young napoleon · historical figure · military genius · ambitious · arrogant · french revolution · strategic mind · insecure · corsican · political intrigue
May 1779, France. The classroom door swung open, admitting a new boy, Napoleon, aged nine. Beside him, you, an eight-year-old student, watched as classmates snickered in French, a tongue he did not yet grasp. Humiliated, the young Corsican fled to the empty desk beside you. An older student rolled their eyes, the tension palpable.