IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 162
**Chapter 162**
**< Coronation (3) >**
“Now, before the coronation ceremony continues, we will have a brief lunch break.”
The Prime Minister declared a break.
Not only me, but everyone must need a break after the solemn abdication ceremony that lasted four hours.
The citizens who had come to watch ate their packed lunches or went to nearby restaurants, while the domestic and foreign dignitaries were guided by the staff to the nearby “Solis Hotel,” where lunch was prepared.
“Oh, it’s amazing to go up using a machine.”
“It’s called an elevator.”
“I see. It’s very convenient.”
The Solis Hotel, the first luxury hotel in the country and one of the best in the world in terms of its exterior, interior, and service, had become a must-visit place for the wealthy and diplomats in the country.
Foreign dignitaries who came for the first time would always make a remark or two when they rode the elevator, and the diplomats from the embassies would respond, repeating the scene.
The domestic and foreign dignitaries ate in the grand banquet hall, but I and the royal family had a separate lunch.
Pa-pa-pa-bam-
As we began to eat lunch, the military band’s music started playing as scheduled. It was a way to provide some entertainment to prevent the break from being boring.
After lunch, the Prime Minister announced the resumption of the ceremony.
“Whew…”
“Are you nervous?”
Cecilia asked as I sighed.
“No, it’s just too long.”
“…You’re the only person who says their own coronation is too long.”
“Just kidding.”
I made a lighthearted joke to ease my tension and walked out to the center of the cathedral.
The first part of the coronation ceremony was the crowning ceremony, where my father would place the crown on my head.
I knelt before my father.
My father stood in the center, with the archbishops on his left and right.
In front of the central dais of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, the afternoon sun shone through the stained glass, illuminating everyone’s vision.
As my father, Agustín I, carefully lifted the crown he held in his hand, everyone held their breath, and the crown slowly descended towards my head in silence.
Wooong-wooong-wooong-
At that moment, the majestic sound of the cathedral’s organ echoed, and the Prime Minister began to clap.
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-
There were no cheers, as it was a solemn ceremony, but everyone clapped enthusiastically.
I felt the weight of the crown on my head amidst the thunderous applause that shook the cathedral and the majestic sound of the pipe organ.
The crown wasn’t the only thing. The symbols of royal power, called regalia, included several items besides the crown (Corona), such as the scepter (Cetro), sword (Espada), and orb (Orbe).
My father handed me each of them one by one, and I carefully received them.
After receiving all the items, I expressed my gratitude to my father and ascended to the dais of the cathedral. My father returned to his seat, and the archbishops remained on either side of me.
The applause subsided, and the Archbishop of Mexico walked onto the dais. He was Garza y Ballesteros, the Bishop of Sonora, acting as the Archbishop of Mexico, which was currently vacant.
“I thought the newcomer would take over the ceremony, but he seems to have defended it well.”
The Acting Archbishop Ballesteros held out the Bible, facing me.
As I placed my hand on the Bible, he asked,
“Your Majesty, do you swear to protect the nation and its people?”
The Acting Archbishop Ballesteros’s solemn voice echoed through the ceiling of the Metropolitan Cathedral. I replied in a firm voice.
“I swear.”
“Your Majesty, do you swear to uphold the Constitution and defend justice?”
“I swear.”
“Your Majesty, do you swear to uphold the law of God and the true gospel, and maintain the Roman Catholic doctrine, worship, and order within the Mexican Empire?”
“I swear.”
After all the oaths were completed, I declared,
“I will do my utmost to carry out and uphold everything I have promised here. God, help me.”
I kissed the Bible and signed the oath document.
Agustín Jerónimo de Iturbide y Huarte.
Now, I was the Emperor. It had been 26 years since I was possessed.
Following my father’s precedent, I personally crowned my wife, Cecilia. And this morning, I sat on the throne where my father had sat.
I nodded slightly towards my eldest son, Carlos, and he stood before me.
“I, Carlos Iturbide, swear my allegiance to Your Majesty, the great Emperor of the Mexican Empire, as a subject and as the Crown Prince of the Mexican Empire.”
It was Carlos’s oath of allegiance, officially becoming the Crown Prince today.
Carlos, who recited his memorized lines without faltering, approached me and kissed my cheek after I nodded.
His oath was followed by the oaths of allegiance from the Archbishop (acting) and the Prime Minister.
“Under the grace of God, I, as the Archbishop of the Mexican Empire, swear my allegiance to Your Majesty, our Emperor, in the name of God. I will pray for the spiritual prosperity of the Empire, the preservation of the faith of our people, and the well-being of Your Majesty and the Empire.”
“I, as the Prime Minister of the Mexican Empire, swear my unwavering allegiance to Your Majesty, our great Emperor, and the Empire. All my actions and decisions will be dedicated to the stability and prosperity of the Empire, and to the improvement of the welfare of our people.”
After all the ceremonies were over, it was time for my first speech as Emperor.
“Esteemed citizens of the Mexican Empire,
Today, we are all turning a new page in history together. Standing here on the dais of this sacred cathedral, before you, I deeply recognize the weight I will bear as Emperor of the Mexican Empire, and I make a promise for a bright future for our country.
Our Empire has faced many trials and challenges since its independence. However, our history is filled with stories of courage and hope. As Emperor, I will strengthen the hope we all share, and I will dedicate all my efforts to protecting our Empire and its people.
No matter what trials or challenges arise before us, I promise that I will overcome them and triumph with you. The strength of our Empire comes from our unity and courage. Solidarity is the most powerful force that can lead us to victory, overcoming any trials and challenges. When each region, each culture, and each individual of our Empire comes together under the single banner of the Mexican Empire, no difficulty can defeat us.
Furthermore, I promise to ensure that all citizens of our Empire can enjoy more. This refers not only to material abundance but also to the opportunity for everyone to enjoy a better life under the principles of justice and equality. I will prioritize equality before the law and the dignity of all citizens.
Esteemed citizens, let us create our future together, as we are doing today. I will not stop until the day our Mexican Empire prospers and all citizens enjoy happiness, together with all of you.
As your Emperor, I am deeply grateful for your trust and support, and I am ready to lead you on this path we will all walk together.
Thank you.”
As my short speech ended, a thunderous applause erupted, I don’t know how many times it was today. I was worried about the participants’ palms.
This was followed by a prayer for blessings from the Acting Archbishop of Mexico, and the final part of the ceremony, the parade, began.
My father, our family, and I left the Metropolitan Cathedral and boarded the carriage waiting in the center of the Zócalo Square.
This carriage, with the grand name “Carroza del Águila Real” (Carriage of the Royal Eagle), symbolized the majesty and pride of the Mexican Empire. It was meticulously crafted from polished black wood, and the sides and back were delicately engraved with golden eagles and the coat of arms of the Mexican Empire.
It was made specifically for today’s parade, so the top was open.
After all the family members got on, I raised my hand, and the eight horses began to pull the carriage. The guard of honor and the military band also started moving.
“Woo hoo!”
“Long live the Iturbide royal family! Long live!”
“Long live the Iturbide royal family! Long live!”
It was almost 5 pm, but everyone seemed to have been waiting for this moment all day, shouting “long live” at the top of their lungs.
“It’s getting a bit tiring to keep waving my hand. I’m glad I passed the job on.”
“Ha ha ha…”
My father made a joke beside me. It was heavy, with uncomfortable clothes and a thick cloak on his shoulders, unlike usual.
We had originally planned to just make a short loop around the Zócalo Square, but so many people had gathered from all over the Mexican Empire that we had no choice but to change the route to a loop around Mexico City.
The guard of honor, who filled the area above, below, left, and right of the carriage carrying the royal family, rode on horseback, but the military band following behind was marching, so it was no different from walking around the entire city at a walking pace.
“Woo hoo!”
So many people had gathered to see my face. My arms ached as if they were going to fall off at some point, but I couldn’t stop seeing the faces of the people filled with anticipation and joy, not worry or doubt.
The parade, which lasted about an hour, ended, and the coronation ceremony officially concluded. The citizens gathered in the city enjoyed a lively festive atmosphere.
“Your Majesty, you can go to the banquet hall now.”
“Alright.”
The domestic and foreign dignitaries moved to the banquet hall, and I had to attend and talk to them.
My father and mother, saying they were tired, returned to their rooms in the palace, and I went to the banquet hall.
Countless diplomatic envoys from various countries sat at a long table.
Each country had a designated seat, and the closer to me, the better the seat.
I sat at the head table, with our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on either side of me, and the envoy from the Kingdom of Prussia, our blood alliance, was closest to me.
“I’d like to have a conversation with the envoy from Joseon, but it seems difficult.”
No intelligence agents had been sent to Joseon yet, so I had no idea what was going on there.
Anyway, after the Kingdom of Prussia, the countries were arranged in order of national power, such as the British Empire, the Russian Empire, the French Republic, and the Austrian Empire, making it virtually impossible to have a conversation with countries like Qing, Haiti, Joseon, and Japan.
As I sat down and glanced around, I noticed a familiar face. I had heard he was coming, but this was the first time I had seen him.
“Klemens von Metternich.”
I heard that he had gone to Britain as a diplomatic envoy, even though he was old, but surprisingly, he had crossed the Atlantic and come all the way here to the Mexican Empire.
As I looked at him, he happened to be looking at me too. Of course, most of the people in this banquet hall were looking at me, but his gaze was different.
“…He’s sizing me up.”
The eye contact ended quickly, and the foreign envoys began to offer their congratulations. The order of congratulations was also based on proximity. Wilhelm I, who was going to be my father-in-law, was the first to offer his congratulations.
“It is a true honor to attend this holy coronation ceremony today. I extend the congratulations of the Kingdom of Prussia and myself to Your Majesty, the new Emperor of the Mexican Empire, who will soon be family.
I look forward to the future we will walk together, and I take this opportunity to express my hope that our union will further strengthen peace and prosperity between our two countries, and lay a solid foundation for overcoming any challenges we may face in the future. I sincerely hope that the Mexican Empire will usher in a brighter future under Your Majesty’s reign.”
“I am deeply grateful for the warm congratulations and deep friendship of Prussia. I also have great expectations for the bright future we will walk together. I hope that our union will be a solid foundation for peace and prosperity between our two countries, and I am confident that we will overcome any challenges that may arise before us through our unwavering friendship and cooperation.”
Next was the British Empire.
He had been watching my friendly conversation with Wilhelm I with a stoic expression, but he changed his face completely when it was his turn. On the surface, he looked genuinely happy.
“…This is going to be a very long day.”
The food I had prepared was getting cold.