<h4>Chapter 673: Birth of the Twins (I)</h4>


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


    Ten weekster, the night came too soon.


    Meredith went intobour before anyone expected it, and the pce was thrown into motion within moments.


    Healers hurried into her chambers, attendants followed, and the doors were shut firmly behind them under one strict order given by her grandmother—no one was to enter.


    Not even the King.


    Draven arrived just as the doors closed. "Open it," he said immediately.


    The attendants guarding the entrance dropped to their knees at once, their heads bowed deeply. "Your Majesty... we cannot."


    Another cry came from inside. It was sharp, raw, and it hit him harder than anything ever had.


    "Move aside," he said, stepping forward. But none of them moved an inch.


    "We beg you," one of them said, trembling. "Her Majesty’s grandmother gave strict orders. We dare not disobey."


    Draven’s expression darkened. How dare they block his path and refuse to heed his order?.


    "I am the King. If I say open that door, you open it."


    They lowered themselves even further, almost prostrating. "Please... forgive us. We cannot."


    This time, a longer cry was heard. Draven clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides as he stood there, staring at the door.


    For a moment, it truly seemed like he would break it open himself. No one there had the strength to stop him if he chose to ignore them. But he didn’t.


    Slowly, he stepped back. It wasn’t because hecked the power, but because he respected the one who gave that order.


    Still, it did nothing to calm him.


    He began pacing, each step sharp and restless, his attention fixed entirely on the door as Meredith’s voice reached him again and again.


    —


    Inside, Meredith endured.


    The pain came in waves, each stronger than thest, forcing cries from her lips despite her effort to control them.


    Sweat clung to her skin, and one of the healers carefully wiped her forehead while another stayed close, ready.


    Her grandmother remained at her side, steady and unshaken.


    When another contraction hit, Meredith cried out, her hand tightening instinctively.


    Her grandmother took it at once, holding it firmly. "Listen to me," she said gently. "You are not carrying ordinary children. That is why this is difficult."


    Meredith nodded faintly, tears slipping from her eyes.


    "No good thinges easy," her grandmother continued, her voice calm but firm. "You must endure this—for the greater good."


    Meredith nodded again, stronger this time, even as tears continued to fall.


    Her grandmother smiled softly and wiped them away with the back of her hand. "That’s it. Stay with me."


    —


    Outside, Rosalie arrived.


    She looked far healthier now, her strength restoredpared to when she first came into the pce. When she saw Draven pacing, she walked toward him calmly.


    "Sit down and wait," she said.


    "I can’t," he replied immediately, not even stopping.


    She watched him for a moment but didn’t push further.


    They waited together.


    —


    Time dragged. Every sound from inside made the wait feel longer. Then, after what felt like an eternity, a cry broke through the door.


    It wasn’t Meredith’s this time around. It was from one of the twins.


    Draven froze for a heartbeat, briefly wondering if the nightmare hade to an end. Then, he moved.


    He was already at the door when Rosalie caught his arm. "Wait."


    He turned sharply, but something in her expression made him stop, even if reluctantly.


    Inside, the first child had been born—a girl, her soft cries filling the room, her silver hair already visible.


    Momentster, the second followed—a boy, stronger, louder, his ck hair damp against his small head, his presence immediately robust.


    Relief filled the room as quiet joy spread among the healers.


    Meredithy back, her breathing easing, but she did not look exhausted. If anything, there was a strength in her now that hadn’t been there before.


    The healers quickly cleaned the twins and wrapped them before bringing them to her. The moment they were ced near her, both babies stopped crying instantly.


    Meredith smiled, her expression soft as she pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads.


    Then she looked at the healers. "Take them to their father."


    They bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."


    —


    Outside, the door opened, and Draven turned immediately.


    When the twins were ced in his arms, everything else disappeared.


    "Congrattions, Your Majesty!" Everyone in the hallway bowed to Draven with smiles on their faces.


    Draven held both of them carefully, one in each arm, his hands steady despite the emotion rising in him. His eyes softened, growing slightly wet as he looked down at them.


    "Wee to Stormveil," he said quietly, his voice filled with pride.


    The twins were calm, barely opening their eyes as if trying to take in his presence. A proud smile spread across his face.


    Rosalie stepped closer, her own expression filled with quiet joy as she looked at them.


    Then Draven lifted his gaze. "How is my Queen?"


    The healers smiled reassuringly. "She is well, Your Majesty. Strong and healthy. She is being cleaned now. You may see her in a few minutes."


    Relief washed over himpletely.


    He nodded once, his gaze returning to the children in his arms, holding them just a little closer as the weight of the moment finally settled in.


    A few minutester, the healers took the twins from him and returned to the room.


    ---


    When Draven was finally allowed into the chamber, the first thing he saw was Meredith.


    She was resting against the pillows, her hair slightly damp, her face still flushed from the strain—but there was nothing weak about her.


    If anything, she looked... steady. Strong in a way that made everything he had heard outside feel distant now.


    For a brief moment, he just stood there, taking her in. Then he crossed the space quickly and sat beside her, his hand reaching for her without hesitation.


    His fingers closed around hers, warm and firm, as if reassuring himself that she was truly fine.


    "Meredith..."


    She looked at him and smiled faintly. That was enough to undo whatever restraint he had left.


    He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a second longer than usual.


    "Thank you," he said quietly.


    It wasn’t just for the children. It was for everything.