The Solitude Before the Storm

A month later, in the Château de Chantilly, Napoleon was in the courtyard, fiddling his hands with a screwdriver where he tightened the last nail to the sounder, an electromechanical device that produces audible clicks or sounds when receiving telegraph signals.

The moment it was tightened, Napoleon straightened his posture and wiped the sweat off his forehead. In just a month, he finished making the telegraph. Though technically it only took him two weeks, because the three weeks were spent with him and Ciela visiting their factories and ensuring that the production is maintained despite the political upheaval happening in France.

"Was it done?"

Napoleon heard her soft velvety voice sound from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Ciela walking towards him with a plate of strawberry tart.

"I'm sure you are hungry so I baked you some," Ciela said, handing him the plate.