Chapter 355 The Anticipated Reunion Part 1
August 9th, 1821. Within the opulent chambers of the Palace of Versailles, Emperor Napoleon rested peacefully, enveloped in the luxury of his grand bed. The soft rhythm of his breathing resonated through the room, punctuated occasionally by gentle snores.
Outside, the first light of dawn was beginning to touch the palace's magnificent fa?ade, casting a warm, golden glow across the vast estate. Inside, the emperor's personal attendants moved quietly, ensuring that everything was in its rightful place, and the atmosphere was serene, befitting a ruler of Napoleon's caliber.
In the emperor's chamber, the heavy drapes had been pulled back, letting the morning light seep in and gently coax the ruler from his slumber. His eyelids fluttered open, and he made an attempt to sit up but found his movement hindered by Ciela's arm draped comfortably across his torso.
He gently extricated himself from Ciela's embrace, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber. But it seemed his movements, though gentle, were enough to rouse her. Ciela stirred, her eyes slowly opening as she adjusted to the morning light. Noticing Napoleon's attempt to leave the bed, she lifted her arm, allowing him the space to move.
"Good morning," she murmured, her voice soft and laced with sleep.
"Good morning," Napoleon replied, offering her a warm smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did, thank you," Ciela responded, stretching her limbs gently.
"Good morning, Your Imperial Majesties." Lord Chamberlain of the Imperial Household, Beaumont greeted as he bowed reverently.
He continued. "Breakfast is ready at the dining hall and His Imperial Majesty Tristan Bonaparte, and Her Imperial Majesty, Aveline were already in the dining hall," Beaumont informed them with a respectful tone.
Napoleon nodded in acknowledgment, "Very well, we will be there shortly." He turned his attention back to Ciela, "Shall we?" he asked, offering her his hand to help her out of bed.
Ciela accepted his hand graciously, "Yes, let's not keep them waiting," she replied, her voice gaining more clarity as she fully woke up.
The two of them got out of bed and began to prepare for the day with the help of their personal attendants. Napoleon dressed in his usual emperor's attire, while Ciela chose an elegant dress that complemented her stature. They were both meticulous about their appearances, knowing well the importance of maintaining a regal image.
Once they were ready, Napoleon and Ciela made their way to the dining hall, exchanging light conversation along the way. As they arrived at the Dining Hall of the Palace of Versailles, two Imperial Guards stationed at the door promptly opened the grand double doors for them, standing tall and expressionless in their immaculate uniforms.
"Thank you," Napoleon nodded at the guards as he and Ciela entered the dining hall.
The room was expansive and splendidly decorated, with high ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes and walls lined with luxurious tapestries. A long dining table, elegantly set for the imperial family, occupied the center of the room.
Tristan and Aveline, already seated, stood up to greet their parents.
"Good morning, Father. Good morning, Mother," Tristan said respectfully, while Aveline offered a cheerful, "Morning!"
The man in the red military jacket with medals and insignias pinned on the chest was Tristan Bonaparte, the King of Spain. He is eighteen years old and he is as handsome as his father. He had a well-defined jawline, short dark hair, and piercing blue eyes.
He stood tall with a good posture, showing off his disciplined upbringing and the physical training he had undergone. Despite his young age, he emanated a sense of maturity and readiness to take on his duties. His appearance was neat and well-groomed, and he had a clean-shaven face, which added to his overall polished look.
Meanwhile, standing next to Tristan was their twenty-five-year-old daughter, Queen of Italy, Aveline Bonaparte. Aveline's appearance was like that of her mother during her early years. Strawberry-blonde hair that reached her waist.
She shared strikingly similar features to her mother Ciela, especially noticeable from her younger years. Her strawberry-blonde hair, long and flowing, reached down to her waist, giving her a delicate and regal appearance. Her eyes were a soft shade of blue.
She has an hourglass figure, with her dress accentuating her slender waist and flowing elegantly down to her feet. The dress was a soft shade of blue, matching her eyes, and was adorned with intricate embroidery and embellishment.
"Good morning," Ciela was the first to respond, her voice steady and warm as she acknowledged her children. Napoleon followed suit, greeting them both with a nod and a "Morning."
The family settled into their seats, ready to enjoy the morning meal together. The table was laden with an assortment of breakfast items, ranging from fresh fruits and breads to hot dishes prepared by the palace's skilled chefs. The aroma wafting from the dishes was enticing, and it wasn't long before they all started to serve themselves.
Tristan, ever the disciplined one, made sure to take moderate portions, while Aveline opted for a variety of fruits and a croissant. Napoleon and Ciela, meanwhile, balanced their plates with a mix of proteins and vegetables, conscious of maintaining their health.
After all, Napoleon and Ciela are in their early fifties. Despite their age, their body appearance was still the same as in their thirties. The reason? Diet, exercises, and a meticulous routine of self-care developed and refined over the years.
As for their children, their plan of having six children failed. Ciela was only able to bear four children, which are Francis, Aveline, Tristan, and Daphne. She couldn't bear children after that. It could be a medical condition, or perhaps the toll of previous pregnancies, but it wasn't something the couple dwelled upon. They were grateful for the children they had, each of whom had grown into their roles within the family and their respective territories.
Speaking of which.
"So, the French Pacific Fleet, I was told that it would arrive—" Napoleon paused as he checked the time on his wristwatch. "Seven o'clock in the morning. The current time now is seven past thirty…"
"They have taken a plane from Toulon and are on their way here to Paris. They'll arrive at ten o'clock in the morning, Father."
"It's good that we will reunite with one another soon," Ciela commented. "Oh how I missed you the moments when you were a child and so dependent on us, now you have grown independent."
"Indeed, it's been quite some time since we were all together," Napoleon added, casting a fond glance towards his children. "Your duties have taken you to different parts of the empire, and while I am proud of the responsibilities you have taken on, I have also missed your presence here."
Tristan nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I agree, Father. Managing the affairs in Spain has been an invaluable experience, but I do miss the family gatherings."
Aveline smiled, chiming in, "And in Italy, things have been going smoothly, but it's always nice to come back home to Versailles."
Napoleon looked pleased, "I'm glad to hear that. We'll find out about Francis and Daphne once they arrive in Paris."
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