Chapter 5: How to Humiliate a Knight
Chapter 05: How to Humiliate a Knight
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14th April 2008, 8 P.M., Area 4,
"It wasn't your fault, N," I reassure Nonette as she grapples with the idea that she might be the reason the Emperor is targeting me. While she may have a point, there's no way I'm admitting it to her.
"But this happened because you were trying to grant me knighthood," Nonette argues, her doubt palpable. I can understand what she is thinking to some extent.
"Well, at least you get to see me piloting a Knightmare in action," I flash her a grin, but she seizes both my shoulders and vigorously shakes me.
"But not like this!"
"Don't worry, I'm going to kick my opponent's ass!" I declare confidently.
"Your opponent is a member of the Knights of the Round!" She nearly screams, her voice ringing in my ears.
In her mind, I, someone who neither enjoys piloting a Knightmare nor possesses any particular talent for it, am now thrust into a battle against one of the twelve best Knightmare pilots in the Empire, all because I wanted to grant her knighthood. If that's what she's thinking, I can understand why she's placing so much blame on herself.
"N, listen to me!" I raise my voice slightly, causing her to pause in her shaking. I firmly clasp her hands on my shoulders in mine. "This is not your fault, N," I assure her. "I promise you that. It was merely my father's curiosity about my Knightmare piloting skills," I gently explain, hoping she'll understand.
"But why?" she questions. "Why would the Emperor want to know your Knightmare piloting skills when you've never piloted one before?" She raises a good point there.
Why does the Emperor insist on meddling in my life? Normally, he lets his children do their things. Even Schneizel, my brother, is allowed to carry out his investigation about the Thought Elevator.
Does he care about me?
Suddenly, an overwhelming urge to vomit washes over me. No, let's not go into that territory. Hell might freeze over, but my father will never show concern for me.
"Let's not overthink this, N," I declare firmly, urging her to steer clear of such thoughts as well.
"Hey, B?" Nonette finally manages to regain her composure for a moment.
"Yes, N?" I take a seat beside her. It's a rare sight to witness Nonette in such a vulnerable, shattered state. The carnage from this evening and the unsettling news tonight must have taken a toll on her.
"Wanna sleep together tonight?"
"Sure, it's been a while since we've shared a bed, after all," I agree without hesitation. We've long surpassed the point of feeling shy about sleeping in the same bed.
"So, your room or mine?" She inquires as she rests her head on my shoulder.
"Mine," I decide. "It has a larger bed and a fridge stocked with drinks."
"Then I'll bring snacks," With that, she leaves my side.
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14th April 2008, 12 P.M., Area 4,
"B?"
"Yes, N?"
"Thank you for being so supportive of my newfound dream," she mutters as she snuggles closer to my chest.
"And thank you for always being by my side since we were young," I reply. We've known each other since I was around five years old, I believe. It's been over a decade now.
It's strange for me to witness Nonette's vulnerable side. For someone who is typically brave and outspoken, seeing her reduced to this state makes me hope that she'll return to her usual self by tomorrow.
I pull Nonette even closer to me. She instinctively rests her head on my chest, and my arm wraps around her shoulders.
"Good night, N," I murmur as I rest my chin above her head.
"Good night, B," she looks up and kisses my cheek before settling back into position.
Today has been tough for both of us. I'm beginning to wonder why my father keeps bullying me while Nonette has been shattered by the events of the day. I hope things return to normal soon.
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19th April 2008, Pendragon, Aries Imperial Villa,
"Auntie Mari, Lulu, and Nunna, I'm back!" I burst into the main hall of the Imperial Villa.
"Oh, Ben," Auntie Mari feigns surprise at my arrival. "Welcome back. How did the operation go?" She offers a warm smile and a cup of tea as I take a seat nearby.
"Welcome back, brother," Lelouch, the future founder of the Order of the Black Knights, greets me without looking up from his chessboard.
"Brother Ben!" Nunna, my perpetually cheerful sister, promptly claims her throne by sitting on my lap.
"It went well," I reply, taking a sip from the tea Auntie Mari provided.
"I sense a 'but'," Lelouch remarks without glancing my way, picking up on my tone.
"I wanted to appoint Nonette as a knight, but Father ordered me to fight against a Knight of the Round to gain his approval," I sigh inwardly.
"Oh dear," Auntie Mari covers her mouth with her hand. I can't quite decipher her expression.
"You're indeed in trouble, brother," Lelouch remarks, and I can't help but appreciate his straightforwardness. I love you, Lelouch, but I won't help you if you face Father's wrath.
"Will you get hurt, brother?" Nunna's concern warms my heart. I'll protect you from Mao at all costs.
"Of course not, Nunna," I assure her, gently patting her head. "I am the strongest, after all." And I am not lying. With the skill [Riding EX], I am the best pilot there is.
Auntie Mari says nothing, her eyes filled with warmth as she looks at us. Lelouch lets out a snort and returns his attention to his chessboard. Who are you playing against, Lelouch? Playing chess alone like this... you don't have any friends, do you?
"I have friends!" Oops, did I just say that out loud?
"Yes, you did, dear," Auntie Mari calls me 'dear,' which feels rather odd.
"Anyway, Auntie Mari, have you heard anything about the rules or who I'll be facing?" I inquire, turning to my father's favorite consort.
"That's a surprise," she places a finger to her lips and winks at me. Come on, you're close to my mother's age. Don't act like a teenager, please.
But then again, we're only 12 years apart. I was born in 1992, while she was born in 1980. Am I growing old too quickly?
"Of course," I nod at her. "Other than that, do I need to bring my own Knightmare?"
"You can if you have one." In that case, I'll bring Aerial but without any weapons. I have to prove to Nunna that I am the strongest and seek revenge for making Nonette sad.
"I have one," I respond, and Auntie Mari raises an eyebrow at that. She probably doesn't know I have a Knightmare, right?
"You've hidden it well, Ben," she sighs.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I haven't shown it to anyone yet. Not even Nonetta," I shrug. "I hope my opponent isn't you, Auntie Mari. I don't want Nunna to hate me for hurting you." I continue to pat Nunna's head, which causes her to purr like a cat.
"You don't need to worry about that, Ben. I've already retired from the Knights of the Round," she informs me, bringing a sigh of relief.
"In that case, I can beat up my opponent without feeling guilty," I grin. Thankfully, Nunna can't see this expression because Auntie Mari is sporting a similar one, and it terrifies me. This time, I'm relieved to have covered Nunna's eyes.
"Ben dear?"
"Yes, Auntie Mari?"
"Trash your opponent, please." I'm not sure what this Knight of the Round did to earn Auntie Mari's request.
"Gladly," I reply. I'll happily humiliate that knight for her.
The two of us exchange glances and grin like madmen. Poor Lelouch, I hope he can still get some sleep after witnessing his mother like this.
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20th April 2008, Pendragon Palace Arena,
I'm sitting inside the Aerial's cockpit, examining the data provided by Eri. I give the monitor a friendly pat and say, "Thank you, Eri."
The screen flashes repeatedly.
"I know, but a fight against one of the twelve strongest might be worthy too." At the moment, Aerial is only equipped with a handheld coilgun-based Assault Rifle filled with paint and a knife.
All of Aerial's weapons are overpowered, even the shield, especially the shield.
"My name is Beatrice Franks, Knight of Eight!" The voice on the other side shouts her name and rank, someone I have no idea about. At least she's piloting a 4th Generation KnightMare Frame.
"Benedict af Britannia, just a simple soldier," I reply. I have no ranks in the military since I'm still attending school.
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Three minutes later,
I see Beatrice Franks' KnightMare lying on the ground like Yamcha. The entire KnightMare is covered in paint.
I was playing around, humiliating her as Auntie Mari requested. But even playing can get boring when your opponent lacks skills.
"Don't blame your KnightMare's performance. It's a skill issue." I leave the arena, leaving her covered in my paint.
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Author's Note;
So… Marianne lewd, anyone? No one?
The plot will continue starting from the next chapter. I was tempted to have C.C. show up in this chapter with Marianne to give Ben a Geass, but I stopped myself.
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