Assassination

"Once again?" Leylin asked Cornelia as she paced around the room.

"I know, but orders are orders," Cornelia said, unsure of herself.

"Very well, whatever it is it must be something directly under the emperor," Leylin said "It's best we don't dig too deep."

"Yeah, but I don't know I've got a bad feeling about this time."

"We are about to leave an Empress of the biggest Empire in the world, without any protection. Even if she herself has ordered that it is still fishy."

"Yes, I mean what could be so secretive, we could still just be at the door and not know anything," Cornelia said worriedly. "This has happened before but never on such a scale."

"True, but I guess it must be big this time"

"Yes, I won't poke my head in this, for all I know it could be secret Knightmare testing. After all, it's Marianne Vi Brittania."

"No Knightmare testing would leave clues, this is much more subtle. Well, no matter it's not our concern. Let's leave, you have promised to have dinner with Euphie, you rarely get an evening off from this anyway." Leylin said.

"Let's go," Cornelia said as she and Leylin left the room.

...….

"WHAT!!!" Cornelia said as Leylin stood in front of her.

"Empress Marriane was murdered. There were multiple automatic guns fired in Aries Villa. Empress Marianne and Princess Nunally were shot at, they were both taken to the hospital. The empress was declared dead on arrival, as for the princess, she's recovering. However, the doctors say she would not be able to walk again." Lelouch stated having adopted a serious look.

Cornelia just sat there stunned, still processing the information.

"This was not a murder, this was an assassination," Cornelia said finally.

"Doesn't matter now," Lelouch said as he took out a piece of paper. "We just got word from his majesty, we are to stop all investigation into the case."

"What even I just got to know, how did the emperor get to know of this."

"I am sure the OSI was the first to hear about it. But with how swiftly his majesty sent this I would assume even if he did not know of this happening, he does know who caused it. And in this conflict, he has chosen the side of the killer."

"So what now we just ignore the murder and go on with it like it never happened. I was supposed to be in charge of safety, if this can happen to Empress Marianne how is anyone safe."

"Euphie is not involved in any scheme that causes the gourde to move away. Plus I doubt anyone has any reason to assassinate her."

"She's an heir to Britannia, that's more reason than any."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"His majesty has said it, we can't do anything more."

"That's it, nothing more. Well then tell me when you will be coming to the hospital."

"Why?"

"To see Lelouch and Nunally of course. They just lost their mother, and their father prevented any further investigation on it. Lelouch might seem smart but he is still a child. They need their family right now."

"I can't," Cornelia said as she stared at the floor. "I can't face them."

"Very well, Cornelia if you need anything please I am here."

"Yes," Cornelia said as Leylin left the room.

As Leylin closed the door he heard a thump and sobbing started. What had happened caught him off guard. He needed to look into it, it seemed that whoever the empress was working with had betrayed her. And this someone had quite some pull.

Leylin knew enough to know that Empress Marianne was one of the most influential empresses there, having helped the emperor win the Era of Blood. To have the emperor forget that, either the emperor was much farther gone than Leylin expected, which was unlikely seeing his grip on Britannia was still strong as ever. Or the assassin was someone much more useful who had much more value than the empress.

Of course, there was a chance it might be blackmail, but it was almost negligible. Whatever the case Leylin would wait and see how this went. Now was the perfect time to gain Cornelia's trust. He knew Cornelia would not be fine until they found answers and Leylin knew just where to start.