My Unchosen Ex Chases Reborn Me (Soren and Fiona) novel Chapter 273

Neglected 273 Summary

Emperor Aldric, cautious about revealing his intentions, refrains from publicly endorsing Zephyr and Fiona’s marriage, keeping his plans secret to avoid alerting Cornelius. He remains a silent observer in the rivalry between the princes, waiting for the right moment to act. Meanwhile, Fiona struggles with the painful prospect of returning to the old manor despite hoping to avoid it, recognizing that some hardships are unavoidable.

Morgan instructs Fiona to visit the Fragrant Leaf Teahouse again to undergo a medicated bath that will make her appear feverish and fragile, a ruse to protect her from suspicion. Upon returning to the Niven Estate, Fiona learns that Zephyr has already visited, stirring concern that rumors will link her family to Ivanna’s recent accident. Meryl fears for Fiona’s safety, convinced that Zephyr’s influence could force a royal decree and that Fiona might suffer a fate similar to Ivanna’s.

Under the cover of night, Fiona endures the painful medicinal bath prepared by Morgan, which causes intense physical agony but is necessary for the deception. Xavier arrives to assist her, carrying her home and showing unexpected tenderness despite the danger surrounding them. Cecilia observes the scene with worry, reflecting on the complex relationships and rivalries involving Fiona, Soren, and Marcus, noting the tension and ambition that drive their actions.

As Fiona lies feverish and weak, the royal physician advises isolation to prevent contagion, leading Fiona, Meryl, and Pearl to quarantine themselves at Bamboo Lodge. Zephyr offers to arrange a secluded residence for Fiona, but Meryl declines, choosing to take Fiona back to their hometown instead, hoping distance will provide safety amid the mounting threats.

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Chapter 273: Fevered Escape

Emperor Aldric, for now, had no plans to issue any marriage decree. Whether Zephyr’s union with Fiona would come to pass was just one move among many in the emperor’s intricate game—a move he was reluctant to make openly. To publicly sanction such a marriage would reveal his intentions for Zephyr and instantly alert Cornelius to his schemes.

In the delicate rivalry between the two princes, Aldric knew it was crucial to maintain a hands-off stance until circumstances forced his hand. For the moment, he remained a silent observer, calculating the best moment to act.

Fiona felt a sharp, bitter pang deep within her chest. She had hoped that since her father remained unharmed in this life, she might be spared the painful return to the old manor. But fate, it seemed, was unwilling to rewrite that chapter of her story.

No matter how much one tried to change the narrative, certain trials had a way of circling back, relentless and unyielding.

“Come to the Fragrant Leaf Teahouse again tonight,” Morgan instructed firmly. “I’ll prepare a medicated bath that will leave you looking as fragile as someone stricken with a fever.”

When Fiona returned to the Niven Estate later, she found out that Zephyr had already stopped by earlier that day.

That evening, Meryl arrived at Bamboo Lodge, worry etched clearly on her elegant face.

“Prince Zephyr came by the manor today,” Meryl said, her voice tight with concern.

“What did he want? Was it something urgent?” Fiona asked, a polite smile playing on her lips despite the tension beneath.

Meryl sighed deeply. “He brought up your marriage. Ivanna has barely been carried away on a stretcher, and already Zephyr is knocking at our door. People will start whispering that the Niven family had a hand in her accident.”

It was obvious Zephyr had not yet made any formal declarations.

“You carry too many worries, Mother,” Fiona said gently, slipping her arm through Meryl’s. “Why don’t you come with me to the old manor? We can wait out the storm there.”

“We can’t just hide,” Meryl whispered, fear threading her voice. “He is a prince. If he secures a royal decree, the family won’t be able to refuse. I’m afraid you might suffer the same fate as Ivanna.”

Meryl refused to believe Ivanna’s accident was anything but deliberate. She had witnessed the disgrace unfold before her eyes, and she feared any woman who followed would meet a similarly cruel end. The women in Prince Zephyr’s estate, despite their numbers, were far worse off than those in the formidable Zonfrillo Estate.

Under the cover of midnight, Fiona slipped quietly out once more toward the Fragrant Leaf Teahouse. Her cloak blended seamlessly into the darkness as she moved with a quiet, determined purpose.

In a secluded room at the back of the teahouse, Morgan had prepared everything. A wooden tub brimmed with water infused with medicinal herbs, glowing a deep, unsettling crimson—like fresh blood waiting to claim its next victim.

“Stay immersed for two full hours,” Morgan instructed, his voice low and steady as candlelight flickered over the scarlet surface. “By morning, your body will resemble that of someone suffering from severe influenza. The royal doctors will insist the illness is contagious—just the rumor you need.”

Cecilia lingered nearby, worry creasing her forehead as she watched the preparations unfold.

“Please step outside, Dr. Murren. I need to begin now,” Fiona said, forcing a calm she did not truly feel.

The moment her skin touched the water, icy needles of pain shot through every nerve. She clenched her teeth as the agony blossomed, the room spinning and her head growing light. Amid the ringing in her ears, she heard Cecilia softly calling her name. The sound blurred, deepened, and then—impossibly—transformed into a man’s deep baritone.

Strong hands gathered her heavy, drenched limbs. Someone slipped warm garments over her chilled skin and lifted her onto a broad, steady back. The scent of resin and steel filled her lungs as her consciousness flickered in and out.

“Hubby,” she whispered, the word fragile and barely more than a breath.

“Ms. Fiona’s illness appears contagious. For everyone’s safety, it would be best if she recovered somewhere quiet, far from the court,” the royal physician finally said, his voice gentle but carrying an urgent undercurrent.

Naturally, Meryl, Pearl, and Fiona had already quarantined themselves inside Bamboo Lodge. Not a single servant dared cross its threshold, as if the small courtyard had become an isolated island, cut off by fear.

Zephyr stepped back, his sleeves sweeping the polished floor. “Shall I arrange a secluded residence for Fiona? Somewhere where silence is her medicine and fresh air her shield?”

Meryl bowed her head, recalling Fiona’s whispered wish to leave the capital. “Thank you for the offer, Prince Zephyr, but I will take Fiona back to our hometown. That will be enough.”

Conclusion

The chapter closes on a somber note, highlighting Fiona’s resilience amid the relentless pressures that bind her. Her feigned illness becomes a fragile shield, a desperate gambit to carve out a moment of reprieve from the suffocating advances and whispered intrigues that surround her. The quiet strength she summons, even as her body betrays her, underscores the emotional complexity of her journey—caught between duty, danger, and the flickering hope for autonomy.

Meanwhile, the subtle interplay of loyalties and ambitions continues to ripple beneath the surface, with Xavier’s protective presence offering a stark contrast to the cold calculation of others. The chapter gently reminds us that in this world of power and deception, tenderness can be as rare and vital as survival itself. Fiona’s retreat to the familiar safety of her hometown feels like a tentative step toward reclaiming agency, even as the shadows of the court loom ever near.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

The next chapter promises to deepen the tension surrounding Fiona’s precarious position, as her feigned illness may offer temporary refuge but cannot shield her from the intricate power plays unfolding around her. With Zephyr’s intentions still veiled and the looming threat of a royal decree, Fiona’s fragile state might become a double-edged sword—both a shield and a beacon attracting unwanted attention. The emotional undercurrents between her, Xavier, and Soren will likely intensify, revealing more about their true motivations and the delicate balance of loyalty and ambition that governs their actions.

As Fiona and her family retreat to the old manor, the shadows of past conflicts and unspoken fears will resurface, challenging their resolve and testing their bonds. The quiet isolation may offer a momentary respite, but it also sets the stage for secrets to unravel and alliances to be questioned. Readers can anticipate a mix of vulnerability and strength as Fiona navigates the fine line between survival and surrender, with every whispered rumor and guarded glance hinting at the storm yet to come.