Bound by Gold and Lace
Gold and Lace: A Tale of Two Brides
Episode 3: The Breath of Life, The Echo of War (1811–1812)
Part 1: The Perilous Birth of an Heir
March 1811. The Tuileries Palace was engulfed in extreme tension. Empress Marie-Louise had been in labor for over twenty hours.
The child was in a breech position, and the terrified doctors presented Napoleon with a grim choice:
"Should we prioritize the life of the mother, or the heir?"
Napoleon, showing a panic he had never displayed on any battlefield, roared:
"Save the mother! Her life must be the first priority! We can have more children!"
On her bed, Louise endured a pain so agonizing her consciousness began to fade. The French courtiers around her seemed to crave only the birth of the heir, showing no true concern for her survival.
As fear and pain threatened to tear her apart, her fingers brushed against the chamomile and rosemary lace bookmark she had hidden beneath her pillow.
The image of the lace-maker smiling under the shade of the oak tree flashed through her mind. She said this brings 'strength in adversity' and 'family happiness'... Please, give me strength.
Give me the strength to become the mother of France!
A miracle occurred. Through the desperate efforts of the doctors, Louise survived, and a healthy baby boy was born.
It was Napoleon II, titled the "King of Rome.
" Napoleon was overjoyed, kissing Louise's forehead repeatedly as he held his son. "You did it, Louise! You are the greatest pride of my empire."
Louise offered a tired but radiant smile, gazing at the lace bookmark in her hand. I have done it. For this man, for this child, and for this country, I will live. It was the absolute pinnacle of her happiness.
Part 2: The Draft of War
Around the same time, in the humble bakery. Jeanne had also given birth to a healthy baby girl.
They named her Marie, after the gentle "foreign lady" she had met in the courtyard. Pierre's bread was more popular than ever, filling their home every morning with the warm aroma of yeast and the laughter of neighbors.
At night, by the candle's glow, Jeanne took the Habsburg gold coin from its small pine box, letting it catch the light.
"Pierre, I still cannot bring myself to use this coin."
Pierre wiped his flour-dusted hands, sitting beside her with a smile.
"Of course. It wasn't earned by the sweat of our brows. Besides, if that lovely lady ever finds herself in trouble in Paris, wouldn't it be wonderful to return it to her and say, 'This is our gratitude for that summer day'?"
"Hehe, yes. Let us keep it safe as our family's guardian angel."
But their quiet peace was soon crushed by the colossal wheels of history. In 1812, Napoleon declared the Russian Campaign, mobilizing a grand army of over 600,000 men.
One morning, the loud roll of military drums echoed outside the bakery. The conscription officer began reading the names of the local young men. "Pierre Lebrun! Report for duty!"
The blood drained from Jeanne's face. Pierre embraced his weeping wife and young daughter, his voice trembling but resolute.
"It will be all right, Jeanne. Once the Emperor wins, I will return immediately. Until then, take care of the shop and Marie..."
"Pierre! No! Please don't go!"
Jeanne's desperate cries were drowned out by the marching boots of the departing army. A single decision by the highest ruler brought glory to Louise, but despair to Jeanne, steering both their lives toward a rapid descent into darkness.
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🌐OriginalJapanese：https://note.com/juicy_laelia8513/n/n387951f6a09d
"Thank you so much for reading to the very end!"💗
