I agree with the point about not being anyone's babysitter, however, I disagree that it would make Marianne look weak. Marianne's dead, so it doesn't reflect on her at all. Besides, we saw him having a talk with his dead son Clovis in the episode with the funeral, so it's not that the man is completely devoid of feeling. I think that as we see that his children are not all heartless, neither is the man that gave them half their genes and has paid for all his children to eat, be well-clothed (minus Euphie's warrioress outfit, but I guess he can't make sure they have taste), be educated, have roofs over their heads...

I believe he is a man who believes he must APPEAR strong even when as every human being, he experiences moments of weakness. And I think that he considers the attack as making him appear weak. If he didn't, it wouldn't have been such a sore spot when Lelouch poked at it as a child. He would have sent the spoiled prince to his room for wasting his time, not been completely outraged.

I also think that despite Lelouch's utter horror that I should type these words - Lelouch is probably the one most like his father. Considering how many wives the man had, he's probably got Lelouch's gentle manner towards women as well.

Tis food for thought, anyway.

~Rose