[FMMIKA] Chapter 300: Unspoken Understanding

A few minutes later.

"Come on, Your Majesty, have a taste of this."

"Mm, mm~"

"This is ice cream, you know."

"Mm, mm~"

"How about some jelly too."

"Mm, mm~"

"Beef floss and salted egg yolk pastry."

"Mm, mm, mm~"

"Grape juice~"

"Mm, mm, mm~"

"American fried chicken, potato chips, and a bucket of indulgent snacks."

"Mm, mm, mm, mm~"

At this moment, if anyone familiar with Nero saw her in this state, they would undoubtedly be shocked with their eyes bulging as much as Bluebeard's.

The woman who claimed to be an artist, the woman who was celebrated for her beauty as the rose of Rome, was now lounging without any grace.

In one hand, she held a soft drink, and in the other, a bucket of snacks. Her lips were not just covered in chip crumbs, but also chocolate sauce, hazelnut spread, and various other messy things.

Looking around her, there were all sorts of snacks, from beef jerky to cakes, delicate Western and Eastern pastries, and an assortment of drinks and alcohol. It was easy to understand why Nero had her belly bulging.

Everything was Artorius's fault!

This was not a joke.

If one day, Nero's figure were to resemble that of her uncle Caesar, that would absolutely, positively be Artorius's fault!

However, for now, that terrifying future had not yet arrived and was still a possibility.

That was why, Nero continued to smile and joyfully enjoy it all. She only sighed contentedly when she could no longer eat, followed by a satisfied belch.

This belch brought the usually image-conscious Nero back to reality.

She froze.

She remembered what she had just done, how she had shamelessly indulged in enemy food.

At first, it was just one bite, then another bite, and another bite.

'Umu, after eating, whether it's really delicious or not, I must say it's terrible.'

Nero secretly made up her mind.

'That way, I won't lose my dignity. Umu, umu, as expected of the beautiful me.'

However...

That chocolate mini-cake was just too delicious.

"How does it taste, Your Majesty?"

Looking at Artorius's handsome face that was adorned with a smile, Nero realized she couldn't deceive herself.

"Well, i-it's..."

"In that case, Your Majesty, how about trying this...?"

"O-Oh, okay..."

In a daze, Nero accepted various desserts offered by Artorius.

'Is this ice cream?! So sweet and cold~'

'And the frozen yogurt tastes so good~'

'This savory salted egg yolk pastry is the best~'

'Life is just too wonderful~'

So, Nero succumbed again.

She fell for the sweet words of the handsome guy and the delicious desserts he brought.

Nero, aiming to win Artorius over with luxurious indulgence, ended up being captivated by his extravagant treats instead. Ironically, she got the 'uno reverse card', making it quite a twist.

And when she snapped out of it, ready to blame Artorius for her own mistake, she found herself unable to get angry.

Seeing his gentle, smiling expression, she couldn't help but feel embarrassed and ashamed, rather than angry.

'What's wrong with me? Did he use some magecraft on me?'

"So, Your Majesty, how do you feel about the luxury goods I provided?" Artorius asked, taking advantage of Nero's self-doubt.

"..."

Nero remained silent for a few seconds, then replied:

"Average."

As she said that, she adjusted her dress.

'Don't get the wrong idea; it's just because I ate too much earlier, so the belt is a bit tight. There's no other meaning to it.' Nero assured herself inwardly as she felt a little uncomfortable by the bulging of her belly.

"After I defeat you, I will appoint you as the imperial head chef." Seemingly to cover her vulnerability, Nero gave her judgment to Artorius.

"Let's get down to serious matters." Artorius spoke to the point, implying that he didn't take Nero's previous words seriously. "Let's talk about the real reason I'm here."

With those words, he implied that he saw her earlier statement as a mere tantrum of a little girl, causing her to pout and making her cheeks protrude.

"Why exactly have you come, then?"

But in the end, she calmed down and asked the question that should have been asked a long time ago.

"For peace, prosperity, and stability." Artorius replied calmly.

"Do you want to surrender to me? Well, that's not a problem, I will—"

"No, you've misunderstood."

Artorius interrupted Nero. If he allowed this woman to continue feeling good about herself, it would never end.

"It's an alliance."

"..."

"You're an emperor, and so am I. Emperors don't surrender to emperors unless one is defeated, of course, the one who surrenders is a coward who fears even death. Pitifully, that one is not me."

Artorius made it clear and 'reasonable', but it still didn't convince her.

"Indeed, emperors don't surrender to emperors. However, emperors don't form alliances with emperors either." Nero looked seriously at Artorius. "This also concerns dignity."

"Hmm, that's true..." Artorius nodded with pleasure. "Someday, either you or I will unite this land under one flag, and Rome will return to a single banner."

"...Umu."

Surprisingly, when Artorius said that, Nero didn't feel uncomfortable. It was because the implied meaning in his words equated her with him and she also acknowledged his emperor status.

"But until then, we can have an unspoken understanding." Artorius said in a relaxed tone. "I am Alexander's enemy, and you are the United Roman Empire's enemy. Until these two main enemies are defeated, there can be peace at our border. And even some degree of cooperation."

"..."

"I can't sign a formal alliance."

Nero hesitated for a moment and then shook her head slowly.

Although she was tempted by his proposal, her dignity as an emperor and the impact on the morale of her people made her refuse to establish a formal alliance with him.

"No need for a formal alliance." Artorius continued, surprising Nero. "As I mentioned, an unspoken understanding between us is enough. We don't need written agreements."

Nero subconsciously wanted to say—"Just an 'unspoken understanding'? But how can we ensure trust between us?"

However, before she could utter those words, she suddenly understood Artorius's purpose.

This time, he came to Rome, risking everything, to personally meet with her and address the issue of 'trust.'

He wanted to deepen their understanding of each other. To get to know each other better, to have an open and honest conversation, and thereby gain each other's trust. That was why he fearlessly came alone and presented her with many luxury delicacies to enjoy.

As she thought like that, Nero couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

'This man... he's truly exceptional.'

So-called great heroes and great leaders refer to people like him, right?

With this thought in mind, Nero's affection for Artorius increased. Of course, this 'affection' was not a romantic one, just a simple liking.

As an artist, she had an innate fondness for all beautiful things.

Artorius Pendragon was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful existents in the world, if not the most beautiful. When she realized this, Nero's 'affection' for him naturally reached its peak.