Reincarnated as Napoleon II

Chapter 206: Final Days

Tuileries Palace, Paris.

May 29th, 1836

The palace had grown quieter over the past two weeks.

It was not something that changed in a single day. It settled slowly, the way people lower their voices without being told. The corridors no longer carried the same movement. Conversations stopped when someone important passed, but now they stopped even before that. Everyone already understood.

Napoleon I was dying.

By the time Napoleon II arrived, that understanding had spread through every part of the palace.

This time, he did not come alone.

Elisabeth stepped out beside him, holding Anna carefully in her arms. The child shifted slightly, her small hands moving without purpose, unaware of where she was or why she had been brought here. Elsa stood close to Napoleon II, holding his hand tightly. She did not ask questions. She had seen enough in the past days to understand that something was wrong.

Napoleon II looked down at her for a moment.

"We’re going to see your grandfather," he said.

Elsa nodded once.

"I know."

Her voice was quiet, but steady.

Napoleon II gave a small nod, then led them forward.

Inside, the atmosphere had not improved.

It had only deepened.

Servants stepped aside quickly. No one spoke unless necessary. Even the guards seemed more aware, their presence less rigid, more restrained. It was no longer just discipline. It was respect for something that was about to end.

Marie Louise was waiting near the inner chamber.

She did not try to hide anything this time. The effort from before was gone. What remained was fatigue, not from lack of sleep, but from watching something she could not stop.

"You came," she said.

"Yes."

Her eyes moved briefly to Elisabeth, then to the children.

"He asked to see all of you," she said.

Napoleon II nodded.

"Is he awake?"

"For now," she replied. "But it doesn’t last long."

That was enough.

Napoleon II stepped forward and pushed the door open.

The room felt smaller.

Not because of its size, but because of what was inside it.

Napoleon I lay on the bed, and there was no denying it anymore. The strength that once defined him was gone. What remained was a quiet presence, something that did not need to prove itself anymore.

His breathing was shallow and uneven. Each breath came with a slight pause, as if his body had to decide to take the next one.

Napoleon II stepped closer.

Elisabeth followed, holding Anna. Elsa stayed close, her hand still gripping his.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Napoleon I’s eyes opened.

It took longer this time. His gaze shifted slowly before settling.

He saw Napoleon II.

"You came," he said.

His voice was weaker now, but still clear.

Napoleon II nodded.

"Yes."

Napoleon I’s eyes moved again.

They rested on Elisabeth, then on the children.

There was a small change in his expression.

"Your family," he said.

Napoleon II glanced back.

"Yes."

Elisabeth stepped forward slightly.

"Your Majesty," she said softly.

Napoleon I gave a faint nod.

Then his gaze settled on Elsa.

She stood still, looking at him. There was no fear in her face, just uncertainty. She did not fully understand what was happening, but she knew it mattered.

Napoleon II lowered himself slightly beside her.

"Go on," he said quietly.

Elsa stepped forward.

"Grandfather," she said.

Napoleon I watched her.

"You’ve grown," he said.

Elsa nodded.

"Yes."

He continued to look at her for a moment, then his gaze shifted to Anna.

"That’s my other granddaughter...I’m sad I won’t be able to see her grow like Elsa..."

Elisabeth adjusted Anna slightly in her arms, bringing her a little closer. The child shifted again, her small fingers curling and uncurling without purpose, unaware of the weight behind the moment.

"You’ve seen her," Elisabeth said softly. "That matters."

Napoleon I looked at the child.

"Yes," he said.

His voice was quieter now.

"But not enough."

The words stayed in the room.

Napoleon II stepped a little closer.

"You don’t know that," he said.

Napoleon I looked at him.

For a moment, there was a faint trace of something familiar in his expression.

"I do," he said.

Napoleon II did not argue.

There was no point.

Napoleon I’s gaze returned to Anna. He watched her for a few seconds longer, then shifted his eyes back to Elsa.

"Take care of her," he said.

Elsa nodded quickly.

"I will."

Her voice was small, but certain.

Napoleon I gave the faintest nod in return.

Then his attention moved back to Napoleon II.

"You’ve done well," he said.

Napoleon II did not answer immediately.

"I did what I had to," he said.

Napoleon I studied him.

"You did more than that."

Napoleon II held his gaze.

There was no need to explain it further.

Napoleon I’s breathing slowed again.

Each breath came with a longer pause now.

The room stayed quiet.

Marie Louise stood near the side, her hands held together tightly, saying nothing. Elisabeth remained still, her focus on the child in her arms, though her eyes moved back to the bed from time to time.

Napoleon II stepped closer again and took his father’s hand.

This time, the grip was weaker than before.

But it was still there.

Napoleon I looked at him.

"Good luck, my son," he said. "I wish you... more time than I had."

The words came slowly, each one taking effort.

"Don’t carry everything alone," he added quietly. "You don’t have to."

"I know."

Napoleon I gave the faintest trace of a breath, something close to relief.

"Good."

A brief silence followed.

Then his eyes shifted again, taking in the room one last time.

Marie Louise.

Elisabeth.

The children.

Napoleon II.

His breathing grew lighter.

The pauses stretched further.

Napoleon II tightened his hold on his hand just slightly, not enough to disturb, just enough to remain present.

Napoleon I’s fingers responded faintly.

Then slowly, they began to loosen.

The strength left them without struggle.

His chest rose once more.

Then settled.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Marie Louise turned away, unable to hold herself together any longer. Elisabeth lowered her gaze, holding Anna closer against her chest. Elsa stood frozen, her small hand still resting against the bed, not fully understanding, but feeling the change.

Napoleon II remained where he was.

Still holding his father’s hand.

And when he finally let go, he did so slowly, as if acknowledging what had just passed.