My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 206

Chapter 206 Boats And Blushes

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That single tease about Soren’s mysterious lady sent a flush up every girl’s cheeks and, with surgical precision, redirected their collective attention onto him alone.

Strictly speaking, the quip was out of line, yet no one felt inclined to scold such harmless mischief.

“Mr. Hillcrest had to travel today,” Soren said in a low, even tone. “He worried you would get carried away and forget your limits. Finding I was free, he asked me to keep watch in his stead.”

Reginald Hillcrest oversaw the ladies‘ classes and had once guided Soren himself. Despite the span of years between them, teacher and student shared an uncommon rapport, and Soren remained his star protégé.

Originally, Reginald was meant to supervise today’s outing, but unexpected business called him to the Zonfrillo Estate. Learning Soren had the afternoon free, he gladly deputized the young lord on the spot.

A Royal Guard patrol kept these woods generally safe. Even so, the slim boats for lake- skimming had to be assembled by the students themselves, and while the water was shallow, a plunge into its winter chill could still be a miserable affair.

“I understand now–today’s work must rely on you, Lord Soren.” Hillary Chambers, the youngest lady of the Havenford Estate and the freshly crowned champion of this season’s Six Arts tournament, offered the words with the bright confidence that had recently won her half of Jexburgh’s applause.

A third–branch son of Havenford Estate, Daniel Chambers, had long swung his sword beside Alexander in the bitter winds of Broadmoor. In scarcely half a year, he would repay that friendship by saving the duke’s life at the cost of his own.

Yet Soren’s sudden arrival stirred unease as much as delight.

Four or five years older than the gathered heirs–and immeasurably higher in rank–he shackled every reckless impulse the moment he stepped into view.

Set beside such a flawless gem, the other young men looked like unpolished stones. In face, bearing, and breadth of stories, Soren eclipsed them, and the ladies‘ eyes drifted nowhere else.

“Lord Soren, would you mind cutting these bamboo stalks for me? We should begin building the raft.” Her tent already stood neat and tight, and she gazed up at him, earnest hope shimmering beneath the rim of her straw hat.

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Chapter 206 Boats And Blushes

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Soren had assumed the role of senior escort for the outing, guardian in their elders‘ stead. Answering the quiet duty, he crossed the grass toward her without a word.

“Ms. Fiona, shall I cut a few stalks for you as well?” The young lord who had carlier helped raise her tent offered the suggestion, knife dangling loosely from his fingers.

Experience had taught Fiona that a man’s sudden cagerness often concealed a design. “I appreciate the offer, but I can manage on my own.”

During idle days in Yondale she had wandered the forests for sport; swinging a blade at bamboo was hardly new to her.

Most simply assumed she chased novelty and paid the remark little mind.

Borrowing the blade, Fiona stepped toward the grove just as Naomi and Hillary stood before Soren, lengths of freshly cut bamboo already lined in orderly rows at their feet.

“Thank you, Lord Soren.” Hillary’s voice stayed soft, her eyes bright with uncomplicated gratitude.

“There is no need to thank me, Ms. Chambers.”

He stood in effortless poise, gaze cool as spring water–a solemn composure that tilted many young hearts in his direction.

What none of them realized was that a woman gained no advantage with him; cross one boundary and his guard rose like a drawn blade.

Catching his glance, Fiona lowered hers and tapped the bamboo before her. Choosing stalks required craft–the clearer the ring, the hollower the joint, and the better it would float beneath a raft.

Settling on a promising stalk, she raised the knife and brought it down.

A woman’s strength could not match a man’s. The blade wedged between two nodes, and after several tries she still could not pry it free.

“Fiona, why not let my brother lend you a hand?” Naomi finally offered after watching for a while.

Fiona turned. Soren’s eyes rested on her, lips pressed, an unreadable storm flickering beneath the perfect stillness of his face.

He seemed prepared to wait all afternoon for her to speak first.

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11:03 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 206 Boats And Blushes

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“No need to worry, Naomi. I’d like to try a little longer myself.” She would not plead; that would taste too much like surrender, and she had no wish to owe Soren any favor.

“Soren, please help Fiona, or her hands will soon ache from the jarring,” Naomi insisted.

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