The Imperial Babe laid upon the elegant sofa of his father’s majestic study room, that had been refurnished with the finest tables of all of France. Although there were ample chairs in the study, Napoleon II and his advisers, Charles Tristan Marquis de Montholon, Gaspard Gourgaud, Nicholas Soult and Emmanuel Las Cases stood in the room hunched over multiple maps and various reports happening throughout Europe. A balance of power had reigned over Europe since the abdication of last Bonaparte, but just recently that balance of power would soon receive its first major test. According to a report that just arrived, the Emperor’s adopted homeland of Austria had just declared war against the Kingdom of Denmark, hoping to secure the liberation of the Germanic people.
After reviewing the maps and reports of Austrian troops heading north towards Copenhagen, the discussion of affairs drifted towards the economy. The state run factories had just been completed in the previous month of December, and as of yet, workers had not began their craft, and if they had, it was not looking profitable at first. The discussion raged about what factories should receive a priority in state funding in the form of subsidiaries. After much debate it was agreed that all factories essential to a possible war effort, the factories that produced the arms, ships, and ammunition would be funded by the state if necessary.
An overview of French factories, recently constructed factories have zero employees at this time.
As much as the advisors and the Emperor attempted to avoid further discussion, the balance of power kept rearing its head. It was no secret to the Austrians and Prussians that French diplomats were attempting to reestablish favorable relations with Denmark, a former ally during the Napoleonic Wars. What if a preemptive strike was formulated between the Prussians and Austrians ? Though such a scenario was unlikely, it had to be planned for. All men agreed that a rebalancing of French forces in the colonies was needed, though how many troops would need to be withdrawn was in conflict. In the end, 18,000 of 100,000 troops stationed in the colonies would return to France to prop up the military.
The Imperial Babe yawned, slowly waking up from his slumber upon the sofa. As the babe stared wanderously, his eyes drifted towards a bright white and blue flag that swayed across the room he was in. Unbeknowst to the child, a minister from Portugal had just been allowed into the Imperial Study. The minister, the babe’s father and the gathered former marshals of the babe’s grandfather were about to discuss an alliance between Portugal and France. Followed by the minister was the Empress Sophie, who came to take the babe away from the tedious affairs of state. Another fact left unknown to the Prince Napoleon, only one month had passed in the year of 1836.
The Imperial Babe saw a white and blue flag waving around. Unknown to the babe is that Portugal and France signed a military alliance on January 30th, 1836.
Originally Posted by AllmyJames
I liked the end of this update, especially - it was a good prelude to fireworks later - or perhaps the crackle of gunfire.
Live and learn, I suppose. 
And I love the optimism in these reforging updates; it feels like the slow, rewarding growth of sunflowers after a hard winter.
