Code S.L.I.M.E.

Chapter 20: Preparations

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Kokobu's POV

"Considering you'll be with Aoki all the time, and I really do consider you part of the family, I think you should be with Aoki on her way up to my throne. Would you do that, Kokobu?" Lord Rimuru had just made an insane ask of me, he wanted me to walk Aoki up to his throne for her unveiling as his princess and heir.

I stared at him slack-jawed for several minutes, having no idea how to answer that question. There was just no good way to answer it. I didn't feel like I'd done that much for Aoki, I just took care of her, and shadowed her everywhere she went, and got her the things she needed.

Just what was expected of me. So this was way too much.

"I don't think I'm deserving of that..."

"Well, I had someone else in mind, but she is... Let's just say reluctant. For good reason, of course. She wants to save her own introduction for later." It really felt like Lord Rimuru was saying a lot there, and it led my mind to plenty of crazy places.

Has Lord Rimuru found love? Is Aoki really not just a magic-born?

I shook off those thoughts, considering them paramount to blasphemy.

Obviously Lord Rimuru wasn't lying to me, and putting me so close to his daughter. At any time Aoki could reveal the truth to me and cause problems. "I think it's too much responsibility, My Lord."

"Well, maybe. You need to keep in mind though, Kokobu. When you accepted this position you became a public figure. You aren't a background bureaucrat anymore." Lord Rimuru was able to get the idea across well, and of course I knew that.

Though I frowned at the 'background bureaucrat' line. "I was a construction foreman, and I did a lot of the heavy lifting myself."

Lord Rimuru looked remorseful for a moment. "I apologize, that came off rude. I just don't want you getting into a situation where some unexpected situation thrusts you into things. Better to rip that bandaid off on your own terms, don't you think?"

I gave it some more thought, what he was saying was all true, but it was still a big step for me. Even if Aoki had renamed me, and seemed to think of me in a unique way. I was still unsure I deserved to do that, it felt like something Aoki's Mother should do.

"Give me more time to think about it, My Lord." I decided to see if I could get leeway on this, like I had for the decision to become Aoki's caretaker in the first place.

"Well, we only have half a week... Be quick about it, I can't give you as long for this decision. Make it by the end of the day." Lord Rimuru nodded, and swung the door open with his aura, saying I could leave.

...

It was hard for me to focus that day, but I tried my best to take note of all the important details. Aoki was enjoying her time with the children, I'd already noticed it. Hiding the fact she'd revealed herself to them was already weighing on me though.

It was clear they were treating her differently, and I knew that was exactly what Lord Rimuru was trying to avoid all this time. So I knew for a fact it would disappoint him when he found out.

That was also the princess' intention, and we both knew it. She had been honest with me about her intent from the beginning, she wanted Rimuru to have something to be upset about. Something on the level of what Rimuru had done.

There was also a distance between them, Aoki was clearly afraid of harming Rimuru. I wouldn't be able to figure that out, not without knowing exactly what happened on that lake.