Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 176: Christmas Eve
It was December 24th, 1835. In the palace of Versailles.
Napoleon II and his family were at the palace in preparation for Christmas eve. Servants were preparing for a feast where high-ranking politicians, military generals, and businessmen were attending.
It’s only the higher-ups of the higher-ups with people filling up the palace already.
And in the midst of the crowded people was a little girl weaving and wading through the crowds with a cheerful laugh.
"Your Imperial Highness," her caretaker called out, trying to keep pace without pushing through the guests too roughly. "Please slow down."
Elsa did not.
She slipped past a pair of officers in dress uniform, ducked around a servant carrying a tray, and kept moving with quick, light steps across the polished floor. Her shoes made soft taps against the surface as she went, weaving through the gaps she found without hesitation.
"I’m not running," she said, glancing back for only a second before turning forward again.
"You are," the caretaker answered, breath tightening slightly as she followed. "And if you fall—"
"I won’t."
Elsa slowed just enough to pivot around a group of officials speaking in low voices near one of the columns. She paused briefly behind them, listening without really understanding, then moved again when one of them shifted.
The hall was already full.
Voices overlapped in controlled conversation. Glassware moved across trays. Servants crossed the room in steady patterns, careful not to interrupt the guests as they prepared the long tables set deeper into the hall.
Elsa stopped near one of the tall windows.
She pressed her hands lightly against the lower frame and looked outside. The gardens were darker now, the last of the light fading as evening settled in. Torches had been lit along the paths, their flames steady against the still air.
"Your Highness."
The caretaker reached her this time, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder.
"You cannot disappear like that."
"I didn’t disappear," Elsa said, turning back. "You could see me."
"Not always."
Elsa looked past her, scanning the room again.
"There’s too many people."
"Yes," the caretaker said. "Which is why you stay where you are supposed to be."
Elsa nodded, though her attention had already shifted.
Across the hall, a line of servants carried in additional trays, setting them along the prepared tables. Plates, cutlery, and glassware, all glittering.
"I want to see the table."
"You will see it later."
"I want to see it now."
The caretaker hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Stay with me."
Elsa did not answer, but she did not move ahead this time.
They walked together through the hall, slower now.
Elsa kept her eyes moving, taking in everything—the uniforms, the decorations, the arrangement of the room. She looked at the guests without hesitation, sometimes holding her gaze longer than expected before shifting again.
A general noticed and gave a slight nod as she passed.
Elsa nodded back without thinking.
They reached the edge of the dining area.
The long tables had been set fully now. White cloth laid flat across the surface. Silver arranged in straight lines. Glasses placed at even intervals. Plates already prepared for the first course.
Elsa stepped closer.
"Is this all for tonight?"
"Yes."
She looked down the length of the table.
"It’s a lot."
"Yes."
Elsa reached out slightly, stopping just before touching one of the glasses.
The caretaker placed a hand gently over hers.
"No."
Elsa pulled her hand back. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
"I wasn’t going to."
"You were."
Elsa looked at her for a second, then smiled slightly.
"Maybe."
A voice came from behind them.
"Is that cute little girl my daughter?"
Elsa turned immediately.
Napoleon II stood a few steps away, his posture relaxed compared to the rest of the room. He had not raised his voice, but the space around him had shifted slightly as those nearby gave him room.
"Papa!"
Elsa didn’t slow this time.
She ran straight toward him, slipping past a servant carrying a tray and closing the distance without hesitation. Her small steps turned into a short sprint as she reached him and lifted her arms without asking.
Napoleon II caught her cleanly, one hand supporting her back as he lifted her off the floor.
"Papa!"
Elsa didn’t slow this time.
She ran straight toward him, slipping past a servant carrying a tray and closing the distance without hesitation. Her small steps turned into a short sprint as she reached him and lifted her arms without asking.
Napoleon II caught her cleanly, one hand supporting her back as he lifted her off the floor.
"Yes. And most of them wants favors from the Emperor."
Behind him, movement slowed.
The voices in the immediate area dropped, not abruptly, but enough to mark the shift. Those closest to the center turned slightly, making space without being told.
The Empress approached.
Elisabeth moved through the hall without haste, a newborn cradled in her arms. The fabric of her dress shifted lightly with each step, but her hold remained steady, one arm supporting the child while the other secured the blanket.
Anna slept.
She did not stir as the room adjusted around her.
Napoleon II turned slightly as Elisabeth reached them.
"You’ve found her," Elisabeth said.
Napoleon II glanced at Elsa.
"She found me."
Elsa looked at her mother, then down at the child in her arms.
"That’s Anna?"
"Yes," Elisabeth said.
Elsa leaned slightly forward, careful but curious.
"She’s small."
"She is."
"Can I hold her?"
"Not yet."
Elsa nodded once.
"Okay."
Napoleon II adjusted his hold slightly, lowering Elsa just enough so she could stand on her own again. Her shoes touched the floor, and she let go without resistance.
She stayed close this time.
The caretaker stepped in behind her, but did not interrupt.
Around them, the guests remained in place.
No one approached too closely. No one spoke unless necessary.
Elisabeth shifted Anna slightly, adjusting the blanket where it had moved. The child’s hand shifted once, then settled again.
Napoleon II’s gaze moved briefly across the hall.
"Everything is in place," he said.
"Yes," Elisabeth replied. "All of our guest are here."
