“But of course.”
“That she has a small and lovely face.”
“Wonderful…”
“That I cannot stop imagining myself kissing her.”
“What an enchanting, adoring Emperor you are…”
“That I would be elated if I could help her undress…”
“Okay, understood. Enough. Now tell me, you pair of lovey-doveys, what did your great love lead to in the end? That is, how was it of help to you in your everyday life?”
“It facilitated joy and stability in our lives, and thus we were able to properly administer all the needs of the empire,” Josephine answered.
“In that case, it is not only the two of you who enjoyed the pure love that you shared, but your entire kingdom benefited as well, for it turned into a great empire under your rule.”
“I couldn’t have expressed that better!” Napoleon stated enthusiastically, but then quickly corrected himself, “I mean, I could have, but I don’t care to do so right now.”
“Thank you,” Heart said, “I have no more questions.” He gave an aloof smile and stepped back.
Yiftach stepped up to cross-examine the two with a harsh look on his face. “Madame,” he turned to her, “just a moment ago you stated that you fell in love with Napoleon at first sight.”
“That is true,” she confirmed.
“And what if I tell you that from the very start of your relationship, you belittled him and there wasn’t really a great love between you?”
“How could you reach such a conclusion?” she asked, astonished.
“Quite simply, you betrayed him with a young nobleman who was your partner in shady deals with the army.” She didn’t have to search her memory in order to understand exactly where Yiftach was leading to with this. She wanted to say something, but couldn’t get a word out. Napoleon felt terror pressing on his chest. Clearly, he was next in line.
“And you, Your Imperial Majesty, did you truly harbor such a great love for her?”
“Without a doubt!” he responded emphatically.
“Strange…”
“What’s so strange?”
“That in the year 1809 you divorced her solely for the reason that she didn’t provide you with an heir. Now that truly is immortal love. I have no further questions.”
Chapter Eighteen
“I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant hast thou been unto me; wonderful was
thy love to me, passing the love of women.”
Book of Samuel II, 1:26
It was early in the morning. Father and son sat at the kitchen table drinking black coffee before Yiftach left for the office. It was a daily custom, so trite and so perfect.
“You came in late last night. We didn’t have a chance to talk. How did the defense’s case presentation start off?” Max asked.
“Pretty well, I think. You know that that’s the part I like the most.”
“The cross-questioning?”
