The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 435

"That's all you found out?" Byron asked, his voice calm and unreadable.

Tom hesitated. "Not quite. But I'd rather wait for Macve to wake up so I can apologize to her directly

A soft, confused voice broke the silence. "Why are you apologizing to me?" Maeve had woken up, her face pale, her dark hair framing her features, making her look even more delicate. Tom's face brightened. "You're awake!"

Byron's icy expression softened slightly as he helped Maeve sit up, steadying her by holding her arm. He tucked a pillow behind her to make her more comfortable.

"Are you feeling alright?" Byron asked quietly, gathering Maeve's loose hair and tying it up with a light apricot hairband from his wrist.

The hairband belonged to Maeve. Byron had tied it around his wrist after taking it off the night before while helping her brush her hair.

Tom had noticed it earlier but assumed it was just one of Byron's quirks, never guessing it would actually be used for this purpose. The prince, famously single, was mildly astonished.

Maeve still groggy, found herself completely distracted by his closeness and the scent of cedar enveloping her. Her eyes followed his movements as he carefully gathered her hair. Though his actions were unpracticed, they were surprisingly gentle.

It might have been her foggy senses, but for once, Maeve found "gentle" an oddly fitting word for him, something she'd never have thought possible.

Noticing her shy, darting gaze, Byron acted as if he hadn't noticed. "This is my first attempt at tying hair," he said with rare humility. "Does it look close to how you'd do it?"

Maeve's cheeks flushed. "Yes, just tie it all up," Maeve said in a mumble.

smirked slightly, smoothing a stray strand behind her

quietly, felt like a bit of

with curiosity. "Tom, why did you

keep you from ever returning to Erancia." Regret weighed on Tom's face as he said, "Maeve, I'm sorry. Fiora is my niece, and I bear some responsibility for her actions. I should

well he turned out. Fiora's an adult and should be accountable

and my niece, she has no right to hurt others. And no matter how much my sister tries to shield hér, Fiora will

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Chapter 433

royal, Tom didn't have to support her. The gap between her and the royal family was wide, but Tom

Maeve's attention back. What do

she deservesAs

Loren is polite, focused on his studies, and keeps to himself. He's nothing like most spoiled heirs." Maeve added, "And Tom is also an honorable man. His sister Princess Wren

said, squeezing her hand, "Ever consider that this particular apple isn't part of the same

puzzled. "You

have any royal inheritance rights. So, while she holds the princess title, she has no real power

like these come with the

just making this up to keep me

would I gain from making up stories? To have