CHAPTER#37:Tour around the fortress

"Then I shall take my leave madame."He got up with his crooked back aching and slowly walked toward the door.

The door opened before he put his wrinkled bony hand on the metal knob shaped like a wolf's head.

"Oh! Old man?" She heard a startled voice at the door.

"Well well if it isn't Blake. A surprise to see you here."Derran said surprised.

"What might you be doing in the master's bedroom?" the butler asked sternly.

Luciana panicked a little and was about to speak up when Derran directed the inquiry towards himself.

"The lady asked for the medication for the young lord. As you can see her maid just took the child for a change of clothes."He smiled.

He looked at the old man darkly when Luciana appeared behind him.

"Thank you for your help mister Derran. It reassured me to see my child without any pain." she let him slip by as she asked the butler for his presence.

"What made the butler come at this hour of the day?"

"Oh well... The master asked me to escort you around the place and as well as introduce the servants," he replied in a softer voice.

"Before I go with you. May I know where my lord husband is?"

"The lord went on to the Alaksad territory for negotiations madame. There seems to be a surge of wildlings going on rampage down south."

"Oh!"A sudden expression of disappointment appeared on her face.

"I hope he is alright." she clenched her hands into a fist.

"Then shall we?" he escorted her through the stained glass hallways.

"If I may be so bold... What makes the lady worry about our lord?" the butler asked her.

"That is indeed a bold question."She agreed.

"Pardon my rudeness... But ever since I've met the lord he has always been an odd one. He seems mostly emotionless... But the night he brought you with him he seemed to be more expressive of his feelings. It was as if someone had changed his heart."

Luciana remained silent. Since she knew that it was somewhat impossible to agree with what the butler was trying to imply.

"My lady... What I mean to ask you is do you sympathize with the lord?"

-"It's not entirely false... However, I have no intentions of continuing to stay as his wife for the rest of my life. We're both complete opposites. But still, I do not know who he is."

"Maybe..."She uttered reluctantly.

There was no more to be said and so the topic was closed. He showed her around the fortress. The building was of ancient design. The stone blocks are lined up in different patterns. The old faded tapestries hung from the walls. When they descended to the second floor Blake flew down instead of walking the great half-withered stone steps. Luciana had no other choice than to go on foot. She carefully avoided the cracks and broken stones that had never been repaired. She almost tripped over a small crack where her foot got stuck.

"Madame watch out!"He hurried to her aid but she denied his help.

"I'm fine," she reassured him after descending the last step.

"It would be convenient enough to fly in such cases." he proposed.

-"If only I could."She thought desperately.

"I... Can't fly."She smiled bitterly.

He was left speechless upon hearing those words.

-"Can't fly?... I am sure every Amanécerian is gifted with a pair of wings."

"I know what you are thinking right now Mister Blake."She said looking at the flustered servant.

"Many apologies lady... It's just... I find it a bit odd to hear something like this from the lady. I have offended you." he bowed deeply.

"It's not your fault for not knowing. I just couldn't find the right time to let the servants know of my shortcomings."

"And if I may be so bold to ask in advance about the young master?"

"Nemesis is undernourished. I'm sure he will develop wings once he is healthy enough."

"I see..."

The second floor had two offices and guest rooms for distinguished guests. Some of them had undergone renovation to keep the guests comfortable. There was a familiar courtyard where the Blue Van merchants were staying. There was Mister Derran's little laboratory in the courtyard. He was not there.

She was careful about the old traps as Blake marked them out for her.

The first floor had a kitchen, the training hall, the grand hall, the main reception, and a few restrooms for travelers and other offices. There was an abandoned hospice. Luciana knew if it would be renovated it would be plenty of a good space for old man Derran to carry out his research.

There was a seemingly familiar hallway that she remembered taking as an escape route.

There was a huge courtyard in the center. It seemed more of a garden to grow vegetation for the soldiers. It was well taken care of.

"This is the front courtyard madame. You can enjoy the refreshing view of nature. Though it's been taken care of by the gardener. But he resigned due to delayed wages. So one of the junior servants tends this place." there was a sense of guilt in his voice.

Luciana could not help but compare it with the courtyard of the main palace. Her mother empress, her aunts Duchess Aurora and Lady Naila Arcea used to spend their leisurely time enjoying nature's view chattering, and having tea. Many a time freshly picked fruits were washed and served raw. Aphrodite mostly enjoyed dates and olives with freshly made banana cream with pastry. She could even have them while working. Luciana would look after young Avlynn and little Melody whilst Aria used to tag off with Cornelius and Octavius' younger brothers.

"Madame if you feel tired please do not hesitate to tell me," Blake assured her with concern.

"Thank you for showing concern. I will if I feel like resting."

"Then I suppose it's the right time to familiarize yourself with the servants. Even though they were there during the 'wedding ceremony' they weren't able to introduce themselves to your ladyship."

-"Weren't they who left first that day?" she winced.

"Then shall we?" he escorted her to the main reception.

The typical stone walls and wide pointed arches that formed with grey stone pillars seemed invincible if one were to judge their life and the burden they lifted .

The Stygian banner hung from the center of every high arch.

"Gather around!"He called out to the servants who were murmuring among themselves.

"From today onwards master's wife Madame Stygian shall be looking over us as the lady of Stygian Territory." he informed them. They took glances at one another.

-"They look more confused than relaxed."

"We officially welcome the madame at the fortress of Stygian." he said.

"We welcome the madame of Stygian."They bowed without uttering another word.