EPISODE 10: MARIE-LOUISE ## CHAPTER 1: THE HEIR QUESTION Paris, 1809. Napoleon needs a son. The Empire has no succession. If Napoleon dies—in battle, by assassination, by accident—everything collapses. His brothers are incompetent. His marshals would tear France apart fighting for power. The dynasty requires an heir. Joséphine has failed him. Fifteen years of marriage have produced no children. Joséphine's two children from her first marriage prove she can conceive. Napoleon's own mistresses have borne him at least two illegitimate sons. The problem, clearly, is their union—not either party alone. But Napoleon loves her. "She is the companion of my life," he tells his advisors. "She has shared my sorrows and my triumphs. I cannot simply discard her." "Sire," Talleyrand replies carefully, "empires require heirs. Personal attachment must yield to dynastic necessity." Napoleon knows he's right. He's always known. He's just never been willing to act. Until now. --- ## CHAPTER 2: THE WAR OF 1809 Austria provides the catalyst. In April 1809, Austria attacks—hoping to catch Napoleon while he's distracted in Spain. The campaign is hard-fought, harder than any since Napoleon became Emperor. At Aspern-Essling, the French are defeated. Napoleon tries to force a crossing of the Danube, but the bridges break under Austrian fire. Thousands of French soldiers are stranded on the wrong bank. Marshal Lannes—Napoleon's oldest...