The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 460

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.

floor of the Royal Hospital. It looked nothing like

laughing effortlessly with Princess Wren, she couldn't help but

having tea with Her Majesty. Now, he was entertaining the

front of them. If anything, it was like he was on the same level as everyone else; calm, confident, and just...

in control. He stood just as tall as any of

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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,

suddenly found herself wondering, 'Was there

zoning out?" Byron's voice broke through her thoughts. "Focus on your food, it's bad for your

his lead, peeling prawns with extra determination. They

Maeve's plate was piled

just casually replied that he ran a few

just a

Maeve spent a bit more time with Wren before heading out

was driving, and he casually asked, "So, are

her head. "You've already decided, haven't you? Why are you even

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

still have to ask," he said with a

"Seriously?"

rearview mirror. He slowed down slightly. After a

work."

asked, surprised. She hadn't noticed anything.

easy to miss when you're busy eating," Byron

to wake the kids. "Wasn't it you who told me to focus eating?"

did you listen to me though?" Byron

sounding casual. "Why do you think Princess Wren has a

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

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

saying whatever came to his mind. But when it came to the Queen or Wren, he was always a