"Having to change clothes specifically, isn't that a bit too grand?"
In front of the dressing mirror, Hathaway was combing Nero's hair after her bath, skillfully responding to Nero's complaints.
"Does His Majesty dislike this new outfit?"
"Umu, that's two different things! I still like the clothes; the white silk texture is very comfortable, and the golden and ruby collar perfectly suits my aesthetic."
"Ah, isn't that wonderful then? His Majesty likes the new clothes, and it doesn't waste the ministers' good intentions. Your Majesty, please lower your head."
Picking up the red ribbon from the table, Hathaway began braiding Nero's hair.
"Umu, I said it's two different things! Wearing this outfit for this occasion is such a waste! It should at least make its debut at my concert to be perfect."
I love the new clothes, but I really dislike this occasion!
"Don't move your head around!"
Nero's head-shaking finally drew Hathaway's displeasure. She held Nero's head, her tone slightly sterner.
"Uh... Umu... Yes!"
Nero immediately quieted down, obediently waiting for Hathaway to busy herself with her hair.
Seeing Nero like this, Hathaway softened her tone: "And His Majesty becoming a Celestial Dragon this time will surely be seen by the whole world, won't it?"
"Umu, that should be the case."
"Ah, then compared to His Majesty's usual heroic attire, wouldn't her beautiful side be more suitable for this occasion?"
"Umu!"
Nero lowered her head, pretending to be in thought. Nero tried her best to suppress the corners of her mouth. Nero attempted to be modest... "Mwahahaha! Indeed! Both the previous newspapers and bounty posters only showed more of my valiant side."
Nero raised her hands, allowing Hathaway to take off her bathrobe and put on the silk gown.
"Now it's time for the world to understand my side as the Goddess of Beauty! Umu, I am very satisfied with this gown, which symbolizes prosperity and passion!"
After Nero put on her clothes, she unfurled the red silk scarf behind her, which also bore the golden Nicuss national emblem.
"And this, Your Majesty!"
Hathaway took out the last golden leg wraps and tied them around Nero's thighs.
Then, the initially reluctant Nero was seen striking poses wildly in front of the mirror.
"Umu, as expected of me! I'm falling in love with myself! Hathaway, do you think I can add some more head ornaments?"
Shaking her head in front of the mirror, Nero now felt that she wasn't dressed grandly enough.
"Ah, wait, you still need to wear the crown, other hair accessories would be inconvenient."
"Then my wrists are still bare. I think a pair of golden bracelets could be added. The previous one inlaid with emeralds was very nice, and its color is very close to my eyes."
Nero pointed her index fingers at her own eyes, then pointed again and again at Hathaway's helpless gaze.
"Your Majesty's beauty is already sufficient. Too many accessories would detract from Your Majesty's inherent charm. Only relatively simple and plain clothes like these can truly bring out Your Majesty's original beauty."
Hathaway refused Nero's request to increase her workload and began showering her with praise.
"Only a sparkling gem like Your Majesty can pull off this outfit and make the world understand what beauty is..."
"Umu! Umu! Umu!!!"
A shower of 'Umu's, Nero couldn't be more satisfied with these words.
"That's right! My own beauty is already enough; the Goddess of Beauty doesn't need extra adornment to prove herself! So I don't need the crown either! Just my appearance alone will be enough to astound the world!!!"
Nero happily spun in circles on the spot. Hathaway wanted to hit her after hearing her words.
"Tsk, she's really difficult!"
"Umu, Hathaway, did you say something?"
"Ah, nothing at all. Your Majesty, although your own... the crown still..."
There was still enough time, so Hathaway began a new round of coaxing... and remonstrating.
She told Nero about the importance of the crown, and how it was a matching set with Stella, and so on, finally managing to persuade Nero... "That... Minister Holio! His Majesty Nero... it's already this late? Satan Saint asked me to ask you, how much longer will it take?"
Spandine rubbed his hands, asking Holio with a humble expression.
It was well known that Nicuss was a family business, and the relationship between the nobility and the royalty was inseparable. Facing Nero, who was about to be crowned a Celestial Dragon, he dared not assume any high posture.
Didn't even Satan Saint, one of the Gorosei, personally appear for this matter?
Such a thing was simply unheard of. The bounty for Nero Claudius Palace seemed as if it had never existed.
Nicuss, this pirate nation, was about to become the homeland of a Celestial Dragon.
For someone like Spandine, who worked within the World Government system, any slight mistake at such an occasion, offending someone he shouldn't, would essentially end his career.
So his current attitude was exceptionally humble, as he truly had no understanding of the network of relationships here.
"As a woman, and soon to be crowned a Celestial Dragon, what's wrong with His Majesty taking a little more time to get ready?"
Holio stroked his handlebar mustache, exuding an aristocratic air.
He glanced sideways at Spandine, letting out a soft hmph: "Doesn't this precisely show how much my His Majesty values this ceremony?"
"If you can't even wait this long, are you saying you think you can treat my His Majesty perfunctorily? Then you can go back; I will inform His Majesty of your attitude later!"
"No! No! How dare I! How dare I!" Spandine quickly lowered his head, wishing he could kowtow to this lord on the spot.
He just asked one question and almost ruined the ceremony, and the blame was put on him. This familiar way of speaking confirmed it; he was a true noble.
"Not at all, I was just worried if His Majesty had encountered any trouble. Since Lord Holio has said so, we can naturally wait this long."
"So you're saying I misunderstood you?" Holio stopped stroking his beard, putting his hands behind his back, his tone flat.
"Yes! What are you saying? It's clearly my fault for saying the wrong thing and wasting Lord Holio's time. My mistake, my mistake!"
Spandine lightly patted his mouth twice, a fawning smile plastered on his face.
Are these the officials of the World Government? Their tongues and faces are quite something.
Holio appeared calm on the surface, but his heart couldn't help but grumble. He looked at the door that had yet to open, also feeling very anxious.
That idiotic Emperor! Does she have no sense of time at all? I clearly instructed her so many times before.
His eyes seemed to casually glance at Satan Saint; that dark face made Holio feel a little uneasy.
Ever since he arrived at Nicuss, he had been sitting there motionless, appearing aloof and disdaining interaction with others.
By the way, doesn't this old man get tired staying in that position all the time?
For some reason, this thought flashed through Holio's mind.
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