We were the kings and queens of promise

Well, yes... of course.

[Starts gathering up his paints in a more flustered manner, looking not too dissimilar from a kicked puppy.]

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And you want the lavender.

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[Looks up.]

Lavender?

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It will look better against the blue elder brother is using.

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[Blinks for a second and stares back at the painting. After a moment, his smile returns in full force.]

Yes, to compliment the green in the background! It's perfect! Didn't I tell you that detail obsession of yours was good for beautiful things as well? You really should put it to better use than those boring books, Lelouch.

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... I should have known that the two of you getting along was too good to last for very long...

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[Laughs.]

Nonsense. I'm just saying that if our little brother wasn't so serious all the time, he'd enjoy himself more. And you would too, elder sister. It never hurts to stop and take in the sights once in a while.

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And it wouldn't hurt you to be more responsible either, Clovis.

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[Chuckles and motions her away.]

Come on, elder sister, elder brother Clovis needs to stop stalling or he'll be late.

[Gives Clovis a pointed look.]

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[Smiles unabashedly.]

It is always so considerate of you to keep an eye out for me, Lelouch.

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[Before Lelouch can deliver his less genial retort, he and Cornelia find themselves back in the same vast hallway.]

He should get one of his attendants to manage these things for him.

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[Brushes a flower from the centre of Lelouch's forehead.]

They've tried, but he prefers to manage them himself, perhaps because he alone defines "manage" so loosely. He does mean well, though...

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I don't think elder brother's definition is accurate at all. But at least Mother's painting is looking nice.

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Mm, it does.

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She really likes looking at gardens. Nunnally too.

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Euphie as well. I sometimes wonder if the three of them would choose to never leave the gardens if offered the chance.

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Oh, Euphie! She said she wanted to show me something today. We have to see her before we get to the surprise.

[Leading around a corner more briskly.]

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[As they turn the corner, the walls are replaced by a thick forest and the floor beneath their feet is mud instead; still sparing no consideration toward the change, the siblings start to navigate the familiar path through the woods to the artificial river behind them, fern and plantain leaves tickling their ankles along the way. When finally the trees begin to thin and let the bright noon sun shine down on them, the pair quicken their steps to a near-run. Soon, they can hear the first playful cries of their little sister, who's splashing about up ahead in the calm, shallow waters of the riverbed.]

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[Running toward her immediately but stopping at the edge of the water.]

Euphie! You're going to get dirty out there.

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Oh, Lelouch!

[Giggles.]

It's okay, I think. One of mother's servants says she'll teach me how to use the washing machines later, so I thought— I thought as long as I'm cleaning my clothes myself, I thought it'd be all right to get just a little dirty. And I've always wanted to play here, ever since big brother Oscar told me he saw a family of turtles! So. Um. So you'll come play too, right? Big sister Cornelia, you as well? Please~?

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[Is still peering down at the water, unsure.]

... Turtles?

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I'm happy just to watch. Go on, Lelouch. Join her.

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All right, big sister.

And mhmm, turtles! He said most of them were babies but one of them was this big [showing with her hands IT WOULD INDEED BE A BIG TURTLE] and I'd really like to meet him. It'd be much~ easier to find him if you'd help me.

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[Giving Cornelia an anxious look but still not budging from his spot.]

What she finds it and it's a biting turtle?

[Turning back to Euphie.]

It's better to leave them alone, or we'll end up carrying Euphie home.

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