<h4>Chapter 666: A Promise Written and Sealed</h4>


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


    The next morning, Meredith sat beside her grandmother near the window, where soft daylight filtered into the room and rested gently over the table before them.


    A sheet of parchmenty open, with ink and quill prepared. Her grandmother spoke calmly, and Meredith wrote.


    Each word was deliberate, carefully chosen—not as amand, but as a call.


    It was a message to the Fae, asking them toe under her grandmother’s guidance, to follow Draven’s guards into the city, and to lend their strength in fortifying the Great Wall.


    When the letter wasplete, Meredith read it aloud in a soft voice, ensuring every word was exactly as intended. Her grandmother listened in silence, then gave a small nod.


    "It will do."


    The letter was sealed immediately and sent without dy.


    —


    Three dayster, after confirming that the message had reached its destination, Draven began the next phase of his n.


    At the pce gates, twenty royal guards stood assembled, their formation precise and disciplined. Jeffery stood at the front, awaiting hismand.


    Draven regarded them with a calm, measured gaze. "You know your orders."


    Jeffery bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "You will move discreetly," Draven added. "No unnecessary attention."


    Jeffery nodded once more, understanding the weight of the task.


    Without further dy, the guards departed under hismand, leaving the pce quietly in different vehicles as they set out to escort the Fae into the city.


    —


    Later that day, the Grand Hall was once again filled with the leaders of Stormveil.


    The council of elders, Royal Alphas, and high-ranking officials stood in orderly formation before the throne. Meredith was absent from this gathering, leaving Draven to preside alone.


    Draven rose to his feet and began, his voice steady as it carried across the hall. "As I mentioned to you all in the previous gathering, the Fae have agreed to assist us in securing the Great Wall under certain conditions."


    He let his gaze move from one face to another as he continued, "Once their task isplete, we are not to seek them out or attempt to locate them."


    A brief pause followed before he added, "And while they remain within Stormveil, they are to be ced under our full protection."


    The hall fell silent as the implications sank in.


    Draven’s gaze kept moving across them, steady butposed. "I intend to honour these conditions." Then, after a pause, he added, "Do I have your support?"


    There was no resistance. One by one, the leaders stepped forward with their voices.


    "You have it, Your Majesty."


    "We stand with you."


    "The conditions will be upheld."


    Their agreement carried the weight of an oath.


    Draven acknowledged them with a slight nod, then lifted his hand in a subtle gesture. Immediately, Oscar stepped forward, carrying a prepared edict. He ced it carefully on the table a few steps before the throne, setting ink beside it.


    The atmosphere shifted. What had been spoken would now be bound.


    Draven descended from his throne and approached the table. Next, he picked up the quill and signed his name firmly on the document. Once done, he returned to his seat.


    "Step forward," he said.


    One after another, the members of the council approached. Though a few showed brief surprise at the gravity of the act, none hesitated for long.


    Each dipped their thumb into ink and pressed it onto the parchment, leaving behind a mark that signified their pledge.


    When thest had finished, Oscar retrieved the edict and returned it to Draven.


    Draven examined it carefully, ensuring that every required mark had been made. Only after confirming this did he set it aside.


    "This assembly will reconvene once the Great Wall has been secured," he announced.


    Relief passed through the hall. Expressions softened, and voices rose in gratitude.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    "Stormveil is strengthened under your rule."


    Draven gave a slight gesture, dismissing them.


    The elders, Alphas, and officials bowed before turning to leave, one after another, until the hall began to empty.


    But Randall did not leave. He stepped forward once the others had gone.


    "When will the Fae arrive?" he asked.


    Draven’s expression remained unchanged. "That is not for you to know," he replied evenly. "You will wait for the result."


    Randall studied him for a moment before exhaling lightly. "I can see what you’re doing," he said. "You’re being thorough, ensuring no one interferes with your ns."


    A brief pause followed before he added, "But you can trust me. I am your father."


    Draven leaned back slightly in his seat, his gaze steady. "I will remember that."


    Nothing more was offered.


    Randall held his gaze for a moment longer, then gave a small nod. Without another word, he bowed and left the hall.


    ---


    Meredith’s workstation emitted a gentle, soothing scent—delicate mixtures of herbs and oils arranged neatly on the table in front of her.


    Small fabric pouches were arranged in rows, some already filled, others waiting to be prepared.


    Meredith sat at the centre of it all, focused yet at ease. Her hands moved with familiarity as she measured, mixed, and tied each scent bag with care. There was a quiet rhythm to her work, one she seemed to genuinely enjoy.


    Across the room, her grandmother satfortably, knitting with steady movements. Though her eyes could not see, her hands never faltered, each loop and pull precise.


    Not far off, Azul, Kira, and Deidra remained respectfully out of the way. They upied the edges of the room, only stepping forward when needed, otherwise allowing Meredith the space she preferred.


    The atmosphere was peaceful, untouched by urgency.


    Both granddaughter and grandmother silently worked for another ten minutes before the door opened and Draven stepped in.


    A faint smile rested on his lips the moment his gaze found Meredith. He walked straight to her without pausing.


    Meredith barely had time to look up before he reached her, one arm sliding naturally around her shoulders as he pulled her into a brief embrace. He pressed a light kiss to her cheek, then another, unbothered by the presence of others.


    "You’ve been busy," he said, ncing down at her work.


    Meredith smiled faintly. "It helps pass the time."


    He picked up one of the finished scent bags, turning it slightly in his hand. "This one is different," he noted.


    "I adjusted the blend," she replied. "It’s softer."


    Draven gave a small nod before setting it down. Then his subtle gaze shifted to her belly. "How are they?" he asked.


    Meredith understood immediately. "They are fine," she said in a gentle tone. "Still calm." A small pause followed before she asked, "How was the meeting?"


    "Settled," He replied. "Everything is in ce."


    Meredith studied him briefly, then her attention shifted to what he held in his other hand. "What is that?"


    He nced at it, then back at her. "You will see."


    Just as he said that, he unrolled the edict and showed it to her. Every signature and thumbprint pressed firmly into it.


    She looked surprised when she realized the content. Her eyes lit up as she turned to meet Draven’s gaze.


    "You really are something else," she said to him.


    "I know." He epted thepliment, then stepped toward her grandmother and carefully ced it into her hands.


    She ran her fingers lightly across the surface, feeling the texture, the markings, the weight of what it represented without needing his exnation.


    A smile formed on her lips. "You have gone far," she said. "Further than most would."


    Draven remainedposed. "Leadership requires example," he replied. "If I expect Stormveil to uphold its word, then I must make sure that word is bound. Even if they must swear to it."


    The olddy’s smile deepened slightly. "I am pleased," she said.


    That approval carried weight beyond words.