Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 429: Swift and Sure ()

Neveah stood before a mirror, watching her reflection in silence. The dress she had on was a deep red shade, it was accentuated with silver beads that were sewn into the fabric.

Neveah had grown accustomed to wearing this color as it represented Menarx’s claim and the blend of silver albeit little in quantity gave the dress a stunning sheen and complimented its base colour. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The dress was simple but intricately designed, Neveah had not been present to make a choice of dress for herself and she was not certain who had given these instructions to the dressmaker but it was perfectly to her taste.

Simple but exquisite, it sat easily on Neveah’s figure, though that did not come as a surprise to Neveah since the dressmaker already had her measurements.

Neveah breathed a sigh, it was already time for her to make an appearance.

The ceremony had begun a short time ago and the guests were already arriving in their masses, the unified council had also arrived earlier in the day and would be making their entrance to the ceremony anytime soon, Neveah heard so from Everon.

Meanwhile the subject of the event was still cooped up in her quarters, staring at her reflection.

A few attendants had just taken their leave after helping Neveah get ready. Now all that was left was getting her mind in the right state for a night that promised to be eventful.

She was to be officially titled the Lady of Ruby Scales and the success of the second merging announced before the high nobles and dragon council, and with the presence of representatives from all the different species, Neveah was not certain the night would go by smoothly.

Most particularly since Menarx’s supposed chosen bonded would be in attendance.

But above all that, today was such a day that had never gone right for Neveah all her life, it was her nineteenth birthday.

Neveah had already expected it, but she had hoped it would be different this time. That she would not awaken to the familiar sinking feeling that gripped her every year on this particular day.

That feeling that something was surely to go wrong.

The day had been going excellently well so far, Menarx was intentional about it and had spared no lengths to make the day special for Neveah since she had woken up at dawn.

Neveah had been showered with so much love and gifts already, even from as far as the White Dunes where Kaideon and the dune dragons sent their wishes accompanied with gifts.

Even through all of that, Neveah still could not shake off this feeling of apprehension.

It was now that Neveah wondered why she had decided not to shift the date of the ceremony like King Jian had suggested.

"Veah, it’s time." Menarx called from the door as he stepped into their quarters.

For a moment, Menarx stood frozen in place, just staring at Neveah, his eyes shinning with awe and adoration.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Neveah asked, though she could already tell.

Menarx blinked, shaking his head slightly in a bid to shake himself back to reality.

"Just wondering... how I became so lucky. You are beautiful Neveah, truly beautiful." Menarx confessed, offering Neveah a hand.

Neveah’s lips stretched into a small smile.

"Ready?" Menarx asked.

Neveah sucked in a deep breath and then she exhaled slowly, letting all her concerns flit away in that breath.

"Yes, I am." Neveah assured.

Taking Menarx’s offered hand, she let Menarx lead the way to the grand hall where the ceremony would take place.

There were a few guests heading into the grand hall here or there, but the hall was mostly empty.

Most of the guests had already arrived, the ceremony had begun for some time now and Menarx had been occupied welcoming the guests with the rest of the king’s guard before he left to fetch Neveah.

They soon arrived at the door to the grand hall, two dragon guards stood guard at the closed doors, holding onto the guest list with which they announced the arrival of each guest.

"Lord Menarx, Lady Neveah." The guards greeted in unison, they did not need to refer to the guest list to recognize the main reason behind the ceremony itself.

"Just a moment." Menarx stopped the guard just when he was about to announce their arrival.

Menarx turned to Neveah, holding her gaze for a moment.

"I once asked myself when exactly it was that I fell for you... how exactly it happened," Menarx began, lowering his head to hide his smile.

"I thought it must have been that day. In the flower meadow of the Asvarian Beacon, you saved my life..." Menarx recalled.

"Albeit reluctantly." He added.

Neveah laughed quietly at Menarx’s words and how accurate they were, she would have sooner killed Menarx herself then than save him.

But she did what she had to to survive.

"I... I am one who only knows to protect others, not once have I ever trusted my life in the hands of an absolute stranger."

"You were the first... thinking about it, centuries worth of life considered, you are still a first of many things..." Menarx admitted.

"But all of that was wrong, Veah. I think I know when exactly I fell in love with you now..."

"It must have been at that moment when I first laid eyes on you. I must have loved you from the moment I met you... that is the only explanation that makes sense for how ardently I love you." Menarx fell quiet for a moment.

"My love for you was swift and sure, took me off guard as surely as it must have done to you. In a world full of uncertainties, I wish for you to always know that you are my certainty...my fate, my lifetime, my Northern star and my truest ruby." Menarx whispered.

Neveah was left speechless, she tilted her head back to keep her tears in and Menarx smiled adoringly, giving Neveah a moment before he nodded to the guards.

"The Lord and Lady of Ruby Scales arrives!!" The guards announced in unison as the doors were opened and Menarx and Neveah headed into the hall, hand in hand.