Setting the stage

The green-haired girl with a petite stature stood outside her monarch's private chamber with a mix of sadness and anger, especially when she heard loud moans from her beloved monarch's room. 

It was between her monarch and her step-sister, Claudia Octavia. 

The cloak hiding her appearance and figure gave her the image of a legendary stalker deeply rooted in the eyes of others. 

Who else could she be except Locusta, the legendary poisoner and feared figure in the eyes of senators and nobles alike?

Her beloved monarch, Nero Claudius, her only friend and light in her life, embraced another woman, and that woman was not her. 

Her eyes bloodshot with anger, and she wanted to kill the woman who dared to snatch away her beloved from her. 

But she held back her impulses, aware that her monarch's martial arts and physical prowess were superior to hers. 

Her monarch had even won dangerous gladiator matches repeatedly, compared to her lack of experience in that regard. 

Her monarch was a hundred times better than her.

Moreover, she didn't want her monarch to look at her with disappointed eyes; it was not something she was willing to see. 

Compared to her monarch's brilliance, she was just a random orphan picked up by her monarch's mother and trained as a fearsome poisoner and part-time assassin. 

She had never felt warmth until Nero Claudius came into her life and took a liking to her because of her cute appearance. 

After that, they became great friends without even realizing it.

Unfortunately, it was only limited to friendship. 

Her beloved monarch already had a lover of her own, while Locusta could only watch them helplessly from a distance. 

She didn't miss a single detail of her monarch's escapade with her lover in her private chamber.

Hearing the sound of footsteps leaving the chamber, Locusta hid herself from her monarch's vision and followed her until she arrived at the Palace Garden in Palatine Hill. 

She was stunned to find her monarch hadn't moved an inch from her seat, entirely focused on a painting before her eyes. 

Her monarch was too absorbed in her own world, ignoring Locusta's presence completely, despite Locusta having made her whereabouts known.

As the sun set on the horizon, the sky turned shades of orange and pink, painting a breathtaking canvas that left Locusta in awe.

"Are you still pursuing that hobby, Nero?" Locusta asked, genuinely curious. 

The painting she saw made her aware that despite being Emperor, her monarch never abandoned her hobby.

"Every sunrise is a promise of new beginnings, while every sunset is a reminder that some things need to come to an end."

"I represent the sunrise, and my mother represents the sunset. Her reign is meant to end." 

"So, Locusta, which side are you on? Will you ride into the sunset with my mother, or will you embrace the sunrise with me?"

Locusta was at a loss for words with her monarch's bold invitation. 

She never thought that her monarch had such a rebellious mentality toward her own mother. 

As far as she remembered, Nero had always been obedient to her mother and willing to cater to her mother's every need. 

What made it change? 

Was it Claudia who changed her?

"I know your loyalty to mother and how she nurtures you to become her pawn."

"She makes you a greater asset for her; your fame as a feared poisoner is inseparable from her."

"The death of my stepfather."

"My grandfather's demise."

"And the disappearance of my childhood friends."

"They have your hand in it, Locusta."

"Somehow, my mother tamed you to become her dog."

"But that loyalty has to come to an end."

"You know, Locusta, you have never disappointed me so far." Nero gazed swiftly from her current painting to the sunrise with a melancholy look.

"I don't want to lose my only friend, Locusta."

"My loyalty has always been with you, Nero," Locusta replied, kneeling in front of her, a symbol of her unwavering loyalty and submission. 

Her eyes were fixed on Nero with unwavering devotion.

"Then why did you work for her? Are you lying to me, Locusta?" Nero's sharp gaze met Locusta's; she didn't buy her excuse without solid reason.

"You should ask this of yourself, Nero. If you don't have your own opinion, who should I listen to except your mother?" Locusta, now speechless, acknowledged the truth. 

She obeyed Agrippina because Nero was obedient and loyal to her mother, making her so.

"Indeed, you are right about that, but it doesn't justify obeying her every whim." 

"You killed my grandfather, and you were responsible for the demise of my childhood friends. And you did it without my permission or knowledge." 

"Do you have anything to say about this, Locusta?"

"I have nothing to excuse about this, Nero. I accept whatever punishment you throw at me." Locusta bowed her head in defeat.

"I demand everything about my mother, Locusta—her weaknesses, her allies; everything about her shall be presented before me. I need every piece of information that will lead to her downfall."

"Before you can give me that grand present, you are forbidden to meet me ever again. That is your punishment, Locusta."

"Now, disperse."