Enter the KritterKeeper

Wednesday January 18 - 1871

The empire came in the early hours of the morning on this day. Of the exact time, I do not recall, while Walther told me, but I looked out a window with half a mind aware enough to think and saw the sky was still burnt orange with firesmoke and a rising sun.

He has impeccable timing - naturally, as he is my child. Today is too my day of birth. I am of the mind that Herr Bismarck and  Herr Wilhelm I planned for it. Little more would be so inspiring to the people, to have the German Empire born on the day of its predecessor’s rise to power 170 years ago. I do not mind it. Only that he is here at all matters to me.

A boy. Just as Bismarck had hoped. I had not felt one way or another. I have named him Ludwig.

He is as fragile and delicate as a porcelain mannequin. I would be unnerved by his daintiness had I not felt first hand his unforgiving, brutal presence for four months before now. He is a deceptively pretty, decorative little thing. I would put him on my mantle were he made of any other thing but flesh!

For all the misery the boy has caused me he looks angelic as a saint. Innocent, while my blood was washed from him - I thought it a queer sight and could not take my eyes away whilst I was laid in bed. It is fitting that this is how the empire takes form, with beauty and grace uncaring of the violent method with which it makes its claim upon the earth. I find myself proud already.

I write this entry quite cumbersomely, as I am holding the boy in one arm while doing so. He has not proven fussy yet, and is sleeping soundly for now. He feels as light as a single feather, which is much preferable to the leaden weight he was in my hips before today. I find myself regretting my callousness to the women I have dismissed whilst they were with child. Had I known I would share this experience, maybe I would have not been so cruel. Or perhaps I would be crueler.

I feel as if I am halfway-asleep. I have stayed awake for longer than a day and night previously, but I have never felt so exhausted as I do now. I will finish this entry shortly and put myself to sleep, as to follow my empire’s thoughtful example. Ludwig is a special child, certainly. I do not know him close enough yet, but I anticipate becoming familiar with him with great enthusiasm. Many of my brothers have sacrificed themselves for him - he is made of the efforts of countless states and I expect he will be a worthy successor in the years to come. Of course, it would be amiss of me to expect otherwise - he is my son, and I do not have such little confidence in myself! It has taken blood upon blood to have him here when all is said and done, but I am satisfied with my efforts.

I have hours to sleep before we must wake for the coronation. There Ludwig will be baptized and presented to my court. I believe he will be received very well.

I will end this entry before I jostle the boy and wake him. More good news to come.