Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5283694-20130918011231/@comment-174.53.215.181-20140102225419

I don't believe this is Lelouch "just" acting, because Suzaku was already a Rounds member and was addressed as such by the Duke who greeted him off the train -- Charles knew nothing of his desire to become a Knight until he brought Lelouch before him, so it follows Charles already came into contact with Lelouch pre-Julius Kingsley persona. Charles probably brainwashed Lelouch twice; once, to gain a strategic advantage, instilling a fake identity of a strong military and tactical specimen (Lelouch's seemingly unsubstantiated confidence) into his mind; and another for the fictitious school life. The only issue here being the Geass -- can Charles effectively use it more than once? I'd think he could (because as I recall he attempted to do so towards the end of R2 with the mirror scenery and what have you) but of course this remains unconfirmed.

The scene with Lelouch gasping for water somewhat puts in a dint in this though -- but towards the end of R1, Charles almost certainly rewired Lelouch's mind; perhaps the uncharacteristic "struggle" for water was just him fighting against its effect, or something of the sort. Regardless, I'm hesitant to think Charles simply did nothing when first they met toward the end of R1, instead leaving Lelouch to his own devices (even if he threatened him with Nunally (which, by the way, would be pretty uncharacteristic of Charles in the first place)). I'm going with the 'brainwashed twice' theory.