"Thank you for the dinner, Bonaparte," Berthier said, rising to his feet. He extended a hand towards Napoleon, offering a firm handshake.
Napoleon returned the gesture with a warm smile. "My pleasure," he replied graciously. "Let me escort you out."
With a nod of agreement, Napoleon and Berthier walked side by side toward the exit.
As they stepped outside, the night welcomed them with its ethereal charm. The sky above was clear, a canopy of stars shimmering like scattered diamonds, and a gentle breeze carried a sense of calm after the indulgent dinner.
A finely crafted carriage awaited Berthier, the coachman who saw Berthier coming out immediately hopped onto his seat.
"You really should move to the Chateau de Versailles, Bonaparte," Berthier commented. "It's way closer to Paris compared to Chantilly. That way, if you need something urgent from me, I can get there more quickly."
Napoleon chuckled, appreciating Berthier's candidness. "Well the palace is still under renovation, Berthier. I was told that they are still fitting it with plumbing and electrical
systems and it may not be fully ready for a while."
Berthier nodded, understanding Napoleon's reasoning. "I see your point, Bonaparte. I have planned to install those systems on my estate. Anyways, I'll take my leave now."
Napoleon nodded and then watched as Berthier boarded the carriage. As the coachman guided the horses forward, Napoleon stood there, his mind racing in thoughts.
Next week, he would once again be on the battlefield, leading his soldiers and striving for the victory that France desperately needed to achieve peace. However, amidst his contemplations, he came to the realization that ever since he became the First Consul of France, his schedule had become increasingly demanding. The responsibilities of his position left him with little time to spend with his children or his wife. Adding to the challenge, Ciela also had her own work and business to manage, leaving their children without much of their parent's presence.
He returned inside the chateau and made his way towards Aveline's room. He opened the door slightly ajar and peeked inside to find Aveline sitting at her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration as she wrestled with her math homework. Books and papers were scattered around her, a clear sign of her frustration.
Napoleon couldn't help but smile at the sight of his daughter, her determination reminding him of his own tenacity on the battlefield. He quietly entered the room, careful not to startle her, and then gently knocked on the door frame.
"Aveline," he said softly, catching her attention.
Aveline looked up, her eyes lighting up as she saw her father. "Papa!" she exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.
"What's troubling you, my dear?" Napoleon asked, walking over to her desk.
"It's this math problem," Aveline sighed, pushing the paper toward him. "I just can't seem to figure it out."
Napoleon studied the problem for a moment before a smile tugged at his lips. "Ah, I see what's causing the confusion," he said, reaching for a pen. "Let me show you a different approach."
With patience and clarity, Napoleon explained the problem to Aveline, breaking it down step by step. As he spoke, her furrowed brow gradually eased, and she began to understand the concept better.
"See, it's not as daunting as it seemed at first," Napoleon said, giving her an encouraging pat on the back.
Aveline's face brightened with newfound confidence. "Thank you, Papa. You always make things clearer."
"If you are stuck on the problem, you can always reach out to me in my office," Napoleon said with a reassuring smile.
"But I don't want to disturb you in your work, papa," Aveline said.
Napoleon smiled warmly, understanding Aveline's concern. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Aveline, my dear, you are never a disturbance to me. Helping you is one of the most important things I can do as your father. Your education and well-being are a top priority for me."
Aveline looked up at her father, touched by his words. "But I know you have so much to do, Papa, and I don't want to take away your time from important work."
"Listen, my precious Aveline, yes, I have many responsibilities, but you are my daughter, and your happiness matters to me above all else. If you ever need help or just someone to talk to, don't hesitate to come to me. I may be busy, but I will always make time for you."
"If only I am as good as my brother," Aveline said somberly. "He never failed at math."
"Aveline, my dear, remember that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Your brother may excel in math and technical subjects, but you have your own unique talents that make you special."
Aveline looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her math paper. "But sometimes, I feel like I can't keep up with him," she admitted softly.
Napoleon gently lifted her chin, so their eyes met again. "Comparison can be a thief of joy, Aveline. Your brother's abilities in math do not diminish your own gifts. You have a talent for playing musical instruments and a deep appreciation for literature, and those are wonderful abilities. Each person is different, and that's what makes the world so rich and diverse."
"But I want to be better at math too," Aveline said, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration.
"And you can be," Napoleon said encouragingly. "It's okay to face challenges and struggle with certain subjects. The key is not to give up. With hard work, determination, and the support of those who love you, you can overcome any obstacle."
Aveline's eyes brightened a bit, inspired by her father's words. "Do you really think so, Papa?"
"Absolutely," Napoleon affirmed. "You have a curious and inquisitive mind, and that is the foundation for learning and growth. If you approach math with the same tenacity and curiosity you have for your other interests, I have no doubt you'll make progress."
Aveline smiled, feeling a glimmer of hope and determination. "Thank you, Papa. I'll try my best."
"That's all I can ask for, my dear," Napoleon said, tenderly kissing her forehead. "Now, I'll have to check on your brother okay."
With a light chuckle, Napoleon rose from his daughter's desk and made his way to his son's room. He knocked gently on the door and then opened it to find his son, Francis, engrossed in a book.
"Francis," Napoleon called softly, and the young boy looked up with a mixture of surprise and delight to see his father.
"Father! What brings you here?" Etienne asked, quickly closing the book and setting it aside.
"I wanted to see how my son is doing," Napoleon replied. "Can I come in?"
"Of course, Father," Francis replied eagerly.
Napoleon stepped inside, taking in the neat and organized study space that belonged to his son. Books lined the shelves, and sketches of various inventions adorned the walls.
"So, what are you reading, my young scholar?" Napoleon asked, glancing at the book Francis had set aside.
"It's a book about algebra, Father," Francis answered and continued. "I always find algebra fascinating. It's like solving puzzles with numbers."
"As expected," Napoleon chuckled. "You are too advanced for your own age."
"What do you mean father? Shouldn't kids my age know about this concept?"
"Well, Francis," Napoleon cleared his throat. "You see, not everyone is like you, you have a natural talent for understanding complex concepts, and that's something to be proud of. But it's essential to remember that not all children your age may have the same level of understanding, and that's perfectly okay. Everyone learns at their own pace, and being ahead doesn't make you better than others. It just means you have different strengths, and that's what makes each person unique and special."
Francis nodded thoughtfully, taking in his father's words. "I never thought about it that way, Papa. I guess I was just so focused on wanting to learn more and be good at what I love."
"Another thing Francis, is not every kid has the same privilege as you," Napoleon said. "You see, a lot of kids in France don't have access to education, because they couldn't afford it and sometimes their social standings barred them from attending schools. Education is a precious gift, and not everyone has the opportunity to receive it."
"But you are the First Consul right, father? Perhaps you can give other kids like me a chance to learn things they want to learn."
Napoleon smiled at Francis's innocent enthusiasm and patted his son's shoulder. "Yes, I am the First Consul and I'm already planning on making reforms to our educational system. A system that allows every child in France to study where in the future, be able to contribute to its development."
"That's good to hear," Francis said.
"Well, if you need any help from your studies because I'm sure you'll encounter concepts that you might find hard to understand, you can go to my office."
"Okay," Francis nodded.
With that, Napoleon left Francis' room. Closing the door behind him, he heaved a sigh of relief. Talking to his children really does give him a sense of fulfillment and purpose beyond his duties as the First Consul.
"Okay, it's time to return to work."
Follow current novℯls on f(r)eewebnov𝒆l