14 Chapter 13: No Egg Jokes Allowed
Chapter 13: No Egg Jokes Allowed
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15th August 2010, Pendragon, Gemini Imperial Villa,
Nonette lays down with her head resting on my lap, a comfortable arrangement that suits us both. I find myself playing with her front hair as we enjoy the serene moment together. The gentle breeze carries the sweet scent of flowers, enhancing the beauty of this peaceful scene. With my best friend by my side, I wish for this moment to last forever.
"I wonder how Lelouch and Nunnally are doing," Nonette muses, her tone filled with genuine concern.
"They'll be alright," I reassure her with a warm smile, my fingers gently running through her hair. "I sent Ange in my place," I add, confident in my decision.
Nonette's raised eyebrow catches my attention, and I can sense her skepticism. "The girl we picked up from the E.U. front line?" she inquires, clearly puzzled.
I nod in affirmation. "Yes, she's a good kid," I reply, continuing to play with Nonette's hair, finding comfort in the familiar gesture.
"That's not the point," Nonette states firmly as she grabs my hand. "She's just twelve years old, and you sent her across the ocean?" Her disbelief is evident in her eyes.
I try to come up with an excuse, but the truth is that I don't have one. However, I muster a response, "But... I gave her one of my personal giant robots," I say with a wide grin, hoping to lighten the mood.
Nonette's tone takes on a more serious note. "The giant robot that the R&D department is aiming for?" she questions, her expression increasingly intense.
I shake my head. "Not Aeiral," I clarify. "It's something that can shoot a beam from the sword," I explain, hoping to alleviate her concerns.
"So, a hidden weapon?" Nonette seems to be struggling to understand, earning a hearty laugh from me.
"God, no," I chuckle, trying to stifle my laughter. "It literally shoots a beam from the sword," I clarify, hoping to clear up any confusion.
Nonette huffs in exasperation. "Sometimes, I don't understand you, B," she admits, her tone a mix of frustration and amusement.
"You will understand what I meant one day, my dear N," I say with a warm smile, my hand resting gently on her forehead.
Nonette smirks playfully, not letting me off the hook easily. "Try getting out of house arrest first, my dear B," she retorts, her amusement evident.
"Next year, N. Next year, and I will be a free man," I counter with a confident smirk, determined to fulfill that promise.
"You said that last year too," she chuckles, and her laughter brings me joy.
"Speaking of being a free man," I segue into a more serious topic. "When do you want to get married?"
Nonette pauses, her expression thoughtful. "I haven't thought about it, actually," she admits. "I'm quite happy with our relationship, and both of us are in careers where we can easily meet our ends," she explains, her hand gently covering mine.
I hold her hand gently, reassurance in my touch. "Haven't I told you? I am the strongest," I say with a hint of playful arrogance. "You don't have to worry about me."
Nonette looks away, her cheeks tinted with embarrassment. "I'll still worry about you even if you are the strongest, you idiot," she mumbles, her affectionate concern making my heart swell with warmth.
"Let's stop with this embarrassing topic and move on to another issue," I suggest, deciding to change the subject after noticing her blush. Nonette's blush often leads to teasing, and I'd rather avoid that right now.
Curiosity piqued, she asks, "What is it?"
"I heard we're having some diplomatic issues with the Philippines," I begin, my tone more serious. "Since we're already at war with Japan, I don't think the soldiers will be thrilled if we start another conflict with the Philippines," I chuckle lightly.
Nonette considers the matter and offers her perspective. "I don't think it will escalate to the point of war," she opines.
I shake my head, a hint of cynicism in my expression. "You don't understand Father, N," I say, shrugging my shoulders. "He'd start a war the moment a country disrespects him," I add.
Nonette's horror is palpable as she asks, "It can't be that bad... can it?"
I can't help but chuckle at her incredulity. "Well, that's Father," I reply, my tone still light. "Nobody can predict what he'll do," I conclude with a laugh.
Nonette's frustration is evident in her tone as she rises from her seat. "This is not a laughing matter, B!" she exclaims, her voice filled with concern. "Thousands of people will die at this rate," she emphasizes.
I correct her with a wry smile, "Try a million. With the way Britannian military is acting nowadays, millions will die, N." I'm increasingly convinced that I should establish my own unit to ensure I can screen and control the actions of those bloodthirsty individuals.
Gears seem to be turning in Nonette's head before she suddenly slaps her forehead in frustration. "Why didn't I think of that!" she groans, annoyed with herself.
I can't resist a teasing remark. "I don't want to brag, but my IQ is higher than yours," I jest, puffing my chest out slightly.
Nonette concedes with a huff, her annoyance evident. "Yeah, yeah. I knew your IQ is better than mine," she says, looking away.
Silence falls between us, but it's a comfortable one. Our hands remain intertwined, and we both appreciate the serenity of the setting sun.
Nonette breaks the silence, resting her head on my shoulder. "B?" she starts.
"Yes, N?" I reply, turning my attention to her.
"How is Marrybell doing?" she inquires, her curiosity genuine.
"She's getting better," I assure her.
Nonette raises an eyebrow, clearly curious about Marrybell's living arrangements. "Still bathing and sleeping with you?" she questions.
I nod, a touch of resignation in my tone. "Yeah, she won't go away no matter how many times I've told her to," I admit.
Before long, Marrybell's voice reaches our ears. "Brother!" she calls out, approaching us.
I greet her warmly, "Bell!" I exclaim. "Did you have fun with Lady Zevon?" I ask, genuinely interested in her well-being.
"Un!" Marrybell nods, showing how she's grown over the past few months. I'm proud to have played a role in her recovery journey.
While she initially struggled to fit in with my social circle, she has since become closer with Corn and Euphie. Some nobles attempted to bully her, thinking I wouldn't take action, but I swiftly stripped them of their noble titles. Why? Because sometimes I can be quite petty.
I've learned during these times how surprisingly easy it is to strip nobles of their titles. Believe it or not, Marrybell is still technically a princess, as she is my sister. However, she willingly gave up her succession to the throne, so not many bother to curry favor with her.
I'm glad to see that Marrybell is still playing with the Zevon girl, who I've heard is her childhood friend. It's nice to have a childhood friend, someone who has been there through the ups and downs of life. I can't help but turn my head slightly to glance at Nonette, who is the perfect example of the importance of childhood friends in our lives.
Suddenly, I hear Marrybell addressing Nonette. There's something in her tone that makes me uneasy. Nonette, always the picture of politeness, responds with a hand on her chest and a slight bow, saying, "I hope you are doing well, Your Highness."
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Enneagram," Marrybell gives her a curt nod before settling herself comfortably on my lap as if it were her throne.
I can't quite fathom why Marrybell cannot get along with Nonette, but I hope that changes in the future. I really do. As I look at Marrybell with a content smile on her face, sitting on my lap, I can't help but return the warmth in my expression. At least she is happy now, and that's all that truly matters.
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Ange's side, 16th August 2010, Japan,
Under the scorching summer sun, its heat relentless, three children trudged forward. The eldest, a frail black-haired boy, bore the sandy brown-haired girl on his back. Despite his appearance, the burden of carrying his sister seemed to invigorate him, and he showed no signs of exhaustion.
As they walked, the girl's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but ask, "Are we going to be handed to someone else's home?" She was uncertain about their destination, their future.
"We are going to the Kururugi residence," the boy replied, though it was a half-truth. "This time, we are going to the main one," he added, trying to offer some reassurance.
The other child, a brown-haired boy, looked around with growing concern. Their path took them through a ruined town, a grim landscape littered with the lifeless bodies of adults and children alike.
"Suzaku, keep walking," the black-haired boy instructed his friend, his face hard, unyielding.
"But..." Suzaku began to protest, his worry evident in his eyes.
"Keep walking," the black-haired boy's voice turned cold and unwavering. His expression remained unchanged, but it was the voice of someone who understood that there was no other choice but to keep moving forward.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind enveloped them, and a plane descended from the sky, its silver and grey color scheme gleaming in the sunlight.
As the hatch of the plane opened, a blonde-haired girl, not much older than twelve, appeared. She casually slapped the side of the vehicle she was piloting and called out, "Hey kids! How about you grab those cute little asses of yours and take a seat inside this beauty?"
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16th August 2010, 8 P.M., Pendragon, Gemini Imperial Villa,
"Hello there," I greet the person who has arrived at my door.
"You are… a tough egg to crack, Benedict," the person's chilling tone cuts through the room. Thankfully, Marrybell is sleeping with Lady Zevon tonight. Did he just make an egg joke in front of me?
I remain composed and extend an offer, undeterred by the visitor's presence. "How about we talk over a cup of tea?" I place a hot cup of tea on the table, unafraid of the person before me. "What do you say, uncle?" The little gremlin has finally mustered the courage to visit me. Well, what can I say? It seems like the perfect opportunity to test the theory I've discussed with C.C.
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Author's Note;
So... what are your thoughts? Ange has finally made contact with the trio from Japan. And before you say anything, in Chapter 01, it was mentioned that Ange would have an origin in the CG world.
Now, Ben is deploying a child to the war zone. He has gone and done it, adding one more item to the list of his war crimes.
Though it is a slow chapter, it also shows what is happening around the world and provides some background on Ange. If she is twelve years old, how can she pilot a mobile suit?
