All Chapters of Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

Felix's eyes were misted with tears. He opened his mouth to speak, yet words failed him. After a long moment, all he could manage was a single, earnest sentence."My lady, you must take care of yourself."Selena merely nodded, saying nothing, and turned to leave. No sooner had she stepped out of Elysian Pavilion than Yuvan hurried up, his face tense."My lady, the bandits in Hartshire have risen again. Last night, they slaughtered a dozen or more innocent townsfolk.""Were they not already driven out? And now they return to kill?" Selena's heart tightened at the thought. "How much did they take? How many were wounded?""They stole nothing. They merely slaughtered the townspeople and set a row of houses ablaze, then departed."Selena's brow furrowed deeper. Bandits entering a town only to kill and burn, without theft? That was most unusual."It seems like... a provocation," she murmured.Could this be revenge?"My lady, the bandits were driven from Hartshire a year ago by Princ

William understood at last.To Frederick, Freya's skill mattered less than her spirit. Compared to other young ladies, she was extraordinary, and that was enough. The prince cared little for whether she was truly qualified to join their ranks. What he wanted was simply for the lady he admired to be set apart from all others, and that she should be happy.Just then, a cry rang out from a distance, announcing, "A royal edict has arrived!"Horse and rider came thundering toward them, the man leaping down before he had quite reached Frederick.He strode forward at once, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, a message from the palace. Bandits have risen in Hartshire, where they have slaughtered more than a dozen innocent villagers. His Majesty commands you to march without delay and put the bandits to the sword within three days."Frederick accepted the edict with both hands.Before he could reply, the guard bent close and spoke in a lowered tone, "Your Highness, this is the chance secured f

This campaign against the bandits had been placed under Freya's command. The fifteen thousand soldiers who marched with her were all Frederick's own men.At first, they bristled in silence. To follow the daughter of a bandit chief was an insult few could stomach, though none dared speak the thought aloud. Their resentment deepened when after they arrived at Hartshire, she ordered them straight into battle without rest after a sleepless night.The men carried their grievances heavily, yet they obeyed. And to their astonishment, Freya led them to swift victory. The bandits stationed outside the city were routed with ease, driven headlong into the mountain ravines.Her boldness, so unexpected, quickly earned the grudging respect of many. Thus, when she commanded the army to press their advantage and pursue into the mountains, hesitation flickered among the ranks, but no one defied her.Weary though they were, the men followed. But the deeper they marched, the more unease crept in."Y

Frederick's face darkened with displeasure. "Fey! Cease this nonsense at once!"It was not merely Freya's scathing words about Selena, but the way she had so boldly voiced his own insecurities, exposing them for all to see. He knew the soldiers respected Selena, yet they also respected him. There was no need to speak so harshly."Tell me, did I strike a nerve? You are angry, are you not? That wretched woman—""General Talmar!" Brad's voice cut through the air sharply, his expression grim. "Lady Campbell is the most brilliant strategist in our ranks. Though young, she has fought alongside us for many years. I ask that you watch your words when speaking of her."The soldiers' loyalty to Selena was well-earned. She had commanded respect through deeds and skill. Freya's incessant addressing of her as a "wretched woman" left the men around her visibly uneasy, especially since she showed no inclination to restrain herself. Even William harbored a quiet resentment, though he dared not spe

Freya's words sent a hush through the soldiers surrounding them. They were all Frederick's men, fiercely loyal and unwilling to see the prince appear weak or incapable. In their hearts, he was unmatched.Yet in the past, every battle had been flawless only because Selena stood at his side. Could it be that without her, Frederick was truly incapable? Unwittingly, their doubtful glances fell upon the prince himself.Frederick felt as though his very body was aflame, burning with a heat that threatened to consume him. Was it true that without Selena, he couldn't triumph in battle? Had all his years of achievements really come from her?No! He had relied upon himself!Freya saw the flicker in his expression and knew she had struck true. He was unwilling to admit defeat, was he?"Fred, I came here to see just how formidable the man I chose truly is."Mira was right. To make a man obey, one must either dominate him or revere him. Most of the time, Freya acted on impulse, trying to asse