All Chapters of Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Chapter 151 - Chapter 160

Ultimately, Eric allowed himself to be persuaded. After a hearty supper and a cup of wine, he finally retired to his tent to rest.Sebastian turned to his sister. "Lena, you should rest as well.""No. Tonight, I mean to venture to Mount Iron," she replied softly."What?" His composure faltered at once, alarmed. "Lena, didn't you say—""I did say the soldiers must rest. I never said I must." She gathered up the map of the terrain, then pressed it into his hands. "I have committed it all to memory, so keep this with you. At dawn, you will lead the men into the mountains, and you must follow my instructions precisely. Don't forget our code from before."With that, she turned toward the tent's entrance.Sebastian hurried after her. "Lena, I can't possibly allow you to go alone—"She was already astride her horse. Looking back, she said, "I'm not going alone. Sally is coming with me.""Absurd!" His voice was sharp with anger and fear. "Two young women, riding into an enemy stronghol

They had been trapped in that nameless valley for more than a day.On the night Freya had driven Brad to his death, she had urged Frederick onward, insisting they must press forward until every bandit was dead. In truth, they didn't know where the enemy held their strongholds. Before long, they came upon enemies and gave chase.But the more they pressed on, the rougher and more treacherous the terrain became. By the time they entered a forest of jagged stones, it was as if the world itself had shifted.The stones seemed almost alive, shifting beneath their eyes, while a thick fog began to coil and swirl. Soon, the mist swallowed all sight, blotting out the world itself. Around them, only the clash of steel and cries of battle could be heard. One by one, the soldiers fell in pools of blood, while the bandits remained shadows, almost invisible amidst the haze.They were trapped in that stony maze, and their losses were grievous.At first, only a little over three thousand soldiers c

Frederick truly had no patience for Freya's chatter. At a life-or-death moment, she was still quibbling over such trivialities.Once, he had admired her blunt courage, her refusal to bow even when death loomed near. It had been that defiance, bright and unyielding, that first caught his eye. He still remembered the moment when she had been nothing but a prisoner, yet dared to meet his gaze with a spark of insolence that challenged his authority outright.How spirited she had seemed then, her pride so radiant that for a moment, she had truly dazzled him. Looking at her now, she was still unafraid of death. But what he had once mistaken for noble pride seemed nothing more than reckless folly."Lady Campbell..." a soldier whispered hoarsely."I told you," Freya snapped, her voice sharp with fury. "Do not speak that wretched woman's name again! If anyone dares—""It's Lady Campbell! Truly, it is her!""It is! She has come to save us!"One by one, the men lifted their weary heads, st

The army physician was dead. How was he to appear now?The men around them ground their teeth in fury, yet they dared not act. Frederick had risked his life to save this she-devil. If any of them were foolish enough to lay a hand on her now, they would be courting the prince's wrath and quite possibly their own deaths.William crouched beside Frederick and spoke with forced calm, "Your Highness, this wound from the arrow… There is no medicine here, so we can't treat it. I will choose a band of brave men and attempt to force a way out. Do not fret, Your Highness. I will see you safely returned to the capital.""No." Frederick gripped William's wrist with what strength he had. His lips, cracked and pale from loss of blood, formed sounds more hoarse than speech. "Outside... there are archers waiting to... ambush us. Whoever charges out... will die."William knew it as well as any man. If even the prince, masterful in arms though he was, couldn't escape the storm of arrows, what hope h

William looked at Frederick, a mist of unshed tears clouding his eyes. Just then, the prince slowly opened his own eyes. For a heartbeat, clarity returned to him."Pull it out," he murmured, his gaze fixed on William.This was the companion who had been at his side for more than ten years, and Frederick knew the panic and fear in his eyes were real."Do it. Whatever follows... you're absolved of guilt," he said, his voice hoarse, but steady."Your Highness..." William's voice broke. "We have no salves for a wound like this, and I won't be able to staunch the blood flow."He felt utterly useless. He had served Fredrick for more than a decade, yet at the moment of the prince's greatest need, he could not help in the slightest. He deserved death for this!Frederick coughed, the taste of blood filling his mouth.Freya's tears spilled over. "Do it quickly! Fred can't wait. If anything happens to him, I will see you dead!""Be... silent," Frederick rasped."Fred—" she began."Begon