Of Things Never Said

#28: Surely, It Will

"Thank you for telling me, Gino", Eleanor gave a pat on the guy's shoulder and stepped back. "Can you please tell him that I really missed him and I would die to be on his side once again?", Eleanor plastered a smile.Gino was about to take her hand but Eleanor avoided his. "We're currently in a war, Gino. The next time we meet will be on a battlefield", Eleanor bowed. Gino tried to stepped forward again and grab her hands but Eleanor backed off showing her persistence not to be caught by Gino. He already let her slipped off his hand. He wouldn't allow the saw thing to happen. 

"Are you going to chose Suzaku over your father?!", Gino shouted. Eleanor still have a calm face indicating how she already decided with whom she would follow. "Gino. Why are you siding with the eleven? Aren't you a soilder who caused a lot of them to die?", Eleanor asked straightforwardly. "We chose to protect what we believe is right", Gino bit his lip. Eleanor chuckled. "I'm glad you already matured. This way, I think you can be a man deserving to stand next to Erika", Eleanor smiled. "Erika, she's also with me. She's boarded on a fleet that Prince Scheniezel used. Come with me. I'm begging you", Gino said with such concern. "You have father and Erika with you. But Lelouch and Suzaku, they barely have anything at all. You said you wanted to protect what you think was right. I just wanted to protect those people who needed it now", Eleanor used gas bomb and escaped. 

Gino looked around and saw that Eleanor was no longer there. He clenched his fist. 

VICEROY PALACE

"Where have you been?", Suzaku asked Eleanor while reading some instruction from Lelouch. "I met Gino a while ago. He told me that father is alive", Eleanor spoke the truth. Suzaku dropped the tablet and grabbed on Eleanor's shoulder. "He is? By the way, why are you with Gino?", Suzaku panicked. Eleanor reached out and cupped Suzaku's face. "Don't worry about me cheating on you. I'm still loyal to you", Eleanor teased. Lelouch happened to pass by and cleared his throat. "What i mean is... I'm staying here with the two of you. I know you guys are planning on something. I want to be the person to see it through", Eleanor stretched Suzaku's face then started to walk away. 

"She's a woman whom I will approve of", Lelouch smirked and looked at Suzaku frozen on his spot. "Get ready. We'll be going to phase 2", Lelouch returned to his serious mode. 

BLACK REBELLION Hideout

Gino came back with a down heart. He met Erika along the way with Albert. He bowed his head very low and apologized for not being able to bring Eleanor with him. "As long as she's safe", Albert sighed. Erika straighten the back of Gino. "How was she?", Erika asked in concern. "She became braver. That's why I'm scared that she wouldn't need me to protect her", Gino answered. Kallen passed by and eavesdrop. Who is this woman that they are talking about? 

After sometime, they were all gathered at the dining hall. Erika sat next to Kallen. "You'd be the one escorting Lelouch tomorrow. Are you going to be alright?", Erika asked. "It's just like the same. I had always been the one who escorted him", Kalen covered her mouth when she realized what she just said. "What do you mean?", Erika held unto Kalen's hand. "Just so you know, Erika, Lelouch is Zero ever since the beginning. Let's keep this as a secret, okay?", Kalen whispered. 

"I didn't know you were so close with the Knight of Three", Kalen pointed at the guy having a serious conversation with the other soldier. "He's a childhood friends", Erika answered. "Just a childhood friend?", Kalen had doubt on her words. "He's the guy I have decided to follow", Erika smiled. 

The Next Day, 

Viceroy's Palace

Lelouch is having a hard time changing his clothes. Emperor's clothes are not a joke. The attendants were even scared to attend to his needs. Eleanor entered and started to help him. "You're going to make Milly proud", Eleanor opened while fixing his robe. "How about Suzaku?", Lelouch asked. "He's already gone when I was about to check on him", Eleanor answered. 

"You didn't just stayed with us because of that reason, right? Eleanor", Lelouch looked at the extra people and signaled them to leave. The two of them were left on the room. "Whenever I think of it, it was Suzaku who caused you a lot of trouble. Why did you decide to stay with him?", Lelouch asked. Eleanor had a flashback of Suzaku's eyes on the painting. "I made him a totem. I promised myself that I won't let him feel responsible with every pain he thought he gave me", Eleanor clarified. "Because?", Lelouch hummed. "Suzaku's like my father. They're both doing things that could harm them and even things they never wanted to do. But because they feel the burden, they do it anyway. They're just so pure and kind. Suzaku...  he also promised me that he can  be my home. I've grown to love the company he brings", Eleanor gave an innocent smile to Lelouch. 

"Are you in love with him?", the raven haired had time to talk about love when a war is going to break. "What are you saying? He's too depressed for me to fall in love with", Eleanor gave a flick on Lelouch's forehead. "But, I loved his eyes. His eyes saw the pain and darkness of these world but then, his eyes can still be so gentle", Eleanor smiled.  "I knew I promised that I will be there to see how these things end but after you will give your contract to UFN. I think I have to find a way to save Erika and Dad", Eleanor honestly said. She started to walk away. "Eleanor. Suzaku is guiltless. You're right. He's pure and untainted. For the last time, can you go talk to that depressed guy", Lelouch told Eleanor about his whereabouts. 

Underground PASSAGE

Suzaku is tuning Lancelot when Eleanor peeked in. "What are you doing here", he asked. "You guys are so carefree just to take one to guard Lelouch", Eleanor commented. Suzaku shrugged and focused on the Knightmare. "Thank you, Suzaku", Eleanor bowed. The brown haired stopped moving and looked at her. He went down the KNightmare. "For what?", Suzaku gave a nervous laugh. "for everything", Eleanor answered. "And for the peace you're trying to bring", Eleanor smiled. 

Suzaku gulped and held on Euphemia's pin. He went near the girl and pressed the pin on her chest. "Can you hold on this? I wonder how this event will turn out...so...", Suzaku lets go of the pin. 

"Eleanor. Live in Cheshire. Let other people see the world through your lens. Don't give up on painting. Love a man. Get married. Live the fullest. Can you do that for me?", Suzaku gave a painful smile. "I've been wondering. Why do you have to say these words? You're not my Dad", Eleanor pouted. Suzaku patted her head and lean his forehead on Eleanor's. "For all the things I regret. Making you stay by my side even for a short time... is the only thing I never did", Suzaku gently pushed Eleanor's shoulder and climbed on his Knight mare. "Goodbye, Eleanor", Suzaku bid farewell and disappeared in a flash of the light. Eleanor felt pain in her chest. 

CHAPTER END