"Hmm, oh right, Hathaway, this is my souvenir." Back at the palace, Nero tossed a necklace inlaid with pure gold.
"According to the locals, this item can prolong life!" Nero said with a mischievous grin, as if recommending some deceptive health product.
"Hmm, with this, Hathaway might live to be five hundred years old."
"Your Majesty is joking. There's no one in this world who can live to be five hundred years old."
Hathaway smiled faintly, accepted the necklace, and put it away without a close look. It would be rather impolite to scrutinize it in front of Nero.
But Nero didn't care about that. Seeing Hathaway put it away directly, she puffed out her cheeks. Wasn't the carefully chosen gift meant to see her surprised expression?
However, she couldn't say such a thing directly, so Nero stopped: "Hmm, how's my gift? Aren't you going to look closely?"
"A gift from Your Majesty is naturally excellent. I will cherish anything you give me."
"Is that... is that so? Hmm, but you should always check it carefully, right? What if... what if it's poisoned?"
Hearing such an outrageous remark, Hathaway couldn't help but look up at Nero, seeing her awkward expression, feeling a bit puzzled.
"Cough cough, even if it's not poisoned, hmm, you should still see if it fits, right?" Seeing Hathaway look over, Nero lightly coughed twice and said casually.
But it's a necklace... Hathaway was a bit speechless, but she finally understood her Majesty's little thoughts. She took out the necklace and began to examine it seriously.
It had a streamlined design and was exquisitely crafted, likely made of platinum. The gold inlaid in the center must be the pure gold Her Majesty mentioned.
It was evident that Her Majesty had put a lot of effort into it. The aesthetics of this necklace perfectly matched her own taste, and she liked it even more upon closer inspection.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her Majesty pretending not to care, but her head was shaking like a rattle drum.
Her own Majesty, her own darling. Even if the whole world called her a tyrant, a beast, in her eyes, she was still that mischievous Princess.
Hathaway held the necklace to her chest and said from the bottom of her heart: "Thank you, Your Majesty, I love this necklace very much. I wish I could wear it right now."
"Is that so? Hmm, you like it very much? I can't do anything with you. Then I'll help you put it on."
Upon hearing Hathaway's reply, Nero instantly broke into a wide smile, happily taking the necklace and putting it on Hathaway.
"Hmm, as expected of me! Such discerning eyes are indeed rare in this world."
Admiring Hathaway wearing the necklace, Nero pulled out a camera from somewhere and started snapping photos!
It wasn't until Hathaway became embarrassed that Nero reluctantly stopped her actions.
"Hmm, then let's go to the Rose Garden next. I want to eat a small cake today."
"Strawberry chiffon cake is okay?"
"That's the one! Also, notify that stinky old... hmm, have everyone gather at the Rose Garden."
"Ah, yes, Your Majesty!"
Watching Nero's retreating figure, Hathaway sighed deeply. So, she wasn't as indifferent as she appeared on the surface?
...Rose Garden.
Nero sat in a small pavilion on the cliff edge, holding a cup of black tea, without changing her posture for a long time.
Outside was the endless sea horizon. Nero's thoughts drifted back to the past, to the first time she met Roger, which was also here.
Only two short years... "Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" Hathaway called softly from the side.
"Oh, hmm! It's Hathaway! What is it?" Nero turned back, a little flustered.
"The ministers have all arrived," Hathaway reminded her.
Only then did Nero see the ministers gathered in a dense crowd outside the pavilion.
The pirate ship behind them had long since sailed into the distance. Standing up with her back to the sea, Nero faced the ministers.
"Hmm, everyone, thank you for waiting. I called you all here today because I have something to announce."
"I will abandon the islands outside the capital and refuse to acknowledge them as part of Nicuss!"
As soon as the shocking statement was made, the ministers below widened their eyes and whispered, yet no one stood up to stop her. Everyone looked eagerly at Nero, awaiting the reason for her actions.
Nero was also a bit uncomfortable. In the past, whenever she did something out of line, someone would always jump out to stop her.
This situation was truly unfamiliar. Forcibly suppressing the strange feeling within her, Nero declared loudly.
"The Nicuss Empire is composed of 18 islands. Hmm, it's too bloated! And too complacent!"
"They seem to have forgotten that this is the New World! The most chaotic region in the world. The existence of nobles and emperors like us is to protect them, but everyone has forgotten this point!"
"Roger's death has drawn back the curtain on a new era. It's time for you, my lords, to make changes!"
"What I am doing is not abandoning other regions, but making them once again feel the cruelty of the New World. Only islands that make sufficient contributions can regain the protection of Nicuss!"
A passionate speech did not elicit cheers from the crowd. They were nobles of Nicuss.
Unlike the Emperor, they couldn't do whatever they wanted. Nero only needed to give orders, while they had much more to consider.
"Your Majesty, if this happens, what about the nation's finances?"
"Hmm, take what should be taken, and make those unwilling, willing. Consider it rent!"
"Your Majesty, many soldiers' and officers' families come from these places. Doing this..."
"Hmm, then give them a chance to return to their hometowns and share hardships!"
"This is too..."
The harsh approach made the ministers look at each other, and they also wondered if Nero's method was too childish?
What emperor would turn against their own territory?
"But in this way, Your Majesty's reputation?"
"Hmm, what reputation do I have now? Tyrant or pirate? Let them call me what they want, I don't care!"
Nero's attitude was firm, without any intention of compromise.
"Hmm, oh right! Do not re-station anyone on the three islands I burned down. I have other arrangements."
"Afterward, present a suitable action plan to me. Hmm, that concludes state affairs. You may all enjoy your refreshments!"
Without giving anyone a chance to object, Nero quickly finalized the matter.
The others could only agree for now. The Emperor's orders could be changed, but they would never be changed in front of everyone.
So, even if some had reservations about Nero's ideas, they would not object in front of so many people.
During the tea party, everyone except Nero was preoccupied, and even Hathaway was frequently lost in thought.
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