The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 455

Maeve bit her lip, unsure of what to say. The Queen gently wave her land. "Come here, dear. Come to Grandma,"

As soon as the Queen called her "grandma," Maeve knew that meant her identity had been confirmed.

Maeve's heart skipped a beat. Before she even realized it, she found herself walking toward the Queen, placing her hand in the one the Queen offered, and sitting down beside her.

It felt like when the Queen had first taken her in as a student, offering her that same kind, comforting gesture. But today, it

felt even warmer,

"Tell me, what's on your mind? Don't hold back. You can say whatever you need to," the Queen encouraged in her usual gentle way.

Maeve felt a bit awkward. "So... can I still live like I did before?"

She grew more serious as she spoke. "I've lived as an ordinary person for more than twenty years. I'm used to it. I don't really want to change."

After hesitating for a moment, then she added, "When I was younger, my dream was just to buy a small house with a little garden. I'd plant flowers, grow vegetables, and live a quiet, simple life. Being a princess... that was never on my list." If she said that outside, people might think she was crazy for not appreciating what was being offered.

Every woman had probably dreamed of becoming a princess at some point, but for Maeve, it just wasn't in her vision of the future.

Tom and Loren both felt a sharp pang when they heard her words, especially the part where she said, "I've been an ordinary person for over twenty years."

If she hadn't been taken, Maeve would've been with Loren in the palace.

As Wren's firstborn daughter and the only girl in the direct line, she would've had everything: love, protection, the best life.

Instead, an accident changed everything, and Maeve had to endure so many struggles before finally finding her way back to

them.

Loren couldn't help but feel tears welling up again. He wished so badly that he could've been the one who had been taken instead of her.

The Queen smiled at Maeve, her eyes full of warmth. "Of course, you can choose the life you your family, Maeve, and we will support you no matter what. Don't worry about a thing." want. That's your right. We're

Maeve's chest felt a little lighter at those words, the unease she had been carrying easing just

"Even if I don't want my identity revealed?" she asked softly, testing the waters.

a

bit.

envisioning an elaborate ceremony to introduce his niece to the world,

slumped slightly, clearly disappointed. He had been so

was.

but firm. "That's exactly what I want to talk

frowned, confused. "Why

the seconds to tell the world about Maeve and officially claim her as his

serious, though her tone stayed calm. "Tom, have you forgotten what Loren has gone through all these

thrown off. 'Gone through

he let out

looked down, his earlier excitement dimming.

him being a child born out of wedlock had followed him everywhere in

in Erancia, even as progressive as it claimed to be, royal family members

but he knew how damaging it was. He didn't want his sister to go

in danger. What happened with Fiora before-there's a chance someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes." Of course, that didn't mean Fiora wasn't responsible for her actions. She absolutely

part, Tom couldn't even tell who the real target was. Maybe it was Maeve, or maybe it was Loren, and she just got caught in the crossfire because

way, revealing Maeve's identity now would only stir up more

two boys, who had been standing quietly on the sidelines, couldn't keep still any longer. Hearing that someone was after their mom lit a fire

you have any idea who's behind this?" Theo asked Tom, his voice

And now that I think about it, they probably already know who she

sent to live in a sanatorium, out of sight, out of mind. They're stripped of everything-no title,

nodded grimly. "So, that's their

why they would use someone like Fiora. She's the perfect

as she thought back to everything that had happened. Henry's name popped into her mind. If he could tamper with a paternity test, there had to

only complicate her life even more. Warm and reassuring. "Maeve, I understand that this isn't the right time to The Queen reached for Maeve's hand, her

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Chapter 433

been counting down the seconds to tell the world about Maeve and officially claim her as Iris sister.

grew serious, though her tone stayed calm. "Tom, have you forgotten what Loren has gone through

blinked, thrown off. 'Gone

jaw tightened, and he let out a slow breath. "No, I

looked down, his earlier excitement dimming.

despite the family's protection, the rumor everywhere in the