<h4>Chapter 664: Meredith’s Grandmother Arrives</h4>


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


    Two dayster, the pce received another guest.


    After receiving Draven’s letter, Meredith’s grandmother did not dy. She packed what she needed and followed Jeffery without hesitation, travelling straight to Stormveil’s capital city.


    By the time she arrived, the evening had already settled in.


    —


    Meredith was asleep. The soft quiet of her chambers remained undisturbed until the door gently opened, and Draven stepped inside.


    He approached the bed without making unnecessary noise, his gaze settling on her resting form for a brief moment before he reached out.


    "Meredith," he called softly.


    She stirred. A faint frown touched her brows as she shifted slightly, her voice low and heavy with sleep. "What is it..."


    Draven’s hand brushed lightly against her arm. "Your grandmother is here."


    At the mention of her grandmother, her eyes opened instantly. The sleep vanished as if it had never been there.


    "What?" she said, already pushing herself up.


    Draven’s lips curved slightly. "She arrived not long ago."


    Meredith didn’t wait. She moved to stand, but Draven was already steadying her before she could rush.


    "Slowly," he said.


    "I’m fine," she replied, though she didn’t pull away from his support.


    He helped her to her feet anyway, guiding her without resistance. Together, they left the room.


    They descended the stairs and moved through the corridor toward the receiving hall. Before they even entered, a familiar, steady presence could be felt.


    When the doors opened, Meredith saw her. Her grandmother stood there,posed as always, her presence filling the space without effort.


    The moment Meredith entered, the older woman smiled. "My dearest Edith."


    "Grandma!" Meredith didn’t hesitate. She closed the distance quickly and wrapped her arms around her.


    The old woman weed her just as warmly, holding her with quiet strength.


    Draven watched the grandmother-and-granddaughter reunion without interrupting. When they finally pulled apart, they all took their seats.


    But Meredith didn’t fullypose herself. Emotion lingered, surfacing as tears welled in her eyes.


    Her grandmother chuckled softly. "Now, now," she said, reaching out to hold Meredith’s hands. "Why are you crying?"


    Meredith shook her head slightly, unable to stop. "I’m just—"


    "Mm," the old woman interrupted lightly. "If you keep crying like this, you will disturb the pups."


    That made Meredith pause. Her tears slowed, then stopped. A small breath left her as she wiped her eyes.


    "That’s better." Her grandmother smiled knowingly, then gently squeezed her hands. "I am d that I lived long enough to see this day," she said softly.


    Meredith’s expression softened.


    "Come," her grandmother said. "Let me feel the children."


    Meredith didn’t hesitate. She guided her grandmother’s hands to her stomach.


    The old woman’s palms rested there, warm and steady as they moved gently, sensing rather than searching.


    A quiet smile formed on her lips. "They are well," she said. "Growing just as they should." Her hands shifted slightly, then she added, "One is a boy." She paused for another moment before saying, "And the other... a girl."


    Meredith blinked. Draven’s gaze sharpened slightly. Their eyes met briefly, both caught off guard.


    "A boy... and a girl?" Meredith repeated.


    Her grandmother nodded lightly. "Yes." The certainty in her tone left no room for doubt.


    A slow, bright smile spread across Meredith’s face. The surprise gave way to something deeper. Joy.


    Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach. Though Draven remained quiet, something in his expression shifted—something steadier, more grounded.


    After a moment, Meredith’s grandmother withdrew her hands. "Now, let me check you."


    She reached for Meredith’s arm and gently took her wrist. Her fingers rested there, still and focused as she felt her pulse. A brief silence followed, then she exhaled softly.


    "Good," she said as relief settled into her voice. "You are healthy." She released Meredith’s hand, her expression calm. "Everything is as it should be."


    Not long after, the doors opened softly as servants entered, carrying trays of light snacks and fresh fruit juice.


    They moved quietly, cing everything neatly before the three of them before withdrawing without a word.


    The atmosphere remained warm and easy.


    Meredith shifted closer to her grandmother, the earlier emotions now settling into something morefortable.


    "I missed you," she said, her voice softer now.


    Her grandmother smiled. "I am here now, my child."


    That was all it took. Meredith leaned in again, wrapping her arms around her in a second embrace—this one calmer, more grounding. Her grandmother returned it just as warmly.


    Across from them, Draven watched, a faint smile resting on his lips as he reached for a piece of fruit. He said nothing, simply allowing the moment to unfold as he ate.


    The conversation flowed easily after that. They spoke of small things at first—of time passed, of ces, of moments Meredith had missed and moments her grandmother had quietly observed from afar.


    There wasughter, soft and genuine, threading through their words. For a while, it felt untouched by everything else.


    Nearly half an hour passed before Draven finally spoke. "Meredith." His tone was gentle, but it carried enough weight to draw her attention.


    She shifted her gaze to him.


    "Your grandmother just arrived," he said. "She needs rest."


    Meredith paused, then nodded in understanding. "You’re right." She turned back to her grandmother. "Let me take you to your room."


    Her grandmother inclined her head slightly, rising without difficulty. Together, the three of them left the receiving hall.


    Draven walked beside Meredith, his hand naturally finding hers again as they guided the older woman through the quiet corridors of the pce.


    The room prepared for her was already arranged—simple,fortable, and fitting. Once inside, Meredith helped her grandmother settle onto the bed.


    "You should rest," Meredith said gently.


    "I will," her grandmother replied.


    Meredith straightened slightly. "Mydy-in-waiting, Kira, will attend to you during your stay here. If you need anything, just let her know."


    Her grandmother nodded. "That will be fine."


    There was a brief pause, then Meredith leaned in again, hugging her once more. "Grandma," she said softly, "we will have dinner togetherter."


    Her grandmother smiled and lifted her hand in a small, reassuring gesture. "Go on."


    Reluctantly, Meredith pulled back. Draven stepped closer then, his hand finding hers once more. Without a word, he guided her toward the door.


    As they stepped out, he nced at her briefly, his faint smile deepening slightly at the way she looked back once more before the door closed.


    He said nothing, but it was clear. She would have stayed longer if she could.