Provoking a Graceful Bloom のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 281 - チャプター 290

"Lena, none of this is your fault. You didn't know anything back then. You were innocent."Sebastian only meant to comfort his sister, but he was not a man of many words. The more he spoke, the darker Selena's expression grew."Lena, I don't wish to force you. Your path is yours to choose, and whatever you decide, I will always stand by your side and support you.""I'm fine." Selena finally looked up and offered him a faint, composed smile. "We will be escorting the Dawnmere contingent out of the city tomorrow, so you should rest early. I'm tired and wish to sleep.""Lena—""I am truly weary."Sebastian could only sigh. After escorting her to the gates of Moonview Pavilion, he turned around and left her to her own thoughts. Selena dismissed even Sally before retreating to her room. After bathing and changing, she opened the window to let the night air in.The figure outside was still cold and distant, but Selena saw a strange hint of loneliness in it tonight."Do you wish to sp

Nathaniel said nothing, merely watching Selena in silence. His gaze was dark and unfathomable, revealing nothing of his thoughts.She said nothing, not wishing to disturb him. She knew he was feeling wronged again.Nine years... all because of her mistake. Nine long years he had endured, fueled by a mistake she made. If only she had never said that she would marry him when she grew up. Would he have carried such an obsession if she hadn't?Yet a flicker of doubt lingered in her heart."I remember... that fire was so terrible. I was certain I would die in the flames. I barely knew you then. Why did you risk yourself to save me?" she asked.It wasn't that she doubted his words. It was simply that saving her hardly seemed worth the effort. He was a prince, noble and untouchable, while she was merely the daughter of a subject.Unexpectedly, Nathaniel let out a quiet, soft laugh.Selena frowned. "What's so amusing?"He said nothing, only set his empty cup down on the table beside hi

Hearing that Dawnmere's contingent had been ambushed, and their condition remained uncertain, Selena and Sebastian hastened to the palace without delay.The Dawnmere contingent was quartered within the palace itself at Concord Palace, near the main gate, where the guards were formidable and the security thorough. Yet, they had fallen prey to an ambush!By the time Selena and Sebastian arrived, Concord Palace was already engulfed in flames. Soldiers and attendants hurried to contain the fire, but the inferno raged with alarming intensity.As the siblings quickened their pace, Selena called out with urgency, "What's the situation?"Nathaniel had clearly just arrived himself. He immediately ordered all eighteen men of the Yelwyn Cavalry to assist with the fire, with even Liam and Cloud joining the frantic effort."I heard a series of explosions, and then the flames spread beyond control," Nathaniel replied.His gaze suddenly fell upon someone amidst the chaos. Moving quickly, he rea

Sebastian finally managed to pull Lilia from the flames, but she had already fallen into a deep coma by then. The royal physicians were at a loss. In the end, it was Selena who pricked the princess with needles to draw out the poisoned blood, using her own unique technique to restore Lilia's breathing."She was drugged, and the smoke exposure was severe. That she survived at all is a miracle. As for any lingering effects, we won't know until she awakens," Selena said."Lingering effects?" Elias, who was now conscious, looked anxious. "Lady Campbell, what do you mean?"The royal physicians lowered their heads, unwilling to answer.Selena sighed. "While in a semi-conscious state, the princess was driven by sheer will to survive and tried to escape. Unfortunately, a fallen beam struck her head quite severely."The head was a complicated part of the human body. Injuries that appeared similar could lead to vastly different consequences. Until Lilia woke up, everything remained uncertai

"Lena, taking on this matter yourself is hardly wise. This concerns the relations between two kingdoms. If you fail to unmask the true culprit, His Majesty may well make you the scapegoat and cast you out," said Sebastian.Those who were capable bore the heaviest burdens. By showing such initiative in front of Wilfred, Selena could only expect more responsibility in the future. Yet, she was still a young woman. In Sebastian's eyes, a young lady carrying so great a weight could never live happily."Seb, you're the commander of the Dragon Sentinels. Even if I don't shoulder this, much of it will inevitably fall to you," Selena said.She stepped carefully across the rubble, each footfall measured and deliberate, as though even the slightest misstep might cause her to miss a vital clue.Her voice calm but firm, she continued, "Seb, in His Majesty's eyes, there is a world of difference between taking responsibility willingly and having it thrust upon you. Voluntarily, it shows loyalty.