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Marriage to Marie Louise

 

On March 11th, 1810, I was married to, the 19 year old, Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma, and daughter to Emperor Francis II of Austria. I had defeated Austria once again a year previous, and was hoping to create alliance with their nation. I also required a bride who could give me the one final thing I wanted in life, a son. 

 

At first Marie was discusted with me. Before I had announced my request to marry her, she had told her friends she hoped I would find someone else to marry. She referred to me as the "corsican ogre". She hated all that I had done to her family's country. It took until we were married for her to appreciate me, and want to love me. Our marriage contract was signed on March 11th, and the religious ceremony was held in Paris on April 2nd.

 

It did not take long for us to conceive a child. Nine months later, after a long, painful labor, Marie gave birth to Francois Charles Joseph Bonaparte. "The King of Rome". 

 

My family and I lived happily two more years until the disiaster in Russia. In 1813 I had to leave France for my campaign in Germany. I returned, but the capital was being threatened. The French people called for new leadership, and in 1814 I was banished to Elba to "rule" there for the rest of my life. I never saw my wife or child again.

 

I loved Marie, this is not a lie, but no-one could fill the hole in my heart that was left by Josephine. After the birth of our son Marie fell more deeply in love with me. She truely loved me. It broke her heart to be apart from me. It was very hard for her to say her last goodbye upon my banishment to Elba. I couldn't make her come live with me on that rock. Instead I sent her back to Austria to live with her father. I promised her that we would meet again someday, in hopes that it would comfort her, but not even I believed my lie.

 

I never saw Marie Louise again.