A day later, Napoleon II telephone sounded on his table. He picked it up and answered.
"Yes, who is this?"
"Your Imperial Majesty, this is from the Tuileris Palace. His Highness, Marie Louise, wants you to co to the palace as there is sothing urgent I can’t tell you directly."
Napoleon II remained still for a mont after the line went quiet.
The receiver stayed in his hand.
"Understood," he said, then placed it back onto the base.
If Marie Louise had sent the ssage herself, and refused to explain it over the line, then it was not routine, it was imdiate.
He stepped out of the office.
Charles Louis was already in the outer room, reviewing a set of docunts. He looked up as Napoleon II entered.
"Prepare the automobile," Napoleon II said.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."
Charles Louis nodded and moved at once.
Within minutes, the courtyard was ready.
The automobile stood in place, engine running.
Napoleon II stepped out first.
Murat was already there.
He had not been summoned, but he had seen the movent. That alone was enough.
"What happened?" Murat asked.
"ssage from the Tuileries," Napoleon II replied.
"And?"
"Urgent."
Murat did not ask further.
"Then I’m coming."
Napoleon II gave a small nod.
"Get in."
The streets of Paris opened ahead of them.
The automobile maintained a steady pace, cutting through the city without interruption. Carriages moved aside when they saw it approach. Guards at intersections cleared the path ahead.
Inside, the air remained still.
Murat leaned slightly forward, his attention shifting between the road and Napoleon II.
"She didn’t say anything?" he asked.
"No."
"That’s not normal."
"I know."
Murat sat back.
"If she wanted to send a ssage, she would have sent it," he said. "If she didn’t, then it’s sothing she doesn’t want repeated."
Napoleon II remained silent.
Murat looked at him again.
"You think it’s about him."
Napoleon II did not answer imdiately.
Then he said,
"Yes."
The word settled.
Murat exhaled slowly.
"He didn’t look well yesterday."
"No."
"And the doctors?"
"Uncertain."
Murat gave a short nod.
"That’s never a good sign."
The automobile continued forward.
They passed through a wider avenue, then turned toward the approach leading to the Tuileries.
"This automobile, it’s so impressive. Do you think we can have one before I return?"
Napoleon II glanced at him briefly.
"Yes," he said.
Murat raised an eyebrow slightly.
"That simple?"
"It is," Napoleon II replied. "If you’re willing to allow car manufacturers to operate in Italy."
Murat leaned back slightly, considering it.
"You want production there," he said.
"Yes."
Murat let out a quiet breath, then gave a small nod.
"Then we’ll make space for them," he said. "Naples first. If it works, it spreads north."
"It will work," Napoleon II replied.
Murat glanced at him, half amused.
"You don’t leave much room for doubt."
"I don’t build on it."
Murat gave a faint smile, then turned his attention forward again.
The automobile slowed as it approached the Tuileries.
The gates were already open.
They passed through at once.
That alone told them enough.
Murat’s expression shifted slightly.
"They were waiting," he said.
"Yes."
The courtyard ca into view.
There was no formal reception. No line of officials. No ceremony waiting at the steps. Only a small number of guards, already in position, and staff who kept their distance as the automobile ca to a stop.
The engine quieted.
For a brief mont, neither of them moved.
Then Napoleon II opened the door and stepped out.
Murat followed.
The air inside the courtyard felt still, as if sound itself had been lowered. Even the movent of the guards seed more controlled than usual. No one spoke unless necessary. No one lingered.
Murat looked around once, taking it in.
"This isn’t how they receive you," he said quietly.
"No," Napoleon II replied.
They moved toward the entrance.
A servant opened the door before they reached it. He bowed, then stepped aside without a word.
Inside, the difference beca clearer.
The palace was not empty. People were moving through the halls, but every sound was restrained. Footsteps softened. Voices kept low. Doors closed gently instead of firmly.
It was the kind of quiet that did not belong to routine.
Murat walked beside him, his voice lower now.
"Sothing already happened," he said.
Napoleon II did not answer.
They continued down the corridor.
At the far end, Marie Louise was waiting.
She stood near the entrance to the inner chambers, one hand resting lightly against the table beside her. She had not changed her dress from the day before. There were no attendants around her now.
When she saw them, she straightened.
"You ca quickly," she said.
Napoleon II slowed as he approached.
"Yes."
Murat inclined his head.
"Your Highness."
She acknowledged him, but her attention remained on her son.
"I didn’t want to explain it over the line," she said. "It wouldn’t have been... right."
Napoleon II studied her for a mont.
"What changed?"
Marie Louise hesitated, just for a second.
"He’s weaker," she said. "Much more than yesterday."
Murat’s expression tightened.
"How sudden?"
"Overnight," she replied. "The pain didn’t stop this ti. It just... stayed."
Napoleon II did not react outwardly.
"Is he conscious?"
"Yes," she said. "But he fades in and out. The doctor is inside."
There was a brief silence.
Marie Louise looked between the two of them.
"I wanted both of you here," she added. "Not just you."
Murat t her gaze.
"You think it’s that serious."
She did not answer directly.
"I didn’t want him alone if it is," she said instead.
The aning settled without needing anything more.
Napoleon II nodded once.
"We’ll go in."
Marie Louise stepped aside.
Her hand lingered on the edge of the table for a mont before she let it fall to her side.
"He’s been asking for you," she said quietly.
Napoleon II paused at the door, he wondered if it’s going to be the ti where wheel of fate started turning.
Then he pushed it open.
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