Napoleon II’s royal carriage was already prepared by Beaumont and was waiting outside of the palace.
Napoleon II walked out of the palace’s main entrance alongside Charles-Louis.
"Your Imperial Majesty," Beaumont bowed with reverence. "The carriage is now prepared for departure for your trip to Chateau de Vincennes."
Napoleon II looked at the carriage, it was the sa one used during his wedding and crown ceremony. It was gaudy and would definitely attract the attention of the citizens of France. But, he’ll be late if he were to ask for a modest carriage.
"Thank you Beaumont," Napoleon II said. "Inform my wife that I might take too long."
"Of course, Your Imperial Majesty," Beaumont replied with a bow. "I will inform Her Majesty imdiately."
Napoleon nodded once, satisfied, then stepped toward the carriage. A footman opened the door. Charles followed a half-step behind.
He stepped inside. Charles entered after him, and the door shut with a firm click. Outside, Beaumont signaled the driver.
The carriage lurched forward.
Hooves struck stone in a steady cadence as they rolled through the palace gates.
The distance from Versailles to the Chateau de Vincennes was thirty-four kiloters. At a steady carriage pace, it would take them a little over an hour.
Napoleon settled back into the cushioned seat as the carriage gained rhythm. The suspension creaked softly with each turn of the wheels. Outside, the iron gates of the palace receded behind them.
Charles unfolded a leather folder on his lap.
"Your Imperial Majesty, while we are waiting for the preparation of the carriage, I made a draft for an ultimatum against the Algiers and the other Barbary states."
"Really?" Napoleon II raised an eyebrow. "That’s very prudent of you Charles. Okay, let’s hear that ultimatum you have drafted."
Charles adjusted the papers, clearing his throat once before he began.
"To the Regency of Algiers, and to all Barbary authorities exercising control over corsair fleets—
The French Empire hereby issues formal notice that continued acts of piracy against French rchant shipping constitute a hostile action against the Crown and its citizens.
Effective imdiately upon delivery of this letter, all seizure, harassnt, boarding, or destruction of French vessels is to cease. Any French ships currently detained are to be released with crew and cargo intact.
Failure to comply will be interpreted as a declaration of mariti hostility. The French Empire will respond with ard force until safe passage is guaranteed and piracy infrastructure is dismantled."
Charles lowered the paper slightly.
"There’s an annex," he added. "Terms for compliance."
"Read it," Napoleon II said.
Charles continued. "Compliance requires Imdiate cessation of corsair activity against French shipping. Formal recognition of French comrcial passage rights in the diterranean. And. Reparations to be negotiated for destroyed vessels."
He finished and looked up.
"Direct," he said.
"That was intentional," Charles replied. "No ambiguity. Either they stop, or we have legal grounds for escalation."
Napoleon II extended a hand. Charles passed him the draft.
He read it himself this ti, eyes moving quickly.
"Add one clause," Napoleon said after a mont.
Charles straightened. "Yes, sire?"
Napoleon II tapped the page with his finger.
"Include that French naval patrols will begin imdiate enforcent operations in contested waters. That way, our fleet movent doesn’t look like sudden aggression. It looks like an implentation."
Charles nodded. "Understood. I’ll revise it."
"And make copies," Napoleon added. "One for Algiers. One for Tunis. One for Tripoli. I want no one claiming they didn’t receive a warning."
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
Napoleon II handed the paper back. "I really hope they reject the ultimatum. I know France has wanted to regain her forr glory."
Charles glanced up. "You believe war is inevitable, sire?"
"I believe," Napoleon II said, folding his hands over his lap, "that they will not surrender a profitable trade willingly. Piracy feeds their ports. Tribute feeds their treasuries. We are asking them to dismantle their own inco."
"So you expect refusal."
"I expect delay, excuses, negotiations ant to buy ti," Napoleon replied. "And during that ti, they’ll test us. Another raid. Another rchant ship. They’ll want to see if we’re serious. Which I am going to tell you, we are serious."
It didn’t take long, however, before the outer walls of the Chateau de Vincennes ca into view.
The carriage slowed as they approached the main gate. Guards posted along the entrance snapped to attention the mont they recognized the imperial crest.
The driver reined in the horses.
The carriage rolled through the gates and into the inner courtyard.
Rows of Imperial Guards were already assembled across the parade ground. Blue coats. White belts. Rifles held vertical at their sides. Not a man moved out of line. The formation stretched nearly the width of the courtyard.
The carriage ca to a stop.
A footman opened the door.
Napoleon II stepped down first. Charles followed behind him. The mont the Emperor’s feet hit the ground, a command rang out across the yard.
"Garde—presentez ars!"
Steel and wood shifted in perfect unison. Rifles snapped into position. The synchronized motion reverberated off the stone walls.
Napoleon II gave a brief nod in acknowledgnt, eyes sweeping across the formation.
Good, he thought.
A figure detached from near the command post and approached at a leisure pace. Official uniform. It was Armand.
He stopped three paces away and saluted sharply.
"Your Imperial Majesty," Armand said. "Welco to Vincennes."
Napoleon II returned the salute with a small motion of his hand.
"At ease, Armand," he said. "Status?"
"There’s a battalion-sized army wearing the new uniforms and equipped with a new bolt-action rifle. Your father is already inside the main hall."
Napoleon II’s brow lifted slightly. "He arrived before ?"
"Yes, sire," Armand said. "He insisted on seeing the preparations personally."
That sounded about right.
Napoleon II glanced once more at the formation, then back to Armand.
"Any issues?"
"None reported," Armand answered.
"Good," Napoleon II said. "We’ll begin shortly."
He gestured toward the main keep.
"Lead the way."
Armand turned on his heel. Napoleon II followed, Charles a step behind.
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