"You have a lot of explaining to do. . . Mary", Lelouch said, forcing himself not to call her 'mother'.
"I know I do. But first, how are you all?"
"Considering we're in a filthy cell with a woman who should be dead, just fine", Lelouch said. "What happened to you?"
"Well to explain all of that, we'll have to go back a while", Mary said wistfully.
Seven Years Ago. . .
"Mother, tell Clovis to leave me alone!", a ten year old Lelouch complained.
"You should be nicer to your brother, Lelouch. Why don't you play with him?", Marianne suggested.
"Because he's an idiot!"
"Oh hush and go play."
Lelouch groaned before leaving, his annoying older brother finding him quickly.
Marianne brushed her hair, preparing for tonight. The Emperor was being wed to another woman this evening and Marianne was one of the few wives invited.
Her twin sister, Mary, searched the wardrobe for something suitable for her sister. Even though she wasn't excited at the prospect of another woman, she'd always be there to lend a hand to Marianne.
"Don't you ever think life would be better with just you, Charles, and your children?", Mary wondered outloud.
"I have. But then I wouldn't be around the wonderful kids the other wives have."
"I think Lelouch, Rolo, and Nunnally are enough."
"They're more than enough. But this is my home. I can't be without Charles."
"It seems he's just as happy without you."
"Mary! I won't hear anymore. I love Charles with all my heart."
"I'm sorry. I just can't agree with polygamy. Especially when it's so excessive. How many wives does this make? How many children?"
"I said, I won't hear anymore. I think I'll go check on my children", Marianne said, getting up to leave.
Mary sighed and set the chosen dress on the bed. She couldn't understand how a woman could stand her husband marrying and having children with other women. She didn't like it when Marianne was proposed to (not by Charles but by a messenger with a letter, dictated, not read). She didn't like it whenever another queen's child was born very closely to Marianne's. And she certainly didn't like it when another woman was on the way.
She left to go find her sister but was met by a guard. "His Majesty the King would like to see you."
Mary nodded and followed the guard to one of the many studies. He opened the door and left her in, closing it behind her. Mary curtsied before Charles who sat at his desk. "Your Majesty", she said out of protocol.
"I'll get right to what I want to talk to you about", Charles said. "If you don't like my laws, you're welcome to leave Pendragon."
Mary gasped. Leave? This is was her home. It was where her sister and darling nephews and niece lived. No matter how much she disagreed with polygamy, and Marianne's part in it, she could never leave.
"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty", she bowed as low as she could, no matter how much it disgusted her. "I did not mean to offend you. I will not make any more remarks against you."
"It's too late for that. You've spoken against me enough. You've opposed me ever since I married 'Anne."
Mary lost it at that point. "Don't call her that! You're not allowed to call my sister that. Too me she's precious, to you she's-"
"Even more important that you realize", Charles interrupted.
"I find that hard to believe. If you really loved my sister you'd be with only her!"
"I don't need to explain myself to you. I've tired of your arguments. Your constant presence is by Marianne's grace only. You are neither royalty nor nobility. Now, because of your insolence, not even my most beloved can save you. I hereby denouce your military status and banish you from the Britannian Empire. You are to leave here immediately."
Mary stood there, frozen in shock. Part of her wanted to lunge at him. To charge the man who wanted to take away her happiness. To separate her from the family she loved. Another part of her wanted to fall to her knees, cry, and beg for forgiveness. To plead her case and do whatever it took to stay here. Her prideful self reminded her of her place. Her back straightened, her head held high and she looked the emperor in the eyes.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
"I'm glad you understand. You are dismissed."
Mary curtsied, turned, and walked out the door. She made her way down the hall, fighting back the tears stinging behind her eyes. She walked to her room and sat by the window. She looked down to see Lelouch, Nunnally, Rolo, and Schneizel in the gardens below. They were already dressed for the wedding and were waiting for the rest of the party to depart for the chapel.
Lelouch was trying to keep his younger sibling's clothes from getting dirty as they played. Schneizel watched them with amused eyes. Watching the youngest three made the tears well up even more in her eyes and before she could will them away, one fell down her cheek. The door opened and without looking, Mary knew it was Marianne. Her sister was the only one who would enter without knocking.
"Well, we're about to leave. I came to see you before we lef-Mary, what's wrong?"
"N-nothing."
"You're crying."
"No, I'm not. Go to the wedding, your children are waiting."
"Mary, sister, please", Marianne said, pleadingly.
Mary turned to Marianne. Looking at her other half, who she might never see again, made her release the tears she was holding back. Mary jumped from her seat and embraced her sister.
"I'm so sorry 'Anne! I'm so sorry!"
"Why? What's the matter?", Marianne asked, getting nervous.
"I've been banished. The emperor has ordered me away." Mary backed up and wiped some of her tears. "I'm sorry. If I hadn't spoken out of turn so many times-"
"Hush now", Marianne said firmly. "You leave this to me. I will talk to him as soon as I can. I'm not letting you go without a fight. No force can separate us."
Mary sniffed and nodded. "No force can separate us", she repeated.
. . . . . . .
Nunnally wiped a tear and Lelouch put a hand on Mary's shoulder. "Then what happened?", he asked.
"Your mother tried to help. She spoke with Charles and begged him. But it was no use. I was gone within that week. I was brought to the village and he used his geass to change the memories of the villagers. He made them believe I had been born and raised there. Later, you all came and-"
"Wait a minute", Lelouch interrupted. "Did you say the emperor used his geass to change the villager's memories?"
"Yes", Mary confirmed. "I didn't know it at first, but I did my own research and found out the truth."
"Brother", Rolo piped up.
"I know. He must've used it on us. That's why our memories of our time here are gone and we only remember the village."
"How do you three know about geass?", Mary questioned.
"We met C.C. and she gave them to us", Nunnally answered.
"'C.C.'? That sounds familiar", Mary murmured.
"Have a happy reunion?", a childish voice teased.
The captured four turned their heads to the entrance of the cell. "V.V.", Mary spat. "What do you want?"
"It's time", he grinned.