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    Pce of Versailles, January 10th, 1804.


    Eight o''clock in the morning.


    Napoleon stirred from sleep as the invading sunlight streamed into the windows. His eyes blinked against the morning light as he reluctantly rose from his luxurious bed, but he couldn''t do so easily. He realized that his right arm was pinned beneath the weight of Ci''s head. Her strawberry-blonde hair cascaded over the pillow, and her soft breathing indicated that she was still deep in slumber.


    He couldn''t help but smile as he looked down at his wife, but he couldn''t help but be distracted by the noise of the footsteps ringing on the floor. He flickered his gaze to the man that is sliding the heavy curtains aside.


    It was the Lord Chambein of the Imperial Household, Beaumont.


    "Good morning, Your Majesty."


    Napoleon acknowledged Lord Chambein with a nod. When he was crowned Emperor in Notre Dame ten days ago, Napoleon overhauled the organization of the Pce of Versailles staff and made it simr to the British Royal Household.


    Beaumont is the Master of the Household, meaning he is responsible for organizing official ceremonies, events, and royal asions. The office also oversees matters like state banquets, investitures, garden parties, tea parties, and more.


    "What wonderful weather we have today," Napoleonmented as he gazed at the window.


    Beaumont nodded in agreement, his usually stern expression softening slightly. "Indeed, Your Majesty. A clear day, it seems."


    "Okay, we have a long day ahead of us, better start to work."


    Gently, he tried to extricate his arm from beneath Ci, but his movement caused her to stir. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing warm blue eyes that met his gaze. A small smile yed on her lips as she realized that she had been using his arm as a pillow.


    "Good morning, my love," she whispered.


    Napoleon leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Good morning, my dear," he replied tenderly. "If you are still sleepy, you can stay here and rest a while longer."


    "I think I''ll do that," Ci said sleepily.


    Napoleon smiled affectionately at Ci and tucked the covers around her. He nted another gentle kiss on her forehead before rising from the bed.


    Just like any other person, Napoleon started his day by taking a bath and getting dressed. After that, he walked alongside Beaumont down the hallways. While at it, Beaumont spoke.


    "Your Majesty, the men you have nominated for the roles of Private Secretary and Master of the Household are already outside your office," Beaumont informed.


    "How about the employment of additional pce staff?" Napoleon asked.


    "It went quite well, Your Majesty. Today, the Pce of Versailles now employs 30 footmen, 50 kitchen staff, 30 housekeepers, 100 security personnel, 20 administrative staff, and 30 gardeners and groundskeepers."


    Along the way, Napoleon and Beaumont would asionally encounter housekeeping staff dusting the paintings, furniture, floors, and chandeliers that adorned the pce''s corridors. Outside the window, Napoleon could see gardeners and groundskeepers tending to the meticulously manicured gardens of Versailles.


    Arriving at Napoleon''s office, he saw two men sitting on the hallway chairs. They rose to their feet and bowed promptly.


    "Your Majesty," the two men intoned together.


    "This must be the person you are referring to, Beaumont," Napoleon mused.


    "They are, Your Majesty."


    "Introduce yourselves," Napoleon ordered to the man on the left.


    The man on the left raised his head.


    "Your Majesty, the name is Armand-Augustin-Louis de Caincourt, at your service."


    Napoleon scanned the man''s appearance. He seemed to be in histe twenties with a youthful andposed demeanor. His attire was impably neat, a reflection of his attention to detail.


    Napoleon turned his gaze to the man on the right. There was no need for an introduction as he already knew the man. He is like the aide-de-camp for Beaumont, Lucas. Who has been working in the Pce of Versailles since Napoleon moved to the pce.


    "Armand—let''s talk inside my office," Napoleon said. "As for you, Lucas. You don''t have to join us. You are epted as the Master of the Household."


    "Thank you, Your Majesty," Lucas acknowledged with a respectful nod


    Napoleon motioned for Armand-Augustin-Louis de Caincourt to follow him into his office, and they entered, leaving Lucas outside.


    Inside the office, Napoleon took his seat behind arge mahogany desk, and Armand stood attentively before him.


    "Please, take a seat," Napoleon offered, gesturing to a chair opposite his desk.


    Armandplied and settled into the seat, his posture remaining impable. He awaited the Emperor''s instructions.


    Napoleon already knew who Armand was, he was a soldier who fought in the Revolutionary Wars, but he was also a good statesman, a polyglot, and a politician. Despite his young age, he had achieved a lot, one of which was signing the Treaty of Madrid that ended the Franco-Spanish war resulting in a massive gain of territories in North America.


    In the original history, Armand is the Grand Marshal of the Pce. Simr to that of the Lord Chambein in the British. The reason why he didn''t adopt the organization Napoleon created was because it was too militaristic, and some of the positions listed would be extinct in the near future. So it''s inefficient.


    "No beating around the bush, you are good on paper, Armand," Napoleon began. As the title of the position implies, you''ll handle sensitive matters, both political and administrative. Your role will require you to be my right hand when ites to managing the affairs of the state. Your responsibilities will epass a wide range of duties. You will serve as my principal advisor on constitutional issues, state affairs, and matters of national significance. You will also y a crucial role in liaising with government officials, foreign dignitaries, and diplomats. Additionally, you will be responsible for managing my daily schedule, ensuring that I am well-informed and well-prepared for meetings, events, and engagements. That''s pretty much it. Can you handle it?"


    "Uhm, Your Majesty, such a task for my age is immense. You are cing a significant trust in me," Armand responded with humility and continued. But I am ready to rise to the asion. I have dedicated myself to the service of France, and I will do everything in my power to fulfill the duties of this esteemed position."


    Napoleon pped his hands. "Berthier please give him all the necessary documents for him to fulfill his job."


    "As you wish, Sire," Beaumont whipped out the documents and handed them to Armand with a courteous nod.


    "You will report back to me in one hour, Armand. You can go now," Napoleon said.


    Armand nodded, his determination shining in his eyes. "I will not disappoint you, Your Majesty."


    With that, Armand stood, holding the documents securely, and gave a respectful bow to Napoleon. He then exited the Emperor''s office, leaving Napoleon and Beaumont to continue their morning proceedings.


    "Beaumont, we are still missing some key roles in the Imperial Household, such as the Imperial Collection, the Press Office, the Crown Equerry, and the Privy Purse. I need a list of rmendations tomorrow so we can fill it."


    "I''ll get it done, Your Majesty."


    "As for the Imperial Protection Command, I''ll be the one looking for a suitable candidate. Setting that aside, I''m hungry. Where is my breakfast?"


    "I''ll bring it to you, sir."


    Beaumont bowed respectfully and went to fetch breakfast. In a short while, he returned with a tray carrying a ssic French breakfast. On the tray, there were warm croissants, pastries filled with custard, fresh berries, and a steaming cup of tea. The croissants, still warm, had a buttery aroma, and the pastries were sprinkled with powdered sugar.


    "I suggest that you try the tea first, Your Majesty," Beaumont said as he ced the tray on Napoleon''s desk.


    Napoleon nodded in agreement, and he carefully took a sip of the tea.


    "It tastes and smells lovely, what tea is this?" Napoleon inquired.


    "That''s a jasmine tea, Your Majesty. From the Qing Dynasty."


    "Qing Dynasty you say…" Napoleon mused.


    "Ever since the French East India Company took over the British East India Company, tea imports skyrocketed. This particr jasmine tea has be quite popr among the upper ss in recent years."


    "Is that so…I haven''t been in touch with the French East India Company yet. I will soon nationalize it and make the whole of the Indian subcontinent a French colony."


    "India has a poption of approximately 180 million. That''s three and a half timesrger than us. How will you pull that off, Your Majesty?"


    "Just like the British," Napoleon said as he took a bite of his croissant.


    ***


    One hourter, Armand entered Napoleon''s office.


    "Your Majesty, I am ready to report."


    "Proceed."


    "At ten o''clock in the morning, Your Majesty, there is a scheduled meeting with the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. Following that, at twelve o''clock, there is a luncheon nned with Mr. Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States. At two o''clock, there is a ceremonial drive scheduled down the Champs-élysées. Then, at four o''clock, there is a garden party arranged at Luxembourg Pce, which is expected to host approximately 30,000 children. At six o''clock, there is a piano performance by Her Imperial Highness Aveline scheduled at the ópera real de Versailles. Finally, at eight o''clock in the evening, there is a dinner event nned at the Porcin Dining Room. It appears, Your Majesty, that this day will be quite busy."


    Napoleon smirked. "Easy."