All Chapters of Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Chapter 291 - Chapter 300

It wasn't long before Yuvan returned with news."My lady, the Royal Apothecary reports that in the past week, only Lady Ruth and the queen's attendants have collected aconite. As for crimson seed, only Lady Ruth's attendants have retrieved it."Selena frowned.Taken on their own, aconite and crimson seed could calm the mind and aid sleep.Sally soon returned with further information, sharing, "Since the Autumn Hunt, Lady Ruth has stayed almost exclusively at Harmony Palace, save for visits to Hawthorne Estate. I heard she's been fasting and praying constantly, hoping Prince Frederick's leg might heal."That aligned with the current situation.If Frederick's leg didn't recover, Ruth's ambitions would be futile. Wilfred had many sons, and even though Frederick excelled, the king would hardly consider letting a prince with a crippled leg inherit the throne.It was the same with the Obsidian Monarch. In Wilfred's eyes, a prince whose appearance had been disfigured would not, unless

Holly was indeed dragged outside, and her cries soon reached them."Your Highness! Have mercy! I beg you! I dare not do it again! Your Highness—"Nathaniel sipped his tea calmly, utterly unmoved by her pleas. Liam remained silent, standing dutifully by his side. It was hard to say how much time had passed, but Holly's cries had already grown faint when the prince finally waved his hand.Liam immediately had her dragged back into the hall. Now, she lay on the floor, battered and bruised, barely able to move. Liam hoisted her to face Nathaniel."Speak. Who sent you?" the prince asked leisurely, swirling the tea leaves in his cup.Holly had just moments ago appeared graceful and refined, but now stood disheveled. Her hair was in tatters, her body was covered in blood and grime, and she looked utterly wretched. Though terror and despair still lingered in her eyes, she had somehow regained a glimmer of hope."Y-you killed my father and brothers. You think... that I would fear you?""

The man in black was consumed by regret. If he had a subordinate like Selena under his command, success would've been guaranteed.Frederick had not only gone so far as to injure his leg, but also nearly lost his life just to save her. Meanwhile, Nathaniel had waited faithfully for years on end, his devotion unwavering as he remained unwed. He never even cared about Selena's past with Frederick.If the man in black had a woman like that under his command, everything he planned in the future would take half the effort for twice the result.But Mira, unconvinced by his words, said, "The Obsidian Monarch could never be a man ruled by passion, sir. If you ever stood before him or met his gaze even once, you would understand. He is cold and distant, untouched by sentiment. Gaining his heart is no easy feat."A lady like Selena was nothing more than a pleasant diversion, something easily done without. What the Obsidian Monarch required was not a delicate ornament to adorn his days, but a

The news of the female assassin being executed at the marketplace spread through the capital like wildfire. Tonight, there was a guest at Hawthorne Estate, who was recounting the story with obvious amusement."I heard that when the female assassin was captured, she remained proud and fearless, even saying that if she yelled once, she would no longer be the daughter of a Northern Frontier warlord."The guest was Zachary, the second prince. As he spoke with great enthusiasm about the assassin, Frederick sat with him in the side hall, quietly drinking tea."She even insulted Nate. Guess what she called him? Scum! Can you believe it? Hah, fascinating! How truly fascinating!" he said.Frederick held his cup with a dark expression and said nothing.However, Zachary seemed entirely unbothered by his brother's sullen expression and cheerfully continued, "I hear she's very beautiful, though her fighting skills are nothing special. I don't see what made her think she could try to kill Nate.

"Scum?"That phrase again—scum!Frederick narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint of lethal intent flashing within them. "You assassins have all been trained, haven't you? To act like this toward me, and toward Nathaniel as well! Speak! Who is behind you? Who trained you?"He suddenly rose to his feet, crossed the room in a few swift strides, and seized her by the neck, his fingers slowly tightening. "Tell me! Why approach me? Who is orchestrating all this behind the scenes?""W-what do you mean? I-I don't understand—" Freya gasped, having great difficulty breathing.Back when she had attempted to assassinate him, he had gripped her by the chin, a touch charged with a certain intimacy. But now, his hand was at her throat, with no lingering affection. As rage burned in his eyes, cold and piercing, Freya's entire body tensed, her fingertips trembling involuntarily."S-scum, let me go... I-I'm dying..."Frederick's fingers instantly tightened. "Then, die!"Freya knew she was on the verge