The Heir's Secret Bride

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.

Tom, who had already been envisioning an elaborate ceremony to introduce his niece to the world, froze mid-thought. "Why wouldn't you want to reveal your identity?"

His shoulders slumped slightly, clearly disappointed. He had been so ready to show everyone just how incredible his niece

was.

The Queen held up a hand, her voice gentle but firm. "That's exactly what I want to talk about. Maeve's identity can't be made public-at least not yet."

Loren frowned, confused. "Why not, Grandma?"

111

16.30 Mon,

He had been counting down, the seconds to tell the world about Maeve and officially claim her as his sister. Tom and Loren both seemed so focused on their excitement that they hadn't considered the bigger picture.

The Queen's expression grew serious, though her tone stayed calm. "Tom, have you forgotten what Loren has gone through all these years?"Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

Maeve blinked, thrown off. 'Gone through what?'

Tom's jaw tightened, and he let out a slow breath. "No, I haven't forgotten."

Loren looked down, his earlier excitement dimming. The memories clearly weighed on him.

The truth was, despite the family's protection, the rumors about him being a child born out of wedlock had followed him everywhere in the grand palace.

And in Erancia, even as progressive as it claimed to be, royal family members were still held to strict standards.

Loren had endured it all quietly, but he knew how damaging it was. He didn't want his sister to go through that. Not ever.

Tom exhaled, pulling himself back together. "You're right. I got carried away." His face darkened slightly as he continued, "But there's something else. Maeve might already be 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 was. But the person pulling the strings behind her was on a whole different-level-calculated, hidden, and way harder to deal with.

The scariest 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 of how close they were.

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

The 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 in them.

"Do you have any idea who's behind this?" Theo asked Tom, his voice steady but sharp.

Will stepped in, his expression thoughtful but serious. "I don't think they're trying to hurt Mommy physically. It's more about breaking her, ruining her life in a way she can't recover from. And now that I think about it, they probably already know who she really is." Tom's expression darkened as he let the thought sink in. It wasn't something he had considered before, but it made sense. "You might be onto something, Will. If that's true, it narrows things down. It has to be someone from the royal family."

"Exactly. Any royal who becomes disabled is sent to live in a sanatorium, out of sight, out of mind. They're stripped of everything-no title, no status, no inheritance, no public life," Theo said.

Tom nodded grimly. "So, that's their intention."

Will frowned. "Makes sense why they would use someone like Fiora. She's the perfect pawn for something like this."

Maeve listened quietly, her heart sinking 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 be someone backing him.

Still, she felt some relief. At least she didn't have to reveal her identity just yet-it would 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 touch announce who you are. But please know this-we'll make sure you have everything that was meant to be yours. No need to worry anymore.

He had been counting down the seconds to tell the world about Maeve and officially claim her as Iris sister. Tom and Loren both seemed so focused on their excitement that they hadn't considered the bigger picture.

The Queen's expression grew serious, though her tone stayed calm. "Tom, have you forgotten what Loren has gone through all these years?"

Maeve blinked, thrown off. 'Gone through what?'

Tom's jaw tightened, and he let out a slow breath. "No, I haven't forgotten.

Loren looked down, his earlier excitement dimming. The memories clearly weighed on him.

The truth was, despite the family's protection, the rumor everywhere in the grand palace.

about him being a child born out of wedlock had followed him

And in Erancia, even as progressive as it claimed to be, royal family members were still held to 'strict standards. Loren had endured it all quietly, but he knew how damaging it was. He didn't want his sister to go through that. Not ever.

Tom exhaled, pulling himself back together. "You're right, I got carried away." His face darkened slightly as he continued, "But there's something else. Maeve might already be 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 was. But the person pulling the strings behind her was on a whole different level-calculated, hidden, and way harder to deal with.

The scariest 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 of how close they were.

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

The 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 in them.

"Do you have any idea who's behind this?" Theo asked Tom, his voice steady but sharp.

Will stepped in, his expression thoughtful but serious. "I don't think they're trying to hurt Mommy physically. It's more about breaking her, ruining her life in a way she can't recover from. And now that I think about it, they probably already know who she really is." Tom's expression darkened as he let the thought sink in. It wasn't something he had considered before, but it made sense. "You might be onto something, Will. If that's true, it narrows things down. It has to be someone from the royal family."

"Exactly. Any royal who becomes disabled is sent to live in a sanatorium, out of sight, out of mind. They're stripped of everything-no title, no status, no inheritance, no public life," Theo said.

Tom nodded grimly. "So, that's their intention."

Will frowned. "Makes sense why they would use someone like Fiora. She's the perfect pawn for something like this." Maeve listened quietly, her heart sinking 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 be someone backing him.

Still, she felt some relief. At least she didn't have to reveal her identity just yet-it would only complicate her life even more.

The Queen reached for Maeve's hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "Maeve, I understand that this isn't the right time to announce who you are. But please know this-we'll make sure you have everything that was meant to be yours. No need to worry anymore 16:36 Mon, Dec 16 OG

Maeve smiled softly, her voice steady but full of gratitude. "Thank you. Honestly, just knowing I wasn't abandoned and finding my family is more than I ever hoped for. It means the world to me.

"And... I can tell how much you've all been waiting for me to come back. That's enough"

Enough?" The Queen had always known Maeve had a good heart, but seeing how accepting she was now made her chest ache.

Her Majesty, who rarely showed such warmth, gently pulled Maeve into a hug, patting her shoulder softly. "This will always be your home. If you ever feel tired or just miss us, you can come back anytime." Maeve's eyes stung with unshed tears, turning red as she nodded silently.

Watching them, Tom's chest tightened. If it hadn't been for that scoundrel who abandoned his sister-or the snake working behind the scenes-Maeve wouldn't have had to endure so much pain.