Truth was usually simple.
But for Theron, the truth about himself had never been simple.
And when it came to Aveline… it was worse than complicated. It was a burden. A weakness. A risk.
Because revealing who he truly was might cost him the one thing he could no longer bear to lose.
Her.
That fear alone was why he had hidden it from her for so long.
But now?
His silence was hurting her. Emotionally. And because of him, her life was already in danger.
Could he really keep lying to her after this?
"My family," Theron said slowly, "is the ruling family of Greenvale."
Aveline stared at him for a second, waiting for the rest of the joke.
When nothing came, she burst into laughter.
The sound startled Hamilton, who had been sitting near the pillow watching the two of them with wide, curious eyes.
Aveline clutched her stomach as she laughed and even smacked Theron lightly on the arm.
"Are you going to tell me next that you're the Crown Prince?" she teased between breaths.
