BXBX NOVEL Chapter 74 Prospecting Innovation
Three hours later, the night descended on the city of Paris, blanketing it with darkness. Street lamps flickered to life, casting a soft glow on the cobblestone streets below. The bustling sounds of the depot had given way to quiet stillness, interrupted only by the distant hooting of an owl or the occasional clatter of a passing carriage.
Napoleon returned to Ciela who was at the office, speaking with Henri and other high-ranking officials.
"Honey, are you done? We should get going now."
"Oh right," Ciela replied, closing the conversation with Henri and turning her attention back to Napoleon. "I was just discussing some logistical matters with Henri and the others. It seems everything is in order for our continuous supply of coal and equipment. So, are you going to show me what Etienne made for you?"
"In the carriage," Napoleon replied.
"I see," Ciela smiled, turning again to Henri. "I\'m afraid that we have to leave now."
"Safe travels, Madame Bonaparte, and to you as well, General Bonaparte," Henri replied with a respectful nod.
Napoleon and Ciela bid farewell and exited the office and made their way to the awaiting carriage. He opened the door for Ciela, and she gracefully stepped inside. He followed suit and settled beside her.
Closing the door, he knocked on the ceiling with his hand, signaling the coachman to proceed. The carriage jolted forward, and they began their journey back to Chantilly.
Inside, Napoleon finally revealed to Ciela the revolver, and her eyes widened.
"Is that a revolver?"
"Oh my, it seems that I came up with the same word as the ones from your history," Napoleon chuckled. "Yeah, I call it the revolver because you know, it revolves as you pull the trigger.
"You designed it?" Ciela looked up to Napoleon with a mixture of surprise and admiration.
"Yes, my dear," Napoleon replied, his voice filled with pride. "I took inspiration from the repeating bolt-action rifle that we made. I saw the potential in creating a handheld firearm that could deliver multiple shots without the need for constant reloading like the ones we soldiers do in the musket pistol."
"You truly are a prodigy, Napoleon. To think that with just a small detail I shared with you, you were able to design a functioning and working prototype..." Ciela exclaimed softly.
"What can I say, I\'m a man of science. And ever since I saw a glimpse of the future from your stories, I feel unstoppable, like I can introduce more devices, like the electric motor or the most ambitious one, the blimps. Speaking of which, I also remembered you mentioning lights powered by electricity. Is it a light bulb?" Napoleon asked.
"It is, but just as I told you before, you would need to build a device that can generate electricity," Ciela said and continued. "Before we proceed, do you know how electricity is generated?"
Napoleon hummed aloud, deep in thought, as he retraced the knowledge Ciela had shared with him. "If I recall correctly," he began, "electricity can be generated through the principle of electromagnetic induction. When a conductor, such as a wire, moves through a magnetic field or when there is a change in the magnetic field passing through a conductor, it induces an electric current."
"That\'s right," Ciela confirmed, nodding her head. "We need a device that can create a magnetic field and a conductor to move within it. That conductor, in turn, will produce the electric current. One way to create a magnetic field is by using a spinning magnet. When a coil of wire is placed near the magnet, the changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the wire. To spin the magnet…well since you already made a steam engine we can harness its capabilities to drive a rotating mechanism that will create the necessary magnetic field."
"I think I just came up with a design," Napoleon said. "I\'ll draw it up once we return home. So we have to build an electric generator first and then we can proceed with the electric motors and light bulbs, is that what you are saying?"
"Exactly. If you manage to somehow build it, I will not be surprised anymore," Ciela said, giggling.
"Surely I will face some obstacles in the design phase but I\'m sure that I\'ll be able to get around it," Napoleon smiled.
***
Moments later, they arrived at Chateau de Chantilly. Beaumont welcomed and escorted them to the dining room, where a lavish spread awaited them. The long day of discussions and planning had left Napoleon and Ciela with hearty appetites, and they eagerly sat down to savor the delicious meal prepared by the Chateau\'s skilled chefs.
"How are our children, Beaumont?" Napoleon asked as he sipped his wine.
Beaumont, with a warm smile, responded. "They are still sleeping up to this hour, General."
"Oh my, really?" Ciela interjected, a radiant smile spreading across her face.
"Yes, Madame Bonaparte. Though I am afraid that they might wake up anytime soon," Beaumont continued. "They have been known to be early risers, especially when they sense their parents\' return."
And just as Beaumont said that they heard a cry coming from the nursery upstairs. Ciela\'s smile widened, and she glanced at Napoleon.
"Our little ones have awakened."
"I\'ll finish this up quickly," Napoleon said.
"If I may, General and Madame Bonaparte," Beaumont interjected. "Please, allow us to take care of the children while you enjoy your dinner. It would be our pleasure."
Napoleon and Ciela exchanged grateful glances, appreciative of Beaumont\'s offer. They knew their children would be in good hands with the attentive staff at Château de Chantilly.
"Well, if you can calm them down, I don\'t see the reason why not," Napoleon said with a chuckle.
With that, Beaumont signaled the staff to take care of the crying children. Napoleon and Ciela continued their dinner, grateful for the moment of respite.
After their dinner, they visited the nursery to find their twin children, Francis and Aveline.
Napoleon scooped up Francis while Ciela cradled Aveline in her arms. The children giggled and cooed, their innocent laughter filling the air. They stayed there for hours, waiting for them to return to sleep.
As the night wore on, the children gradually grew drowsy in their parents\' arms. Napoleon carefully placed Francis back in his crib, while Ciela gently laid Aveline down in hers. They tucked them in with soft blankets and kissed their foreheads, whispering sweet lullabies to ease them back into slumber. The room was bathed in the soft glow of a nightlight, casting a warm and comforting ambiance.
With the children settled, Napoleon and Ciela quietly tiptoed out of the nursery, closing the door behind them. They exchanged a tender glance.
"Now that they are asleep, why don\'t we enjoy some private time together?" Ciela suggested with a mischievous smile.
"I guess we can do that," Napoleon replied, a playful glimmer in his eyes.