<h4>Chapter 645: Three Hours is a Long Time</h4>


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


    The apuse slowly faded as the ceremony came to an end. Then Draven’s hand found mine, his fingers wrapping around it firmly. And together, we left the Grand Hall.


    The moment the doors closed behind us, the noise of the gathering softened into distant murmurs. Only then did I finally look up at him.


    "You nned that," I said, narrowing my eyes slightly.


    Draven nced at me calmly. "I have no idea what you mean."


    I almostughed. "You didn’t tell me my name would be announced."


    "That was the point."


    "You should have warned me."


    "And ruin the surprise?" he asked lightly.


    I shook my head, though a smile tugged at my lips. The truth was, I had been deeply touched by what he did, so I squeezed his hand gently as we continued walking down the quiet corridor.


    "Well," I said after a moment, "the banquet does not start for another three hours."


    Draven hummed thoughtfully. "So?"


    "So," I continued, tilting my head at him, "how does the King n to spend his free time?"


    He looked down at me with that familiar mischievous glint in his dark eyes. Then he chuckled softly, "I already have something nned."


    "Oh?"


    "A surprise."


    My curiosity instantly sharpened. "What kind of surprise?"


    "You will see."


    He guided me down another corridor, past several guarded doors, until we stopped in front of one of the pce’s private rooms. Two guards standing nearby immediately bowed and stepped aside.


    Draven opened the door and teased, "After you, Commander."


    I gave him a yful look before stepping inside, then immediately stopped. The room was softly lit, and in the centre stood a long table filled with delicate, sweet dishes.


    Small cakes. Honey pastries. Fruit tarts. Candied berries.


    My eyes widened. "You prepared all this?"


    Draven closed the door behind us. "It seemed appropriate for celebrating my wife’s promotion."


    I turned back toward him, unable to hide my excitement.


    He added lightly, "You deserve a proper celebration before the nobles try to steal you away during the banquet."


    My gaze shifted back to the table once more. There was wine on it. "Well," I said, smiling, "I must admit, Your Majesty... this is a very pleasant surprise."


    Draven walked toward the table and pulled out a chair. "For you."


    I sat down, still admiring the spread. He then moved to the chair beside mine and sat down as well.


    I lifted my ss and took a small sip of the wine. It was sweet, smooth, and warm as it slid down my throat. I ced the ss back on the table and reached for one of the small honey pastries.


    "But seriously, this looks suspicious," I said.


    Draven leaned back slightly in his chair, watching me with that calm, unreadable expression of his. "Suspicious?"


    "Yes." I examined the pastry. "A King preparing sweets for his Queen before a banquet. I’m sure there’s a hidden motive somewhere."


    Draven smirked faintly. "You discovered my evil n to feed you sweets, so you be too distracted to rule Stormveil properly."


    Iughed softly and took a bite. The pastry was warm and sweet, the honey almost melting in my mouth. My eyes widened slightly. "Alright," I admitted, "this is very good."


    Draven tilted his head slightly. "Only very good?"


    I picked up another small piece from the te and held it up. "Try it yourself."


    "I’m not hungry."


    "You prepared all of this, and you won’t even taste it?"


    "No."


    I narrowed my eyes, then leaned a little closer and held the piece near his mouth. "Just one bite."


    Draven looked at the pastry, then his gaze slowly moved to my lips. Something in his expression shifted. Before I could react, he leaned forward. But instead of taking the pastry, he took the bite from my lips.


    My breath caught. The pastry fell from my fingers onto the te as his mouth covered mine in a warm, unhurried kiss. Then his hand slid to my waist and pulled my chair closer to his.


    My heart started beating faster. "This is not right," I murmured against his lips.


    Draven’s voice was low. "You offered."


    "That’s not what I meant."


    His thumb brushed lightly against my waist. "You should have been more specific."


    Iughed softly, though my pulse had already quickened.


    His gaze dropped briefly to my lips again, so I picked up my wine ss to distract myself and took another sip.


    "You know," I said lightly, "if someone discovers the King and Queen behaving like this before the banquet..."


    Draven suddenly stood up. My words trailed off as I watched him walk towards the door. "Draven?"


    He reached the door and turned the lock. The quiet click echoed through the room.


    My brows lifted. "Your Majesty?"


    He turned around slowly. His dark eyes were calmer now, but there was something else there too, something warm and dangerous.


    "You said we have three hours before the banquet," he said.


    "Yes..."


    He began walking back toward me. "Three hours is a very long time."


    My heart skipped.


    He stopped beside my chair and ced one hand on the table, leaning slightly toward me. "You asked how we should spend it."


    I tilted my head slightly. "And you locked the door?"


    "Yes."


    "That seems even more suspicious."


    His hand moved from the table to my chair. Slowly, he turned it toward him. "I thought you might enjoy the surprise."


    I tried to remain calm, pretending I didn’t know where all this was headed. "Oh?"


    Draven bent slightly until his face was only inches from mine. "I get my Queen to myself," he murmured. Then his hand slid behind my neck gently. "And Stormveil can survive without us for a little while."


    My pulse was racing now. "Your Majesty..."


    His thumb traced softly along my cheek. Instead of replying, he gently took my hand and lifted me from the chair. He then guided me backwards until the edge of the table gently pressed against my hips.


    His hands settled on either side of me, bracing against the table. "Do you know how much I’ve been trying to behave?" he asked, leaning closer.


    My brows lifted slightly. "You? Behave?" That sounded ridiculous.


    "Yes."


    "Since when?"


    "Since the moment you walked into my room this morning and decided to wake me up."


    His gaze flicked briefly to my lips again. Then his hand slowly slid along my arm beforeing to rest at my waist once more. Without another word, he suddenly lifted me onto the edge of the table.


    The movement was quick enough that I barely had time to react before I was sitting there, looking up at him.


    "Draven—"


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