Palace of Versailles, France
Emperor's Office
Mid April 1837
Morning light slipped through the tall windows, stretching across the polished floor and the heavy desk at the center of the room. The office was quiet, like it always was at this hour. Stacks of reports had already been placed neatly in order, waiting to be read.
Napoleon stood by the window.
He had been there for a while.
Not doing nothing. Just thinking.
Japan hadn't left his mind since the last dispatch.
Behind him, the door opened.
Charles-Louis stepped in, holding a thick bundle of documents under his arm. He stopped a few steps inside.
"Your Majesty."
Napoleon didn't turn right away.
"You've got the full report?" he asked.
"Yes."
A short pause.
"Then go on."
Napoleon moved back to his desk and took his seat. Charles-Louis stepped forward and laid the documents down in front of him, then opened them.
