Chapter 2: Journey to France
Just as Joseph had expected, he indeed found Napoleon in that cave. When he discovered Napoleon, the troublemaker was sitting on a rock, gazing out at the mist-covered sea.
"Hey, my foolish brother, what are you doing here?" Joseph called out.
"Nothing," Napoleon lazily stood up. "I was thinking I should leave a book in this cave for the future, so I'll have sothing to do when I co here. Anyway, Joseph, I think there shouldn't be any big trouble now, right? I can go ho."
Napoleon's last statent was not a question but a statent.
"Basically," Joseph replied, "but how can you be so sure?"
"If things weren't settled, I wouldn't be able to return, and you should have brought so food instead of coming empty-handed," Napoleon answered. Then he asked, "Joseph, how did it end?"
"You barely ran for a few minutes, and Paul woke up," Joseph said. "Of course, Carlo was still angry, and he told Giovanni that when they catch you, they'll whip you hard. But after Giovanni left, Polina told him that you only hit Paul because he was pulling her hair. After Polina said that, it seed like our father was not so angry with you anymore. He even said to , 'Joseph, you're my eldest son. Why weren't you in the front lines when things happened? If only you could balance things like Napoleon.'"
As Joseph spoke, he imitated his father's tone, making Napoleon burst into laughter. He said, "So, I shouldn't have much trouble, right?"
"Basically, you're in the clear," Joseph said. "You might get scolded a bit, but this ti, if it weren't for Polina, you'd be in serious trouble. My foolish brother, your thods have their rits, but there's always one issue
you struggle to control the situation, and it's easy to go overboard."
"I'd rather go overboard than be ek and get beaten up," Napoleon said nonchalantly.
"Alright, co with
now. Everyone's hungry, but Mom and Polina insist on waiting for you to have dinner," Joseph said. "When we get back, Dad will scold you a bit, you apologize, and then we can all eat. Hurry, I'm starving!"
The two of them returned ho, and as Joseph had predicted, Carlo only scolded Napoleon briefly without using a whip. Carlo, who had made peace with Joseph earlier, made Napoleon reflect on his mistake and promise that he'd control his emotions better in the future. "As n of the family, we must protect the won, but we must also exercise restraint," Carlo said, quite satisfied. "Joseph, you seem to have been influenced by Bishop Minio in many ways. Bishop Minio is a good man, a holy man, but your mother and I don't want to see you beco a priest."
"Alright, Carlo," Letizia frowned slightly. "Your speech should end now, and the children are hungry."
"Very well," Carlo smiled, bringing his hands together. Everyone followed suit, joining their hands together for the pre-al prayer. "Lord, bless us and the food we are about to enjoy. Bless all your gifts, through Christ our Lord. An."
After the al, Carlo led everyone in a post-dinner prayer, a common practice in most households during that ti. Joseph couldn't help but think, "If I were God, I'd probably be driven crazy by all these people bothering
every day."
Entertainnt was scarce in those tis, and since it was winter, nights fell early. Typically, after dinner, Carlo would read a passage from the Bible or sothing else to pass the ti before darkness enveloped the land, and everyone would wish each other good night.
However, this ti, Carlo had sothing different in mind. He asked everyone to sit and said, "Let's sit here for a mont. I have sothing to discuss with you all."
Everyone continued to sit in their chairs, waiting to hear what Carlo had to say.
"Joseph, Napoleon, you're not getting any younger, and it's ti for you to learn sothing. I have a friend, Monsieur Armand de Fouvas, who visited our ho not too long ago. He's returning to France, and he can take you with him to study in France, learn French, and based on your performance in school, decide what you'll do next."
As soon as Joseph heard the na Armand de Fouvas, an image ford in his mind
a tall, freckled, red-faced man with a beer belly, probably about his height but twice as wide. Joseph suspected that if he lowered his head, he wouldn't be able to see his own toes.
Armand was a relative of the Governor of Corsica and worked in the Corsican Ministry of Justice. Just like many with "de" in their nas, his job seed to involve doing nothing and getting paid for it. He was always seen fishing around with a fishing rod. Carlo, who had been Deputy to the leader of the Corsican Resistance, Paul, should have had a hard ti gaining the trust of the French authorities. However, due to his close relationship with Armand, his "Italian noble" status was recognized, although Carlo knew that it ant nothing in France, especially in Paris.
Now, Armand was leaving Corsica, and Carlo had asked him to introduce a prestigious French school for Joseph and Napoleon. Carlo knew that Corsica didn't offer many opportunities, and France was the place where real prospects lay.
"Why learn French? French people..." Napoleon began but caught himself when he saw Carlo's gaze.
"Rember, the future of our family depends on you," Carlo said. "Napoleon, when you get to France, don't stir up trouble."
Napoleon remained silent, but his reluctant expression was obvious.
"Joseph, talk to Napoleon later. When you get to France, make sure he doesn't cause any trouble," Carlo added.
No one knew what Joseph said to Napoleon that night, but by morning, Napoleon displayed a different level of interest in going to France to learn the language.
"I want to go into the heart of the enemy, observe them up close, and understand them. This will help Corsica gain freedom," Napoleon confided in his sister Pauline.
Since Armand de Fouvas was leaving for France in a month, Carlo used this ti to hire a private tutor nad Valentin to teach his two sons French. He wanted them to have so grasp of the language before their departure. Valentin was a young man under twenty who had supposedly studied at the University of Paris but hadn't graduated. To make a living, he ca to Corsica. He had fair skin, black hair, and blue eyes, and he always smiled when he spoke, making him quite likable.
Valentin had his own work, so he could only teach the Bonaparte brothers French after work hours. For Joseph and Napoleon, who already had a good grasp of Corsican dialect, Italian, and so French similarities, mastering basic French in just over a month wasn't particularly challenging.
Ti flew by, and before they knew it, it was ti to leave Corsica.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, Carlo led his family to Armand de Fouvas's residence to et him. People in that era woke up early, and Armand's house was bustling with servants loading things onto a carriage.
Armand, on the other hand, stood alone to the side, showing no sign of attachnt to the place he had called ho for several years or any excitent about returning to his holand. It was as if the situation had no relevance to him at all. Only when he saw Carlo's family did he smile and approach them, saying, "Hello, Carlo, and Joseph and Napoleon. You're up early."
"Good morning, Monsieur Fouvas," Joseph quickly responded in French. Napoleon remained silent.
"Ah, Joseph, your French pronunciation still has a bit of an Italian accent, but it's not too important. There are people with that accent in Toulon. Ah, Napoleon, you seem quite reserved. You should be more open, hahaha..."
Evidently, Armand mistook Napoleon's hostility toward the French for shyness. Little did he know that Napoleon's willingness to study in France was motivated by a desire to understand the enemy and eventually lead Corsica to independence. At least for now, Napoleon was a staunch Corsican nationalist.
Unlock exclusive early access to more than 200 chapters before anyone else by becoming a valued mber of my Patreon community.
Reviews
All reviews (0)