All Chapters of Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

When Frederick sealed Freya's acupoint earlier, he had already been gravely wounded. With his strength and inner energy waning, the strike had lacked its usual power.No sooner had William asked his question than the hold upon Freya loosened, and she sprang up as if roused from a dream."What business have you here? You know nothing of fighting! You can't save the men, and you only bring them false hope before plunging them back into despair. That is worse than killing them!" she yelled furiously.Selena glanced at her calmly, then turned her gaze to the pale horizon. A faint wash of dawn was already brightening the east.She faced the men again and said, "My power is limited. I can't tend to every wounded man, and must do my utmost to save Prince Frederick. I'm sure everyone is aware that if His Highness dies, none of us may hope to survive."Her voice was low, yet in the hush that had fallen around them, every man heard it. The truth of it stung, but none could deny it. The prin

"I won't go!" Freya exclaimed, instinctively retreating.Behind her was Frederick, laying on the stretcher.She hurried to his side, grasping his hand. "Fred, you wouldn't believe me when I told you that Selena wanted to get rid of me! Do you believe me now?""Someone must lead the way," Selena said, her gaze on Frederick.Though he was weak, half asleep, and dazed from the journey, she knew he was aware."If your prince were uninjured, he would go himself. As his woman, you should act as he would. Otherwise, you have no right to stand beside him," she added.Freya's cheeks flamed. She bristled with indignation, yet part of her truly feared that Selena would push her forward. Frederick's face was flushed as well, though whether from embarrassment or something else, no one could tell.When he tried to rise, William looked terrified and immediately urged, "Your Highness, you're still wounded! Don't strain yourself. I'll go in your stead."But before William even finished speaking

For a time, the entire capital—from the king, queen, and concubines to the common folk in every street and alley—shared a single conviction: Selena Campbell loved Frederick Lancaster with unwavering devotion.The previous broken engagement, they reasoned, had been no slight to her character. It had occurred only because another woman captured the prince's attention, leaving Selena abandoned."Y-Your Highness, everyone outside is saying that it was you who abandoned Lady Campbell," William murmured when he returned from a walk.There was a trace of resentment in his voice, aimed, naturally, at his master, Frederick. Yet he dared not speak it aloud.He only softly said, "Your Highness, though their words are not entirely accurate, one thing is indisputably true."Frederick, seated on the bed, regarded the other man calmly. "And what might that be?"William stole a quick glance to ensure the prince remained untroubled and serene, then continued, "Lady Campbell's devotion to you is g

"Your Highness, we've confirmed that the one who ventured alone into the Mount Iron stone forest was indeed Lady Campbell. Or rather, she was only accompanied by her maid, a young woman named Sally Mauve."Joseph delivered the news while Elias was practicing with his spear. As before, Damon stood nearby, holding a stack of gauzy silk. With a single thrust of the prince's spear, the fabric split apart in an instant.Damon counted, eyes widening with delight. "Your Highness, that's eight layers! No more, no less! It's perfect this time!"He could hardly contain his excitement, but that was only natural.For days now, ever since Elias regained the strength to rise from bed, he had insisted on drilling this skill, day in and day out. Three entire days had passed, devoted solely to spear practice, with nothing else to occupy their time.Elias had no need to concern himself with court affairs while he was in Aurensia, so time was something he had in abundance.On the other hand, it was

For the royal family, making someone disappear was a trivial matter. Frederick might rage or grieve, but at most, he would vent his frustrations on Ruth and perhaps snub her. He would never dare show the slightest defiance toward Wilfred.The weight of the words spoken by the king was immeasurably greater than if they came from Ruth, and Selena understood this perfectly.Today, Wilfred had made his position unmistakably clear.He favored Selena because he was keen on having her as a daughter-in-law. And because of that, he was willing to act for her sake. Freya was just an upstart girl who had appeared from nowhere. She was nothing in the king's eyes. With a single flick of his hand, she would be gone."Your Majesty—""I can help you this time, Lena. But if anything like this happens again, I hope you'll know how to conduct yourself."At worst, Selena's future husband would inevitably be a prince. A prince could never be satisfied with only one woman, and his household would inev