Forgotten Prince

to the royal

"It's my duty to protect you."

"Go! I will hold off the intruders!"

"I wouldn't advise that, your highness."

"Your majesty, I have failed in my duty."

"You are not a ruler worthy of my sword."

"Some of the guards are whispering about us..."

"You've been hiding a secret from me, your grace."

"I swore to your parents that I would keep you safe."

"I will stand guard as always. You can sleep soundly."

"I know I'm but a knight, but please heed my council."

"I took an oath to guard you, whether you want me to or not."

"Crown or not, you are still my ruler, and my oath still stands."

"My allegiance is not to you, your highness. It never has been."

"The other knights grow jealous. They do not like that I have your ear."

"There are secrets I am not permitted to share, even with you, about this palace."

to the knight

"You are not like the other knights."

"You betrayed me? My own knight?"

"You truly are my knight in shining armor."

"Always my stalwart protector... thank you."

"What need would I have for a lowly knight?"

"What are waiting for?? Kill them! Protect your ruler!"

"The maids will whisper... rumors are a dangerous thing."

"Would you swing your sword on them if I commanded it?"

"You have never been only a knight. To me, you are a friend."

"A gift for you… a new set of armor. The finest our coffers could buy."

"Would you still obey me? Even without my throne to command you from?"

"You must know more about this castle than any ruler that's walked these halls."

“Even covered in snow the gardens are beautiful.”

“It’s so cold, but I need a breath of fresh air.”

“Come on, A bit of dancing will warm you right up.”

“I think there is a couple occupying the coat closet…”

“That’s the good thing about winter, the gardens are always quiet.”

“Even the roses are frozen.”

“Think of it this way, the champagne is always chilled.”

“Did they just forget to heat the dance hall, or were they expecting us to wear our coats all night?”

“Your hands are freezing!”

“I’d imagine even with layers, skirts are highly impractical in the snow.”

“Is this a Christmas party or…?”

“This is fun and all, but We’re going to be snowed in at this rate.”

“They are giving Sleigh rides in the garden.”

“They caught me making snow angels and now they think I’m drunk…”

“The dancefloor is crowded, let’s go for a walk.”

“Why are you out in the cold?”

“Really? Are you really going to throw snowballs?”

“Don’t you dare! These are my best clothes!”

“I’m not going out there. I dressed for fashion, not practicality.”

“Merry Christmas.”

“People are giving gifts? I didn’t know we were giving gifts!”

“I didn’t know when I would see you next, so here.”

“Dancing in the snow seems romantic in theory, but treacherous in practice.”

“Look at all the couples using the cold as an excuse to cuddle. It’s gross.”

“Everything is silver and glittering.”

“From out here the lights in the windows seem so warm and inviting.”

“So you’d rather be out here getting frostbite than inside dancing and enjoying yourself?”

“Why am I here? You know I hate these things.”

“Booze and ice, what a good combination.”

“I stood under that mistletoe for 30 minutes hoping for some Christmas romance before giving up.”

“Oh sure, when I stand under the mistletoe nothing, but in the last five minutes about ten couples walked through.”

“I twisted my ankle on the icy steps, so now I can’t even dance.”

“We could always slip away, and slide in close to get warm.”

“Maybe you should warm your hands before asking anything to dance…”

“Look, it’s mistletoe.”

“You kiss them under the mistletoe, but you just laughed in my face.”

"A new school...Public or private? My sister and I have only ever had private tutors before..." she was still school age, as well--perhaps he should hire--

When he addressed her again and beamed brightly, "as did yours! It's nice to get to play with someone again.. it was fun!"

"Oh...then that was rude of me. First I tell you your violin was out of tune, then I fail to give my name..." he let out a quiet sigh, settling his violin carefully on his lap for the moment. He had planned on playing more pieces while out here, instead of just one.

Lelouch was tapping his heel to keep the tempo for himself until finally, their performance came to an end. He lowered his instrument and was about to speak, but was startled by the clapping of an appreciative audience.

Oh right, they were outside.

"Th-thank you..." he bowed his head slightly to no one in particular. Honestly, all this sudden noise was just slightly disorienting. But still, he turned a little more toward his new friend. "You did well...your violin sounded beautiful, too."

No hints of it being out of tune anymore.

His violin came in right on cue, keeping tempo with hers to create a beautifully layered melody between them. With his years of experience and having to develop his ear for music, he was able to adjust to key or tempo changes quite easily as he recalled the composition while he played.

Immersing himself in the music with someone else at his side, he wasn't aware at all how people were slowly stopping to watch and listen when he was usually so focused that he'd notice every little sound.

But this was fun.

The last time he had someone to play with was technically the one who taught him to play in the first place, as a very young child.

He was absolutely having fun.