... Had he. Somehow, Lelouch sincerely doubted Schneizel's motives had been as pure as that, but he didn't interrupt Nunnally to say so. Better to listen quietly, even if he wished she would allow him to comfort her again at the very least. As someone who had actually experienced the events she was describing, her connection to them and the pain she felt as a result was far greater than his own, and it was impossible to be anything other than aware of that fact as he watched her hands clench and her face pale.
He did what he could to focus on her words instead, though, not wanting to have to ask her to repeat any of it if he could help it. A sky fortress... well, that explained the name. An appropriate one, too, given what it was armed with. Anyone who had a weapon like that would have undisputed control over the entire world, assuming they used it in the proper way-- or improper way, depending on one's point of view. That would have fit into his plans perfectly, even if he never would have used it on a capital city. ... Then again, he might just have. Still, to go so far as to use Geass on Nunnally-- that alternate self had to have been reluctant, if only at first. After committing himself to a plan like that one, Lelouch could understand why he might be less so, but... it was Nunnally. How could he have done that?
But that wasn't the thing to focus on. There was also the fact that his sister had been allowed to bear the burden of firing F.L.E.I.J.A., and even though she had asked for it, he hated both Schneizel and Cornelia for permitting it. Even against an emperor such as the one he'd been-- or had that been why they had done it? They both knew how much he had cared for her; perhaps they had been counting on the fact that he would hesitate and intended to use the extra time to their advantage. From that standpoint--
He swallowed but didn't ask, instead continuing to look down at her hands and hating the fact that he didn't know if she would accept further reassurance just then. He wanted to lay his hand over hers or hug her again, but... "I imagine things went smoothly after that," he said softly, making himself look away from her. His death truly was the only logical conclusion after that. Someone like that couldn't be allowed to live in the new, gentle world, even if it had all been a farce. And... if he had only just been reunited with his sister, there was no better punishment for his sins than denying himself a future with her.
Re: F23
He did what he could to focus on her words instead, though, not wanting to have to ask her to repeat any of it if he could help it. A sky fortress... well, that explained the name. An appropriate one, too, given what it was armed with. Anyone who had a weapon like that would have undisputed control over the entire world, assuming they used it in the proper way-- or improper way, depending on one's point of view. That would have fit into his plans perfectly, even if he never would have used it on a capital city. ... Then again, he might just have. Still, to go so far as to use Geass on Nunnally-- that alternate self had to have been reluctant, if only at first. After committing himself to a plan like that one, Lelouch could understand why he might be less so, but... it was Nunnally. How could he have done that?
But that wasn't the thing to focus on. There was also the fact that his sister had been allowed to bear the burden of firing F.L.E.I.J.A., and even though she had asked for it, he hated both Schneizel and Cornelia for permitting it. Even against an emperor such as the one he'd been-- or had that been why they had done it? They both knew how much he had cared for her; perhaps they had been counting on the fact that he would hesitate and intended to use the extra time to their advantage. From that standpoint--
He swallowed but didn't ask, instead continuing to look down at her hands and hating the fact that he didn't know if she would accept further reassurance just then. He wanted to lay his hand over hers or hug her again, but... "I imagine things went smoothly after that," he said softly, making himself look away from her. His death truly was the only logical conclusion after that. Someone like that couldn't be allowed to live in the new, gentle world, even if it had all been a farce. And... if he had only just been reunited with his sister, there was no better punishment for his sins than denying himself a future with her.