Chapter 267 Family Reunion
"Your Excellency, Castellano," Godoy said, turning around to greet him.
"Mr. Prime Minister, as I mentioned earlier, they are my guests," Alfosonso firmly reminded.
"But this is a state visit from France's head of state. It's only common sense that France's First Consul meets the King of Spain first, and then they can proceed with any business they may have with you."
"We're not budging on this," Napoleon clicked his tongue as he stepped forward. "How about this: I'll go meet with the King of Spain, while my children and wife accompany His Excellency, Mr. Castellano. Is that acceptable, Prime Minister Godoy?"
Godoy thought for a moment before nodding. "That's acceptable."
"Great," Napoleon patted Godoy on the shoulder before turning to his children and wife. "Alright, as you've heard, I'm going with the Prime Minister of Spain. I won't be long; I'll be back soon. Behave yourselves, okay? We're not in Paris."
"Yes, father,"
"Yes, papa,"
Francis and Aveline replied simultaneously.
Napoleon then looked at his wife. "Ciela, take this opportunity to reconnect with your father."
Ciela simply nodded.
"I'll take care of her," Isabella said, holding her sister's hand.
"Thank you," Napoleon smiled warmly before turning around once more, joining Godoy.
Godoy led the way to the carriage prepared by the Minister, and Napoleon followed. As he walked past the Duke of Castellano, Napoleon gave him a nod of acknowledgment. There was no need for introductions at this moment; he would do that when they arrived at his estate. For now, he would focus on his business with the King of Spain.
Napoleon boarded the carriage, sitting next to Godoy. He wasn't alone; a detachment of Elite Consular Guards accompanied him as his security detail.
The coachman flicked the reins, and the horses started moving.
The carriage rolled forward, its wheels creaking slightly on the cobblestone road. Outside, Ciela watched as Napoleon's carriage disappeared into the distance. After a few moments, she started walking, right over to the person she hadn't met for a long time.
"Father…" Ciela said softly as she got in front of him. "How are you?"
Alfonso simply looked at his long-lost daughter as if not believing the moment. His last memory of him with her was a disagreement where Ciela rejected his decision of her to marry the son of King Charles IV, Prince Ferdinand the eight.
"Ciela…" Alfonso uttered her name, he had never spoken that name for many years, and saying it right now was too much for him to handle. He couldn't help but reach out and gently touch Ciela's cheek. "You've grown into a beautiful woman."
Ciela managed a soft smile, feeling a surge of warmth at her father's touch. "Thank you, Father."
Alfonso noticed a baby bump under Ciela's gown and his eyes widened with surprise. "Is that...?"
"My third child, father," Ciela said. "Oh…these are my children. Aveline and Francis."
Francis and Aveline stepped forward and introduced themselves.
"Hello, my name is Francis Bonaparte, son of Napoleon Bonaparte, the First Consul of the Republic of France. It's a pleasure to meet you…grandfather."
"And I am Aveline Bonaparte, it's a pleasure to meet you, Grandfather," Aveline added with a warm smile.
Alfonso was overwhelmed with emotions as he looked at his grandchildren.
"It is a pleasure to meet both of you as well," Alfonso said, his voice choking with emotion. "Oh my god, you two look like your mother."
"We get that all the time," Aveline giddily replied, her youthful enthusiasm infectious.
"Uhm…I think we should head home first," Isabella suggested. "It's been a long journey and we are all weary from our travels."
Alfonso agreed to the proposal and then escorted them to the awaiting carriage that would transport them to his estate.
While walking over to it, Alfonson spoke. "Are you wondering where your brother and mother are, Ciela?"
Ciela shook her head. "No, Father, but Isabella told me that they are waiting for me at the palace."
"You are right, they are preparing for your arrival. We have made a feast of welcoming at the estate. They can't wait to see you," Alfonso said.
"Father…I know my decision has caused you, Fernando, and Mother great pain for abandoning you all behind for selfish reasons. I want to apologize…but I know that it won't be enough."
"Save that apology later when we get back home, Ciela," Alfonso said.
"Father is the right sister," Isabella interjected with a grin. "We should get home first and go emotional later."
***
Two hours later, Alfonso's carriage, carrying everyone, arrived at their Palace. It was as grand as the Royal Palace in Madrid. Neoclassical architecture adorned its exterior, and the vast gardens surrounding it spoke of opulence and grandeur.
As the carriage came to a stop, servants rushed forward to assist the family in disembarking.
Alfonso helped Ciela and her children down from the carriage. The palace's imposing doors swung open, revealing a lavish interior with chandeliers and marbled floors.
"Welcome home," Alfonso said, looking at Ciela.
Memories of her early life flooded in Ciela's mind as she gazed upon it. She could see her younger self running through these grand halls, the sound of her laughter echoing in her memory. It was a bittersweet moment, returning to a place that held so many memories, both joyous and painful.
"Ciela…is that you?!" An exclaimed voice sounded from the grand stairwell. A woman in her mid fifties dressed in a sumptuous gown, her strawberry-blonde hair cascading down her shoulders rushed down the stairs.
"Mother…" Ciela rushed forward to embrace her mother, Catalina, who opened her arms wide to welcome her daughter into a warm and loving hug. Tears of joy streamed down Isabella's cheeks as she held Ciela close.
"My dear Ciela, my precious daughter," Catalina whispered, her voice trembling. "I have missed you so much! I thought you were gone forever.
Ciela hugged her mother back, feeling a sense of guilt inside her.
"I'm sorry Mom."
Catalina pulled back slightly to look into Ciela's eyes, her hands cradling her daughter's face. "There is nothing to be sorry for, my love. The important thing is that you're here now.
Catalina then turned her attention to Francis and Aveline, who had been watching the reunion.
"And who do we have here?" she asked.
Ciela introduced her children to their grandmother, and Catalina knelt down to their level.
"Francis and Aveline huh? You have the looks of your mother."
"Grandfather just told that to us earlier," Francis remarked.
"Really? Well, that is because it was apparent," Catalina chuckled softly.
"Mother…where is Fernando?"
"I'm here," a voice cut through the moment, and everyone turned to see a young man in his mid-twenties descending the grand stairwell. He was impeccably dressed in an expensive suit, his strawberry-blonde hair combed neatly, and an air of sophistication about him. "About time that you return, sister."
"Fernando…"
"Watch your tone, Fernando, she is your elder sister."
"Yeah, whatever," Fernando coolly responded, his eyes sweeping through the visitors. "Where is your revolutionary president? Napoleon was it?"
"He is in the Royal Palace, meeting the King of Spain. He'll arrive here after that," Isabella interceded.
"I'm not asking you, Isabella, I'm asking Ciela here."
"You don't call her Ciela, you call her sister," Isabella interjected firmly, her protective instincts kicking in. "Show some respect."
"Respect to the one who has abandoned us? I don't think so…"
"Fernando…now is not the right time," Alfonso chided.
Fernando sighed.
"Now, we can't have a feast if your husband is not here. Why don't we wait in the stateroom and have our conversation there?"
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