Chapter 1, The Emperor, pg. 16-32 Summary

Napoleon arrives at Boulogne, with wife and entourage in tow. Henri recalls France of his childhood, a dark, seeming apocalyptic time when the country was divided between royalists and revolutionaries. Despite his mother's royalist stance, the family priest raised Henri to think of Napoleon as a messiah, encouraging the boy to one day join the military.

The emperor's unexpected arrival throws the camp into disarray. Henri is ingloriously tasked with preparing the kitchen. Unfortunately he, despite the assistance of fellow soldier, Domino, is unable to wake, or move, the gargantuan passed-out head cook before Napoleon arrives for an inspection of the kitchen. Taking in the scene, Napoleon is impressed by Henri's efforts, insisting that the young man become his personal server.

The disgraced cook swears vengeance against the now-famous Henri, only to eventually be reassigned...