My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 46

She reminded herself that once the Divine Doctor was found and the White Camellia antidote secured, their paths would diverge forever. His disposition, therefore, was no heavier than passing cloud–shadow on a hillside.

Soren studied her. Unlike most noblewomen, Fiona hid her motives deep; speak harshly, and she only smiled, as though the sting never landed. That unruffled ease piqued him. He rarely allowed women to sway his moods, yet some unbidden instinct to protect her stirred today–a feeling he knew he must guard against.

After they left the mountain, she heard nothing of Soren for more than a month; his whereabouts blurred like winter mist. To Fiona, each meeting with him felt like another day on duty. Freed from those summons, she moved through her hours with welcome lightness.

As the year’s end approached, she finally understood the Sixth Prince’s offhand promise of “next time in the palace.” Emperor Aldric loathed an empty court and, every New Year’s Eve, invited favored nobles to share the festivities.

In former years, Fiona had never merited such notice, but her recent triumph before His Majesty lingered in his mind. Zephyr, it seemed, had caught the rumor early.

Across two lifetimes, she had entered the Imperial Palace fewer than ten times; her nerves prickled despite herself.

The invitation was a crown of honor for the Niven family. Meryl and Zachary spared no expense, sending tailors at dawn to fashion new gowns.

“The palace brims with protocol,” Meryl cautioned, adjusting a length of silk. “Every unknown face might be a prince or princess–do not so much as brush their sleeves.”

Knowing most courtiers by sight, Fiona relaxed a touch, then asked Zachary, “Father, why was Lord Soren wounded at Lakebourne?”

She dared not mention Matthew outright; her father was shrewd enough to trace the clue without hearing the name.

Zachary had pieced the story together days earlier. Soren’s blood–stained cloak, Xavier’s mention of Lakebourne–it all pointed to the investigation surrounding Matthew. The memory still tightened his chest.

He had drafted, then nearly delivered, a petition defending Saunders. Had that scroll reached the throne, the entire Niven household might now sit under suspicion.

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14:47 Fri, Oct 10

Chapter 46 Courtly Invitation

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Relief washed through him; he feared little for himself, yet everything for the family that bore his name.

“Treat this as though you know nothing–say not a word,” Zachary warned softly.

Fiona dipped her head. “If you forbid it, my lips are sealed.”

Fine lines traced Zachary’s eyes, but time had not dulled his grace. In gifting him such a daughter, heaven had shown uncommon mercy.

He let his gaze drift back to his wife. In that unguarded second, the world seemed to settle- like the final stroke of ink on a scroll–quiet, whole, and wonderfully complete.

The day before she was due to enter the Imperial Palace, Fiona paid a visit to the Amber Room, the small apothecary she had quietly built for herself. For a month now, her Lustre Pills had been whispered about across Jexburgh, though the rumor had not yet breached the palace walls. She planned to carry a few boxes in with her, gifts for the consorts.

As she stepped out beneath the shop’s carved lintel, she saw Xavier advancing down the street, a lean shadow surrounded by uniformed guards.

Two months had passed since they’d last met, and he looked noticeably thinner, hardened by whatever assignment now called him out of Jexburgh.

Fiona’s heart, traitorous thing, kicked against her ribs the instant she recognized him; somewhere along the way, admiration had evolved into a quiet, blooming fondness.

“Ms. Fiona,” Xavier greeted, his voice a soft brush of warmth against the winter air.

The simple salutation melted her resolve. Even the sound of him speaking her name sent heat flooding into her cheeks.

“Are you leaving Jexburgh again?” she asked in a low tone, the worry clear.

“I’m riding with Mr. Wagner to Junbert. The mountain bandits there have grown restless.”

Mr. Xavier’s command of tactics is exceptional; of course, he seeks distinction. With neither powerful relatives nor a taste for flattery, only merit will open doors for him.

“To take hold of what I desire, this is the only path,” Xavier said, meeting her eyes without wavering.

But what does he desire?

“Once I rise in rank, discussing marriage will come easier. I know the Luthor family stands on

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