[Third Person].
An hour later...
The dining room was set, this ti for three.
redith 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 a comfort that settled naturally between them.
The al began. And almost imdiately, redith reached for a dish and placed food onto her grandmother’s plate.
"You should eat more of this," she said. "It’s fresh."
Before her grandmother could respond, redith added sothing else. "And this too."
Across the table, Draven watched. Then, without a word, he mirrored her actions—placing food onto her plate just as steadily.
But redith barely noticed. Her attention remained fixed on her grandmother.
"Grandma, you’ve lost weight," redith continued. "You need to eat properly while you are here."
Her grandmother smiled faintly, the soft glow in her white eyes reflecting sothing deeper than sight.
"Edith," she said gently, "feed yourself."
redith didn’t stop. "I’m fine," she replied. "I’m not that hungry." Another piece of food landed on her grandmother’s plate 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 ho."
redith 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," redith said imdiately. "I will eat."
Across from them, Draven’s lips curved faintly. Without comnt, he picked up a spoon, scooped a portion of food, and leaned slightly forward.
"Open."
redith glanced 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, asured and unhurried, making sure she ate properly this ti.
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 welcod them outside.
redith walked beside her grandmother, holding her arm gently as they strolled along the palace grounds. The guards followed at a respectful distance, far enough not to intrude, close enough to remain vigilant.
Their pace was slow and comfortable.
"Tell ," her grandmother said after a while, "is he treating you well?"
redith 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 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 small laugh escaped her. "Sotis, it’s too much."
Her grandmother listened quietly, but there was satisfaction in her expression. "I see," she said softly. "That is good."
redith nodded, still smiling.
By the ti they returned inside, the calm of the evening had settled fully over the palace. They made their way toward the living area.
Inside, Draven sat with Oscar, discussing sothing in low tones. But the mont redith and her grandmother entered, Oscar rose imdiately.
He bowed. "Your Majesty."
Then, without delay, he excused himself and left.
anwhile, Draven walked towards them with a faint smile on his lips. "How was your walk?" he asked. Then he reached out, gently assisting redith’s grandmother as she took her seat.
"It was comforting," redith replied, settling beside her grandmother. Her voice carried a quiet contentnt.
Draven stepped back, moved to the opposite couch, and sat. Then he glanced between them briefly.
"Grandma, you’ve just arrived. If you are tired, you can retire early."
The old lady gave a small shake of her head. "There is sothing important I want to discuss with you."
Draven straightened slightly. "There is ti," he replied. "You can rest first, then we can speak tomorrow."
redith nodded in agreent. "Yes, Grandma. You just got here—"
But her grandmother did not yield. "I do not wish to delay it," she said calmly. "I am here now. And there is no gain in waiting."
The firmness in her voice left little room for argunt.
redith glanced at Draven. He held her gaze briefly, then gave a small nod. "Alright," he said.
The room grew still again, then the old lady 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 ntioned as much in your letter." Then, he quickly added, "I am willing to hear them. Whatever they are, I will et them."
"First, once we have fulfilled our role, the werewolves will not seek us out," she said calmly. But beneath their words, the aning was not light.
Right then, a quiet tension entered the room.
"There was a ti," 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 mont. And Draven did not attempt to break it.
"I will not allow that to happen again," the old lady stated.
"It won’t." Draven’s voice was steady. "You have my word. The faes will not be pursued."
The old lady gave a small nod. "Second," she said, "those who co with ... will be under your protection."
"They will be safe," Draven replied imdiately. "No harm will co 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 mont, it seed the conversation had ended, but then, she grew quiet. Too quiet. The calm in her expression shifted subtly, sothing deeper surfacing beneath it.
Then she spoke again. "There may not be much ti before the Great War after Edit gives birth to the royal twins."
Draven’s gaze sharpened as her statent settled heavily into the room. redith’s expression changed as well.
They both knew Estella would declare war, as she had promised. But if she did that when redith isn’t fit enough to fight, then it wouldn’t be beneficial for the Weres.
Just then, the old lady’s brows creased further with unmistakable worry. redith saw this and leaned forward slightly. "Grandma... what is it?"
For a mont, the old lady remained quiet, then she shook her head. "It is nothing."
Draven didn’t accept that. "If there is sothing 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.
redith and Draven exchanged a glance because whatever she had seen, which was enough to make even her hesitate, must be sothing serious.
Reviews
All reviews (0)