The next morning, sunlight spilled over the grand courtyard of Ashford Academy.
Birds chirped from the gardens, students laughed in the classrooms, and the breeze lightened everybody's mood except Lelouch's. He was the only one to detect the daily illusion of it all. The illusion of peace and freedom.
Lelouch though felt particularly good today. Even he was victim to the power of desire.
The weight of the previous night lingered in his sore muscles and mind as he stood beneath a sakura tree near the student council building. He was sipping a can from the vending machine. His uniform was neat and pristine, which contrasted heavily with the night before.
The memory of C.C.'s breathy voice combined with the image of her pressed up against the wall sent waves of emotions through him. He pushed the distraction to the side.
There were more important matters to attend to now.
"Skipping class this early?" a cool, smooth voice said near him.
Lelouch didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Villetta Nu.
That woman did things to him. The bold loyalist of Britannia.
He turned around to face her as he leaned against the tree.
Villeta Nu was not wearing her usual Britannian uniform, which surprised Lelouch. She was wearing casual civilian wear. Jeans. Black boots. A jacket tight enough to remind everyone she wasn't just a soldier but a fierce woman who knows how to use her presence.
Lelouch studied her with interest. I wonder what she is like if you remove her blind loyalty to Britannia, he thinks to himself as Villeta folds her arms across her chest.
"I'm clearing my mind for the day," Lelouch replied while taking a sip from his can.
Her eyes narrowed, her tone dry. "Is that what we call being absent now?"
He smirked. "What brings you here? You roleplaying being a teacher's assistant or stalking high schoolers for fun? Perhaps both?"
"Someone has to keep an eye on you," she replied while stepping closer, her high heels clicking softly against the ground. "You've been suspicious lately."
Lelouch raised his eyebrow. "Define suspicious."
"You're smart. Too smart. You seem to always be in the right place at the right time." She leaned in slightly and stepped closer to him while lowering her voice. "I've seen you disappear into odd places, such as warehouses."
His violet eyes sharpened for a moment. Then he chuckled, amused and dismissive.
I wonder if she saw me and C.C. last night and if so, how much. Wonder why she didn't report to the knights, Lelouch thought to himself as he waited for a moment to think of a response.
"Should I be flattered that you seem to see me everywhere?"
"I haven't pinpointed what you are scheming yet," she said while tilting her head. "All I know is you are acting suspicious and probably hiding something. I don't like mysteries I can't solve."
She stepped past him, her shoulder brushing his chest in a way that was clearly intentional.
Lelouch didn't say anything or move as he watched her look over her shoulder as she walked away. She kept walking away with her hips swaying in confidence. The interaction might have been over, but Lelouch caught the moment her fingers brushed up against her thigh for a moment when she walked past him. It could've been a weapon.
That was too close.
Perhaps she was afraid of his Geass or whatever weapon she thinks he has with him.
______
Later that afternoon, Lelouch returned to the student council room.
The atmosphere was light compared to the morning confrontation with Villeta. The cheerful Milly was planning another ridiculous festival. Rivalz was napping on the couch. Shirley was fixing decorations. The illusion of a perfectly normal student council was in effect.
He quietly took a seat by the window, his new usual spot.
From this area he could survey the campus while still being mostly out of view from people looking into the student council. It was also just a pretty view as well. You would think Lelouch was spying on others right now.
However, that is far from the truth.
He was still thinking about last night.
Not just the sex, the thought alone has already been seared into his mind. The more important thing is what it meant. What she meant. C.C. was unpredictable. Their connection built through conflict, survival, and strange powers, now had another layer of intimacy. He could command her without power, she'd given him that.
But trust... was something infinitely more valuable.
His thoughts were cut short as Milly spun around to address all the student council members.
"All right, everyone! Prepare yourselves for another great event. A Masquerade Ball!" she said while throwing her arms into the air. Rivalz expressed his disapproval with a groan from the couch.
"Didn't we just do a costume thingy recently?" Rivalz complained.
Milly walked over to Rivalz and threw a couch cushion at him while teasing him.
"That was a haunted house, stupid. This is elegance. Something you wouldn't know about."
"You just want an excuse to wear a corset," Shirley said back with a laugh.
The entire room laughed as Milly sighed and smiled.
"Guilty as charged," Milly said as she turned toward Lelouch. "More importantly, you are going to be our Prince Charming. You're fairly tall, handsome, broad shoulders. It would be a shame if we didn't milk that. If you don't, I will dig up those photos at the swimming pool from last year—"
"Enough!" Lelouch sighed. "Fine. I'll participate. I will hardly dance though."
"I doubt that is the case," Milly said as she grabbed Shirley's arm out of surprise. "She is going to be your lady for the dance."
"Milly I-I don't mind but—" Shirley started to say while her face slowly turned more red.
"Fine, but only because I am being blackmailed," Lelouch said, which made Rivalz laugh so hard he fell off the couch. The student council went back to planning the masquerade. Shirley glanced back at Lelouch when nobody was looking.
It was obvious she wanted more than just a dance.
Lelouch knew this and knew how dangerous being with her alone can be to him.
This just wasn't a battlefield of logic.
This was the kind of warfare where hearts are the first to fall.
He didn't want Shirley getting into more danger by getting too close with him.
Eventually, the school day came to an end and day turned into night.
He had other places to be now.