The room was enormous, like a gallery straight out of a museum. The walls were lined with glass cases and display shelves, each one carefully arranged and lit to showcase... rocks.
Not just ordinary stones, but crystals, minerals, meteorites, and strange glowing artifacts from across the galaxy. Some sparkled with deep colors; others seemed to hum with faint energy.
There was even a small fountain in the center of the room, surrounded by smooth river stones, with a soft, bubbling sound that filled the space.
"Ta-da,"
Cleo said flatly, though there was a glimmer of pride in her golden eyes.
"Your rock collection room, exactly as you requested."
Rex gaped, utterly speechless
. "I... you actually... Cleo, this is amazing! I was kidding about the rock room! Well, mostly kidding."
Cleo gave a small, satisfied nod.
"You seemed quite serious to me. And considering how often you talk about the 'geological wonders of the galaxy,' it seemed only logical to create a space where you could... appreciate them properly."
Rex chuckled, running a hand over one of the display cases, where a cluster of bright blue crystals sparkled under the lights.
"You're something else, Cleo. I mean, look at this place! You even got the lighting right. And… is that a meteorite from Kyron V?"
She nodded. "
Correct. I sourced materials from various sectors. And while I do find your fascination with rocks peculiar, it's clear that this brings you... enjoyment."
Rex grinned, looking around like a kid in a candy store.
"Oh, this is better than enjoyment. This is heaven."
He glanced back at Cleo, eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Just don't get any ideas about putting me on display in one of these cases, alright?"
She blinked, then responded with an almost imperceptible smile.
"As long as you refrain from damaging yourself further, I think that can be arranged."
Rex laughed, shaking his head as he took in the room one more time. This wasn't just a collection; it was proof that, despite her cool exterior and strict logic, Cleo had a way of understanding him that no one else did.
"Well, Cleo,"
he said, crossing his arms and giving her a warm smile,
"you really know how to spoil a guy. Thank you."
"Of course,"
she replied, her voice softening just a fraction.
"After all, what's the point of all this… if it's not shared?"
For once, Rex was at a loss for words, and he let the silence linger, just enjoying the moment.
After several minutes spent poking around the room like a curious kid, Rex finally remembered something and turned to Cleo with a shameless grin.
"Mmm, I could probably spend hours in here, but... didn't you say there were two surprises? What's the next one?"
He asked, his voice full of curiosity.
Cleo raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, so you finally remembered? Follow me. It's in my private chambers."
Rex trailed behind her, intrigued, until they arrived at Cleo's room. The entrance was surprisingly well guarded, with eight imposing Aegis units lined up at the door. As Cleo approached, they placed a hand over their chests in a crisp salute before stepping aside to let them through.
"Alright, Rex. You can open the door,"
Cleo said in her usual neutral tone.
Rex blinked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh, why me? It's your room. Shouldn't you be the one to open it?"
Cleo just looked at him, deadpan, as if he were the dumbest creature in the galaxy.
"Oh, right,"
he muttered, suddenly feeling foolish.
"Forgot you were a hologram."
With a slight flush, he pushed the door open. Inside, the room was filled with a dozen small robot birds, each one more adorable than the last, chirping softly and fluttering around. Rex's face split into smirks as he turned to Cleo.
"What?"
Cleo asked, catching his look.
"Nothing, nothing... just didn't peg a powerful galactic emperor as the type to have a... cute side,"
he said, reaching out to poke one of the round, white birds with tiny wings. It beeped happily in response.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Rex,
" she replied, but the slight edge in her voice suggested otherwise.
"Right... sure,"
Rex said, chuckling as he glanced around.
"So... the big surprise was just letting me into your room?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You already have access to my room any time you want. That wouldn't be much of a surprise."
Rex raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Oh? So I can come in here whenever I feel like it, huh?"
Cleo gave him a suspicious look.
"Whatever you're thinking, stop. Now."
She gestured him over to the large, luxurious bed in the center of the room, draped in nearly transparent curtains that gave it an ethereal look.
He followed her over with his curiosity piqued. As he reached the bed, he noticed a figure lying there, partly obscured by the gauzy fabric. Cleo motioned for him to pull back the curtain.
He did, and there on the bed was a mannequin-like body, sleek and metallic, yet strangely elegant.
"So... what exactly am I looking at here?"
Rex asked, glancing at her, but just as he did, Cleo's holographic form flickered and disappeared. Her voice echoed telepathically in his mind.
"This is what I've been working on for months. It's a physical body for myself, made of nanomaterial I enhanced with your blood and aura. It's not quite as advanced as living metal, but it will do."
Rex's eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. "
No way. That's... wow, those are some damn good news. So, uh, what now? How do we get you in there?"
Cleo's voice was as calm as ever.
"You don't 'put me in.' You and I are already connected. All we need to do is split part of my consciousness into this body. Just take off your shirt and place your hand on the mannequin's chest. I'll handle the rest."
"Oh? That simple, huh?
" Rex grinned, slipping off his jacket and shirt.
"Well, let's get to it. I can't wait to see you... up close and personal."
He laid his hand on the mannequin's chest, closing his eyes as instructed. His heart pounded in his chest, anticipation thrumming through him. This was about to get interesting.
As Rex pressed his hand against the mannequin's chest, he was surprised to find that it felt soft, almost like real skin. A strange sensation washed over him, a warmth that spread through his chest as if some invisible thread was tying him to this figure.
Then he noticed a shimmer of golden dust, like flecks of light, drifting from his chest and seeping into the mannequin, drawn along the line of his hand.
"Thanks, Rex. It's done,"
Cleo's voice echoed in his mind.
"But keep your hand there a little longer; I need a bit more energy to bring the body to life."
Got it. So... can I open my eyes now?"
There was a pause, and then, in an uncharacteristically soft tone, Cleo answered,
"Yes..."
Rex opened his eyes and watched mesmerized as the metallic mannequin began to shift. Its rigid, neutral form softened, hips widening, curves emerging where there had been none.
The chest expanded, becoming full and rounded. The texture of the body was transforming, too, metallic silver melting into a pale, lifelike skin tone with a delicate hint of pink.
Rex swallowed, his gaze lingering a little too long.
"Oh... damn... those thighs,"
he muttered under his breath, unable to stop himself.
He snapped out of his daze just as the mannequin's head completed its transformation. Long, sleek black hair cascaded down, and the face took on the familiar, beautiful features of Cleo's face, but with even more vivid detail than he'd ever seen.
Finally, her eyes fluttered open, revealing those intense golden irises staring straight at him.
"How much longer do you plan to keep your hand on my chest, Rex?"
Her voice was cool, but there was a glimmer of mischief in her gaze.
Rex glanced down and felt his face heat up as he realized his hand had, at some point, drifted to a rather... soft part of her chest. Instinctively, he gave it a little squeeze, only to be met with a sharp slap on the back of his hand.
"Ow—okay, I deserved that,"
he stammered, cheeks reddening.
"I mean, you're... wow. Just, wow."
Cleo sat up slowly, holding her arms over her chest with a modesty that made her new form look even more striking. She raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed by his flustered state.
"Ahem, so... do you, uh, need any help?
" Rex asked, fumbling for words as he tried (and failed) to look anywhere but at her.
"There's no need. I've already called Emilia to assist me.
" Just as she said this, the door swung open, and Emilia entered, flanked by four efficient-looking robot maids.
"Sir Rex,"
Emilia said, giving him a polite but pointed smile. "I
f you could please step outside, we'll assist Lady Cleo in getting dressed."
Before he could respond, the robot maids were already nudging him toward the door.
"Wait, hold on, I—!"
But before he knew it, he was unceremoniously shoved out into the hallway. The door shut behind him with a definitive click, leaving him standing there, staring at his hand in a bit of a daze, as if he could still feel the softness he'd just held.
He flexed his fingers absentmindedly, a grin sneaking onto his face, but then he looked up to see the Aegis units posted at the door, watching him silently.
Rex cleared his throat, doing his best to keep a straight face.
"Uh... keep up the good work, guys,"
he muttered, giving them a halfhearted thumbs-up before turning and making a quick exit down the hall with a stupid grin still plastered across his face.