They played innocent with great skill, thanks to their professional experience in lying, and if they had been dealing with someone who did not know them as well as Napoleon, their bluff could have worked. Unfortunately, the fallen Emperor no longer believed a single word they said, no matter how convincing their little act was. It was almost offensive.
Joseph stands beside him, standing straight as justice itself, and this sends Charles back to unpleasant memories. He hates being publicly humiliated, and even more so by Bonaparte, whom he had long since ceased to respect.
He hates this suspicion seeping into his private life, he hates not knowing how Napoleon found out about them, he hates this power dynamic working against him, and he was starting to hate Savary too. He better be innocent in this whole affair, because if he wasn't, he knew that the professional criminal who served as his lover would take care of him.
And as he stands there, quietly crushed by his former boss's suspicious contempt, he realizes that there is no way out of this annoying situation. If they continue to deny, Napoleon will probably just keep them locked up here until they confess. And in any case, even if by some miracle they managed to convince him, the secret won't be kept for long and he will eventually find out.
His new goal was now to gain more power and control over this verbal exchange. And what was the best way to destabilize Bonaparte? Simply to use the truth as a weapon. Perhaps even reverse psychology would work, and by being honest, he would further confuse this self-absorbed little man and eventually convince him that reality is a lie.
But Talleyrand didn't just want to talk. He wanted to shock. It had to be spectacular. He wanted Napoleon to regret sticking his nose into his business for the rest of his death.
Joseph stood close enough to him to be within reach, like every temptation sent by the Devil. Very calmly and methodically, he took a few steps to stand in front of him, turning his back completely to the Emperor, which could be considered a sign of disrespect. Joseph would probably not understand his sudden change in tactics. Hopefully, he would simply continue to follow him.
In the end, he didn't say a word. No words could be as bold, as unexpected, and as unsettling to Napoleon as what he was about to do.
He simply stood in front of his lover, grabbed his jaw with one hand, and kissed him deeply, with exaggerated enthusiasm. He was explicit enough in his display that it was obvious he was enjoying it immensely, and for the noise to make Napoleon as uncomfortable as he could.
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