In order for the principality to be born as soon as possible, Aigron regarded the canonization celebration and the founding celebration as a top priority, and kept urging his subordinates to hurry up.
Of course, his subordinates did not dare to neglect, and concentrated all available human and material resources to handle this matter. After busy preparations, finally, on December 2, everything was prepared.
Why did you choose this day to celebrate? Because Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the Empire on December 2, 1804, and on December 2, 1805, the anniversary of his coronation, he defeated the coalition forces of the Tsar and the Austrian Emperor at Austerlitz and embarked on the The pinnacle of life.
All those loyal to the Bonaparte family will never forget this day, and Aiglon deliberately chose this day to found the Principality of Ioannina to announce that he had embarked on the same glorious path.
In the early morning of this day, all the prominent people in the city of Ioannina - whether they came with Aigron or the original local upper class, rushed to the city square.
This small square was already crowded, waiting for the next ceremony.
Although it is cold and windy outside, because the square is crowded with people, it is relatively warm at this time, and the airflow exhaled by people when breathing and talking seems to make the square covered with a thin layer of air. of fog.
Around the square, Aiglon's guards were responsible for maintaining order. These carefully selected guards all put on winter clothes. They stood at their respective posts and looked straight ahead, like sculptures. Just like the totem that protects the empire.
The leader is Andre Davout - not long ago, under the order of Aiglon, Andre Davout left Nafpaktos where he stayed and went all the way north to the city of Ioannina. He returned to his command and continued to serve as captain of the personal guard.
This favored minister who was most trusted by Aigron had a solemn expression at this moment. Only the sparkle in his eyes from time to time could make people see the excitement and excitement in his heart.
He scanned the people around him with his eyes, not missing any tiny details, while waiting for the passage of time.
After the time on his pocket watch settled at 8 o'clock in the morning, he made a gesture to his subordinates.
The guards who were already prepared took out three flags, walked to the flagpole, and then placed them on the flagpole.
As the flags gradually rose, the eagle flag of the Empire, the flag of the Principality of Ioannina, and the flag of the Knights of Fontainebleau gradually unfolded in the sight of everyone present.
Then, the three flags fluttered in the air in the winter wind to declare their absolute presence on this land.
Seeing the eagle flag fluttering, Andre Davout suddenly burst into tears - God knows how long he had been looking forward to this moment?
It's a pity that now it can only fly in the Principality of Ioannina, but it doesn't matter, one day it will fly again in Paris and Fontainebleau, no matter what the price is paid - and at that time, I will definitely be punished because of my His achievements will go down in history, and he will be praised and remembered by future generations.
Andre Davout was thinking about the future, and finally brought his mind back to today's celebration.
He made another gesture, and then led his subordinates to shout the opening slogan of the celebration.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
"Long live the Grand Duchess Ioannina!"
"Long live the Principality of Ioannina!"
Although there were not many of them, because they were all young and strong, the shouts echoed in the small square on the winter wind, arousing constant echoes. In an instant, the square was silent, and no one dared to speak again. Talk more and don't even dare to make any moves - because they all know that the young man is coming.
Although Aigron came to Ioannina not long ago, after a series of hard and soft tactics, and killing chickens and monkeys, he has established absolute authority in everyone's mind. In addition, he was already famous before, which makes people even more intimidated.
The salute continued, like the roar of thunder, until it came to an end after a few minutes.
Soon, people in the square automatically gave way to a passage, and then a large, richly decorated carriage, surrounded by guards, slowly drove into the square and stopped next to the temporary wooden platform.
At this time, everyone, whether it was the guards or the crowd watching the ceremony, cheered and waved their hands - whether it was true or false, they must show such sincerity to congratulate the birth of the principality.
Then, Aigron, Teresa and Haidee stepped down from the carriage, and then walked up the steps to the wooden platform under the watchful eyes of everyone, which meant that the celebration had come to its most important part. ——
Not long after, a few more people walked out of the crowd, and they also walked up the steps.
They were all dressed as Orthodox priests - and the leader was none other than Constantine Dimopoulos, the Patriarch of the Principality of Ioannina, who was canonized by Aeglon.
The patriarch was as solemn and solemn as ever, with the demeanor of a clergyman.
After walking onto the stage, he immediately made the sign of the cross and then saluted the three people.
"Your Majesty, and Your Highness, God bless you!"
Then, he glanced at Aiglon with a look of inquiry.
Aigron nodded slightly.
There are two ceremonies to be held today, first the canonization ceremony of Haidee, and then the establishment of the principality. Aiglon canonizes it first, which means that Haidee is his vassal, and the legitimacy of the entire principality is also transferred from his hands—— The order determines the status, and the status determines the political status, so there is no need to be careless.
Then, the priest picked up a small crown from the assistant's hand and handed it to Aigron.
This "crown" is actually made of leaves, with a little soil on it.
Logically speaking, as the ruler of the principality, Haidee should wear a luxurious crown during such a ceremony. The more expensive it is, the better it can reflect her status. However, it did not take long to come to Ioannina from Aiglon. How could he have time to create a valuable crown in such a hurry? And it would not be appropriate to use the crown that Theresa gave her at the christening ceremony.
In the end, after much deliberation, since it couldn't be "valuable" anyway, I might as well use such a "crown" as a facade.
Leaves and soil represent this land, and have always been used in the canonization ceremony of kings. From this point of view, it can barely be justified.
Although this has wronged Haidee, there will be plenty of opportunities to make up for it in the future. When the time comes, it will only be a small thing to give her a beautiful gift to express my apology.
After Aigron took over the crown, Haidee immediately knelt on the ground obediently, and then Aigron put the "crown" on her head.
"Haidee, I give you this crown and the title of Grand Duchess Ioannina. This is a glorious moment. You have achieved what your grandfather dreamed of and you have become the legal ruler of this land from now on. ...But what is added to you at this moment is not just glory, but also many obligations that you should fulfill. You should work hard to grow from now on, learn knowledge that is beneficial to managing this country, and participate in all the events that you must attend. rituals, granting favors to all your people without distinction... I believe you can do it, and you must do it."
Aiglon's tone was equally solemn and solemn, which perfectly matched the ceremony.
However, these words may sound serious, but of course they are just words for the occasion - if Haidee really works tirelessly to learn how to "manage this country", Aigron may not be happy either.
Haidee had been kneeling on the ground, listening to Aigron's warnings honestly. After these hours of study, she was initially able to understand Aigron's words and what he meant.
However, the little girl's innate intelligence allowed her to understand what the young man really wanted to do - to take on the ceremonial work honestly and hold the title of Grand Duchess, but she was not allowed to interfere with him and his assistants. their rule over the principality.
Haidee had no objections to this arrangement.
Firstly, she still remembered that not long ago she was a forgotten little slave girl in the sultan's harem. It was this young man who bought her and gave her the opportunity to change her life. This kindness was unforgettable to her; secondly, Teresa has always instilled in her the idea of "obeying His Majesty", and she also regards it as her obligation to obey His Majesty's will.
Even if she becomes the Grand Duchess of Ioannina in the future, she must continue to obey him and play the role he has assigned to her.
With this realization, Haidee knelt on the ground motionless and allowed the young man to put the crown on her.
"I can do it, Your Majesty," she finally whispered. "I will bear in mind your warning, be the Grand Duchess of Ioannina in the most noble way, and never live up to the title you gave me."
Seeing Haidee being so "sensible", Aigron couldn't help but laugh.
He uses Haidee as a puppet, but he personally has no objection to Haidee and even admires this little girl. As long as Haidee continues to be obedient and cooperate with him, he will be happy to satisfy this little girl in terms of living conditions.
After putting on the crown, Haidee stood up carefully, and then looked at Aigron face to face.
At this time, the salute sounded again to celebrate the birth of the Grand Duchess Ioannina.
Amid the salute, Patriarch Konstantin Dimopoulos walked up to Haidee and made the sign of the cross on his chest.
Haidee immediately understood and took out the gem cross that the priest gave to her at the last baptism ceremony from around her neck, and then kissed it carefully.
Because it has been worn close to the body, the cross is still quite warm, reflecting the metallic light in the gloomy light.
Haidee had no resistance in her heart to "converting to Orthodox Christianity". Religion meant nothing to her - and strictly speaking, the person who killed her grandfather and all her relatives was the supreme ruler of the YSL religion. , so she was very happy with "apostasy".
Since her master wanted her to survive as an Orthodox Christian, she had to do so - and she would become a devout Christian in order to make Ioannina a Christian state.
Seeing Haidee's respectful and pious look, Patriarch Constantine Dimopoulos nodded with satisfaction.
Then he looked seriously at Haidee and spoke.
“O Almighty Lord, you gave this land to her along with your mercy, and you placed great hopes on her. From now on, she will be the shepherd of the lambs in this land, and you will be the most noble one. Servant, she will remember your precepts forever and lead your people to live by your teachings!
From now on, one day, this land, this land blessed by you, will become a pure country of the highest goodness! Amen! "
"Amen!" Agron and Teresa shouted in unison.
Patriarch Constantine Dimopoulos then made the sign of the cross on Haidee to bestow God's blessing on her.
From today on, she is the earthly owner of the Principality of Ioannina - even if it is only in name, she is also the lord here.
Aiglon watched all this with interest.
He knew that Haidee had now become his first canonized lord.
He also knew that with the canonization of Haidee, the establishment of the Principality of Ioannina became inevitable.
With the establishment of the principality, he would carry out a large-scale reward based on merit. Based on the principality of Ioannina, he set aside a part of the land as a fief to grant to his subordinates, and conferred noble titles on the meritorious ministers among them.
In other words, the nobles he canonized now will no longer be empty nobles, but will become nobles with actual fiefdoms - although these fiefdoms will not be too large, at least they are in name and reality.
The Marquis of Lepanto and the Count of Monte Cristo were the representatives among these vassals.
This is just the beginning, there will be more to come... He will get it all and reward it all. In the end, he only needs to achieve that goal.
As the crowd cheered and shouted, the salute also roared, and the canonization ceremony and celebration reached its peak.
As Aiglon wished, Haidee officially became the Grand Duchess of Ioannina, and the Principality of Ioannina was also proclaimed.
Although the precise territory of this principality cannot yet be defined, and it still needs to be finally demarcated with Greece, for Aiglon, this initial success is already big enough.
So big that he even felt a little dizzy.
In a leisurely and contented mood, Aigron couldn't help but wander to the sky, and then raised his head to look at the distant sky.
Although it was cloudy due to the weather, he always seemed to feel like someone was watching him secretly.
Are you really looking at me? So, if you were really watching, how would you evaluate me now?
Maybe because of your pride, you won't give too high praise, but please give me a chance, I'm still young, and I still have too much time to complete achievements that make you proud... Yes, wait for me Bar!
There are many things waiting for him to do.
He can't stay here too long to enjoy the fruits of victory. Next, he and Theresa will go south to Greece, on the one hand for the establishment of Greece, and on the other hand, they are preparing for their lifelong event.
He had been expecting this.
