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The room was completely silent, with everyone keeping their heads lowered, not a word spoken.
Hedy withdrew the long sword and, with a steady hand, ran her fingers over the warm blood on its blade.
It was all over now.
The old Church, from this day forward, was no more.
Italy, from this day onward, was born.
CHAPTER 25
The coronation was set for January 1st.
This was originally supposed to be Lorenzo's birthday.
People were so familiar with this date that they all tacitly wore black robes, collectively remembering the late former ruler.
In the past, every January 1st, Florence would be immersed in a wave of celebration, with almost everyone enjoying dancing, fine wine, and a hearty welcome to the new year in honor of the lord's birthday.
The Pope of Rome died on December 31st, and the Papal States were destroyed in a great fire.
People referred to the turmoil of these months as the 'War of Nirvana,' but in reality, a new empire had been reborn through this process.
The young Protestant Pope stood on a higher platform, holding a crown adorned with jewels in his hands.
This empire had not been unified to such an extent for many years. The entire central and western coastline had been integrated into one, and its military and economic prosperity had reached new heights.
Hedy, dressed in a deep purple velvet gown, slowly walked up to the Pope amidst the thousands of blessings.
She took a deep breath and stood before Giovanni.
Countless nobles and old friends stood on either side, their gazes like flickering candles.
The Pope held the crown, waiting for her to bow in submission.
Suddenly, Hedy smiled.
The act that Napoleon would later perform hundreds of years later was now being preemptively executed by her.
Under the watchful eyes of countless spectators, she reached out, took the golden crown, and calmly placed it on her head.
She had crowned herself—
Was even the Protestant Pope unable to command her submission?!
Young Giovanni clearly hadn't expected this. He instinctively glanced at the people on either side, then looked back at the unchanged expression of the ruler. With a sigh, he wished her and this new empire enduring prosperity.
People were somewhat unaccustomed to the name of this country, but they had no intention of changing it.
Whether it was called the Holy Roman Empire or Italy, as long as it allowed people to live safely and provided enough to eat, they had little hope for anything more.
Hedy ultimately decided to make Florence the capital, rather than Genoa, where they had initially stayed—after all, it was too close to France. If an unexpected attack occurred, the loss of many vital resources would be irreversible.
She returned to the old palace with her old friends and subordinates, while Clarice and the children were housed in the picturesque Palazzo Pitti.
It had hardly changed. The paintings of Leonardo and Botticelli hung in their familiar spots, and even the scratches left on the white oak door from their childhood mischief were still there.
The coronation was not particularly grand but rather a public declaration.
