"Umu, my throat hurts so much!" Nero slowly climbed out of bed, her voice still a little hoarse.
"Your Majesty sang continuously for six hours last night," the maid said, bringing a cup of warm honey water and slowly feeding it to Nero.
"Umu, some of my beloved subjects always guard the borders and rarely return. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I must satisfy them as much as possible!" Sipping the honey water and feeling her throat moisturized, Nero comfortably narrowed her eyes.
"Sigh~ I actually feel that those lords probably don't need it," the maid muttered softly as she took the finished cup from Nero.
"Umu, did you say something?"
"No, nothing."
Pulling Nero to the dressing table, the maid skillfully braided her hair.
"Umu, I want pudding!" Stretching, Nero finally fully opened her eyes.
"Don't move! Your Majesty, this makes it very inconvenient for me!" After steadying Nero's head, the maid replied, "As for pudding, it will be a dessert after the meal. I'll arrange for the chef to make it later; there's enough time."
"I always feel that you all still treat me with the same lack of respect as before, even though I am already the Emperor!" No longer moving, Nero's tone was somewhat complaining.
"Then Her Majesty Nero should properly correct her daily words and actions, and naturally everyone will respect her," the maid said after braiding her hair, taking the clothes from another maid and beginning to help Nero change out of her nightgown.
"Then forget it! I think it's pretty good now! I really like this sense of relaxation." Mechanically spreading her arms, Nero let the maid arrange her attire.
"Sigh~" Seeing Nero like this, the maid sighed helplessly.
"Are there any arrangements for today's schedule?" Nero pretended not to hear, pulling her tight collar open a bit.
"Does Your Majesty have an interest in managing the country?" The maid stood a few steps aside with her hands on her stomach, "The Nicuss Empire was founded on martial prowess, and the Emperor has always been the strongest. As for management, if you don't want to, the nobles will naturally handle it."
"Umu, after all, I am the Emperor. For the morning, I'll go and take a look first!" Picking up the Supreme Great Grade Sword, the 'Primal Fire', placed on the bedside, Nero pondered for a moment, thinking it was necessary to understand some things.
"Understood. Also, Your Majesty, on Cori Island on the western border, it is rumored that the Roger Pirates have been detected there."
"Umu, pirates? Confirm their location. I will make time today to subjugate them," Nero said casually, strapping the sword to her waist, not caring about the news. "Also, notify all ministers to attend court in one hour."
"Yes!" The maid bowed her head.
After breakfast and delicious pudding in the dining room, Nero arrived at the throne, where the ministers were already waiting in an orderly fashion.
"Umu, all ministers, feel free to speak your minds about any issues," Nero said, sitting upright with her hands on the armrests.
This conversation seemed casual, but Nero intended to use this opportunity to observe the abilities of her subjects to determine if she needed to intervene in political matters later.
In this world where great power belonged to individuals and the strong could act as they pleased, an Emperor needed to possess immense strength to make the country more prosperous.
As for the nobles who governed the country, in Nero's opinion, they could be weaker, but they must have a corresponding sense of responsibility and sufficient wisdom and ability.
The Nicuss Empire did not need useless gluttons who held positions without performing their duties. Of course, as long as they fulfilled their corresponding obligations, luxurious pastimes would not be prohibited.
After all, Nero herself was one of the most extravagant people in the Empire, ever since the old Emperor passed away.
The imperial palace in the capital had been expanded several times, and commoners had been relocated to other islands. Two-thirds of the island was the imperial palace, and the remaining surrounding areas were also noble residences.
The commoners had no complaints; Nero's concerts required everyone in the country to attend, and the prospect of moving for free with relocation fees made them smile in their sleep.
"Your Majesty, everything is well within the country, but the pirates on the border have become increasingly rampant in recent years. I humbly request Your Majesty to conscript soldiers?"
"Umu, pirates again? The word is appearing quite frequently today!" Nero leaned back on the throne, propping her head with one hand and crossing her legs. "Show me the casualty reports from the border in recent years."
"Your Majesty! You cannot!" Seeing Nero actually considering it, Livord stepped forward.
How could an Emperor conscript soldiers right after ascending the throne? Regardless of the reason, doing so would inevitably lead to gossip behind her back.
"Umu…" Nero tapped the armrest with one hand, flipping through the report in the other, ignoring Livord's words.
"Erect ten gallows on the border and hang the pirate Captains there! As a deterrent!" Tossing the report aside, Nero stood up. "I hear the recently renowned Roger Pirates are nearby. I will hang his corpse there too."
The general on the border, hearing this, immediately began to calculate in his mind. If a great pirate's corpse could be hung there, it could indeed deter other pirates.
It's just… His Majesty had never left the Empire and did not understand the ferocity of those pirates. His Majesty alone might not be able to prevail.
Livord was even more aware that although Nero was already the strongest in the Nicuss Empire, if she were to fight the Roger Pirates, she would most likely not be his match.
Not to mention her arrogant attitude. No, His Majesty must not confront him at this moment!
Thinking this, Livord continued, "Your Majesty, regarding this…"
He was cut off directly by Nero, "Umu, this matter is decided! No further discussion is needed!"
"…Yes!"
Never mind, I'll speak with His Majesty privately later.
"Next item…"
"Yes! Regarding finances…"
…Thus, a morning passed, and Nero gained a clearer understanding of the country's situation. The ministers were quite capable, and she would not need to intervene further.
After lunch, Nero went to the cliff behind the imperial palace, where a Rose Garden had been built.
Nero sat in the pavilion on the cliff edge, with the vast, boundless ocean on one side and deep red roses on the other.
The maid elegantly played the piano nearby, and Nero took a sip of red tea from her cup, with exquisite desserts laid out on the table.
"Umu, Hathaway! How far is the Nicuss Empire's border from here?"
"To Your Majesty, it is approximately a thousand nautical miles," the maid Hathaway replied truthfully, not knowing why Nero suddenly asked this.
"That far!" Nero put down her cup, a smile gracing her lips. "This is the first time I've seen pirates appear in this place!"
"What!" Hathaway's pupils contracted sharply at her words, and she looked out at the sea.
On the vast sea, a pirate ship had appeared at some point and was sailing towards them. Hathaway squinted, recognizing that the approaching vessel belonged to the Roger Pirates, whom they had been discussing today.
"Umu, pirates delivering themselves to my doorstep? It saves me the trouble of having to find them myself. How fortunate."