Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 445: Courtyard ()

"Right this way, Veah." Estelle guided, gesturing ahead.

"I know this Keep much better than you do, Elle. I do not require a chaperone." Neveah pointed out the obvious, finding Estelle’s actions amusing.

"And you do not have to be a wet blanket, either." Estelle shot back.

Neveah lifted her hands in a gesture of surrender, complying with Estelle’s guidance. She followed Estelle through the Keep halls till they exited the keep and arrived out in the courtyard.

Neveah was lead through the courtyard till they arrived at the very central part of it, the one part that everyone going out or coming into the keep would surely have to go past.

It was precisely where Neveah had been forced to kneel and scorned by everyone in the keep.

It was on this platform that Menarx had mounted a large chair and he sat there, sipping from a goblet in his hand while examining a large scroll spread out on a table before him.

On the left hand side, a group of workers constructed some sort of contraption with speed and skill, aided by a mage who bent metal with his magic, making the construction easier for the workers.

There was also a sound barrier summoned around the construction area to keep the sounds from slipping out and interfering with the daily activities of the Keep and it’s dwellers.

From where Neveah stood, she could see the construction clearly but could not hear any sounds but the voices of the workers.

Neveah assumed this was the handwork of another mage. Though Neveah had not had much interaction with mages, she was well aware that most mages excelled in one element or the other and metal and sound were considered minor elements.

But that was not all, on his right hand side there were a group of seamstresses with their working tools all moved out as they meticulously tailored something.

"What is he up to?" Neveah whispered, leaning over to Estelle.

Estelle shrugged in response, nudging Neveah forwards so she continued the rest of the way.

Neveah walked over to Menarx, glancing around at the flurry of activities on either side of him while he remained completely focused on the scroll on the table.

"Beloved, come over here." Menarx called to Neveah when he noticed her presence.

Neveah walked over to him, taking Menarx’s offered hand so she sat beside him.

"What is all of this? I was told you have state affairs to attend to." Neveah asked.

"This is it." Menarx replied, gesturing to the construction and the blue print he studied.

It seemed to be some form of torture equipment and Neveah raised a brow.

"This is your work?" Neveah asked knowingly, studying the blueprint.

Menarx hummed in response, leaning back on the chair.

When it came to interrogation and torture, Menarx was at the head of all matters. He even had an entire district of the dungeons dedicated to him for his art.

Though Neveah had never been to Menarx’s district herself before, it was because she knew Menarx did not wish for her to see that side of him and she respected his wishes.

"The dwarf king has been remanded in my district since we brought him back. In this time, I have contemplated different methods to get him to confess to the identity of his mastermind but he remains tight-lipped about that one information..."

"The cowardly dwarf is willing to forfeit his life to keep that one truth buried and he is all the more smug knowing we need him alive, well I cannot have that."

"The unified council have made a fuss about a deposed monarch being reduced to gruesome torture. My Liege wishes to give them more to be dissatisfied about and I have just the thing." Menarx explained with a casual shrug.

"He wants to make it clear that no authority prevails in dragon terrain... make an example of the dwarf king." Neveah said in understanding.

Building a torture equipment out in the courtyard a few hours to the first gathering of the unified council was both a warning and an intimidation tactic.

"There are many eyes in the Keep in this period, we must provide them a good enough display." Menarx said, sipping on his wine.

"And the other group?" Neveah asked, gesturing to the seamstresses.

"Ah... right. The representative of Dragon dynasty must have a suit befitting her status. I invited the dressmakers, I will personally keep them company while they work." Menarx replied.

"But Narx, I already have a lot of riding suits. You do not have to put the dressmakers through so much stress." Neveah pointed out in amusement.

"A few more would not hurt, besides a ceremonial wear is distinctly different from a regular suit and I am certain they would not mind my company." Menarx replied confidently.

"How can you be so sure?" Neveah asked.

"I asked?" Menarx replied with a question of his own.

"Lady Neveah, Lord Menarx has requested us so earnestly, we would not think to turn him down. It is our honor to tailor your ceremonial suit and Lord Menarx’s company is most welcome." One of the dressmakers said.

Neveah passed Menarx an exasperated look before she shook her head slightly.

"I will have much that requires my attention but I was hoping we could have breakfast together." Menarx asked hopefully.

"Out here? You just said there are many eyes in the keep." Neveah reminded knowing even at this moment the representative of the different races had their spies watching every move.

"They are most talented at spreading tales, are they not? Well let them see it clearly...that the place at my side has only your name written on it." Menarx replied with a shrug.

Neveah smiled slightly but her smile dropped when her eyes met a pair of eyes she did not expect to see.

Walking through the courtyard, supported by Lady Keila was the last person Neveah wanted to see at this point, Adrienne.