The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 437

Fiora's teeth chattered as panic set in. She knew her uncle wasn't bluffing. He really would throw her out of the palace if he

had to.

Desperate, Fiora tried to play on his sympathy, bringing up her mother. "Uncle, Mother's health is already fragile. If she hears about this, it could be too much for her."

Tom's expression turned frigid. He'd thought Fiora was just spoiled and reckless, but he hadn't expected her to manipulate even her own mother's condition to avoid punishment. At that moment, he lost any last hope of redeeming her.

"From now on," Tom said coldly, "you're no longer Princess Fior. You'll work as a maid in the palace for three months. After that, we'll see if you've earned back your title."

The words hit Fiora like a thunderclap, and her face crumpled as tears welled up. 'How can he do this to me? I was born a princess! What right did he have to take that away? Fiora thought

News of Fiora's demotion quickly spread throughout the palace. Nurses at Royal Hospital whispered about the fall of the once-proud princess.

"My uncle's a viscount, and yesterday, I saw the princess, or maid now, scrubbing floors with a sour face!" one nurse laughed. "I remember her sneering, 'I'm a princess. Who do you think you are? Well, look at her now!" another said. "None of the other princes or princesses act as spoiled as her," a nurse said.

"Isn't the royal family embarrassed by this?" someone asked.

"It's more than punishment. Fiora abused her status to kidnap someone. This is a warning to everyone else," another nurse said.

if anything could get through to her, this might be it, though Maeve found it unlikely. Beside Maeve, Byron sighed, watching her practically lean into the bushes to catch every word. Gently, he

listening in, saying, "It's like hearing a live broadcast. They're saying Fiora tried to

queen

for

bit of gossip caught Maeve's attention. "Oh! Apparently, there's a princess who wraps herself in plastic wrap at banquets to

continued excitedly, "And then there's the eighteenth prince of Rebon who once got so drunk he thought he

daylight. Before Maeve could delve further, Byron scooped her up. Startled, Maeve clutched his neck, her eyes wide. "What are you

need to

back to the ward. Maeve

her love for juicy

a plump peach from the fruit plate,

fruit, Maeve's

to peel the fruit, Maeve's expression changed instantly. When she saw the tip of the knife pointing toward her, a wave of dizziness hit her. Her legs went weak, and she sank into a seat. Luckily, the bed was behind her. The sudden movement made a loud sound, and her legs felt numb

al

and after realizing what was going on he put the knife away. Maeve felt better, but her

asked as he walked over and gently lifted her into his arms. He spoke

suddenly appeared in her mind, making her grab Byron's

want to try," Maeve replied, clenching her