Broken Valkyrie's Ascent

[Naron]

The first shock for Aries came early in the morning. It happened while the last maids and butlers sleepily crawled out of bed, just as the guards changed shifts. Most of them only heard about it later, mainly through gossip while cleaning.

"Did you hear?" Cynthia told her coworkers conspiratorially. "His highness was in the kitchen making breakfast when the chefs went to get started."

Elena and Hailey both gasped, the sounds not given out of politeness but actual surprise. "No way, really?" Elena followed up.

Even while Cynthia nodded, she never stopped wiping down her window. They were maids of the highest station, they could gossip and stay busy at the same time. "Yes, really! I heard it from Annie earlier, he made pancakes by the dozen. Didn't even acknowledge anyone beside apologising for taking the kitchen. The poor chefs had no idea what to say!"

The other women giggled in response, though they were clearly intrigued. "But wouldn't his fine clothes get dirty?" Elena asked, which made Cynthia laugh; she still had more to share.

"That's the other thing, he wasn't dressed for the day. Just some loose pants and a button-up shirt, an old one. Like the ones you used to wear for class. Annie was all flushed when she described him."

This caused more giggling, this time by all three of them. It petered out into busy silence, though Hailey broke that a minute later while pointing her duster at Elena.

"What about you? You got to wake her highness today."

For some reason however, that made the brunette turn a little glum. She had that duty together with the foreigner, Sayoko. And she still did not know what to make of it.

"Yeah. At least now I know why her highness and Ms. Sumeragi had pancakes when we came in. But listen, mistress Nunnally's legs are still bad!"

She immediately had the other maids' attention, though she did not look at them. Her grimace was reflected in the window she finished up with.

"I kinda thought, I mean she's walking normally, right? But no, that's why Sayoko insisted she show us how to tend to her highness. She got some machine that her legs strap into, that's how she walks. Sayoko showed me how to put those things on her."

A moment of upset silence followed. Part of it was the indignation that their princess remained crippled, part of it worry for what that meant socially. Chances were that some members of staff would resign over this.

Then Hailey sighed. "That explains why she wears conservative clothes like these," she mused. "I heard that imperial princesses like to be a little more risque."

"It could have been some habit she picked up elsewhere," Cynthia comforted her, then turned back to Elena: "But isn't dressing her kind of hard when she wears those?"

"It's impossible," the other maid agreed readily. "We had to put everything on before the machines. So Sayoko lifted her up and let me dress her highness. She's stronger than she looks."

There she left a short pause, preparing to drop the second most scandalous thing she witnessed that morning: "But while I wasn't looking, Ms. Sumeragi dressed herself!"

Her revelation earned some more shocked gasps, but also a chuckle from a passing butler. Jonathan paused to join their conversation as well: "Oh, you girls can get used to it. His highness refused help dressing, too. I imagine her highness would do it herself if she could."

The three maids interrupted their work to turn around, all a little scandalised by what they heard. "Was that normal before?" Elena inquired of the older man, "with Empress Marianne here?"

He shrugged jovially in response. "They were a little young to dress themselves on their own back then. But if I remember correctly, her majesty always refused to let anyone else dress her. That might be where they get it from."

So saying, he took a step closer and leaned in, as if to share a secret. The maids mirrored his actions, always eager for gossip.

"But here's something you probably didn't hear yet," Jonathan teased. "When James walked into his highness's room earlier, he wasn't there. But there was a woman in his bed, who wasn't Dame Stadtfeldt. And definitely not a maid either."

Hailey reared back in shock, the other two just stared at him in befuddlement.

"So he has a mistress already?" Cynthia asked. "Or even a betrothed?"

"But wouldn't we have heard if he were betrothed?" Elena argued, which made Cynthia's eyes go wide.

"So a mistress?!" she squeaked, halfway between intrigue and excitement. The energy between them grew, all three maids excited about this juicy gossip. Jonathan nodded enthusiastically as well, though he was not done yet.

"There's more! Nobody saw her come in yesterday or tonight. The guard captain almost threw a fit when they saw her at breakfast."

That made Elena snap her fingers in realisation. "Oh, her. I was wondering who she was. So nobody knows?"

"I mean, his highness does?" Jonathan answered after a moment. "He seemed to accept her at the table. Daniel swears he saw her before, but he can't remember where."

Daniel, the maids recalled, was one of the other butlers who worked at Aries before Empress Marianne's death. Nobody paid more than a passing thought to entertain the idea he knew the mystery woman, though.

Elena nodded along, meaning to ask further questions. But then Sayoko glided by with a basket of laundry.

"I will not bother you about gossipping," she interrupted them, "but please remember your duties while you do so."

The maids jumped a little, then got back to work as if stung. Jonathan nodded to them and got going as well, actually falling into step with the foreigner. They did not speak, her comfortable in the quiet and him still uncomfortable in her presence. Several others passed them before they parted ways.

Sayoko herself took the laundry to be washed, then picked up several baskets of fresh treats from the kitchen. She quietly appreciated that cleaning was not among her main duties anymore; she did not mind, but there were other things she preferred doing. Such as taking these confections to the lounge, where her master and mistress were.

Dame Stadtfeldt, Lady Sumeragi, and C.C. perked up when she placed the snacks by their side. Sayoko quickly bowed and made to return into the background, but Lelouch stopped her.

"What's the situation around here?" he asked, likely meaning an update on her relation with the staff.

She waited a moment to let Nunnally and Kallen squabble about the milk chocolates, then answered his question: "Overall good, I believe. There are some hiccups with my integrating with the younger maids, but most of the staff seems most concerned with serving you and mistress Nunnally. My competence will bring the rest around before long. Although you have already ruffled a number of feathers, young master."

He just snorted and shook his head, apparently unconcerned about it. Though he did grimace when Sayoko followed up with a little tease: "I also hear that you have a mistress. Whoever might that be?"

C.C.'s grin turned from amused to plain smug at that. They knew nothing actually happened between those two, but it was the natural conclusion to draw. Nunnally and Kallen rolled their eyes, though they were still busy trying to steal chocolate from each other. Kaguya blushed, the only one unaware among them. She turned to Lelouch curiously, making him shrug at her.

"At this point I gave up trying to make her do anything."

"C.C. is like a cat, you can't make her do anything," Nunnally explained absently. "So if she wants to sleep in Lelouch's bed, nobody can stop her."

Sayoko chuckled quietly. Her own thoughts on the matter were much the same; interacting with C.C. became a lot less infuriating once she began to think of her as a particularly mischievous kitten.

Likewise, C.C. learned to stop messing with Sayoko at work after the first time she was carried elsewhere by the scruff of her neck.

Then Jeremiah interrupted the moment of levity, his words giving the entire table pause: "I could be mistaken, but I believe I once spotted a woman quite like you meeting her majesty."

C.C. languidly turned his way, one brow raised primly. "It seems your memory failed you there," she mused. "However would a common woman such as I have met an empress?"

The fact she even deigned to deny it meant she lied. Then again, she lied so obviously that she may as well be playing games. But why try to hide something like this?

If nothing else, Jeremiah seemed as convinced of C.C.'s claim as Sayoko was. Telling what her charges thought was harder, though they seemed wary as well. Neither of them bothered with trying to press her, though. It would be meaningless either way.

Their little break soon ended and everyone got back to work. Excepting C.C., of course. The prince and princess planned and practiced their appearance at court, but also answered their correspondence and related duties. Young Sumeragi's time was taken up directing her company remotely. The respective knights helped out as needed. Sayoko herself headed out to do some more chores, getting the staff used to her presence in the process. She even managed to hold some idle conversations.

And the peace at Aries held for at least a few hours. No more great surprises, no unexpected royalty in the kitchen, no more unknown visitors that made the guard captain ask questions. From what Sayoko gathered, the initial wariness the royal guard faced from the men and women Princess Cornelia hired had faded right quick. She actually spotted some of them drinking together while off-duty.

Outside of that, they were in for a quiet night. The young master even agreed with the chefs to only prepare one meal a day; it was quite the concession, likely due to how much work he had to do otherwise.

But of course, no domestic issues meant that something had to come from the outside. Or in this case, someone.

The next morning's calm lulled them all into a false sense of tranquility, which was exactly when Lelouch and Nunnally heard about two visitors at the gates.

"Come again?" Nunnally asked, unable to believe what she heard.

"The Knight of Three and Knight of Six, your highness," Butler James dutifully repeated. "Their stated business is to introduce themselves."

Nobody believed the last part for even a moment. At the same time, even though the first part was almost as hard to believe, everyone knew that they could not just turn two Knights of the Round Table away. They were of equal standing with the royal family, if not higher. Insult to them was insult to the emperor.

Lelouch's brow furrowed ever so faintly. It was the only sign of his agitation. Nunnally thought back to what she picked up during lessons, trying to determine why those two were here. Gino Weinberg, the Knight of Three, and Anya Alstreim, the Knight of Six, were the youngest Rounds. In fact, Anya was the youngest Round ever appointed. They were also known to have bonded over their being close in age. But none of this answered why they came here.

"Invite them in," Lelouch ordered, even if it was more of a formality. "We will be there shortly."

James bowed reverently and took his leave, leaving a small, confused group behind. Nunnally exchanged a glance with Kaguya, then her brother, and stood. Lelouch threw his sister a searching look, as if to ask if she was certain. Nunnally returned a blank look and a nod.

With the entire staff aware of her state by now, she decided to wear shorts today; there was no time to get changed, either. Not unless she wanted to miss something important. Moreover, though she knew she should give an excuse and get changed, she petulantly refused to cater to people who showed up unannounced like that. If they had issues with her shorts and t-shirt, that was their problem.

Lelouch rolled his eyes heavenward, himself at least dressed in business casual with his button-down shirt and slacks. But he stood as well without any further comment. Kaguya needed a moment to realise she should follow. They were flanked by Jeremiah and Kallen as they started moving.

To the two Knights' credit, they were only momentarily distracted by her appearance. And in fairness, so was she by theirs. They were both dressed in finely tailoured suits, primarily white with golden trims. Anya's pale pink hair was done up just like last time, the girl herself lithe yet clearly fit. Gino was the opposite of her, standing taller than anyone else in the room and with broad shoulders to match. Likewise, where Anya's expression was all but blank, Gino wore a big grin that even seemed genuine.

They were both attractive, from their features over their figures to the confidence they exuded. If this were not her own place, Nunnally would easily believe they lived here all their lives.

Lelouch, being the older sibling, took over the greetings.

"What a surprise to have such important persons visit us so early into our return. It is a great pleasure, Sir Weinberg, Dame Alstreim." He shook hands with Gino as he spoke, then gallantly pressed a kiss to Anya's knuckles.

The Knight of Three chuckled in response. "Likewise, your highness. And your highness, of course."

He showed Nunnally a silly grin, then did as Lelouch had with Anya before. Nunnally's fake smile twitched, but it seemed convincing enough to them. The fact his cologne was barely tolerable in its intensity did not help her composure.

"I am flattered that you would grace us with your presence," she demurred, trying hard not to react outwardly. She made to mimic a curtsy at the Knight of Six, but Anya surprisingly came forward and clasped her hand in a firm grip. It made sense, what with neither of them wearing anything suitable to curtsying, she just did not expect it.

Even more unexpectedly was that Gino then moved on to offer the same courteous greeting to Kaguya.

"Lady Sumeragi," he greeted kindly. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. You look quite lovely this morning."

Kaguya quickly lowered her gaze, cheeks flushed visibly pink. She offered a shy curtsy while Nunnally and Lelouch watched the whole thing in confusion. Nunnally was the only one to hear the sigh Anya strangled in her throat.

"Thank you, Lord Weinberg. You look quite dashing yourself. Any young lady would count herself fortunate to be in your presence."

The flattery made for a good save, though Nunnally could not tell how much of it was actual praise. She interjected regardless, now even more curious what their game was. And if it targeted Kaguya, she would definitely not leave her friend to fend for herself.

"I have to wonder as to the purpose of your visit. Mere introductions do not seem quite sufficient a reason to step away from your important duties."

"No," Anya agreed bluntly. "I wanted to visit."

She did not elaborate, even under their undivided attention. Gino explained for her a moment later: "Ah, well, you see, Aries has been off-limits to everyone ever since the both of you left. From what Anya here told me, she used to stay here."

While the pinkette nodded, Nunnally noted by herself that the two were on first names. A couple, maybe? The ages fit, although she could not recall any mention of it beyond some minor rumours. At the same time, the Rounds may just be close-knit.

"It was part of my etiquette lessons," Anya added. "Then Empress Marianne died and nothing came of it."

Nunnally's eyes narrowed in response, as did Lelouch. Gino cringed visibly, making some abrupt motions to his fellow knight.

Anya tilted her head in response. "Too blunt?"

"Yes," he told her, then apologetically turned to the others: "Please forgive her manners. She prefers to say things as they are."

Nunnally listened and empathised with that stance, but she still felt a little insulted by the casual reminder of her mother's death. At this point she could not help but snap back.

"I can see you never got those lessons elsewhere."

This time it was Jeremiah who cringed, she could tell from the corner of her eye. Gino's jaw fell slack for one gratifying moment, but Anya herself did not seem bothered.

"I got them, but they are all tedious," she told Nunnally matter-of-factly. "But I am Knight of Six, so I can say what I want and nobody can stop me."

And just like that, despite it all, Nunnally felt a sort of kinship with the other teen. It was accompanied by a surge of envy over Anya being able to just say whatever; Nunnally never had that option in her life.

Before she could open her mouth and probably stick her foot in it, Lelouch interjected pointedly: "Meanwhile, Nunnally, you are not the Knight of Six and I can very well stop you."

All eyes turned to him now, unamused as he was. Nunnally rolled her eyes, still annoyed and unhappy.

"Try."

A sudden tension sparked between them, an impromptu staring contest as she dared her brother to look away first. To so much as blink. Unfortunately, Lelouch was just as good at staring back and far too proud to give. And more than that, she knew he was right; Nunnally could not afford to say whatever, nor could she afford to make enemies of two Rounds.

So she yielded, averting her gaze first. A quiet "Fine" came with it, but she did not apologise to Anya. Not that the other girl seemed bothered by it.

The sudden silence between them was disrupted by Gino once more. His grin made a return, just as bright as before. "I will say that I do not mind," he offered genially. "I am used to Anya's bluntness, so there is no need to mince words with me."

She still had no idea what he wanted. Gino clapped his hands lightly, then motioned for his companion. "Now, Anya did want to look around a bit. If that is alright with the both of you?"

It was only a formality. They could force the issue easily. But it seemed that they meant to play nice. Lelouch offered a little nod in turn, his own smile more easygoing than Nunnally's but just as false.

"Of course. We have only just arrived ourselves, so we might as well take another tour."

And just like that, their little procession got going. There were less explanations today than the day they arrived, though.

Anya Alstreim kept her quiet, simply studying everything with an intent stare. Moreover, Nunnally noticed, both Rounds' attention flickered to her legs more than once. Neither said anything, but they were clearly aware of her condition. Nunnally could not tell if that was good or bad, nor did she care much.

"It's nostalgic," Anya suddenly said, just as they moved through the guest wing. One particular door had her attention, though it was no different from the rest of the dozen.

"I stayed here."

So saying, she trooped off on her own and cracked open the door. Everyone else waited, uncertain how to respond to this situation. Anya stared inside for a minute, then closed the door thoughtfully.

"But there is no trace of it left," she announced. A nearby maid started fidgeting in worry, but Nunnally was the only one who seemed to notice; the staff did not seem to exist for the Rounds, as was the case for nobility in general.

"That's how it goes," Nunnally found herself saying. "Time wears it all away. Only our memories remain."

It was a sad reality they had to live with. Anya nodded her agreement, too. "Memories and possibilities," she mused. "What never was. We could have been playmates."

"I guess so."

It was an odd thing to focus on, but Nunnally could see her point. Then however, Jeremiah cleared his throat; he only spoke when Nunnally looked at him, if with a faint smile.

"I happen to remember the day Dame Alstreim arrived at Aries. From what I recall, there was much hair-pulling involved."

Nunnally blinked at him in idle confusion; he sounded almost fond, but she had no memory of such a thing. Anya tilted her head in wonder as well, then ran a hand through her pink mane.

Meanwhile, Gino chuckled. "It sounds like her highness was quite the rascal," he mused, perhaps even teased.

"We were all once children, Lord Weinberg," she retorted serenely. She knew they still counted as children to the one actual adult among them, but she said it anyway. Nunnally stopped being a child long ago, same as Lelouch.

Whether he was aware of her thoughts or not, Gino nodded back.

Thoughts like these occupied her mind as they moved on, soon circling back to the main staircase. It was a place Nunnally avoided when she could, same as Lelouch; although the carpet was changed, they knew where their mother breathed her last. Sometimes they could not avoid ascending or descending that way, but Nunnally often got shivers here.

Instead of following them toward the other side of the ground floor however, Anya stopped at that same staircase. She stood still looking up long enough for everyone else to notice, then began to ascend.

"Anya?" Gino queried, a little worried but more confused about her actions. He received no response and hurried back; Nunnally followed after, curious despite herself. The others followed a moment later.

They watched the other girl stop just about halfway up the stairs, standing almost in the exact spot. Her head turned this way and that, but Nunnally could not read anything from her slightly tense back. Her turning around to face them did not change that either, the pinkette's gaze intense for unknown reasons.

She looked down at Nunnally and Lelouch in particular, but her silence held for an uncomfortably long time. No one dared break it to ask what was going on.

Then, at last, Anya spoke the last words Nunnally expected from her.

"I know who did it."

No further explanation was needed. Nunnally stiffened, eyes blown wide. Lelouch was almost as surprised and she could hear the sharp intake of breath from Jeremiah.

"Now really isn't the right time," Gino tried, now visibly worried. Anya was not, though.

"I disagree," she said, then turned back to the thunderstruck prince and princess: "I know who killed her. I'm the only witness."

She stopped there, waiting for their response. Nunnally was still at a loss for words and Lelouch seemed little better; a glance his way revealed him sizing up Anya. Everyone else seemed frozen in indecision.

With how this all began, she slowly got an idea where this was headed. Nobody else said anything, so Nunnally acted on that feeling and spoke up.

"I take it you won't just tell us?"

Anya shook her head no, as expected. This prompted Lelouch to rub his forehead, a motion Nunnally knew well. She also knew what it hid.

Anya made to speak, perhaps offer her demands, but stopped herself when Lelouch's hand lowered with the contact lense removed. Her eyes widened ever so faintly... and closed.

"He has it."

Before any of them could react, a gun was pressed into Lelouch's back.

Nunnally stiffened alongside her brother, then called up her own Geass. She grabbed for a pistol that was not there next, then spent a moment berating herself for leaving it today.

"Now let's not get hasty," Gino ordered calmly. "Anya said she wants something, so your highness is not going to cheat around that."

Nunnally was already focussed on him, even though she knew the weapon he had on her brother would not fire. She shook in barely suppressed anger, restrained only by the fact he made no motion to actually shoot.

Lelouch himself did not show any discomfort, though. He just heaved a sigh and made to pinch the bridge of his nose, as if exasperated. The motion also served to putting the contact lense back in.

"Very well," he agreed, prompting Anya to open her eyes again.

The pinkette nodded at first, but paused at the sight of Nunnally's fluttering Geass. All pretend friendliness was gone by now.

The moment Gino pulled back his weapon, Nunnally took a quick step and decked him in the face. He may be taller and stronger than her, but he clearly did not expect that; Nunnally's punch sent him flying onto his ass, from where he stared up at her in a mixture of surprise and fascination.

Bending down, Nunnally stared into his eyes up close as her Geass faded.

"The only reason you're still alive, Sir Weinberg, is that I decided against carrying my own sidearm today," she hissed, poking his chest harshly. "The next time you point a weapon at my brother, I'll kill you myself and damn the consequences. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am," he replied at once, nodding rapidly. His calm never really faded and that annoyed her, but she took it.

Straightening back up, she allowed Gino to stand. Her remaining irritation found a new target in Kallen, who she snapped at next: "And you're his knight, you should've stopped that before it could happen!"

The older girl threw up her arms in exasperation, snapping back: "How am I supposed to see that coming? And more importantly, since when am I supposed to attack a Rounds?!"

"Girls, enough."

Lelouch weathered the glares both threw his way just as well as he did being held at gunpoint. Rather than dwell on it, he turned to Gino. "I hope you will forgive my not apologising for the black eye, Sir Weinberg."

The younger man shook his head genially. "It is quite alright, I get it. If anything, I have to apologise we had to escalate. But, well, can't take chances with something this volatile. I honestly saw this entire sequence go a lot differently. Anya."

He said it with a mildly annoyed look thrown to his fellow knight, who showed no reaction as she stayed in place.

Nunnally managed to swallow her anger back down by now, but she refused to apologise for the disrespect. At least it seemed Gino would not make a fuss of it; attacking a Rounds was akin to attacking his majesty, so he could easily extort them with this one if he wanted. No matter how justified, Nunnally messed up bad. She was glad that he seemed ready to play ball instead of hiding behind his title.

Apparently done with the subject, Lelouch fully turned back to Anya. "What is it you want in exchange for that knowledge?"

The room lapsed into silence once more as everyone looked her way, only this time it felt heavier. The adrenaline just now hit Nunnally's system and made her twitchy. She watched as Anya Alstreim began descending the stairs again, step by careful step. An even tap-tap of delicate feet, only partly swallowed by the carpet; her rhythm was almost as even as Lelouch's.

She stopped a few steps upward of Lelouch, standing at even height with him.

"Marry me."

And just like that, all tension was gone and replaced with confusion. Lelouch was not exempt, dumbfounded like the rest.

"Pardon?"

"Marry me, and I will tell you who is responsible for her death."

Even Gino rubbed his forehead in clear exasperation. Nunnally was plain dumbfounded, but she suddenly understood his feelings so much better; he must have known what Anya wanted to achieve here. She wanted to interject and ask why, but the answer was obvious: Anya had something they desperately wanted, so she had a way to improve her own standing. The leap from duchess to princess consort was not huge, but one of the few someone in her position could still make.

"Of course you do not need to answer right now," Gino offered diplomatically. "Take some time to mull it over."

So saying, he moved up the stairs to take Anya's shoulder. "I think we caused enough upset for one day. As much as I would like to finish this tour, perhaps another time."

Nunnally just nodded faintly, thoughts racing almost as fast as her brother's. They led their surprise guests back to the entrance, where Anya stopped once more.

"A peace offering," she said, immediately garnering their full attention. The pinkette glanced from Lelouch to Nunnally. "C.C. is nearby, yes?"

The wary looks she got in response seemed to be answer enough. Anya shooed a nearby maid away and lowered her voice, so only the few of them could hear: "Her immortality and ability to bestow Geass is caused by a Code. The only way she can pass it on is by giving it to someone with a fully developed Geass. She wants one of you to take it, so that she can die a proper death."

Nunnally could only stare at the other teen. Anya's expression gave nothing away about the distinct knowledge she just shared. This was not what Nunnally expected to hear now, but it sounded important. She would have to ask C.C. if it was true.

Anya nodded at them faintly, then left. Gino followed.

Once the doors closed, a flat "Okay, what?" from Kallen shattered the silence left behind.

Nunnally wanted to bury her head in her hands at that, suddenly reminded of an important fact: they now had to explain this whole mess to her and Jeremiah.