My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122 Birthday Banquet

Chapter 122 Birthday Banquet

Only Xavier and Soren remained statuesque, their expressions smooth as still water, untouched by color or commotion.

Helen cast Soren a quick sideways glance, then lifted her hand in a small beckoning gesture. Fiona obeyed at once and took the seat beside her, skirts settling like lifted petals about to

close.

“Your Highness has gathered sons and daughters more striking than any in the province. Cecilia and young Fiona are simply unmatched,” James declared, pride glimmering in his eyes.

Another guest laughed, raising a cup. “If either lady would honor my boy with marriage, our household would cherish her beyond measure–no jest.”

The boast drew eager smiles from some, rolled eyes from others.

Samuel Turner, lips slanted in a near–smile, murmured, “The Princess Royal’s family’s girls do not choose at random. Best save the joke, Mr. Zachman.”

Barbed courtesies volleyed back and forth, each sharper than the last, though no one’s tone dared rise above velvet.

“Flatter them less, or their tails will wag straight into the clouds.” Helen at last waved a slender hand. Fiona kept silent, aware–as every court–bred child is–that those in power rarely relish too much harmony among their circle. Emperor Aldric was that way, and Helen no less.

At that moment, Rebecca arrived, her entrance quiet yet unmistakable.

Sensing the woman’s searching gaze, Fiona first glanced at Samuel, then allowed her eyes to drift toward Soren.

Samuel merely observed, detached, as if the unfolding drama were a play mounted for his

amusement.

Helen’s smile thinned, the edges cooling a noticeable degree.

Rebecca sank to her knees, voice trembling. “Your Highness, Lord Soren sent for me, bidding me offer birthday congratulations in his name.”

Fiona turned instinctively toward Soren. He gave her a brief, unreadable look, paused, then spoke with practiced calm. “Pierre Lawson labored tirelessly for Duflana. His widow stands for him—and for every hero who died in that cause. If they wish to honor the Princess Royal tonight, would that not be fitting?”

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Chapter 122 Birthday Banquet

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Memories of her own fallen son flickered through Helen’s eyes. Tenderness softened her reply. “Rebecca’s presence pleases me. Someone find her a seat.”

Even so, Rebecca chose a corner chair, perching carefully before casting one more furtive glance at Samuel.

Once may be chance; twice signals intent.

In strange and perilous rooms, a person’s eyes stray to the face they trust most.

Yet Samuel’s effortless indifference rang true, draining rumors of secret affection. The truth felt simpler: Rebecca knew him by sight alone, having crossed his path many times without ever trading a single word.

The private friendship under discussion, Fiona quickly realized, belonged not to Samuel and any of the noblemen crowding the room, but to Samuel and Pierre. In a city like Yondale, where every corridor whispered disdain for Pierre, anyone bold enough to befriend him in secret appeared almost heroic. To the concubine who shared Pierre’s roof, such unexpected kindness easily became unwavering trust.

Even so, Fiona felt far from certain. She needed to test Samuel herself, to decide whether this new piece fit the perilous puzzle she was slowly arranging.

“I find it curious,” someone mused, voice half–lost among clinking goblets, “that Lord Soren and Ms. Fiona–both jewels of Jexburgh’s young elite–could spend years beneath the same sky and never once fall for each other.”

Fiona’s eyes met Soren’s across the candlelight. Neither spoke. His gaze seemed to travel somewhere distant, weighing calculations only he could see.

“But Ms. Fiona’s beauty is unrivaled,” Soren replied at length, his tone courteous yet cool. “Suitors crowd her path now and will continue to do so. In time, she will find a husband worthy of her.”

Fiona had been searching for a graceful answer, something to smooth the ripples in the conversation. Yet the moment he drew that careful boundary, she lowered her lashes and let silence settle–aware he would never reveal his hand so easily.

Cecilia’s laughter rang softly. “Why tease Lord Soren? Mr. Xavier stands every bit his equal- handsome, learned, a true gentleman of Jexburgh. Shouldn’t we jest about him courting my

cousin instead?”

Everyone understood the silent arithmetic. Xavier’s family, respectable though it was, could not rival the power gathered beneath the Niven crest. A duke’s daughter did not lightly descend the social ladder.

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Chapter 122 Birthday Banquet

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Helen smiled. “Xavier rode to Junbert to crush bandits–proof enough of courage. His scholarship is equally praised. He even taught Fiona her mounted archery, and she placed near the top in Jexburgh. Handsome and capable–he is hardly mediocre.”

Gaining the Princess Royal’s endorsement carried extraordinary weight; it was as though a protective shield had been slipped over Xavier’s shoulders.

Helen might not be wholly satisfied with the young man, but because her daughter’s eyes lingered on him, she refused to let anyone dismiss his worth.

Moreover, the Junbert victory was tangible credit; if Xavier kept building on it, he would soon command power of his own. Keeping him close could only help—and might even blunt Soren’s razor–sharp pride.

“Your Highness overestimates me,” Xavier said, rising to bow. His expression remained composed, humility without a trace of obsequiousness.

Soren, too, showed no displeasure; men accustomed to triumph often shared that same unruffled poise.

Fiona could hardly declare her feelings on the matter–neither aloof nor eager would serve her–so she settled on a carefully measured blush, a shy tilt of the head that suggested innocence rather than calculation.

When Helen shifted to matters of state, Cecilia seized the lull, looped her arm through Fiona’s, and spirited her down a side corridor before anyone could notice.

“This year’s birthday banquet for Grandma is dreadfully dull compared with the past,” Cecilia whispered once the crowd was safely behind them.

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Chapter 123 Call Me Your Hubby

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