<h4>Chapter 685: [SPECIAL Chapter]</h4>


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


    Five years had passed since the war.


    Stormveil no longer carried the weight of fear in its air. The Great Wall stood firm and silent, a reassurance.


    The pce, once a ce of constant strategy and tension, had softened into something warmer—something lived in, filled with life.


    Nowhere was that more evident than in the inner courtyard that morning.


    "Luna, no—!"


    A burst ofughter followed immediately.


    Meredith stood near the stone path, one hand resting lightly on her hip as she watched her daughter dart across the courtyard with something glowing faintly between her fingers.


    The light flickered yfully, shifting colours as Luna ran, her silver hair catching the sunlight with every step.


    "I told you not to do that near the fountain," Meredith called after her, though the softness in her voice betrayed any real intention of scolding.


    Luna only giggled and ran faster.


    Behind her, two attendants tried and failed to keep up, theirposure long abandoned.


    "Princess, please slow down—!"


    "Catch me first!" Luna shot back without hesitation.


    A ssh echoed across the courtyard.


    Meredith closed her eyes briefly, already knowing what she would see before she even looked. "...of course."


    When she opened them again, Luna stood ankle-deep in the fountain, staring down at the glowing ripple she had created in the water,pletely absorbed in her own sess.


    Not far from there, a low growl drew Meredith’s attention.


    Kieran crouched near one of the stone pirs, small fingers gripping what had once been a perfectly arranged ceremonial sash.


    He tugged at it with surprising determination, even resorting to using his teeth as though that would somehow improve his chances.


    "Kieran," Meredith called.


    He looked up immediately. Then, very slowly, he moved the sash behind his back.


    Meredith raised a brow.


    Kieran turned and attempted to walk away with quiet dignity, as though nothing had happened.


    She almostughed at his little antics. Before she could say anything else, a familiar voice came from behind her, calm and observant.


    "Your son has excellent instincts."


    Meredith nced over her shoulder as Draven approached, his presence steady as always, though his attention had already settled on Kieran, who had now begun dragging the sash behind him as he retreated.


    "You are encouraging him," Meredith said.


    "I’m simply acknowledging potential," Draven replied without concern.


    Kieran took that as approval and immediately broke into a run.


    Meredith sighed. "You see what you’ve done?"


    "He will return when he is hungry," Draven said simply.


    From the fountain, Luna’s voice rang out brightly, "I’m hungry!"


    Meredith blinked, then looked at Draven. He allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "That’s one."


    —


    Breakfast unfolded exactly as expected—chaotically.


    Luna insisted on sitting beside great-grandmother, eagerly recounting her earlier ’achievement’ with exaggerated enthusiasm.


    "I almost turned the water into light!" she dered.


    "You didn’t almost," the olddy corrected calmly. "You did. You simply lost control halfway."


    Luna’s eyes widened in amazement. "Really?"


    "Yes."


    "I did it!" she eximed, visibly thrilled.


    Rosalieughed softly, her expression open and bright in a way that still felt new, even after all this time.


    There was a peace to her now, something genuine and deeply rooted, and it showed in every quiet smile.


    "You definitely did," Rosalie added warmly.


    Across the table, Kieran had found a new objective. Draven’s cup.


    He reached for it. Without looking, Draven moved it slightly out of reach.


    Kieran paused, then reached again, but Draven moved it once more. Kieran narrowed his eyes this time.


    Meredith leaned toward him gently. "That one is not yours."


    Kieran looked at her, then at the cup, and finally at Draven. A faint ripple of power stirred around him, and the cup trembled.


    Draven’s brow lifted slightly, then he let out a quiet chuckle. "Already?"


    Meredith shook her head, though a smile had already formed on her lips. "You are both impossible."


    Rosalieughed again, softer this time, clearly relishing every moment. "Let them be. This is how it should be."


    From the side, Dennis leaned back in his chair, watching the scene unfold with amusement. "I think they have already surpassed us at this age."


    Helena, seated beside him, nodded in agreement, one hand resting gently over her belly. She was five months along now.


    She smiled as she watched Luna climb halfway onto Meredith’sp while trying to exin something that made absolutely no sense.


    "I’m not ready for that," Dennis added quickly.


    "You won’t have a choice," Meredith replied without missing a beat.


    Immediately,ughter spread across the table, unrestrained and genuine, filling the space with a warmth that felt effortless and well earned.


    The rest of the day carried that same energy.


    The pce was alive with presence. Conversations flowed naturally, footsteps echoed without tension, and for once, there was no looming threat waiting beyond the walls.


    There was only life.


    —


    By evening, the atmosphere softened into something quieter.


    A small, meaningful space had been prepared in the pce grounds. It was a ce of remembrance, where names were honoured not only with sorrow but also with gratitude.


    Meredith stood beside Draven, her hand resting lightly in his. Around them stood those who mattered—Dennis and Helena, Rosalie, and Meredith’s grandmother—each present in quiet acknowledgement.


    The wind moved gently through the space, carrying a calm that feltplete.


    "For those who stood with us, and for those who gave everything... we remember," Meredith said softly with a steady voice.


    There were no long speeches or drawn-out sorrow. Just acknowledgement and respect.


    The silence that followed was full. After a while, Draven exhaled quietly beside her, his gaze still forward.


    "It’s still a mystery how Xamira’s body was never found after the war."


    Meredith didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze shifted slightly, toward the distance, where the light of the setting sun stretched across the horizon.


    Then she smiled softly—a quiet, knowing smile. "Let’s hope she is living well and will return home soon," she said, her voice calm and certain.


    Just then, the wind passed through them again, soft and familiar.


    THE END!!!


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