Provocation

Napoleon and Talleyrand arrived at the room where the Duke of Zweibrücken was staying.

There were two guards standing on either side of the door, who promptly presented arms and saluted to the Emperor.

Talleyrand stepped forward and knocked on the door. 

"Come in," a voice called from within.

Talleyrand opened the door, and Napoleon, with his coronation mantle still draped over him, entered the room. 

The Duke of Zweibrücken, Maximilian, was seated on a sofa. Upon seeing the Emperor, he stood up immediately and bowed. 

"Your Majesty," Maximilian greeted reverently.

Napoleon scanned the man, he seemed to be in his late fifties, with grayish hair that clung to his scalp, almost bald in the front. Just like any other aristocrat, he wore a finely tailored coat of dark blue, adorned with intricate gold embroidery that denoted his status and nobility. 

"Duke Maximilian," Napoleon acknowledged with a nod. "You may raise your head."