[redith].
The accusation in Draven’s tone was almost childish.
"Soone had to." I shrugged innocently.
His gaze narrowed. And before I could react, his arm shot out.
"Draven—!"
He grabbed my waist and dragged down onto the bed beside him. I landed with a startled laugh, half-tangled in the blankets.
"You are really sothing!" I protested.
Draven rolled onto his side, one arm still firmly around so I couldn’t escape. His hair was a ss now, falling over his eyes, and he looked thoroughly unimpressed with the world.
"You woke up," he repeated, with a low, grumpy voice.
"That is because you were sleeping like a dead wolf."
"I was resting."
"You were snoring," I teased.
His eyes narrowed again. "redith, I do not snore in my sleep."
"You do," I argued, properly swallowing my laughter.
"I don’t," he insisted.
"You absolutely do." I raised a brow of defiance.
Draven pulled a little closer. "Careful," he murmured. "You are insulting your King."
I smiled sweetly. "My King was drooling on his pillow."
For a mont, he just stared at . Then a slow, dangerous smile appeared on his lips. "Oh, really?"
Before I could say anything else, he shifted and pinned lightly against the mattress, his arm braced beside my head.
My breath caught. His expression softened as he looked down at . "You ca here just to bully this morning?"
"Soone has to keep you humble."
His thumb brushed lightly against my cheek. "Is that so?" The teasing edge in his voice faded as sothing warr replaced it.
Then, his gaze moved slowly across my face as if morizing every detail. "I didn’t see you when I woke up the first ti," he said quietly. "So, I assud you had already started your day, but clearly not."
He looked up and down, taking in my looks and noting that I was still in my night robe. "Working again?"
"Writing to my grandmother."
Draven humd softly. Then his fingers slid gently through my hair, pushing a loose strand away from my face.
For a mont, neither of us spoke. The silence between us was comfortable and safe.
His gaze softened even more. "You know," he murmured, "most Queens would let their King sleep in peace."
I tilted my head slightly. "Most Kings don’t drag their Queens onto the bed like hoodlums."
He chuckled quietly. The sound vibrated through his chest. Then he leaned down and pressed a warm, gentle, slow kiss to my forehead. "Give five minutes."
When he pulled back, his hand settled against my waist. "I’ve missed this," he admitted quietly.
I blinked. "This?"
"Just... you." His thumb brushed against my side absentmindedly. "No council etings. No elders complaining. No dealing with enemies."
A small smile curved my lips. "I have missed it too." His gaze deepened, and in this mont, there was only my mate.
Draven leaned down again, this ti pressing a soft kiss against my lips, just slow and warm and familiar.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against mine. "Stay a little longer," he murmured.
I smiled. "The heroes of Stormveil are waiting for their King."
"Let them wait."
"You are neglecting your duties. That’s terrible of you."
"I know." His arms tightened around slightly, pulling closer against his chest. "I need five minutes," he said lazily.
I laughed softly. "Your Majesty, you said that ten minutes ago."
Draven closed his eyes again, clearly unmoved. "Then five more."
---
Two hours later, Draven and I walked side by side down the long hallway. As we approached the grand hall, the palace announcer stepped forward.
His voice rang loudly. "His Majesty, King Draven Oatrun, and Her Majesty, Queen redith Carter!"
The large doors swung open. Draven and I entered together. Instantly, everyone stood up.
The hall was filled with Stormveil’s leaders—Royal Alphas, council elders, warrior commanders, nobles, and many of the n and won who had fought during the vampire invasion.
As we walked down the long aisle, everyone bowed deeply. "Your Majestys."
Draven acknowledged them with a slight nod but did not slow his pace. Together we ascended the steps toward our thrones. I sat beside him as he took his seat.
Then, he lifted his hand. "You may sit."
Everyone returned to their seats, and the hall gradually quieted.
"Today," he began, his deep voice echoing across the hall, "Stormveil gathers not to celebrate power... but to honour sacrifice."
The room grew even more attentive.
"So weeks ago, our land was invaded by vampires. An enemy bold enough to infiltrate our borders and attack the very heart of our kingdom."
His gaze swept across the warriors present. "Yet Stormveil did not fall."
A murmur of pride passed through the hall.
"That is because of the n and won who fought without hesitation to protect their people. So of you are present here today. Others are currently defending the Great Wall and cannot attend."
He paused for a bit "But every single one of you will receive the recognition you deserve."
The warriors straightened proudly. Draven continued. "To protect others without thinking of oneself... that is the highest honour a warrior can hold."
His expression darkened slightly. "We must also rember those who did not return from that battle."
The hall grew sombre, everyone reflecting on that huge sacrifice.
"They gave their lives protecting Stormveil. Their families will receive the rewards ant for them, and their nas will forever be rembered as heroes."
For a mont, the hall was silent. Then Draven gestured toward Oscar, who stepped forward, holding a long scroll.
He unfurled it carefully and announced, "The following nas will now be called."
The ceremony began. One by one, nas were called. Each person stepped forward, bowed before the throne, and received their reward—promotions, money, land, and recognition.
The ceremony continued for quite so ti. Then Oscar’s voice rang out again. "Wanda Fellowes and Levi Fellowes."
There was a subtle stir in the hall as Wanda and her brother rose and stepped forward. Then they bowed respectfully before Draven and .
Oscar continued reading. "For their outstanding contribution in protecting the people of Stormveil during the vampire invasion, Wanda Fellowes and Levi Fellowes are hereby promoted and granted the opportunity to take the examination required to join Stormveil’s highest warrior battalion."
A soft murmur spread through the crowd. The elite battalion was not easily accessible. If they passed the examination, it would be a significant step upward.
Wanda and Levi bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After receiving their recognition, they stepped aside and returned to their seats. The ceremony continued. Eventually, the final nas were called.
Oscar rolled the scroll slightly, then he paused. "There is... one more na," he ntioned as he folded the scroll respectfully and turned toward Draven.
Draven rose from his seat, and his voice imdiately carried across the hall. "There is a very important heroine whose na was not written on this list."
The hall grew curious. Head turned, and a few whispers were exchanged. Even I was curious, so my brows knit lightly.
"This person is the very reason Stormveil is still standing today." Draven continued. "Without this individual, Stormveil would have fallen, and every leader in this room might now be living as slaves under our enemies."
A ripple of confusion passed through the hall. Then realization slowly dawned on . I quickly turned to look at him.
Draven’s gaze briefly t mine before he continued. "And this person protected , the Council of Elders, and the Royal Alphas during the vampire attack."
Then he said clearly, "Her Majesty... Queen redith."
For a mont, I forgot to breathe. Everyone in the hall rose to their feet, and applause erupted. The sound echoed through the grand hall.
I stared at Draven, completely stunned. My na had not been on the list. He had never ntioned this. But slowly, I rose from my seat.
My heart was still racing as I stepped down from the platform. When I reached the centre of the hall, I turned and offered a deep bow toward him.
Draven’s voice reached almost imdiately. "You may rise."
I did. Then he spoke again. "For her courage in defending Stormveil and protecting its leadership, Queen redith Carter is hereby granted the rank of Commander."
Soft whispers spread across the hall.
"She is permitted to raise and lead her own battalion of warriors who will swear loyalty to Stormveil."
More murmurs followed, but my gaze never left Draven. He stepped down from his throne, and a servant approached him carrying a tray. On it rested three golden star-shaped emblems.
Draven picked them up one by one and stopped before . Carefully, he clipped them to my shoulder one after the other. When he finished, I bowed again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He reached out and gently helped rise. Then, in front of everyone, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my cheek.
Warm applause filled the hall again. I smiled faintly and turned around, and everyone bowed deeply imdiately.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Their voices echoed through the hall.
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