Chapter 16: Guide how to throw a party
"Sister, why did you keep a snake in your room?" Altrouge didn't pay attention to the snake's existence, as she was fully engrossed in the tale of Gaius Julius Caesar that her big sister told her.
Nero's private chamber was a sumptuous haven of opulence and intrigue, an oasis of luxury nestled within the heart of the Roman palace.
The chamber itself was spacious and elegantly decorated. A mosaic floor, composed of intricate patterns of colored stones, stretched across the room, showcasing the artistic craftsmanship of the time. The air carried a faint fragrance of herbs and oils, adding to the atmosphere of luxury.
At the center of the room, a grand, stately bed with fine linens and drapes dominated the space. The bed's wooden frame was adorned with Roman motifs and carved with meticulous detail, showcasing the skills of Roman artisans.
In one corner of the room, a small pedestal displayed a terrarium containing lush green plants, in keeping with Roman preferences for indoor gardens.
It was clear that this was the snake's sanctuary. Vines cascaded gracefully from the terrarium, adding a touch of nature to the room.
The snake, Nero's loyal companion, rested on a branch within the terrarium. Its scales glistened in the soft morning light, reflecting a subtle play of colors, and its eyes held a watchful gaze.
The gentle morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow that danced across the walls.
Nero initially didn't respond to Altrouge's inquiry. Instead, she reclined in her private chamber, slowly pouring wine into her ornate, jeweled glass, savoring each sip as she immersed herself in the nostalgic memories of her past.
The glass itself was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, adorned with intricate patterns that sparkled in the morning sunlight.
Her gaze softened as she glanced at her venomous snake.
Its scales shimmered like polished onyx in the soft morning light, reflecting a hint of the world outside the chamber.
Its body was slender and sinuous, with a length of about five feet. Its eyes were a deep, piercing shade of emerald green, and its forked tongue flickered out periodically as it observed its surroundings.
Altrouge, her younger sister, didn't rush her and patiently waited for Nero to begin her story once more.
"He was my friend, Altrouge, without him, then there would be no me now." Nero recounted the harrowing events of her past with a sense of grim satisfaction, her voice laced with a hint of nostalgia.
Her story was a dark tapestry woven with threads of betrayal, revenge, and power, much like the intricate tapestries that adorned the chamber's walls, depicting scenes of ancient battles and mythical creatures.
She vividly remembered the assassination attempt orchestrated by her treacherous step-mother, Valeria Messalina, an act that could have cost her life. However, fate had other plans.
Her loyal snake friend had intervened, delivering a low blow to the would-be assassin before he could strike. Nero herself had taken the opportunity to deliver the fatal blow, slicing the assassin's throat and relishing in the agonizing slow death that followed.
But the saga didn't end there. Valeria Messalina's nefarious schemes were eventually uncovered by Nero's father, Emperor Claudius.
Nero recounted how she watched with unwavering resolve as her step-mother's downfall played out from beginning to end.
Valeria was executed publicly, under the guillotine, in front of a mass audience. The pretext was rebellion and a plot to murder Emperor Claudius in favor of her lover, Sillius.
Nero made it clear that her narrative was rooted in the unvarnished truth, not a fabrication. Emperor Claudius, with a thorough investigation, had uncovered the audacious betrayal of Valeria Messalina.
In a final act of vengeance, Nero had arranged for her venomous snake to bite Valeria in her prison. The poison inflicted excruciating pain upon Valeria before she met her ultimate demise at the guillotine.
The dark satisfaction she felt watching Valeria's downfall was utterly fascinating.
The pain Valeria endured under her dark vengeance, and her transformation from her former self into a frail, emaciated figure due to poison, was a sight to behold.
When her head rolled onto the ground, Nero celebrated her demise and invited all of Rome's people present, generously sharing half her treasury with both plebeians and nobles alike.
She didn't just take revenge; she made it an art form, poisoning her stepmother and sharing her treasure with the whole city.
She ensured that all the people were happy with Valeria's death instead of mourning for her.
Altrouge, who had listened intently to the story from her big sister, had a deadpan look on her face.
Listen, is this really fine to tell her this?
How did her big sis selected as Emperor of Rome if her character is very twisted?
This question made her wonder if Emperor has the screw loose in their head.
So maybe having a few screws loose is a requirement for the job.
"So, you should treat him well, sister, he was my savior." Nero grinned.
Altrouge nodded.
"Well, we would talk about our snake friend again for later, now, how about we have some nice breakfast first, shall we?"
And now you're talking about having breakfast?
Yeah, sure, let's just forget about the fact that you just told me a gruesome revenge story.
But she had to admit the way Nero celebrated Valeria's demise was epic.
Inviting all of Rome's people and generously sharing her half-treasury? That's how you throw a party.
Altrouge couldn't help but feel like she had a lot to learn from her big sis.
As she nodded in response to the breakfast invitation, she found herself getting hungry just listening to her sister's narrative.
She hoped her sister would share more of such twisted and fascinating stories in the future.
Despite how messed up it all sounded, there was something about the story that drew her in.
She hummed happily, intrigued by it all.
Indeed it was a very healthy dose of breakfast story.
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