The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 640: Mabel, The Criminal

[Third Person].

A few days later, the storm that had once threatened Meredith’s name had completely quieted.

The fearful whispers had softened into cautious admiration, and then into open praise. The streets of Stormveil no longer murmured about a dangerous fae Queen. Instead, they spoke of the Queen who had stood between their King and death. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

And on that bright afternoon, the palace training grounds echoed with the sharp clash of steel.

Meredith and Draven faced each other in the centre of the arena, dressed in fitted training clothes. Their titles had been left at the edge of the sand with their cloaks.

Here, they were not King and Queen. They were a warrior and a warrior.

Steel rang against steel as Meredith lunged forward, her blade flashing beneath the sun. Draven parried smoothly, pivoted, and attempted to sweep her legs from beneath her. She twisted away with a laugh, silver hair snapping behind her like a banner of defiance.

Around them, the royal warriors watched in disciplined silence, though admiration burned in their eyes. Their rulers did not hide behind thrones; they fought.

An hour passed in a blur of movement. Meredith feinted left, then struck right. Draven barely blocked in time, their blades locking close enough for him to murmur, "You are getting reckless."

She grinned. "You are getting slow."

He shoved her back. She spun, regained balance, and rushed him again.

Sweat glistened on their skin. Sand clung to their boots. Laughter broke through the sharp rhythm of combat more than once.

When Draven finally disarmed her with a swift twist of his wrist, Meredith stepped back, breathing hard but smiling.

"Again," she demanded.

"You’ve had enough humiliation for today," he replied smoothly.

She snorted, and this time managed to hook her foot behind his ankle and shove him just enough to disrupt his stance.

The watching warriors broke into soft, impressed murmurs. Eventually, both decided to end the session.

Servants hurried forward with warm towels. Meredith wiped her face and neck, still catching her breath, while Draven rolled his shoulders, entirely too pleased with himself.

"You refused to let me win," Meredith accused lightly.

Draven arched a brow. "If I let you win so easily, I am unworthy of being your instructor."

She shot him a look. "If the student does not surpass the teacher, then the teacher has failed."

He smirked shamelessly. "Surpass me if you must. Just not today."

She laughed, the sound bright and unburdened. And it was in this moment of ease that Oscar entered the training grounds.

He bowed deeply. "Your Majesty. Your Majesty."

Draven immediately noticed the severity in his expression and asked, "What is it?"

Oscar straightened with a tight jaw. "I have found the source of the rumours."

Instantly, the air shifted as the warmth between King and Queen cooled into something sharper.

Draven studied him. "Who?"

Oscar hesitated briefly as his gaze flickered towards Meredith. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Speak."

Oscar then returned his focus to Draven. "The culprit," he said carefully, "is Her Majesty’s older sister... Miss Mabel Carter."

A wave of silence fell. Draven’s expression darkened first. "It seems Miss Carter learned nothing in Duskmoor," he said coldly. "To challenge my mate again."

Meredith did not look shocked or confused. She looked... disappointed.

Of course, she knew her siblings. She knew the bitterness that had lived in their hearts long before she ever wore a crown. But this?

To attempt to turn an entire kingdom against her?

Her fingers tightened around the towel in her hand. In that quiet space within herself, she made a decision. Blood did not excuse betrayal.

If anyone came for her, whether it be a sibling or a stranger, they would answer for it.

Just then, her gaze hardened, and she turned to Oscar. "What are you waiting for? Go and arrest the criminal."

Oscar blinked in surprise. He had delayed the arrest out of respect—out of caution, believing perhaps the King and Queen would choose to handle it privately. But the Queen’s voice held no hesitation. No mercy. Only justice.

Still, protocol required one final confirmation, so he turned to Draven, awaiting his command.

On the other hand, Draven did not look at Meredith. He did not question her. Instead, he said evenly to Oscar, "Draft a Royal Decree for the arrest of Mabel Carter. Bring it to me for my seal."

Then his eyes sharpened. "After that, you may proceed."

Oscar bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty."

As he turned to leave, the training grounds felt different. The laughter had faded. The King and Queen stood side by side, no longer just sparring partners, but rulers preparing to make an example out of someone.

Meredith’s expression remained composed. Her family was about to learn that the Queen’s mercy was not a sign of weakness.

---

~Carter Estate~

The late afternoon sunlight streamed into the Carter residence when the sound of hooves and armoured boots broke the silence.

Servants froze, their shocked gaze darting around.

Monique looked up from her embroidery. Gary frowned. Mabel, who had been pacing restlessly since morning, stilled as the front doors were pushed open.

Oscar entered first, looking calm and dignified, followed by armed royal guards.

Gabriel Carter rose at once. "Lord Elrod? To what do we owe—"

Oscar did not return the pleasantry. He casually unrolled a scroll bearing the royal seal.

"In accordance with the authority vested in His Majesty, King Draven Oatrun," he began evenly, "this Royal Decree orders the immediate arrest of Miss Mabel Carter for the crime of deliberately inciting civil unrest, spreading malicious falsehoods against the Crown, and attempting to destabilize Stormveil."

The words struck the room like a physical blow. Margaret gasped. Monique’s face drained of colour while Gary stared in disbelief.

Gabriel’s expression stiffened. "There must be a mistake somewhere."

But Oscar’s gaze had already shifted to Mabel. "There is no mistake. Our investigation traced the origin of the malicious rumours against Her Majesty, the Queen, directly to Miss Mabel Carter."

Almost immediately, every head turned toward Mabel. Shock rippled across her siblings’ faces.

"You?" Monique whispered.

Gary’s jaw tightened. "You started it?"

When both of them had been enjoying the spread of the rumours some days back, none of them had ever suspected Mabel to be behind it. Now, they were in for a shocking surprise.