(Titus's (Tacitus) POV)
"This is nice," I remarked, looking into the mirror for the first time in this reality. Alongside my simple Roman attire, I wore trousers that I had sewn myself. Trust me; you wouldn't want to attract the attention of homo Romans when your skirt flutters in the wind.
It had been a week since Nero, the strikingly beautiful and youthful female Roman emperor, publicly executed her own mother. This event had stirred a mixed reaction among Roman citizens. While the Senate seethed with anger, the common folk wore indifferent expressions.
To put it in perspective, imagine you're an employee of a company, deeply admiring your boss. Then, the former company head starts mistreating all the employees. Instead of seeking legal action or proper disciplinary measures, how would you feel if your boss, with a smile on their face, beheaded their own father in front of everyone? Would you still want to work for a boss capable of killing their own parent?
In essence, the people of Rome found themselves in a similar predicament. They weren't openly rebelling against Nero, but they weren't openly supporting her as they had before.
Leaving my chamber/home, I headed straight for Seneca's house. I found him waiting for me outside.
"Tacitus, you're here on time," Seneca greeted me.
I mustered a slight smile, although it was challenging to gauge time in this era without clocks.
"Are you prepared for the task?" Seneca inquired.
I had become acquainted with Seneca because Nero had taken a particular 'interest' in me and summoned me to her castle. In this context, 'interest' clearly implied more than just work-related matters.
"I don't mind getting close to such a cute girl, but I also don't want to be involved with a woman who already has a wife," I thought to myself, recalling legends of the male Nero. I certainly didn't want to jeopardize my well-being.
Upon confirming my readiness, Seneca and I made our way to the castle.
One couldn't help but appreciate the architecture in the ancient Roman Empire. The structures were massive and exquisitely crafted. As someone from the modern era, I still found it unbelievable that humans had constructed such magnificent edifices without the aid of machinery.
However, there was a significant drawback: there were no elevators or lifts.
"That's why I keep telling you to work out more," Seneca remarked, to which I responded with a blank stare before continuing to walk. Soon, we arrived at the main chamber of the empire's administration.
As with any royal architecture in the empire, the hall was grandiose. I could make out a figure with blond hair seated on a throne-like chair. On either side, ministers from various departments were engrossed in reading reports.
I walked a bit further and halted in front of a diminutive figure who wore a somewhat disgruntled expression. Nero was dressed in a short red blouse that revealed a considerable amount of cleavage, paired with a long skirt featuring a single high slit, showcasing her left leg.
"Quite a rip-off. Nasu must have succeeded in baiting Artoria, or perhaps Artoria was inspired by Nero, given that neither Artoria nor any saberface has been born yet," I pondered. My first experience with the Nasuverse had been Fate/Extra, and I had chosen Nero mainly to interact with Artoria. I wasn't disappointed since she was cute. However, real-life Nero was a different story, considering her tyrannical reputation.
"Both of you are late!" the short figure exclaimed, though her anger seemed somewhat muted.
"Your Majesty, you're the one who arrived early," Seneca protested with a gentle smile. The other ministers nodded in agreement, having arrived early themselves due to Nero's promptness.
"Is she always this punctual?" I inquired of Seneca. It was rather unusual for a ruler to be so early. Was Nero truly that diligent?
"No, although she tends to arrive on time, I believe she's eager to meet you," Seneca replied.
A lump formed in my throat upon hearing this news. While I did want to get close to Nero for various reasons, I hadn't anticipated this level of attraction. The thought of losing my "little friend" sent shivers down my spine.
Since Nero regarded Seneca as a father figure and held him in high esteem, I had initially assumed her interest in me stemmed from being Seneca's son. However, now I was less certain about the nature of my mission.
As I navigated my inner thoughts, Nero rose from her seat, approached me, and addressed her ministers, "My fellow Roman citizens and ministers, this is Tacitus. He is the son of Seneca and my new advisor."
"Wait, when did I—"
"Save it, kid. Just accept your fate," Seneca interjected, wearing an exhausted expression.
Was there no voice from the mentioned individual? I remained silent, awaiting objections from ministers and other staff members. To my surprise, they all applauded me, showing more enthusiasm for my election as an advisor than for any senior among them. Was I merely a scapegoat?
"Umu! The announcement is made. It's time for the final act!" Nero declared with a smirk, turning her attention to me. She wore an egoistic smile, her chest proudly jiggling as she adjusted her red slit skirt. I glanced at Seneca for guidance, uncertain of her intentions.
"…KISS HER!..." Seneca whispered.
????
WHAAAAT?!!
I looked at Seneca again, receiving the same answer. Kiss her? Nero, the Roman Emperor?!
Nero's gestures confirmed it. Was this some tradition where a subject had to kiss the emperor? I had no idea.
As I pondered, I sensed a tense aura enveloping me, emanating from Nero, who had been silent for the last 20 seconds. I took a deep breath, preparing myself.
'Let's do this.'
Despite my past inexperience, I had learned how to kiss. If I was going to do this, I would make it memorable.
'Let's go, baby!!!'
I embraced Nero's soft waist and swept her into my arms.
"H-huh?!" She was taken aback, as were the others in the hall. Gazing into her green eyes, I smirked and leaned in, sealing her lips with mine.
Choo~
Suddenly, I heard noises, ministers dropping their documents with bewildered expressions. I was perplexed by their reactions, but I was soon lost in the enchantment of Nero's lips and breath, focusing solely on her.
'This is...'
Her lips were so enticing that I forgot I was kissing the Roman Emperor. Ignoring my surroundings, I pressed on, inserting my tongue into her mouth. Nero's eyes widened, but she didn't resist. Instead, she wrapped her arms around my neck, and I reciprocated with my left hand while my right hand explored her soft, ample butt.
'This is incredible. I want more!'
Lust consumed me as I intensified the kiss. Our tongues danced in harmony, neither giving in. After a passionate minute or two, we reluctantly parted, a glistening thread connecting our lips.
"Wow, that was intense~! I had no idea Roman lips could be so delicious," I exclaimed, gazing at the blond-haired beauty. "You enjoyed it, didn't you?"
Nero nodded slightly, her head downcast. Glancing at Seneca, who remained frozen in time, pale and vacant-eyed, I couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
Confused, I looked at the other minister and saw a similar reaction. Some were shocked, while some were flustered, holding their little PPs.
"Tacitus… you idiot!!" Seneca woke up and then smacked my head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" I asked while rubbing my head. Confused, I tilted her head, "I kissed her majesty just as you said."
"…" Seneca began to tremble before he glared at me. "You must kneel down and ask for a hand to kiss!!"
I widened my eyes and found Nero glaring at me with a deep red face. "Uh!? Oh. Ooooohh… ooohhh… sh*t."
Why me…?
The kiss was nice, though.