code_geass ◾ [FIC] The Power of the Queen

Title: The Power of the Queen
Author: the black rose

blkros
Characters/Pairings: Euphemia x Lelouch (hints of Lelouch x Euphemia, with some Suzaku x Euphemia in later chapters)
Rating: PG
Summary: Marianne reflects on the sequence of events leading up to the events in episode 23, and the role she played....
AN: Most of the story is written as a collection of Marianne's memories set during Euphie and Lelouch's childhood. We will eventually catch up with events in the series and move past episode 25.

Please forgive the long delay in posting this chapter. I hope to update more frequently from now on. Happy holidays! Love, Rose

x-posted to

lulu_euphie and

euphie_empress

PS - The 3 Musketeer name references are just your imagination. ^__~
PPS - Read the Prologue and Chapter 1

The Power of the Queen

by the Black Rose

AN:Also! A warm thank you to Rose Lee for her help with beta-ing this chapter. hugs My apologies for disappearing on you - the note at the bottom of the chapter has an explanation. All the best, Rose

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Chapter 2

Marianne POV.

Charles stood from his chair and shot me a black look before turning away. He stared out the window that looked over the garden separating my cottage from the palace. "I fail to see why I should care, Marianne."

"He's your son." I moved around the side of his desk to stand near him. Moonlight touched the tips of magnolia trees and glittered along the stone path meandering from one residence to the other. "This obsession of his, it isn't healthy." I placed a hand on his arm.

"They're all my sons." He glanced at me out of the side of his eye. "It's not my problem if they want to fight amongst themselves. I don't require them to get along."

"Charles."

He stomped back to his desk and thunked down in his chair. "Go and stop bothering me with these trivial things."

"He's your son. Can't you take a little interest in him from time to time?"

He growled something unintelligible.

I charged across the room to lean over his desk, slamming my hand down in the middle of his papers. "You've spent time with Schneizel, even Clovis. Lelouch doesn't—"

"Euphemia obeys better than you and she's five." His eyes rose and fixed me with that cold stare that sent shivers down my spine. "Leave, Marianne."

I retreated, performing the requisite curtsy before stepping out of the room. "Yes, your highness."

As I should have expected, your father refused to take any part in your life. I honestly don't know what I would have done had things not turned out the way they did…

Not a month passed before Bethany summoned me to her room – not the first time in the last few weeks as she'd found herself unusually tired. She'd call me, and we'd have tea in her sitting room where she sat in nothing more than her dressing gown. This day, she informed me the royal doctor had diagnosed her with cancer of the bone marrow. He didn't give her long, and true to form, she didn't even fight.

Six months dragged by and she was gone.

Bethany didn't ask me, but maybe she didn't think it was necessary… I was a mother. Bethany was my friend. I assumed I'd be the one to take in Cornelia and Euphemia – to raise her children as my own. But your father had other, more horrifying ideas.

But Charles never was one who could express his grief.

Henrietta, Schneizel's mother, paid a rare visit to my home shortly after Bethany's funeral to inform me of what our husband intended to do with the two girls. Neither of us thought it was right, but only I was willing to do something about it.

I found him, days after Bethany's funeral, in his meditation room – a place Charles went to be alone. It was sparsely furnished, with an oval-shaped rug on a stone floor and a single, leather chair and ottoman. No one could bother him there, save a small list of servants and, of course, his wives. I found him aloof and alone, pacing in his robes of state with a stern expression cast on his features like a sculptor had carved him out of stone."They're no use to me." He let out a soft groan as he lowered himself into the overstuffed chaise.

I moved to stand at the foot of his chair. "Charles, you can't do this. They're only children and—"

"I can. And will do whatever I choose." He snarled in my direction without looking at me. "And I will send that woman's children to the ends of the Earth if that's what I—"

I stomped my foot and planted both hands on my hips. "They're your children!"

"I have," his eyes narrowed, "several children."

"But, Cornelia and Euphemia— Please, Charles." I sat on the ottoman, next to his feet, and placed one hand on his shin. "They lost their mother; don't turn them into hostages in some foreign, God-forsaken place. I've already begun preparing rooms for them."

He shifted his feet; his heels clanked on the stone floor as my husband rose from his chair.

"They're all I have left of my friend - her daughters." I bowed my head and whispered. "Please."

"I won't let you change my mind, Marianne." His voice rumbled in a strange fashion. I looked up and just caught the tear in the corner of his eye before he turned away.

"Do not speak on this subject to me again."

Fortunately, Bethany's family still had some influence, and so it was her brother, not me, who was able to keep his nieces from being used as bargaining chips with the Russian kingdom. I'm sure it was my friendship with their daughter that caused the family to allow the little girls to remain with us for most of the ensuing years.

Though, I must admit, Lelouch, my motives for taking them in weren't entirely selfless.

First and foremost, I truly wanted to protect Bethany's children. I also wished that if my children were ever, heaven forbid, in the same situation, that one of the other Imperial wives might accept you and Nunnally into their homes. And I possessed an increasing desire to keep the connection with Bethany's family. I had no political standing or influence outside of my marriage to Charles - who became more and more difficult to move over the coming months.

I also confess that I sincerely hoped Euphemia might be able to reach you, my son - when I could not. It isn't the last time I used her in such a manner, although the first time just had far less devastating consequences.

I hope that when I see her again she can forgive me.

For all that I've done.

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It was almost a year later when I remember visiting with the girls outside in the garden, the sun in the last phase of its arc through the sky. I let Euphemia help me as I watered the shrubs of Virginia Roses. Nunnally watched us from the lawn, playing with the little pot of dirt and plastic garden trowel I gave her.

We finished watering, and I bent to pull a few weeds near the base of the shrubs. Euphemia started to kneel down to help me. "Why don't you go watch Nunnally for me? I don't want you to get your dress dirty."

"Ok, Aunt Marianne." She ran off in the direction of my youngest.

The roses… I remember. They were the same color as Euphemia's hair. And smelled faintly sweet. Just a hint of floral perfume would waft from the blooms as the wind tittered through their leaves. I looked over at the two girls. It occurred to me, then, how sad it was that Bethany would never see Euphemia or Cornelia grow up…

Nunnally threw her plastic flower pot on the ground, and stood. I picked up my skirt and hastened towards the girls. I arrived just in time to see my daughter's four-year-old face pinch into a frown at the same time her cheeks puffed out like a bullfrog's. "I wanna be his bride." She crossed her short arms over her chest.

The weekend before, I'd brought the girls to a wedding. Bethany's brother had married the daughter of an Italian Count. She wore an amazing gown, almost as fine as the one Charles gave me for our wedding day. Euphemia and Nunnally had been in awe. And ever since, they'd been arguing over which one would get to be Lelouch's honored bride.

I'm sure it was my motherly pride that found the situation gratifying – despite the fact they were both his sisters. My handsome son…

Euphemia kneeled on the edge of her dress in the grass (after I told her not to get dirty) and picked through leaf after leaf in a cluster of clovers. "But Nunnally, I already said—"

"No!"
She threw the trowel down on the concrete patio. "You can't be Lil-oosh. You can't be his bride. I will."

Euphemia offered her some clovers. "Well, Papa has more than one wife. We can share, too."

"No!" Nunnally pushed the older girl's hand away. I decided it was time to step in. I bent down to swoop up my very tired, very cross daughter.

"Seems like it's time for someone to take a nap."

"Nooooooo!" Nunally shrieked and kicked as I pulled her up into my arms. "Euphemia, I'll be back in a few minutes. If you see Lelouch—"

Euphemia stood and clasped her hands at her waist. They taught these children etiquette at such a young age. "He's playing chess." Her head bowed. "As always."

"Do you-" Nunnally squirmed, and I shifted her in my arms. "Do you think you could find a reason to interrupt them? He really needs to do his schoolwork," I said with a sigh. "His tutor says he's falling behind and—"

She looked up, and a large smile bloomed on her features. "I can try, Aunt Marianne."

I don't know what I thought she'd do. Maybe she'd tiptoe into the game room where you boys secreted yourselves away and make a nuisance of herself – like she could do – and tell you your mother wanted to see you right away.

This is what I expected. And thus, as soon as Nunnally was down for her nap, I followed the little girl, intending to back up her story.

What I found, however, was that she must have just arrived…

The game room was a traditional room for gentlemen, with wood floors and oak paneling. Heads of wild game adorned the walls. An ornately carved gambling table used to have its own corner of the room, but the boys dragged it to the center for their daily matches. I could still smell the scent of stale tobacco despite the fact no one had smoked there in years.

Two, tow-headed boys huddled on one side of the board, facing my son. Lelouch sat with his back to the doorway while commanding a miniature, black army situated on the chessboard. Euphemia stood to his left; she held the skirts of her dress and bowed her head as she curtsied - as if properly greeting gentlemen of high rank instead of her young, mischievous brothers.

The young princess rose from her curtsy position. "Schneizel."

"Euphemia." Her brother returned her greeting with a nod of his head. Schneizel was the oldest of the three boys, and honestly, I had nothing to reproach the young man with other than being better at chess than my son. He was very different than Lelouch, and equally as different from his younger brother Clovis, despite the similarities in their appearance.

Schneizel stood and ducked his blond head in a polite gesture to acknowledge his sister. A white suit jacket remained on the back of his chair, and he wore navy slacks with a button down shirt - requisite attire for his private tutoring sessions. "Is there something we can do for you, Princess?" He gave her a smile that caused his left cheek to dimple.

She raised her chin and I saw her shoulders square. She looked like a very small version of a woman. "I came to ax- To ask you to release Lelouch."

Schneizel frowned. "I wasn't aware I was detaining him." He crossed his arms against his chest.

"Euphemia…" I heard Lelouch's voice, and didn't like its tone. It started out low and grew louder, like a growl from an angry beast.

"You're the oldest, Schneizel. As our older brother, you set uh example. You shouldn't tease—"

"Euphemia!" Lelouch shot out of his chair. He took a menacing step towards the girl - gangly legs in grey school shorts which covered his knees. "You're interrupting—"

"Let her finish, Lelouch." Schneizel held out his arm as if he meant to hold my son back.

"I know he likes to play against you, but you don't know how it affects him. His studies are suffering. His mother is worried."

Clovis snorted and tossed his long blond hair. "Aww, poor little Lelouch, his mommy—"

"Shut up!" Lelouch turned a hateful glare on the other boy.

"Lelouch, Clovis," Schneizel addressed his two brothers even though his eyes never left his sister. "Euphemia's concerns are valid." He dropped his arms but kept his position. "Though I wonder if you've taken into account, princess, that Lelouch has chosen this for himself."

She fisted both hands in her long skirt and leaned forward. "But would he, if you stopped fighting and told him you love and respect him? Isn't that what he really wants?"

Schneizel's eyebrows rose. He brought a hand to his chin and seemed to regard his sister for a moment. Euphemia's chest heaved as if she was laboring to breathe. The prince nodded as a faint smile touched his lips. "Fair enough."

Clovis jumped to his feet. "Lelouch, you had to bring our little sister here—"

"Clovis, you should admit you admire Lelouch." Euphemia turned her attention to the other boy. "You taught him how to play. He learned from you."

Clovis huffed and sat down. Schneizel's smile faded. "Dearest Euphemia." The older boy took her arm and folded it through his. He walked her to the door. "You've grown so much."

"Schneizel…"

He pushed the door aside and she stepped out into the hall. The prince took her hand. "I'll do what I can. But have you considered, Euphemia, how Lelouch will view your interference, today?"

Her hand slipped from his as she bowed her head. "I know he'll be mad. But at least Aunt Marianne won't have to worry anymore." She looked up again, and I'm sure I saw tears.

"And Nunnally can have her brother back."

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Euphemia didn't wait for you, Lelouch, choosing instead to run off to… I'm not sure where. But, she apparently held complete trust in Schneizel – who closed the door as soon as she had gone.

I couldn't hear what was said, but when the door reopened, you and Schneizel emerged. He bowed his head, and you told him that next time you'd beat him. Your brother responded that indeed he'd wait for your challenge at the next match. My heart sunk for just a moment until it was mentioned that your next, scheduled match wouldn't be for several months. You shook his hand, and I saw something I hadn't seen in quite a while... You smiled. And then you moved to join me where I was waiting down the hall.

We talked, as you may remember, and we set some sanity around your pursuit of chess. We scheduled time for you to make up your study work, and agreed there was to be no chess for the next month – until you had completed your assignments.

You apologized to me. And I suggested that you apologize to Euphemia as well. At the mention of her name, you became incensed.

"She's just a pain!" He crossed his arms over his white, short-sleeved shirt. His dark eyebrows formed a deep 'v' over the bridge of his nose. "I can't stand—"

"Lelouch vi Britannia." I knelt and placed a hand on his shoulder, but my son wrenched away.

"I don't want to hear it," he mumbled, turning his back towards me.

I stood up. "Where did you learn these manners?" I exclaimed. "I know Schneizel is better behaved than this, and I taught you to have more respect for me." I lowered my voice. "Don't make me tell your father you're not minding."

Lelouch ducked his head. I pulled on his arm until he turned around to face me. He sunk to the floor and hugged his knees to his chest. He wouldn't look at me.

"Lelouch…" I sighed and knelt down beside him again. "You know I love you, don't you?"

"Yes," he replied in a dull voice. He stared at his kneecaps. I smoothed my hand over his fine, dark hair, tucking strands behind his ear.

"And you know how silly I can be sometimes, when I worry about you. Because I love you," I smiled and leaned into his line of vision, "so much."

His eyes finally met mine. "Yes, mother."

"That's why Euphemia talked to Schneizel and Clovis. She was trying to help because she loves you very much." I slid my arms around his shoulders and hugged him. "I know you're angry with her, but things will be better now. For all of us."

He rested his chin on top of his knees. I pulled away. "You love her, too, don't you?"

"Maybe." I saw him frown before he sat up and glanced away. "I'm just mad right now. I wanted to—"

"I know." I turned his chin to make him look at me. I smiled at him and the frown evaporated from his features.

"But you'll forgive her, won't you?"

Lelouch sighed. "I guess so," he said and rolled his eyes. "She won't leave me alone until I do."

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Looking back on those days, I still can't figure out why things changed the way they did. What could have prompted the transformation I saw in you? I don't know what Schneizel said, but a sort of peace settled over the three of you. It lasted for a while, although I'd still catch you from time to time – arguing over checkers or some other board game (ANY other board game) - it was never the same as when you three would shut yourselves in the game room for hours upon hours, day after day, locked in battle over a game of chess.

Yet nothing could replace your love for that game.

It wasn't the peace between you and your brothers that began to concern me. I was pleased with that. It was what happened after…The beginnings of which I can't quite pinpoint, even with this trip down memory lane. Perhaps it was the day she walked into that room with the three of you there. Perhaps Schneizel saw what I did. Perhaps he saw something else...

Maybe it was the revelation that she loved you. I honestly can't say. I only know when I first began to notice…

"When a girl becomes a bride, she can't marry anyone else, can she?" My son's voice spoke from behind me. I thought he was in bed, and so I was reading one of my favorite books – for the hundredth time – at the dining room table. The light still burned in Charles's office…

I turned in my chair to look at my little prince. He stood there in his blue, flannel pajamas, but he didn't look like he'd been in bed, yet. He frowned at me like he was annoyed with my lack of response. "Well?"

"Excuse me? Say that again?"

He crossed his arms. "You can't marry someone else and still be married to father, right?"

"No, of course not." I put my book down on the table and turned my full attention to my son. "Why do you ask?"

"But father can have more than one wife." Lelouch stepped closer.

I couldn't help myself; I reached over and pushed pieces of hair out of his scowling, but so-handsome face and smiled. "Yes."

He dropped his arms to his side. I pulled him closer and the frown disappeared. He met my gaze. "Does he have to be married to more than one?"

"No. If he wanted to marry only one woman, he could have chosen to do so." I planted a kiss on top of his head.

"Ok." He returned my hug. "Goodnight, mother," he said and turned around. He dashed towards the door.

"Why did you ask me that, Lelouch?"

He froze. "It's nothing." He threw the words over his shoulder and ran out of the room.

At first, I chalked that little conversation up to the growing resentment you seemed to have for your father. I suppose I was naïve in that respect. But I don't think mothers consider how quickly their children mature, and especially how open a child's heart really is.

I wondered sometimes if it could have been anyone… You were often gentle with both Nunnally and Cornelia. But, over time, I began to notice a marked difference between the gentleness you displayed towards your sisters, and the way you treated Euphemia.

Though I have to admit, it took someone pointing it out to me in no uncertain terms.

And that someone was you.

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