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.

a private dining room on the top floor of the Royal Hospital. It looked nothing like a hospital, more like a five-star restaurant. The chandelier above cast colorful reflections across the room, adding to its lavish

watched Byron, now chatting and laughing effortlessly with Princess Wren, she couldn't help but marvel at how easily he

been having tea with Her Majesty. Now,

If anything, it was like he was on the

just in control. He stood just

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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

herself wondering, 'Was there more to Byron than she

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

ones, seeing Byron doing it, were quick to follow his lead, peeling prawns with extra determination.

long, Maeve's plate was

then asked Byron what he did for a living. Byron just casually replied that he ran a few companies, both locally and internationally. Small

just a little. "I

a bit more time with

driving, and he casually asked, "So, are we heading back

at the route and shook her head. "You've already decided,

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

I'm doing is one thing, but I still have to ask," he said with a teasing

"Seriously?"

heads pressed against the rearview mirror. He

work."

noticed anything. Wren had seemed totally

when you're busy

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

you listen to me though?" Byron

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

shrugged. "Or maybe I'm just a bit

heated up at the thought. She muttered, "It's strange that you're nervous. You're way smoother than

mind. But when it