?


    In the dining room of the Pce of Versailles, Napoleon Bonaparte sat with his wife, Ci, and their children, Aveline and Francis. The room was adorned with fine china and polished silverware, setting the stage for avish dinner.


    Manservants moved quietly around the table, bringing in a trolley cartden with mouthwatering dishes. The roasted duck, coq au vin, and assorted vegetables were presented with precision and care.


    As the family enjoyed their meal, Napoleon cleared his throat to get their attention.


    "I received an invitation today," he began, "Louis de La Rochefoucauld is inviting all of us to his daughter''s birthday celebration on December 30th, 1800."


    Aveline and Francis looked at each other, while Ci nced at Napoleon.


    "Louis de La Rochefoucauld? Your ssmate in Brienne?" Ci said.


    "That''s correct," Napoleon nodded in confirmation. "This is a surprise to me because it has been fifteen years since ourst contact."


    "You know him, mama?" Aveline asked, her gaze flickering at her mother.


    "Louis de La Rochefoucauld was Napoleon''s ssmate when he was studying at the military school at Brienne."


    "Is Louis de La Rochefoucauld kind of like father''s best friend?"  Francis added.


    Ci shook her head. "Your father''s rtionship with Louis de La Rochefould at first was not close if I put it that way, but the longer they spent time together, they became good friends. They shared simr interests and bonded over their studies and military training. Isn''t that right, darling?"


    "Well, partially," Napoleon chuckled as he took a sip of his wine. "So, returning back to the invitation, I was thinking that our children should attend it."


    Napoleon had always wanted his children, Aveline and Francis, to experience the joys of socializing with other kids their age. However, for thest five years, they had been kept isted for their safety. The turbulent times brought about by the revolution didn''t offer much opportunity for them to venture outside and y with peers. Napoleon was unwilling to take any unnecessary risks when it came to their well-being. Still, the decision to keep them sheltered wasn''t unanimous. Ci, his wife, shared his concerns about their safety, particrly during uncertain times. Yet, she also recognized the significance of socialization and exposure to different environments for their children''s overall growth and development.


    "I agree," Ci nodded in agreement. "It''s their chance to meet children of their age."


    "Children of my age?" Aveline repeated, her eyes widening at the prospect of meeting new people and befriending them. For thest three years, she had been longing for apanion outside the confines of their home. "I want to go!"


    "I would love to go, Father, Mother. But I''m afraid that I don''t have any experience talking with people my age. It''s going to be embarrassing."


    "Don''t worry, your mama will teach you," Ci assured Francis with a reassuring smile. "You''ll do just fine, my dear."


    "So mama, papa, you areing with us right?" Aveline asked, and in an instant, Napoleon and Ci locked gaze at one another.


    "Well, Aveline, on that date, I am going to be busy with work, meeting with my ministers, especially Talleyrand about the peace talks with the Austrian Empire. I won''t be avable at that time."


    Aveline''s enthusiastic face turned gloomy after hearing that.


    "Then…how about you mama?" Aveline looked to her mother, her face softening with hope.


    Ci paused for a moment, considering her schedule. She knew how much this asion meant to Aveline and Francis, and she didn''t want to disappoint them.


    "Well, darling," Ci began gently, "I do have some priormitments, but I can certainly make arrangements to clear up my schedule for that day.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Aveline''s face lit up with joy, and Francis beamed with excitement. They were thrilled to know that their mother would be there with them, sharing in the experience.


    "Really, Mama?" Aveline eximed, her voice filled with happiness.


    "Absolutely," Ci replied, reaching out to hold Aveline''s hand. "I wouldn''t miss this for the world.


    Napoleon simply smiled, happy that their children won''t be lonely on the asion.


    "I will make up for it next time," Napoleon reassured Aveline, seeing her disappointment. "As much as I would love to be there, duty calls, and I must attend to my responsibilities as the leader of our nation. But I promise you, we will have plenty of opportunities to spend time together as a family."


    "It''s okay, father, we understand," Francis said before turning to Aveline. "Right, sister?"


    Aveline nodded, trying to hide her disappointment behind a smile. "Yes, of course, we understand, Papa. Your work is very important."


    Tomorrow, we''ll go shopping for gifts for Louis de La Rochefoucauld''s daughter and some new clothes for you both," Ci said warmly.


    The children''s faces lit up with excitement at the prospect of getting new things for the celebration. They continued to enjoy their dinner, chatting about the uing event.


    As the evening wore on, they finished their meal and retired to their respective rooms. Aveline and Francis to their bedrooms, and Napoleon and Ci to their office.


    In the office, Napoleon and Ci were having a conversation.


    "I think in the future, our schedule won''t allow us to be with our children together," Napoleon said, voicing his concern. "I think it''s time that we hire a personal maid to look after them?" he suggested.


    Ci nodded in agreement with Napoleon''s suggestion. "Yes, I believe that could be a good idea," she replied. "Having a personal maid would ensure that they have someone responsible to take care of them when we are upied with our duties."


    However, Ci also expressed her worry about the security risks. "But we have to be cautious in choosing the right person," she added. "Given your position as First Consul, we cannot afford to hire someone without a thorough background check. We need to find someone we can trust implicitly."


    "I''m going to look for a potential candidate tomorrow," Napoleon said.


    "Very well," Ci said as she rose from her feet. She walked over to Napoleon, leaned


    over, and nted a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I''m going to bed now. Don''t stay upte, okay?"


    "Thank you," Napoleon uttered.


    "About what?


    "For apanying them to the birthday celebration," Napoleon said.


    Ci giggled. "You are wee."