1870 - A military messenger stationed at the Châlons camp in France is about to face a crossroads. With a duty to Napoleon the Third, Emperor of France, the messenger must make a decision between his loyalty to France or his increasing loyalty to the songstress he loves, a songstress, who has a duty to Empress Eugenie, the Empress of France. As tensions rise between France and Prussia the lovers make their escape and head for Venice – seeking freedom and peace.