20 Chapter Twenty: Heart of the Queen Mother

After ensuring Nunnally, Euphemia, and the rest of Marianne's 'little doves' were safe in the palace. Confident that young Cardemonde could best the Dagon, Bismark set out in his Knightmare, the Gawain.

'Marianne, hold on I am coming,' thought Bismark.

Bismark followed the trail of a series of micro tracers that Marianne had sewn into her clothes for just such emergencies as this. She was always an incredibly clever woman. Bismark never had any doubt of that.

Even when they had first met he had known of her particular brand of brilliance. He and Charles had a firm grasp in Britannia. The Emblem of Blood was winding down thanks to the power Charles had seized. They were even developing their new Knights of the Round and bringing in potential recruits.

That was when she came into the equation.

Marianne Lamperouge, a young and ambitious Knightmare pilot whose record had been of considerable valor. It was enough that she had been called to audition for a position among the new Rounds. To duel against any Knight she had wished.

Bismark could never forget that day.

Years ago, during better days.

Bismark Waldstein stood with his sword at the ready, behind him an old style Knightmare Frame. Before him stood a whole squadron of knights, requested by the potential recruit after making her initial request to challenge Bismark. Even in those early years of Charles's reign, Bismark had earned a reputation as a powerful knight. But when this challenge was levied before him, the ambitious Marianne had insisted that Bismark have a squadron with him.

"For his protection," she had said.

Bismark was going to enjoy teaching this girl a much needed lesson in humility. When her Knightmare, the Ganymede rolled up with Marianne standing proudly in the palm of the machine wearing a cloak that covered her entire body. The Knightmare knelt and let her down on the testing ground.

She bowed before Charles, watching from his throne above the proving grounds, and winked at Bismark.

"Begin," Charles's voice rang out.

As soon as he finished that word, all hell broke loose. Before Bismark realized it the squadron of knights before him, armed with blunted swords, were being swatted aside by powerful jabs, kicks, and punches as a the cloak Marianne wore fell to the ground.

Bismark however managed to get his sword into a defensive position to catch the blunted blade of his attacker. In that moment he realized what was going when he saw this was Marianne's doing. Barely a minute had passed and she had laid waste to an entire squadron of seasoned knights.

But that was far from the most impressive thing about Marianne's display. The most impressive thing as Bismark noted.

"You're..."

"Naked," said Charles, seeing the whole thing from his throne, his eyes wide.

Indeed Marianne Lamperouge stood butt naked with her sword locked with Bismark's. Marianne smirked and spun around, using Bismark's daze to catch him off balance and deliver a strong kick to his side.

"Damn," Bismark. "I've got to focus."

"But can you?" asked Marianne, her face suddenly appearing before Bismark.

Marianne quickly attempted to do a flip-kick into Bismark's jaw but this time he was ready and dodged. He grabbed her ankle but Marianne drew in and kicked him in the stomach with her free foot, forcing him to release her.

Bismark staggered back and looked up at the nude knight, smiling confidently as she brandished her blunted blade. Bismark couldn't help but smile himself as he returned to his feet.

'She's talented, that's obvious,' he thought. 'I suppose I have no choice.'

Bismark's clamps released over his left eye and his Geass was revealed. It allowed him to peer slightly into the future of what actions his enemies would take against him. However as this one crimson eye was focused on the bare skinned challenger something odd happened.

All Bismark could see through his Geass empowered eye were red streaks he could not make out.

"What the hell?" was all Bismark had been able to say before Marianne's knee collided with his face.

As Bismark's face ached in pain, Marianne swept his legs with hers, and forced him onto his back with her foot on his throat and her blunted sword inches above his face.

"Enjoying the view?" asked Marianne, purposefully posing herself. "Do you yield?"

"I...yield," said Bismark, struck both by Marianne's display of skill and her incredible body.

She was sculpted like a Greek goddess and held the confidence of one too. And he was not the only one who noticed. From high on his throne Emperor Charles had his eyes firmly fixed on Marianne. Who in tern had her eyes fixed on him.

That was the day Marianne had been given not only the title of Knight of Six. But for her great speed, later shown to have been shared in her skill with a Knightmare, she had been called Marianne the Flash. Although in hushed private areas she was referred to as Marianne the Streak.

Even more incredible is that it had been Marianne's natural speed that had won her the day. She had trained diligently in the Order, to earn the attention of a powerful man she had dedicated herself to becoming powerful.

She didn't even need to use her Geass ability to win. And indeed on that day both her physical prowess and beauty had earned the attention of Emperor Charles. But also his attention as well.

Bismark couldn't admit it, but from that day on he had become enamored with Marianne as well. As time continued Bismark's feelings for Marianne had grown just as Charles's did. Both men had come to love her but Marianne had her sights set on Charles, as were her orders as a witch of the Order. But in time she came to return the feelings Charles held for her. While Bismark, though he loved her as well, stayed silent for he also loved Charles, they were as brothers, in bond if not in blood. And he would never dare break the trust Charles held in him by having an affair with Marianne.

He respected and admired Charles too much. Even after his death, Bismark could not bring himself to confess his feelings for Marianne. She still held so much love for Charles, which Bismark had chosen to respect. The best he could do was serve as her guard and keep her honor in tact.

Honor that Bludbierd was soiling.

"My lady, I am coming," said Bismark.

As the chaos outside rang out Nunnally had taken a meditative pose to focus her mind away from the worry she held for her mother.

"Would you like to help your troubled mother?" asked a voice Nunnally was unfamiliar with.

She opened her eyes and the color seemed drained from the world. Her sister Euphie, her friends Tianzi, Kaguya, and Anya, as well as the Lady Maria Shaing and her daughter Alice all seemed frozen in place.

"What's happening?" asked Nunnally.

"Some privacy," said the voice.

Nunnally looked around and suddenly saw a woman in clothes of varying shades of purple, the mark of Geass on her neck. She looked like C.C but the eyes were different, as was her hair in both style and color.

"You're not C.C? Are you another immortal?" asked Nunnally.

"No, I was never human," said the woman. "Think of me as a Supervisor of sorts. Or a Caretaker if that suits your needs. I am from the Source of the power which you humans know as Geass."

"The Source?" asked Nunnally.

"A lesson from you mother for another time," said the Supervisor. "If there can be a next time."

"Is she..."

"She lives," said the Supervisor. "But she is not well. As Marianne is now, thanks to Bludbierd's Geass, she would pose a threat to us. If it were up to this one she would be eliminated but...this one is not the majority. As such, if you were granted the chance would you help your mother?"

"Of course," said Nunnally.

"Then, in dealing directly with the Collective Unconscious, we have made a contract," said the Supervisor.

Bismark had followed the trace to a ruined castle. He exited his Knightmare and entered the castle, bearing his sword. He walked slowly and quietly, following the tracer's signal.

He followed it to what appeared to be a chapel built into the old castle where he found Marianne's robes in tatters on the floor.

"Damn it," Bismark cursed, picking up the tattered robe.

Suddenly Bismark heard a slight humming come from behind him. Bismark turned and spun, sword ready and saw a woman dressed in a mourning gown, the veil covering her face. She held a sword with commemorative flowers wreathed around the hilt.

The woman then began to weep.

"Bismark...my dear friend," she said in between her tears.

"Marianne? Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm tired," Marianne sighed from behind the veil. "All theses years, everything I've lost. A husband, a son, all the while I linger on."

"Marianne?" asked Bismark, beginning to worry about her tone.

"You've lingered on as well Bismark," said Marianne. "Charles was like a brother to you. And he had forced you to leave his side as he died."

"I remember," said Bismark.

"We've both lingered on haven't we? And my children, those that still live," said Marianne.

"We'll go get them," said Bismark. "I have the Galahad ready we can..."

Bismark was barely able to avoid the slash from the sword Marianne carried.

"My children...I must spare them," said Marianne, still weeping. "I must save them from lingering on as we have."

"Marianne, what are you talking about?" asked Bismark.

"I was without them for so long, Charles is dead, my baby is dead," said Marianne. "Vincent has won, life belongs to him. We cannot hope to defeat him. We'd only linger in misery."

Marianne's crying became more hysterical with every word.

"I have to save you from such a fate, honorable Bismark," said Marianne. "So kind to me in the years of hell I've been forced to live since Charles died. We've both suffered to much. As have my children. I must save them, then we can all be together with my beloved and my baby."

"Marianne, think about what you're saying," said Bismark. "You're actually suggesting killing Lelouch and Nunnally?"

"It's better than leaving the in this horrible life," cried Marianne, slashing out with her sword again.

Bismark blocked the blade with his and as the wind flew through the chapel the black veil covering Marianne's face flew up. Bismark could see the misery in Marianne's eyes, as well as the red rings around her irises.

As Rai watched the battle between the Dagon and his comrade Prince, he felt something odd run through his mind. Suddenly his vision was filled with an image of Nunnally, floating above the ground radiating violet light that seemed to mute out all the colors of the world. She appeared dressed in a classic Britannian dress with what almost appeared to be light colored butterfly wings from her back.

"Don't speak please Rai," said Nunnally. "For now you're the only one who can see and hear me. Use your thoughts."

'What is this?' asked Rai.

"This is my Geass," said Nunnally. "Rai, please listen, I need your help. My mother is in danger."

'What? Never mind, tell me later. I'll ready my portion of the fleet,' thought Rai.

"You can them to the city to help the people here. But there's more you can do on your own to help my mother," said Nunnally. "I just need you to trust me and listen to me."

'Of course,' thought Rai. 'What do you need?'

Whatever Bludbierd had done to Marianne it had only somewhat inhibited her skill. Bismark had actually been able to hold his own against her. If anything Bismark guessed that it had been because Marianne wasn't able to put her entire passion into her attacks.

When he had first sparred with her that day years ago Marianne had fought with all her passion. She used passion in everything she had done when she was working her way up the ranks of the military. When she was earning the affections of Charles. When she birthed and raised Lelouch and Nunnally for the first couple of years of their lives.

But now that passion was weighed down by an enhanced misery. A misery she had buried for years. The loss of her husband and a loss she had hidden from the world for years.

"Marianne, you must stop this," said Bismark, blocking yet another of Marianne's strikes. "I know the pain you feel. Losing Charles was like losing a brother."

"But I lost more than just my beloved Charles," cried Marianne. "I was to have more joy in my life. A baby boy, a brother for Lelouch, but this wicked world took him away from me as well."

"That child's death was a horrible tragedy," said Bismark. "But you still had Lelouch and later Nunnally. They're alive, they're healthy, they took the misery of the world and still strove to find happiness even when they had been forced from your arms."

"That won't last," cried Marianne. "Happiness cannot last in this world. V.V has made sure of that."

"No he hasn't," yelled Bismark. "There is still happiness to be had in this world. So long as we are willing to fight for it."

"No," cried Marianne.

She began to speed up her attacks, Bismark finally getting nicked in the left shoulder.

"My son, my daughter, there is no happiness for them left in this life," cried Marianne, slashing out again.

Bismark managed to block it, although forced to use one hand which made handling his large sword difficult.

"I have to...free them from this horrible life," cried Marianne. "And you as well Bismark. I must free you, for all the suffering you've had to endure. For all the kindness you've given me."

"Marianne..."

"I know...I know how you have always cared for me," said Marianne.

Bismark felt his heart stop for a moment before Marianne jabbed at him once more, this time striking his right shoulder, forcing him to drop his sword.

"You cared for me as Charles did," said Marianne. "But you also loved Charles as well didn't you? Even after he died you respected my feelings for him. I will always thank you for that Bismark. But we can fix it all. We can join Charles and my baby. You, me, Lelouch, Nunnally, and even my step-daughters Cornelia and Euphemia. And sweet Kallen as well so Lelouch won't be lonely. And my little doves, and Euphemia's boy Suzaku. I'll free them all from this horrid life. We will finally have peace and love for all of us away from the evils of the land of the living."

Marianne was about to attack again but by then Bismark had activated his Geass. Unlike before he had been able to tell the path Marianne's blade would be going. He dodged and as he whispered a plea for forgiveness, he struck her in the midsection, sending her flying back to the altar of the chapel.

"Marianne, you would never willingly bring harm to Lelouch or to Nunnally," said Bismark. "This is that devil Bludbierd's doing. You are disciplined witch of the Geass Order, your will is stronger than his power or your grief. I've seen it with my own eyes. Despite your devastation at the loss of Charles whom we both loved you persisted. You took control of the Geass Order. You set out on obtaining justice for Charles, securing this life for you children. You will not lose it all now."

Marianne, with the veil torn from her face, merely cried out incoherently before charging out at Bismark again. This time his Geass was having more difficulty in predicting Marianne's movements. However he was still able to use it to dodge her blade as she all but flew by.

"It's true that life is full of misery but we can fight against that misery with the light we hold within ourselves," said Bismark. "Light that is fueled by the connections of love and fellowship we form. Charles taught me that long ago. He taught you that as well. It was what endeared him to both of us."

"Then let me free you so we can join him," cried Marianne, her tears flowing like waterfalls from her cursed eyes. "I've mourned so long, I cannot endure it anymore. I cannot endure the mourning we've all felt. You, me, Lelouch, Nunnally, all of us have mourned and suffered. The light is gone."

"No, it's not," roared Bismark.

Marianne ran out again, Bismark's Geass once again straining to predict her movements. However he had been able to catch her hands in his. He forced the sword out of Marianne's hands and forced them behind her back, his eyes looking deep into hers.

"The light lives," said Bismark. "I have not given into the misery of this world because...because I do love you Marianne. From the day you challenged me, your honorable tenure as the Knight of Six, and the grace with which you carried on after we lost Charles. I have kept the light inside of me because I watched you through it all. I was amazed by you, as was Charles, and I resolved to always protect you and your children out of love for both of you. I have never acted upon this love because I could never disgrace Charles. But I see now I have disgraced him even more by allowing these dark feelings to grow inside of you. I allowed you be a widow for too long. Charles would never have wanted that. He would never allow the woman he loved to suffer and linger. As his friend and his knight, I should have taken it upon myself to ensure you would never come to the risk of losing that light inside you."

Marianne merely continued to weep, her lip trembling as her face drew closer to Bismark's. However this was a ruse as Marianne delivered a kick to Bismark's stomach. Once his grip was released she ran up his body and kicked him in the chin. Once she was back on her feet Marianne pulled Bismark over and onto his back. She then drew a hidden dagger and made to drive it into Bismark's heart.

"Marianne, stop this at once," yelled a deep, commanding voice.

Marianne looked up and saw what appeared to be the image of her beloved Charles.

Rai had been able to make good speed with the Adonis and followed the trail of the Galahad. By the time he had been able to find where Bismark had landed and get close to the situation, the clash between the former queen and knight was well underway.

Nunnally still held their connection and through that connection heard everything Rai heard. Including Marianne saying something about a baby she had lost. But she knew this was no time to focus on that small detail.

Her mother had been forced under another man's control and was about to do something she knew her mother would never forgive herself for doing. She had to find a way of stopping this fight and saving her mother.

"Rai, I have a plan," she said.

"C...Charles?" stuttered Marianne, dropping her dagger. "Is that really you?"

She approached the image of her beloved husband as the world around them appeared to change to the old Aries Villa. To Bismark nothing appeared to change and Marianne was talking to nothing but air.

He looked at the doorway and saw a hand delivering gestures in sign language to him. He understood and once he was back on his feet he wrapped his arms around Marianne's body, holding her tightly.

For Marianne in that moment the illusion had vanished.

"NO!" she cried. "Not again."

"Mother," said the voice of Nunnally, in the mind of the former queen.

Marianne froze as the violet form of Nunnally appeared before her. Bismark could see her as well but stayed silent, choosing not to question what was happening.

"Nunnally...my sweet daughter," said Marianne. "Have...have you finally been set free of this horrid life?"

"No mother," said Nunnally. "I'm alright. I'm sorry that you've had so much pain in your heart for so long. I'm so sorry I didn't realize it earlier."

Marianne continued to weep uncontrollably.

"I've lost him again," cried Marianne. "Charles...my baby...and you and your brother. I'll loose you too. And this world, this violent horrible world is going to hurt you both. I can't take it. I can't endure it."

"Mother, you endured the death of my father," said Nunnally. "You're strong in ways I don't know if I could ever be. You must have been so frightened for mine and Lelouch's sake. But mother you cannot let this misery control you. Yes the world is a dark and violent place thanks to my uncle. If there is any one wish I would have it would be that we could all be together in a gentler world. But not through the means you would do under this horrible spell you're under. I do wish we could have father with us again. But mother we do, we hold him in our hearts and live life as he would have wanted us to live it. With his lessons and his love etched into our souls. He would not want you to keep all this pain and misery in your soul. He would not want you to bear eternity as a widow."

Nunnally's angelic astral form drew close to Marianne, who seemed to calm in her daughter's presence.

"Mother, these feelings may be your own but they do not control you of your own will," said Nunnally. "With whatever grace has been granted to me. Against whatever evil has been done to you. I set you free now."

Nunnally's spectral hands clasped Marianne's face and suddenly both her eyes and her code began to glow brightly.

Bludbierd howled in pain in his private train car.

"What the hell was that?" roared Bludbierd as the pain subsided.

A few Eden Elite soldiers entered to check on their superior who shouted at them to leave immediately after they had entered.

"Something isn't right," hissed Bludbierd. "Never mind, I have more important work to do."

Even an immortal who has infinite time on his hands can have a very tight schedule. He at least had to make sure some of the investments V.V had placed in this little part of the game were paying off. That boy settling a personal family matter involving the European rogue was of significant interest. Especially if Lelouch and his little circus was involved.

He had heard some unflattering reports about the fight between the Dagon and that little blue upstart of Lovecrest's. As entertaining as Bradley was Bludbierd ultimately believed he was unreliable.

Lovecrest would probably do a better job, but these young bucks were full of piss and the game was getting very interesting. Victory or defeat for either side was going to come at a cost.

Nunnally had come out of her medatative pose with a loud gasp that earned her older sister's attention.

"Nunnally are you alright?" asked Euphemia, steadying her little sister in her arms.

"I'm fine, Euphie," said Nunnally, a Geass symbol in Nunnally's right eye, shocking Euphemia. "Just fine."

Marianne had eventually calmed down and lost consciousness. Nunnally's phantasm image had vanished as well. Rai had wasted no time in leaving to find out if Nunnally was well once he had made sure Bismark had Marianne taken care of.

Bismark watched as the young man shot off in the Adonis to find out about the well being of his lady love. Following that line of thinking Bismark looked over to Marianne, resting on a soft patch of grass with Bismark's white cloak covering her. She had torn away the mourning gown she had been dressed in after Nunnally did whatever it was she had done.

He would move her once she stirred awake. Then perhaps he would tell her of his own feelings. Let everything between them be open in the air.

As he watched her sleep, praying she was sleeping peacefully, Bismark couldn't help but think back to his old friend Charles.

The day the next king was born.

As the Imperial Consort and former Knight of Six, Marianne vi Britannia, her lover the 98th Emperor and her comrade the Knight of One stood outside the doors of the room the latest prince or princess would be born in.

"I've stood awaiting the births of a few children by now," said Charles, in between Marianne's screaming. "But this birth frightens me Bismark. I fear for the child and for the mother. This is different than before old friend. I wonder why."

"Because it is the mother," said Bismark, sharing the fear Charles held. "Forgive me sire but Marianne...she's not like the others."

"No truer words spoken old friend," said Charles. "Fearless, wild, and free like a wild horse. She is passion and brilliance. She was the mind that was behind so many of our victories was she not?"

"She was," said Bismark. "Lady Marianne's mind is as sharp as her blade and she both wields them well."

"Naked and laughing," said Charles, recalling the day he laid eyes on her.

"No...so much naked anymore," said Bismark, trying and failing to hide his blush.

Charles caught this and sighed. He had been with Bismark too long not to know of his friend's withheld affections for the mother of his latest child. He could not blame Bismark for these feelings. Marianne was a woman who demanded the crown of a queen. She was both wild and elegant, loving and furious, wise and foolish. And not only was she a great and brilliant warrior but she had proven to be a beloved woman among the people of Britannia. As a common born woman she had the respect of the common man and through her Charles had helped strengthen the spirit of the commoners. She was proof that a person of non noble birth can rise to great glory through righteous efforts and ambitions. Any man would give his soul if it would mean to merely worship before her as if she were a goddess.

But Bismark had stood aside because he knew, unlike all the other women whom Charles had bedded solely for the purpose of breeding strong children to further uphold Britannia, Charles had truly come to love Marianne. And that love was returned to him by this woman.

And all the time Bismark had stood still as he watched his best friend take the woman he himself was in love with.

"Bismark, you have been my truest and most loyal friend for so many years I cannot think of you as anything less than my brother," said Charles. "I see you there as I have seen you ever since Marianne entered our lives with sheer naked fury. I see she has captured your heart as she has captured mine."

Bismark stayed silent as Charles drew towards him. He said nothing as Charles placed a hand on his neck almost appearing as to strangle him. But still Bismark had said nothing, nor had he even changed his expression.

"A lesser man would plot to betray me for a woman so great," said Charles, flattening his hand on Bismark's shoulder. "Even true friendships as ours have been shattered by the love both men have held for a truly exceptional woman. Were she your wife Bismark, I fear I would give into my base desires and arrange for your death so I may have her as King David had done. Or were you not so true a knight, you would betray me as Lancelot betrayed Arthur with Guinevere and dishonor me by wearing the mask of loyalty. But you have been loyal, and I ask you to prove that loyalty and answer me, do you love Marianne as I do?"

Bismark drew breath and his loyalty as both Charles's knight and his friend compelled him to answer.

"I do, old friend," said Bismark. "I have fought by her side so many times since that first day I, like you, were witness to her impish nature and warrior spirit. I have seen her in battle and when she fights it is more like a dance. She moves with the grace of a goddess, her mind is one to rival that of Athena herself. But more so than that I have seen her kind spirit. The common people look at her with a smile and the smile she returns is one of genuine goodness. She cares for the lives and needs of those less fortunate and they love her as if she were their messiah. That if you were to forget the honor with which you have built your reign and dishonor those who make up the foundation of our empire she would rise against you for their sake. She is a true knight as she would make a true queen. She is what we have always sought to be and encourage in the Empire."

"Even though she was in fact truly raised by the Order?" asked Charles, though he already knew the answer.

"As we were," said Bismark. "The Order be damned, she has fallen in love with you and with your dream. As I did, and as such I have fallen in love with her. But as much as I love her, I love you too...my brother. And it is you whom she loves, not I. She bares you child not merely out of her duties as a concubine bred and trained by the sect of Witches from the Order, or as an Imperial Consort, but because she loves you. She loves you Charles and wants to be by your side. Not mine, and as I am friends to you both, I have never acted upon these feelings. I doubt I will never stop loving her Charles, but you have my word I shall never dishonor you or her, the two people whom I have come to love most in this world."

Charles heard the words of his friend and knight and placed both hands on Bismark's shoulders, as if he truly were his brother.

"Bismark, my brother," said Charles. "Thank you, and know I do not blame you for these feelings you hold for her. She is a queen and yes I said queen for I plan to make her my wife in all that means. The child she bares me now will be the one to succeed me as Emperor, remember that well Bismark. I will not make this official until the child is a few years older. But keep this in mind Bismark the child Marianne bares will be your next Emperor come what may."

"I shall serve him or her as faithfully as I have served you old friend," said Bismark.

"I know, brother," said Charles. "And I know that you will fulfill another duty to me and if I should be parted from Marianne, guard her from all miseries in this world old friend, our of your love for her as well as your brotherhood to me."

Before Bismark could respond, grasping at the implications of Charles's words, the doors opened and the midwife, the immortal C.C., proclaimed the birth complete. Two sons, though one was supposedly in dire straits. The other midwives had taken the boy to do what they could to save his life at the urging of the mother. In the meantime however C.C presented Charles with his son.

"Marianne and I had two names picked for boys," said Charles.

"She named them already," said C.C. "This is the first that came out. His name is Lelouch."

"And the other?" asked Charles. "Will he survive?"

"The other is questionable," said C.C. "The midwives will do what they can."

Charles took the newborn infant, fidgeting in his purple blanket, pride in his eyes. He feared for the life of his other son of course, but holding the healthy babe seemed to make his fears lessen. If the other child died, as devastated as both he and Marianne would be, they would find all the joy they could with their remaining son. It may have sounded callus, but Charles had grown up in an age of death and had grown somewhat hard to it. Marianne had seen death herself, though he knew the death of an enemy and the death of one's own child are different things.

Regardless, whether if the child lived as Charles hoped or died as the facts had been presented to him, he would ensure Marianne would survive this. That with their remaining son he would not allow her to fall into misery. That the love she would have given to both boys could be given so much to this one, Lelouch. If fate were kind another child would be in their near future and Marianne would be further saved from despair by that child.

But for now, Lelouch was here, his son was born.

"Look well at my son Bismark," said Charles. "Whatever history is written about me I feel now in my heart, as this child so new to the world rests in my hands, greater than my name shall be the name of my son. That is the hope of every father that his son becomes a greater man than him. Let history forget me if it wishes but it shall never forget Emperor Lelouch."

As Bismark's memory of Charles declaring his son by Marianne his heir in all but name, the woman who'd thus hold the title Queen Mother began to stir.

Bismark knelt down before Marianne as her eyes began to open.

"Marianne, don't strain yourself," Bismark said gently. "I am here."

"Bismark," said Marianne, lifting a hand which Bismark took gently.

"What do you remember?" asked Bismark, silently hoping that she had no memory.

"Were that I could forget," said Marianne. "I wished the deaths of my children with as much will that I wished them to live. All the grief, all the sadness of the years subverted me, made me mad with grief. The loss of my beloved Charles, my son...whom I never even got to hold before he died. Being forced from my children that lived. All of it Bismark, it was so much I've had to bury away."

"It was Bludbierd my lady," said Bismark. "This was all his doing but it's done now."

"Yes, Nunnally...my sweet, brave daughter," said Marianne. "I don't know how, I don't know why, but no matter. My sweet angel has proven herself a true angel. Still, I should be at my daughter's side, I fear for how this has effected her."

"At once," said Bismark.

Bismark picked up Marianne in his arms, holding her as if she were his bride, draped as she was in his white cloak. As Bismark walked to the Galahad, Marianne wrapped her arms around Bismark's neck and rested her head against his chest.

"Bismark..."

"My lady?" he asked, stopping in his walk and looking Marianne in the eyes.

"Am I still your Empress?" she asked.

"Until the end of time," said Bismark.

"Are you still loyal to my late husband?" she asked.

"As if he were my brother," said Bismark.

"Then...then you must honor my husband's orders," said Marianne, a different kind of tear falling from her eye. "And obey the will of your Empress."

"And what is your will your majesty?" asked Bismark, his heart racing slightly.

"Lord Bismark Waldstein, to fulfill the wishes of your sworn brother, my late husband, your Emperor. I order you...to love me," said Marianne.

Bismark gasped but in mere moments his breath calmed and he caught the lips of Marianne the Flash in his. Obeying the order as befitting a true knight to his lady.