After the Presentation Part 1

Napoleon's exhilaration lingered in the air as he stepped out of the lecture hall, having just delivered his groundbreaking thesis on the Principle of Thermodynamics to a captivated audience. Antoine Lavoisier, the esteemed chemist and influential figure in Parisian society, was among those who attended the presentation. Impressed by Napoleon's intellect and charisma, Lavoisier extended a personal invitation to celebrate the momentous occasion with a dinner at his opulent residence in Paris.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city, Napoleon and his partner, Ciela, made their way toward the main gate of Antoine Lavoisier's mansion. The anticipation bubbled within them, eager to continue the intellectual discourse in a more intimate setting. The imposing wrought-iron gates swung open, revealing the magnificence that lay beyond.

The path leading to the entrance was adorned with vibrant gardens, meticulously manicured and fragrant. The mansion itself stood as a testament to Lavoisier's refined taste and lavish lifestyle. Its elegant architecture, a blend of classic and contemporary styles, exuded an air of sophistication. The soft glow of chandeliers spilled from the tall windows, offering a glimpse of the grandeur awaiting them inside.

As Napoleon and Ciela crossed the threshold, they were warmly greeted by Lavoisier himself, his face lit up with a congenial smile.

"Good evening, Monsieur Napoleon, welcome to my humble abode," Antoine Lavoisier exclaimed, his voice carrying an undertone of genuine admiration. He extended a hand towards Napoleon, who shook it firmly, acknowledging the host's warm welcome.

"Thank you, Monsieur Lavoisier," Napoleon replied, his eyes scanning the elegant foyer. "This is far from humble, I must say. Your residence is a marvel. I don't know if what I'm wearing would be suitable for such a grand setting."

Lavoisier chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance. "Oh, worry not, my dear Napoleon. Intellectual brilliance is what truly matters in this gathering. Your presence alone is an honor, regardless of attire."

Feeling at ease with Lavoisier's response, Napoleon returned the smile and glanced towards Ciela, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation. He took her hand and gently squeezed it, silently conveying his gratitude for the support she did for the thesis.

As the duo followed Lavoisier deeper into the mansion, they were greeted by a symphony of opulence. Magnificent paintings adorned the walls, depicting scenes of historical significance and moments of scientific discovery. Ornate candelabras illuminated the corridor, casting a warm and inviting glow.

They entered a grand dining hall, its long table adorned with fine china, crystal glassware, and an array of delectable dishes prepared by masterful chefs. The room buzzed with the voices of eminent guests, which were basically the popular scientists of France who attended his presentation earlier, their animated conversations creating an atmosphere brimming with intellect and curiosity.

"Oh, here's the precocious child himself, Napoleon," a man in his thirties wearing a Renaissance doublet and sporting a mischievous grin interrupted, approaching the group with a glass of wine in hand. It was none other than Pierre-Simon Laplace, the brilliant mathematician known for his celestial mechanics and contributions to probability theory.

Napoleon's eyes lit up with recognition, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Ah, Monsieur Laplace, always a pleasure," he greeted warmly, extending his hand in greeting. "I have read about your book on the theory of probabilities, it was quite fascinating."

Laplace returned the handshake, a twinkle in his eye. "Thank you, Monsieur Napoleon, I am glad to hear that. Your thesis was quite impressive as well. Here, let me introduce you to my friends here, Monsieur Jacques Charles, and Augustin De Coulomb."

Napoleon's gaze flickered at the two gentlemen, the man who made Charles Law and the one renowned for his work on electromagnetism. It was an honor to be in the presence of such esteemed scientists, whose contributions had shaped the very foundations of physics.

"Good evening sir, I got to be honest with you, I'm a fan of you two. I remember reading your book, Monsieur Charles, about the relationship between volume and temperature in gases," Napoleon said, addressing Jacques Charles with genuine enthusiasm in his voice. "Your work laid the groundwork for the study of thermodynamics, and it has been an invaluable resource for my own research."

Charles smiled graciously, his eyes reflecting a sense of pride. "Thank you, Napoleon. I'm delighted to hear that my work has resonated with you. It's always gratifying to know that one's contributions have made an impact."

Napoleon turned his attention to Augustin De Coulomb, extending a respectful nod. "And Monsieur De Coulomb, your discoveries in the field of electromagnetism have revolutionized our understanding of electrical forces."

"You flatter me, young one," Coulomb said. "But there's still much to learn in this world. I wonder, young one, are you going to be a scientist like us?"

Napoleon chuckled slightly. "Partially, Monsieur De Coulomb. While my career path lies in the military, I aspire to be more than just a soldier. I believe that science and innovation are essential pillars for progress, and progress is what would dramatically change France."

After that exchange, Napoleon also met other influential scientists at the time, people like Claude Louis Berthollet, Louis Nicolas Vauquelin, Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu, and many more. The evening unfolded like a symphony of ideas and knowledge, as Napoleon engaged in captivating discussions with each of these brilliant minds. The grand dining hall became a haven for intellectual exchange, where concepts were dissected, theories were challenged, and new frontiers were envisioned.

However, just as he was having fun, Ciela on the other hand is finding it hard to blend in among the intellectuals. For her, they were speaking alien, as if rubbing to her face that she doesn't belong there.

Napoleon noticed her growing discomfort and glanced over at Ciela, sensing her unease amidst the sea of intellectual discourse.

"Uhm, excuse me gentlemen," Napoleon stood, taking Ciela's hand and guiding her towards the elegant gardens just outside the dining hall.

The soft moonlight bathed the surroundings, casting a tranquil glow over the lush greenery and vibrant flowers.

As they strolled along the cobblestone paths, Napoleon spoke softly. "I apologize if the evening has been overwhelming for you, even for me. You never get a chance to meet the brightest minds of France right?"

"I know Master, but why would you leave so suddenly for my sake? I could have stayed there and remained silent," Ciela looked up at Napoleon, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and concern. She didn't want to be a burden to him, especially at such a prestigious gathering.

"Well, I don't want to make you feel left out if you know what I'm saying. After all, I'm simply flattering them in order to make a connection. Them being an acquaintance of mine is an advantage."

"Is that so, Master?" Ciela asked bashfully. "But aren't you being considerate towards me?"

Napoleon interrupted her with a playful smirk. "Hey, don't worry about it, Ciela. I just wanted a breather from all that brainy chatter. Sometimes, it's nice to escape the intellectual overload and enjoy a peaceful moment together, you know?"

Ciela's cheek reddened upon those words. Napoleon saw it and realized the words that just came out of his mouth.

"Not in a romantic way, of course, don't misunderstand it," Napoleon quickly clarified, feeling a tinge of embarrassment himself. He didn't want to give Ciela the wrong impression or create any awkwardness between them.

Ciela chuckled softly, her embarrassment fading as she understood his intention. "Oh, I know, Master. I didn't take it that way, so it's fine…Tee~hee!"

Napoleon smiled, relieved that Ciela had taken his words in stride. Her laughter was like a melody that lifted his spirits.

"You have a wonderful sense of humor, Ciela," Napoleon said, his eyes reflecting genuine fondness. "Let's return now, they might be looking for us."

"I agree…master," she softly said and made their way back to the grand dining hall. The vibrant atmosphere of intellectual discourse greeted them once again as they stepped through the doors. The captivating discussions continued, and the room buzzed with the exchange of ideas.