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Odette, Princess Royal, Queen Consort of Tartosa (1821-1898) Part 3 - Queenship

King Victor's death in the spring of 1857 brought Odette and Amadeus to the throne, and with it came a reorganization of the royal household. The Royal Family officially moved into the Palazzo Monreale, a large and cold residence filled with marble halls, Renaissance frescoes, and endless ceremonial spaces. Under the guise of establishing a household fit for a Queen, Amadeus's ministers dismissed most of Odette's household, who had been in her service for nearly twenty years. Nurses, dressers, servants, companions, people who had known her children since they were in the cradle, were promptly dismissed, greatly saddening Odette. One of the greatest losses was Charlotte Desmond, one of her beloved companions who had come with her from Windenburg, and who had become her maid of honor. Odette tearfully said goodbye to her as she returned to Windenburg to join the household of her mother, Queen Mary. Her household was replaced with the wives and daughters of ministers and aristocrats, men whom Amadeus needed to keep loyal to the crown. Odette fought Amadeus but largely lost, only allowing her to keep two members of her household. Odette's dearest friend, Teresa Colonna, Princess of Castiglione, and Anna Louisa Smith, her children's devoted Windenburgian governess, were permitted to stay.

Teresa was Odette's oldest and closest friend, becoming acquainted with one another after Teresa's splendid marriage into the Colonna family was celebrated at court in 1842. She had become a widow after three years of marriage, but remained in Monreale and became heiress to her dear father-in-law's massive fortune. Teresa had taken pity on the friendless Odette and took it upon herself to befriend the lonely Crown Princess. Over seventeen years of friendship, the relationship deepened into a sisterhood. Teresa was made Dama d'Onore and Superintendent of the Queen's Household in 1857 and given adjoining apartments to Odette's wherever the court resided. Teresa came and went from Odette's apartments whenever she pleased and was the only person aside from her own children allowed to visit her without warning. It wasn't her husband who comforted her in her grief, but Teresa, who sat with Odette through the worst of the nights that followed her tragic losses. The intimate friendship with Teresa was described as the "most important thing" in her life, according to her daughter, Maria Anna.

Among the new appointments was Donna Lucia Montezemolo, placed in Odette's household as a Dame di Palazzo because of their immense influence and heavy involvement in Amadeus's government. Her father and uncles maintained cabinet positions, and her elder brother had been appointed President of the Senate. Lucia was a great beauty, with long, flowy brunette curls falling down to her waist. She had bright green eyes, fair skin, and a mole above her lips. She had been married twice and was now a widow. Lucia had previously been a maid of honor to the Empress of Augustinia, but was promptly dismissed from her service after allegedly seducing her son. Within months, she had become Amadeus's chief mistress, publicly acknowledging her later that autumn. Interestingly, two of Odette's younger appointees, Donna Filomena Ruspoli and Contessa Bianca Serristori, proved unexpectedly loyal to the Queen. While Odette was largely disliked by the aristocracy, she formed a close group of loyal women, mostly relatives of liberal politicians who shared her own personal beliefs. These aristocratic women, primarily led by Filomena Ruspoli and Bianca Serristori, acted as an intelligence service for Odette, monitoring court life in Monreale closely.

Odette and Amadeus's succession was clouded by the death of their son, Prince Umberto, who had traveled to Monreale for their coronation. He immediately caught a respiratory illness and passed away shortly afterward. A grand funeral was held in Monreale following the Prince's passing, with a procession to the ancient Temple of Athena, which was to become the family's new burial site. Thousands of mourners gathered around the procession to pay their respects to the Queen, with many shouting supportive remarks and extending their sympathies.

By early 1858, Lucia had become a key member of the Tartosan Royal Court, being acknowledged as Amadeus's official mistress the previous autumn. She left the Queen's service as soon as her affair started. She was given a mansion, attached to the Palazzo Monreale, where she entertained ambassadors and ministers, forming her own court. Many found Lucia's favor to be more valuable than Odette's and knew she was the way to the King's ear. Word had spread that Lucia considered the Queen a "snake" in the King's court, a Windenburgian spy sent to torment the country. Odette never confronted her, instead choosing to retreat into her private life, spending an increasing amount of time at San Lorenzo with her children.

That same year, Odette had become acquainted with Conte Ludovico Sannazaro, the new Minister of the Interior. Intrigued by Odette's interest in charity and her patronage of sanitation projects in Monreale, he began consulting her on domestic policy. Odette had found her first political ally in the Conte Sannazaro, who found her to be quite wise and intellectual. Odette, who had many ideas about the future of the country, was sidelined by her husband and had felt useless politically for the last few decades, but now felt as if she could insert herself more into politics. While some speculated whether they were lovers, their friendship was built on mutual respect for the accomplishments they had achieved.

Amadeus's affairs continued throughout the years, even with Lucia as his favorite. Amadeus had a brief entanglement in 1860 with the famed opera singer, Carlotta Vezzosi, who had been Odette's favorite. Vezzosi had sung at one of Odette's favorite performances in the early 1840s, and often visited the opera when she performed. Rather than resentment, Odette felt a deep sadness that he had involved himself with a woman she had admired. In 1861, Amadeus had committed the cruelest act of their marriage, placing his young mistress, Contessa Adelina Foscari, in Odette's household as a Dame di Corte, a lady-in-waiting who accompanied the Queen daily. Odette was forced to dress, socialize, and dine daily with the very woman who had shared a bed with her husband, unable to reject the proposition without seeming stiff to a court that already despised her. The Contessa's time would pass as the King grew tired of her, but Odette would never forget.

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Princess Odette's Vacation, Glencraig Castle, Summer of 1855

The birth of Princess Elisabetta in May 1855 proved to be long and difficult, with Odette's labor lasting roughly twelve hours. The birth was assisted with chloroform, luckily, a drug that Queen Mary supported her daughters using to ease the pains of labor. Odette wished to recuperate in Windenburg; however, her doctors advised her to remain in Tartosa for at least a month before traveling. Following Elisabetta's baptism, Odette hastily traveled to Windenburg, accompanied by all her children except Deo, who had begun his military training in Aosta. The royal entourage included the family's Windenburgian governess, Anne Louisa Smith, Odette's closest confidante and maid of honor, Teresa Colonna, Princess of Castiglione, and her secretary, Sir Joseph Campbell. The royal party arrived at Glencraig on the Tartosan royal yacht, Antonia, on July 1st, to spend the summer holiday with Queen Mary II.

"Glencraig: a lovely medieval castle, the ancestral home of Windenburgian Royalty, and where I spent most of my childhood. The large palace had enormous walls and massive gardens planted in the former moats of the fortress. The western side of the castle has beautiful views of the sea and a little village, which we used to visit with our grandmother, the dear Dowager Countess. Looking eastward, one can admire the beautiful gardens, forests, and picturesque towns of Langley and Colinbrook, filled with little tudor houses and stone cottages. Glencraig had become my mother's sanctuary in the years following my dear Papa's death. Far away from the cities of San Myshuno and Windenburg, my mother could finally find peace in the countryside, in the place where her children were raised.

A quiet family life here, the children adored by all their family, especially Annie, who is the favorite. Annie feels quite at home in the castle, running through the halls with her siblings and cousins, especially dear Helene, whom she adores. I left the children for a week at Glencraig while I visited my paternal relations and my maternal grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Rochester, in San Myshuno. By the time I returned, Annie had known every corner of the castle, every stone, she was friends with every servant, and knew everyone in the village. My younger brother, Eddy, who had finished his naval training, stayed at Glencraig with the children. He read to the children every evening, reading many amusing tales. Little Bertie was obsessed with his uncle, often climbing on his shoulders and ordering him to give a piggy-back ride through the castle halls. Brother Charles mostly kept to himself, but was only brought out of his rooms to see little Bertie, who would wait outside his door every morning like a little puppy.

A large corridor circles the inner courtyard of the palace, containing hundreds of years-old treasures, tapestries, paintings, and old furniture. Here, Manny rides his bicycle recklessly through the halls. He never seems to reach the point of exhaustion. Ophelia's daughter, Irene, loves to chase Manny on his bicycle, with the dogs running behind them. Mama's little terrier, Sparky, has the tiniest body, yet the loudest bark. It terrifies baby Betta, who awakens whenever he barks. Betta wasn't the only baby in the castle that summer; my sisters, Anne and Charlotte, had given birth the same year. My beloved Anne had struggled with pregnancy and finally gave birth to a baby boy, Philippe, my godson. Philippe had beautiful blue eyes, just like Betta; he had that typical tiny León nose that all the men of the Magnolian family have. Meanwhile, Charlotte had her one-year-old, Theodora. Theodora was a handsome baby; she had golden curls and blue eyes, resembling Charlotte in her childhood. Cece, Charlotte's eldest, had been a terrible baby, crying whenever Mama held her, but Theo never cried; she was perfect. May, Matilda, and my Fran loved our babes, spending hours in the nursery playing with them. Fran loved her younger aunts, almost like they were her own sisters. Fran and Annie accompanied one another everywhere, but that summer, Fran spent all her time with May and Matilda, greatly saddening Annie.

Mama's rooms were filled with treasures, mementos, and tokens from my childhood. Cameos, portraits, and photographs of family members, especially of her paternal family, the Wittenburgs. She had a large Gainsborough painting of my great-grandmother, Queen Odette, hanging from the fireplace, along with cameos of all her aunts, Elliana, Elizabeth, and Amelia. A portrait of my grandmother, the formidable Dowager Duchess of Rochester, stared down visitors as soon as they entered her chambers. The walls were still draped in black damask, almost eight years after my dear papa's death. Mama had Papa's old desk moved into her room, where she wrote extensively in her journal every day. Papa's bedchamber, which he seldom used, where he passed away, was like a time capsule. The bedsheets and firewood were changed every day, almost like he was still alive, but alas, no one was allowed to use the room.

Mama inspected the children every morning at breakfast, which was often crowded. She insisted that we all eat together, although it was becoming difficult when there were twenty-five of us. Each one of her grandchildren had to inform the Queen what they had learned from their studies, which terrified them. Anxious Manny would stumble over his words, which made Mama chuckle. She was greatly amused by Annie, who was by far one of her favorites. Annie would always make witty comments, which made the entire table laugh profusely. In the evenings, Mama would go on a carriage ride throughout the estate, often in the company of her grandchildren, sisters-in-law, or one of her ladies-in-waiting. I accompanied Mama once with Aunt Georgiana, who had recently lost her husband. Mama and Aunt Georgiana clung to one another during widowhood, becoming the best of friends and lifelong companions. Aunt Georgie, as I called her, had beautiful dark hair, tan skin, and delicate features, much like Papa, but was draped in a black shawl and veil, which hid her beautiful face. She was one of the most fashionable women of the court, always wearing bright, beautiful dresses made from the finest fabrics, but now, in widowhood, was confined to wearing black for the rest of her life, like Mama. Aunt Georgie and Mama had a long conversation with me about married life, exchanging stories and reminiscing on shared memories from decades ago. Aunt Georgie had asked me about my marriage, whereupon my mother grasped her hand and glanced at her with caution. I had forgotten about my troubles until that very moment, not even thinking about my husband in weeks. We sat in awkward silence for ten minutes before we arrived back at Glencraig. " - Chapters of My Life: The Lost Journal of Queen Odette of Tartosa (1955)

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Character Bios:

Prince Richard, The Duke of Dorset and Harrington

Queen Elizabeth of Wessex

After the funeral the royals convened at Woodstock for a small private gathering with close friends and family. So far, Richard has been living at Woodstock alone, with his grandfather, so nights are rather quiet minus the odd palace staffer. This night the family has departed, and Elizabeth has stayed behind to resolve the "amelia situation" once and for all.

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Chapter Two Navigation Post

links to individual parts, below the cut!

Part One - The royal Family of Wessex attend the annual Polo Charity Match, at the same time Winnie Winsford marries Irvings Spencer-Lewis. Henry Bolingbroke arrives and tells the family that the wedding went off without a hitch.

Part Two - Margaret is invited for lunch and tea at Woodstock by Anne II. Things take an unexpected turn for the worst leaving the royals in limbo.

Part Three - After talking to her doctors it is decided that Anne will take a "royal step back" while she recovers. Anne wishes for Richard to assume some her roles, while Christian doubts that he is up for the role.

Part Four - Richard arrives to the hospital and Christian and William inform him that he'll need to take on more roles as Anne is expected to be out until Trooping the Color.

Part Five - Christian, William, and George gather with reporters at Woodstock Palace and announce that Anne will be stepping back from royal duties. He also announces that Richard will be moving into Woodstock Palace and taking on more roles within the royal family. The palace releases a press memo.

Part Six - William travels to Claremont House for lunch with his father. While he is there he meets with his mother, Anne II. The two talk about the position of Kingship and if William can really trust Elizabeth as a partner. Christian has his own schemes to discuss with William, wanting to get Richard married off, he plans to invites foreign Princesses to Wessex for the Queen's birthday celebration. This makes William concerned as he knows Richard won't want to feel like he's being managed.

Part Seven - Elizabeth is upset at a meeting with the Chancellory (privy council) that she cannot attend the opening of the State Opening of the National Council.

Part Eight - Elizabeth and William attend a ballet at the Royal Georgian Theatre. Elizabeth thinks that Christian is trying to push her (and William) out of the spotlight while the Anne is not preforming royal duties. She urges William to talk to his father.

Part Nine - William practices giving his speech for the State Opening of the National Council at Woodstock Palace to his father and other staffers. William tells his father that Elizabeth will attend the State Opening and Christian tells William that he's invited foreign Princess to the Queen's birthday celebrations for Richard to consider.

Part Ten - William and Elizabeth attend the State Opening of the National Council. Afterwards, Elizabeth talks to Edward St. Andrews (the Chancellor) about getting her son, Prince Thomas, named heir of the county of Chester over William's younger brother Prince Goerge. Edward doesn't trust Elizabeth and thinks she's putting her ego above the wants and needs of a group of people. Christian sees the tension and comes over and gets the idea of have Henry Bolingbroke to join Richard's household as well.

Part Eleven - Christian meets with Edward St. Andrews (the Chancellor) and they discuss the visiting foreign Princesses. Christian doesn't think it is any of her business and that Richard's marriage was a family matter. Christian also doesn't trust Edward because he seems too close with Elizabeth. When Edward gets home, he complains to his wife that he doesn't want to be under Elizabeth's thumb any longer.

Part Twelve - Leopold St. Andrews meets Richard and becomes the junior aide to his household. Richard is unimpressed with his new forced staffer. Across the city Elizabeth meets with a reporter and promises to leak her stories about Richard.

Part Thirteen - William, Elizabeth, and Richard arrive in Warwick for the weeding of Richard's old friend (and Elizabeth's nephew) Thomas von Greville to Princess Leonora of Bedford. Richard and Thomas talk while walking to the pre-wedding reception, but Thomas gets called away and Richard waits for him in a drawing room.

Part Fourteen - Richard meets Princess Adelaide of Bedford, the younger sister of Princess Leonora. Adelaide gets scolded by her sister because she is not supposed to be downstairs with the guests, but upstairs in her room. Richard thinks the whole thing is comical, but this meeting leaves a mark on the young Adelaide.

Part Fifteen - Part Fifteen is broken into two parts. In the first part, Richard meets the other guys and gals going out for a group bachelor and bachelorette party. Richard meets Princess Amelia of Rutland. In the second part, Richard tries to flirt with Amelia, and he makes some progress, but his old ways might have ruined his chances.

Part Sixteen - Richard spies Amelia from across the room at the wedding reception. Elizabeth sees Amelia and Richard getting along and she gets an idea.

Part Seventeen - Christian meets with Edward St. Andrews (the Chancellor) but their meeting is interrupted by Henry who tells them that there has been an incident with Richard in the press.

Part Eighteen - Elizabeth meets with her sister, Louisa, The Dowager Duchess of Rutland and her step-niece Amelia and tries to convince the pair to come to Wessex for the rest of the summer to see if she and Richard could hit it off and become something more.

Part Nineteen - Richard meets with his mother and she gives him a pep-talk. Leopold St. Andrews walks in and tells Richard that he has an idea to successfully launch him as a "working royal". Richard receives great press after attending the Chelsea Garden Show, impressing the public and his father and grandfather.

Part Twenty - Richard prepares to attend a performance at the Royal Georgian Theatre, but Henry says that he has to take Leopold St. Andrews with him. Not the news Richard wanted to hear. At the ballet performance, Richard is introduced to Helene Rowe, the lead ballerina.

Part Twenty-One - Amelia and Louisa arrive in Wessex. Amelia is coming around to the idea about meeting Richard, realizing that if everything goes well, she might one day become Queen.

Part Twenty-Two - The royals gather at Claremont House to celebrate the Queen's birthday at a private celebration. William notices that Amelia is there and accuses Elizabeth of meddling in Richard's personal life. Amelia and Richard do get the chance to talk and seem to be off to a good start.

Part Twenty-Three - Christian, William, Elizabeth, and Richard meet Henry Bolingbroke at Kent Palace to discuss tomorrow's Court's General reception. Christian breaks some news that doesn't make Elizabeth too happy.

Part Twenty-Four -

Part Twenty-Five - This part is split into two parts. The first part cover's the Court Generals and Christian become upset that Richard is actively ignoring one of the foreign Princesses he's asked to attend. William goes over to talk to Richard, but it doesn't end well, and Richard walks out of the event upset. The second part follows Richard and Leopold St. Andrews back to Hyde Park Lodge. Richard is shocked to see Helene Rowe there waiting for him and more shocked to learn that Leopold was the one who arranged it.

Part Twenty-Six - Richard's parents, Margaret and William, arrive at Hyde Park Lodge to talk about Richard walking out of the Court's General. Richard is more shocked that both of them came together. But we find out Margaret isn't the only one who has a secret.

Part Twenty-Seven - Richard plans to attend a weekend party at Leopold St. Andrew's country house. Henry Bolingbroke is giving Richard a hard time and makes a phone call to someone while walking to see Christian. Christian is getting a little overwhelmed with all of the additional duties, while he is still actively trying to keep William and Elizabeth away from taking on additional responsibilities. Christian takes a phone concerning phone call from the nurse at Claremont House.

Part Twenty-Eight - Elizabeth calls Louisa and tells her to get Amelia ready, that she'll be attending a weekend party at Leopold St. Andrews country home. Christian tells the family that Anne's health took a turn for the worse.

Part Twenty-Nine - Richard sees Amelia at Leopold's surprising him. The two go on an early evening walk on the grounds.

Part Thirty - Amelia and Richard continue to grow closer. Richard shows Amelia how to shoot game birds.

Part Thirty-One - Richard and Amelia enjoy each other company and conversation one evening.

Part Thirty-Two -

Part Thirty-Three - Richard gives his speech at the Charities Gala. He sees Amelia and the two have an intimate moment away from the crowds. Elizabeth tells Christian that her son Thomas should be the one to inherit Chester, not George.

Part Thirty-Four - The Royal Family gather at Winchester Cathedral to celebrate Concordia Day. Unbeknownst to them, Winnie Spencer-Lewis goes into labor and gives birth to Richard's illegitimate child.

Part Thirty-Five - Winnie Spencer-Lewis arrives at Kent Palace to talk with Richard's mother, Margaret.

Part Thirty-Five (part two) - Richard is practicing for the military parade for The Queen's trooping the color. Margaret shows up and tells Richard the birth of his child.

Part Thirty-Six - The Royals gather to celebrate the Queen's Trooping of the Color. Richard and Amelia appear to be growing closer and Elizabeth discovers a secret about Margaret.

Part Thirty-Seven - William and Richard talk about Amelia at Garden Party being thrown at Woodstock Palace in honor of the Queen's birthday.

Part Thirty-Eight - Richard and Amelia talk about everyone's expectations of them. Christian and William argue about the possibility of Thomas becoming the next Count of Chester.

Part Thirty-Nine - Richard finds out that Margaret has been in a secret relationship with one of her security officers. He tells his mother that he has real feelings for Amelia.

Part Forty - Richard and Amelia talk about their plans for the future. Margaret and Christian plot to get the two to end their relationship.

Part Forty-One - William and Elizabeth meet Christian and Anne II at Claremont House. Christian tells William and Elizabeth that he'll make Thomas the heir in Chester, if they get Richard to end his relationship with Amelia. Thomas (now heir in Chester) is created Duke of Hampden.

Part Forty-Two - Elizabeth sets her plan into motion when she finds out Amelia will be seeing Richard at Hyde Park Lodge for dinner.

Part Forty-Three - Elizabeth goes sees Richard at his offices at Woodstock Palace. She tells him to end it with Amelia or she’ll release damning news to the tabloids.

Part Forty-Four - Amelia arrives at Hyde Park Lodge to see Richard, though their meeting goes differently than what she expects.

Part Forty-Five - Richard arrives back to Hyde Park Lodge to more bad news regarding his role in the Armorican Visit.

Part Forty-Six - Richard gives one last goodbye to Amelia at Taunton House, marking an end to their summer romance.

Part Forty-Seven - Richard greets Crown Princess Rosalind of Armorica at the Airfield alone. By diverting from the official schedule, his actions are sure to upset Elizabeth.

Part Forty-Eight - The American visit is officially underway with Roz meeting with Crown Prince William and Crown Princess Elizabeth at Woodstock Palace.

Part Forty-Nine - William and Elizabeth host a reception for Roz at Taunton House in Winchester. Richard talks with his father about his involvement in sending Amelia away.

Part Fifty - Richard and the rest of the royal family arrive at Fogmorre Castle for a day of pageantry as Princess Roz of Armorica arrives to meet Queen Anne II of Wessex.

Part Fifty-One - The Queen hosts a banquet for Crown Princess Roz and Richard and William come to an understanding.

Part Fifty-Two - Richard prepares to catch a train to Rutland, but is called to meet with his grandmother before leaving.

Part Fifty-Three - Roz receives a formal goodbye as she is taken from Fogmorre Castle to Southampton Airfield.

Part Fifty-Four

Part Fifty-Five - Leopold gives Richard the news that Operation Southgate has begun before the palace releases an official statement on the death of Queen Anne II.

Part Fifty-Six - News breaks of the Queen's death. As a nation mourns one sovereign, they welcome the start of a new reign: King William VI of Wessex.

Part Fifty-Seven - William VI, Elizabeth Queen-Consort, and Prince Richard, Duke of Dorset and Harrington meet with the Ascension Council at Woodstock Palace. After a press call with photographers, William is summoned into his father's office for a meeting with a surprise guest.

Part Fifty-Eight - The royal family gathers at Woodstock Palace for the arrival of the Queen's Coffin from Frogmorre Castle. Elizabeth is still seething from her conversation with Christian. The press continues to cover the story of the Queen's Death and Operation Southgate.

Part Fifty-Nine - William VI, Elizabeth, Christian, and Richard hold a walkabout outside Woodstock Palace gates to greet the mourners gathered their to pay tribute to Anne II. Richard gets a surprising message that sparks a new idea in his head.

Part Sixty - Thomas as an honest conversation with his brother Richard, while Christian gets frank with Richard about his expectations of him as a Prince.

Part Sixty-One - Thomas meets with his parents about to learn that he’s enrolling at the prestigious Winchester College. Richard talks with Leopold to and gets some sound advice about his plans.

Part Sixty-Two - William VI and Elizabeth travel to Devon Castle to meet with the First Minister. William is uneasy about Richard, while Elizabeth begins to plot.

Part Sixty-Three - While accepting condolences from the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Cornwall, Elizabeth decides to take Henry Bolingbroke's advice to get Richard's mind off of Amelia.

Part Sixty-Four - Henry Bolingbroke meets privately with Winnie Winsford at Somerset Lodge. But Winnie and her family remain skeptical.

Part Sixty-Five - The Queen's lying in state begins at Winchester Castle. The senior working members pay their respects while William, Christian, Richard, George, and Albert hold a Vigil of the Princes.

Part Sixty-Six - Richard agrees to meet with Winnie, but little gets accomplished.

Part Sixty-Seven - The nation mourns the Queen's as the royals gather for her funeral at Winchster Cathedral.

Part Sixty-Eight - Richard gives Elizabeth a definite answer, it’s either Winnie or Margaret.

Part Sixty-Nine -

Part Seventy -

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⚜ Le Cabinet Noir | N°63 | Thornolie, Jardins du palais royal, 1 Brumaire An 231

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After helping Ophélie escort Eleanor back to her apartments, Napoleon V remains alone with her as she gradually recovers from the evening. What begins as a light-hearted conversation slowly gives way to a series of deeply personal confessions. Louis reflects on the circumstances that led him to marry Charlotte while falling in love with Laura, while Eleanor opens up for the first time about her breakup with Elliott and the painful feeling of having spent her life being merely tolerated rather than truly chosen. Deeply moved by Louis's sincerity, Eleanor finally lowers some of the emotional walls she has built around herself, ultimately accepting a quiet gesture of affection as the Emperor gently kisses her forehead.

TRANSCRIPTION

Ophelie: Nellie? 

Ophelie turns the corner to see Eleanor and Louis. She takes only moments to take in the scene before coming up to them both. 

Eleanor: I’m fi-

Ophelie: You better not say you are fine, Nellie, I swear to god. 

Eleanor stops talking, gagging as she gets sick again. Ophelie looks over at Louis then. 

Ophelie: Can you help me bring her to her room? 

Napoléon: …Sure.

Ophélie: Merci. Now come on. 

Louis keeps a low profile and helps Ophelia.

After an interesting trek up two flights of stairs, Ophélie and Louis finally help Eleanor into her rooms. And both seem to notice that by the time they reach the room, Eleanor has grown quiet. As if all the adrenaline the alcohol provided her has worn off, taking the anger with it and leaving exhaustion in its wake. 

Once inside, they helped Eleanor to the sofa near the fire. Ophélie has said very little since finding them in the garden, and even now doesn’t contribute much, as if she knows she’s not needed at this moment. Not that she’s interrupting any romantic moment, but something far more delicate. 

Ophélie: You can find water in the bathroom through the door there. Probably best she takes some paracetamol too, which is also in there. 

Louis looks genuinely caught off guard by that.

Napoléon: … Me?

Ophélie moves toward the door. 

Ophélie: Oui. I’m not needed here. 

Napoléon: Wait, it’s better if it’s you. 

Ophélie takes a look at Eleanor, who is busy burying her head into the couch in an effort to disappear, before looking back at Louis. 

Ophélie: Non…I’m not the one she needs right now. 

She opens the door before looking back. 

Ophélie: And a word of advice? She’s going to start belittling her existence in about 5 minutes. Don’t let her.

And with that, Ophélie closes the door. Louis vows that when Eleanor comes to her senses, he will kill her. He glances between the door and Eleanor on the sofa, as though expecting another adult to materialize and take responsibility for the situation. When nobody does, he lets out a resigned breath. He disappears toward the bathroom a moment later.

Then, he reappears carrying a glass of water with the cautious concentration of someone transporting explosives.

Napoléon: I swear to god, if you throw this at me…

Eleanor grumbles. 

Eleanor: You’d deserve it.

Louis smirks. 

Napoléon: There she is.

Eleanor smiles faintly, taking the glass reluctantly before sitting up slowly. 

Eleanor: You’re way too calm right now. Feels patronising. 

Napoléon: Patronising?

Eleanor: Oui. You’re being infuriatingly reasonable while I actively deteriorate in front of you. 

Napoléon: I’m learning to be reasonable.

Louis immediately looks away toward the window, suddenly very interested in literally anything else in the room.

Eleanor: You don’t strike me as a man naturally inclined toward emotional honesty. Seems very….non-emperor. 

Napoléon: I was raised by an emperor, not to mention politicians and soldiers. So naturally I decided the healthiest possible solution was to fall catastrophically in love with someone.

Eleanor huffs a laugh. 

Eleanor: And people accuse me of poor coping mechanisms. At least I only developed emotional repression and a superiority complex.

Napoléon: Mine apparently involves humiliating telephone calls.You may have noticed, but I don’t like it when people decide for me.

Eleanor goes quiet for a moment, considering that. 

Eleanor: Then why did you let people decide who you were allowed to love? 

Napoléon: I’ve known Charlotte since we were children. I thought I loved her. And then, the Pope “suggested” marriage before agreeing to crown me.

Eleanor: I think that’s why people like us fall way too hard when we finally find someone who sees the human first, not the crown…It feels like freedom…

Napoléon: Exactly.

Eleanor’s mood takes a drastic turn as the conversation turns into vulnerable territory. She takes a deep, stuttering breath, trying to keep herself in one piece. 

Eleanor: The sad thing though, is that once someone makes you feel chosen instead of assigned…you start needing them in ways that are difficult to survive.

Louis nods his head.

Napoléon: Yes… I know Charlotte loves me. But… if I weren’t emperor… I don’t know. With Laura, I’m certain of it.

Eleanor nods, though she knows he’s not looking at her.

Eleanor: Elliott used to be that for me…

Napoléon: So that’s his name, then. What happened?

Eleanor's voice shakes as she tries to hold back her tears. 

Eleanor: [Huffs] You’re not subtle, are you?

Napoléon: You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t-

Eleanor cuts him off. 

Eleanor: Non…I think…I think I want to…

She’s silent for a while, trying to decide how to start. 

Eleanor: I don’t actually know what happened, to be honest…that’s the worst part. It wasn’t some dramatic betrayal. One day he just felt…further away. Said he didn’t see a future for us. Ironic considering I was almost certain he was about to propose…

Eleanor stares into the fireplace, closing her eyes. 

Eleanor: But that isn’t even the truly pathetic part. 

Napoléon: What was it?

Eleanor: I think some part of me knew before he’d even said anything. You can feel people leave long before they go.

Napoléon : … Yes

Eleanor: He was so kind about it too. That was the most devastating bit. I almost wish he’d cheated. Would have made it easier to hate him…

Louis finally understands why she reacted so violently to the idea of him as an unfaithful man.

Napoléon: So you still love him? When did it happen?

Eleanor: About eight months ago…

Napoléon: That’s recent.

Eleanor: Don’t remind me. I’d rather just pitch myself off the balcony than remember it…though it’s not like anyone here would care. 

Napoléon: That’s not true. I wouldn’t be here consoling you otherwise.

Eleanor: Don’t lie. You’re only here because Ophélie bailed.

Napoléon: Do you remember my coronation? When I told you I’d like to invite you to Compiègne one summer? I wasn’t lying then either.

Eleanor: I’m not even sure why you would. I’m not exactly the nicest person. My own family hardly wants me around, and neither did Elliott, so you don’t have to pretend. 

Napoléon: I don’t think you’re difficult to have around, Eleanor. You’ve simply spent too long around people who made you feel tolerated instead of wanted. At Compiègne, there are forests everywhere. Riding in the mornings… And for about three weeks every summer, my people stop behaving like institutions. I truly believe you’d like it there. 

Eleanor turned to look at him, too stunned to speak. Hearing him calling her by her name instead of title gave her an embarrassing amount of hope that perhaps she was being seen. But how to deal with that, she wasn’t sure. 

Eleanor: I-

Eleanor cut herself off, not sure how to even go about asking him for anything. For one, it was highly embarrassing. For another, what exactly did she want to ask for? How does one ask someone to prove that their words are not just words, but words that have real action behind them? 

She turned back toward the fireplace, choosing to stay silent instead. She already had embarrassed herself far too much this evening. 

Louis notices the embarrassment crossing her face. He moves a little closer to her before asking : 

Napoléon: What is it?

Eleanor: Nothing. It’s not important.

Napoléon: That usually means it’s extremely important.

Eleanor: It’s embarrassing. 

Louis’s expression softens immediately at that.

Napoléon: Eleanor, look at me. 

Eleanor took a moment to react, before finally turning to look at him. 

Napoléon: You’ve already vomited in front of me, I promise you we passed embarrassing quite a while ago.

Eleanor couldn’t help it. She huffed a laugh. 

Eleanor: I just…I don’t know how to ask, or even what I’m asking for. 

Napoléon : You don’t have to explain it perfectly.

Eleanor takes a deep, shaky breath before looking away again. 

Eleanor: I think I just…I don’t know. I need something that feels real. If even for only a moment…People say things. Promise things. And then one day they just…stop. I’m just…so tired of words, Louis. For once, I just want something real. 

Eleanor shakes her head, covering her face. 

Eleanor: Mon dieu, that sounds so pathetic. Forget I said anything. 

Carefully, Louis reaches out and brushes a strand of hair back from her face. 

Napoléon: You don’t have to apologise or  look ashamed. You’ve spent so much time pretending you’re difficult to care about. You’re not. I need you to know that. 

Eleanor looks at him, tears pooling in her eyes. 

Eleanor: Are you sure you’re not just saying all this to keep me from divulging your secret? 

His thumb brushes lightly against her cheek almost absentmindedly.

Napoléon: What?

Louis blinks at her in complete confusion.

Eleanor: I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re just trying to befriend me so I won’t tell anyone about your affair. 

Napoléon: Oh God… I already told you I’m being rejected. I don’t have a secret affair.

Louis is amused despite the exhaustion.

Eleanor: And how do I know you mean that? 

Napoleon’s: I can show you my phone if you’d like. There are probably enough unanswered messages in there to qualify as a military defeat.

Eleanor finally laughs, leaning slightly into his hand, a movement that clearly shows her walls finally crumbling. 

Eleanor: I’m pretty sure that would break several royal protocols. 

Napoléon: Oh, without question.

Louis presses a gentle kiss against her forehead.

⚜ TRADUCTION FRANCAISE ⚜

Après avoir raccompagné Eleanor jusqu'à ses appartements avec l'aide d'Ophélie, Napoléon V reste seul auprès d'elle tandis qu'elle reprend progressivement ses esprits. Leur conversation, d'abord teintée d'humour, glisse peu à peu vers leurs blessures les plus intimes. Louis évoque les circonstances qui l'ont conduit à épouser Charlotte tout en tombant amoureux de Laura, tandis qu'Eleanor se confie pour la première fois sur sa rupture avec Elliott et le sentiment d'avoir toujours été seulement tolérée plutôt que véritablement choisie. Ébranlée par les paroles sincères de Louis, Eleanor laisse finalement tomber une partie de ses défenses, jusqu'à accepter un geste de tendresse de l'Empereur, qui dépose un baiser sur son front.

Ophélie : Nellie ?

Ophélie tourne au coin de l'allée et aperçoit Eleanor avec Louis. Il ne lui faut que quelques secondes pour comprendre la situation avant de s'approcher d'eux.

Eleanor : Je vais bi—

Ophélie : Tu n'as pas intérêt à dire que tu vas bien, Nellie, je te jure.

Eleanor s'interrompt brusquement, prise d'un haut-le-cœur avant de vomir une nouvelle fois. Ophélie tourne alors son regard vers Louis.

Ophélie : Vous pouvez m'aider à la ramener dans sa chambre ?

Napoléon : ...Bien sûr.

Ophélie : Merci. Allez, viens.

Louis reste discret et aide Ophélie.

Après une ascension mouvementée de deux étages, ils parviennent enfin à conduire Eleanor jusqu'à ses appartements. Tous deux remarquent qu'à mesure qu'ils approchent de la chambre, Eleanor est devenue silencieuse. Comme si toute l'adrénaline que lui procurait l'alcool s'était dissipée, emportant sa colère avec elle pour ne laisser qu'une profonde fatigue.

Une fois à l'intérieur, ils l'installent sur le canapé, près de la cheminée. Depuis qu'elle les a retrouvés dans les jardins, Ophélie a très peu parlé. Même maintenant, elle reste en retrait, comme si elle savait qu'elle n'était pas réellement nécessaire. Non pas qu'elle interrompe un moment romantique... mais quelque chose de bien plus fragile.

Ophélie : Vous trouverez de l'eau dans la salle de bains, par cette porte. Ce serait bien qu'elle prenne aussi du paracétamol. Il y en a également là-bas.

Louis la regarde, sincèrement décontenancé.

Napoléon : ...Moi ?

Ophélie se dirige déjà vers la porte.

Ophélie : Oui. Je ne suis pas celle dont elle a besoin en ce moment.

Napoléon : Attendez... ce serait mieux que ce soit vous.

Ophélie jette un regard à Eleanor, qui enfouit son visage dans le canapé dans une tentative désespérée de disparaître, puis revient vers Louis.

Ophélie : Non... ce n'est pas moi qu'elle a besoin d'avoir auprès d'elle maintenant.

Elle ouvre la porte, puis se retourne une dernière fois.

Ophélie : Et un conseil... Dans cinq minutes, elle va commencer à dire que son existence ne vaut rien. Ne la laissez pas faire.

Puis elle referme doucement la porte.

Louis se promet que lorsque Madame Royale retrouvera ses esprits, il l'étranglera.

Il regarde alternativement la porte puis Eleanor, comme s'il attendait qu'un adulte surgisse miraculeusement pour prendre la situation en main. Personne ne vient.

Il pousse un long soupir résigné.

Quelques instants plus tard, il disparaît dans la salle de bains.

Il revient avec un verre d'eau, avançant avec la concentration prudente de quelqu'un qui transporterait des explosifs.

Napoléon : Je vous préviens... si vous me le lancez dessus...

Eleanor grogne.

Eleanor : Vous l'auriez mérité.

Louis esquisse un sourire.

Napoléon : Ah. Vous revoilà.

Eleanor sourit faiblement. À contrecœur, elle prend le verre avant de se redresser lentement.

Eleanor : Vous êtes beaucoup trop calme. C'est presque... condescendant.

Napoléon : Condescendant ?

Eleanor : Oui. Vous êtes insupportablement raisonnable alors que je me décompose littéralement devant vous.

Napoléon : J'apprends à être raisonnable.

Aussitôt, Louis détourne le regard vers la fenêtre, trouvant soudain tout ce qui se trouve dans la pièce infiniment plus intéressant.

Eleanor : Vous ne me donnez pas vraiment l'impression d'être un homme naturellement porté vers l'honnêteté émotionnelle. Ça ne fait pas très... empereur.

Napoléon : J'ai été élevé par un empereur... sans parler des politiciens et des militaires. Alors, naturellement, j'ai choisi la solution la plus saine qui soit : tomber éperdument amoureux de quelqu'un.

Eleanor laisse échapper un petit rire.

Eleanor : Et après ça, on ose dire que c'est moi qui ai de mauvais mécanismes de défense. Au moins, je me suis contentée de développer un refoulement émotionnel et un complexe de supériorité.

Napoléon : Les miens consistent apparemment à passer des appels téléphoniques humiliants. Vous l'avez peut-être remarqué... je n'aime pas qu'on décide à ma place.

Eleanor reste silencieuse un instant, réfléchissant à cette remarque.

Eleanor : Alors pourquoi avez-vous laissé les autres décider de la personne que vous aviez le droit d'aimer ?

Napoléon : Je connais Charlotte depuis notre enfance. Je croyais l'aimer. Puis le Pape a « suggéré » notre mariage avant d'accepter de me couronner.

Eleanor : Je crois que c'est pour ça que les gens comme nous tombent si violemment amoureux lorsqu'ils rencontrent enfin quelqu'un qui voit d'abord l'être humain... avant la Couronne. On a l'impression... d'être enfin libres.

Napoléon : Exactement.

Le visage d'Eleanor change brusquement lorsque la conversation atteint un terrain plus intime. Elle inspire profondément, d'une respiration tremblante, comme si elle essayait de ne pas s'effondrer.

Eleanor : Le plus triste... c'est qu'une fois que quelqu'un vous fait sentir que vous avez été choisi... et non assigné... vous commencez à avoir besoin de lui d'une manière qu'il est très difficile de survivre.

Louis acquiesce lentement.

Napoléon : Oui... je sais. Charlotte m'aime. Mais... si je n'étais pas empereur... je n'en suis pas certain. Avec Laura, en revanche, je n'ai aucun doute.

Eleanor hoche doucement la tête, bien qu'elle sache qu'il ne la regarde pas.

Eleanor : Elliott était cette personne pour moi...

Napoléon : Alors c'est donc lui... Que s'est-il passé ?

La voix d'Eleanor tremble tandis qu'elle tente de retenir ses larmes.

Eleanor : Vous n'êtes vraiment pas subtil, vous...

Napoléon : Vous n'êtes pas obligée d'en parler si vous ne—

Elle l'interrompt.

Eleanor : Non... je crois... je crois que j'en ai envie...

Elle reste silencieuse un long moment, cherchant par où commencer.

Eleanor : Honnêtement... je ne sais même pas vraiment ce qui s'est passé. C'est sans doute ce qu'il y a de pire. Il n'y a pas eu de grande trahison. Un jour... je l'ai simplement senti plus distant. Il m'a dit qu'il ne voyait plus d'avenir pour nous. C'est ironique... j'étais presque persuadée qu'il allait me demander en mariage.

Elle fixe les flammes de la cheminée, les yeux clos.

Eleanor : Mais ce n'est même pas ça qui est le plus pathétique.

Napoléon : Qu'est-ce que c'était ?

Eleanor : Je crois qu'au fond de moi... je le savais déjà avant même qu'il ne dise quoi que ce soit. On sent les gens partir bien avant qu'ils ne s'en aillent réellement.

Napoléon : ...Oui.

Eleanor : Il a été tellement gentil en plus... C'est ça qui m'a le plus détruite. J'aurais presque préféré qu'il me trompe. Ça aurait été plus facile de le détester...

Louis comprend enfin pourquoi elle avait réagi avec une telle violence lorsqu'elle l'avait imaginé en homme infidèle.

Napoléon : Vous l'aimez encore ?

Quand est-ce arrivé ?

Eleanor : Il y a environ huit mois...

Napoléon : C'est récent.

Eleanor : Ne me le rappelez pas. J'aurais presque envie de me jeter du balcon plutôt que d'y repenser... Enfin... ce n'est pas comme si quelqu'un ici s'en souciait.

Napoléon : Ce n'est pas vrai. Je ne serais pas ici à essayer de vous réconforter dans le cas contraire.

Eleanor : Ne mentez pas. Vous êtes seulement là parce qu'Ophélie s'est éclipsée.

Napoléon : Vous souvenez-vous de mon couronnement ? Quand je vous ai dit que j'aimerais vous inviter un été à Compiègne ? Je ne mentais pas non plus.

Eleanor : Je ne vois même pas pourquoi vous le voudriez. Je ne suis pas exactement quelqu'un d'agréable à fréquenter. Ma propre famille préfère m'éviter... Elliott aussi, alors vous n'avez pas besoin de faire semblant.

Napoléon : Je ne vous trouve pas difficile à vivre, Eleanor. Je crois simplement que vous avez passé trop de temps entourée de personnes qui vous donnaient le sentiment d'être tolérée... plutôt que désirée. À Compiègne, il y a des forêts partout. On part à cheval le matin... Et pendant trois semaines chaque été, les gens qui m'entourent cessent de se comporter comme des institutions. Je suis convaincu que vous vous y plairiez.

Eleanor tourne lentement la tête vers lui, incapable de répondre. L'entendre l'appeler par son prénom plutôt que par son titre lui donne un espoir presque douloureux : celui d'être enfin regardée comme une personne.

Eleanor : Je...

Elle s'interrompt.

Elle ne sait même pas comment demander ce qu'elle voudrait demander. C'est terriblement embarrassant. Et d'ailleurs... que voulait-elle exactement ? Comment demander à quelqu'un de prouver que ses paroles ne sont pas seulement des paroles, mais qu'elles seront suivies d'actes ?

Elle se tourne finalement de nouveau vers le feu, préférant garder le silence. Elle s'est déjà suffisamment humiliée ce soir.

Louis remarque son embarras.

Il se rapproche légèrement.

Napoléon : Qu'y a-t-il ?

Eleanor : Rien. Ce n'est pas important.

Napoléon : En général, quand quelqu'un dit ça... c'est que c'est extrêmement important.

Eleanor : C'est embarrassant.

L'expression de Louis s'adoucit immédiatement.

Napoléon : Eleanor... regardez-moi.

Après quelques secondes d'hésitation, elle tourne enfin les yeux vers lui.

Napoléon : Vous avez déjà vomi devant moi. Je vous assure que nous avons dépassé le stade de l'embarras depuis un bon moment.

Malgré elle, Eleanor laisse échapper un rire.

Eleanor : C'est juste que... je ne sais pas comment le demander. Je ne sais même pas ce que je demande.

Napoléon : Vous n'avez pas besoin de trouver les mots parfaits.

Eleanor inspire profondément, d'une respiration hésitante, puis détourne de nouveau le regard.

Eleanor : Je crois que j'ai juste... besoin de quelque chose qui paraisse vrai. Même si ce n'est que pour un instant... Les gens disent des choses. Ils promettent. Puis un jour... ils arrêtent simplement. Je suis tellement fatiguée des mots, Louis. Pour une fois... j'aimerais quelque chose de réel.

Elle secoue la tête et cache son visage entre ses mains.

Eleanor : Mon Dieu... c'est tellement pathétique. Oubliez que j'ai dit ça.

Avec infiniment de précaution, Louis tend la main et replace une mèche de cheveux derrière son oreille.

Napoléon : Vous n'avez pas à vous excuser, ni à avoir honte. Vous avez passé tellement de temps à faire croire qu'il était difficile de tenir à vous. Ce n'est pas vrai. J'ai besoin que vous le sachiez.

Les yeux d'Eleanor se remplissent de larmes.

Eleanor : Vous êtes sûr que vous ne dites pas tout ça simplement pour m'empêcher de révéler votre secret ?

Le pouce de Louis effleure distraitement sa joue.

Napoléon : Quoi ?

Il la regarde, sincèrement déconcerté.

Eleanor : Ça ne m'étonnerait même pas que vous essayiez simplement de devenir mon ami pour être certain que je ne raconte à personne votre liaison.

Napoléon : Mon Dieu... Je vous ai déjà dit que je me faisais rejeter. Je n'ai pas de liaison secrète.

Malgré son épuisement, Louis ne peut s'empêcher de sourire.

Eleanor : Et comment savoir que vous êtes sincère ?

Napoléon : Je peux vous montrer mon téléphone, si vous voulez. Il y a probablement suffisamment de messages sans réponse pour constituer une véritable défaite militaire.

Eleanor éclate enfin de rire. Sans même s'en rendre compte, elle se penche légèrement contre sa main, signe évident que les murailles qu'elle avait érigées autour d'elle commencent enfin à s'effondrer.

Eleanor : Je suis presque certaine que ça violerait plusieurs protocoles royaux.

Napoléon : Oh, sans le moindre doute.

Louis dépose alors un baiser léger sur son front.

[anachrosims]

V1, V2, V3

All will have the same UV map, so the same swatches will work between each dress.

I MIGHT add sleeve-danglies if I can get the weights working... IF.

[empiredesimparte]

⚜ Le Cabinet Noir | N°62 | Thornolie, Jardins du palais royal, 1 Brumaire An 231

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@theroyalthornoliachronicles @modernthornoliachronicles

While on the phone with Laura in the palace gardens, Napoleon V is unexpectedly interrupted by Eleanor, who immediately mistakes the conversation for evidence of an extramarital affair. A heated confrontation follows, as Madame Royale fiercely condemns the "Little Emperor's" behaviour while Louis struggles to defend the sincerity of his feelings for Laura. As the argument intensifies, each catches a glimpse of the other's emotional wounds, though neither is willing to reveal them completely. Their verbal sparring comes to an abrupt end when Eleanor's intoxication finally catches up with her, forcing Louis to set their disagreement aside and come to her aid.

TRANSCRIPTION

Louis replies to Laura's call with a text message. He tries to concentrate and turns his back on Eleanor.

Eleanor can’t help but laugh at the audacity. 

Eleanor: This is actually incredible. You’re emotionally cheating in front of me and somehow I’m the inconvenience. 

Louis finishes typing far too quickly, clearly flustered now.

Napoléon: You appeared out of nowhere, insulted Laura, and somehow I’m the morally questionable one in this conversation!

Eleanor: Mon dieu, for once, could you stop behaving like a man written by Tolstoy!? Because right now you look exactly like every man who’s ever destroyed a woman and then acted wounded when faced with the consequences. 

Napoléon: And what exactly am I supposed to do then?

Eleanor: Don't cheat on your pregnant wife during a state visit, for starters. 

Napoléon: I’m aware my personal life is a disaster, thank you. 

Eleanor: See? That’s the problem. Men like you always think admitting you’re terrible somehow counts as growth.

Eleanor drunkenly mimic’s louis voice. 

Eleanor: ‘Oui, oui! I’m emotionally destructive but at least I’m honest about it.’ 

She returns to her own voice.

Eleanor: Félicitations. You’ve evolved into a self-aware catastrophe. 

Napoléon: Falling in love with someone is not a moral failing. She’s one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever met. And believe me, I already hate myself enough for all of this. You don’t need to help.

Eleanor: You’re the worst type of man, honestly. One who genuinely loves someone while actively destroying them. At least cruel men are easier to survive. 

Napoléon: People don’t usually say things like this unless someone teaches them to…

Louis studies her expression for a second longer.

Napoléon: Is that why you’re getting so wasted tonight?

Eleanor stops short, but immediately attempts to recover, not recovering as well as she normally would when sober. 

Eleanor: Don’t flatter yourself. I’m drinking because Mozart emotionally assaulted me for three hours. 

Napoléon: I suspect you were already angry long before Mozart got involved.

Eleanor: Non, don’t you dare do that. 

Napoléon: I suspect you loved someone, but for you, it ended badly?

Eleanor: You know, most people have the decency not to conduct psychological evaluations in the gardens at one in the morning. 

Napoléon: That’s rich coming from you. Don’t judge my situation, and I won’t judge yours. I saw how you were the night before…

Eleanor immediately locks up, almost as if by reflex. Having her vulnerability used as a weapon to silence her. 

Eleanor: You know nothing of what I’ve been through. And I assure it, the battles I’ve survived are far more dark than you and your adultery can comprehend. 

Napoléon: So, explain it to me.

Eleanor: Absolument pas. You do not get to stand there with your tragic Petit Empereur face and suddenly decide that now we’re going to be emotionally honest with each other.

Napoléon: Well, I certainly can’t leave you alone in this state. Would you like to walk with me for a little while?

Eleanor: Oh, you’d just love that wouldn’t you? Blackmail to keep me silent? I’m sure you-

Eleanor suddenly stopped, a hand rushing to cover her mouth as she wobbled, slightly off balance. 

Louis approaches to help her.

Eleanor tries to put her other hand up to stop him, but then suddenly turns and vomits into a nearby flowerbed. 

Napoléon: Mon dieu…

Eleanor struggles for a minute to calm down. 

Eleanor: This is it. This is how I die. Not assassination. Not constitutional collapse…alcohol poisoning in front of an emperor…

⚜ TRADUCTION FRANCAISE ⚜

En appel avec Laura dans les jardins du palais, Napoléon V est surpris par Eleanor, qui interprète immédiatement leur échange comme la preuve d'une liaison extraconjugale. S'ensuit une vive confrontation où Madame Royale condamne avec virulence l'attitude du "Petit Empereur", tandis que celui-ci tente de défendre la sincérité de ses sentiments pour Laura. À mesure que la discussion s'intensifie, chacun entrevoit les blessures affectives de l'autre, sans qu'aucun n'accepte de les dévoiler pleinement. La joute verbale prend fin lorsque l'état d'ébriété d'Eleanor la rattrape brutalement, obligeant Louis à mettre de côté leur désaccord pour lui venir en aide.

Louis répond à l'appel de Laura par un SMS. Il tente de se concentrer et tourne le dos à Eleanor.

Eleanor ne peut s'empêcher d'éclater de rire devant tant d'audace.

ELEANOR C'est absolument incroyable. Tu trompes émotionnellement ton épouse juste sous mes yeux, et d'une manière ou d'une autre... c'est moi qui suis dérangeante.

Louis termine son message rapidement.

NAPOLÉON Tu es apparue de nulle part, tu insultes Laura, et c'est moi qui suis moralement condamnable dans cette conversation ?

ELEANOR Mon Dieu... Pour une fois, pourrais-tu arrêter de te comporter comme un personnage sorti d'un roman de Tolstoï ? Parce que là, tu ressembles exactement à tous ces hommes qui détruisent une femme... puis se sentent eux-mêmes blessés lorsqu'ils doivent en assumer les conséquences.

NAPOLÉON Et qu'est-ce que je suis censé faire, alors ?

ELEANOR Pour commencer ? Éviter de tromper ta femme enceinte pendant une visite d'État.

NAPOLÉON Je suis parfaitement conscient que ma vie privée est un désastre, merci.

ELEANOR Tu vois ? C'est exactement ça, le problème. Les hommes comme toi pensent toujours que reconnaître qu'ils sont horribles suffit à tout excuser.

Eleanor imite maladroitement la voix de Louis, légèrement ivre.

ELEANOR « Oui, oui ! Je détruis émotionnellement les gens, mais au moins j'en suis conscient ! »

Elle reprend sa voix normale.

ELEANOR Félicitations. Tu es devenu une catastrophe parfaitement consciente d'elle-même.

NAPOLÉON Tomber amoureux de quelqu'un n'est pas une faute morale. Laura est l'une des personnes les plus extraordinaires que j'aie jamais rencontrées. Et crois-moi, je me déteste déjà suffisamment pour toute cette histoire. Tu n'as pas besoin d'en rajouter.

ELEANOR Tu es le pire genre d'homme, honnêtement. Celui qui aime sincèrement quelqu'un... tout en le détruisant. Les hommes cruels sont presque plus faciles à survivre.

NAPOLÉON En général, on ne dit pas ce genre de choses sans que quelqu'un nous les ait apprises...

Louis observe son visage quelques secondes.

NAPOLÉON C'est pour ça que tu bois autant ce soir ?

Eleanor s'interrompt net. Elle tente aussitôt de reprendre contenance, mais l'alcool rend l'exercice bien plus difficile qu'à l'ordinaire.

ELEANOR Ne te flatte pas. Je bois parce que Mozart m'a infligé trois heures d'agression émotionnelle.

NAPOLÉON J'ai l'impression que tu étais déjà en colère bien avant que Mozart soit impliqué.

ELEANOR Non. N'essaie même pas.

NAPOLÉON Je parier que tu as aimé quelqu'un... et que ça s'est très mal terminé.

ELEANOR Tu sais, la plupart des gens ont la décence de ne pas improviser des analyses psychologiques dans les jardins d'un palais.

NAPOLÉON C'est assez ironique venant de toi. Ne juge pas ma situation, et je ne jugerai pas la tienne. Je t'ai vue la nuit dernière...

À ces mots, Eleanor se referme instantanément, presque par réflexe. Comme si voir sa vulnérabilité utilisée contre elle suffisait à la faire taire.

ELEANOR Tu ne sais absolument rien de ce que j'ai traversé. Et crois-moi, les batailles auxquelles j'ai survécu sont infiniment plus sombres que tout ce que toi et ton adultère pouvez imaginer.

NAPOLÉON Alors explique-le-moi.

ELEANOR Absolument pas. Tu ne peux pas rester planté là avec ton air tragique de petit empereur et décider soudain que nous allons être honnêtes l'un envers l'autre sur le plan émotionnel.

NAPOLÉON Je ne peux quand même pas te laisser seule dans cet état. Tu voudrais qu'on marche un peu ?

ELEANOR Oh, ça t'arrangerait bien, n'est-ce pas ? Du chantage pour m'empêcher de parler ? Je suis sûre que tu-

Eleanor s'interrompt brusquement. Une main se plaque contre sa bouche tandis qu'elle vacille légèrement, perdant l'équilibre.

Louis s'approche aussitôt pour l'aider.

Eleanor lève son autre main pour tenter de l'arrêter... avant de se retourner brusquement et de vomir dans un massif de fleurs voisin.

NAPOLÉON Mon Dieu...

Eleanor met une bonne minute à reprendre son souffle.

ELEANOR On y est... Voilà donc comment je meurs. Ni assassinée... ni victime d'une crise constitutionnelle... d'une intoxication alcoolique... devant un empereur...

[empiredesimparte]

⚜ Le Cabinet Noir | N°61 | Thornolie, Jardins du palais royal, 1 Brumaire An 231

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@theroyalthornoliachronicles @modernthornoliachronicles

♫ Napoleon V's Ringtone for Laura ♪

Back at the royal palace, Napoleon V slips away into the gardens to try to reach Laura. Their brief and confused conversation is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Eleanor, who catches them by surprise. Convinced she has uncovered a secret affair, Madame Royale mocks the young Emperor with biting humor, while Louis clumsily tries to protect his secret.

TRANSCRIPTION

Napoléon: Answer, Laura…

Laura cannot sleep. She is reading a book in bed when she receives the call. After a moment of hesitation, she answers.

Laura: Louis?

Napoléon (whispering): Laura!

Laura: Are you alright? Did something happen?

Napoléon: Nothing... you sent me nothing.

Laura (sighs): I don’t want to complicate things while you’re in Thornolia.

Napoléon: What am I supposed to take from that?

Laura: Louis…

Napoléon: I miss you!

Laura thinks for a moment before answering softly.

Laura: I miss you too.

Napoléon: I love you.

Laura: Not now, Louis…

Napoléon: Then when?

Eleanor appears.

By the time the opera and the post drinks were finished at the opera house, Eleanor was far more drunk than she’d been in a long time.

For one horrifying second, Louis simply freezes. The phone still pressed against his ear, Laura still on the line. Every ounce of blood seems to leave his face at once.

Napoléon: I have to go.

And he ends the call far too quickly. 

Eleanor: Well…that sounded healthy.

Napoléon: What did you hear? That’s… It’s not what it looks like!

Eleanor: You cheat so casually for an Emperor, I must say. Hats off to you.

Napoléon: Don’t. You know nothing about any of this.

Eleanor: No? Because from where I’m standing, it seems relatively uncomplicated: Man emotionally devoted to a woman who is not his wife. Classic European monarchy. Very on brand. 

Napoléon: I… was calling my wife.

Eleanor: Don’t insult my intelligence. I may be blonde, but I am not stupid. 

Napoléon: The woman in question appears largely committed to rejecting me, so there’s very little scandal to report… I would appreciate it if this conversation remained in this garden forever.

Eleanor stares at him for a few moments before scoffing. 

Eleanor: Jesus Christ. You truly are catastrophically French. 

Napoléon: Don’t repeat any of this to anyone. How long were you standing there exactly?

Eleanor: Does my not divulging that information scare you? Are you so deep in your little affair that what I may have heard is deeply worrying to you, Petit Empereur? 

Napoléon: I’m not having an affair, and I’m not scared of you. And why do you follow me everywhere?!

Eleanor: Firstly, this is my home. So the question should be why do you follow me everywhere? Secondly-

Louis’s phone rings again.

♫ Docteur, one day I'll marry an angel. We'll make love in the clouds... ♪

Napoléon: Shit!

Eleanor raises a brow. 

Eleanor: Better answer it, Petit Empereur. Wouldn’t want to disappoint your mistress’s desire to be at your beck and call. 

Napoléon: Oh for God’s sake- 

Louis replies with a text message. He tries to concentrate and turns his back on Eleanor.

⚜ TRADUCTION FRANCAISE ⚜

De retour au palais royal, Napoléon V s'éclipse dans les jardins pour tenter de joindre Laura. Leur courte et confuse conversation est brusquement interrompue par l'arrivée d'Eleanor, qui les surprend. Convaincue d'avoir découvert une liaison secrète, Madame Royale se moque du jeune Empereur avec un humour mordant, tandis que Louis tente maladroitement de protéger son secret.

NAPOLÉON Réponds, Laura…

Laura n'arrive pas à dormir. Allongée dans son lit, un livre à la main, elle reçoit l'appel. Après un instant d'hésitation, elle décroche.

LAURA Louis ?

NAPOLÉON (murmure) Laura !

LAURA Tu vas bien ? Il s'est passé quelque chose ?

NAPOLÉON Rien… Précisément. Tu ne m'as rien envoyé.

Laura pousse un léger soupir.

LAURA Je ne veux pas compliquer les choses pendant que tu es en Thornolie.

NAPOLÉON Qu'est-ce que je suis censé comprendre par là ?

LAURA Louis…

NAPOLÉON Tu me manques !

Laura réfléchit quelques instants avant de répondre doucement.

LAURA Toi aussi, tu me manques.

NAPOLÉON Je t'aime.

LAURA Pas maintenant, Louis…

NAPOLÉON Alors quand ?

À cet instant, Eleanor apparaît.

Lorsque la représentation et la réception qui l'avait suivie à l'opéra prirent fin, Eleanor était bien plus ivre qu'elle ne l'avait été depuis longtemps.

Pendant une seconde interminable, Louis se fige complètement. Son téléphone est toujours collé contre son oreille. Laura est toujours en ligne. Il a soudain l'impression que tout son sang quitte son visage.

NAPOLÉON Je dois y aller.

Et il met brutalement fin à l'appel.

ELEANOR Eh bien… Ça avait l'air d'être une relation très saine.

NAPOLÉON Qu'est-ce que tu as entendu ? Ce n'est… Ce n'est pas ce que tu crois !

ELEANOR Il faut reconnaître que tu trompes ton épouse avec une certaine désinvolture, pour un empereur. Chapeau.

NAPOLÉON Ne fais pas ça. Tu ne sais absolument rien de cette histoire.

ELEANOR Ah bon ? Parce que, de là où je suis, ça me paraît pourtant assez simple : un homme éperdument attaché à une femme qui n'est pas son épouse. Un grand classique des monarchies européennesim. Très… à la mode.

NAPOLÉON Je… J'appelais mon épouse.

ELEANOR N'insulte pas mon intelligence. Je suis peut-être blonde, mais je ne suis pas stupide.

NAPOLÉON La femme en question semble surtout déterminée à me rejeter, donc il n'y a pas vraiment de scandale à nourrir… J'apprécierais que cette conversation ne quitte jamais ces jardins.

Eleanor le fixe quelques instants avant de laisser échapper un rire incrédule.

ELEANOR Mon Dieu… Tu es véritablement catastrophiquement français.

NAPOLÉON Ne répète rien de tout ça à qui que ce soit. Depuis combien de temps étais-tu là, exactement ?

ELEANOR Le fait que je refuse de répondre à cette question te fait peur ? Tu es tellement empêtré dans ta petite histoire que tu t'inquiètes de ce que j'ai pu entendre, petit empereur ?

NAPOLÉON Je n'ai pas de liaison, et je n'ai pas peur de toi. Et puis, pourquoi est-ce que tu me suis partout ?

ELEANOR Premièrement, nous sommes chez moi. La vraie question serait donc plutôt : pourquoi est-ce que c'est toi qui me suis partout ? Deuxièmement-

À cet instant, le téléphone de Louis se remet à sonner.

NAPOLÉON Merde !

Eleanor arque un sourcil.

ELEANOR Tu ferais mieux de répondre, petit empereur. Ce serait dommage de décevoir ta maîtresse, qui semble prête à accourir au moindre de tes appels.

NAPOLÉON Bon Dieu-

Louis choisit finalement de répondre par message. Il tourne le dos à Eleanor.

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[modernthornoliachronicles]

Who Approved This Dress?

Hold on. I don't know what's happening anymore. This morning... Flowers. Children. Smiling. Now we're at the opera and she's back in green. Except... Not the signature Madame Royale green. This? This is different. Look at the silhouette. That neckline. Mon dieu, look at how fitted it is. Since when does Eleanor wear something that actually acknowledges she has a figure? Seriously. I'm asking a genuine question. Let's just acknowledge what's happened here. This isn't a slightly different Eleanor dress. This is an entirely different Eleanor. For years she's built this image of being untouchable. Everything perfectly tailored. Perfectly symbolic. Perfectly predictable. Then in the space of one day the daytime look becomes softer. The smiles suddenly appear. And now she's wearing a gown that actually has people talking. Interesting. Very interesting.... Because this isn't evolution. This feels calculated. Almost like someone finally realised that mysterious was starting to become forgettable. And before everyone starts typing in rage, Non. I'm not saying she doesn't look beautiful. She does. That's almost the point. She looks incredible. Which makes me wonder... Why have we spent years pretending Madame Royale only owned one silhouette and three shades of emerald? You don't reinvent yourself halfway through a State Visit by accident. You don't suddenly discover colour, or tailoring, and you certainly don't suddenly become approachable. Not twice in one day. Something has changed. Whether it's Eleanor, or whether it's the people managing Eleanor... Je ne sais pas. But don't tell me this wasn't intentional. Because nobody changes the public conversation around themselves this dramatically without knowing exactly what they're doing. And somehow... Everyone is talking about Eleanor. Again.

@empiredesimparte

[modernthornoliachronicles]

Royal Reflections: The Emperor Appears to Lose an Argument

One of the enduring mysteries of the State Visit is whether Emperor Napoléon V enjoys arguing.

If so, yesterday evening provided an excellent opportunity.

The Emperor spent much of the opera interval speaking with la Madame Royale, a woman whose opinions have long been rumoured to be considerably sharper than her public persona suggests. While royal conversations are rarely audible beyond a few nearby seats, they are often visible, and this particular exchange attracted attention almost immediately.

At the beginning of the interval, the atmosphere appeared remarkably relaxed. Witnesses described both parties as engaged and at ease. The Emperor seemed animated, while the Madame, so often criticised for appearing distant or reserved in public, was noticeably more expressive than usual.

Several attendees remarked upon the change.

Madame Royale was smiling.

Not politely.

Not mechanically.

Actually smiling.

For a woman whose public image has been built upon composure and restraint, this alone was enough to generate discussion throughout the theatre.

The conversation continued for much of the interval, far longer than the brief exchanges typically expected during such events. At various points, both appeared deeply engaged, leaning toward one another in a manner suggesting genuine interest rather than ceremonial courtesy.

Then something changed.

Observers noted a visible shift in the conversation's tone over time.

The smiles became less frequent.

The Emperor's expressions grew more serious.

The Madame, meanwhile, appeared increasingly thoughtful.

No one outside the immediate conversation can claim to know what was said. Nevertheless, that has not prevented speculation from flourishing at a rate that would impress even the most ambitious political columnist.

By the conclusion of the interval, the Emperor appeared distinctly less pleased than when it began.

Madame Royale, meanwhile, remained characteristically difficult to read.

This has prompted an intriguing question.

Did the Emperor spend the evening charming the Madame?

Or did the Madame spend the evening telling the Emperor things he did not wish to hear?

Photographic evidence currently favours the latter.

Indeed, several images taken near the end of the exchange have become favourites among observers. In them, the Emperor appears to be explaining something with considerable determination, while the Madame listens with an expression that can only be described as politely unconvinced.

It is, admittedly, dangerous to draw conclusions from a single photograph.

It is considerably less dangerous when there are several.

What makes the episode particularly fascinating is that it runs contrary to the assumptions many people hold about both figures.

Napoléon V possesses a reputation for confidence, charm, and an almost theatrical ability to dominate a room. The Madame, by contrast, has spent years cultivating (or perhaps enduring) a reputation for silence.

Yet during the opera interval, the dynamic appeared unexpectedly reversed.

The Emperor seemed increasingly intent on making a point.

The Madame seemed increasingly unwilling to surrender one.

Whether the disagreement concerned politics, diplomacy, opera, or the proper preparation of coffee remains unknown.

What is known is that by the time the audience returned its attention to Mozart, many had become far more interested in the royal box than the stage.

And when an opera audience begins ignoring Don Giovanni in favour of watching two people talk, one may reasonably conclude that something interesting has occurred.

For now, the contents of the conversation remain a mystery.

The expressions at the end of it, however, are available for public inspection.

They have already inspired a great many theories.

Most of them begin with the same assumption:

The Emperor entered the interval expecting a pleasant conversation.

He may not have expected to encounter an argument.

And he certainly may not have expected to lose it.

@empiredesimparte

[wessexroyalfamily]

Next | Previous | Beginning of Current Chapter

*Opened my game this past week! Hope to have something to post in the coming days or so!

[rudyplaysims]

WIP

[empiredesimparte]

⚜ Le Cabinet Noir | N°60 | Thornolie, Opéra royal, 1 Brumaire An 231

Beginning ▬ Previous ▬ Next

@theroyalthornoliachronicles @modernthornoliachronicles

Taking advantage of the intermission, Napoleon V quietly slips away for a few moments to try to contact Laura, but without success. Eleanor notices his absence. Using the character of Donna Elvira as an example, she reflects on the difference between being chosen for a moment and being truly loved, as well as the price a woman often pays to preserve her dignity. Deeply affected by her words, which remind Louis of his conversation with Laura, he leaves the conversation visibly irritated just as the lights dim to signal the beginning of the second half.

Louis and Laura's Private Messages

Saturday, October 8 – 8:10 PM

Louis: I'm leaving for Thornolia. You've probably seen it on the news.

Sunday, October 9 – 10:45 PM

Laura: Have a good State Visit. Yes, you can have my notes. Louis: Hey, I never asked for your notes.

Monday, October 10 – 5:18 PM

Laura: You don't have to. :) Louis: Is that really all you have to say to me? Laura: Louis... Louis: So what is it? Am I a problem for you? Laura: Don't twist my words. I just want to rest. Louis: Does it make things easier that I'm leaving? Is it that relaxing?

Tuesday, October 11 – 7:29 AM

Louis: Laura? Are you there? I didn't mean that…

Wednesday, October 12 – 8:30 AM

Louis: I'm sorry, Laura. That was really stupid of me.

Thursday, October 13 – 12:34 PM

Louis: Laura?

Friday, October 14 – 12:34 PM

Louis: You can tell me you're angry with me. Or anything.

Saturday, October 16 – 6:47 PM

Louis: My favourite ghost. I hope you're doing okay.

Sunday, October 17 – 9:13 PM

Louis: I miss you. I can stop texting you too.

Tuesday, October 19 – 9:13 PM

Louis: Well… I managed two whole days.

Wednesday, October 20 – 6:02 AM

Louis: Ready to see me all over TV? See you soon.

Unsent message : I miss you so much, Laura.

TRANSCRIPTION

Eleanor: They’ll send a search party if you don’t return soon, you know. 

Napoleon puts his phone away.

Napoléon: My apologies, I was only gone for a few minutes.

Eleanor: Don’t worry. No one but me even noticed. And there’s still 10 minutes left before we have to return to our seats. 

Napoléon: You seem to be enjoying the opera.

Eleanor: Normally? Oui. Tonight? Mozart and I are in a heated argument. 

Napoléon: Why?

Eleanor: Because Don Giovanni insists upon emotionally humiliating women for three consecutive hours and calling it art. 

Napoléon: I’ve often been compared to Don Juan, as a joke.

Eleanor chuckles at that, taking a large sip of her champagne, making a face as it goes down. 

Eleanor: That’s either deeply concerning (another sip), or catastrophically arrogant. I haven’t decided which yet. 

Napoléon: I’m slightly offended you rejected ‘deeply concerning’ so quickly.

Eleanor: [Deep sigh] Such a man. Pretty sure I said either/or, Petit Empereur. Perhaps you should learn to open your ears and actually listen. 

Napoléon: It’s because I apparently make French women lose their minds.

Eleanor: Are you sure it’s because of you? Or because of your title? I would figure that out before making your grand declaration. 

Napoléon: Some women are capable of bad decisions entirely on their own, I think.

Eleanor: Of course, blame women. But sure, let’s go down this route. What do these women think when they compare you to Don Giovanni? That you’re charming? Attractive?

Napoléon: I assume they mean charming. Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.

Eleanor: If you ask me, the people who compare you must believe that hurting people is entertaining, but only if attractive men are the ones doing it. 

Napoléon: Some of us happen to enjoy being admired. And contrary to popular belief, it’s deeply irritating when it doesn’t work.

Eleanor glares at him openly. Taking another sip before she decides to douse him in the rest of it. 

Eleanor: God, you really are French. Such devastating levels of vanity…

Eleanor stares into her glass, swirling it slowly as she loses herself in alcoholic thought. 

Louis presses a hand briefly against his forehead, eyes closing for a second.

Napoléon: Apologies. My words got ahead of my thoughts.

Eleanor doesn’t respond right away, her thoughts focused outside the room. But when she finally speaks, all the anger is gone. All that’s left is exhaustion.

Eleanor: Do you know what the most humiliating part of Donna Elvira is? 

Napoléon: I’ll find out, I suppose.

Eleanor: She keeps mistaking being chosen temporarily for being loved permanently. 

She downs the last of her champagne before continuing. 

Eleanor: People always romanticise women who suffer beautifully…but nobody asks if they would have preferred dignity instead. 

Louis’s expression hardens at that.

Napoléon: And what exactly is the dignified alternative? To feel nothing?

The lights dim to signify guests to return to their seats as Eleanor looks directly at him. 

Eleanor: That’s the problem with humiliation. Usually, you don’t realise you should’ve chosen dignity until afterwards. 

Louis inclines his head before turning toward the door.

⚜ TRADUCTION FRANCAISE ⚜

Profitant de l'entracte de Don Giovanni, Napoléon V s'éclipse quelques instants pour tenter de contacter Laura, sans succès. Eleanor remarque son absence. En prenant le personnage de Donna Elvira comme exemple, elle évoque la confusion entre être choisi un temps et être véritablement aimé, ainsi que le prix de la dignité d'une femme. Touché par ses paroles, qui évoquent chez Louis sa dernière discussion avec Laura, il quitte l'échange énervé, tandis que les lumières de la salle annoncent la reprise de la représentation.

Eleanor : Ils vont finir par envoyer une équipe de recherche si tu ne reviens pas bientôt, tu sais.

Napoléon range son téléphone.

NAPOLÉON : Toutes mes excuses. Je ne me suis absenté que quelques minutes.

ELEANOR : Ne t'en fais pas. Personne ne l'a remarqué... à part moi. Et il nous reste encore dix minutes avant de retourner nous asseoir.

NAPOLÉON : Tu as l'air d'apprécier l'opéra.

ELEANOR : D'habitude ? Oui. Ce soir ? Mozart et moi sommes en plein désaccord.

NAPOLÉON : Pourquoi ?

ELEANOR : Parce que Don Giovanni s'obstine à humilier émotionnellement les femmes pendant trois heures d'affilée... et appelle ça de l'art.

NAPOLÉON : On m'a souvent comparé à Don Juan. Pour plaisanter.

Eleanor laisse échapper un petit rire et prend une longue gorgée de champagne, avant de grimacer en l'avalant.

ELEANOR : C'est soit profondément inquiétant... (elle reprend une gorgée) ...soit catastrophiquement prétentieux. Je n'ai pas encore décidé.

NAPOLÉON : Je suis légèrement vexé que tu aies écarté « profondément inquiétant » aussi rapidement.

ELEANOR (poussant un profond soupir) : Quel homme... Il me semble pourtant avoir dit « soit », petit empereur. Tu devrais peut-être apprendre à ouvrir les oreilles et à écouter, de temps en temps.

NAPOLÉON : C'est parce qu'il paraît que je fais perdre la tête aux Françaises.

ELEANOR : Tu es sûr que c'est à cause de toi ? Et pas à cause de ton titre ? Je vérifierais ça avant de faire de grandes déclarations.

NAPOLÉON : Je pense que certaines femmes sont tout à fait capables de prendre de mauvaises décisions par elles-mêmes.

ELEANOR : Évidemment. Rejeter la faute sur les femmes. Très bien, allons jusqu'au bout du raisonnement. Quand elles te comparent à Don Giovanni, qu'est-ce qu'elles veulent dire au juste ? Que tu es charmant ? Séduisant ?

NAPOLÉON : J'imagine qu'elles pensent à mon charme.

ELEANOR : À mon avis, ceux qui te comparent à lui pensent surtout que faire souffrir les gens devient divertissant... à condition que ce soit un homme séduisant qui le fasse.

NAPOLÉON : Certains d'entre nous apprécient simplement d'être admirés. Et contrairement à ce que l'on croit, c'est profondément agaçant quand ça ne fonctionne pas.

Eleanor lui lance un regard noir sans la moindre discrétion. Elle reprend une gorgée de champagne avant de décider de ne pas lui jeter le reste du verre au visage.

ELEANOR : Mon Dieu... Tu es vraiment français. Un tel niveau de vanité, c'en est presque impressionnant...

Eleanor fixe son verre, le faisant lentement tourner entre ses doigts, perdue dans ses pensées — et dans les effets de l'alcool.

Louis passe brièvement une main sur son front et ferme les yeux un instant.

NAPOLÉON : Pardonne-moi. Mes paroles ont dépassé ma pensée.

Eleanor ne répond pas immédiatement. Son regard est tourné vers l'extérieur du salon. Lorsqu'elle reprend enfin la parole, toute trace de colère a disparu. Il ne reste plus que de la fatigue.

ELEANOR : Tu sais quel est l'aspect le plus humiliant de Donna Elvira ?

NAPOLÉON : Je suppose que je vais le découvrir.

ELEANOR : Elle confond le fait d'être choisie provisoirement avec celui d'être aimée pour toujours.

Elle termine son champagne d'une traite avant de poursuivre.

ELEANOR : Les gens aiment toujours romantiser les femmes qui souffrent avec élégance... mais personne ne leur demande si elles n'auraient pas préféré conserver leur dignité.

L'expression de Louis se durcit.

NAPOLÉON : Et quelle serait, exactement, cette alternative digne ? Ne plus rien ressentir ?

Les lumières de la salle s'atténuent, invitant les spectateurs à regagner leur place. Eleanor le regarde droit dans les yeux.

ELEANOR : C'est bien là le problème de l'humiliation. On ne comprend généralement qu'on aurait dû choisir sa dignité... qu'après coup.

Louis incline légèrement la tête, puis se tourne vers la porte.

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[anachrosims]

Working on another pair of dresses.

[empiredesimparte]

⚜ Le Cabinet Noir | N°59 | Thornolie, Rue du Grand Musée de Thornolie, 1 Brumaire An 231

Beginning ▬ Previous ▬ Next

@theroyalthornoliachronicles @modernthornoliachronicles

As they leave the Grand Musée de Thornolie, Napoleon V and the Thornolian royal family take part in a walkabout, greeting the crowds gathered outside. When Queen Anaïs discreetly moves Eleanor aside, Louis invites Madame Royale to join him so that she, too, can meet the public. Initially hesitant, Eleanor finds herself drawn into a spontaneous conversation with a group of children. Their innocent questions and genuine sincerity gradually lead her to lower the reserve she usually maintains in public. For a brief moment, she lets her guard down, and her unexpected, heartfelt laughter does not go unnoticed.

TRANSCRIPTION

By the time the royal party emerged from Between Crown and Empire, the crowds outside Le Grand Musée de Thornolie had nearly doubled.

Barriers lined the broad museum steps and surrounding avenue, Thornolian and Francesim flags waving above clusters of waiting schoolchildren, tourists, royal supporters, and press photographers calling out over one another from behind the security line.

The autumn air had grown colder since morning, though the atmosphere outside remained energetic enough to blur it.

Louis seemed to come alive the second they stepped outdoors again.

Eleanor noticed that immediately.

Most royals endured public walkabouts politely.

Louis genuinely enjoyed them.

He moved naturally toward the barricades beside King Aurelien, shaking hands, leaning down to speak to children properly instead of through them, laughing easily when people shouted comments from the crowd.

It looked effortless.

Which Eleanor found mildly offensive.

She remained beside her father initially, offering practiced smiles and brief conversation where necessary while cameras flashed relentlessly across the museum entrance.

For a little while, it went smoothly enough. Then Anais appeared beside her.

Eleanor noticed the shift instantly. Her mother’s hand settled lightly against her elbow — elegant enough for cameras, firm enough to redirect.

Anais: Darling, perhaps stand slightly farther back. You’re blocking Monsieur le Roi.

Napoleon glanced back just in time to notice the subtle movement of Anais guiding Eleanor away. His expression shifted faintly.

Napoléon : Madame Royale ? These people came hoping to see you too.

He stepped slightly aside near the barriers, leaving space for Eleanor beside him.

Napoléon : Apparently, Thornolia’s children have decided I belong to them now.

Eleanor eyes Louis warily, trying to judge what it was exactly he was trying to accomplish. But knowing the last thing she wanted was to stay near her mother, she stepped over toward Louis before talking low enough so only he could hear. 

Eleanor: And you think I can help with that? 

Napoléon : Absolutely not.

He lowered his voice as the crowd continued calling around them. One of the children immediately gasped upon realizing the Madame Royale herself had approached.

Child : Madame Royale !!

Eleanor faltered slightly at the shouts aimed directly at her. Not because she was scared, but because very few rarely called out for her. She did her best to hide it quickly as she walked up to the small group of children where the voice came from. One little girl - no older than eight - gasped dramatically the moment she saw Eleanor approaching.

Girl: It’s really her! Madame Royale! 

Eleanor: Hello. 

Girl: Can you sign this please! 

Eleanor: I don’t see why not. 

Napoleon watched the exchange with immediate amusement.

Napoléon : What do you want to say to Madame Royale ? 

He asked the children.

Eleanor did everything within her to not turn and glare at Louis. But his question opened the floodgates for the children to start asking her all kinds of things.

Girl: Mama said you speak five languages!

Eleanor: I wouldn’t say that…maybe three.

Girl: That’s still loads.

Boy: Do you always have to wave everywhere?

Eleanor: No, but people get worried when I don’t. 

Girl: Do you have a tiara? 

Eleanor: A few. 

Another Girl: Do you wear them around the palace? 

Eleanor: Only to intimidate my siblings. 

Everyone nearby laughed as Eleanor continued to answer their questions. 

Boy: You’re my favourite royal.

Eleanor stared at him, completely caught off guard.

Eleanor: That seems statistically unlikely.

Louis let out an involuntary laugh beside her.

The children laughed too, though mostly because he had.

Then the little girl leaned closer conspiratorially.

Girl: I like you because you look like you’d survive a horror movie.

For the first time all day, Eleanor laughed properly.

Short. Unexpected. Real.

Even she looked startled by it afterward.

Louis glanced toward her immediately. And the expression on his face in that moment nearly undid her. Not amusement. Something softer. Like relief.

The little girl beamed triumphantly, turning back to her friends.

Girl: See? She’s not an ice princess! I told you!

Eleanor recovered herself quickly after that, though not entirely.

A discreet movement near the crowd finally interrupted the moment. One of the GIRE agents stepped closer to Napoleon V, speaking quietly enough to avoid the cameras.

Agent: Sire, we need to resume the walk.

Napoleon’s smile faded slightly. He greets the children, a few of them groaned in disappointment. Before stepping away with the procession, he looked briefly toward Eleanor.

Napoleon : You did well, Madame Royale.

The GIRE subtly closed around the Emperor once more.

Eleanor: Children are easier. They usually mean what they say.

Louis: You realise you just became emotionally attached to a child who compared you to a horror film survivor.

Eleanor: It’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all week.

Louis glanced sideways at her.

Louis absorbed that quietly.

And as the cameras continued flashing around them, he found himself wondering just how young Eleanor had been when she first learned adults rarely did.

⚜ TRADUCTION FRANCAISE ⚜

À la sortie du Grand Musée de Thornolie, Napoléon V et la famille royale participent à un bain de foule devant une foule venue les accueillir. Lorsque la reine Anaïs écarte discrètement sa fille, Louis l'invite à venir à ses côtés afin qu'elle puisse, elle aussi, aller à la rencontre du public. D'abord hésitante, Eleanor se laisse entraîner dans un échange spontané avec un groupe d'enfants, dont les questions naïves et les remarques pleines de sincérité la conduisent à laisser tomber, pour quelques instants, la réserve qu'elle affiche habituellement en public. Son rire inattendu et naturel n'échappe pas à personne.

Lorsque le cortège royal quitta l'exposition Entre Couronne et Empire, la foule rassemblée devant le Grand Musée de Thornolie avait presque doublé.

Des barrières longeaient les larges marches du musée et l'avenue qui les bordait. Au-dessus des groupes d'écoliers, de touristes, de partisans de la monarchie et de photographes de presse qui s'interpellaient derrière le dispositif de sécurité, flottaient des drapeaux thornoliens et français.

L'air d'automne s'était rafraîchi depuis le matin, mais l'enthousiasme de la foule suffisait presque à faire oublier le froid.

Louis sembla reprendre vie dès l'instant où ils remirent le pied à l'extérieur.

Eleanor le remarqua immédiatement.

La plupart des membres des familles royales supportaient les bains de foule par devoir.

Louis, lui, les aimait sincèrement.

Il se dirigea naturellement vers les barrières aux côtés du roi Aurélien, serrant des mains, s'accroupissant pour parler aux enfants en les regardant vraiment, plutôt que par-dessus leurs têtes, riant avec facilité lorsque des personnes l'interpellaient depuis la foule.

Tout paraissait d'une simplicité déconcertante.

Ce qu'Eleanor trouva légèrement agaçant.

Elle demeura d'abord près de son père, distribuant des sourires parfaitement maîtrisés et échangeant quelques mots lorsque cela s'avérait nécessaire, tandis que les flashes crépitaient sans relâche devant le musée.

Pendant quelques instants, tout se déroula sans incident.

Puis Anaïs vint se placer à ses côtés.

Eleanor sentit immédiatement le changement.

La main de sa mère se posa délicatement sur son bras : un geste suffisamment élégant pour les photographes, mais assez ferme pour la déplacer.

ANAÏS Ma chérie, mets-toi un peu plus en retrait. Tu caches Monsieur le Roi.

Napoléon se retourna juste à temps pour apercevoir le geste discret par lequel Anaïs écartait Eleanor. Son expression changea imperceptiblement.

NAPOLÉON Madame Royale ? Ces personnes espéraient aussi vous voir.

Il se décala légèrement près des barrières, lui laissant une place à ses côtés.

NAPOLÉON Apparemment, les enfants de Thornolie ont décidé que je leur appartenais désormais.

Eleanor le regarda avec méfiance, essayant de comprendre ce qu'il cherchait exactement à faire. Mais sachant que la dernière chose qu'elle souhaitait était de rester près de sa mère, elle s'approcha de Louis et lui répondit assez bas pour qu'il soit le seul à l'entendre.

ELEANOR Et tu crois que je peux t'aider avec ça ?

NAPOLÉON Absolument pas.

Il baissa la voix tandis que la foule continuait de les appeler de toutes parts. Une des petites filles poussa aussitôt un cri émerveillé en réalisant que Madame Royale elle-même venait de s'approcher.

UNE ENFANT Madame Royale !!

Eleanor hésita un bref instant en entendant les appels qui lui étaient directement destinés. Non par peur, mais parce que bien peu de gens criaient habituellement son nom.

Elle s'efforça de ne rien laisser paraître avant de rejoindre le petit groupe d'enfants.

Une fillette d'à peine huit ans ouvrit de grands yeux en la voyant approcher.

FILLETTE C'est vraiment elle ! Madame Royale !

ELEANOR Bonjour.

FILLETTE Vous pouvez signer ça, s'il vous plaît ?

ELEANOR Je ne vois pas pourquoi non.

Napoléon observa immédiatement la scène avec amusement.

NAPOLÉON Alors, qu'est-ce que vous voulez dire à Madame Royale ?

demanda-t-il aux enfants.

Eleanor fit tout son possible pour ne pas se retourner afin de lancer un regard noir à Louis. Mais sa question ouvrit les vannes.

FILLETTE Maman dit que vous parlez cinq langues !

ELEANOR Je ne dirais pas ça… Disons trois.

FILLETTE C'est déjà énormément !

GARÇON Vous êtes obligée de faire signe de la main partout où vous allez ?

ELEANOR Non… mais les gens s'inquiètent quand je ne le fais pas.

FILLETTE Vous avez une couronne ?

ELEANOR Quelques-unes.

FILLETTE Vous les portez dans le palais ?

ELEANOR Seulement pour intimider mes frères et sœurs.

Tous ceux qui se trouvaient à proximité éclatèrent de rire tandis qu'Eleanor continuait de répondre à leurs questions.

GARÇON Vous êtes mon membre préféré de la famille royale.

Eleanor le fixa, complètement prise au dépourvu.

ELEANOR Statistiquement, cela me paraît peu probable.

Louis laissa échapper un rire malgré lui.

Les enfants rirent eux aussi, surtout parce qu'il venait de le faire.

La petite fille se pencha alors vers Eleanor, comme pour lui confier un secret.

FILLETTE Moi, je vous aime bien parce que vous avez l'air de survivre dans un film d'horreur.

Pour la première fois de la journée, Eleanor éclata d'un vrai rire.

Court.

Inattendu.

Sincère.

Même elle sembla surprise lorsqu'il s'éteignit.

Louis tourna immédiatement la tête vers elle.

Et l'expression qui passa alors sur son visage faillit la déstabiliser.

Ce n'était pas de l'amusement.

C'était quelque chose de plus doux.

Presque du soulagement.

La petite fille se retourna triomphalement vers ses amis.

FILLETTE Vous voyez ? Ce n'est pas une princesse de glace ! Je vous l'avais dit !

Eleanor retrouva rapidement son calme.

Du moins, presque.

Un discret mouvement dans la foule interrompit finalement l'instant.

L'un des agents du GIRE s'approcha de Napoléon V et lui parla suffisamment bas pour échapper aux caméras.

L'AGENT GIRE Sire, nous devons reprendre le parcours.

Le sourire de Napoléon s'effaça légèrement.

Il salua les enfants, dont plusieurs laissèrent échapper un gémissement de déception.

Puis, avant de reprendre sa place dans le cortège, il se tourna brièvement vers Eleanor.

NAPOLÉON Vous vous êtes très bien débrouillée, Madame Royale.

Le GIRE se referma discrètement autour de l'Empereur.

ELEANOR Les enfants sont plus simples. En général, ils pensent réellement ce qu'ils disent.

LOUIS Tu te rends compte que tu viens de t'attacher émotionnellement à une petite fille qui t'a comparée à une survivante de film d'horreur ?

ELEANOR C'est probablement la plus gentille chose qu'on m'ait dite de toute la semaine.

Louis lui jeta un regard de côté.

Il accueillit cette remarque en silence.

Et tandis que les flashes continuaient de crépiter autour d'eux, il se surprit à se demander quel âge Eleanor avait bien pu avoir lorsqu'elle avait compris que les adultes, eux, ne pensaient que rarement ce qu'ils disaient.