The Heir's Secret Bride

Earlier, the nurse took her first child to the next room for examination and hadn't returned them.

Jaylen heard the notification in his earpiece, and his expression subtly changed. He stated, "We don't have time, we need to leave now."

He took the surviving second child from the doctor and placed the baby into Marve's arms, his tone calm, "Think it through."

Maeve's eyes immediately welled up, her arms trembling as she held the baby. She wanted to hold tighter but couldn't bring herself to do so. She was torn between emotions. She hadn't even had a proper chance to see the baby who had passed away. How could she bear to leave him alone here?

But she had already lost one child; she couldn't afford to lose this one too.

Byron would not let them go.

With this in mind. Maeve steeled herself and said, "Let's go."

Jaylen nodded, bent down, and carried Maeve off the operating table, walking briskly toward the exit

They had just stepped into the elevator when Byron emerged from the adjacent elevator and his men quickly surrounded the entire floor.

Tthe doctors and nurses, who were trembling under the pressure, confessed everything they knew.

Upon hearing that Maeve had left just minutes earlier, Byron's cold aura intensified as he asked in a deep voice, "Where is the child?"

The doctor shivered and stammered, "Th-the child... The child was taken to the next room for examination and was just confirmed... to have passed away

As the last words left the doctor's mouth, he could distinctly feel the temperature drop even further in Byron's gaze.

It was as if the man standing before him was a terrifying figure straight out of hell, his aura freezing to the bone. "Take me there," Byron ordered, his face devoid of emotion. "Y-yes!" The doctor hurriedly led Byron to the room, where the deceased child lay on a small bed, eyes closed, completely still.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

The surging anger in Byron's chest suddenly stalled, and his steps faltered for a few seconds before he slowly approached, only to see the pale, bluish face of the child. "Already... dead?" Byron thought, his fingertips trembling slightly as he hesitated.

He gently lifted the child from the bed, holding the baby as delicately as if it were something fragile.

When the tiny, almost weightless body settled into his arms, Byron's initial joy at becoming a father was quickly replaced by an uncontrollable wave of anger "Ch-

Suddenly, a faint whimper interrupted Byron.

He thought he had misheard, but when he looked down, he saw the child in his arms, with a bright red face, letting out a

G.

loud wai!!

Byron's entire body stiffened, but moments later, a layer of joy barst forth in his dark eyes. Trying to offer the gentlest smile he could manage, he softly soothed, "Don't cry. From now on, Daddy will always be here. Nothing will ever happen to you again." Four years later, in the city of Sweland, Erancia, inside Iredale Palace.

The spring sun was shining brightly, and the garden was filled with blooming flowers. It was a perfect season.

A small figure walked by the fountain, dressed in a plaid shirt paired with denim overalls and a brown beret atop his head, looking both trendy and fashionable from head to toe.

Hugging a notebook to his chest, he glanced around seriously, his delicately sculpted, cherubic face looking so earnest that it was hard not to smile as if he were a little adult.

Theo, you've snuck out again behind your mommy's back, haven't you?" The elderly gardener chuckled as he saw the little one approach. "Careful or your mommy will give you a spanking"

Theo instantly smiled, squinting his eyes, and replied, "No way, Mommy is the most beautiful and gentle girl in the world. She wouldn't spank me."

Another woman gardener straightened up and teased, "Last time you picked John's best roses that were intended for the Queen and gave them to your mommy, I saw her giving you a spanking

Theo's face flushed red as his big, grape-like eyes blinked rapidly "Th-that was just a gentle pat, an act of love... It wasn't really a spanking

The group of gardeners burst into laughter, and the garden was filled with the sound of joy.

They asked, "So you're not in the front hall with your mommy? Are you planning to pick more of John's precious roses?" Theo shook his head and raised the notebook in his arms, saying sweetly, "Mommy is designing this year's royal uniforms so as her capable little assistant, I'm here to do some research with all of your

The female gardener looked surprised, "You're so small, can you even write?"

"Of course I can!" Theo puffed out his little chest as he replied. "Don't underestimate me."

"Haha, well then, make sure to take good notes for your mommy and maybe she'll reward you later, the gardener laughed. Theo's dimples deepened as he smiled adorably, "Okay!"

Wherever he went, Theo charmed everyone. His sweet talk and cute antics made it hard for anyone to let him go after he finished his "research."

Just then, a graceful figure appeared at the garden's entrance.

She wore a knitted red dress beneath a cream-colored coat, making her skin look even more radiant, like fine jade, her slender figure exuding elegance.

Her smooth, black-hair cascaded over one shoulder, her petite face as small as a palm, with bright eyes and red lips, her every expression radiating charm.

As she arrived, it felt as though the garden's beauty dimmed slightly in comparison.

Maeve glanced around and finally saw her son picking a flower, making one of the maids smile so widely that her eyes

disappeared.

Judging by the scene, she suspected the maid might have pledged herself to him on the spot if the little guy were a bit older. Maeve was at a loss for words as she thought, I'm not like this, so where did he get these charming genes? Beside her, Karina, who wasdressed in an elaborate gown, laughed, "Your son is so charming, he makes me want to have one of my own."

"Well, you should hurry up and settle your own marriage first, Maeve joked with a smile.

Karina shook her head, "There's no rush. By the way, think carefully about my earlier proposal. If you agree to stay, you'll become the next royal chief designer. You'd be the first person under thirty to hold that position." Maeve's smile faded slightly, her gaze becoming more complicated as she replied, "I appreciate the queen's kindness, but I want to return home to take care of something important."

"So, does that mean you'll come back?" Karina asked.

Maeve thought for a moment, "Maybe. I can't guarantee when I'll return."

Karina smiled and nodded, "Alright then, whenever you decide to return, let me know. That position will always be waiting for you. After all, both the Queen and Prince Loren admire you so much." Maeve also smiled, Tm incredibly grateful for their recognition

Back when she first arrived in Erancia, she didn't know anyone, and her previous identity and qualifications couldn't be used, making it difficult for her to find a job.

Fortunately, she met Loren, who recommended her to the palace's chief designer. After a series of tests, she was allowed to stay.

Later, her design for a formal banquet gown for the queen earned the queen's favor, solidifying her position in the palace.

It was one year after their marriage.

Byron sat on the sofa reading a document when he suddenly called toward the kitchen, "Baby"

Moments later, a soft little figure toddled over, leaned against his leg, and tugged on his pant leg. "Daddy, did you call for me?" The little toddler asked. Byron looked down, lifted the little one onto his lap, and chuckled, "I was calling for your mommy

"Not me?" the toddler asked.

Byron responded lovingly, "You're Joy. Mommy is 'baby."

The little one seemed to half-understand and slid off his lap, waddling toward the kitchen with tiny steps.

"Mommy, Mommy," Joy cried out.

I

Maeve, who was busy making soup in the kitchen, heard the voice and turned to see the little one wobbling toward her, looking like a plump little penguin.

She couldn't help but laugh at the sight. Setting down the ladle, she crouched to steady the toddler's soft, squishy body.

"What's wrong, baby?" Marvę asked.

"Mommy, Daddy is looking for his baby," the little toddler dutifully relayed, her chubby cheeks puffing out as she added, "Mommy, go quickly,"

Maeve pinched her daughter's adorable little cheeks and asked, "Did my baby make Daddy angry again? Do you need Mommy to help you?"

Ever since her daughter learned how to walk, she had become especially mischievous. One day, she started pulling her father's hair, and the next, she started sticking shiny stickers all over his important documents. The key issue was that whenever she showed the slightest hint of a pout, Byron would melt and have no choice but to continue spoiling her.

"It wasn't me," the little toddler blinked her big, grape-like eyes and said, "Daddy's baby is Mommy."

Maeve's face flushed red as she wondered, 'What kind of things was he saying in front of our child?"

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