Chapter 455

Maeve bit her lip, unsure what to say. The Queen waved her hand gently. "Come here, dear. Come to Grandma."

As soon as the Queen called her "Grandma," Maeve knew her identity was confirmed. Her heart skipped a beat. Before she realized it, she was walking toward the Queen, placing her hand in the one offered, and sitting beside her.

It felt like when the Queen had first taken her in as a student, offering 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 gently.

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

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

After a moment's hesitation, she added, "When I was younger, my dream was 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." She knew people might think her crazy for not appreciating such an offer. Every woman probably dreamed of becoming a princess, but it wasn't in Maeve's vision of the future.

Tom and Loren felt a sharp pang at her words, especially "I've been an ordinary person for over twenty years." If she hadn't been taken, Maeve would have been with Loren in the palace. As Wren's firstborn daughter and only girl in the direct line, she would have had everything: love, protection, the best life. Instead, an accident changed everything, and Maeve endured many struggles before finding her way back to them.

Loren felt tears welling up again. He wished he could have been taken instead of her.

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

Maeve's chest felt lighter, the unease easing. "Even if I don't want my identity revealed?" she asked softly.

Tom, already envisioning an elaborate ceremony to introduce his niece to the world, froze. "Why wouldn't you want to reveal your identity?" His shoulders slumped, clearly disappointed. He had been so ready to show everyone how incredible his niece was.

The Queen raised 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?"

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

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

Maeve blinked. "Gone through what?"

Tom's jaw tightened, and he exhaled slowly. "No, I haven't forgotten."

Loren looked down, his excitement dimming. The memories clearly weighed on him. Despite the family's protection, 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 held to strict standards. Loren had endured it quietly, but he knew how damaging it was. He didn't want his sister to go through that.

Tom exhaled, pulling himself together. "You're right. I got carried away." His face darkened. "But there's something else. Maeve might already be in danger. What happened with Fiora—there's a chance someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes." Of course, Fiora was responsible for her actions, but the person pulling the strings was on a whole different level—calculated, hidden, and much harder to deal with.

The scariest part: Tom couldn't tell who the real target was. Maybe it was Maeve, or maybe Loren, and she just got caught in the crossfire. Either way, revealing Maeve's identity would only stir up more trouble.

The two boys, who had been standing quietly, couldn't remain still. Hearing someone was after their mother lit a fire in them.

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

Will spoke, 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 irrevocably. And now that I think about it, they probably already know who she really is."

Tom's expression darkened. It wasn't something he'd considered, 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 a sanatorium, out of sight, out of mind. They're stripped of everything—title, status, inheritance, 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."

Maeve listened quietly, her heart sinking as she thought back. Henry's name popped into her mind. If he could tamper with a paternity test, someone had to be backing him.

Still, she felt relief. At least she didn't have to reveal her identity yet—it would only complicate her life.

The Queen reached for Maeve's hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "Maeve, I understand 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."

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, rarely showing such warmth, gently hugged Maeve, patting her shoulder softly. "This will always be your home. If you ever feel tired or miss us, you can come back anytime." Maeve's eyes stung, turning red as she nodded silently.

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