The Heir's Secret Bride

COMMENT Chapter

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Maeve didn't want to stay too long, worried Wren's body might not be able to handle it. But every time she looked into Wren's bright brown eyes, she just couldn't bring herself to leave

"It's fine if you have something to do," Wren said with a soft smile "I'm used to waiting, so don't worry about me. Go ahead and take care of your business."

Maeve quickly shook her head. "No, I don't have anything urgent I'll stay and talk with you."

"Are you sure I'm not bothering you?"

"No, not at all. I don't have anything else to do today."

Wren's smile faltered slightly, and a hint of sadness crept in. "What if you're busy next time I try to find you? I don't want to be a burden. I've been away from everyone for so long, I'm afraid I don't know where I stand anymore and being a burden." Anyone who saw the delicate sadness in Wren's eyes would have felt sympathy towards her.

Maeve quickly reassured her, "You're not a burden, not at all. You can reach out to me whenever you want!"

"Maybe we should exchange contact info, then?" Wren suggested, her smile coming back.

"Of course!" Maeve was relieved to see Wren so happy.

Wren finally smiled fully, her eyes lighting up. If it weren't for the strain on her body, she would have kept talking to Maeve, wanting to learn more about her life and past.

Before leaving, Maeve had been on the verge of asking about her biological father, but when she saw how pale Wren looked, she couldn't bring herself to ask something that might hurt her again. So she quietly left the room.

That man, whoever he was, was nothing more than a scumbag who abandoned his family. Maeve wasn't all that interested in knowing who he was.

After such an emotionally draining day, Maeve was already feeling exhausted.

Tom suggested they head back to the palace for the night. Since the room had already been prepared, she figured it would be easier to rest there, so she agreed.

When they got there, Maeve was surprised to find that Tom had also prepared rooms for the two little guys.

The room was pretty much the same as hers, except for a few extras; a high-end sliding castle, building blocks, unicorn rocking horses, and a bunch of other fun toys for kids.

The two little ones quickly cornered Tom. "I didn't know you were this childish, Uncle Tom!"

Tom rubbed the tip of his nose, a little caught off guard. "Your mom said you needed a complete childhood experience."

Maeve didn't exactly remember saying that, but it must've been when Tom asked why her kids were so smart but didn't skip grades and instead stayed in a regular kindergarten. That was how she had explained it back then. Tom figured it made sense now. The kids were already working so hard, and he felt pretty useless as their uncle.

Just then, Loren's voice rang out from the door. "Will, Theo! Got something for you!" He grinned, showing them a box.

These are the newest fireworks from my factory. They're amazing! Let's set them off in the open space, we won't get caught this time!"

He pulled out fireworks that looked like they could create a mushroom cloud in the sky.

III

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Tom was left speechless, and so were Will and Theo. They were quietly stepping back, as if saying, "Stay away!"

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Meanwhile, Maeve wasn't worried about the kids-Tom had it covered. She shut the door and decided to take a nice bath to unwind.

The tub wasn't too deep, but the water was just right, and Macve felt the stress of the day start to fade away.

Then, her phone rang. She saw that it was Byron calling.

She didn't know how he always managed to call just when she was in the bath.

"Byron, you're done early today?" Maeve said, setting the phone on speaker and sinking into the water. Her voice was soft. "How long until you're home?" Byron's deep voice came through the phone with a hint of amusement. "Yeah, I'm early today. Came back to surprise you, but when I got to the villa ...."

He paused, a dark chuckle in his voice. "My wife and kids were gone."

This was awkward.

So awkward, in fact, that Maeve couldn't even correct him about saying "wife and kids." She muttered, "Why did you feel the need to make a surprise? If you'd let us know, we could've waited for you at home." "So where are you? Want me to pick you up?"

Maeve quickly said there was no need, then admitted with a slight blush, "Byron, I actually found my family today."

"Wait, your family?"

"Yeah, my real family," Maeve teased. "Wanna guess who they are? Bet you won't figure it out."

"Tom?"

Maeve blinked, surprised. "How did you guess him?"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"Just a random guess. Did I get it right?" Byron's voice had a playful edge. "So, which relative is he?"

"Why do I feel like you're enjoying this a little too much?" Maeve scratched her cheek, then added, "He is my uncle. Princess Wren is my biological mom. I never even considered that before today." She spoke with a hint of confusion in her voice as she recalled everything.

"Byron, how can I be a princess?"

Byron chuckled. "Why not? You absolutely can be."

"I don't know, it just doesn't seem real, and....'

"Maeve." His voice softened. "What are you scared of?"

Maeve leaned back, the tiles warm from the hot water. The temperature was just right>

She held her phone and muttered, "Honestly, I'm really worried I won't be able to do gardening. Isn't this completely against the princess etiquette? You don't know what it's like for a princess who's not directly in line. "I'll get a crazy schedule-work and all these parties to go to. And if I don't get everything right, the media will make a huge

deal out of it.

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"I'm scared of living without any freedom."

She was even more afraid that she wouldn't live up to the princess expectations and make the royal family look bad.

Byron stayed quiet for a moment, and Maeve frowned. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I'm not really good at comforting people," Byron said, his voice faintly coming through the phone along with some noise from downstairs. "But if you want to leave, I can pick you up right now."

*5)

Maeve froze. Her heart felt like it was about to burst, not with panic but with warmth-a comforting kind of heat that spread through her.

Her heart calmed down, and all the worry, fear, and doubts seemed to vanish.

'But you can't come in, Maeve's ears went red as she reminded him, 'How are you gonna get me out of here?'

"But you can't come in," Maeve's ears went red as she reminded him, "How are you gonna get me out of here?"

"I have my ways," Byron's voice dropped a little, softening. "So, do you want me to come get you?"

It was like he was telling her that no matter what stood in his way, he would find a way to get to her, if she just said the word.

Maeve opened her mouth, unsure if it was because she'd been in the bath too long or if his words had made her head spin, but she felt something stir inside her.