Inside the car, a thick, suffocating tension hung in the air.
Lelouch sat still, his face carved in stone, emotionless.
But his fingers betrayed him—they tapped rhythmically against his leg, over and over again, a nervous tic he couldn't suppress no matter how much he tried to mask his thoughts behind that royal facade.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
How did Clovis find them?
Was it Lord Ashford?
Did that bastard betray them?
Lelouch's eyes shifted forward, narrowing dangerously as he stared at Lord Ashford's back.
The man was driving in silence, hands steady on the wheel, expression unreadable.
Not a single word from him since they got in. Nothing to explain why they were suddenly being dragged into this shady meeting with Clovis.
It had to be him. It had to be Lord Ashford who spilled everything—who gave away the location of him and Nunally.
What did Clovis offer that was worth selling them out?
Money? Power? Protection?
Or maybe it was something darker—blackmail, threats, or promises that not even Ashford could resist.
And then came the biggest question, the one that gnawed at Lelouch's gut.
Why did Clovis want to see him?
Why now? Why this moment, of all times?
None of it made sense.
But Lelouch was ready. He might not understand it yet, but he would soon.
No matter what Clovis wanted, he'd face it head-on—and get the answers directly from his mouth.
Beside him, even Suzaku—his most trusted friend—sat in absolute silence.
He hadn't said a single thing since they got in.
Just stiff posture and clenched fists, his expression locked in some unreadable mix of conflict and unease.
The only one who moved was Jeremiah.
Sitting further ahead, the man kept stealing glances at Lelouch, hesitation written all over his face.
He hadn't said anything, but from the way he kept looking back, it was clear he recognized something.
Maybe not everything—but enough.
Yet no one dared to speak.
No one dared to ask.
The silence in the car was more than silence—it was the kind of heavy, loaded quiet that settled like a weight on their shoulders.
Everyone felt it. Everyone knew something was wrong.
And still, not a single word.
Only the quiet hum of the engine and the sound of Lelouch's finger—still tapping.
Still waiting.
As soon as the car engine went quiet, Lelouch didn't wait a damn second.
He pushed the door open and stepped out without giving a single glance to Lord Ashford, Suzaku, Jeremiah, or Vinette.
Let them scramble to catch up—he knew exactly where he was going, and he didn't need escorts shadowing him like some fragile prince.
His mind was locked on one thing: Nunnally.
She was inside, somewhere under the same roof as Clovis, and Lelouch wasn't going to let his sister be alone with that pampered bastard any longer than necessary.
His pace was urgent but composed, and despite his head start, the others had already caught up behind him by the time he reached the entrance to his dormitory.
Two women stood posted at the door.
One of them stepped forward—Lila la Britannia, his half-sister.
Her expression was warm, soft even, something Lelouch rarely saw anymore in this viper pit of royal bloodlines.
"Brother Lelouch..." she greeted gently, almost hesitantly.
Lelouch stopped.
His eyes met hers, and for a moment, something unreadable passed between them.
He didn't speak right away. He inhaled deeply, then sighed.
No use causing a scene. He wouldn't barge in. Not now.
"...Yeah," he finally said, his voice cool but not unkind. "Long time no see, Lila."
She smiled at that—genuinely, not like the fake smile he'd grown used to. "Brother is inside. Please come in, Brother Lelouch."
Lila and C.C., without a shred of resistance, stepped aside.
They even opened the door for him, elegant in their movements.
He nodded in thanks and entered.
Lila's greeting had taken the edge off.
Just a little.
Enough for him to steady himself.
He was about to walk into a room with Clovis, after all, and that meant games, masks, and possibly a dagger under the table.
His mind lingered briefly on one of them, as the mask seemed familiar, but the thought was quickly dismissed when he saw them.
There she was—Nunnally.
Sitting across from Clovis, calm and content, sipping green tea like she didn't have a single worry in the world. Clovis sat across from her, that same friendly, infuriatingly serene smile on his face.
Like old times.
Like everything was okay.
"Lelouch," Clovis said smoothly, raising his cup slightly in greeting. "Long time no see."
Lelouch's muscles, which had been coiled tight since the car ride, finally relaxed.
He looked at his sister again.
She wasn't hurt.
Not scared.
If anything... she looked happy.
So he played along, for now.
"Yeah," Lelouch replied coolly, walking forward and taking his seat without ceremony. "Long time no see, Clovis."
He didn't glance at the others.
He didn't need to.
His eyes scanned the room once, then returned to Nunnally.
She kept sipping her tea, her delicate fingers curled around the porcelain cup, her gaze occasionally flickering toward Clovis with a soft fondness.
But she didn't interrupt. She was waiting—letting the brothers talk.
"Sorry, Lelouch," Clovis said quietly. "I know I shouldn't be bothering you two like this—but I have to. Father knows you're still alive. You're not safe here anymore."
Lelouch's eyes narrowed, a cold fury behind them. "Why should I trust you?"
"Brother..." Nunally's voice broke the tension, soft and hesitant. She looked up at Lelouch with pleading eyes, her hand gently brushing against his.
There was fear in her gaze—but also hope
His glare shifted to her, and for a brief moment, the fire in his eyes dulled.
He still stared at Clovis, but with a touch more restraint.
"You don't have to trust me," Clovis said, tone calm but firm. "I'm not here to interfere in your life. I just came to give you something—a chance. I'm inviting you, both of you, to attend my sister's coming-of-age ceremony. You and Nunally are welcome. No strings. This could be your way back in, Lelouch. A chance to start over. Make allies. Find the truth—about your mother's death... and test my words for yourself."
He stepped closer, resting a hand briefly on Lelouch's shoulder—a bold gesture, and one Lelouch didn't immediately shrug off.
"Even if I told you everything right now, I know you wouldn't believe me. So don't. Find the truth yourself."
With that, Clovis pulled back, reached into his coat, and laid a sleek black envelope on the table. "We'll meet again, Nunally. Take care of yourself. And goodbye to you too, Lelouch."
Then, without waiting for a response, Clovis turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into silence.
Lelouch and Nunally sat there for a long time, eyes locked, neither saying a word.
He didn't ask what Clovis and Nunally had talked about before he arrived.
He didn't need to.
The look in Nunally's eyes was enough.
She trusted Clovis—maybe even felt happy around him.
That was rare.
Almost too rare.
And Lelouch… couldn't bring himself to shatter that fragile piece of joy she had found.
But deep inside, rage simmered like a ticking time bomb.
But if Clovis was lying…
If he was just using her, to manipulate her or hurt her in any way—
Then Lelouch would burn everything he stood for to ash.
That was his vow.
As a brother.
As a prince of Britannia.
And as a man who had already lost too much.