November 7th, 1799. Two days before the planned coup of Napoleon and his associates.
It was seven o'clock in the evening at Chateau de Chantilly where Napoleon was seated at the head of the dining table. Surrounding the table were Generals that served in Italy: Bernadotte, Jourdan, and Moreau.
The Generals that served him in Italy in Egypt such as Berthier, Lannes, Murat, La Harpe, Victor, and others already pledged their support through letters. Now, the gentlen who are dining with him are the only ones he needs to solicit and gain their support.
"Our chefs are among the best in France. Are you gentlen enjoying your al?" Napoleon asked, casting a glance around the table at them.
General Bernadotte, known for his Jacobin past and military prowess, nodded appreciatively as he savored a bite of the ticulously prepared dish. "Exquisite, General Bonaparte. Your taste in cuisine is as impeccable as your leadership on the battlefield."
General Jourdan, with a thoughtful expression on his face, raised his glass of wine and took a sip before speaking. "I agree with Bernadotte, the al was subli."
General Moreau offered a nod of agreent. "I too agree with Bernadotte's comnt."
"Is that so, you guys are not just making feel good, are you?" Napoleon interjected with a mischievous smile.
The Generals chuckled and General Bernadotte raised an eyebrow and replied, "Rest assured, Napoleon, we would not dare deceive you, especially when it cos to matters of taste. If the food was done badly, I would probably spit it out."
Napoleon laughed heartily. "Well then, I am delighted to hear that my esteed Generals are satisfied. Now, you gentlen must be wondering why I have called you here."
"Yeah…I'm curious as to why you would call us, General Bonaparte. Normally you would write letters to us two days prior to a eting," General Jourdan remarked, his curiosity piqued.
Napoleon leaned back in his chair and sighed as if preparing for a battle.
"Gentlen, I have called you here because I have a proposition that could change the course of our nation. The ti has co for us to take action and reshape the destiny of France."
The room fell silent as the Generals exchanged intrigued glances. General Bernadotte leaned forward.
"What is this proposition, Napoleon? We are ready to hear you out."
Napoleon took a deep breath, his eyes flickering with a steely resolve. "On the 18th of Brumaire, my associates and I will conduct a coup to overthrow the governnt and establish a new governing body. This is our chance to bring stability, prosperity, and unity back to France."
General Jourdan's brows furrowed. "Uhm…General Bonaparte…I admired your military achievents during your ti in Italy and Egypt but helping you in this coup is sothing I would not cross. So I refuse to take part in it."
"Sa here, General," Bernadotte said as he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. "You'll be guillotined for this."
"We'll see about that," Napoleon said confidently.
"I may not support your coup, General Bonaparte but that doesn't an that I will interfere with it. So you can expect that I will keep my mouth shut," Jourdan assured Napoleon.
"Do I expect the sa thing from you, General Bernadotte?" Napoleon's gaze flickered to Bernadotte.
"Well, General Bonaparte, truth be told, my wife's sister Julie Clary, who is the wife of your brother, Joseph, has approached her about this coup of yours. My wife is persuading to take part in the coup but I still refused. Though I gave her the assurance that I will not hinder it." I think you should take a look at
"So you are saying that you already know about my intention of asking you to help in this coup?" Napoleon asked, wishing to be clarified.
"That is correct, General Bonaparte. Why would you invite for dinner anyways?"
Napoleon's eyes narrowed as he absorbed Bernadotte's words. "Fine, as long as you and General Jourdan don't interfere with our coup, we are all good."
His gaze then flickered to General Moreau, who was silent upon his declaration of performing a coup on the Directory.
"General Moreau, you are the only one who hasn't given your answer. Are you going to support or not?" Napoleon asked.
"General Bonaparte…I…"
Before Moreau could complete his sentence, Napoleon interrupted.
"Before you give your decision, General Moreau, you must know that you are partly responsible as to why France has lost territories in Northern Italy. Retaken by the Austrians and the Russians. Joining in this coup would an you redeeming yourself and having the opportunity to restore your honor and reputation," Napoleon stated and continued. "And also, you were the one who referred to Sieyes, so based on that, I believe you too hated the governnt."
General Moreau's gaze t Napoleon's, his eyes filled with contemplation. He took a mont to gather his thoughts before responding.
"Well, General Bonaparte, I must confess that I share your discontent with the French Directory governnt. As a general and a Republican, I am greatly dissatisfied with their leadership. Therefore, you don't need to convince any further. You will have my support for the coup."
Napoleon's lips curled into a smile after hearing his allegiance. Though he knew what their decision would be because he had read it in history but who knows, maybe it might be different here. But as it turns out, it was the sa.
"Thank you, General Moreau. You'll be inford of your role in the coup tomorrow. In the anti, let us resu our dinner."
The Generals, after a hearty round of agreent and acceptance, resud their dinner.
Thirty minutes later, they had to leave. Napoleon personally led the Generals out of the Chateau de Chantilly and bid them farewell. As he watched the carriage shrank in the distance, Napoleon was startled by soone wrapping their arms around his waist.
"Has anything changed?" Ciela asked.
Napoleon placed his hand atop Ciela's and replied. "Nothing, it was the sa."
"I see…it was a sha," Ciela said. "So the coup will start in two days…it is now really happening huh? You, becoming the consul of France."
"I don't want to jinx it, darling. Things might turn out differently here," Napoleon said.
"Just trust your confidants, darling," Ciela whispered.
"I will."
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