Chapter 270 Revelation after Revelation
"It wasn't easy, Your Excellency. The moment Ciela disappeared, we hired investigators to find out where she went. They looked from the countryside, the capital, and even parts of Portugal, France, and Italy but they had no luck. We were devastated at that time, and I felt extreme guilt at that time. It was because of me that my beloved daughter Ciela left our home. If only I could go back in time, I would never put her in a situation she won't like."
Hearing genuine words from her father, Ciela's heart swelled with mixed emotions. She had spent years away from her family, and though she had her reasons, seeing the pain her absence had caused them weighed heavily on her heart.
Alfonso then continued, revealing that they had never stopped looking at her for even a decade. Until, a new government was formed in France, the Consulate. Headed by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Alfonso shared that it was only Napoleon that caught the interest of the public, not his wife. Napoleon's achievements in the Italian, Egyptian, and Middle East, overshadowed Napoleon's personal life until peace settled in the continent. Many people began to wonder who was the wife of this extraordinary leader.
At the moment when Napoleon was giving a speech to the people of Paris at the future site of Arc de Triomphe, where he introduced Ciela, newspapers that covered the speech spread throughout Europe, and from the newspaper, it was there how Alfonso saw a glimmer of hope. A name that he didn't expect to read in a newspaper appeared.
He sent his daughter to Paris to investigate, and Isabella took over the story. Isabella used her wealth to buy information visiting Napoleon's school, the Brienne and Ecole Militaire, and about Napoleon's family. There, Isabella found out that Napoleon had a maid working alongside him, it was Ciela.
And the time she joined Napoleon was a month after her disappearance. Coincidence? She wanted to confirm and it was at the time when Napoleon visited the construction of Palais Garnier she gained the courage to find out if Napoleon's wife was her long-lost sister.
When she peered through that opera glass and looked at Ciela's face, it was there she found out that it was her sister. Even if she hadn't seen her for years, and had grown a lot, she would never forget her sister's face. Her eyes, her smile, it was all unmistakably Ciela.
"So that's how you find her huh?" Napoleon mused. "It was an admirable dedication."
"Of course, I would go to such lengths to find my daughter," Alfonso interjected. "I'd go to any lengths to find my daughter. You see, I haven't shared this with Ciela yet, but the truth is, after I came to the painful realization that my own selfish choice led me to offer Ciela to Prince Ferdinand, I couldn't bring myself to do the same to Isabella."
"So you mean…" Napoleon glanced at Isabella.
Isabella nodded. "The reason why I'm not yet married is because I haven't found someone of my ideal type."
"That's admirable," Napoleon praised as he glanced at the Castellano family. "I have something to say to each and every one of you. I love Ciela with all my heart. There is no woman on this planet that could replace her in my affections. She is my muse, my inspiration, and my confidante."
Upon saying that, Napoleon gazed at Ciela affectionately and held her hand gently. Ciela blushed and returned his affectionate gaze. Francis and Aveline let out a sigh of admiration at their father's declaration of love for their mother.
"And my word is the same as Napoleon," Ciela began. "I love Napoleon with all my heart, and I could never imagine a life without him. He has been my anchor, my support, and the love of my life."
"I'm so envious…" Isabella cooed under her breath.? Napoleon noticed and chuckled.
"You'll find someone who will love you just as deeply, Isabella," Napoleon assured her with a warm smile.
"I hope that day will come," Isabella replied.
"Now now…" Catalina interrupted their wholesome moments. "Let's finish our feast first before diving too deeply into matters of the heart."
Everyone at the table laughed, except Fernando, and the atmosphere lightened.
Twenty minutes later, the feast ended and everyone's tummy was satiated by the delicious food presented by the chefs of the Castellano family.
"Your Excellency," Alfonso called. "Can we speak to my office?"
"Of course, Your Grace," Napoleon accepted the invitation as he wiped off his mouth with the cloth napkin, and stood up.
"I'll have a talk with my daughter. It's been so long since we have last spoken mother-to-daughter style," Catalina said, looking at Ciela. "The children can join of course."
"I'll see you all later," Napoleon said before following Duke Alfonso to his office. Fernando on the other hand, followed behind.
As they were heading to Alfonso's office, Napoleon asked. "Uhm…is your son Fernando included in this discussion?"
Alfonso simply nodded.
Alfonso pushed the door open of his office, and they all entered. The room was adorned with rich wood paneling and bookshelves filled with volumes of literature, journals, and business records.
Once they were all seated, Alfonso cleared his throat and began, "Your Excellency, I must express my deepest gratitude for your understanding and compassion regarding our family's situation. We owe you a debt of gratitude for allowing us to see our beloved Ciel."
"Your Grace—"
"Please call me Alfonso," Alfonso interrupted. "You are higher than me so please, drop the formalities."
"In that case, I suggest that you drop calling me His Excellency as well," Napoleon said.
"Very well. So, Napoleon, first things first, I want to ask you…What is your opinion of Spain?"
"Opinion huh?" Napoleon rubbed his chin as he contemplated for an answer. "For me, Spain is a weak nation both economically and militarily. The people are losing confidence in their monarchy leading to discontent, and there are vast inequalities in the distribution of wealth. It's a nation with immense potential, but it's struggling under a complex web of issues."
Alfonso nodded thoughtfully. "Your assessment is accurate. Spain is indeed facing numerous challenges. And I have been trying to change that but the court is dominated by conservatives who are blind to the need for reform."
Fernando, who had been silently listening, spoke up. "My father has been advocating for reform in Spain for years, but it's been an uphill battle. The entrenched interests and resistance to change make it incredibly difficult."
"I see…but why ask for my opinion in the first place."
"That is of course we are planning something big."
"This sounds dangerous," Napoleon said softly.
"My father is planning for a regime change in Spain. He wanted it to be led by people with the same thinking as us," Fernando revealed.
"So a coup d'etat, is that what you are referring to?"
Fernando nodded solemnly. "We need your help."
After hearing that, Napoleon realized that what Duke Alfonso was doing by increasing his influence and reputation by doing charitable work was to conduct a coup d'etat.
"Do you have allies?" Napoleon asked.
"Yes, some people in the court, ministers, and military generals."
"Well, I suggest that you don't do anything rash for a moment. Let everything as it is remain," Napoleon said.
"What do you mean by that, Napoleon?" Fernando curiously asked.
"You see, the moment I heard all about you from your daughter, my interest in Spain grew. I can see that together we'd be a pretty good team. I'll help you but in exchange, the head of state of Spain shall be one of my children. Specifically, the one that is on Ciela's belly."
Alfonso and Fernando's eyes widened, they were speechless.
"The people will accept it easily. After all, my wife is of Spanish descent from a renowned and revered family of Castellano."
"But, Napoleon, if I may be candid, you are a president, not the King of France—"
"I'm planning to declare myself Emperor of France," Napoleon interrupted with a revelation and added. "In two or three years."
"You? Declaring yourself Emperor?" Fernando exclaimed.
"Yes. Your daughter will become the Empress of France. Imagine the influence and power your family will hold, not just in Spain but in all of Europe," Napoleon explained with a confident gleam in his eyes.
Alfonso and Fernando exchanged glances once more, this time with a mixture of astonishment and excitement.
"That's promising…" Alfonso remarked in awe.
"Of course, if we were to change the regime, my one or two-year-old son or daughter won't be able to lead. So, Alfonso, you'll become the regent until the child is of age," Napoleon continued, outlining his vision. "We will need a transitional period during which your experience and wisdom will guide Spain through its transformation. Once our child is ready, they will ascend to the throne and be crowned as Emperor of Spain."
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