Outside the palace, Napoleon and Lucien made their way toward the army, which had been stationed in Saint-Cloud since the previous day.
"Soldiers! Soldiers of the Republic!" Lucien called out, standing atop a black powder barrel that served as a makeshift platform. "Gather round, I have an important announcement to make."
The soldiers turned their attention to Lucien, their faces reflecting curiosity and anticipation. They knew that something significant was about to be revealed.
"The faction of desperate men, armed with daggers, is threatening the assembly," Lucien declared, his voice filled with urgency. "They have even made an attempt on the life of our esteemed general. They have the audacity to accuse Napoleon of orchestrating a coup d'état to seize power. It is a baseless and vile lie!"
Lucien paused for a moment, reaching for his dagger and raising it high in the air. The soldiers' eyes fixated on the gleaming blade, their attention fully captured.
