Chapter Text
The year was 2001 in the Imperial Calendar and excited murmurs could be heard throughout the halls; a new heir in the royal family was to be born. Not only was the festive season of winter almost upon them, but the child was to be delivered sooner than expected. The mother was currently in a room specially designed to be easy on her to give birth, a room which had many visitors waiting on the edge of their seats just outside the door.
Full blooded and half blooded siblings were waiting anxiously, even some non-related members. The older sister, holding her barely one year old younger sister, was pacing along the halls. Although excited, she had been a wreck during the birth of the little one year old, and that didn't stop her worry this time either. A tender hand fell on her shoulder, forcing her to look up at its owner.
"Cornelia, this is a joyous day; you needn't be so worried," came the soothing words of Marianne, her half sibling Lelouch's mother.
"I know, I just… what if something happens to them? Or mother?"
"Don't let your fears rule you, just turn around." A smile graced her face as the door to the room creeped open just as she spoke, causing Cornelia to rush into the room; Euphemia close to her chest.
"Mother! Where are they? Did everything go okay?" Cornelia's questions were met with a soft shushing, her mother gesturing for her to come closer. It was at that point she saw the swaddled baby in her arms, only getting the slightest glance at the pink strands of hair. She walked closer until she could see the child, giving out a soft gasp.
The baby was wrapped in a pink blanket and was small, smaller than Euphemia had been when she was born. She could only guess that this was due to her early arrival into the world.
"Cornelia, sweet heart, I was thinking of naming her… Kiana; what do you think?" her mother smiled up at her, seeing the same protective violet eyes she had seen when Euphemia had been born.
"Kiana… What a wonderful name… Euphie, look, meet your little sister Kiana…"
"Mother! I came as quickly as I could! Is everything all right?" Cornelia rushed into the room her mother currently occupied. The sight before her made her eyes widen and would not be soon forgotten.
In her mother's arms was the new born Kiana, coughing up blood and looking extremely pale. Euphemia was in the crib beside the two, crying loudly and reaching towards the two. A handkerchief was being used to wipe the blood off her tiny face, but it didn't stop the worry that swiftly washed over her.
"Please take your sister, Cornelia. I've already called the doctor, but I don't want her getting sick as well." The two shared a knowing glance, Cornelia quickly picking Euphemia up and leaving the room. She tried her best to soothe the other, gently rocking her and singing one of her favorite lullabies. She brought her to the Aries villa, hoping that Lady Marianne could help with soothing her own worries.
Hours passed since she first stepped into the situation, watching over Euphemia and Lelouch as they slept side by side. Her thoughts raced with what might happen to the newest member of her family. Nothing like this had ever happened to Euphie… or any of the other half siblings they had. Her heart ached at the bad thoughts she couldn't seem to push away.
Loss… Was normal, right? But why did it have to be someone so young? Someone she knew? Someone she loved? Tears threatened to spill out, clenching her fists in silent anger. She shouldn't jump to conclusions; that's what Marianne had said to her, but how was she to deal with the overwhelming emotions filling her up to the brim? She desperately wanted to take her whirlpool of emotions out on somebody… but who? Who deserved the wrath she sought to wreak?
No one. She knew that. It wasn't a person that did this. She couldn't push blame onto someone because that someone… Didn't exist. It wasn't an act of terrorism or petty jealousy among the nobles. It wasn't medical malpractice. It was… just shitty luck.
She grinded her teeth together, struggling her hardest to not cry. She never wanted to let Euphie see her cry. No matter what happened, she vowed that she would protect her sisters with everything she had on that day. Should Kiana make it to see another day, she would protect her and Euphie until her dying breath.
A few months had passed since the bloody incident with Kiana, her spending all of those months in the hospital being taken care of. Cornelia took Euphemia to see her every chance they could, filling Cornelia's heart with joy at seeing the two babble at each other. Today they were finally bringing her back home, and she couldn't be happier to have both her sisters with her again.
The three of them were going to spend all day together in her room, just relaxing after the stressful events. The R&R was more for herself, though, but wanted to watch the two of them play together at last.
"Here we are," she chimed out, putting both of them on the carpeted floor of her room. "This is my room, but you can come here whenever you want. I won't get mad, promise."
The two giggled up at her before crawling around. She knew they didn't quite understand what it was she was saying, but it felt good to get it off of her chest. They still had a long way to go before they knew how things in the world worked, and that was okay. She would be there to watch them try it all, and help them back up if they stumble along the way.
There would always be toys in her room for them, and even extra blankets and pillows. She wanted to make sure they knew her room was as free to them as their own, wanting them to feel protected and safe with her. She would go to the ends of the earth to protect the two she loved the most in the world, the two who curled up to one another and fell asleep shortly after being brought into her room; her little sisters, Euphemia and Kiana.