Napoleon and Ciela retreated to their office inside the Chantilly. He closed the door behind him, creating a sense of privacy within the room. Meanwhile, Ciela gracefully made her way over to the table, diligently organizing the cluttered documents that lay scattered across her desk.
Observing the scene, Napoleon's eyes fell upon an electric table light that had been recently installed. The sight sparked his curiosity, prompting him to comment.
"I see that you've taken the initiative to introduce electricity into our home."
Ciela turned towards Napoleon, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Indeed, as soon as electricity became available, I made it a priority to bring it into our household," she replied. "And in case you're wondering about the source of power, we've built a power plant in Paris."
Intrigued, Napoleon walked closer to Ciela.
"Tell me, how have the people of Paris responded to electric power?"
A spark of excitement danced in Ciela's eyes as she began to paint a vivid picture.
"The introduction of electric lighting has been met with great enthusiasm," she explained. "We've constructed an array of street lights that illuminate the pathways throughout Paris. Moreover, the upper and middle classes of Parisian society have swiftly embraced this new technology, transitioning from traditional oil lamps to electric lighting."
As Napoleon absorbed Ciela's words, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in the progress they had achieved. It's been like seven months since they introduced electricity in this world, and in that small amount of time, people are adapting to it fast.
He imagined Paris in two to three years, fully electrified, with electrical appliances becoming commonplace in every household, trams traversing the streets, and factories powered by this energy driving the industrial revolution to greater heights.
Of course, to do that, Napoleon would have to introduce electric-powered appliances, trams, and any other technology associated with electricity. Good thing, he had his cheat system with him, the only thing he needed to do was instruct the engineers working in their company how to build it and how to mass produce it.
And on that front, things are looking good so far. While in Italy, Napoleon received news from Ciela, informing him of the progress. Refrigerators, electric fans, electric sewing machines, electric vacuum cleaners, electric toasters, heat pump systems, and even electric irons were among the first wave of electric-powered appliances being developed.
Their mining, textile, and steelmaking enterprises embraced the power of electricity.
In their mining enterprise, electric-powered machinery revolutionized the extraction process. Electric drills, conveyor belts, and ore crushers replaced outdated manual methods, resulting in increased productivity and improved worker safety. Mines could now operate round the clock, extracting valuable resources at a faster pace to fuel France's industrial growth.
Their textile enterprise underwent a similar transformation with the introduction of electric-powered spinning machines. These machines could produce a wide variety of textiles at unprecedented speeds, meeting the growing demands of the market. The textile industry witnessed a significant increase in production, leading to a ripple effect on employment. Skilled and unskilled workers flocked to the mills, eager to contribute to the booming industry. The availability of affordable textiles fueled the fashion industry, enabling fashion-conscious Parisians and others to keep up with the latest trends, which are starting to look like the late-nineteenth century with black suits and fashionable dresses.
Lastly, in their steelmaking enterprise, electric arc furnaces were introduced, slowly replacing the Bessemer converter that he had introduced thirteen years ago. This would allow Napoleon to produce high-quality steel needed for the construction of public infrastructures in the near future.
All of this was possible thanks to him confessing to Ciela about his cheat blessings. He is going all out in every avenue of progress and development, utilizing the cheat system to its fullest potential.
As Napoleon neared Ciela, he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Darling," Ciela glanced at Napoleon, her voice filled with affectionate curiosity, "What's on your mind?"
Napoleon let out a contented sigh and tightened his embrace around Ciela. "I was just reflecting on how far we've come..and I missed you very much."
He started planting kisses on her neck.
Ciela giggled softly as she felt ticklish under Napoleon's affectionate gestures. She tilted her head slightly, allowing him better access to her neck. Napoleon traced the smooth curve of Ciela's jawline with his lips, leaving a trail of tender kisses, and then to her lips.
They frenched for almost ten seconds, their tongues caressing and dancing in a passionate rhythm. Moments after, they parted.
Napoleon licked his lips, savoring the lingering taste of their kiss.
"Strawberry…" Napoleon uttered.
"What?" Ciela asked, turning around.
"You taste like strawberry," Napoleon whispered, his voice laced with a hint of playfulness. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Ciela's face. "Damn…I could stare at your face forever and never get bored of it."
Ciela blushed, feeling a delightful warmth spread through her cheeks. She placed her hand on Napoleon's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her touch.
"You always have a way with words. I'm afraid that you might say that to other girls."
"That's impossible, no woman in this world will move my heart as deeply as you have," Napoleon sighed. "Ahh…it's good to be back home. With the campaign in Italy over, I can now finally spend time with you and our children."
"But before that…" Ciela said. "We have to prepare for tomorrow's guests. Your generals will be coming over to our chateau right? Did you invite all of them or did you just choose among them?"
"Well, I can't invite them all here as they have to look after the republic I established in Italy. The ones who will be coming were Berthier, Dumas, La Harpe, Augereau, Masséna, Sérurier, Murat, Lannes, Bessières, Marmont, and Junot. I believe you knew most of them right?"
Ciela nodded. "Yeah, and most of them became a marshal. I can't wait to see them in person."
***
A day later, in the Chateau de Chantilly, Napoleon, Ciela, and their children donned their finest attire as they stood by the door, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their guests.
One by one, the guests began to arrive in their carriages, the sound of wheels crunching against the gravel driveway echoing through the estate.
Napoleon and Ciela personally greeted each guest, their demeanors reflecting their unique personalities. Napoleon exuded a relaxed charm, while Ciela's enthusiasm was palpable. It was a rare and cherished opportunity for her to exchange hands with the marshals of Napoleon, a moment she had eagerly anticipated. Even though she knew that they might not be the exact copy of the marshals that served Napoleon in her world.
Together, they guided their esteemed guests into the grand foyer, where the chateau had been meticulously decorated for the occasion. Floral arrangements adorned the halls, and in the dining hall, a magnificent feast awaited.
The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of mouth-watering delicacies, teasing the senses and awakening the appetite of the esteemed visitors.
As the guests settled into their seats, Napoleon, Ciela, and their children took their places alongside them.
"Comrades," Napoleon began, raising a glass. "I want to thank you all for coming to my humble abode. Please, enjoy the celebration and festivities we have prepared in your honor."
Napoleon's generals and aides-de-camp grabbed their glasses and raised them in a toast.
After that, they began to engage in lively conversations while eating their food before them.
"So, General Bonaparte, that's your wife huh?" Berthier said, his gaze fixed on Ciela.
"That's right, the one and only," Napoleon replied with a proud smile.
"It's true what they say, behind every successful man is an extraordinary woman," Augereau commented.
"You flatter me, General Augereau," Ciela responded with a gracious smile. "But I believe it's more accurate to say that we are partners in success. Napoleon and I have always worked together, supporting each other every step of the way.
"What's the name of your children, General Bonaparte?" La Harpe asked.
"The boy's name is Francis and the girl's name is Aveline," Napoleon introduced them.
"Francis takes after his father, while Aveline is more like her mother," Napoleon added, glancing affectionately at his children.
The generals laughed and nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with admiration for the Bonaparte family.
As the conversation continued, the atmosphere in the room grew livelier. Tales of battles fought and won, strategic maneuvers, and heroic exploits filled the air. They exchanged stories and insights, each offering their unique perspective on the events that had shaped the battles during their time in Italy.
Ciela listened attentively, admiring the camaraderie among the generals and their passionate retelling of their experiences. For her, it was a fascinating opportunity to gain new knowledge, as she knew that the battles in this world unfolded differently than those fought in her own.
As the evening wore on, the time came for them to bid farewell. Napoleon and Ciela walked their guests to the door, expressing their gratitude once again for their presence and contributions.
"It has been an absolute pleasure to have you all here," Napoleon said, shaking hands with each of his men.
His men bowed respectfully and expressed their gratitude for the warm reception they received.
"You have a very sweet family, General Bonaparte," Dumas said with a warm smile. "Goodbye General."
And with that, Napoleon and Ciela bid their guests farewell, watching as their carriages disappeared into the night. The chateau fell silent once again, the grand halls echoing only the distant sounds of the wind outside.
"How was it?" Napoleon glanced at Ciela.
"Spectacular," Ciela said. "Shall we go back now?"
Napoleon nodded, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Yeah…It has been a long day."
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