The Only Blossoming Flower

Chapter 8: Founder's Festival

At long last, the highly awaited event of the Tempest Federation. The day of the Founder's Festival has arrived, and in a few hours, the declaration of its inaugural today shall be announced by me. Standing high and firm as I lend a welcoming and opening speech for everyone to hear before anything else.

Nevertheless, before we get ahead on that invigorating moment. Demon Lord Guy requested a brief meeting with me before the festival truly begins. It never crossed my mind to ask why, but it's not like I own the choice to decline his behest either way.

And so here I am with Benimaru as my accompanying subordinate in this meeting and today. Though I do have the suitable choice for Diablo or Shion, I'm quite concerned about my butler's bitter tension with Guy when they first met, I couldn't allow any possible arguments to ensue knowing his somewhat 'obsession' over me, and I also plan to avoid them making any interactions as much as possible to prevent problematic issues from occurring. And as for Shion, I can already foresee her behaving like a child and being too oblivious with her language despite being in the presence of Guy Crimson. Comparing those two with Benimaru, I consider him as the most suitable option in this situation.
While I brought Benimaru, Guy brought a maid of a familiar face having short blue hair in a crimson maid dress standing stiff and expressionless behind her master, who's sitting on the couch with a rather dominating yet elegant position, his legs crossed with his hands on his thigh, and an intent crimson gaze directed at me with a smug smirk. He wore clothing that emits nobility and prestige, truly in contrast to his usual style that evokes excessive skin exposure somewhat. I believe his choice of garment is only appropriate and befitting for a day like this, other than that, his hairstyle has been braided neatly with the cloth of his headband.

He dressed himself quite like royalty if I say so myself.

"A lovely morning today, isn't it? It's a suitable weather for the enthralling event being launched by you today, dear Rimuru." His voice lingered with a soothing tone, yet felt quite oppressing even for me. He truly possesses an intimidating aura around him, I'm lucky to have not been hostile with someone like him.
"I can't help but agree, it is indeed a fine morning today. That said, I'm curious why you asked for a moment of my time within such short notice."
"Being direct now, are we? Then I believe there's no use in being deviant to hint at my intentions."
His words seemed suspicious, he chuckled as he finished speaking his sentence, allowing me to assume an interesting topic to be discussed. A shiver ran down my spine as I thought through possibilities of what he may say.

"Demon Lord Rimuru Tempest, I hereby humbly ask for your hand in marriage."
Eh?
...
EHHHH??!!!!!
Did he really just say that??!! So formally too!! We aren't even dating and I have only known him for a week if anything! Surely he isn't serious about that ludicrous offer!! His proposal was so random and absurd even the maid standing still behind him was shaken in disarray.
"P-pardon me, but did I misinterpret what you just said? Surely you don't actually want to marry me?"
"I mean what I said, dear Rimuru." His expression unwavering no prank of what he said,
...The only thing to describe myself in this scenario is that I'm absolutely speechless. I'm not aware of the most pertinent response to someone asking for your hand in marriage despite having met much less than a week.
"I-I'm confused, I can't just m-marry you Lord Guy. I'm a ruler of a developing nation, I'm positive you understand the consequences of receiving your surname out of nowhere."
I openly refused him, hoping for a calm reaction at my decline.

"Haha... HA HA HA!! Seriously, I really didn't expect you to believe that...!! You're surely a fascinating one..!!" He suddenly laughed hysterically, facing palming as he glared at me as if I was some idiot, charming a smile with an expression that avoided a mocking laugh.
So he wasn't serious... thank the heavens, I would've panicked... He can't blame me for believing him, his facade felt genuine.
I sighed heavily in relief, pinching the bridge of my nose as I felt my brows twitch involuntarily.
Glancing at Guy who was almost at the edge of cackling at my 'amusing reaction.'
"You-! Sigh did you honestly request my time for this foolish prank of yours?"
"Oh? Of course not, I only wanted a little fun before stating my true offer."
An offer?
"And that would be..?"
"I would be satisfied to structure an alliance with you, this contract will last 150 years. You see, I have observed countless beneficial opportunities for me and my subordinates when I came here the last time. If this offer is accepted, I could provide you with military troops during sudden casualties, an aid with financial currency, construction with your magitrain project, political economy and so many more. Would you consider it?"
What an enticing offer... yet of course an alliance agreement treaty with such tempting
convenience and assistance holds high conditions to utilize both branches in mutual degrees.