Napoleon I and II exchanged glances, they were taken aback by Murat's statement.
"Unify huh?" Napoleon I stroke his chin, contemplating the idea.
"Why do you think you can unify the Apennine Peninsula, and under your leadership?"
"It's because I want my kingdom to be as strong as France. You'll need a strong ally and I don't think there's any country in Europe willing to fill that part. You can say Austrian Empire but do you really think you can count on it? Just because your mother is an Austrian archduchess?"
Napoleon II leaned forward slightly, elbows near the table but not resting on it.
"You're asking to redraw Italy," he said. "That's not ambition. That's disruption."
Murat did not flinch. "Italy is already disrupted. Divided states, foreign garrisons, competing crowns. Naples is the only one with an army that's been tested properly."
Napoleon I exhaled through his nose. "Tested because I put it there."
