The Heir's Secret Bride

Secret Bride 449

Chapter 449

"No! I'm sorry, I misspoke. I'm Maeve Reese," Maeve blurted, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. She wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor. "I was just joking." The Damon couple smiled warmly, their kindness softening the wkward moment. "You have quite the sense of humor. I believe I've seen you at the palace before?" "Yes," Macve replied, forcing a smile. "I used to be a royal designer

Loren chimed in, "She's also a student of my great-great-grandmother."

That little detail wasn't something Maeve shared often, and it clearly caught the Damon couple's attention. Their smiles widened as they handed her a golden business card. "You absolutely have to visit us sometime," they said enthusiastically. With the Damons' endorsement, Maeve suddenly found herself surrounded by introductions and invitations. Business cards stacked up in her hand faster than she could keep track.

Meanwhile, Tom and Loreh stuck close by, flanking her and the two little ones like sentries. Their presence was enough to make anyone with less-than-friendly intentions think twice about approaching.

Not everyone was so welcoming, though. A few people in the crowd recognized Maeve as the daughter of a wanted criminal who had caused Fiora's punishment. They shot her judgmental glances but didn't dare voice their thoughts with Tom around. Will, standing nearby, leaned toward Loren. "Prince Loren, is Princess Fiora here?"

Loren casually pointed to a server across the room. "She is over there, serving drinks. Why?"

Will didn't answer immediately, shaking his head as if brushing off the question.

Even with Sandy's testimony, the police were hesitant to push the investigation. After all, it involved a royal princess, and cases like this always moved at a crawl. There was a real chance Fiora would walk away without any consequences.

It wasn't that Will didn't trust Tom or Loren-they had done everything they could. But Fiora's status complicated everything. Nobody wanted to cross the line and risk the royal family's reputation.

'Unless .... A spark of something sharp and determined flashed in Will's usually calm eyes.

The party picked up pace, transitioning into the ball. As tradition dictated, the first dance began.

All eyes were on Tom as he stepped forward. Loren, along with most of the guests, fully expected him to invite Maeve. But to everyone's surprise, Tom turned to Theo, the young boy by his side. The room went silent for a beat before the whispers it clicked.

1. ed. Loren raised a brow, momentarily caught off guare a ter

The first dance at an event like this was supposed to be with someone special, often a romantic interest. Plenty of noblewomen had been hoping Tom would pick them.

Instead, he completely threw tradition out the window and danced with Theo. Typical Tom. Always doing things his way.

disappointed, but at the same time, they felt relieved. If Tom wasn't going to pick

decided to make his move and ask Maeve to dance. Unfortunately for him, someone beat him

16:57 Sat, De

Chapter 449-

up to Marve with a polite smile and

charming and adorable that she couldn't possibly

Loren stood there like a statue, his jaw clenched in

glaring after them.

noblewoman approached him and asked for a dance he snapped back to his usual cold self. "Sorry, I don't

completely speechless, probably thinking, What kind of prince doesn't

found herself changing dance partners one after another. By the time Loren finally got his chance, she was completely out of breath, her energy

his head at the sight "You need to work on your stamina. Maybe

"Do you think I haven't

when she was first married to Byron. She used to go for nightly runs, full of determination to stay in shape. But in the end, the temptation of the food street always won, and her efforts fizzled out. Tom chuckled, about to tease her further, when someone approached and interrupted. "Your Highness,

an eyebrow.

I know Duke

well."

slightly, as if he knew something the

casual chat. He gave Maeve a quick nod, then

thick with tension. The Queen sat behind her desk, calmly flipping through a document. Her silver-streaked hair and lined face hinted at her age, but the poise

anything, she seemed even more commanding now, like a calm ocean-gentle on the surface

Tom and Loren walked in, the room shifted as the

Tom asked, his tone

questioning Fiora's status. They claim she's not your sister's biological daughter and doesn't have royal blood. That alone makes her position as a princess questionable. "On top of

a princess should act the

table, "is an anonymous report detailing Fiora's misdeeds. People are too afraid to speak out because of her title, but keeping someone like her in the royal family only damages its

frowned, his mind racing. The accusations were shockingly thorough-more so than

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