Story: CG - Anti-Harem

 

Lelouch paced the length of the student council room, his mind a whirlwind of calculations and countermeasures. The wager he had entered into—on the surface, a ridiculous challenge from a capricious being—had quickly proven to be far more serious than he had anticipated. He was acutely aware of how precarious his situation had become, particularly after the most recent adjustments to the timeline. No harem. It sounded simple enough until the meddling began.

“So, the obvious move is Suzaku,” Lelouch muttered to himself, tapping a finger against his temple. “Suzaku is principled, stubborn, and utterly disinterested in the nonsense surrounding romantic entanglements. At least, in theory. With him on my side, I can deflect some of the... attention. Perhaps even turn this ridiculous game into a strategic advantage.”

Unfortunately, Lelouch underestimated the sheer creativity of the being who had thrown him into this mess.

Elsewhere

Suzaku Kururugi wasn’t used to attention like this. Sure, he was a soldier, but most of his interactions were professional and bound by decorum. That’s why he felt uncharacteristically flustered as Cecile Croomy leaned just a little closer than was strictly necessary, her lips curving into a small smile as she handed him a cup of tea.

“I thought you might need a break, Suzaku,” she said warmly, her tone gentle but carrying an undeniable undertone of affection. “You’ve been working so hard—it’s inspiring, but you shouldn’t push yourself too much.”

“Ah—thank you, Cecile!” Suzaku stammered, taking the tea with both hands as if it were a life preserver. Cecile had always been kind, but lately, there was something… different. A soft glow in her eyes, a touch of teasing in her words. Maybe he was imagining things?

Any hope that it was all in his head evaporated later that evening, when he encountered Euphemia li Britannia for the first time.

“Sir Kururugi,” she greeted, her voice warm and lilting, but there was a distinct mischievous sparkle in her violet eyes. Euphemia’s usual aura of sweet sincerity was still there, but her demeanor was shockingly forward. She stepped closer, her hand brushing his arm with surprising familiarity. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you in person. I’ve heard so much about you… and I must say, they didn’t do you justice.”

Suzaku froze, his brain struggling to process the unmistakable flirtation from the Second Princess. “Ah, Your Highness,” he managed, retreating a step to maintain some semblance of decorum. “I—I’m honored by your words.”

Euphemia smiled, unfazed by his awkwardness. “Please, call me Euphie. We’re going to be spending so much time together, after all. I’d rather not stand on ceremony.”

“Time together?” Suzaku repeated, alarm bells ringing in his head.

“Oh, didn’t anyone tell you?” Euphemia leaned in slightly, her tone teasing. “I’ve requested you as my personal escort. I feel so much safer knowing you’ll be watching over me.”

Suzaku swallowed hard, wondering what exactly he’d done to deserve this sudden shift in attention. He had no idea that somewhere across the city, Lelouch vi Britannia was unknowingly cursing his luck for relying on Suzaku to be the stabilizing force in his own predicament.

=====

Cecile Croomy was not one to lose her composure. She prided herself on her analytical mind, her ability to compartmentalize emotions and focus on facts. That’s why the situation unfolding before her felt so deeply wrong—and yet, so irresistibly right.

Her attraction to Suzaku Kururugi had been a quiet, unspoken thing, easily set aside as the natural admiration one might feel for a promising young soldier. Until now. Until… whatever this was. Cecile could feel something tugging at the edges of her mind, whispering promises she couldn’t entirely ignore. She half-remembered a moment of blinding clarity, a deal struck with a being she couldn’t name. If you win his heart, if you make him yours, then the secrets of the universe will be revealed to you. The true nature of reality itself.

Her scientific instincts balked at the memory. A compulsion? A supernatural deal? It was absurd, an affront to her logical mind. And yet, as she watched Euphemia li Britannia lean forward with a radiant smile, the flicker of competitive annoyance she felt wasn’t entirely her own.

“Trust and familiarity are important in any knightly duty,” Cecile interjected smoothly, gesturing toward Suzaku’s untouched tea. “Would you like me to refresh your cup? You’ve barely had a sip.”

“Oh, no, that’s not—” Suzaku began, but Euphemia cut in with a teasing lilt to her voice.

“Cecile, you’re spoiling him already. If you keep this up, I’ll never get a chance to be the one looking after him.”

Cecile smiled graciously, though her mind raced. Focus. Think. Analyze. But even as she tried to assess the situation rationally, the faint, persistent tug returned. It was a gentle but unyielding pull, urging her to step closer, to speak softer, to win.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to intrude on that, Your Highness,” Cecile said lightly, dipping her head. “But as his colleague, it’s only natural for me to lend a hand where I can.” She turned her attention back to Suzaku, who looked as though he were desperately searching for an escape route. “Though, of course, the decision is entirely up to you.”

Even as she spoke, a fragment of her mind questioned her own words. Why was she pushing so hard? Why couldn’t she just let this go?

Because the voice was still there, a lingering echo at the edge of her consciousness. Seduce him, Cecile, and you will know everything. Not just Suzaku, but the fabric of existence itself. The answers to the questions you’ve sought your whole life.

Her grip on her tea tightened slightly as she watched Euphemia’s expression shift, her violet eyes narrowing just a fraction. Cecile was aware, dimly, that Euphemia wasn’t acting entirely of her own volition either. The Princess’s charm and assertiveness were almost too pointed, too deliberate. There was a strange symmetry to their actions, a shared sense of compulsion that Cecile couldn’t quite ignore. But the rational part of her rebelled against the idea.

No. This isn’t real. It’s just a coincidence.

And yet, even as her logical mind fought to dismiss it, her body betrayed her. She leaned forward, her hand brushing lightly against Suzaku’s as she reached for his empty cup. “Let me take care of that for you,” she said softly, her voice gentler than she intended.

Suzaku blinked, his expression somewhere between flustered and overwhelmed. “Ah, thank you, Cecile, but I can—”

“I insist,” she replied, her tone firm but kind, before giving Euphemia a sidelong glance. “After all, you have so many responsibilities already, Your Highness. Perhaps you should let Suzaku focus on the tasks at hand without worrying about the little things.”

Euphemia’s lips curved into a smile, sweet but sharp. “And yet, sometimes it’s the little things that matter most, don’t you think? A knight’s morale is just as important as his duties. Wouldn’t you agree, Suzaku?”

Suzaku opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. His eyes darted between the two women, both of whom seemed determined to stake their claim without crossing into outright hostility.

Cecile’s mind screamed at her to stop, to regain her composure, to shake off whatever was influencing her actions. But as she held Suzaku’s gaze, the faint whisper returned, stronger this time, and her resolve faltered.

Win him, Cecile. Win, and the mysteries of the universe are yours. Though, she'd hardly realised yet herself that she was entering into a contest that would only result in a torrid threesome that would surely distract Suzaku from assisting Lelouch in any possible way.

Just as planned.

=====

Euphemia li Britannia was not one to scheme. She didn’t like manipulation or deceit; she preferred kindness, openness, and compromise to achieve her goals. Yet, as she sat across from Suzaku Kururugi, her gaze lingering on the way his green eyes lit up when he spoke, she felt a newfound determination that was entirely at odds with her usual self.

Suzaku deserved happiness. The entity had made that perfectly clear to her when it had appeared with its strange, otherworldly proposition. If she could claim him, body and soul, then he would find peace—true, enduring peace. And more than that, the Japanese people he cared so deeply about would be freed from their oppression. It was a deal too perfect to refuse.

Her heart had soared when she first saw him, standing so upright and resolute, the sun catching his hair as he turned to greet her. The sudden and almost overwhelming physical attraction had been… unexpected, but not unwelcome. If anything, it made the path before her easier to walk. She was certain this was destiny—a reward for her earnest desire to make the world a better place.

The only complication was Cecile.

The older woman was sharp, poised, and far too adept at inserting herself into Suzaku’s attention without seeming overt. Euphemia watched her with a subtle narrowing of her eyes, her smile unfaltering but her thoughts turning in directions she wasn’t used to. She didn’t want to resort to abusing her position as a Princess—she could never live with herself if she used her power to dismiss Cecile outright. But the other woman was a threat, and Euphemia couldn’t simply ignore that.

“Morale is important, after all,” Euphemia said, her voice warm but pointed as she leaned slightly forward, just enough to catch Suzaku’s eye. “A knight who feels supported and appreciated will always perform at his best. Wouldn’t you agree, Suzaku?”

Suzaku’s cheeks turned pink as her words registered, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, well, yes, I guess that’s true, Your Highness…”

“Euphie,” she corrected gently, her violet eyes locking onto his. “Please, call me Euphie.”

Across the table, Cecile shifted, her calm demeanor unbroken as she smoothly interjected. “And of course, that support should come from all directions. As someone who works with Suzaku closely, I think I can safely say he already has an admirable balance of morale and discipline.” She smiled at Suzaku, her tone light but deliberate. “Isn’t that right, Suzaku?”

Suzaku gave a weak laugh, looking between the two women with a nervousness Euphemia found both endearing and frustrating.

“Yes, well, I’m grateful for all the support, really. I just try to focus on doing my best—”

“And you do it so well,” Euphemia cut in, her voice softening as she reached out to lightly brush her fingertips against the edge of his hand resting on the table. The brief contact sent a delightful spark up her arm, and she bit back a pleased smile as Suzaku glanced at her, startled but not pulling away. “You should know how much you’re appreciated, Suzaku. You inspire people—more than you realize.”

She meant every word, but the unspoken promise of her deal lingered in the back of her mind, urging her to take another step, to close the distance between them. The freedom of the Japanese people depended on her success.

Cecile’s voice interrupted her thoughts, measured and calm as always. “I agree,” she said, her gaze sharp as she subtly leaned forward, drawing Suzaku’s attention back to her. “Which is why it’s important to make sure he’s not overwhelmed. Knights often carry too much on their shoulders. It’s good to remind them that they don’t have to bear everything alone.”

The words were innocent enough, but Euphemia could hear the undercurrent of intent. She fought the urge to glare, keeping her expression serene as she straightened in her chair.

“That’s true,” Euphemia said, her tone light as she folded her hands in her lap. “Which is why I’ve asked Suzaku to serve as my personal escort. I want to make sure he knows he has my full support, and that he can rely on me for anything he might need.”

Cecile’s eyebrow twitched—so subtly that Euphemia might not have noticed if she weren’t watching closely. A flicker of satisfaction ran through her.

Suzaku, meanwhile, looked as though he wanted nothing more than to escape. “I—I appreciate that, Euphie,” he stammered, his cheeks still faintly pink.

Euphemia’s heart fluttered at the sound of her name on his lips, and she smiled warmly. Whatever else happened, she was certain of one thing: she would not lose. Not to Cecile, and not to anyone. Suzaku’s happiness—and the freedom of an entire nation—depended on her.

And she would not fail. Though, she'd hardly realised yet herself that she was entering into a contest that would only result in a torrid threesome that would surely distract Suzaku from assisting Lelouch in any possible way.

Just as planned.