Chapter 82: Illumination.

Words : 919 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Rex hesitated at the door, glancing around Cleo's room as he stepped inside. She was already there, looking at him with her mesmerizing golden eyes, an amused glint hidden in their depths. "Uh, so you're okay with me being here?" he asked, trying to sound casual but feeling the heat rise to his face. Cleo tilted her head slightly, her expression calm. "Yes. I prepared this room for both of us to sleep in." Rex blinked, caught off guard. "Both of us? As in, together? Don't you feel, I don't know... a little shy?" She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving in a hint of a smile as she turned to remove her hair accessories. Why would I feel shy, Rex? You and I share the same essence, the same nucleus. My connection to you is as deep as it is inescapable. Sleeping together is simply a way to reinforce that bond. And besides," she added, almost to herself, "it's not like this is the first time we've..." Cleo trailed off; her cheeks tinged the faintest shade of pink. Before she could finish, the maid bots entered the room through a hidden door, moving efficiently to help her out of her dress. Rex found himself momentarily entranced, watching as the maids carefully peeled away layers of fabric, revealing more of Cleo's pale, flawless skin. Catching his gaze, she narrowed her eyes slightly, though the faint flush in her cheeks betrayed her composure. "Are you planning to sleep in those clothes, or..." Rex snapped out of it, looking down at his own outfit. "Uh, right. I'll... go change." "That won't be necessary," Cleo said, her voice a little too casual as she gave him a lingering look. "The maids will take care of it for you." Rex blinked in confusion, then noticed the maid bots advancing toward him, clearly intent on "assisting" with his clothing. "Wait—hold on," he protested, trying to fend them off as they began to tug at his jacket. "I can undress myself, thanks!" Cleo settled into a nearby chair, watching the struggle with an amused smirk as one of the maids brought her a silk robe, almost transparent, draping elegantly over her curves. She rested her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on Rex with a mischievous glint. " Oh, so I get a little show before bed, but you don't want to return the favor?" She teased, biting her lip in mock anticipation. Rex's focus wavered as he met her gaze, and that was all the opportunity the maids needed. With surprising efficiency, they managed to divest him of his clothes, leaving him stark naked. Rex quickly covered himself, glaring at Cleo with a mix of embarrassment and exasperation. "And where exactly are my pajamas?" Cleo chuckled, her voice taking on a playful, sultry edge. "What pajamas? I happen to know you sleep naked." He frozen, staring at her. "Wait... how do you know that?" Without answering, Cleo rose gracefully from the chair, crossing to the bed with deliberate slowness, letting him catch a glimpse of her bare back and the elegant curve of her waist as she slipped under the blankets. "After all, I did manage to get a kiss from the great Lady Cleo this morning. I think I can handle a briefing ." Cleo shot him a withering look, but there was a tiny, reluctant smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Don't let it go to your head, Rex." He chuckled, feeling a rare warmth between them. " Too late for that, princess." "Hmph. Serve yourself, then," Cleo said, gesturing toward the seat at the head of the long, ridiculously grand table. "Take a seat, please." Rex looked at the chair she indicated, then back at her with a raised eyebrow. "So... who exactly are we waiting for to fill up this comically large table?" Cleo glanced at her tablet, her expression as neutral as ever. "We're waiting for Carlos, Emilia, and Y'Ssera to join us. We'll begin planning our next steps once everyone arrives." "Makes sense, I guess," Rex said, sliding into the head seat with a smirk. But then he frowned, looking at her. "Still, can you explain why I'm sitting in this chair? The boss chair, at the head of the table? Shouldn't that be you ?" Cleo blinked, momentarily confused by his question. "Because you're the highest rank here." Rex raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Wait a minute. I'm the highest rank? How does that work? You're the one who built this place, right? Doesn't that make you the one in charge?" Cleo tilted her head, her expression serious as she considered his words. "This is the optimal formation I calculated," she replied, as if the answer were obvious. Rex crossed his arms, giving her an amused look. "Alright, let me rephrase. What made you decide that putting me in charge was the optimal choice?" Cleo hesitated for a moment, then looked him directly in the eye. "You have a charisma that I... lack," she admitted, her tone softening slightly. "Charisma is essential to lead others, to inspire them. That's something my father taught me." Rex's eyes widened, catching the faint vulnerability in her voice. "Your father? Wait... that reminds me." He leaned back, trying to piece together a hazy memory. "I had this strange dream recently, and in it, there was this figure who—"

Chapter 82: Illumination.

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