Semua Bab Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Bab 211 - Bab 220

Qiana had first met Tobias in a small border town.A simple girl from a humble village, she possessed a naturally bright spirit. Unlike highborn ladies, she had not been raised in a complicated environment. Her thoughts were straightforward, her heart unburdened.Though she was already past twenty, the simplicity of her days had preserved in her a trace of girlish innocence. Even Aurora found her utterly endearing."Listen to Lena. If she wishes to take first place, then we shall contest the Obsidian Monarch's team properly," Aurora said with a smile.Qiana glanced at her niece, awaiting her response.However, Selena turned her gaze to Aurora. "Do you truly think only the Obsidian Monarch's team is worthy of the challenge?"Those words were blunt, perhaps even hurtful. Yet, honesty demanded no less.Aurora simply nodded. "Indeed."Sebastian winced and rubbed his temple. "Aurora, please choose your words with care.""I'm just a woman from the countryside. How would I know when

Chloe leapt onto her horse and spurred it forward, pushing herself to the utmost speed in a desperate attempt to shake Qiana from her tail. No one knew how far she had ridden, but it seemed she had covered quite a distance before finally coming to a halt.A small wild boar appeared ahead, and she immediately notched an arrow. But from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Qiana, calmly perched on her horse and munching on some dried fruits.Chloe ground her teeth. "What?!"Seeing Qiana casually eating with her bow strapped to her back, Chloe seized what she thought was her golden opportunity. She took aim at the wild boar and released her arrow. But with a sudden snap, the arrow was knocked aside.No one could say when Qiana had taken up her bow, but it now rested innocently in her lap as she continued to nibble on her food without a care in the world.Chloe froze for a moment, then fury overtook her entirely. "Wretch! I'll kill you! You're dead!"She drew another arrow, aim

It wasn't long before another member of the Marquis of Arden's household was sitting on the ground in tears. It was the heir himself, Colin, who was genuinely crying.Aurora had not struck him with any serious force. At most, he had a few minor bruises. But the repeated falls and humiliating defeat were enough to drive anyone to tears. The shame alone was unbearable."General Campbell! You can't do this! You simply can't!" Colin's face was streaked with tears. He didn't wail like his sister, but he flopped and thrashed about just as dramatically. "Will an apology not suffice? Spare us, I beg you!"As the day waned, the other teams that had secured their places for tomorrow's contest paused to watch the spectacle, while those who feared they might not advance hurried to make their final attempts.The team from the Marquis of Arden's household stood empty-handed, as did the Duke of Blackmoor's household. At this rate, both sides would be sent home. Was it really worth it?Sebastian

Preposterous! Utterly presumptuous!Under Colin's stern glare, Chloe at last broke down, bawling as she explained, "I didn't kill the wild boar. I saw it lying there, struggling. No one came to claim it, so I rode up and shot its leg so my people could fetch it.""At the time, my aunt and I were chatting not far off. We were only a step too late to pick it up. We were speaking nearby, you could hardly have missed us! And yet, you dared to claim the advantage for yourself!" Selena retorted, her teasing smile vanishing.Her gaze turned cold and unforgiving, fixed on Chloe. "Tell me, then. By what presumption did you think you could steal from the Duke of Blackmoor's household? Did you believe we had no one to defend our name?"Chloe could only weep, her voice failing her. Colin kept his head bowed and said nothing.Selena had not been mistaken. Until this morning, one might have thought there was no one of skill in the Duke of Blackmoor's family. But after today, who would dare thin

Frederick ground his teeth in fury, Edward stared wide-eyed in shock, and Sebastian's heart nearly stopped from fear. Only Nathaniel remained utterly composed, a faint, almost teasing smile tugging at his lips.Finally, Selena emerged.The tents were not large, and even within her own quarters, she could hear every word of their conversation with perfect clarity. Fortunately, her other family members and Sally had gone off to roast the prey they brought back. Otherwise, Nathaniel's startling words alone would have sent them into fits of terror."Lena, what's—"Sebastian could scarcely process the scene before him. He hurried to his sister's side, silently pleading for some guidance. How was he to manage this?Selena glanced at him, her expression equally resigned. With the Demon Lord present, no ordinary tactics would suffice. After all, he never played by the rules."Prince Nathaniel came looking for me just now. I didn't know whether he had pressing business, so I invited him t