Lahat ng Kabanata ng Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Kabanata 581 - Kabanata 590

On the way back, Qiana still felt a flutter of unease. When she looked up, she realized that Selena, sitting next to her, had been watching her the entire time."Lena...""Don't worry, Aunt Qiana. Give me some time and I'll handle this," Selena said, her expression serious.Qiana let out a sigh and shook her head. "Don't let me sway your decisions. Whatever you and Nate choose to do, don't let anyone else influence you."Selena only smiled, saying nothing.Qiana's worry deepened. "Don't take Isolde's words to heart. She has her own thoughts and concerns. You and Nate need to follow your own judgment.""Aunt Qiana, you've already paired Prince Nathaniel and I in your mind, right? But he and Lady Isolde are mother and son," Selena said, her smile growing even warmer.Qiana's thoughts were always so simple. She said what she felt, no tricks or hidden motives. She genuinely believed Nathaniel shared Selena's heart, and that was all there was to it.At last, Qiana took Selena's hand

After taking his medicine, Gideon sank back into a deep sleep. He was truly nearing his end, and even Selena knew he only had a few days left at most.Tomorrow was the wedding day.That evening, Sebastian gathered the ladies to discuss the arrangements for the next day. Yvette had some experience and guided them through handling certain special situations, while Sally studied every detail with painstaking care.Tomorrow, she would accompany Selena to Obsidian Estate. Nathaniel might not fuss over anything, but as Selena's personal attendant, Sally worried about making even the slightest mistake that might embarrass her mistress.At the same time, she fretted over the arrangements at Blackmoor Estate. She wanted to be there to care for Sebastian and Lilia, but she also needed to follow Selena to Obsidian Estate. She wished she could split herself in two!That night, Blackmoor Estate carried a tense, almost strange air.Late into the evening, Selena couldn't help herself and went t

When Sebastian was returning to his courtyard, he didn't know why, but his steps carried him straight to the courtyard where Lilia was temporarily staying.The little courtyard didn't have a name yet. When she first arrived, she had stayed in Lustre Pavilion. Later, once Lilia's emotions had settled a little, Sebastian had Sally prepare a small courtyard for her to stay in temporarily.Though meant as a temporary arrangement, Sally had made it tidy and comfortable. The courtyard was small but clean and serene, perfect for rest and recovery.Later, Sebastian and Lilia had been officially betrothed. Selena said that even though the princess would move into Lustre Pavilion after the wedding, there was no need to get rid of the temporary residence.If the couple ever had a quarrel, Lilia could always retreat here for a few days. Those few days would give Sebastian a bit of time to coax his wife back into good spirits.As he stood in front of the courtyard, Sebastian's mood was complic

Cloud assumed that once Nathaniel found Oliver, the night would end in flying fists and chaos. But though he lingered outside for quite some time and watched in secret, he heard nothing at all.The physician's tonic for bruises was finally ready. Though Cloud was reluctant in every way, he forced himself to carry it to Nova Pavilion for Nathaniel's sake. To his utter surprise, the brothers weren't sparring in the rear courtyard at all. They were in a room with their heads bent together, fussing over something he couldn't quite see.Cloud paused outside the door and listened. Soon enough, their voices drifted out."She's a witch, so she must like bold colors like deep purples and bright reds. I think this shade's quite good.""She's not a witch. Remember to address her properly in the future. Also, you're not to upset her.""Even if she'll be my sister-in-law, she's still a witch... Alright, fine. I'll address her properly."Oliver's reluctance was plain enough that even Cloud cou

"I know her secret. The one she truly loves is the Obsidian Monarch. Back then, she even meant to go and seduce him. But he refused to see her, so she never had the chance," Freya said.When she saw the change in Frederick's face, she knew she had struck at what he hated most."Fred, I'm not trying to slander her behind her back. I'm only afraid you're being deceived. It doesn't matter if what lies between you is only a bargain or something more. If her heart belongs to the Obsidian Monarch, then no matter what happens in the future, she will betray you at any time and follow him without hesitation.""Nonsense!" Frederick glared at her. "Because I don't want you, you now mean to stand in the way of me and any woman I choose?"Freya bit her lip. She knew that no matter what else she said, he wouldn't even look at her the way he used to.At last, she carefully drew a letter from her sleeve and stepped toward him. "Fred, this is something I obtained from Mira before she left Hawthorn