บททั้งหมดของ Provoking a Graceful Bloom: บทที่ 111 - บทที่ 120

"I-I didn't mean to..."Utterly bewildered, Lilia's gaze was fixed on the crimson streak across Sebastian's face. She had never intended to mar such a handsome visage. The thought of damaging a face so fair was terrifying!Yet, he remained composed and utterly untroubled, as if it didn't matter in the slightest. It was precisely that composure that made the princess feel she had gone too far."Do you still bear a grudge against me, Your Highness?" Sebastian asked.Caught entirely off guard, Lilia shook her head. "N-no, I don't.""All is forgiven, then?""Y-yes...""Very well. I have matters of state to attend to, so I shall take my leave." He inclined his head in a formal gesture toward her, then turned to his sister. "Lena, I need to inspect the hunting grounds today. I may return late, so there is no need to wait for me at dinner.""I understand. But... will you at least let me tend to the wound first?" Selena asked, her concern plain, though she was unused to showing it.If

Selena didn't need to turn her head to know who had spoken.Freya strode over with brisk, confident steps, her gaze cold and sharp. "I thought you said you no longer cared for him. If that's true, why have you followed him here? You're utterly deceitful. You speak of indifference, yet your mind is consumed by desire. It is truly repulsive!"So typical of these fine young ladies, saying one thing and doing the opposite. Vile creatures, the lot of them!Selena had deliberately broken off their engagement, yet still clung to Frederick all this while. Even today, knowing he was at the hunting grounds, she had followed him here. Had Freya not followed on a sudden impulse, Selena might well have succeeded today."You think you can sway Fred while I'm away? Not a chance!" Freya's eyes narrowed, filled with scorn and mockery. "You wretch! Don't think I'm blind to your thoughts. Seeing how Fred favors me for being unique, you try to imitate me!"Breaking off your engagement only to cling t

It was Frederick. It was actually him!Selena's breath caught, ragged and uneven. A surge of red-hot fury churned within her chest, thrumming in rhythm with her racing heart. Seeing how pale Selena's face was, Freya realized she had struck a nerve.Unable to conceal her glee, she let out a cold laugh. "Do you know how utterly desperate Sebastian was at that moment? I'm sure he never dreamed that someone would strike and damage his body so completely! He looked at Fred with not only despair, but also righteous fury. I shall never forget that look! It was utterly delightful!"Freya laughed recklessly, her voice ringing through the air.Selena trembled all over, her fingers clenched so tightly that her sharp nails nearly tore into the flesh of her palms.Sebastian had never told her that Frederick had been involved. Not a word. All because he didn't want her to be heartbroken! He himself had been driven to utter despair and sorrow, yet he still worried about her feelings.How could

"You dare?! If you hit me again, Fred will never forgive you!"Freya was truly terrified and thoroughly cowed. Since her arrival in the capital, aside from the obstinate Ruth and that opportunistic Adelaide, both of whom gained their position by a man's favor and dared to have her punished, no one had ever treated her so disrespectfully.Everyone else had shown her nothing but the utmost deference. Even Selena and Sebastian had never laid a hand on her.Freya never imagined she'd run into someone even more unruly than herself—a wild girl who swung a whip without rhyme or reason and actually thrashed her like this. Was there truly no one to stop such blatant bullying?"Selena! You dare have someone strike me? I'll tell Fred! He'll kill you both! I'll—""What concern is that of mine?" Selena leaned casually against a tree, her gaze slanted and sharp. "Do you honestly think I'm so powerful that I can even command a princess of Dawnmere? Besides, you came here to spar, and are being b

"Your Highness."From not far off, two guards approached cautiously, faces full of hesitation, clearly wanting to say something. Frederick cast them a sharp glance. In unison, the guards fell to their knees.One spoke, voice quivering, "Your Highness, j-just now, we were patrolling nearby and witnessed the dispute between Ms. Talmar and Lady Campbell. W-we saw everything clearly."All eyes immediately turned to the two men.Frederick's expression darkened. He asked coldly, "And what exactly did you see?"The guards exchanged uncertain glances, still hesitant. Matters of those above them were not theirs to involve themselves in, yet this woman had taken cruelty too far.Finally, the first guard clenched his jaw and said, "Your Highness, we saw Ms. Talmar attempt to ruin Lady Campbell's face. Lady Campbell was frightened and reached out to defend herself, and somehow Ms. Talmar ended up scratching her own neck.""What?" Sebastian hurried to Selena's side, pointing at Freya, his bo