<h4>Chapter 665: Terms & Conditions</h4>


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


    An hourter...


    The dining room was set, this time for three.


    Meredith sat beside her grandmother, while Draven took the seat across from them, totally abandoning the head table.


    The atmosphere was warm, quieter than usual, yet filled with afort that settled naturally between them.


    The meal began. And almost immediately, Meredith reached for a dish and ced food onto her grandmother’s te.


    "You should eat more of this," she said. "It’s fresh."


    Before her grandmother could respond, Meredith added something else. "And this too."


    Across the table, Draven watched. Then, without a word, he mirrored her actions—cing food onto her te just as steadily.


    But Meredith barely noticed. Her attention remained fixed on her grandmother.


    "Grandma, you’ve lost weight," Meredith continued. "You need to eat properly while you are here."


    Her grandmother smiled faintly, the soft glow in her white eyes reflecting something deeper than sight.


    "Edith," she said gently, "feed yourself."


    Meredith didn’t stop. "I’m fine," she replied. "I’m not that hungry." Another piece of foodnded on her grandmother’s te as she added, "I’m just... happy you’re here."


    Her grandmother’s smile deepened slightly. "Is that so?" she said. "Then perhaps I should return home."


    Meredith froze. "What?" she said quickly, her head snapping up.


    "If my presence alone fills you, then I need not stay long," her grandmother added calmly.


    "No," Meredith said immediately. "I will eat."


    Across from them, Draven’s lips curved faintly. Withoutment, he picked up a spoon, scooped a portion of food, and leaned slightly forward.


    "Open."


    Meredith nced at him briefly, then opened her mouth without protest. He fed her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    And he continued. One spoon after another, measured and unhurried, making sure she ate properly this time.


    Though her grandmother could not see the action, she felt it clearly. A quiet warmth passed through her expression as she sat there, listening, sensing... understanding.


    She said nothing, but her smile remained.


    After dinner, the night air weed them outside.


    Meredith walked beside her grandmother, holding her arm gently as they strolled along the pce grounds. The guards followed at a respectful distance, far enough not to intrude, close enough to remain vignt.


    Their pace was slow andfortable.


    "Tell me," her grandmother said after a while, "is he treating you well?"


    Meredith didn’t hesitate. "Yes." A bright smile spread across her face instantly. There was no doubt in it. "He has been..." she paused briefly, searching for the right word, "...everything."


    She let out a soft breath. "He won’t let me do anything on my own anymore. He makes sure I eat, makes sure I rest... he even massages my feet and shoulders himself."


    Then, a smallugh escaped her. "Sometimes, it’s too much."


    Her grandmother listened quietly, but there was satisfaction in her expression. "I see," she said softly. "That is good."


    Meredith nodded, still smiling.


    By the time they returned inside, the calm of the evening had settled fully over the pce. They made their way toward the living area.


    Inside, Draven sat with Oscar, discussing something in low tones. But the moment Meredith and her grandmother entered, Oscar rose immediately.


    He bowed. "Your Majesty."


    Then, without dy, he excused himself and left.


    Meanwhile, Draven walked towards them with a faint smile on his lips. "How was your walk?" he asked. Then he reached out, gently assisting Meredith’s grandmother as she took her seat.


    "It wasforting," Meredith replied, settling beside her grandmother. Her voice carried a quiet contentment.


    Draven stepped back, moved to the opposite couch, and sat. Then he nced between them briefly.


    "Grandma, you’ve just arrived. If you are tired, you can retire early."


    The olddy gave a small shake of her head. "There is something important I want to discuss with you."


    Draven straightened slightly. "There is time," he replied. "You can rest first, then we can speak tomorrow."


    Meredith nodded in agreement. "Yes, Grandma. You just got here—"


    But her grandmother did not yield. "I do not wish to dy it," she said calmly. "I am here now. And there is no gain in waiting."


    The firmness in her voice left little room for argument.


    Meredith nced at Draven. He held her gaze briefly, then gave a small nod. "Alright," he said.


    The room grew still again, then the olddy began. "The Great Wall,"


    Draven’s attention sharpened.


    "The fae will help you secure it, but it will be under certain conditions," she continued.


    Draven inclined his head slightly. "You mentioned as much in your letter." Then, he quickly added, "I am willing to hear them. Whatever they are, I will meet them."


    "First, once we have fulfilled our role, the werewolves will not seek us out," she said calmly. But beneath their words, the meaning was not light.


    Right then, a quiet tension entered the room.


    "There was a time," she continued, "when your kind hunted mine. Massacred many... in an attempt to control what they did not understand."


    The air shifted heavily for a moment. And Draven did not attempt to break it.


    "I will not allow that to happen again," the olddy stated.


    "It won’t." Draven’s voice was steady. "You have my word. The faes will not be pursued."


    The olddy gave a small nod. "Second," she said, "those whoe with me... will be under your protection."


    "They will be safe," Draven replied immediately. "No harm wille to them within Stormveil."


    He allowed his promise to settle before asking, "Is there anything else?"


    She shook her head slightly. "That is all."


    For a moment, it seemed the conversation had ended, but then, she grew quiet. Too quiet. The calm in her expression shifted subtly, something deeper surfacing beneath it.


    Then she spoke again. "There may not be much time before the Great War after Edit gives birth to the royal twins."


    Draven’s gaze sharpened as her statement settled heavily into the room. Meredith’s expression changed as well.


    They both knew Este would dere war, as she had promised. But if she did that when Meredith isn’t fit enough to fight, then it wouldn’t be beneficial for the Weres.


    Just then, the olddy’s brows creased further with unmistakable worry. Meredith saw this and leaned forward slightly. "Grandma... what is it?"


    For a moment, the olddy remained quiet, then she shook her head. "It is nothing."


    Draven didn’t ept that. "If there is something you’ve seen," he said, his tone steady, "you should tell us. We may be able to prepare."


    She exhaled slowly. "I will speak of it... after Edith gives birth."


    That was all she said. No more. No less. The room fell into silence.


    Meredith and Draven exchanged a nce because whatever she had seen, which was enough to make even her hesitate, must be something serious.