Lahat ng Kabanata ng Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Kabanata 571 - Kabanata 580

When Selena woke, her bed was indeed empty. Nathaniel had kept his promise. After drinking so much the night before, he had still managed to leave her room before dawn without a trace, despite being exhausted and drowsy.She turned over, closing her eyes as she hugged the blanket that had been draped over Nathaniel and inhaled his scent.What was she going to do? She felt like she was becoming increasingly unable to be without him. If she ever lost him... how could she bear it?Someone knocked at the door. "My lady."It was Sally.Selena reluctantly let go of the blanket and sat up. "Yes? What is it?""May I come in?" Sally asked cautiously."Go ahead."Selena folded the blanket and got out of bed to dress. She couldn't help but flush when Sally stepped in. The maid surely knew that Nathaniel had stayed the night, or she wouldn't have been so careful in her approach. If she still dared to come in, it must be important.Selena asked directly, "What's the problem?""It's not ex

"No, they were all very kind. It was my fault. I made them angry," Benjamin blurted out, panic in his eyes. "Lady Qiana, you're wonderful too. It's just that I'm hopeless! Please don't tell Mother that I don't want to learn. I'll try my very best, I promise."Qiana seemed to understand at once. Perhaps it was because his previous tutors always ran to the queen with complaints. Or maybe she had constantly criticized her son for not doing well enough and taken it out on his teachers, dismissing them one by one.In any case, it seemed clear why Benjamin had grown so self-conscious. His timidity and lack of confidence were no doubt shaped by endless pressure and harsh reprimands from his mother.Qiana glanced over her shoulder. Adelaide was watching. Though the distance was great, Qiana felt the weight of her gaze, as if it reached her like a chill. The queen's expression was calm, almost tender. Yet to Qiana, it brought a sudden coldness.She turned back to Benjamin and spoke softly,

When Qiana got serious about something, she truly gave her all. She forgot she was standing in someone else's courtyard, even forgetting there were eyes upon her at all.For his part, Wilfred was reluctant to leave. However, he was the king and couldn't afford such leisure for long. There were stacks of reports awaiting his review.He had risen to go, but after standing there for some time, he found himself unable to pull his gaze from Qiana. He lingered, fidgeting slightly, his feet rooted to the spot as though they refused to move."Your Majesty, General Yates is still waiting," Andrew reminded softly.Wilfred nodded and finally turned to leave when he saw Benjamin shoot an arrow. Although he didn't hit the bullseye, successfully hitting the target from such a distance was not easy for a six-year-old child.Benjamin beamed. Qiana reacted with open delight, her laughter bright and unrestrained. The sound was so clear and genuine that Wilfred, who had only just taken a step away,

Still seething from Qiana's behavior, Adelaide had no patience to spare for anything else."Lady Qiana is Prince Benjamin's mentor. It would be proper to let His Highness see her off. In such matters, one must act with dignity befitting a queen, Your Majesty," Layla said softly.Adelaide exhaled sharply. In the end, she waved a hand in dismissal. At once, Benjamin brightened and hurried after Qiana.Only after he'd gone did Adelaide coldly say, "Lady Qiana is far too willful and overbearing!"No one had ever dared to be so discourteous to her. The only exception was Wilfred, as well as Ruth, that woman who never knew her place and was forever set on opposing her. And now, there was Qiana as well.Layla didn't agree. "Your Majesty, I rather think Lady Qiana is unlike those women who flatter and fawn. Could it be that this very difference is what draws His Majesty to her?""His Majesty would favor such a rude woman?" Adelaide scoffed. "Did you not see what happened to Freya? Beside

Benjamin had never heard of a pinky promise in his life. Once Qiana showed him how it worked, his eyes lit up at once. He was so delighted, it was as though he'd been handed a priceless treasure.After watching him return to Serenity Palace, Isolde and Qiana turned and walked in the direction of Blissford Palace together."Isolde, did you come all this way because you were worried something might happen to me at Serenity Palace?" Qiana asked softly.Isolde didn't answer. She only smiled faintly and led the other woman onward. It wasn't until they reached Blissford Palace that Qiana realized the reason.Selena was there."I'm really fine, Lena. You don't need to worry," Qiana said, taking Selena's hand.She glanced at Isolde, then swallowed the words that had risen to her lips. No matter what, the old king was her senior apprentice's husband. Speaking ill of him in front of her didn't sit right.Isolde saw through her at once and smiled helplessly. "Why are you holding back in fr