CHAPTER 332: CHAPTER 328 ENTHRONEMENT (PART 2)

On December 10, 1851, the French Government, having set the date for the coronation, customarily sent invitations to ambassadors of various governments, inviting them to attend the coronation ceremony of the French Empire on December 12.

All first-class Great Powers except the Russian Empire politely declined the invitation from the French Government for various reasons, even the British Envoy who had tacitly accepted the reestablishment of the French Empire was no exception.

As for the ambassador of the Russian Empire, upon confirming the news of Jerome Bonaparte’s coronation and understanding Tsar Nicholas I’s temper, Vladimirovich immediately took it upon himself to leave Paris. Vladimirovich’s abrupt departure was tantamount to breaking off diplomatic relations, and the French Government had no need to specifically invite a country that had severed communication.

On the night of the 11th, a sudden cold wave brought Paris its first snowfall of 1851, as large snowflakes danced down onto the city, transforming all of Paris into a white world within just a few hours.

On the morning of the 12th, when Jerome Bonaparte got up as usual and opened the curtains, the snow-covered world that met his eyes filled him with surprise and unease.

Why would so many silent snowflakes descend on Paris precisely during Jerome Bonaparte’s coronation? Could this be the heavens’ way of warning this usurper?

Jerome Bonaparte desperately shook his head, trying to dismiss these thoughts.

After a while, a knocking sound came from outside the door, and Jerome Bonaparte, snapping back to his senses, hurriedly opened the bedroom door.

"Your Majesty, it is time to prepare for the coronation!" Mornay, dressed in a flamboyant gown, gently reminded Jerome Bonaparte at the door.

"Oh! Ah!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded to show he understood.

Guided by Mornay, Jerome Bonaparte arrived at the "dressing room" of the Tuileries Palace, where professional etiquette officers would help Jerome Bonaparte dress in his coronation attire.

After the attendants responsible for court etiquette arrived, Mornay got up to take his leave.

Only Jerome Bonaparte and the attendants versed in court etiquette remained in the "dressing room."

"Shall we begin?" Jerome Bonaparte asked the attendants in a soft voice.

One of the attendants respectfully responded, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment longer!"

"Wait for whom?" Jerome Bonaparte was a bit puzzled. Just a few days ago, it was they who dressed him in the imperial robe, and the cooperation should have been well-practiced. Were there new members arriving now?

"Your Majesty, according to regulations, when you officially change into the attire required for coronation, one or two nobles or noblewomen must be present to guide the process!" the attendant immediately responded.

Jerome Bonaparte frowned slightly, as he really did not like such a tedious and complicated procedure.

The attendant also noticed Jerome Bonaparte’s annoyance and quickly comforted him, "Your Majesty, please be patient for just a moment longer!"

"I understand!"

Jerome Bonaparte quietly sat on the chair, waiting for the so-called guiding nobles to arrive.

After a while, the door of the "dressing room" opened again, and Jerome Bonaparte looked towards the sound, his previously tense face breaking into a smile.

"Oh, it’s you!" Jerome Bonaparte inquired in a light-hearted tone.

"Your Majesty!" The two nobles responsible for guiding Jerome Bonaparte’s etiquette were the Marchioness Aile and Countess Montijo, whom Jerome Bonaparte was familiar with.

One was Jerome Bonaparte’s lover, the other was the mother of Jerome Bonaparte’s "intimate friend" Eugenie.

They were undoubtedly close to Jerome Bonaparte.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the ceremony formally commenced.

Countess Montijo directed the attendants to help Jerome Bonaparte don the imperial robes required for the coronation, while the Marchioness Aile informed him of the situations to avoid during the coronation ceremony,

Sitting in the chair, Jerome Bonaparte resembled a puppet being maneuvered, listening to the Marchioness Aile’s cautions while attendants layered one garment after another onto him.

The entire dressing ceremony lasted almost an hour, and it was not until the Great Eagle Medal hung on Jerome Bonaparte’s chest that the complex ceremony was finally concluded.

Compared to Jerome Bonaparte’s slightly weary face, the Marchioness Aile and Countess Montijo were proud of their "masterpiece."

Afterward, Jerome Bonaparte, now clad in regal attire, arrived at the entrance of the Tuileries Palace’s ballroom, escorted by the Marchioness Aile and Countess Montijo.

At this moment, the Tuileries Palace banquet hall was already packed with people—members of the Legislative Corps, Senate, Cabinet, and Council of State, City Hall, as well as generals residing in Paris... all of the nation’s political institutions had gathered in this hall, awaiting Jerome Bonaparte’s presence.

Of course, the actual coronation ceremony was not held here. Except for those who were required to accompany Jerome Bonaparte, all members present would meet with the Emperor and then depart the Tuileries Palace, proceeding to Paris City Hall in the evening at 6 o’clock. This meant that the real coronation location was not the Tuileries Palace, nor was it the Notre-Dame Cathedral (where Emperor Napoleon was crowned), but rather at City Hall.