Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 449: The Unified Council ()
’What happens if I never do? If I never take your hand?’ Neveah whispered in a tone barely above a whisper.
’There are a thousand possibilities to all things in life, if we considered every one of them, it would be difficult to follow one’s heart...’
’I will only live in the moment Veah, in this moment where I know your heart has never once forgotten me...’ He said, his tone as confident and firm as always.
"It’s time." King Jian’s voice drew Neveah out of her thoughts.
Neveah glanced over at the Dragon King who stared at her with a raised brow.
"You seem absentminded...are you certain you wish to proceed with this?" King Jian asked, referring to officiating the unified council which had already begun.
Neveah exhaled slowly, passing a look to King Jian. She had lost count of how many times he had asked for this confirmation.
"Do not feel pressured. We can always make other arrangements, you do not have to force yourself." King Jian added when Neveah did not respond immediately.
In recent days, the Dragon King had been quite considerate of Neveah and she still found it quite strange and hard to deal with.
Especially since she knew his concern for her was merely out of guilt for the situation she was in with his brothers.
It was hard to decide on exactly how to feel when she was being treated like some fragile doll by the one person she had believed would never change his opinion of her.
Even if that opinion of his had been horrible, at least he had been constant...
In a world where everything changed in the blink of an eye, faster than anyone could make sense of anything, constant was good.
Neveah realized in this moment that she had felt more assured in King Jian’s hate than she did in these past days where she was not certain where exactly he stood anymore.
"You said there is no one better suited to act as representative than the rider who commanded the battle and subjugated the hidden city."
"I am the only one that can make sure this goes over smoothly... make it clear that dragon dynasty remains unyielding and supreme." Neveah reminded.
"I did say that." King Jian agreed.
"I have received the honors for the part I played in conquering the hidden city, I cannot shirk off the responsibility now. I will do what you want, exert your dominance over the unified council and make certain no one ever questions you again." Neveah’s stance had not changed.
King Jian frowned slightly at Neveah’s words and more at the blank monotone with which she said them.
Like she was quoting from borrowed conviction and had neither believe nor interest in any of the things she was to say or do.
"You sound strange...you have for a while now." King Jian pointed out the obvious.
Neveah shrugged casually, she did not think she could provide an explanation for her mood or mindstate, as the days passed, that numb feeling she was so accustomed to had begun to rear its head again..
It was subtle, just in the very first stages but Neveah knew what it was. It had not been so long she began feeling again for her to have forgotten what it felt when there was just... nothing.
With the Eclipse domain behind her, she had not thought she would ever return to this state again. Neveah also did not understand herself.
"Besides, backing out now... would it not be indirectly admitting I am in the wrong?" Neveah murmured.
King Jian stared quietly at Neveah, it seemed like he was going to say something but Menarx arrived and King Jian’s attention moved to him.
"Status?" King Jian asked Menarx as Lord Rodrick adjusted his sleeve by his side.
Menarx passed a look to Neveah, an approving smile on his lips as he made his report.
"It is completed. As ordered, the dwarf king has been taken out a few hours before the council began, the position is such that all who has entered or left the Keep clearly saw his condition... tension is already at it’s highest point." Menarx reported.
Neveah could hear the sounds coming from within the audience hall, the outraged and insistent voices exchanging words.
"This is the outrage you were looking for. They have come to stir up trouble and you choose to answer with one even greater, total pandemonium." Neveah murmured.
"You will be right in the midst of it, Veah. If you do not want to do this, I can take care of it for you." Menarx offered, taking Neveah’s hand in his.
"Be it you or me, the result is not so different...we are a team." Neveah replied with a reassuring smile.
The side doors to the audience hall were opened and King Jian strode in, Neveah and Menarx trailing behind him.
The unified council went silent at King Jian’s arrival and all within the hall rose to their feet, bowing their heads.
On one end was the rider council and on the other end were the representatives of the races.
King Jian’s throne was on the dais as always and on a platform beneath it were the five seats for the King’s guard and their riders.
King Jian walked over to his throne and Menarx headed to his seat, just as the rest of the King’s guard strode in from the main doors, Xenon included.
They all sat as King Jian did, the rest of the council following suit so Neveah was the only one left standing before the council.
"Greetings to the honored guests from all across the Stronghold, as you may or may not already know, I am Neveah, the Lady of Ruby Scales and I have been charged with the task of overseeing the proceedings of this council." Neveah began, her tone and countenance completely converted to an imposing and regal state.
"Before I begin on the topic for which we are gathered here, it is our delight to host such honored guests here in Dragon Keep. I hope the Keep has been kind to you in your brief and soon to concluded stay." Neveah continued, knowing well enough that her words would stir displeasure.
