Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 143: The Exposition Part 4

"I’m hungry," Elsa said.

She said it without hesitation, looking directly at Napoleon II as if the matter required immediate action.

Napoleon II glanced toward the rows of food stalls lining the avenue just beyond the amusement rides. Smoke rose from several grills, and the smell of roasted meat drifted through the air.

"That can be arranged," he replied.

Napoleon I gave a short laugh.

"For once," he said, "a request that does not involve aircraft or artillery."

They turned toward the food section of the exposition. The stalls formed long rows beneath canvas roofs, each marked with painted signs identifying their region or specialty. Workers moved behind wooden counters while crowds gathered in loose lines.

The smell grew stronger as they approached—roasted lamb, fresh bread, butter, sugar, spices carried on the wind.

Elsa looked from one stall to another, clearly trying to decide.

"There’s too many," she said.

Napoleon II gestured toward the nearest stall.

"Then we start with the first."

The vendor was a middle-aged man turning skewers over a charcoal grill. The meat sizzled as fat dripped onto the coals.

He looked up casually when the group approached.

Then his eyes widened.

For a moment he simply froze.

"Y-Your Majesty—"

Napoleon II raised a hand slightly.

"Relax," he said. "Continue cooking."

The man straightened immediately and wiped his hands nervously on his apron.

"O-of course, Your Majesty."

Elsa leaned forward and examined the skewers.

"What is that?"

"Lamb," the vendor answered quickly. "Marinated with herbs, roasted over charcoal."

Elsa looked back at Napoleon II.

"That sounds good."

Napoleon II nodded once.

"Four," he said.

The vendor hurried to prepare them, sliding fresh skewers onto a plate. His hands moved quickly, though he clearly struggled to remain calm.

A few people standing nearby had begun whispering.

"Is that...?"

"That’s the Emperor."

A woman nudged her husband while pointing discreetly.

Napoleon I seemed entirely unconcerned by the attention. He watched the grill with interest.

"Good technique," he said to the vendor. "You rotate them evenly."

The man blinked in surprise.

"Y-Yes, sire."

When the food was ready, the vendor handed the plate across the counter with both hands.

Elsa took the first skewer and bit into it.

Her expression changed immediately.

"That’s really good."

Napoleon II took one as well.

"It is," he said after a moment.

The vendor looked relieved.

"You honor my stall, Your Majesty."

Napoleon II nodded politely.

"You honor the fair by cooking well."

They moved along the avenue as they ate.

The crowd parted naturally as people noticed them approaching. Guards remained present but did not interfere unless someone tried to push forward.

At the next stall, a young woman was spreading batter onto a hot iron plate.

The thin layer of batter sizzled immediately.

"What are those?" Elsa asked.

"Crepes," Napoleon II answered.

Elsa pointed.

"I want one."

The vendor looked up just as she flipped the crepe.

Her eyes widened the moment she recognized the group.

"Oh—Your Majesty—"

Napoleon II gave the same calm gesture.

"Please continue."

She nodded quickly.

"What filling would you like?"

Elsa leaned forward.

"What do you have?"

"Strawberry preserve, honey butter, chocolate, and lemon sugar."

"Mine strawberry papa."

The woman spread bright red preserve across the crepe before folding it neatly and wrapping it in paper.

Elsa took a bite immediately.

Her eyes widened.

"That’s even better than the lamb."

Napoleon I looked amused.

"You have very high standards."

Elsa shrugged.

"Food is important."

Marie Louise accepted a crepe as well, choosing honey butter. She took a small bite and nodded approvingly.

"It’s excellent."

As they walked further down the row, more people began noticing them.

Some removed their hats respectfully.

Others simply stared.

A group of students stepped aside quickly as the imperial party approached.

One of them whispered loudly to another.

"That’s really him."

"Of course it’s him."

Napoleon II noticed them watching.

"Enjoy the fair," he said simply as he passed.

The students straightened immediately.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

They continued toward another stall where a large iron pan sat over a flame.

Inside, a cook stirred a mixture of rice, vegetables, and seafood.

Steam rose from the pan in thick waves.

Napoleon I stopped.

"What is this dish?"

"Paella," Napoleon II replied. "Spanish."

The cook looked stunned as he realized who was speaking to him.

"I—I can prepare a portion immediately."

Napoleon II nodded.

"That would be fine."

As the cook worked, Napoleon I observed the preparation carefully.

"Rice cooked in broth," he said. "Efficient."

"Food often is," Napoleon II replied.

When the dish was ready, they shared a portion at a nearby standing table.

Elsa tried it first.

"That one’s different."

"Different good or different bad?" Charles-Louis asked.

She thought about it.

"Different good."

The crowd around them had grown slightly thicker now, though guards maintained enough space for them to move freely.

An older man stepped forward cautiously.

"Your Majesty?"

Napoleon II turned toward him.

"Yes?"

The man removed his cap.

"I just wanted to say... thank you for organizing the fair."

Napoleon II studied him briefly.

"Are you enjoying it?"

"Yes, sire. My grandchildren have never seen anything like this."

Napoleon II nodded once.

"Then it is working."

The man smiled before stepping back.

They continued along the food avenue, sampling small portions from several stalls—sausages, roasted chestnuts, fresh bread with butter.

Elsa seemed determined to try nearly everything.

At one stall she stopped again.

"What’s that?"

The vendor held up a paper cone filled with fried dough coated in sugar.

"Beignets."

Elsa looked at Napoleon II expectantly.

He sighed lightly.

"Very well."

She took one and immediately laughed as powdered sugar dusted her fingers.

Napoleon I watched with faint amusement.

"You have created a festival."

Napoleon II looked around the busy avenue.

Families ate together at long wooden tables. Workers from the industrial pavilions stood beside foreign visitors, all sharing the same stalls.

"It was the intention," he said.

Napoleon I folded his hands behind his back.

"I am proud of you, I truly am."

Napoleon II smiled.