They certainly were. [They may still be, if on the smaller end of the scale now. He doubts any change in society could stop his uncle's passion, barring maybe a complete ban on imported ingredients. Jeremiah couldn't say, he hasn't seen extended family in years. A blessing, he'd call it; none of them resisted the dissolution of the aristocracy so stubbornly and fervently as to lose their lives through it all, for meaningless titles and material excess. He admits himself to be grateful, he would have taken no pleasure in having to quell them as just another rebellious faction of the homeland, using force on his own kin. There never had been a guarantee that there wouldn't be casualties.

It feels a little cruel to speak of what he does, he realizes too late. Mentioning Lilycia must be what does it for him, bringing more than just his own sister to mind. A surface-level similarity. He'd simply have preferred to uplift Lelouch with whatever he chose to talk about, if possible, but the smile from before has faded off.

Shaking a chill from settling over his heart, Jeremiah frowns at his folded hands. Around them, the buzz of passerby and countless conversations makes their silence all the louder in his ears.] Forgive me, I feel I must contest this idea of "should" or "should not." [He glances up to Lelouch, puzzlement pulling at his brows.] I wished to share in turn, that seems justification enough to do so.