Chapter 306 Moments before Conflict
April 7th, 1804. Palace of Versailles.
Francis was walking down the hallway leading to his father's office. He clutched the latest book published by the French Academy of Sciences, the Atomic Theory of John Dalton.
He had been studying it since he got the book last week where Dalton stated that atoms were the fundamental building blocks of matter and that chemical reactions occurred when atoms combined in fixed ratios. Francis had always been fascinated by science and had a natural curiosity about the world around him. It was all thanks to his father, Napoleon Bonaparte, who had encouraged his scholarly pursuits.
But he had a problem with the theory, a nagging doubt that he couldn't quite shake off.
Francis knew about electricity, it was a flow of charged particles, but he couldn't reconcile it with Dalton's atomic theory. If atoms are indivisible, then how come electricity, a phenomenon clearly involving the movement of charged particles, could exist?
Francis believed that there must be some sort of particles surrounding the atoms to account for the movement of charged particles in electricity. His father might have an idea but of course, he might not entertain the idea, especially when his father is the Emperor of France.
He couldn't just barge inside and ask about theoretical concepts that would be time-consuming. Fortuitously, he was told to visit his father's office today. The reason may be omitted but the chance to speak to his father directly couldn't have come at a more opportune moment.
"Oh, brother—good morning!"
A feminine and cheerful voice came in front of him. He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see his younger sister, Aveline, standing in the corridor. She was dressed in an elegant gown, her strawberry-blonde hair cascading in curls around her shoulders.
Behind her was a group of young cute personal maids, one of whom was Audrey, who was their personal caretaker but focused more on Aveline. All of the maids were in full curtsy, holding their skirts out from their bodies with their heads low.
"Oh, Aveline," Francis greeted her with a warm smile, grateful for the interruption from his internal musings. "Good morning to you too."
"Where are you off too?" Aveline asked.
"To Father's office," Francis answered. "How about you?"
"I am headed to the nursery to see Tristan and Daphne. How I miss their sweet faces," she giggled lightly. "Mother is expecting me presently. Perhaps you could join us later after you have finished your business with Father?"
Francis nodded appreciatively at his sister's suggestion. "That sounds delightful, Aveline. I'll be sure to do just that once I've concluded my business with Father."
As he bid his sister and her entourage farewell, Francis continued on his way to his father's office.
Arriving at the imposing door of his father's office. He knocked firmly on the door and awaited the Emperor's invitation to enter.
"Come in," came the Emperor's authoritative voice from within.
Francis stepped into the lavishly adorned office, where his father, Napoleon Bonaparte, sat behind a grand desk, reviewing documents and stamping seals.
"Take a seat," Napoleon gestured to a chair on the opposite side of his desk without looking up from his work.
Francis took a seat and prepared himself for whatever next.
Napoleon finally set down his fountain pen, grabbing one document before looking at Francis with a keen gaze.
"Why are you stiff?" Napoleon asked.
"Do I?" Francis chuckled sheepishly.
"You do," Napoleon confirmed. "It feels to me that you have something to say."
"You have read me well, father," Francis smiled warmly, appreciating his father's perceptiveness. "But before I bring that up, you go first, father."
Napoleon opened the document he had grabbed and read it.
"History, full marks. Science, full marks. Mathematics, full marks. Philosophy, full marks. Sociology, full marks. Everything is full marks. These are the grades you have gotten since I personally tutor you."
"It's the best I can do to prepare myself for being next in line, father," Francis
responded, acknowledging his father's praise with gratitude.
Napoleon nodded in approval. "And you have done exceptionally well, my son. But we all know that knowledge without experience is nothing. You must apply the knowledge you have gained in the real world."
"A wise word indeed, father," Francis said.
"Which is why, when you are fifteen, you are going to be the viceroyalty of New France," Napoleon declared. "From there, you'll govern the territory, make it a prosperous dominion using the lessons I taught you. When it is economically sufficient, it can be fully integrated into our empire. By integrating, I mean annexing it."
Francis breathed deeply upon hearing his father's announcement. "I am honored by your trust in me, Father. I will do my utmost to fulfill this duty to the best of my abilities and bring prosperity to New France."
Napoleon nodded. "Great. Now, let's talk about the thing you have been holding on to."
"Uhm…before that, father, there is something I'm curious about," Francis said.
"What is it?"
"Father, what of Aveline? I'm curious about how she'll play a role in the Empire of France. Do you have a plan for her?"
"I do," Napoleon smiled warmly, evidently pleased that Francis was taking an interest in his sister's future. "Aveline is a bright and capable young girl. When the time is right and she has received the necessary education, I intend to make her the Queen of Italy."
Francis raised his eyebrows in surprise. The idea of his sister becoming a queen was unexpected, but he trusted his father's judgment implicitly.
"Regarding Italy, it remains a republic, does it not? Do you harbor intentions of transitioning it into a monarchy? For it seems incongruous to have a republic when France stands as a monarchy."
"I intend to transform the Republic of Italy into a Kingdom next year," Napoleon divulged. "And I shall assume the title of its king. However, I will appoint a viceroy to oversee the region on my behalf."
"I see," Francis said, nodding in understanding. "Now, father, concerning something that has been occupying my thoughts. I've been studying the atomic theory of an English chemist, John Dalton. According to his theory, atoms are indivisible and fundamental building blocks of matter. They are identical in sizes,? mass, and other properties."
"And?"
"I think it's wrong," Francis said.
"How do you say so?"
"Father, while Dalton's atomic theory is elegant and supported by much evidence, I believe there might be more to the story. I find it difficult to reconcile the concept of indivisible, identical atoms with certain phenomena, like electricity. We know that electricity involves the flow of charged particles, and if atoms are truly indivisible, how can they account for the movement of charged particles in electricity? It leads me to wonder if there might be smaller, subatomic particles that interact with atoms in some way to create the flow of electricity."
"Hoh?" Napoleon mused. "That's a good observation. I too believe that there are subatomic particles."
"Really father?" Francis beamed with eager anticipation at his father's response.
"I do," Napoleon grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a model of atoms. Minutes later, he showed it to Francis.
"In this drawing, there is a negatively charged particle orbiting around the positively charged nucleus of an atom. This negatively charged particle," Napoleon explained, pointing to the smaller orbiting object, "could be what we call an 'electron.' It is these electrons that move about and carry charge, allowing for the flow of electricity."
Francis leaned forward, studying the diagram closely. "How did you arrive with this model, father? Do you have proof or experiment conducted?"
Napoleon shook his head. "I don't, it's just my imagination. But I do have an idea how to test that hypothesis."
"How?"
"I'll give you the list of equipment you'll need for the experiment later. I don't have it on me," Napoleon said.
Just as Francis was about to thank his father, there was a discreet knock on the door, and it opened slightly. Armand entered the room with a look of urgency on his face.
"Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty," Armand said, addressing Napoleon. "Talleyrand seeks your audience."
"Okay," Napoleon said before flickering his gaze back to Francis. "You may leave now Francis."
Francis rose to his feet and gave a respectful bow to his father. As Francis made his way towards the door, Armand bowed respectfully to him, acknowledging his presence.
After that, Talleyrand entered the room.
"Your Majesty, we have urgent news," Talleyrand said as he rushed over to him with his arms extending towards, carrying a letter.
"What is it?" Napoleon asked.
"It's best that you see it, Your Majesty," Talleyrand unfolded the letter and handed it to Napoleon.
Napoleon read the contents. "Prussia, Austria, Naples, and Russia declared war on France."
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