that Euphie wouldn't become as legendary a fighter as her sister or stepmother she would at least be able to hold her own and defend herself with competence.

"Well done, both of you," said Nagisa. "You're both coming along quite nicely."

"Thank you sensei," both young women said in unison.

"Return your equipment and head to the baths, you've earned some time to relax," said Nagisa, smiling brightly.

The two bowed and stood to their feet, walking off to put away their swords. As they did so Tohdoh entered the dojo, the two girls quickly bowed to him which he returned, before continuing along with their master's instructions.

Nagisa then stood at attention herself before Tohdoh spoke.

"At ease Chiba," said Tohdoh, we're not on active duty right now."

The White Samurai had taken residence in the house of Taizo Kirahara while a new provisional government was being set up in Japan. Euphemia herself was an integral part of that ever since V.V announced that all the people in Area 11 were no longer considered citizens of Britannia. There had been panic but Euphemia had announced that even if the Emperor had abandoned them she would not and was working to make peaceful arrangements with the native Japanese people possible. For now it appeared that it was working although the unease between the two peoples was still obviously present. As such the White Samurai weren't able to leave as the reputation of the Atlas Fleet from the battles in Europe had a considerable effect. The story of their strength, enough to defeat the Eden Elite had been enough to hold those most extreme personalities at bay, at least for now.

"I didn't know you had taken on students," said Tohdoh. "Surprising choices."

"They actually came to me," said Nagisa. "Ayano is quite skilled, she's already had some training, more with shorter bladed but there's a lot of potential in her. Euphemia has proven to be competent enough and she doesn't complain when she takes the greater brunt of the training. She just smiles and focuses on the training. She should be decent enough if she is forced to fight. Although I hope it never comes to that."

Tohdoh couldn't help but chuckle and give a small smile. Nagisa couldn't help but blush and attempted to hide her face.

"She's a sweet girl," said Nagisa. "You'd think as a princess of Britannia she'd be spoiled rotten but she truly wants to do good by our people. She wants to bring peace and happiness to everyone. Actually, considering who rules Britannia and what she's been threatened with I can't help but admire how she's kept such a pure heart and soul through it all. She thinks she's weak but really...I think she's incredibly strong, at least spiritually. She didn't let the misery of this world break her or make her cruel or violent. In truth I wish she didn't have to fight. I wish none of them had to fight. Euphemia, Ayano, the other W-0 pilots, Cardemonde, Kozuki, even Kururugi and Lelouch. They might not be children anymore but they're still young, innocent. They don't deserve to have that innocence taken away from them."

"In war, it is always the young who suffer," said Tohdoh. "That is why we must end this war for the sake of future generations."

Nagisa only blushed harder at the thought of future children.

"Nagisa?" asked Tohdoh, catching her attention.

"Yes, sir?" asked Nagisa.

"It's a lovely night out and I was planning on walking out for some air," said Tohdoh. "I would appreciate the company if you'd like to join me."

"Oh, of course," said Nagisa.

The following afternoon Suzaku had gone into the Tokyo Settlement, or rather simply Tokyo as was the case. He was on a special assignment on order of Lady Marianne. Luckily Lelouch already had people looking over the target and when V.V's announcement to abandon Area 11 they had at least been able to keep the target secure.

But Marianne feared the potential problems that would arise and called Suzaku to personally see this mission through. He made his way to the location, a safe house Lelouch had set up from the start. The target was there, lying in bed sipping tea.

"Mrs. Kozuki?" said Suzaku, entering her room.

"Yes," said Hisako Kozuki.

"I'm a friend of your daughter," said Suzaku. "I've come to take you to her."

Kallen had a bedroll laid out in Lelouch's room, wanting to be close to him even if he didn't know she was there. It was where she spent most of her time when she was not training with either Marianne or Bismark, the only time she would leave Lelouch's room. She would take her meals here and even bathe with sponges by Lelouch's pod, hoping he could at least be released from the pod soon.

At nights like this when she would find herself lathering her naked body with a sponge, her back pressed to the side of the pod, she felt an ache. To feel flesh against flesh, his against hers. Even if he couldn't do anything she could at least curl up to him and keep him warm. The foolish, girlish side of her believed that perhaps if she could just do that, if she could just make him warm with her body, her heart, pressed so close to his body and heart, he would return to her.

He would return to her, they would make love, and he would truly ask her to wed him.

And she would say yes, because she loved him, just as Marianne had said when she gave her the power of Geass. She would fulfill her end of the contract and marry Lelouch.

Finished cleaning herself for the night Kallen stood and looked down at Lelouch's sleeping form. Aside from his missing eye, and the signs of a long scar over the left side of his face, he looked so peaceful. Kallen leaned down and gave a good night kiss to the portion of the glass over Lelouch's face, pressing her breasts against the glass. The sensation of the cool glass against her flesh made Kallen's body shiver all the way down to her womanhood. It made her want to do something foolish and melt the glass just so she could have his body against hers.

But she knew it wasn't good for Lelouch's health and she refused to hurt the man she loved. No more than she already had by her weakness.

"Lelouch...I will get stronger...so that I'm never helpless again," said Kallen. "So that you won't have to sacrifice yourself for me. So you won't have to fight yourself because I'm the strongest weapon you have. You say you wouldn't be a true king if you weren't the one leading the charge? But don't you realize how foolish that is? How reckless? If a king gets himself killed trying to do right by his followers then he only harms his followers with his absence. Just because V.V isn't attacking us now doesn't mean he won't jump at the chance once he's ready. And if you're still...if you're not there to lead us...then...then what hope have we?"

"That hope will come from you."

Kallen looked up and saw Marianne. She didn't know how long Marianne had been in the room or when she had entered. Normally Kallen would have went to cover herself out of instinct. But Marianne had stripped her before and even bathed her before. And if anything Kallen had somewhat developed a bit of an admiration for how Marianne herself had a lax attitude towards her own nudity.

"Lady Marianne," said Kallen, getting off of Lelouch's pod.

"I'm sorry for interrupting my dear," said Marianne.

"How...how long were you..."

"Oh I just got here while you finished cleaning yourself," said Marianne. "It was a lovely speech and I agree Lelouch has been quite reckless. But I don't expect him to change, he can be stubborn. He gets that from his father. When Lelouch wakes up I believe he will continue to try and lead at the head of his army. And if it were a choice of giving his life for your survival, as you are his beloved, he will gladly give his life for you to live."

Kallen gasped and Marianne quickly cupped Kallen's chin in her hand.

"That is what love is," said Marianne. "To care for someone so much that you are willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of that person's happiness. He would give his life for you and you for him."

"But...but I don't want Lelouch to give his life for me," said Kallen. "It must sound selfish."

"Ah but love is also selfish," said Marianne. "And you made a crucial error."

"An...error?" asked Kallen.

"The hope our forces will look for in Lelouch's absence will come from you as his Queen," said Marianne. "As the Queen it is your duty to uphold the honor and dignity of Lelouch's kingdom in his absence. To guide his forces and preserve what he built or avenge what his enemies destroyed."

Kallen felt Marianne spoke from her own experience. Ever since the death of Lelouch's father Charles, Marianne had worked for years to build up the strength to avenge his death and the decimation of his domain by his brother.

"You are right, simply because Vincent hasn't attacked doesn't mean he won't and possibly soon," said Marianne. "Even if he is licking the wounds of his Eden Elite's first great defeat he will return. If Lelouch is not awoken by then the sect of the Black Knights shall need one to lead them in his stead. That is your purpose as Amaterasu, the Red Queen. And as Lelouch's queen in general. Indeed you must grow strong, the Queen is the most powerful piece on the board after all. Your desire to be strong enough that he will not have to risk himself as much comforts my heart as his mother. But more than just your strength in battle is needed. You must have the strength to lead."

"To lead?" asked Kallen.

She had never thought much about being a leader. Her skills were in battle, in the actual fighting of the battle, not planning out the battle or commanding others.

"You must stop thinking of yourself as a mere soldier Kallen," said Marianne. "You are the Queen now. You must be true to that title and when the time comes I believe you shall live up to it."

Kallen, not knowing what to say, simply threw herself into Marianne, placing her arms around her as if she were her mother. Marianne returned the hug as if Kallen were her own daughter.

"I have a surprise for you," said Marianne.

She turned slightly to the door as it was opening and Marianne's surprise came through.

"Mother?" she asked.

Rivalz examined himself in the mirror. His cybernetic parts had been polished and his torso held the redesigned logo. The emblems of the Atlas Fleet and the Blue Unicorn combined with the latter inside the globe of the former. It was an easy change, the 'clothing' over his exposed flesh had been done by the nanites in his body so the old emblem over his fleshy right pectoral was gone. His left emblem was also rearranged by his nanties.

He had even gotten the new emblem over the segmented blue cape he wore, in brilliant gold.

"You look wonderful," said Maria.

Rivalz turned and smiled at the noblewoman. Milly, and Diethard though Rivalz hated to say it, was right and by revealing how Shin had ordered the deaths of her and her daughter, many of the public had been said to sympathize with her. The image of their hero, the Blue Unicorn standing with them and declaring the under his protection also seemed to dissuade any would be troublemaker who would try and take their fury out on her or Alice.

She had been given a new dress courtesy of the Grand Duke, since her clothing had been destroyed when her house was looted.

"Thank you, Lady Maria," said Rivalz. "You didn't have to come."

"I couldn't repay your kindness by not being here," said Maria. "Alice feels the same, even though she is understandably nervous, as am I if I am to be honest. We're going out in public without name marred by Shin's actions."

"If you're worried about your safety I can have some of my Crusaders take you to the Elysium until this is over," said Rivalz. "Or maybe I can ask the Grand Duke to cancel."

"No," said Maria. "We shouldn't allow ourselves to be ruled by fear of what might happen. Besides, as long as you are there I'm sure Alice and I will be safe, just as you've always done."

Rivalz looked down bashfully, causing Maria to giggle.

"I'm really not comfortable with any of this," said Rivalz. "I never imagined myself becoming a Knight."

"Yet you've acted like one ever since I met you," said Maria. "You should feel proud for everything you've done. From here to Area...Japan you've put your life on the line to defend others. That is the duty of a Knight."

Maria's face then fell, making Rivalz very concerned.

"I was so proud of Shin when he became a knight," said Maria. "Then to become Grand Master of one of the Four Orders. But now I see he only gained such power through lies and murder. If I had known how twisted he was...I would have tried to do more for him. He may have been a former Japanese, I still loved him as if he were my own. It is a mother's duty to not only protect her children from the world but from themselves."

"Lady Maria...I don't know if there was anything you could have done for him," said Rivalz. "I don't know if there is anything anyone can do for him."

"Would you think I'm wicked for still caring for him?" asked Maria.

"Of course not," said Rivalz. "You raised him, you were his mother, no matter what he's done in you heart he's always going to be your son in your heart. You still love him despite what he is now."

"I just wish I knew if that love was returned, for Alice as well," said Maria. "Shin was such a good and kind brother to Alice. I just wish I could have spoken to my son. To ask if he truly cared about us or if he was just using us."

Rivalz pushed his lips together upon seeing the sadness in Maria's eyes.

"Would the answer really be worth it?" asked Rivalz.

"It's better than just not knowing," said Maria.

"I...I know what that's like," said Rivalz.

Rivalz's face fell once more and Maria drew close, feeling a sense of worry over the young man.

"You see...I haven't been able to find my mother after my...after what made me into this," said Rivalz. "She thought I was dead. We only ever had each other in life after...after she had been sent away to the Area with me. Princess Cornelia has had people looking for her but there's still no news. I have no idea where she is. If she's alright or what's happened to her. For all I know she still thinks I'm dead and I'm tempted to try and find her myself. But...but I can't just leave my friends to fight alone. And with...this...I can't really afford to leave Euro Britannia. I'm hoping I'll be able to find the time to search for her. Even...even if she is...if she's..."

Rivalz had begun trembling and Maria took his hands in hers.

"I'm sure you'll find her one day," said Maria.

"Even if she's...gone?" asked Rivalz.

He had feared that possibility for so long. He wanted to hope beyond hope that she was alive somewhere in Japan. But no one, not even Cornelia's people could find her and the possibility of their failure to find her being due to her death, was high.

"You can't give up hope," said Maria.

"I...I just wish she were here," said Rivalz.

Maria pulled Rivalz into a hug, placing his head in the crook of her shoulder and neck, the warmth of motherly love flowing through her.

"If you would have me...allow me to stand in her place until she comes," said Maria.

Rivalz placed his arms around Maria just as the door opened and Cornelia entered in.

"They're...ready for you," said Cornelia. "Is everything alright?"

Rivalz and Maria broke their embrace and she dried the tear from Rivalz's eye. He took in a breath and walked towards Cornelia.

"It's fine," said Rivalz. "I'm ready."

Cornelia nodded and escorted Maria through a different exit as not to interrupt the ceremony. Rivalz straightened himself and entered through large double doors into the throne room. Nobles of Euro Britannia gathered on aisles on both sides of the carpet that led to the throne where Velaines sat with the other Grand Masters and the Arch Bishop standing at his sides. Knights of the remaining three orders stood in salute, as did his own Sapphire Crusaders. Cornelia had taken her place among the Sapphire Crusaders while Maria had been escorted to a place next to Marianne who observed next to Bismark who stood in salute. Alice stood next to Nunnally, who stood by Rai. Kallen stood next to her mother who stood along with Maria and Marianne.

He noticed Milly smiling at him from among the crowd and Rivalz buried his doubts as he walked up to the throne and took knee. Guilford had shown him the proper way to motion himself for a knighting ceremony and motioned himself as such. His right arm over his heart and his left arm over his back.

"Rivalz Cardemonde, Prince of Virtue, Blue Unicorn, in honor and recognition of your valor and courage in battle, I Grand Duke Augusta Henry Velaines, in the name of the Euro Britannia and the Holy Spirit, appoint you as Knight of the United Realm of Euro Britannia," said the Grand Duke. "And further more upon you I bestow the title, Lord Protector."

Rivalz had not expected that last part. Neither had many of the others in attendance. The title of Lord Protector was one rarely used because of the high honor and authority granted to it.

"Do you accept the responsibilities ascribed to these titles and the power they promise?" asked Velaines.

Rivalz thought of Milly in the crowd watching him in some worry. Of Cornelia, Guilford, and Dalton who had supported him. And of Maria, who had asked of him to hold his mother's place in life until he found her, and of young Alice. He couldn't let them down by refusing.

"I accept," he said.

"Then arise, Sir Rivalz Cardemonde, Lord Protector of Euro Britannia, Prince Virtue the Blue Unicorn," said Velaines.

Rivalz arose and released his sword raising it aloft to the applause of the crowd. As he did, from the area reserved for the press Diethard smiled. Although he had been disrespected by Rivalz, the young man was none the less making himself a powerful icon. Similar to how Zero appeared in Japan earlier. Diethard had hoped to weave a grand narrative around the chaos caused by Zero but with him in a coma Diethard's drama had found itself without a star. It appeared that void had been filled though and Diethard planned to use Rivalz for all the drama he could.

A ball had been thrown in honor of the new Lord Protector following the ceremony. Velaines had taken Maria to his arm as to fulfill his promise to Lord Protector Cardemonde, sure no one would harass her if she were on his arm.

Alice stood next to Nunnally looking at a beautiful piece of dessert that sparkled like a jewel. As Alice took a bite she could not help but overhear words being said by a few of the nobles near the buffet table.

"The nerve, allowing the traitor's kin into the palace," one man said.

"Quiet, she's just a girl," said a woman near him.

"She's a traitor's sister none the less," the man continued to say. "Good luck finding someone who'd want to marry someone with her name. Probably best to just send both her and her whore mother to a brothel. It's the only place they'd actually be welcome."

Dropping her utensils Alice quickly ran out of the ballroom. Nunnally went to follow her but Rai placed his hand on her shoulder and drew here attention to Rivalz, who had broken off his dance with Milly when he saw Alice run. Nunnally caught the expression on Rivalz's face and she understood. It was a face she had seen on Lelouch's face when he was worried about her.

She decided she would let Rivalz handle the duties of a big brother, the duties that Shin had abandoned, and set out on her own duty. She had not known Alice for long but Nunnally was a person who could be described as 'all loving'. She wanted to spread kindness to everyone and could not tolerate unkindness to others. A lever thought came into her mind and she quickly whispered into Rai's ear. He smiled upon hearing her idea and activated his Geass. The ones who were speaking rudely to Alice suddenly began to panic about a snake coiling around them.

As Nunnally and Rai avenged the unkindness to Alice, Rivalz followed Alice out to a fountain where she was slumped over crying.

"Alice," said Rivalz.

He knelt down beside the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Alice, don't listen to them," said Rivalz. "They're fools who are just angry at Shin."

"How could brother do this to us?" asked Alice, her crying affecting her voice. "What did I do to make him hate me?"

"You didn't do anything," said Rivalz. "Shin is the one at fault."

"I..I thought big brother would always be there for me," said Alice. "But now...now everything's wrong in the world. Mother and I...we...we're going to be..."

"Nothing is going to happen to you or your mother," said Rivalz, making his voice as forceful as he could while also trying to keep it comforting.

It was then he noticed a glint of silver in her hands at the front of her dress. Rivalz did not have to guess what it was.

"Alice...put down the knife," said Rivalz.

Alice looked up at him with bloodshot eyes, the knife now visible in the moonlight.

"I...I'm just...I just want to die!" she cried.

Alice began to drive the knife into her chest. Only for it to break against Rivalz's cybernetic palm. As she looked up at Rivalz in shock, Alice failed to notice how Rivalz took the remainder of the knife from her hand and threw it into the fountain. He then gently placed both his hands on her shoulders and locked his good eye with hers.

"Alice, your mother is as heartbroken as you are," said Rivalz. "But she has to continue living for your sake. And because of that you owe it to her to live for her. I know it must feel as if the world is scary and awful and it might be that way for a long time. But I swear, I will do everything in my power to make the world right for you again. For the both of you. I don't know what kind of big brother Shin was to you. Or whether his love was genuine or false. But I will never be false to you or to your mother. I won't tell her about this though, so long as you do something for me."

"What?" asked Alice.

Rivalz wiped away Alice's tears and then picked her up bridal style and turned to the ball.

"Have the next dance with me," said Rivalz.

"But...I'm the traitor's sister," said Alice. "They'll laugh at you."

"If anyone laughs at you I will strike them down to preserve your honor," said Rivalz. "Shin has thrown away the honor being your brother. If you'd like Alice...I could be your brother."

Alice gasped in surprise as Rivalz just gave a wide smile.

"I've always wanted a little sister," he said.

Alice's eyes began to water again, but this time she had a small smile.

After the ball Marianne had invited Maria and Hisako to a bath aboard her ship the Olympus.

"I can't believe you actual built in a hot spring to the ship," said Hisako.

"It is impressive," said Maria.

"Just wait until you're actually in the water to know how impressive," said Marianne.

The three women walked up to the spring and placed the towels they held in front of their bodies on a rail before settling in.

"Oh this is wonderful," said Maria, the heat of the water running throughout her body.

"It's perfect," said Hisako.

"I told you," said Marianne.

The three women sighed as they reclined against the faux rocks.

"This is just what I've been needing for a while," said Marianne. "Time to just soak and get warm."

The other two hummed in agreement, letting the water work it's magic on their tired bodies.

"This was very kind of you your majesty to invite me," said Maria. "Considering that...that..."

"Shin's wrongs are his own, and please it's Marianne," said the former Empress. "I'm hardly an Empress any more. And since Euro Britannia has broken off from the Holy Britannian Empire I am essentially without title. Besides, I've always wanted other mothers to socialize with. The other concubines Charles had weren't very pleasant. Once they tried to humiliate me by tearing my dress and forcing me to walk nude back to my Villa. However their plan was thwarted because I've never feared showing my body."

A fact Marianne demonstrated by standing tall, proud, and nude before the other women.

"Clearly," said Maria.

"Yes, um...can you sit back down please?" asked Hisako.

"Oh come on, we're already naked here who's to say we can't enjoy the view?" laughed Marianne.

Maria and Hisako exchanged curious glances but when they looked back at Marianne they both rose to their feet as well, exposing their nude bodies to the former Empress as well.

"We really shouldn't stand wet in the open air," said Hisako. "We could catch a cold."

"Oh very well," said Marianne. "You both look great by the way."

Maria and Hisako both blushed at the former queen's candor and all three reclined back into the hot water. When she sat back down Hisako looked at Marianne and felt she had to say something.

"Marianne...I wanted to thank you for taking care of my daughter," said Hisako.

"She is to be my daughter-in-law," said Marianne. "Of course I've taken care of her."

"But...she's still going to fight isn't she?" asked Hisako.

"I'm afraid so," said Marianne. "She has the spirit of a warrior queen. The perfect bride for my son."

"I never imagined Kallen falling in love with a prince," said Hisako. "Especially after Japan was invaded. But...does she truly have to fight?"

"I know how you feel," said Marianne. "My own son Lelouch is lying in a coma. If I could I would lock him away for his own safety until I had that troll Vincent's head hanging from my wall and I was sure there was nothing else in this world that could threaten him. But...but it is out of my hands. Lelouch would never allow himself to be coddled or locked away while others fought to avenge his father. Even as a child Lelouch could be very stubborn. Took after his father."

"Kallen could be stubborn as well," said Hisako. "She was so sweet but she was wild. I can't tell you how many days Naoto would..."

The mention of her son's name made Hisako's blood run cold. After meeting with her daughter again Kallen, feeling she could not lie to her mother, revealed the truth about Naoto's fate. Maria watched Hisakio's expression and she could tell what she was feeling. It was the same thing she felt when she saw Shin's betrayal.

"I can't believe my son would become such a monster," said Hisako. "That he would ever hurt Kallen or me."

The Geass cast on Hisako had been broken with Naoto's death. But that didn't make it any easier for her to take the truth. Her son had become a murderer and then been changed into a monster.

"It's all the fault of Amadeus Bludbierd, and V.V," said Marianne. "Everything they touch is ruined and corrupted. They take everything you love in life and hope to leave you to rot in your misery."

"I don't suppose it would be possible to say Shin was corrupted by them either would it?" asked Maria. "I know I should accept what he has done but...but I still wish someone could tell me that it isn't really him doing these horrible things."

Marianne took Maria's hand, although she hated Shin for what he had done to her son, she was none the less sympathetic to Maria. Hisako took both their hands, though she had just met these women but she understood what they were feeling. They were all mothers and their children had all suffered in one way or another. They understood the emotions each other was feeling.

"A mother's life is infinite," said Marianne, placing her arm around Maria's and Hisako's shoulders. "No matter what horrors the child commits."

"That's easy for you to say my lady," said Maria.

"Your son is a hero," said Hisako. "You don't have a son who is a villain."

"But my sweet you have a daughter who is a hero in her own right," said Marianne. "Who is going to marry my son the hero, making him your son. And if I read the room correctly, and I'm sure I did, you may as well count Euro Britannia's new Lord Protector as a son Lady Maria. The way he entered the room with your daughter in his arms after she left in tears, the knight in shining armor coming to the aid of a maiden, it's so beautiful I think I might cry."

And indeed Marianne began making false crying noises, more to lighten the mood than anything else. As the other two women couldn't help but laugh it worked.

Although manual labor had never been her forte, Nunnally none the less continued to supervise the reconstruction of the city. She provided food, water, and if necessary medicine to her workers from the Fleet, who had adopted silver colored uniforms. As they had worked in the reconstruction they had managed to actually find people who had been listed as missing since the attack. Either their bodies or still living people, barely alive after a month under rubble.

It was difficult, the stress of the work and the fear of retaliation from the Eden Elite often threatened to disrupt Nunnally's efforts. However her Geass provided her with the means to calm the spirits of her troubled workers and the citizens of the city who had volunteered to help.

Over the remaining months of the spring Nunnally had developed something of a reputation. She was considered an almost holy figure by some, especially those from the Geass Order. To have a Geass bestowed to her from an aspect of the Collective itself was nigh unheard of. Even the immortals had never been known to hold such honor.

For this as well as for the angelic vision her Geass presented for people, she was referred to often as a priestess. Nunnally couldn't help but catch wind of these terms.

"What are you thinking about?' asked Rai, as the two of them laid in bed aboard the Olympus.

"I've been thinking, will you...help me form a sect of our own?" asked Nunnally.

"I think we already have," said Rai. "We just didn't notice it."

"Perhaps but...Rai, I don't want us to be focused on fighting like the others are," said Nunnally. "As horrible as my uncle is and as necessary as the war is, I cannot bring myself to want to fight. Nor do I want you to fight."

"Nunnally..."

"I've almost lost my brother I don't want to risk you," said Nunnally.

"Alright, alright," said Rai. "Then what would our sect focus on if not active combat?"

"We can do what we've done all throughout Europe and Euro Britannia," said Nunnally. "We can save those who the war hurts. The ones who are sick, hurt, and homeless. We can offer them salvation from the hell my uncle wants to inflict on them. To save them from those devils we could be..."

"Angels," said Rai.

"I...I wouldn't have suggested..."

"I like it, Silver Angels," said Rai. "But if you want me to really go through with this, join me in leading them. Like what Kallen is supposed to do with Lelouch, acting as the Red Queen to his Black King and sharing command of their sect. If I may be Smoke, the Silver Mage then join me as..., my Violet Priestess."

Nunnally blushed and smiled and thought of a name to go along with that title. There was a name she had taken a fancy too for some time. A name that meant 'no one'.

"Nemo," said Nunnally. "Nemo, the Violet Priestess."

"I love it," said Rai, bringing her lips to his.

Spring's end brought a reunion of the Atlas Fleet. The White Samurai had helped establish a provisional police force between the remnants of the JLF and a few of Cornelia's remaining forces to keep the peace of the provisional area until something could be decided about the former Britannians.

The Black Knights had long returned and Jeremiah quickly accepted the task of guarding his prince.

The Sapphire Crusaders had helped to essentially fill the power vacuum of the disassembled Order of Michael. And the Silver Angels were formally assembled, Nunnally and Rai sharing command under the identities of Nemo the Violet Priestess and Smoke the Silver Mage.

The former headquarters of the Order of Michael had been given to the Atlas Fleet to use. Marianne had Lelouch moved there, and by then his wounds had healed enough that he didn't need to be in the pod anymore.

He still had not awoken, but at least Kallen could finally hold his hand as she waited for him.

"Still no change?" asked Suzaku, entering the room.

"No, the doctors are saying he might never come out of his coma," said Kallen.

"I don't believe that," said Suzaku. "He's too proud to sleep through the entire game."

Suzaku opened a small case he had and set up a chess board at the end table next to Lelouch's bed.

"Hoping to tempt him awake with a challenge?" asked Kallen with a light smile on her face.

"There aren't many who can offer a challenge," said Suzaku. "Still it's good to humor his ego."

Lelouch's best friend and his lover sat on both sides of his bed, hoping for him to awaken and soon. But before the two could get comfortable the door opened and Jeremiah walked through with a troubled expression on his face.

"Sir Kururugi, Lady Kallen," said Jeremiah. "Lady Marianne has issued summons. There is apparently an issue in Japan."