The Heir's Secret Bride

Maeve shuffled through the heavy stack of documents, her mind drifting back to the nonsense she'd read online about Francia.

Some people actually thought this country was poor.

'Poor? She glanced at the sheer amount of wealth she was holding in her hands. 'What kind of poor look like this?'

She figured it was because Erancia had always kept things quiet on the global stage. Reserved. Low-key.

If she hadn't been living here for the past four years, maybe she had have fallen for the rumors too. But the reality was worlds apart.

Tom, now the crown prince, rarely had any downtime. Spending half a day with Maeve and the family today was a small miracle. Once she'd finished signing the mountain of paperwork he pulled her aside, ready to leave. Before heading off, he gave her a pointed reminder not to bring up her biological father during dinner with Wren. It was too much for Wren right now, especially with her health.

Maeve nodded quickly. "Got it. Don't worry, I won't mention it. By the way, I'm planning to visit Princess Wren later, with Byron."

Tom's face darkened immediately. "So you're really set on him? That's it? You know, I've got plenty of exceptional young men who'd be thrilled to meet you. All kinds of options.

"You could rotate through them if you wanted. Women need to be bold! Don't just settle for one crooked jerk."

It was clear that, in Tom's eyes, anyone trying to take his niece away was a jerk in some way. He was determined to knock them down first.

Maeve almost burst out laughing but quickly stole a glance at Byron, who was seated nearby, and tried to hold her

composure.

"Uhm, I've liked him for over four years," she said softly.

Tom let out a long, dramatic sigh, looking at her like Byron had somehow stolen the greatest treasure. Then his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Wait a second, what exactly brought you to Erancia four years ago?"

Maeve froze, panic flashing across her face. "Well... aren't you super busy? Shouldn't you get going?" she said, awkwardly trying to change the subject.

Tom frowned but reluctantly checked his watch. He sighed again and dropped the topic-for now.

That evening, Maeve found herself in a private dining room on the top floor of the Royal Hospital. It looked nothing like a hospital, more like a five-star restaurant. The chandelier above cast colorful reflections across the room, adding to its lavish charm.

As Maeve watched Byron, now chatting and laughing effortlessly with Princess Wren, she couldn't help but marvel at how easily he fit in.

This morning, he had been having tea with Her Majesty. Now, he was entertaining the Princess like it was second nature.

He didn't seem the least bit inferior in front of them. If anything, it was like he was on the same level as everyone else; calm, confident, and just... himself.

Not too humble, not too proud, just in control. He stood just as tall as any of those titled royals.

20:08

Maeve couldn't help but notice this side of Byron for the first time. It made her realize she didn't really know him as well as she thought. She'd thought she had figured him out, but clearly, here was more to him than she had assumed. After all, a regular businessman wouldn't be having a face-to-face chat with the Queen,

Maeve suddenly found herself wondering, 'Was there more to Byron than she knew?"

"Why are you zoning out?" Byron's voice broke through her thoughts. "Focus on your food, it's bad for your stomach if you don't." He placed some peeled prawn meat on her plate, making sure she had enough.

The two little ones, seeing Byron doing it, were quick to follow his lead, peeling prawns with extra determination. They definitely didn't want to fall behind their dad.

Before long, Maeve's plate was piled high with prawn meat.

Wren then asked Byron what he did for a living. Byron just casually replied that he ran a few companies, both locally and internationally. Small businesses. Maeve almost choked on the prawn. "So modest," she murmured amused.

Wren's smile faded just a little. "I see."

After dinner, Maeve spent a bit more time with Wren before heading out with Byron.

Byron was driving, and he casually asked, "So, are we heading back to Iredale Palace?"

Maeve glanced at the route and shook her head. "You've already decided, haven't you? Why are you even asking?"

It was obvious he didn't want to take her back to the palace, but he was trying to play it cool.

"What I'm doing is one thing, but I still have to ask," he said with a teasing grin.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

"Seriously?"

Byron chuckled, then noticed the kids sleeping in the backseat, heads pressed against the rearview mirror. He slowed down slightly. After a moment, he said, "Your mom seems to have a problem with my

work."

"Really?" Maeve asked, surprised. She hadn't noticed anything. Wren had seemed totally fine with Byron.

"It's easy to miss when you're busy eating," Byron teased.

Maeve lowered her voice so as not to wake the kids. "Wasn't it you who told me to focus eating?" she shot back, grinning.

"Why did you listen to me though?" Byron asked.

"Don't switch," Maeve replied, sounding casual. "Why do you think Princess Wren has a problem with your work?"

"I just guessed," Byron shrugged. "Or maybe I'm just a bit nervous around my future mother-in-law. Overthinking, you know?"

Future mother-in-law?' Maeve's ears heated up at the thought. She muttered, "It's strange that you're nervous. You're way smoother than me, her actual daughter. You had Wren laughing non-stop."

In front of her, he seemed fearless, saying whatever came to his mind. But when it came to the Queen or Wren, he was always a perfect gentleman.

Suddenly, something clicked in Maeve's head. She turned to him, curiosity creeping in. "How did you even get into the

5

palace today?"

"Can't you tell Byron smirked, teasing her.

"What?"

"It's written all over my face. 'Maeve's fiancé' in big letters. I walked in like I belonged there."

Maeve rolled her eyes. He really knows how to mess with me.'

60%

Just then, Byron slammed on the brakes, and the car screeched to a halt. The loud noise woke up the two little ones in the backseat.

Maeve jumped in her seat, heart racing. She had seen a shadow dart out from the side of the road, and if Byron hadn't reacted fast, they would've hit it. "Stay in the car," Byron said, voice cold, as he got out.

Maeve glanced at the figure blocking the road-it looked familiar. She turned to the kids, telling them to stay put, and then followed Byron out of the car.

"Fiora, are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Maeve yelled, storming over.

"If you want to die, fine, but don't drag us down with you!" she snapped, furious.

After that, Maeve finally got a proper look at her. Under the headlights, Fiora's hair was all tangled and filthy, and Maeve couldn't believe how quickly she had fallen apart in just a few days.

Byron's bodyguards moved in, ready to take her away.

"Take her to the police station," Byron said, his voice icy.

But before they could leave, Fiora struggled and shouted, "If you send me to the cops, I swear Maeve will be dead tomorrow!"

Byron's face froze at her words. His eyes narrowed as he shot Fiora a chilling look. "Explain. Clearly."

Fiora, clearly shaken, shrank back under his glare. She gulped before speaking quickly, "Okay, so yeah, I wanted to hurt Maeve before, but I never planned on killing her. Someone else made me do it and set me up." She looked around nervously. "I'll tell you who it is, but you've gotta give me money and protect me. If not, they'll come after me next."

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