<h4>Chapter 631: Oppositions Arising (I)</h4>


    <strong><i>[Third Person].</i></strong>


    Later that afternoon, Dennis strode into the pce still dusted with travel and battle.


    He bowed briefly. "Your Majesty. My Queen."


    Draven gestured for him to rise. "Report."


    Dennis did not waste time. "We eliminated most of the Vampires at the border. But a small group escaped." His jaw tightened. "They moved with coordination. Like they were protecting someone."


    Draven and Meredith exchanged a look. Then, Draven spoke evenly. "The female vampire who escaped... was likely Este."


    Dennis blinked. "Este?" His brows furrowed. "That was her?"


    Meredith nodded once. "She led the attack on the pce."


    Instantly, understanding dawned slowly on Dennis’s face. "No wonder," he muttered. "They knew exactly where the pce was located. And how to move around Stormveil."


    Draven nodded. "She grew up here. That was her advantage."


    The weight of that settled heavily. Then, Dennis exhaled sharply. "So, she came home to wage war."


    "Yes," Draven replied. "And she will return in the future." He continued calmly, "We will go to war with her and the vampire factions that stand behind her."


    Dennis’s eyes hardened. "If that is what she wants," he said through clenched teeth, "then she will get it."


    A brief silence passed, then Dennis asked, "What happened when she invaded the pce?"


    Draven leaned back slightly. "She challenged me directly."


    And so they told him in detail about the invasion and the duel. Of how Meredith stepped into the hall and subdued Este and her factions.


    Dennis listened without interrupting. But when Draven mentioned Meredith nearly crushing Este’s heart, he turned to her sharply.


    "You revealed your fae powers?"


    Meredith held his gaze steadily. "Yes."


    Dennis exhaled slowly. "The Elders will not like that."


    "They haven’t made a move yet." A faint smile tugged at her lips. "They are waiting for their King’s summons," she added calmly.


    Draven nodded. "Fortunately, we have a few days to rest and think before I send for them."


    Dennis looked between them both, thinking that while there was war outside, politics yed inside.


    ---


    <strong>~Oatrun Estate~</strong>


    The moment Dennis stepped through the doors of the Oatrun Estate, Helena was already hurrying toward him.


    She didn’t slow down until she got to him and threw her arms around him.


    Dennis caught her easily, holding her tightly, and briefly buried his face in her hair as if grounding himself in something real after blood and steel.


    "You’re safe," she whispered, pulling back just enough to look at him.


    He cupped her face and kissed her deeply. When he withdrew, he stared into her eyes deeply. "I told you I would be."


    But she didn’t release him immediately. "I heard about the invasion," Helena said softly. "The entire capital is talking about it."


    Dennis nodded. "The vampires didn’t just infiltrate Stormveil. They attacked the pce."


    Her eyes widened. "The pce?"


    "Yes."


    She stiffened. "How is his Majesty? And the Queen?"


    Dennis exhaled. "They were targeted directly. Este led it."


    Helena froze at the name. Before they got married, Dennis had told her a little bit of his family’s history, especially the parts which concerned him in particr. So, she was aware of what Este was.


    "Your sister has returned?" Helena asked.


    Dennis nodded grimly. Then, almost immediately, a strange mixture of pride and awe crossed his face.


    "Fortunately, Meredith arrived in time. She fought Este."


    Helena blinked. "And...?" she prompted.


    Dennis hesitated only a second, then said, "She was forced to reveal her fae powers in front of the Alphas. The Elders. Everyone in that hall."


    Helena’s breath caught. Then, she slowly stepped back, processing it. "That will not sit quietly," she said atst.


    "No," Dennis agreed. "It won’t." Then, he ran a hand through his hair. "We need to help them. Soon the news will spread among the people. It’s only a matter of days."


    Helena nodded firmly. "Then we will help the Queen," she said. "Whatever narrative rises, we counter it. If the people see strength and protection, they won’t fear her bloodline."


    Dennis studied her for a moment and smiled faintly. "This is why I married you. You are so supportive of my ns."


    Helena lifted her chin slightly. "Good. Because I’m not going anywhere."


    He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers briefly before stepping back. "I need to speak with Father."


    Her expression sobered. "Go. I will serve your lunch."


    ---


    <strong>Randall’s Study...</strong>


    Randall stood near the window, hands sped behind his back. The moment Dennis entered, he turned sharply.


    "It was her," Randall said immediately. "Wasn’t it?"


    "Yes," Dennis replied. "Este led the attack."


    Randall’s jaw tightened. "I should have killed her when I had the chance. Instead, I showed mercy," he continued bitterly. "I thought banishment was enough."


    Dennis shifted slightly. He did not want to tread into old wounds. And now wasn’t the time to me his father or be mad at him either.


    "If you want details, you should go to the pce," he said calmly. "She attacked the throne directly. Forced Meredith to reveal her powers in front of the Alphas and the Elders."


    Randall’s eyes darkened as Dennis folded his arms and added, "And I’m certain those ungrateful old men are already whispering."


    Randall exhaled sharply. "They are not whispering. Some of them called me," he corrected.


    Dennis’s expression hardened. "Let me guess... to makeints?"


    "Yes." Randall’s voice dropped with controlled anger. "They are saying a Queen with fae blood cannot remain on Stormveil’s throne."


    Dennis scoffed. "If it weren’t for her exposing herself to save them, they would have been corpses."


    Randall nodded once. "That is precisely what I told them." Then his eyes shed. "If it weren’t for her, they would be in the grave now. And yet they dare question her legitimacy?"


    The room grew tense. Dennis stared at his father carefully. "So, what will you do?"


    Randall’s gaze shifted toward the direction of the pce.


    "I will go to Draven," he said. "Before those elders convince themselves they are brave enough to act."


    Dennis nodded in agreement. If the Council moved against Meredith, Stormveil would fracture from within. And Este would not need to lift another finger.