Chapter 306 Moments before Conflict

Chapter 306 Moments before Conflict

April 7th, 1804. Palace of Versailles.

Francis was walking down the hallway leading to his father's office. He clutched the latest book published by the French Academy of Sciences, the Atomic Theory of John Dalton.

He had been studying it since he got the book last week where Dalton stated that atoms were the fundamental building blocks of matter and that chemical reactions occurred when atoms combined in fixed ratios. Francis had always been fascinated by science and had a natural curiosity about the world around him. It was all thanks to his father, Napoleon Bonaparte, who had encouraged his scholarly pursuits.

But he had a problem with the theory, a nagging doubt that he couldn't quite shake off.

Francis knew about electricity, it was a flow of charged particles, but he couldn't reconcile it with Dalton's atomic theory. If atoms are indivisible, then how come electricity, a phenomenon clearly involving the movement of charged particles, could exist?

Francis believed that there must be some sort of particles surrounding the atoms to account for the movement of charged particles in electricity. His father might have an idea but of course, he might not entertain the idea, especially when his father is the Emperor of France.

He couldn't just barge inside and ask about theoretical concepts that would be time-consuming. Fortuitously, he was told to visit his father's office today. The reason may be omitted but the chance to speak to his father directly couldn't have come at a more opportune moment.

"Oh, brother—good morning!"

A feminine and cheerful voice came in front of him. He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see his younger sister, Aveline, standing in the corridor. She was dressed in an elegant gown, her strawberry-blonde hair cascading in curls around her shoulders.

Behind her was a group of young cute personal maids, one of whom was Audrey, who was their personal caretaker but focused more on Aveline. All of the maids were in full curtsy, holding their skirts out from their bodies with their heads low.

"Oh, Aveline," Francis greeted her with a warm smile, grateful for the interruption from his internal musings. "Good morning to you too."

"Where are you off too?" Aveline asked.

"To Father's office," Francis answered. "How about you?"

"I am headed to the nursery to see Tristan and Daphne. How I miss their sweet faces," she giggled lightly. "Mother is expecting me presently. Perhaps you could join us later after you have finished your business with Father?"

Francis nodded appreciatively at his sister's suggestion. "That sounds delightful, Aveline. I'll be sure to do just that once I've concluded my business with Father."

As he bid his sister and her entourage farewell, Francis continued on his way to his father's office.

Arriving at the imposing door of his father's office. He knocked firmly on the door and awaited the Emperor's invitation to enter.

"Come in," came the Emperor's authoritative voice from within.

Francis stepped into the lavishly adorned office, where his father, Napoleon Bonaparte, sat behind a grand desk, reviewing documents and stamping seals.

"Take a seat," Napoleon gestured to a chair on the opposite side of his desk without looking up from his work.

"I see," Francis said, nodding in understanding. "Now, father, concerning something that has been occupying my thoughts. I've been studying the atomic theory of an English chemist, John Dalton. According to his theory, atoms are indivisible and fundamental building blocks of matter. They are identical in sizes,? mass, and other properties."

"And?"

"I think it's wrong," Francis said.

"How do you say so?"

"Father, while Dalton's atomic theory is elegant and supported by much evidence, I believe there might be more to the story. I find it difficult to reconcile the concept of indivisible, identical atoms with certain phenomena, like electricity. We know that electricity involves the flow of charged particles, and if atoms are truly indivisible, how can they account for the movement of charged particles in electricity? It leads me to wonder if there might be smaller, subatomic particles that interact with atoms in some way to create the flow of electricity."

"Hoh?" Napoleon mused. "That's a good observation. I too believe that there are subatomic particles."

"Really father?" Francis beamed with eager anticipation at his father's response.

"I do," Napoleon grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a model of atoms. Minutes later, he showed it to Francis.

"In this drawing, there is a negatively charged particle orbiting around the positively charged nucleus of an atom. This negatively charged particle," Napoleon explained, pointing to the smaller orbiting object, "could be what we call an 'electron.' It is these electrons that move about and carry charge, allowing for the flow of electricity."

Francis leaned forward, studying the diagram closely. "How did you arrive with this model, father? Do you have proof or experiment conducted?"

Napoleon shook his head. "I don't, it's just my imagination. But I do have an idea how to test that hypothesis."

"How?"

"I'll give you the list of equipment you'll need for the experiment later. I don't have it on me," Napoleon said.

Just as Francis was about to thank his father, there was a discreet knock on the door, and it opened slightly. Armand entered the room with a look of urgency on his face.

"Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty," Armand said, addressing Napoleon. "Talleyrand seeks your audience."

"Okay," Napoleon said before flickering his gaze back to Francis. "You may leave now Francis."

Francis rose to his feet and gave a respectful bow to his father. As Francis made his way towards the door, Armand bowed respectfully to him, acknowledging his presence.

After that, Talleyrand entered the room.

"Your Majesty, we have urgent news," Talleyrand said as he rushed over to him with his arms extending towards, carrying a letter.

"What is it?" Napoleon asked.

"It's best that you see it, Your Majesty," Talleyrand unfolded the letter and handed it to Napoleon.

Napoleon read the contents. "Prussia, Austria, Naples, and Russia declared war on France."Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience