<h4>Chapter 644: Rights and Rewards</h4>


    <strong><i>[Meredith].</i></strong>


    The usation in Draven’s tone was almost childish.


    "Someone had to." I shrugged innocently.


    His gaze narrowed. And before I could react, his arm shot out.


    "Draven—!"


    He grabbed my waist and dragged me down onto the bed beside him. Inded with a startledugh, half-tangled in the nkets.


    "You are really something!" I protested.


    Draven rolled onto his side, one arm still firmly around me so I couldn’t escape. His hair was a mess now, falling over his eyes, and he looked thoroughly unimpressed with the world.


    "You woke me up," he repeated, with a low, grumpy voice.


    "That is because you were sleeping like a dead wolf."


    "I was resting."


    "You were snoring," I teased.


    His eyes narrowed again. "Meredith, I do not snore in my sleep."


    "You do," I argued, properly swallowing myughter.


    "I don’t," he insisted.


    "You absolutely do." I raised a brow of defiance.


    Draven pulled me a little closer. "Careful," he murmured. "You are insulting your King."


    I smiled sweetly. "My King was drooling on his pillow."


    For a moment, he just stared at me. Then a slow, dangerous smile appeared on his lips. "Oh, really?"


    Before I could say anything else, he shifted and pinned me lightly against the mattress, his arm braced beside my head.


    My breath caught. His expression softened as he looked down at me. "You came here just to bully me this morning?"


    "Someone has to keep you humble."


    His thumb brushed lightly against my cheek. "Is that so?" The teasing edge in his voice faded as something warmer reced it.


    Then, his gaze moved slowly across my face as if memorizing every detail. "I didn’t see you when I woke up the first time," he said quietly. "So, I assumed you had already started your day, but clearly not."


    He looked me up and down, taking in my looks and noting that I was still in my night robe. "Working again?"


    "Writing to my grandmother."


    Draven hummed softly. Then his fingers slid gently through my hair, pushing a loose strand away from my face.


    For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence between us wasfortable and safe.


    His gaze softened even more. "You know," he murmured, "most Queens would let their King sleep in peace."


    I tilted my head slightly. "Most Kings don’t drag their Queens onto the bed like hoodlums."


    He chuckled quietly. The sound vibrated through his chest. Then he leaned down and pressed a warm, gentle, slow kiss to my forehead. "Give me five minutes."


    When he pulled back, his hand settled against my waist. "I’ve missed this," he admitted quietly.


    I blinked. "This?"


    "Just... you." His thumb brushed against my side absentmindedly. "No council meetings. No eldersining. No dealing with enemies."


    A small smile curved my lips. "I have missed it too." His gaze deepened, and in this moment, there was only my mate.


    Draven leaned down again, this time pressing a soft kiss against my lips, just slow and warm and familiar.


    When he pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against mine. "Stay a little longer," he murmured.


    I smiled. "The heroes of Stormveil are waiting for their King."


    "Let them wait."


    "You are neglecting your duties. That’s terrible of you."


    "I know." His arms tightened around me slightly, pulling me closer against his chest. "I need five minutes," he saidzily.


    Iughed softly. "Your Majesty, you said that ten minutes ago."


    Draven closed his eyes again, clearly unmoved. "Then five more."


    ---


    Two hourster, Draven and I walked side by side down the long hallway. As we approached the grand hall, the pce announcer stepped forward.


    His voice rang loudly. "His Majesty, King Draven Oatrun, and Her Majesty, Queen Meredith Carter!"


    Therge doors swung open. Draven and I entered together. Instantly, everyone stood up.


    The hall was filled with Stormveil’s leaders—Royal Alphas, council elders, warriormanders, nobles, and many of the men and women who had fought during the vampire invasion.


    As we walked down the long aisle, everyone bowed deeply. "Your Majestys."


    Draven acknowledged them with a slight nod but did not slow his pace. Together we ascended the steps toward our thrones. I sat beside him as he took his seat.


    Then, he lifted his hand. "You may sit."


    Everyone returned to their seats, and the hall gradually quieted.


    "Today," he began, his deep voice echoing across the hall, "Stormveil gathers not to celebrate power... but to honour sacrifice."


    The room grew even more attentive.


    "Some weeks ago, ournd was invaded by vampires. An enemy bold enough to infiltrate our borders and attack the very heart of our kingdom."


    His gaze swept across the warriors present. "Yet Stormveil did not fall."


    A murmur of pride passed through the hall.


    "That is because of the men and women who fought without hesitation to protect their people. Some of you are present here today. Others are currently defending the Great Wall and cannot attend."


    He paused for a bit "But every single one of you will receive the recognition you deserve."


    The warriors straightened proudly. Draven continued. "To protect others without thinking of oneself... that is the highest honour a warrior can hold."


    His expression darkened slightly. "We must also remember those who did not return from that battle."


    The hall grew sombre, everyone reflecting on that huge sacrifice.


    "They gave their lives protecting Stormveil. Their families will receive the rewards meant for them, and their names will forever be remembered as heroes."


    For a moment, the hall was silent. Then Draven gestured toward Oscar, who stepped forward, holding a long scroll.


    He unfurled it carefully and announced, "The following names will now be called."


    The ceremony began. One by one, names were called. Each person stepped forward, bowed before the throne, and received their reward—promotions, money,nd, and recognition.


    The ceremony continued for quite some time. Then Oscar’s voice rang out again. "Wanda Fellowes and Levi Fellowes."


    There was a subtle stir in the hall as Wanda and her brother rose and stepped forward. Then they bowed respectfully before Draven and me.


    Oscar continued reading. "For their outstanding contribution in protecting the people of Stormveil during the vampire invasion, Wanda Fellowes and Levi Fellowes are hereby promoted and granted the opportunity to take the examination required to join Stormveil’s highest warrior battalion."


    A soft murmur spread through the crowd. The elite battalion was not easily essible. If they passed the examination, it would be a significant step upward.


    Wanda and Levi bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    After receiving their recognition, they stepped aside and returned to their seats. The ceremony continued. Eventually, the final names were called.


    Oscar rolled the scroll slightly, then he paused. "There is... one more name," he mentioned as he folded the scroll respectfully and turned toward Draven.


    Draven rose from his seat, and his voice immediately carried across the hall. "There is a very important heroine whose name was not written on this list."


    The hall grew curious. Head turned, and a few whispers were exchanged. Even I was curious, so my brows knit lightly.


    "This person is the very reason Stormveil is still standing today." Draven continued. "Without this individual, Stormveil would have fallen, and every leader in this room might now be living as ves under our enemies."


    A ripple of confusion passed through the hall. Then realization slowly dawned on me. I quickly turned to look at him.


    Draven’s gaze briefly met mine before he continued. "And this person protected me, the Council of Elders, and the Royal Alphas during the vampire attack."


    Then he said clearly, "Her Majesty... Queen Meredith."


    For a moment, I forgot to breathe. Everyone in the hall rose to their feet, and apuse erupted. The sound echoed through the grand hall.


    I stared at Draven,pletely stunned. My name had not been on the list. He had never mentioned this. But slowly, I rose from my seat.


    My heart was still racing as I stepped down from the tform. When I reached the centre of the hall, I turned and offered a deep bow toward him.


    Draven’s voice reached me almost immediately. "You may rise."


    I did. Then he spoke again. "For her courage in defending Stormveil and protecting its leadership, Queen Meredith Carter is hereby granted the rank of Commander."


    Soft whispers spread across the hall.


    "She is permitted to raise and lead her own battalion of warriors who will swear loyalty to Stormveil."


    More murmurs followed, but my gaze never left Draven. He stepped down from his throne, and a servant approached him carrying a tray. On it rested three golden star-shaped emblems.


    Draven picked them up one by one and stopped before me. Carefully, he clipped them to my shoulder one after the other. When he finished, I bowed again.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    He reached out and gently helped me rise. Then, in front of everyone, he leaned down and ced a soft kiss on my cheek.


    Warm apuse filled the hall again. I smiled faintly and turned around, and everyone bowed deeply immediately.


    "Congrattions, Your Majesty!" Their voices echoed through the hall.