All Chapters of Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Chapter 221 - Chapter 230

"General Campbell, what did he mean by that?!" Frederick nearly roared.Why was Nathaniel unusually familiar with the people from the Duke of Blackmoor's household? Not only did he address Sebastian as his brother, but he had the audacity to claim he was part of their household! Since when did they have anything to do with Nathaniel?!Sebastian, who had finally collected himself, appeared far calmer than Frederick, who seemed like he was about to explode in anger."Well, Prince Nathaniel is difficult to understand. I truly don't know why he would say such things," said Sebastian.In short, Sebastian knew nothing, understood nothing, couldn't explain, and couldn't answer anything. That was the way he would go. After all, Selena had once said that whenever one had no idea how to respond, that was the perfect reply.When Sebastian saw how Frederick struggled to restrain himself, he knew at once that Selena's words were indeed as miraculously right as ever. It was truly the perfect an

Frederick left, his anger burning bright. On his way back, he saw Freya scouring the area, clearly searching for him. Seeing her frantic, furious figure, he only felt irritated, wanting to turn and avoid her.But of course, Freya spotted him. "Fred, where have you been?"She had been trying to restrain herself lately. Ever since her sister arrived, her temper had improved considerably. But today, she couldn't hold back.First, Mira's performance during the audience-ground exercise made Freya feel foolish. After all these years, she had been deceived by a half-sister born out of wedlock. Then, there was Selena's display of skills at mounted archery. That alone had completely stunned her.Freya had always despised Mira, yet after seeing Selena's skills, fear had suddenly crept into her heart. Her resentment toward her sister now felt almost insignificant.Freya was terrified because she just realized something she had overlooked. She had always thought Selena lacked what she herself

Mira's words sent a chill through Freya."Mira, what exactly are you trying to do?"Why had she really come to Hawthorne Estate?Mira let out a soft hum. "I have no intention of entering Prince Frederick's household at all."More accurately, she had once believed that Frederick was truly the strongest man in all of Aurensia. But after arriving in the capital and checking the facts, she discovered that the title of Aurensia's Warbringer was largely hollow.The battle at Mount Iron outside Hartshire made it clear that Frederick owed his strength and title to Selena. Without her support, he was nothing. And soon, everyone in Aurensia would know it."You might as well warn him. Tell him how cunning Selena truly is. If he continues to be blind, he won't only fail to become king, but together, the Obsidian Monarch and Selena will strip him of even his Warbringer title. In the end, he will have nothing," said Mira."You already said he likes Selena. Why would he listen to me now?" Frey

Selena nearly rolled her eyes. Could this man not grasp the point of a single thing she said? Was that so difficult?"You—"But Nathaniel had already seated himself beside her, crossing his legs on the carpet just as she had."Lena, what are you reading? Whatever you read, I must read as well," he said, leaning closer, his eyes fixed intently on the pages in her hands.His expression was surprisingly earnest, almost solemn.Selena frowned. Unable to suppress her curiosity, she asked, "Why?""I fear you're far too remarkable, and that I'm not worthy of you. Were other men to swarm around you, they would surely carry you off before I could."As he spoke, he glanced at her. The single look made Selena nearly jump out of her skin. What was that mournful, almost pitiful look? Was it truly befitting the monarch of the Northern Frontier?Yet Nathaniel was indeed filled with grievance. "Back then, I only allowed my eyes to stray from you for a moment, and you were taken by Frederick. Y

"Lena, I want to hold you."Nathaniel's voice was low and magnetic, as if it could ensnare the soul itself. Selena nearly lost herself in it, drawn irresistibly by the sound and the subtle warmth in the air around him.When he leaned closer, that faint, clean scent of his surrounded her. It was the kind of scent that was unmistakably male, yet fresh and pure. Her heart skipped a beat, thundering in her chest.Wait, what did he just say? He wanted to hold her?Yet it was Selena who moved first. The military treatise slipped unnoticed from her hands onto the carpet, and before she realized it, her fingers had reached out, brushing against the edge of Nathaniel's mask.Her sweet scent stirred both his senses and his heart. When her hand brushed against his mask, a surge of heat rushed through him, overwhelming thought with impulse. In one swift motion, Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace.Her soft body pressed against his, the stark contrast between