CH 60.1

By Antoinette Vanessa November 21, 2022

I could no longer feel any pain.

My body was light.

…Or rather, that was the first time it had ever felt so light.

Below my feet, I could see the remains of “Lelouche Elcage” being embraced by His Highness as he stifled his tears. Amidst the crowd, Lumiere’s childish cries reverberated.

Hmm… I’m in a worse state than I thought.

Blood was all over the place, and it went without saying that even my new dress was ruined…

…Did I fail?

“Hey, god. Did I lose the bet?”

“What are you talking about? …You did enough. You’ve shown me something truly beautiful.”

“Is that so? But look, my makeup is ruined—”

“—Lelouche.”

For the first time, he uttered my name.

When I involuntarily stared back at him, god briefly showed a painful expression, before talking to me like usual.

“—But, isn’t that cheating!? You told my story to someone who had yet to die!”

“How is that so? All I did was transformed Nameless’ past into a story that’d give courage, hope, and inspiration to those of the present age.”

“I don’t like that at all! It’s so embarrassing!”

After making a fuss, god averted his gaze and folded his arms.

“…Like I said, I don’t like it. Besides, she wasn’t my lover.”

“Oh, I see. Was it an unrequited love? What a tragic love affair!”

“Leave me alone—!”

Fufu…

For me to still be able to ruffle god’s feathers, I was very happy.

“Hey, god. Let’s dance!”

“Huh!?”

I forcibly dragged god into the dance hall. Of course, with a dead lady in the lobby, no music was playing.

I usually wouldn’t meddle in someone else’s affairs, but it sure was noisy here…

Oh, well.

The warm and vivid color emanating from the chandeliers were gorgeous, and so were the flower decorations. Above all, the splendidly-framed paintings at the center of the hall were so colorful—

—Should I invite him to admire the paintings of Andre Oscar?

“B-but, I’m not a good dancer!?”

“Apparently, there are things that even god can’t do. It’s alright, let’s just twirl around.”

Besides, no one was watching.

I took god’s hands and started spinning.

Fufu, I don’t have to worry about bumping into someone else.

Moreover, dancing while soaring in the air was so much fun!

“Hey, what kind of relationship did you have with the painter, Andre?”

“Eh? He was my junior back when I was still a student. He always admired me. Even after the incident, he still invited me out and gave me various things.”

“Fufu, is it okay to tell me that?”

Even if I had died, weren’t there topics he shouldn’t be telling an ordinary human like me?

When I continued to tease him in that regard, god sulked and said, ‘I won’t talk to you anymore!’

That appearance of his was so cute, I couldn’t help but laugh.

After that, the same god who said that he wouldn’t talk to me asked.

“…More than that, isn’t there something you want to know?”

“For example?”

“Duh, the future of the second prince!? For your information, his older brother will beat him up after this. Then, after getting beaten, he’d say, ‘As I thought, Lelouche hit the hardest.’”

“I don’t care about such a thing!”

“For real—!?”

Being a ghost sure was great. No matter how much I spun around, I didn’t feel dizzy. Not only that, I also didn’t feel any fatigue. It felt as if I was back in the dream world, where I used to drink tea with God.

I might’ve said something regrettable.

Despite that, I was aware that even if I knew their futures, I wouldn’t be able to return.

Therefore, I made it brief and spoke with a smile.

“Yep, it doesn’t matter! Besides, to me, their just a trivialities.”

“…I knew you’d say that.”

I was Lelouche Elcage, after all.

It didn’t matter if I was crying or laughing. It didn’t matter what kind of education I received, or what kind of environment I was born it—I couldn’t be anything other than myself.

My hands were too full with myself.

…As such, please let me indulge myself.

Besides, the only thing I could do was believe.

Hence why I only did what I had to ensure my own happiness.

“Hey, god.”

“Hmm…?”

“Regarding that bet…”

I couldn’t stop my feet, nor could I let go of god’s hand. Even though god had promised to grant my wish, I hesitated to say it out loud. I wondered what kind of expression he’d make…

“Don’t hesitate to tell me your wish? I’m used to your outrageous behavior.”

As we spun around, god smiled with an unusually benevolent face.

I dedicate this selfish wish to the wicked you.

“—Alright, I want us to fall in love.”

“Okay, let’s arrange for us to fall—wait, what!?”