My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 190

12:08 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 190 Quiet Chess Accord

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Chapter 190 Quiet Chess Accord

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A brief ache brushed the Emperor’s heart. After the firstborn’s early death, Marcus had been the eldest of his surviving sons, once the object of every paternal hope.

Among the three princes, Cornelius and Zephyr clawed at one another with scarcely veiled malice, while the quiet Third Prince coveted nothing at all. In Marcus‘ presence the Emperor could lower every guard.

With an airy wave, Aldric turned back to Marcus. “A game exists only to pass the hours; victory and defeat ebb and flow. I hear Fiona shares your taste for the board. Keep her as a partner— she is your cousin, so tongues will find no purchase.”

Marcus paused, then lifted his gaze. ‘I am a painfully uninteresting man, Father. I should not squander Fiona’s time.”

The Emperor’s eyes slid toward Fiona, silently inviting her reply.

“To play chess with His Highness is a rare delight; how could that ever waste my time?” Fiona answered, smile bright and sure.

Torn between refusal and courtesy, Marcus inclined his head at last. “My thanks, Father.”

Because Marcus shunned every contest and spent most days at his estate beyond the palace walls, Cornelius and Zephyr–locked in relentless rivalry–harbored no resentment toward him. When the Emperor decreed that Fiona would visit Marcus for chess, both princes offered faint, indulgent smiles.

Cornelius leaned forward, voice mild. “Marcus is only reserved, not ill–tempered. Ms. Fiona will be perfectly safe at his estate.”

Of course, the Fourth Prince had his own designs. Zephyr had shown a budding interest in Fiona, yet the Niven household lay squarely within Cornelius‘ sphere. Better, then, for the girl to side with harmless Marcus; later, in gratitude to the Niven family, Cornelius might secure him a minor dukedom and earn for himself the gleaming reputation of a brother both generous and loyal.

Fiona answered all of this with a polite, unreadable smile.

Florence turned eagerly to her cousin. “Fiona, my third brother is no wastrel like Zephyr. If you wish to visit his estate, I will accompany you.”

The two young women spoke idly of chess openings and jasmine–scented courtyards until Fiona, almost casually, steered the conversation toward distant Yondale.

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12:08 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 190 Quiet Chess Accord

“I rather admire Cecilia’s boldness,” Florence confessed, eyes sparkling.

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“Bold, yes,” Fiona agreed, her gaze drifting toward Marcus. “But her spirit is warm, and her loyalty runs deep.”

Marcus met her eyes, his expression an unreadable still lake, giving nothing away.

Fiona finally grasped Marcus‘ unspoken calculus. The scandal from years ago had slipped from his mind.

With Princess Helen trapped in far–off Yondale, he preferred distance, a prudent moat between court and kin. Next time she met Marcus, their talk would be cold arithmetic–gain and loss, nothing else.

The grim gossip that Soren might have doomed her brother still hovered above her like a suspended sword. Until that truth surfaced, Marcus remained the single rope she dared to grip.

She excelled at mounted archery, yet horseflesh remained a mystery.

At the betting ring she risked three modest wagers, each landing on a mediocre mare that drew no applause.

Perhaps because of Marcus, Claudia spared Fiona a few courteous minutes.

Court whispers praised the consort for two gifts–a powerful family and beauty that had never dimmed. Yet faint worry clouded her painted brows today; everyone knew she fretted over Zephyr.

Twilight bells announced the dinner hour as Fiona’s carriage rolled back through the gates of the Niven Estate. Remembering she had not greeted Hannah for several days, she headed directly to Ambrosial Garden.

Inside she found Rita lingering by the gallery doors. “Well, well, I thought Elijah would have whisked you away by now.”

Rita stiffened, refusing to show the slightest crack before Fiona. She had measured herself against her cousin since girlhood and hated every deficit.

If Elijah had taken another concubine she might have complained in secret, but the notion that he found someone prettier than her felt like a slap.

“I plan to stay here a few more days,” Rita said, her smile brittle.

Sensing the chill beneath those words, Fiona let the conversation die.

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12:08 Mon, Oct 20

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