It was earlier morning when even the sun was asleep.
But Moreau was already dressed and standing by the window when the knock ca.
It was Laval's aide, a man nad Dervaux. "Minister wants you downstairs in twenty minutes," he said.
"Briefing before we move to Palazzo Venezia."
"Understood," Moreau replied.
Soon Moreau entered the briefing room.
Laval sat alone at the end of a long table, still in shirtsleeves, hunched over a dispatch from Paris.
"You sleep?" Laval asked without looking up.
"Enough."
"Good. We'll need clarity today. Today's eting is short," he said without looking up.
"Mussolini is busy posturing. This is a 'welco' session no agreents, no binding talks. Just tone."
Moreau poured himself a coffee. "He's going to try and steer us off-topic. Africa, the diterranean. He'll throw everything at the wall to see what sticks."
Laval finally looked up. "You speak like you've t him before."
"I've studied him. Closely."
The minister gave him a look.
"You're full of surprises."
Moreau didn't flinch. "It's why I'm here."
Laval smirked and stood. "Co on then. Let's go et the actor."
Palazzo Venezia was a block of gray stone against the blue sky.
Soldiers lined the courtyard.
Flags snapped in the wind.
Inside, the French delegation was led through cold corridors.
"He wants us to wait," Laval said, checking his watch.
"Of course he does," Moreau replied. "It's theater. Make us wait, then enter like Caesar."
Laval glanced sideways. "You're sure you haven't t him?"
"Not directly."
After ten minutes, the heavy double doors opened.
Benito Mussolini entered without escort.
He wore his gray tunic and military boots, his eyes already scanning the room before his mouth opened.
"Minister Laval. And your… strategist, is it?"
"Major Étienne Moreau," Laval replied. "Advisor."
Mussolini held out a hand, firm and dry. "Interesting company for a diplomat."
"I find it helps to understand the battlefield," Moreau said.
Mussolini laughed a short, dry sound. "So do I."
They sat.
No aides, no press.
Just the three of them and silence waiting to be filled.
"Let be clear," Mussolini began. "Italy seeks peace. But peace through strength. We want partners, not patrons. Respect, not lectures."
Laval nodded. "France agrees."
"No, France hesitates," Mussolini said, tone sharp. "France talks of unity, but moves like it's afraid of ghosts."
Moreau cut in. "The only ghost we fear wears a swastika."
That got Mussolini's attention.
He studied Moreau, eyes narrowing. "You think Germany is the threat?"
"I know it is."
Mussolini gave a skeptical smile. "Hitler is rebuilding Germany. That's not a cri. Every nation deserves dignity."
"Dignity isn't what he's after," Moreau said, voice calm but direct. "He's after domination. And he'll use you to get it."
Mussolini leaned back. "Strong words."
"I've read in Kampf twice. He doesn't see Italy as an equal. He sees you as temporary. Useful. Disposable."
Laval shot a glance at Moreau asured, but not scolding.
"Do you really believe he'll betray us?" Mussolini asked.
"I believe," Moreau said, steady, "that in less than five years, you'll be standing on a balcony declaring war on Britain and France. And by then, he'll have already bled your armies in Ethiopia, your credibility in Spain, and your soul in Berlin."
The room fell silent.
Mussolini stared at him.
Laval didn't speak.
No one moved.
Then Mussolini let out a breath and shook his head, smiling just a little.
"You're bold, Major. A prohpecy eh let's see if it is true or not"
"I don't enjoy being right," Moreau said. "But I usually am."
"You've served in the east?" Mussolini suddenly asked.
"Yes. I've walked the frontier."
"Do you think France can stop him?"
"Not alone," Moreau said. "But we can choose whether we stop him with you or without you."
That landed harder than expected.
Mussolini folded his hands and leaned back. "Interesting."
Laval finally spoke. "We're not here to antagonize, Benito. We're here to build sothing real. Sothing that holds."
Mussolini's smile faded. "Then let's talk seriously."
The eting wrapped with no promises just understanding.
They stepped back into the corridor.
"You pushed him hard," Laval said quietly to Moreau as they walked.
"He needed to hear it."
"You gave him specifics."
"I gave him warnings," Moreau said. "He thinks Hitler will respect him. He needs to know he won't."
"You're walking a fine line."
"I know. But the mont to speak plainly is now not when tanks are already moving."
They returned to the villa and gathered in the study.
Laval tossed his coat over a chair and poured himself a drink.
"He liked you, you know," he said.
"I doubt that."
"He did. Not because you flattered him you didn't but because you sounded like a man who's seen the other side of the war."
Moreau hesitated, then said quietly, "I have."
Laval looked at him carefully. "You speak with too much certainty sotis. Like you've already read tomorrow's headlines."
"I read people," Moreau replied. "And Mussolini he's balancing on a knife. He wants empire. He wants relevance. Hitler offers both… for now."
The room was quiet again.
"Would you ever tell how you really know this?" Laval asked, half-joking.
Moreau t his eyes. "Would you believe if I did?"
Laval chuckled. "No. Probably not."
"Then let's keep it simple."
"You did sothing strange today though." Laval then laughs loudly
"What's that?"
"You scared Mussolini without insulting him."
"I ant to."
"He's recalculating now. That's a start."
Moreau took the glass and nodded.
"Do you think he'll flip?" Laval asked.
"He'll tilt. Toward whoever looks stronger. He doesn't care about ideology. Only survival."
"And Hitler looks strong."
"Today. Not tomorrow. And not forever."
Laval looked out at the skyline.
"You're too young to sound this tired," he said.
"I've seen too much to feel young."
Another quiet pause.
"You're an asset, Moreau," Laval said. "I don't know where Beauchamp found you, but I'm glad he did."
Moreau didn't answer right away.
Then finally, he said, "I'm here to make sure we don't repeat the mistakes I've already lived through."
Laval blinked. "That's a strange way to put it."
Moreau looked at him and smiled faintly.
"I know."
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