Palace of Versailles, France
March 3rd, 1836
The office was already active before Napoleon II arrived.
Maps had been laid out across the central table, extending beyond its edges where additional boards had been placed to accommodate the scale of the campaign. Pins marked positions across northern Italy, stretching from the Mincio line toward Verona, then further east toward the Austrian frontier. Lines had been drawn over them—routes of advance, supply corridors, rail connections, and projected movents based on the last confird reports.
When Napoleon II stepped inside, Marshal Berthier was already there.
So were several officers from the general staff, each positioned near a section of the map, reviewing updates as they ca in through telegraph dispatches stacked along the side table.
No one spoke imdiately.
Napoleon II walked straight to the center.
"Report," he said.
He stepped forward and opened the folder in his hand, though most of what he would say had already been committed to mory.
"Since the capture of the Mincio crossing," he began, "our forces have maintained continuous forward pressure. Austrian units have not been able to establish a stable defensive line west of Verona."
Napoleon II’s gaze moved across the map.
"Verona?"
"Contested," Berthier replied. "Outer districts have already been abandoned. Their forces are withdrawing eastward in stages. They’re attempting to consolidate beyond the city rather than hold it at full strength."
One of the staff officers adjusted a marker slightly.
"Forward elents entered the western outskirts two days ago," he added. "No large-scale resistance. Only rear guard actions."
Napoleon II nodded once.
"Losses?"
"Acceptable," Berthier said. "Lower than projected for an advance of this depth. Most engagents have been one-sided due to artillery superiority and their failure to adapt formation."
Napoleon II glanced briefly at him.
"They still form lines?"
"Yes, Sire."
There was no disbelief in Berthier’s voice.
"They attempt to adjust spacing under fire," he continued, "but not before committing to the formation. By the ti they correct it, damage has already been done."
Napoleon II looked back at the map.
"And the Piedmontese?"
Berthier turned slightly, gesturing toward the southern axis.
"They have secured multiple settlents south of the main advance," he said. "Local resistance groups are now cooperating openly. Austrian control in those areas is no longer stable."
Another officer stepped in.
"They’re not just holding ground," he added. "They’re feeding us movent reports. Supply routes, retreat paths, secondary roads. It’s accelerating our advance."
Napoleon II gave a small nod.
That aligned with what he expected.
He rested one hand on the table.
"And now?"
Berthier shifted a marker eastward.
"We are no longer operating solely within Lombardy," he said. "Forward cavalry elents crossed into Austrian territory yesterday."
There was a brief pause in the room.
Napoleon II’s eyes followed the marker.
"Where?"
"Near the Tyrol approach routes," Berthier replied. "Light resistance. Mostly screening forces. No major formation committed yet."
Napoleon II leaned slightly forward.
"They’re pulling back deeper."
"Yes, Sire."
"To regroup?"
"That is the most likely assessnt."
Napoleon II remained silent for a mont.
Then he asked, "Do they intend to hold the border?"
Berthier answered directly.
"No."
Napoleon II looked at him.
"They cannot," Berthier continued. "Not with their current state of coordination. If they attempt to form a defensive line too close to the border, we will break it the sa way we’ve broken the others."
Another officer added, "They’re likely preparing a deeper defensive position. Possibly near more favorable terrain. Narrow approaches. Limited artillery exposure."
Napoleon II gave a faint breath.
"They’re learning," he said.
"Slowly," Berthier replied.
Napoleon II straightened.
"Supply?"
Berthier turned a page.
"Stable," he said. "Rail transport has reduced delays significantly. Ammunition and food are arriving ahead of schedule in most sectors. Coal distribution remains uninterrupted."
Napoleon II nodded.
"And oil?"
"Secured through colonial routes. No disruption so far."
Napoleon II tapped the table once.
"Keep it that way."
"Yes, Sire."
A telegraph operator entered quietly, handing a fresh dispatch to one of the aides.
The paper was scanned quickly before being passed to Berthier.
He read it once, then placed it on the table.
"Update from Verona," he said.
Napoleon II looked at him.
"The Austrians have begun full withdrawal from the city."
"So they’ve given it up."
"Yes, Sire."
"Without a full engagent?"
"Correct."
Napoleon II gave a small nod.
"They know they can’t hold it. War is going favorable on our side. Now what about the Austrian forr allies? Great Britain, Russia, Prussia."
He reached for another set of docunts laid beside the main report and unfolded them across a clear section of the table. Unlike the maps of Lombardy, these were marked with ports, naval routes, and diplomatic stations rather than troop movents.
"We’ve been monitoring them since the first engagent," he said.
Napoleon II’s attention shifted.
"Start with Britain."
Berthier nodded.
"The British fleet has increased its presence in the diterranean," he said. "More ships have been positioned near their established stations. However, there has been no direct movent toward our operational zones. No interference with our supply routes. No attempt to disrupt our coastal lines."
Napoleon II remained still.
"Observation," he said.
"Yes, Sire."
Berthier continued.
"Their envoys are active. Increased contact with Vienna, but nothing beyond diplomatic signaling. No formal commitnt. No mobilization tied to this conflict."
Napoleon II gave a faint breath.
"They’re waiting."
"Yes."
He shifted his gaze slightly.
"Russia?"
Berthier turned a page.
"Russia has acknowledged the conflict but has not moved," he said. "No troop concentration near their western front that would indicate preparation. No mobilization orders detected through our channels."
One of the officers added quietly, "Their position appears cautious. They are watching developnts rather than committing."
Napoleon II nodded once.
"They’ve seen how quickly this is moving."
"Yes, Sire."
Berthier continued.
"They are unlikely to act unless the situation stabilizes in Austria’s favor. At present, it is not."
Napoleon II’s gaze hardened slightly.
"Prussia."
Berthier did not hesitate.
"Neutral in action," he said. "No troop movents. No declarations. Their diplomatic posture remains reserved."
He paused briefly.
"They have reinforced internal readiness, but only as a precaution."
Napoleon II looked at him.
"aning?"
"They are preparing for possibilities," Berthier replied. "Not acting on them."
A short silence followed.
Napoleon II rested his hand against the table.
"So none of them are moving."
"No, Sire."
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