Prologue: The Tragedy of the Prince
Marianne always wondered about her children. They were her pride and joy. Hers and Charles, as despite the Imperial Harem, Marianne knew the Emperor paid her more attention than the other consorts. Marianne wondered the Ares Villa, making her way to the gardens. She found Clovis, one of the few Imperial siblings who loved her children. Though his mother probably didn't share the same kindness the young artist had in his heart.
Clovis was painting on a canvas, his subjects Euphemia and a jittery Nunnally, who looked impatient having to sit as long as she had to. "Now, now, Nunnally, you mustn't move." Clovis chided, but his charming grin was unmistakable.
"But it's taking so long!" Nunnally pouted, making Euphemia giggle into her hand.
"Patience, my dear, let Clovis immortalize your beauty." Marianne walked out, making herself present.
"Mother!" Nunnally hopped off the seat she was on and ran to her.
"Nuna!" Euphemia protested.
"No, it's alright, perhaps we should take a break." Clovis, not the least bit perturbed, put down his brush on a small table at his side.
"Thank you, Clovis, I did not mean to intrude," Marianne offered the young man an apologetic smile.
"Not at all, Lady Marianne, your presence is always a welcomed sight." Clovis wiped his hands on a cloth and then bowed his head to Marianne.
"Charming as ever Clovis," Marianne had no doubt the young prince had many ladies fanning themselves at his charismatic smile and handsome looks.
Marianne patted Nunnally's head and gently guided her to a nearby table, "come, then let's have tea and pastries." Marianne signaled nearby servants who bowed and left to get the royal family their refreshments. The royals took their seats, Nunnally on Marianne's lap. Strangely, Marianne noticed Lelouch's absence. The girls almost always dragged him into their mischief, and Clovis adored playing with Lelouch. It was odd indeed to not see him around. "Where is Lelouch?" Marianne asked, "not off after Schneizel again, is he?"
"No," Nunnally whined, "he's off in the study reading big boring books." Nunnally crossed her arms.
"Euphy and I couldn't convince him to join us, I'm afraid." Clovis shrugged, sighing dramatically.
"Well then," Marianne picked up Nunnally and stood up, placing her back down on her seat. "I'll bring him here, willingly or otherwise." Marianne winked at the children, and they all laughed, Euphemia and Nunnally's most delighted of the group.
Marianne returned to the villa and took its many halls in search of her son. She found the study closed off by two pristine white double doors, and standing outside was a young Lieutenant.
"Your Highness!" The man snapped to attention, shouldering his rifle.
"Lieutenant," Marianne nodded at him, "Jeremiah, correct?" Marianne always tried her best to know the names of those who worked for her.
"Yes, Your Highness, Jeremiah Gottwald," The man's eyes lit up, and Marianne was glad she seemed to have made the young man's day by acknowledging him. She entered the study closing the door behind her. The study was relatively small compared to most of the rooms in the villa. The walls were dominated by floor to ceiling shelves filled with books of all kinds. A chimney, one of many in the villa, was opposite to the grand windows that illuminated the room. Though a chandelier of crystal and silver hung from above for lighting at night. Three plush chairs faced the fireplace in a semi-circle with small tables next to each. A small cabinet next to the fireplace held a locked liquor cabinet. Opposite the seating area, a large wooden desk dominated the far room. A big ornate plush chair facing away from the window held her son Lelouch.
Lelouch was so engrossed in his reading, he didn't notice Marianne's presence. She practically snuck up on her son and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What are you reading?"
"Ack!" Lelouch jumped in his seat, and almost out of his skin. "Mother, don't sneak up on me like that!" Lelouch placed a calming hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat against his ribcage.
"Sneak?" Marianne grinned devilishly and pinched her son's cheek lovingly. "I strolled into the front door."
"W-well, I was reading," Lelouch defended his lapse in attention.
"So I see, what is it this time? Alexander, Alfred, perhaps?" Marianne eyed the page her son was reading.
"Napoleon!" Lelouch declared with a child's delight, a stark contrast given the reading material. Her son had always been a bright young man, but perhaps more so than others his age. While boys his age were concerned with adventure and tales of valiant knights. Lelouch preferred to read about history, politics, and perhaps his favorite subject, historical figures who committed great deeds.
"So I see, where is he currently?" Marianne let go of her son and patted his head while she flattened her skirts against her back and sat upon the desk.
"His victory against Prussia at Jena, which is even more brilliant than his exploits at Austerlitz. Though Marshal Devout might get most of the credit on this one. He did defeat the Main Prussian force with nothing but a single corps." Lelouch was practically vibrating in his seat as he pointed out on the page his favorite parts.
"I don't recall seeing you this excited before, found a hero in Napoleon?" Marianne chuckled in good humor.
"Well, look at all his accomplishments, he turned France from a backwater to an empire!" Lelouch pressed his hand flat against the page, caressing it lovingly as if he was shaking hands with the man himself.
"Here, I thought Alexander was your hero." Marianne stood back up, smoothing down her dress in the process.
"Well, he is, and his achievements are no less significant, but Alexander inherited a great country from his father. Napoleon had to pick up the pieces after the revolution, even modernized the army." Lelouch crossed his arms, and then thoughtfully grabbed his chin. "Someday, maybe I can be like him."
Marianne was relieved her son couldn't see her frown a little. In another boy, this would just be boyhood dreams that would fade. But her son was a prince, a prince in a meritocracy where his gifts, when put to good use, would make him shine among his siblings. But Imperial court was as much a battlefield as any. Courtly intrigue was something she detested, as both a soldier and knight her skills fared better on the field than here at Pendragon. She hoped against hope this was only her child's passing dream. But if she and Charles did their part, maybe her son would inherit a world where he could have better dreams deserving of a gentle world.
"Well then, that's enough reading come on, everyone is outside and wish to spend time with you." Marianne reached over, placed a bookmark between the pages, and closed Lelouch's book.
"Aww, mother."
"Ah, ah, no pouting, I can't have you grow into a hermit just reading books. Come on, let's go enjoy tea and an afternoon snack with your siblings." Marianne pushed back the chair, and Lelouch hopped off it, huffing and puffing as he did. Marianne, for her part, could only giggle at her adorable son and chased after him.
She enjoyed days like this, the memories of the Emblem of Blood almost felt like a bad nightmare when she spent her days with her children. But her work was necessary; what she and Charles were trying to accomplish was for a world where the Emblem of Blood could never happen again. With a sigh, Marianne rubbed her eyes, she was just about ready to retire for the night. Marianne was in her own private study, and before she could get up, her phone rang. With mild irritation, she answered it.
"Ah, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Marianne's tone turned cold and distant
"We need to talk."
"Very well, we can meet tomorrow if it's that urgent." Marianne just wanted to go to bed, she was exhausted chasing Nunnally around all day.
"No, I'm coming over, it has to be now."
"Fine, if you feel that strongly about it, I shall be waiting for you at the main entrance." Marianne hung up the phone and closed her eyes. He was becoming a nuisance to her. She knew he didn't like her very much, and Marianne, for her part, returned the feelings. She got the feeling Charles knew but was trying to keep the peace, especially after the departure of their key player.
Wiping away the sour thoughts, Marianne picked up the receiver again and dialed an internal number. "Cornelia, be a dear and have the guards retire for the night, would you?"
"Lady Marianne, are you sure about this?"
"Oh come now, I'm sure you must be tired of guarding little old me and the kids." Marianne chuckled.
"It is an honor to guard you, Lady Marianne, I consider it a pleasure to be here." Her voice was sincere, and Marianne appreciated it, but this meeting had to be kept a secret.
"I understand, but really nothing will happen, go home and spend time with Euphy. She misses you dearly when you are here on duty, and she can't visit." Marianne reasoned.
A sigh came through the receiver, "very well I shall retire with half the guard, the rest will remain outside guarding the perimeter."
"Thank you, Cornelia, enjoy the rest of your night." Marianne's tone conveyed her smile.
"Likewise, Lady Marianne, please phone Lieutenant Gottwald if you require anything." With that, the line was cut, and Marianne put the receiver back down. With a sigh of her own, Marianne stood and left to make sure no one was around for when her 'comrade,' and she used the term lightly, arrived. At that moment Marianne decided she would talk to Charles about it, something had to be done to contain the situation, the last thing she wanted was a rift forming between them.
Tragedy has stricken our Empire. As of 10:24 PM, news has reached us that a terrorist attack was carried out against the royal family. The beloved queen consort Marianne Vi Britannia was killed at the Ares Villa, and Princess Nunally Vi Britannia was injured in the attack and is currently in critical condition. Truly our hearts go out to the royal children in this darkest of time. The common citizenry across the Empire has gathered at churches and places of gathering holding vigils for the deceased Queen. On this day of infamy, it is clear that no one shall forget the loss of our beloved Queen. This is James Garfield for Britannian News Network, we will keep you posted as the situation develops.
March 10, 2009 a.t.b BNN report.
Where do I begin? I suppose by saying the right of the bat, this is heavily inspired by the GREATEST freaking fanfiction I have ever read. Yes, this is heavily inspired by THAT fanfiction, the one and only Lelouch of Britannia. I've read and re-read that story countless times. I always had in mind a tale of Lelouch in Britannia, where he avoids exile and has aspirations of both vengeance and maybe even the throne itself. But I never had an idea of what to do, but after some years, I finally got a purpose and a plan of action as it were. So now, here we stand, and I hope this can live up to everyone's expectations. I don't plan on replacing Lelouch of Britannia, I don't think I'm as good as that I'm afraid. But I will try my best to make a story for the author of the said story to be glad he inspired others to write something of the likes.
