Chapter 329 The Day He Met Her


    December 8th, 1804.


    The clock struck eight thirty in the morning at the Pce of Versailles when the unmistakable sound of carriage wheels echoed through the courtyard. A grand royal carriage, bearing the emblem of the Kingdom of Prussia, came to a halt at the entrance.


    Stationed at the gate, the guards promptly approached. One of them, with a firm voice, requested, "Papers, please." Without hesitation, a window of the carriage slid down and a letter was handed over.


    After a brief inspection of the documents, the guard nodded in acknowledgment. "Everything seems in order. Wee to the Pce of Versailles," he stated, handing back the letter. At his signal, other guards moved to open the heavy metal gates, allowing the carriage to pass.


    Inside the carriage were the distinguished members of the Prussian royal family: King Frederick William III, his graceful wife, Queen Louise, and their young daughter, Charlotte, who was all of nine years.


    As the carriage approached the main entrance, waiting with anticipation were Napoleon and his wife, Empress Ci. Both stood tall and regal, ready to extend a warm wee to their esteemed guests.


    The horses pulling the carriage stopped, and a footman dressed in the Pce of Versailles'' blue livery quickly approached to assist the upants. He opened the door, extending his hand to help the passengers disembark.


    First to step out was King Frederick William III, who adjusted his coat and nced around the vast courtyard. Following him was Queen Louise, who gracefully descended from the carriage with the assistance of the footman. Their daughter, Charlotte, with youthful curiosity, stepped outst, her eyes wide with wonder at the grandeur of the pce.


    Napoleon stepped forward with a formal nod. "Your Majesty," he greeted King Frederick. Empress Ci offered a warm smile to Queen Louise. "Wee to the Pce of Versailles. We''re honored to have you."


    Queen Louise replied, "Thank you, Empress Ci. The honor is ours." She gently nudged her daughter, prompting Charlotte to offer a small curtsy in greeting.


    Napoleon gestured towards the pce''s main doors. "Shall we? Breakfast has been prepared, and the delegates of the Congress of Versailles are waiting for you."


    The group began to move towards the pce''s dining hall. As they walked, the sound of their footsteps echoed in the vast corridor. Along the way, they passed various pce staff, each of whom nodded in respect to their esteemed guests and superiors.


    Inside the dining hall, arge table was set with an array of dishes. The aroma of freshly baked bread, brewed coffee, and other morning delicacies filled the air. Around the table, several delegates from different countries were already seated, engaged in light conversations.


    King Frederick William III took a seat next to Napoleon, while Queen Louise and Charlotte were guided by Empress Ci to their respective ces.


    As everyone settled in, a servant rang a bell signaling the beginning of the meal. Napoleon raised his ss. "For a productive discussionter."


    The sentiment echoed around the table, and with that, breakfastmenced.


    Throughout the meal, discussions ranged from political matters to lighter topics. The atmosphere, while formal, was not without moments ofughter.


    "I must inquire, William, I didn''t expect that I would see you here in Versailles. Any business in particr?" Tsar Paul I asked.


    William nodded his head. "I want to see the proceedings of the Congress of Versailles myself."


    "Hmm, well a lot of things have been proposed for your country, I''m sure you are already aware of it?"


    "I do, and I must say I''m quite disappointed that my Kingdom would lose a lot," William sighed in resignation.


    "Ohe one," Napoleon interjected. "Think of the future, Your Majesty. If Germany were to be reunited, I see it bing one of the strongest countries in the world."


    "If I may, Napoleon," Tsar Paul I chimed as he took a sip of his water. "I have been curious. Why would you propose unification of the German states when it''s better to keep them in fragments? Won''t that pose a national security risk to France?"


    "That''s a good question," Napoleon said. "As I have said yesterday, I believe in Western Supremacy. We shouldn''t be destroying one another, in fact we should be allied, like a European Union perhaps."


    "That''s too idealistic of you, Napoleon," Tsar Paul I scoffed softly. "What is the agenda forter?"


    "Well, we''ll revisit what we have discussed yesterday, and formalize what we have agreed upon on a paper. So that by the end of the year, the Congress of Versailles would be over."


    "I see," Tsar Paul I said.


    ***


    Thirty minutester, the breakfast ended and all the delegates of the Congress of Versailles retreated to their respective rooms, formting, and strategizing for the uing discussions.


    Inside his quarters, Queen Louise was on her knees, cing a hand on her daughter''s shoulders.


    "Charlotte, you are going to meet the crown prince of the Empire of France at any moment."


    "But mother, is this really necessary? Why would I need to be engaged to a son of a man you hate?"


    "We have no choice, although it is hard for me to ept, marrying you with the crown prince of the Empire of France would give us a lot of power. In the future, you will be the strongest woman in the world, a mother of the powerful empire. Once you are in that position you will e—"


    Before she could finish her words, there was a knock on the door.


    "That''s Napoleon," William said as he approached the door. He opened it and saw Napoleon.


    He nced down and saw a blonde-haired boy whose age was about nine years old. He was wearing a formal suit,plete with a sash and polished shoes. Empress Ci was also here.


    "Your Majesty, this is my son, Francis Bonaparte," Napoleon introduced as he ced a hand on Francis''s shoulder.


    "Charlotte is just getting ready, but you can enter," William responded, stepping aside to allow the visitors toe in.


    "So Francis, this is the royal family of the Kingdom of Prussia. This is King William Frederick III, Queen Louise, and their daughter Princess Charlotte," Ci introduced, guiding her son through the introductions.


    Francis, showing the manners taught to him from a young age, bowed slightly to each member of the Prussian royal family. "It is an honor to meet you all," he said with rity.


    Queen Louise smiled, noting the boy''s politeness. "And the pleasure is ours, young prince. It''s not every day we have the opportunity to meet the future Emperor of France."


    Francis nced towards Charlotte, who seemed slightly ufortable with the situation. But—as he looked at her, a different emotion took hold of him: awe. He was immediately captivated by her beauty. The morning light streaming through the windows illuminated Charlotte''s lustrous ck hair, which cascaded down her back in gentle waves. It contrasted strikingly with her baster skin, making her seem almost ethereal.


    Her frilly dress, a delicate shade ofvender, was impably tailored to her youthful figure. The intricatece at the hem and cuffs only added to the richness of the ensemble. Her opera gloves, a perfect match to her dress, extended just past her elbows, their silky sheen entuating the grace of her arms.


    Francis felt his heart skip a beat. Though he had seen many beautifuldies at court, none had ever left him so spellbound. Her beauty was not just superficial; there was an air of innocence and purity about Charlotte that made him feel as though he was looking at a delicate rosebud just about to bloom.


    "She is beautiful, father," Francis said.


    Princess Charlotte was taken aback by his suddenpliment, and blushed slightly.


    "I''m d you noticed," Napoleon smiled. "Francis, Princess Charlotte is the special someone that I would like you to meet," Napoleon paused for dramatic effect. Momentster, he revealed. "She is to be your fiancée."