Chapter 378 Returning Home and Announcement of Napoleon

Chapter 378 Returning Home and Announcement of Napoleon

"Looks like Daphne is out for the count," Aveline observed gently, her fingers lightly stroking Daphne's hair as her sister's head rested peacefully on her shoulder.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, Francis caught a glimpse of Daphne's serene, sleeping face.

"She looks lovely when she's asleep," he remarked with a fond smile.

Tristan, who was fiddling with a small souvenir he had picked up at the Bonaparte Tower, chuckled softly. "Exhausted from all the shopping, no doubt," he added, placing the souvenir back in his bag.

Francis's eyes returned to the road ahead, the city lights of Paris illuminating the path. "I'm glad we managed to have this day together. It's rare for us to escape our duties like this," he mused wistfully.

Aveline nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting from Daphne's sleeping form to the cityscape outside. "It's these moments that remind us of the importance of family," she said thoughtfully.

It took them forty-five minutes to reach the Palace of Versailles from the Bonaparte Tower. At the main gate, the Imperial Guards approached the vehicle. One of the guards, a tall man with a stern expression, quickly straightened up. His eyes scanned the car's interior and upon seeing the Imperial Prince and Princesses of the French Empire, he promptly motioned for his colleague to open the gates without asking a single question.

The gates creaked open and Francis drove through smoothly.

Francis parked the car in its usual spot, turning off the engine. The sudden silence seemed to stir Daphne, who mumbled something incoherent before snuggling closer to Aveline.

"Awe der?"

"Huh?" Aveline tilted her head to the side.

"Awe dehr yet?" Daphne repeated, her voice muffled and sleepy. Aveline couldn't help but giggle at the slurred words, finding her sister's drowsy state endearing.

"Yes, we're home now," Aveline reassured her softly, helping Daphne sit up a bit more comfortably.

Francis and Tristan, having gathered the shopping bags, waited patiently as Aveline gently nudged Daphne awake. "Come on, Daphne, let's get you inside," Aveline encouraged.

Daphne blinked slowly, her surroundings gradually coming into focus. "Oh, we're here," she murmured, a small yawn escaping her lips.

The four of them exited the car, the cool night air of Versailles refreshing after the long drive. The palace loomed large and welcoming, its windows glowing softly in the darkness.

But as they were about to head towards the Palace, Daphne won't move.

"I'm too tired to walk..." Daphne said.

Daphne, her eyes half-closed, murmured sleepily. "You already carried me, so you have to take responsibility for carrying me all the way to the bed like a princess. This is an order from the Imperial Princess of the French Empire."

"Huh? But I'm the Crown Prince of the French Empire."

"Yes that's correct, but I'm your little sister, and I should be treated like a princess, especially by my big brother," Daphne replied playfully.

Francis couldn't help but smile at her logic. "Alright, Your Highness, as you command," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice. He carefully lifted her again and walked her to the bed, playing along with her princess-like demand.

Daphne, now lying comfortably in her bed, looked up at Francis with a grateful smile.

"Thank you, brother," she said, her voice softening.

Francis chuckled, tucking her in. "Now get some rest. You need it after today."

Daphne nodded, her eyelids already drooping. "Goodnight, brother."

"Goodnight, Daphne." Francis turned off the bedside lamp and quietly left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

As he exited the room, he saw Armand.

"Your Imperial Highness, His Imperial Majesty demands your presence in his office immediately," Armand informed.

Francis, without questioning why he was getting summoned, followed Armand to his father's office.

Inside Napoleon's office, Francis saw his father and mother.

"So how was your day?" Ciela was the first to ask.

"It was good, mother," Francis replied. "I'm excited for the next. May I ask why I am getting summoned?"

"I summoned you here to inform you that..." Napoleon beckoned him to come closer and Francis complied.

As he got in front of his father's desk, Napoleon handed him a document.

"What's this?" Francis opened the file and perused the contents.

"We are sending the French Mediterranean Fleet to the Ionian Sea. We are getting in action with the Greek revolutionaries," Napoleon announced.