Interlude 24: Across the Divide
This is truly an exciting time to be alive. The Sword is less than six months from completion, we know roughly where CC is, and my little boy has grown up to be so MANLY!
Gods be damned, it just makes my heart gush with pride to see him shatter the silly dreams of Euphemia so boldly. It was a nice thought, truly, but the world simply doesn't work that way.
And rather than coddle her like a child? He showed her the error of her ways. And impressed the pinkette enough to defect, by the sounds of it!
Ha! I'll bet Nelly's tearing her hair out, not knowing that her beloved little brother is the Demon King she hates so much.
Even CC, sarcastic, bitchy, psychopathic nympho witch that she is? Even she's under his spell, by the sound of it.
It almost makes me sad that we have to stop him at some point.
I wander the halls of the Imperial Palace, moving to my beloved Charles' private quarters through a secret passage.
I sigh as I look down at Anya Alstreim's petite pale body, clothed in a pink baby doll nightie. Don't get me wrong, Anya's an attractive and interesting girl. But...why is she still so damned short?
I miss my original body. I was tall, gorgeous, and I actually had amazing breasts instead of these little nubs that Anya sports.
Still, beggars can't be choosers. I should be glad someone was there to house my soul at all, after that little shit Vincent Victor zi Britannia murdered me and crippled my daughter!
Though from what CC has mentioned, little Nunnally seems to have finally come into her own. I suppose I should have given her more credit; she is fruit of my loins after all.
...I can't deny I would like to see her and Lulu again. I've missed my children over the years.
And I might have been able to stop them from being banished if I hadn't been in a coma so soon after jumping bodies.
It's not surprising that Charles and Lelouch had had it out with each other after I died. Headstrong and stubborn, the both of them.
I giggle as I open the door. Like father, like son.
"Dearest? It's me."
Charles look up from reading a book in bed, his gaze softening.
"Something troubling you, my empress?"
I shiver hearing the affection in his voice. One of the worst things is that I can't have sex in this body. Both because Charles isn't attracted to Anya, and also because neither of us are comfortable with me borrowing her body for something like that.
Gazing at his violet eyes, his hair undone from the curls, laying on his shoulders, velvet pajamas that do nothing to hide the mass of muscle and sinew that is his warrior's build...
Goddamn you, VV.
"I just wanted to talk a bit before I retired for the evening."
He puts the book down, patting a spot on the bed near him.
I get in and curl up to his side, sighing as I inhale his masculine scent.
"This is about Lelouch, isn't it?"
I nod. Who else but Demon King Zero, the man on everyone's mind.
"I didn't expect him to be like this. I thought he'd be more...well, like me in my youth, or you in yours."
Charles snorts, "He was a bright boy, but cursed with the idealism and stubbornness of the young and ignorant."
I bark out a laugh at that, "Ha! This from the man who began planning to win the Emblem of Blood when you were his age? That's rank hypocrisy, even from you."
I grin up at him, eyes shining with Geass, "Admit it, you and I both were caught off guard by this. We can at least admit privately that even if we thought Lelouch would return, we weren't expecting him to be so commanding," I say sibilantly.
Charles pets my head, a frown on his lips as he considers my words.
"The boy is becoming a threat to our plans. I miscalculated, my dear. Cornelia is hopelessly outmatched. And that is discounting her distress from Euphemia's actions. Actions I will need to publicly address at some point."
Hmm, what to do? If we cast Euphie out for treason, there's a high chance Cornelia will lose or that Zero will poach her.
Not that it matters much in the grand scheme of things. But I still have a great deal of affection for my Nelly. So I'd rather not have to put her down later.
"I say we wait and see how it plays out. I'm enjoying my boy's performance."
Charles rolls his eyes at that statement.
"The whelp is an incorrigible ham, even by our people's standards. Furthermore—"
I poke him in the side, "Again with the hypocrisy, Charles? We both know that you play a part in the public eye, just as he does."
I kiss his cheek, enjoying the feel of his beard against my chin as I cuddle him, "The difference is that Lelouch isn't acting."
My husband strokes his chin as he ponders my statement.
"So rather than a messianic liar, we instead face a mad king?"
His broad shoulders shake with mirth.
"Heh heh heh. Amusing. The boy has delusions of grandeur."
I smirk at him, Anya's face somehow managing to convey a smirk similar to my own, "Is it delusion if he can actually make a miracle happen? Is it false grandeur if he has the true majesty of a ruler? Stop posturing and just say it."
He ruffles my hair as he sighs, "Very well. He has caught my eye. I'm not sure what to expect, yet. He may prove to be a worthy adversary, he may yet falter. It is entirely too soon to determine."
I twirl a lock of pink hair as I look up at him, "Then you have made a decision regarding our next move?"
"Indeed. We shall await the outcome of Zero's siege of Tokyo. That will best determine the caliber of this so-called Demon King."
"And if his mettle is proven?"
Charles steels his gaze as he looks towards the east.
"If his power is in fact worthy of our attention? We may offer him the chance to join us in setting right this hated world of lies."
I sit up in surprise, "Charles! Do you mean it?!"
"If, I say, IF, he proves worthy. And it will take more than taking the former Japan for me to recognize him as such. The alternative?"
He holds up a large meaty hand which he slowly clenches into a fist.
"Crushed like the unworthy and false king he is. He shall either rise or be cast down like the devil he styles himself as."
Oh Lelouch, you brilliant youth, you! To think that you have come so far.
"I should be getting to bed soon. Anything that cannot wait till morning?"
Charles takes up a PDA from beside him as he glances over the reports...before a rumbling growl sounds from his lips.
"Tche. Bradley again. Every time I hear yet another report about that man's depravities, I wonder yet again why I bothered naming him a Round in the first place."
I stand up, raising an eyebrow at him in annoyance. I said to him repeatedly that this was a bad idea, that Luciano was more trouble than he was worth.
Charles look me in the eyes, and I'm once again reminded how short Anya is because I'm around his eye level standing up on the bed...and smirks.
"You need not say anything. The expression on your face is plain enough to see. This might interest you however."
He turns the data pad around and points to a section regarding Area 18.
"I had OSI turn over a few rocks out of curiosity. Partially because I wanted to a raise a glass in private to whoever had managed to put the torch to the Vampire."
I chortle at the imagery. Macabre that it may be? It's no more than that vile pustule of humanity deserves.
My husband steeples his fingers, "So you can imagine my confusion when things came out...too cleanly."
Quoi? (What?) "What are you implying, husband?"
His purple gaze turns calculating, icy as he elaborates on his train of thought. "That we may have in fact fallen for a charade, and that Area 18 is not nearly as settled as Bradley believes it to be."
His eyes move to a lower section of the report and he starts growling in anger, hand gripping the datapad.
What? What is this? Charles almost never gets visibly angry, what on earth could have—
"That worthless, headhunting mongrel DAMAGED THE THOUGHT ELEVATOR!" he roars as he slams the datapad down, shattering the screen.
I gasp in shock. HOW?! HOW COULD HE HAVE?!
"Thankfully, it was superficial and easily repaired, but that idiot killed most of the personnel there, thinking it was a rebel base! It will take weeks to reestablish the garrison!"
I hold his chin firmly, "Charles, calm down. This is a minor setback. It will not affect our timetable. I'll ask CC if she knows anything about what happened."
My husband visibly deflates, taking a deep breath, "Yes, of course, Marianne. Forgive me for losing my temper."
I kiss his forehead, smiling radiantly. A man of passion and drive.
"Charles, excuse me one moment," I say closing my eyes and opening a metaphorical door in my mind.
(CC, do you have a moment?)
"Not the best time, Mari. We're rather busy preparing for Tokyo...wait. Are you coming?"
Oh, that would just ruin Lulu's day, wouldn't it? A Knight of the Round showing up at the last minute would have him scrambling to change his entire strategy.
Hmm, it's almost tempting to do so.
"Mari, if you don't answer me? Not only am I going to let Lulu know he might have company, but I'll make sure you get all the messy details about my last threesome with him," she 'says' with an all too smug tone.
Cheeky bitch. I may be Britannian, but I'm not quite THAT deviant, thank you very much.
(No no. Don't bother, please don't. Charles and I have decided to let Zero's show run its course in Area 11. I must say, Lelouch has definitely caught his attention with his performance thus far.)
"He'll take that as a compliment, knowing him. So why are you calling me again, French whore?"
I shake my head at that nickname. Some things never change.
(You're French too, ma chérie.) (my dear)
A loud bout of laughter is her response to that.
"Ha! Hahaha! You and I both know that not only have I not considered myself French for centuries, but after the things I've done to them? They'd string me up on the nearest tree."
To be fair, she's not wrong. There's quite a few countries that would do horrible things to her, if they knew her history. The French are simply the most prominent one that comes to mind.
(Quite. Would you happen to know anything about Area 18? We found ourselves curious.)
Interesting. I got a feeling of mild surprise and amusement. So you DO know something, then.
"Ah, that would be telling. You'll have to unravel that one yourself I'm afraid. Lelouch and I had nothing to do with it. Though, how is poor little Luciano doing?" she says mockingly.
Cunning witch. Not a denial, merely a misdirection.
(Very well. Just wanted to ask. You know Vincent wouldn't tell us the straight truth anyway if we asked him.)
"When did VV ever tell the truth if he could get away with it? It amazes me to this day that a despicable little monster like him is Charles' twin."
(Excuse me, I need to say goodnight to to Charles.)
I close the door in my mind as I open my eyes.
"She says it isn't their doing, but I believe she has some idea whom the true culprit is. What do you think, Charles?"
Charles frowns as he ponders that anecdote, before shaking his head
"Ultimately, it is a mundane affair. I will direct OSI to continue observing for now, and order our assets at the Thought Elevator to be on guard. We are far too close to completion for that to be compromised at this time." He then sighs as he rubs the bridge of his nose, "And of course, speak to Vincent about requisitioning additional personnel to replace our losses."
After all, it's not like anyone besides us and CC knows about the Thought Elevators or what they can do. As long as Britannia continues its war of global domination, no one is going to interfere in our real objective.
"As you wish, dear. I bid you good night," I say, blowing a kiss as I head back to my chambers.
"Good night, Marianne," Charles says with a tenderness most who know him would not think him capable of. A tenderness I doubt he has ever shown any of his other consorts.
Truly a man among men.
I walk giddily back to my quarter, resuming the conversation with CC in my mind.
(Sorry, shall we continue?)
"Where did we leave off? And how angry does it make you that you can't have sex, Mari?" she says with a touch of empathy.
For once, CC isn't taking cheap shots at me. We've had a complicated relationship over the years. From a maternal or older sister figure when I first met her at age 11 or 12 or so, to a close family member. And later, to one of my many, many lovers. And of course, my instructor and mentor for many years.
(I cannot even begin to describe it. But it must have been so much worse for you, knowing Clovis.)
Something I never mentioned or talked about with her before. Charles and I both knew she was there and did nothing.
"So, you did know. I was all but certain Charles knew. But you? You left me there to rot? I should skin you inches at a time, you hateful malicious cunt..." she hisses, boiling anger in her thoughts.
I shake my head as I send a feeling of regret. She's taking this in the worst way possible.
(No. I only found out the full details when Zero posted the Code-R research online. Charles knew VV had had you captured, but he didn't press the issue due to their not speaking at the time. That was our mistake and I'm sorry for it.)
I can feel her sighing and frustration even over our link. I know how much something like this eats at her. God knows if it had happened to me, I'd be rather peeved. What I said is the truth though. Charles and Vincent barely said more than a few words to each other for a few years after I died.
(...CC, I'm truly sorry. You know I still care for you.)
It's a testament to how long I've known her that I can parse out the flavors of her emotional response. Exasperation, affection, resignation, and humor. Some things never change.
"I know, Mari. I know. You should have seen your son's expression when he killed Clovis. You would have been so proud."
Granted, Clovis was but one of my many stepsons. But aside from his art, which admittedly was quite good? He was a rather mediocre prince. Having him be the stepping stone for Lulu is probably the most worthwhile thing he's ever done in his entire existence.
(Oh? What did he look like?)
Oh my, is that ardor, awe, and lust? Was he that impressive even then?
"Mari, I was strongly tempted to fuck him right there, over his brother's bleeding corpse. That's how regal, how majestic he was. He even gave a Buddhist prayer to the body after he shot him."
I clap excitedly. That's my boy! Gracious and magnanimous in victory! You do your mother proud, Lelouch!
"You know, Marianne, there's something you'll find amusing. Lelouch has a female identity when he crossdresses."
Crossdressing? Huh. Didn't expect that. He used to hate it when his sisters tried to put him in dresses.
(Oh, why would I find that amusing? Aside from the obvious.)
I can literally feel her smirking at me. Smug cunt.
"Because, he looks and SOUNDS just like you. Little bitch even pretended to be you and woke me up from a nap. I was so startled I knocked myself unconscious running into a wall in a panic."
Oh dear god, that's hilarious! "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
I laugh out loud, confident that no one will hear me in my own chambers. Rolling on the floor at the thought of CC, unflappable, ever-cool CC, stunning herself unconscious. This has to be the funniest thing I've heard in almost a decade!
"HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHA! Please tell me someone recorded it! I need to see it! Hahahahahahahah!" I say out loud, gasping for air as I try to catch my breath.
...Is that a feeling of embarrassment and annoyance? My god, how did he get her to emote this much? She really has opened to him.
"He got Nunnally to film the whole thing. I'll send you a clip when I have a chance, you pushy skank," she sighs out with a defeated tone.
I wipe the tears from my eyes as I giggle at the imagery in my mind.
(Well then, I'll be calling it a night. Anya has training tomorrow. Good night, darling.)
I climb into bed, feeling the sensation of emotions that I associate with a kiss from her. Despite our being on opposite sides at the moment, and the time we've spent apart?
"Bonne nuit, ma petite Marianne." (Good night, my dear Marianne.)
We never really stopped loving each other.
Tomorrow is another day, and who knows what the fortunes of war shall bring in the future?
