Emperor Napoleon's lack of a son has made him doubt his own fertility. His scheming sister Caroline provides him with a new mistress, Eleonore, who soon becomes pregnant. But Napoleon worries that the child may not be his as he is not her only lover.

After freeing Warsaw from the Russians, Napoleon falls in love with Marie Walewska, the young wife of an aging Polish count. She spurns him but patriotic leaders persuade her to become Napoleon's mistress to try to influence him to recreate the independent kingdom of Poland.

Certain that Josephine, cannot give him a son and heir, Napoleon considers divorce and re-marriage. Josephinec fights back by spreading the rumour that her husband is impotent. But Marie Walewska, with whom he had an affair in Poland, reveals she is pregnant. Napoleon divorces Josephine and demands the hand of the Austrian Emperor's daughter, Maria Luisa to strengthen his dynasty.

1974

Napoleon marries Marie-Louise, the Austrian Emperor's daughter, by proxy. When his bride arrives in Paris, Napoleon is entranced, and overjoyed when she soon becomes pregnant. But he is faced with an agonising decision when the birth becomes difficult - should he sacrifice his wife or protect his lineage?