"Your Majesty, regarding the position of the Praetorian Guard commander, may I propose appointing the current Governor of Britannia, Lucius Longinus?"
Somewhere within the Roman palace, surrounded by vibrant blooms of all kinds, the air heavy with their intoxicating fragrance now that the season had turned warm.
"Of course!"
The golden-haired girl nodded with a bright smile, offering no further comment.
To Nero, this was a perfectly reasonable suggestion. After all, someone as capable as her teacher, who sincerely acted for the good of Rome and everyone in it, could never possibly do anything to harm her, the most important one.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The current Praetorian commander, Brutus—appointed by Claudius—had submitted his resignation right after Nero's successful coronation. Novia had known the man simply wanted to preserve himself. But since he was perceptive enough not to stir up trouble, Novia let him go.
As for control over the Praetorian Guard, Novia never intended to stop at just a surface-level command. By appointing Lucius as commander, his real goal was to infuse these so-called "elite" soldiers—selected from across the Roman Empire—with the faith of Christ, steering them away from their lives of decadent excess and toward loyalty to both Christianity and Rome.
The Guard hadn't yet become the uncontrollable force it would in the future. With time, Lucius could reforge them into something new.
Take, for instance, the Legion of Britannia under Lucius' command. Thanks to his training, it had become one of the top combat units in the Empire. During Novia's recent pacification of the Judean province, the Britannian Legion had played the biggest role.
"I say, Teacher," Nero leaned her cheek against her hand, clearly a little displeased. "When it's just the two of us, there's no need to call me Your Majesty. Sure, my status has changed, but I'm still me, right? I don't make you say 'Your Majesty' when I talk."
Nero always believed that after helping her dear teacher with important matters, hearing him call her by name with a smile would bring her a small, secret joy. But just 'Your Majesty'? There was no spark in that at all.
"It's simply a matter of proper etiquette, Your Majesty."
"Well… if you insist, then fine," Nero said, nodding with a cheerful smile before continuing,
"Teacher, why did you take leave yesterday? Was it because of me? Did I make you feel unwell? I mean, now that I think about it, starting off with a kiss on the lips was a little fast. But if not the lips then… well, never mind. Actually, I was really happy—really happy to share that kind of intimate moment, but… I didn't mean I wanted you to… um, how do I put this… hehe…"
Her confident smile faltered the more she spoke. By the end, she was blushing furiously and flailing a little, clearly flustered.
Partly because she didn't get the flustered reaction from Novia she'd hoped for, and partly because she'd accidentally started thinking about things that were even more intimate.
As for Novia himself, yesterday he had quite literally gotten a taste of a real dragon's tongue. It was… long—lizard-like. Apparently, Albion had only seen the kiss with Nero and didn't know what else humans typically did. So she just kept kissing.
But as it turned out, deliberately provoking Albion had worked surprisingly well. At the very least, her attitude toward him had undergone a major shift.
That said, she hadn't shown up since. It was like she'd vanished.
Even when Novia tried communicating mentally, she didn't respond. Which puzzled him.
Wasn't Albion now a spirit body? Technically a kind of sentient artifact? So why did she still have a physical tongue?
Could she be in the process of regaining a real body?
And if so… why?
"By the way, Teacher—would you be willing to accompany me to the Greek peninsula in a few days? The ministers have suggested digging a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth, and I'd like to personally oversee the start of the project."
Because Novia hadn't responded earlier, Nero worried she might've said something to upset him. And if that were the case, it would be terrible! So she quickly offered an idea that she knew would make him happy.
Besides, carving a canal through the Isthmus would help strengthen Roman commercial control over Greece—a project that benefited both state and people.
As a newly crowned emperor, Nero had taken to giving out all kinds of gifts to the public at random. From grain, clothing, and livestock to gold, jewels, and even land. Retired soldiers received free bread every month, and struggling senators were given pensions to honor their past service. She even funded the construction of enormous ports in aging colonial cities...
All in all, she was acting every bit the model of an enlightened ruler.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Novia replied. "Your Majesty knows well that all church leaders across the Empire are to gather in Rome soon. I really can't be away."
On the day of Nero's coronation, Novia had convinced her to summon every Christian leader in the Empire to the capital—so that, as the movement's spiritual leader, he could share the newly compiled New Testament, unify doctrine, and officially rename the faith to the Sanctum Church.
Strictly speaking, Novia's reputation was already so overwhelming that he didn't need anyone's approval. But formalities were necessary. And besides—who would dare object?
"You can go on your own, Your Majesty," he added. "Don't you love the people of Rome?"
That question made Nero pause.
If the choice were simply like or dislike, then of course—she loved them dearly.
But...
"If I do that, I won't get to see you for a long time, Teacher…"
"Then why don't you attend the upcoming council yourself?" Novia suggested. "The Sanctum Church's assembly."
"Eh? Really?! But Teacher, I am the Emperor. Even if I've been a Christian since forever…"
She shot out of her chair with a rustle of fabric, leaning forward like someone trying to slam the brakes on a wild chariot.
"Wouldn't that cause problems? I'd hate to cause any trouble for you…"
"I don't think so. And I wouldn't mind either way." Novia deliberately made himself clearer, seeing the hesitation in her emerald eyes. "Besides, Rome's own Tius is written into scripture as a Saint. No matter how you look at it, you're an important figure."
"Saint… That's right… I am a Saint…"
So it really was like that, thought the golden-haired girl.
She was someone important to Teacher.
That alone filled her with unspeakable joy.
Their eyes met, and Novia offered a small, warm smile.
Nero smiled in return—naturally, and from the heart.
Truly… this was happiness.