A day later, at the Tuileris Palace.
Napoleon II was spending his time again with his father, Napoleon Bonaparte. But instead of science and technological discussion, it was more about personal life, specifically the Emperor.
There were a lot of historical accounts about Napoleon Bonaparte but of course history has its own biases. Hearing from the primary source mattered more.
Napoleon II sat across from his father in the smaller sitting room adjoining the study. No maps this time. No engineers waiting outside. Just a low table, two cups of untouched coffee, and the muted sounds of the palace carrying on beyond the walls.
Napoleon Bonaparte had loosened his coat. Not removed it. Just loosened it. A small concession.
"You look like you're about to interrogate me," Napoleon I said, glancing at his son.
Napoleon II shook his head. "No. I just want to understand you."
Napoleon leaned back slightly. "Historians didn't do a good job of that?"
"They did," Napoleon II replied. "And they didn't. They wrote about battles. Decrees. Ambition. They didn't write much about the man who had to wake up the next day and live with the consequences."
Napoleon I let out a short breath. Not quite a laugh.
"They rarely do."
Napoleon II folded his hands on his lap.
"In my time," he said, "you're either a genius or a tyrant. Sometimes both. Depending on who's writing."
Napoleon's eyes narrowed, not in anger, but focus.
"And what do you think?" he asked.
Napoleon II hesitated for a moment. Not because he lacked an answer, but because he wanted to choose the right one.
"I think you were someone who never had the luxury of stopping," he said. "Every victory forced you forward. Every mistake had to be covered by another campaign. You couldn't slow down without everything collapsing."
Napoleon studied him carefully.
"That's closer than most," he said.
He reached for his cup, realized it was cold, and set it back down untouched.
"France didn't want peace when I took power," Napoleon continued. "She wanted order. Bread. Stability. And she wanted it immediately."
Napoleon II nodded.
"So I gave her results," Napoleon said. "Fast ones. The kind that don't leave room for reflection."
"You became trapped by momentum," Napoleon II said.
"Yes," Napoleon replied without hesitation. "And by expectation."
As they were discussing, there was a knock on the door.
"Napoleon, this is Marie."
It was Napoleon's wife, Marie Louise.
"Come in," Napoleon I said.
The door opened quietly.
Marie Louise stepped inside and closed it behind her.
She was dressed simply, at least by court standards. A light-colored gown, clean lines, no heavy jewelry. Her hair was neatly arranged, not elaborate. Nothing about her demanded attention, yet it was difficult not to look. She carried herself with an ease that came from knowing she belonged there.
Her eyes went first to Napoleon II.
There it was. Immediate. Unmistakable.
"There you are," she said, smiling. "I was wondering where my son had disappeared to."
Napoleon II stood at once. "Mother."
She crossed the room and rested a hand lightly on his shoulder.
"I hear you've been stealing him from me," she said, looking at Napoleon I now.
Napoleon raised an eyebrow. "Stealing?"
"Yes," Marie Louise replied. "Every time I look for him, he's with you."
Napoleon II glanced between them. "We were just talking."
"I know," Marie Louise said. "And I'm getting jealous."
That earned a faint smirk from Napoleon.
"You're jealous of me?" he asked.
"Of the time," she corrected. "I barely get any of it lately."
She looked back down at Napoleon II.
"I was hoping I could borrow him for a while," she said.
Napoleon I studied her for a moment. Then he waved a hand, casual.
"Take him," he said. "I've already had my share for the day."
Marie Louise smiled, satisfied.
"Thank you."
She turned to Napoleon II and extended her hand.
"Come," she said. "There's something important we need to talk about."
Marie Louise led him through the corridor at an unhurried pace.
Servants bowed and stepped aside. Doors opened before them and closed again just as quietly.
Her chambers were warmer than the study. Softer light. Curtains drawn just enough to let the afternoon sun spill across the floor. The scent of lavender lingered faintly in the air.
"Sit," she said gently.
Napoleon II did, hands resting on his knees, posture straight out of habit.
Marie Louise moved toward the far wall.
Only then did he notice them.
Portraits.
Not one. Several.
Arranged carefully, evenly spaced. Young women painted in formal dress. Some stiff with court posture. Others softer, more composed. All around the same age. All noble.
Napoleon II's eyes moved slowly from one to the next.
A girl with dark hair and a composed expression, bearing the colors of Austria.
Another fair-haired, unmistakably Prussian in style.
One from Bavaria. One from Saxony. One from Italy.
Marie Louise watched his reaction closely.
"You see," she said, "your father isn't the only one who understands the future."
Napoleon II looked back at her.
"I know," she continued. "And whether you like it or not, that future includes a crown."
He didn't deny it.
"In time," Marie Louise said, "you will be Emperor of France. And emperors do not marry for convenience. They marry for stability."
She gestured toward the portraits.
"These are daughters of powerful houses."
Napoleon II was quiet for a long moment.
Then he stood.
He walked closer to the portraits, studying them one by one. Not with interest. With distance.
"They're my age," he said.
"Yes," Marie Louise replied. "Or close enough."
"It's too early," Napoleon II said plainly.
Marie Louise frowned slightly.
"Early or not, this is when things are decided," she said. "You don't have to choose now. But you need to understand what's expected of you."
"I understand the responsibility," Napoleon II replied.
He turned back to her.
"More than you think."
Marie Louise searched his face, surprised by the certainty there.
"But," he continued, "I won't choose someone I don't love."
Marie Louise exhaled.
"Love," she repeated. Not dismissive. Just cautious.
"Yes," Napoleon II said. "Not passion. Not fantasy. But choice. I won't build the future on resentment. Not mine. Not hers."
She studied him for a long time.
"You sound older than you should," she said at last.
"I've seen what happens when people are treated like tools," Napoleon II replied. "Even when it's done for the state."
Marie Louise turned back toward the portraits.
"These arrangements kept Europe stable for centuries," she said.
"And they broke it just as often," Napoleon II replied.
Silence settled between them.
Finally, Marie Louise nodded.
"I won't force you," she said. "But I won't pretend this doesn't matter either."
Napoleon II nodded.