Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 129: Concluding the Preliminaries

The tower that they were pointing at was a monument that still stood in his previous life in Paris, France.

The Eiffel Tower. Of course, he couldn’t just say the name Eiffel tower as Eiffel came from the one who designed the iron truss tower, Gustave Eiffel.

Napoleon II kept his expression neutral as the three ministers studied the drawing.

"It is not decorative," he said calmly. "It is structural."

Jules narrowed his eyes at the sketched lattice.

"It appears... impractically tall," he said.

"It is tall," Napoleon II replied. "Deliberately so."

He moved his finger along the base of the drawing, then traced upward through the narrowing framework.

"This tower will rise from the Champ de Mars itself. An iron lattice structure. Open frame. Four legs anchored on reinforced foundations. Curved supports to distribute load into the ground. Cross-bracing throughout."

Lemaine leaned closer. "How high?"

"Higher than any structure in Europe," Napoleon II answered. "Higher than cathedral spires. Higher than domes."

Silence settled again. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Lacroix looked from the drawing to Napoleon II. "For what purpose, Sire?"

Napoleon II rested both hands on the table.

"Symbolism," he said. "And proof."

He tapped the steel lattice lightly.

"This tower will be the icing of the exposition. The final statement. It will signify that France is the largest steel producer in the world by tonnage. It will also serve as a tower for a revolutionary technology still developed in the Ministry of Science and Technology, radios."

The word lingered.

"Radios?" Jules repeated.

"There are a lot of technologies being developed in my Ministry, and I am familiar with the technology. Of course, it will be discreet for now."

"You three plan this, hire the best architects and engineers, and you Minister of Commerce, you bring together the industrialists that made France an industrialized state. You know who I am talking to, my share of companies. As for the Minister of Science and Technology, you know the purpose of the exposition so I don’t have to tell you what your role is in this planning."

Victor Lemaine gave a slight nod. He did not smile this time.

"I understand, Your Imperial Majesty."

Napoleon II shifted his gaze to Jules.

"Infrastructure will carry the burden first," he said. "Temporary rail extensions to the Champ de Mars. Reinforced access roads. Utility routing beneath the grounds before construction begins. Water lines, drainage, electrical conduits. Nothing visible must appear improvised."

Jules straightened.

"We will have to coordinate with the municipal engineers of Paris."

"You will not ask them," Napoleon II replied. "You will direct them."

A pause.

"Yes, Sire."

Napoleon II turned to Lacroix.

"You will convene the steel magnates. The locomotive manufacturers. The machine tool firms. The electrical syndicates. I want unified participation. No fragmented displays."

Lacroix folded his hands behind his back.

"They will compete for floor space."

"They may compete in innovation," Napoleon II said. "Not in obstruction. Allocate zones by sector. Heavy industry near the Galerie des Machines. Consumer and commercial products toward the central promenade."

"Now, that should cover the preliminary planning. I have a meeting with the Ministry of Finance about this matter and he’ll arrive in the afternoon. You three, since I think we are done here, you can go and begin immediately," Napoleon II finished.

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

With that, the three ministers left his room.

Now that he was alone, Napoleon II thought of things to do since the meeting was held in the afternoon and he had done most of his paperworks. Well, there is one place where he could pass the time.

Napoleon II rose to his feet and then left and adjacent to it was the bedroom where he saw Elisabeth cradling Elsa in her arms.

She sat near the window, sunlight falling across the pale fabric of the curtains. The nurse stood a few steps back, hands folded, ready if needed but not intervening.

Elisabeth looked up as he entered.

"You’re finished with your ministers?" she asked.

"For now," Napoleon II replied.

He closed the door behind him without noise and crossed the room at a steady pace. He did not remove his coat. He stopped beside her chair and looked down at his daughter.

"She is awake," Elisabeth said.

"I can see that."

Elsa’s eyes were open this time, unfocused, dark and searching without direction.

Napoleon II extended a hand and touched the back of her tiny palm. She reacted at once, fingers curling reflexively around his thumb.

"Ahw, isn’t she beautiful? Just like you?" Napoleon II rizzed her up.

Elisabeth gave him a look.

"Do not attempt charm on me while holding state papers in your other hand," she said.

Napoleon II glanced down. He was still carrying a folded memorandum tucked against his coat.

He set it aside on a small table without argument.

"I am capable of speaking without an agenda," he replied.

"Rarely," she said.

Elsa shifted in her arms. A small sound escaped her. Not quite a cry. More a protest at being adjusted.

Napoleon II bent slightly closer.

"She has your nose," he said.

"That is unfortunate for her," Elisabeth answered.

"So, when are we going to make the second one?"

"At least let me rest for another year first," Elisabeth pouted.

Napoleon II kept his face straight.

"A year?" he repeated.

"Yes. A full year," Elisabeth said. "Nine months of carrying her, hours of labor, and you are already negotiating the next campaign."

Napoleon II laughed softly. "Well, fine. One year it is. I can live with that."

"But that would mean no sex for the year..." Elisabeth pointed out.

"No," Napoleon II shook his head.

"What do you mean no? If we do it then we’ll end up making a baby."

"I know but we can still do it without really making one. There are ways that I know. Trust me, I am a scientist and an engineer, I know how woman biology works."

"Well if you say so," Elisabeth said.

"I can’t wait for her to fully grow up," Napoleon II said, shifting his gaze to Elsa. "I really hope there is a timeskip."

"Timeskip?" Elisabeth tilted her head to the side.

"Oh, never mind that."