Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 103: Arriving at Brest

While in transit towards Brest. The Imperial Family of Bonaparte joined together for a breakfast in the dining car.

The carriage was steadier than the others, built wider and lower to reduce sway. A long table had been secured to the floor, already laid with porcelain plates, polished cutlery, and covered dishes that kept their heat despite the motion. Sunlight slid across the tablecloth in shifting bands as the countryside passed outside.

A steward moved quietly along the side, lifting lids in sequence. Fresh bread. Eggs. Roasted meats. Fruit arranged in shallow bowls. Coffee steamed in silver pots.

Napoleon II pulled out a chair for Elisabeth before taking his own seat beside her. Napoleon I and Marie Louise sat opposite them. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Careful," Napoleon II murmured to Elisabeth as the train hit a gentle curve.

"I’m fine," she said, though she accepted his hand anyway.

Marie Louise watched the exchange with a small, knowing look.

"So," she said, reaching for a cup, "how are you feeling this morning?"

Elisabeth glanced up. "Better than last week," she admitted. "The mornings are... unpredictable."

Marie Louise nodded once. "Nausea?"

"Sometimes. Mostly when I wake up too quickly."

"Eat before you stand," Marie Louise said immediately. "Even a small piece of bread. It helps settle the stomach."

Elisabeth listened closely. "I’ll remember that."

Napoleon II was halfway to cutting his food when he paused. "Is that... normal?"

Marie Louise gave him a flat look. "Yes."

Napoleon I hid a faint smile behind his cup.

"It’s common," Marie Louise continued, turning back to Elisabeth. "Your appetite may change. Some days you’ll be hungry. Others you won’t want anything at all. Don’t force it. Small meals. Frequently."

Elisabeth nodded. "I’ve noticed that already."

"And fatigue?" Marie Louise asked.

Elisabeth exhaled. "I get tired faster."

"You will," Marie Louise said. "Your body is doing the work now. Rest when you can. Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise."

Napoleon II cleared his throat. "She won’t be ignoring me. I’ve already reduced her schedule."

Marie Louise gave a short approving nod. "Good."

Napoleon I set down his fork. "When she carried you," he said to Napoleon II, "she nearly ordered half the palace rearranged because a chair was uncomfortable."

Marie Louise shot him a look. "It was uncomfortable."

Napoleon II looked between them. "Should I be worried?"

"Yes," Marie Louise and Elisabeth answered at the same time.

That earned a quiet laugh around the table.

Marie Louise leaned slightly closer to Elisabeth. "You may feel pressure in your back as the months go on. Support cushions help. And walking, short walks, keep your circulation steady. It’ll help trust me."

"I’ve been walking in the gardens," Elisabeth said as she giggled. "Nothing strenuous."

Napoleon II pushed a glass of water toward Elisabeth without looking away from her plate. "Drink this honey."

She gave him a sideways glance. "Thank you."

The train swayed gently as it crossed a junction. The dishes rattled once, then settled.

Marie Louise reached across and rested a hand briefly over Elisabeth’s. "Why don’t you come visit us in the Tuileris Palace?"

"It’s a lovely offer, I would definitely visit there if there is time," Elisabeth said.

For the remaining hours of the trip, the Imperial Family did their best to keep themselves occupied. They passed the time with light card games, idle conversation, and long looks out the windows as the countryside rolled by.

Meals were served, cleared, and replaced with tea. Stewards moved quietly through the carriage, adjusting curtains and checking on the passengers without interrupting the relaxed mood.

At times, the conversation drifted back to Brest, the shipyards, the modernization efforts, and what Napoleon I hoped to see when they arrived. Other moments were spent in quieter exchanges, Elisabeth resting when she needed to, Marie Louise keeping her company, and Napoleon II checking in more often than he realized.

Hours blurred together until they arrived at the Gare de Brest.

The whole trip took about fourteen hours and it was now ten o’clock in the evening. But they didn’t disembark. The reason was that there’s no place in Brest that could accommodate the Imperial Family. So they decided to spend the night in the train since it was just as good as the Palace of Versailles. It had its own HVAC systems and a comfortable bed.

Morning came and the Bonaparte family prepared for the day. They freshened themselves up, taking a bath, and dressing in appropriate attire for a site inspection of a naval shipyard.

They ate breakfast on the train too, making sure that they have the energy they need to inspect the shipyard. And once they are done with that, they debarked the train where citizens of Brest greeted the Imperial Family enthusiastically, waving the tricolor flag of France and the crest of the Bonaparte.

"Long live the Emperor"

The chant rolled across the platform in waves.

Napoleon II stepped down first, boots touching the stone with a firm click. He turned immediately and offered his hand to Elisabeth. She accepted, steady despite the long journey. Napoleon I followed with Marie Louise close beside him.

Imperial Guards moved into position without breaking the crowd’s view, forming a loose corridor between the train and the station exit. The citizens of Brest pressed forward as far as they were allowed, hats raised, flags lifted high. Some called out blessings. Others simply stared, eager to see the Imperial Family with their own eyes.

Napoleon II raised a hand in acknowledgment. The gesture alone sent another ripple of cheers through the platform.

"Enthusiastic," Napoleon I muttered under his breath.

"That’s just how they love us father," Napoleon II replied, still waving his hand on them. "Thanks to your reforms and governance and me continuing it, the support to the Bonapartes is stronger than ever."

A naval officer in dress uniform approached and stopped a respectful distance away. He saluted sharply.

"Your Imperial Majesties," he said. "Vice-Admiral Jean Henri Joseph Dupotet, commanding Brest Naval District."

Napoleon II returned the salute with a nod. "Vice-Admiral, is the shipyard ready for inspections?"

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Great...then let us see it."