After countless meetings, Napoleon II allowed himself to take a rest. He visited Elsa's room where he found Elisabeth bonding with her through reading children stories on the bed.
"I knew I'd see you here," Napoleon II said as he entered.
"Papa!"
Elsa pushed herself off the cushioned bench and ran across the carpet toward him.
"Walk," Elisabeth reminded without looking up from the book.
Elsa slowed at once, though her steps were still quick. She stopped a pace away from him, hands lifted.
Napoleon II bent and picked her up under the arms. He did not spin her. He simply held her against his chest.
"You were supposed to walk," he said.
"I did," Elsa insisted. "At the end."
He glanced at Elisabeth.
"She remembers instructions selectively," Elisabeth said, closing the book and marking the page with a ribbon. "It is a talent."
Napoleon II set Elsa down gently.
"What story?" he asked.
