Chapter Four: Roland's Contemplations

"Oh, Roland, would you stand with me against the forces of evil? Do you see me as a hero?" Roland's inquiry sparked a twinkle of delight in Napoleon's eyes, prompting him to engage Roland further.

 In this fleeting moment, Napoleon exuded a youthful energy, a departure from his usual mature demeanor. His youthful spirit shone effortlessly, especially in the glow of admiration, making his excitement tangible.

 "Absolutely! I consider Uncle Napoleon a great hero," Roland exclaimed with genuine joy.

 "Haha! You mischievous rascal," Napoleon laughed heartily, giving Roland's shoulder an affectionate pat.

 "Your friendship is truly admirable!"

 Just as Roland used his wit to bring laughter to Napoleon's lips, a middle-aged man approached, interrupting their conversation.

 "Uncle Joseph!" Roland greeted the newcomer respectfully.

 Indeed, the newcomer was Joseph Bonaparte, the eldest son of the illustrious Bonaparte lineage.

 "Brother! I've grown quite fond of young Louis; he's simply delightful. And he holds me in high regard," Napoleon asserted in response to Joseph's inquiry. Rising from his seat, Napoleon adjusted his attire before addressing his older brother, emphasizing the importance of "admiration" in their exchange.

 Clearly, Napoleon found comfort in Roland's admiration.

 Napoleon's earnest desire for validation was not unfounded. Within the Bonaparte family, he seemed to be the least favored.

 This was partly due to Napoleon's romantic relationships. Presently infatuated with Euginie Desirée, Napoleon's affection faced the disapproval of his parents, Carlo and his mother. Their disdain for Euginie Desirée's common lineage clashed with Carlo's firm belief in preserving noble bloodlines, even amidst the family's dwindling status.

 Furthermore, Napoleon's extravagant spending only added to familial tensions. Despite his military education and service in the Raphaël Artillery Regiment, his modest income couldn't support his lavish lifestyle. Thus, Napoleon turned to his family for assistance.

 However, the Bonaparte family's finances were strained, burdened by Roland's numerous uncles and aunts. With Joseph, Napoleon, and Louis shouldering the bulk of the financial responsibilities, their combined income fell short of the family's needs.

 Carlo's modest birthday celebration highlighted the family's financial struggles. If Napoleon were to worsen matters, he would not only fail to contribute but also add to the family's burden. His parents were well aware of the consequences of such actions.

Yet Roland foresaw that this state of affairs would soon undergo a profound metamorphosis. In the year 1785, a mere eight years hence, Napoleon would seize a decisive triumph in the Battle of Toulon, earning an unprecedented leap to the rank of brigadier general. Thereafter, he would embark on campaigns across Italy and Egypt, culminating in the epochal coup of 18 Brumaire and his ascent to the zenith of French authority.

 This ascent signified not only Napoleon's rise but also the ascendancy of the Bonaparte lineage, destined to ascend in parallel until reaching the apogee of French nobility. For Roland, as a scion of this illustrious lineage, the horizon of his future seemed boundless. With his father, Louis Bonaparte, poised to be anointed as the King of Holland, Roland pondered, "Shall I then be deemed the Prince of Holland?" The mere contemplation kindled within him a fervent excitement. In a previous life, he had been but an ordinary laborer, yet now he glimpsed the prospect of princely stature.

 As Roland continued to muse upon his destiny, his reveries drifted farther and farther afield, anchored only by the reminiscences of his distant childhood, until the conclusion of the banquet on the ensuing day. Throughout, his affinity with Napoleon blossomed, each interaction fostering a deeper connection.

 On the morrow, Napoleon embarked on his journey. Unlike Joseph and Louis, whose hearts were tethered to familial bonds, Napoleon perceived his paramount duty in the liberation of Corsica's populace.

 Before his departure, Napoleon made a deliberate effort to bid Roland adieu once more. Following a night of heartfelt discourse, it was evident that Napoleon held great affection for his nephew. In their final exchange, Napoleon even pledged Roland that he would triumph, vowing to share the ensuing glories of Corsican heroism with his cherished nephew.

 Regrettably, Roland harbored forebodings concerning Napoleon's arduous path ahead, fraught with trials that nearly stripped him of his commission as a second lieutenant. Nevertheless, it was this very setback that fractured Napoleon's resolve to rescue Corsica, prompting his return to Paris under duress and, ultimately, affording him the opportunity for ascension.

 As the hero commenced his stride upon the stage of history, Roland, possessed of historical insight, found himself consigned to the periphery. At a tender age of five, his aspirations remained distant, compelling him to luxuriate in the fleeting comforts of a bygone childhood, anticipating the auspicious moment when he would mature and step forth to carve his own destiny amidst the tumultuous currents of the era.

 Yet, as previously mentioned, Roland was presently but five years old, still too tender to grasp the intricacies of his future. For now, he could merely partake in pursuits commensurate with his age, such as basking in the nostalgic recollections of his long-dissolved youth.