Author's Note:

This serves as the prequel to the events in "Of Sapphire Skies and Crimson Seas", as an introduction to Maxima's past and the background of other issues (since there were requests to give further elaboration about her and Gino's relationship - information that I think will not fit in very well with its sister fic). In any case, do enjoy!

-FantasyWR

Chapter 1:

November 4, 1997 a.t.b.; The Imperial Arena, Pendragon, Britannia

Bismarck Waldstein never expected this day to come, yet it would be inaccurate to say that he did not think that he would have a chance to face his latest opponent in battle. He just didn't think that he would meet her in the final competition for the most respected title in the Britannian military – a title that many in his position coveted but are unable to attain it. He himself had to fight his way through the ranks, meeting his fair share of difficult opponents and easy kills, but none of his previous battle experience could have prepared him for this final confrontation. He had hoped that he would not have to face her, and that someone else could have knocked her out from the competition before him, but clearly, no one was her match.

He watched her Ganymede Frame, positioned at the other end of the arena, with great interest. It was no surprise that she would use this Knightmare, as she had been the one who had tested the machine prototype a year ago. It was, however, surprising that the Ganymede was deemed useable by the relevant authorities just a month after its completion, although it was powered by a large external battery which limits its range and operation time. These limitations had not been dealt with in the following months after its commission – but then again, there was probably no need to do so, given the pilot's incredible skill.

Over the loudspeaker in his cockpit, he could hear the cheers of the crowd seated in the galleries above the arena. This particular fight had always been a grand affair, and the audience composed of mainly nobles and military personnel, not forgetting the Imperial family seated at the grand stands. From his windscreen panel, Bismarck could see the elderly Emperor seated at his designated seat – a gilded, throne-like chair raised slightly above the ground – with his empress at his side. Around him were his children and more notably, his son and heir's numerous consorts and their offspring. The Crown Prince was a man of thirty-four, unassuming and yet impressive in a way that cannot be explained. He silently looked on, never clapping or cheering even once throughout the entire fight.

Bismarck watched as the adjudicator stepped onto the podium and spoke into the microphone at the rostrum, announcing the commencement of the competition. The spectators immediately quieted down in anticipation. It was, after all, the final battle between the Knight of Five, Bismarck Waldstein, and the Knight of Six, Marianne Lamperouge, for the title of the Knight of One of the Knights of Round – a grand affair indeed.

As soon as the horn that signalled the start of the battle sounded, the Ganymede immediately sped towards Bismarck's Knightmare, its mechanical arm positioned threateningly towards him. Bismarck quickly evaded its attack, choosing to position himself slight out of its reach from where it had swiped. Within a few seconds, the second blow came as the Ganymede charged once again towards Bismarck, this time catching the Knight of Five slightly off-guard when the metal claw scratched the side of his Glasgow. Bismarck cursed in his seat and leapt away once again, this time anticipating the third strike which came in the form of a punch towards the cockpit.

Bismarck was aware of his opponent's strategy and fighting technique – she wasn't hailed 'Marianne the Flash' for no reason – which relied on her immense speed and quick reflexes, on top of her already-superior piloting skills. The Ganymede was the ideal Frame for her fighting style because it was of a narrow and light built, as compared to the bulkier Knightmares that the military were currently producing, thus easier to manoeuvre in combat despite its numerous limitations. Fortunately for Bismarck and otherwise for Marianne, she needed to finish the battle quickly or her machine would fail her – an opportunity that Bismarck knew he had to utilize in order to succeed. There was little chance for him to win this match by his skills alone. He took on the defensive, but even with his raw skill, it was almost impossible to do so without knowing when, how and what she will strike. After enduring the sixth damage to his Frame, Bismarck knew what he had to do.

He felt the stitches on his left eye snap and his Geass roared into activation. In that instant he saw the after-images of the Ganymede coming towards him, knowing that Marianne was aiming for his cockpit again, and swiftly skidded out of the way, dealing a blow himself on the smaller Frame's mechanical limb. The Ganymede pilot, clearly taken by surprise, froze for a moment before resuming her attack, which was yet again evaded by her opponent. This change in course of the battle earned a rousing applause from the spectators, which was quickly hushed by a disapproving look from the adjudicator. As Bismarck continued to avoid Marianne's attack and inflicting damage on her machine instead, he knew that the tide had changed and it was near impossible for the Ganymede to regain supremacy in this match.

However, as time dragged on, Bismarck found himself unable to land anymore blows on the Ganymede. This raised alarms in his head, because Marianne the Flash was known to be able to adapt to any battle situations. He glanced at the clock in the control panel, and realised that he had been fighting for almost twenty minutes – almost past the time the Ganymede was said to be able to hold out. Yet, the Knightmare did not seem to be slowing down anytime soon, and Bismarck wondered how long more he could endure.

Suddenly, the Ganymede swung itself towards his Glasgow at a speed even faster that what his Geass had predicted. As it closed in for the kill, Bismarck braced himself for the impact, only to feel nothing. Instead, from his windscreen, he saw the Ganymede froze in mid-action. It took a moment for him to realise that the Ganymede had ran out of fuel and he quickly leapt on top of it, knocking it down to the arena floor. The crowd went wild.

Bismarck opened the hatchet of his cockpit and lowered himself down to the arena floor. From the corner of his eye, he saw the Ganymede cockpit hatchet open as well, revealing the raven-haired pilot. As if rehearsed, the two made their way to the grand stand where the Emperor now stood, his hand clutching the hilt of a long sword. Immediately, both knelt down in the presence of their liege as the Emperor placed the blade of the sword on Bismarck's shoulder.

"Congratulations, Lord Waldstein," the Emperor spoke regally. "You have triumphed in this competition and are worthy of what you seek. I therefore knight thee the Knight of One of the Holy Britannian Empire." As soon as the sword was lifted, Bismarck stood up to face the older man and stretched out his hands to receive the sword. After thanking the Emperor, he then spun around to face the spectators who cheered even louder when he raised his newly-acquired sword that symbolised his new status – he was now the Knight of One.

Bismarck turned back to face the royal family. His gaze fell on a purple-haired girl, barely past her seventh birthday, looking at the other spectators all around. She stood close to her mother, who was seated among the Crown Prince's other consorts. As he watched her, she turned her attention from the crowd to the arena floor and her gaze met Bismarck's. Bismarck nodded, giving her a curt bow, and she returned one herself.

Bismarck knew that the title of the Knight of One not only gave its bearer almost absolute military power, but also entitled its bearer the chance of becoming in-laws with the Imperial family. Ever since the 90th Emperor's reign, the First Princess of the Britannian Empire had always been betrothed to the Knight of One – the current Emperor's eldest daughter had been the wife of the previous Knight of One until the latter's premature death the previous year. Bismarck knew that it won't be long before Crown Prince Charles ascends the throne, and his eldest daughter by his most senior consort will be crowned the First Princess and thus will be the woman he eventually was to marry. However, it was certain that Cornelia li Britannia would not be his future wife.

Bismarck turned his gaze to the woman seated at the Crown Prince's right, her long blond hair tied up in a ponytail at the back of her head. Her hand was placed on her swollen, pregnant belly. Beside her, her eight-year-old son Prince Schneizel was engrossed in conversation with another one of his brothers. It had been announced, just five-months into her pregnancy, that Georgina el Britannia was expecting a girl, and since her status was well above Eloise li Britannia's, it was destined that once Charles became the 98th Emperor, her unborn daughter would be the First Princess instead of Cornelia.

The Emperor had gone over to a still-kneeling Marianne and had granted her permission to stand. Bismarck stole a quick glance at her. Although Marianne failed to attain the title they both were competing for, Bismarck knew that there was something else awaiting her. It was obvious that the Crown Prince had taken an interest in the elite pilot ever since he turned up one day during one of their training sessions. Bismarck was aware that a deal had been struck between the prince and the knight, that should she fail to become the Knight of One, she would become his consort – a rather impressive trade-off, he must admit. Bismarck's thoughts went back to the battle just a few minutes ago, and on retrospect, he swore that Marianne had fought harder than she had ever did during the entire series of matches. Was it because she knew that she was facing a more challenging opponent, or was it because she truly wanted to become the Knight of One to avoid becoming an Imperial consort?

There was actually a moment in time that Bismarck was attracted to Marianne Lamperouge, but any hint of affection for her quickly faded once he realised that was a mutual interest between the Crown Prince and Marianne. Bismarck watched Marianne give a bow to the still-cheering audience, smiling just as she did when he first met her – the same smile that stole both his and Prince Charles' hearts. He decided that he should have a chat with her before she left to become the prince's wife, when he still could address her by name – which he would no longer be able to do once she is conferred the title of 'Highness' that came with being an Imperial consort.

At that moment, Bismarck actually thought that it would be ironic if the next time he was to say – to gasp – her name would be at his final hour.