Chapter 65 A Game of Chess
“Roman! My boy! You’re finally back in the city!”
Roman stood immediately.
The elderly man pulled him into a brief but firm hug, patting his back warmly.
“Uncle,” Roman greeted respectfully. “Theon informed me you wanted to see my bride. We were passing by, so I brought her to meet you.”
He extended his hand toward Evelyn.
She stood and placed her hand in his.
With grace, she bowed slightly.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Uncle.”
The elderly man’s eyes fell on her.
For a brief second, something flickered in his gaze.
“Oh my… isn’t this—”
He abruptly stopped, due to Roman's subtle glare.
The elderly man cleared his throat smoothly.
“What a beautiful young wife you have.”
He stepped forward and planted a gentle kiss on Evelyn’s cheek.
“Come, come. No need to bow so much. It’s a shame Jessica isn’t here tonight. She would have been quite pleased to see who Roman’s bride is.”
Evelyn’s brows knitted slightly at that comment.
She masked it instantly with a polite smile.
“Evelyn,” Roman said softly, “this is Caspian Kensington.”
Her breath caught.
Caspian Kensington
The dictator of the Republic of Olyndria.
Her pulse skipped.
The Kensington family ruled Olyndria for generations— a political dynasty wrapped in prestige. Yet Caspian Kensington had built a reputation far beyond inherited power.
He was a globally renowned neurosurgeon.
A specialist in complex cranial vascular reconstruction and high-risk brainstem tumor removal — procedures most surgeons wouldn’t dare attempt.
The man had never lost a patient on his operating table. Not once.
Even world leaders waited months for his schedule to clear.
Despite his political authority, he was known for living simply and for his unwavering devotion to his wife. They had only one son, and while his leadership was inherited, his medical reputation was entirely his own.
Evelyn bowed again, this time more deeply.
“It’s truly an honor to meet you.”
Caspian chuckled warmly and gently stopped her.
“No need for all that, child.”
Before the moment could settle, another presence approached.
A refined young man; composed, and impeccably dressed. His features were sharp, his smile restrained but confident.
He stopped before Roman.
“Roman. It’s good to see you again.”
His gaze flickered briefly to Evelyn before returning to Roman.
“The last time I saw you, you were with Victoria. Is she back yet?”
‘Victoria?’
Evelyn’s fingers tightened slightly around her clutch.
‘Who’s Victoria?’
Her smile remained in place. But inside, something cold settled in her chest.
Roman’s eyes narrowed the moment he extended his hand, leaving it hanging in the air.
He didn’t answer or acknowledge the gesture.
"I'm not pleased to see you, Dorian," he said coldly.
Roman turned away from him, refusing to engage any further.
Dorian's hand hung in the air awkwardly before he slowly lowered it. His jaw tightened, but he forced his smile to remain.
Roman pulled Evelyn closer, his hand settling possessively at the small of her back.
"This is my wife," he said simply, making his point crystal clear without bothering with proper introductions.
Evelyn glanced between them, her mind still spinning around that name ’Victoria.’
‘Who was she? And why did Dorian speak about her like she should be here instead?’
Roman turned toward Caspian. “Uncle, how is Aunty? I was planning to—”
"Wife?" Dorian's voice cut through, loud enough to draw attention from nearby guests.
He let out a sharp laugh. "Come on, Roman. Don't be ridiculous. When did you get married?"
His eyes glittered with mischief. “We all know that Victoria—”
“DORIAN.”
Caspian's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. The warmth had completely vanished from his face.
"Who invited you here?" His frown deepened, displeasure radiating from every line of his body. "You don't even show me proper respect anymore."
He straightened to his full height. “Security!”
The word boomed across the hall loudly.
All conversations stopped. Every head turned in their direction.
Evelyn's heart hammered against her ribs. She didn't understand what was happening, but that name ’Victoria,’ kept echoing in her head, making it impossible to keep her polite smile in place. The air in the room suddenly felt thicker, more suffocating.
Within seconds, two security guards appeared and flanked Dorian.
"Sir, please come with us," one of them said firmly.
Dorian's face flushed red with embarrassment, but he had no choice. As they escorted him away, he shot one last look over his shoulder—directly at Evelyn.
Her body went rigid.
Noticing her discomfort, Roman’s grip on her waist tightened slightly.
His touch was comforting.
And yet, Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
Guests murmured and whispered, casting curious glances their way.
Evelyn felt exposed, and scrutinized.
Once the commotion died down,
Caspian's expression softened again. He turned to Evelyn with an apologetic smile.
"I'm terribly sorry about that rude interruption, my dear."
He gestured to one of his attendants. Within moments, a guard approached carrying an elegant black velvet box.
Caspian took it and presented it to Evelyn. "This is for you."
Evelyn opened her mouth to politely decline, but before she could speak, Roman leaned in, his lips brushing her ear.
“Just take it,” he murmured softly. “It’s a gift from someone important.”
Her brows furrowed slightly, but she nodded and took the box, offering a polite smile as she did so.
“Thank you Uncle,” she said, her voice smooth despite trying to keep her cool.
The gift she received only intensified the stares. Evelyn could feel the weight of dozens of curious and envious eyes on her.
But she no longer cared at that moment.
Her chest felt tight.
‘What was Roman hiding?’
"Excuse me," she said quietly, touching Roman's arm. "I need to use the restroom."
Roman studied her face for a moment, then nodded. “Of course. Down the hall, second door on the right. Don’t get lost”
Evelyn nodded slightly.
The moment she walked towards the restroom, Caspian turned to Roman with knowing eyes.
“It seems your young bride isn't too happy about the mention of that particular name.”
Roman's jaw clenched. “It's fine. I'll explain it to her.”
Caspian waved a dismissive hand. “I must say, Alexander is still as shrewd as ever. How did he manage to get you to marry Catherine's daughter?” He stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Who would have thought that was his plan all along.”
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “If I had known his scheme was to rope in a Beckett heir, I would have fought him tooth and nail for her. And made her Theon's bride instead—”
His words died instantly.
Roman's eyes were cold towards him now, promising violence.
Caspian knew the young man might cause trouble for him, so he cleared his throat nervously. "I'll... I'll find another bride for my son."
Roman didn't even crack a smile.
The older man shifted uncomfortably. “Geez, you're just like your father when he's angry.” He forced a laugh. “I'm curious though—how did you and Alexander manage to win the girl over? I'd love to know the secret for Theon's sake.”
Roman's expression didn't soften one bit, his gaze darkening.
“A game of chess.”
—-
In the bathroom, Evelyn stared at her reflection in the mirror, her hands gripping the marble counter.
“Victoria. Avery. How many ghosts did my husband have now?”