All Chapters of Provoking a Graceful Bloom: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Three days later, Elias arrived. He hadn't yet entered the capital and was staying at a lodge just outside the city walls, awaiting the Aurensian royal family's official welcome.To Selena's surprise, Adelaide had assigned her to receive Lilia Talmar, the seventh princess of Dawnmere, who had accompanied Elias on the journey."Not another Talmar!" Sally muttered, clearly fed up with the name.Selena smiled gently. "Freya grew up near the desert, right next to Dawnmere. Maybe they all share that surname because they're from the same place. What's so strange about that?"Before long, their carriage came to a stop outside the lodge. As Selena stepped out, her eyes caught sight of a tall, slender figure standing nearby.Noticing him too, Sally barely concealed her unease as she commented, "That's the Obsidian Monarch?"Though surprised, Selena quickly composed herself and walked toward him. "Your Highness, today—"Suddenly, from within the lodge, a small dagger whistled through the

With a sharp crack, the whip's tail struck the ground, splitting the stone beneath it and sending dust flying everywhere. Clearly, the wielder's inner energy was no joke.Sally's heart tightened with worry. Afraid her mistress might be at a disadvantage, she hurried forward to shield her. Selena felt a dull throb at her temples but kept a calm face as she quietly pulled Sally behind her.Men were such a nuisance. What did their foolish entanglements have to do with her?As her eyes drifted to Lilia's whip, she suddenly smiled as if struck by a new idea."Your Highness, you must be mistaken. I'm not sure what happened just now. The Obsidian Monarch and Prince Frederick had a disagreement, and since I'm an old acquaintance of Prince Frederick's, it all got a bit tangled. It's complicated and hard to explain quickly. But your whip—what exquisite craftsmanship! What is it made of? I've never seen one quite like it," she said smoothly.The whip gleamed black with a faint red shimmer. I

Under the moonlight, the shadowy figure was calm and steady, yet carried a strong, commanding presence.He sat in a tree, long legs casually draped over a branch. Those strong legs were strikingly slender, almost unnervingly so. It was as if with just one step, he could leap down from the tree and stand before her.The half-mask he wore caught the moonlight, gleaming cold and sharp.Selena's heart grew heavy in her chest. She wanted to just pretend she hadn't seen him, but she knew better. Since he was here, he might very well kick down her door if she acted as if he weren't.A man and a woman alone, in the dead of night—better to meet outside than inside.Selena closed the window, and wrapped a thin robe around her shoulders before stepping out. She headed straight to the tree and stood below it."It's late, Your Highness. May I ask what brings you to Blackmoor Estate at this hour?"He was perched so high up that she had to tilt her head all the way back just to meet his gaze.

Selen didn't want either option."Whether it's my chambers or out here, it's still my courtyard! I'm an unmarried lady. How could I possibly allow you to stay overnight?" she said, her heart racing.Nathaniel's voice dropped even lower, thick with a sleepy rasp. It was as if he was already half asleep. "So, you'd have me sleep in your chambers?"Selena was equal parts angry and flustered. She had never met such a shameless man!"You carelessly ruin my reputation, yet you'll never truly marry me. Do you honestly not care about me at all? How are you any different from the others?"She expected him to get angry enough to storm off in a huff, then they could leave things be between them. But to her surprise, there wasn't a hint of anger from Nathaniel at all.A mocking smile tugged at his lips. "Why bother with all these rules and etiquette? Like I said, if you find life in the capital unbearable, you can follow me back to the Northern Frontier."Selena blinked in surprise. "Your H

No, please not that!Selena's eyes snapped open, her breath coming in ragged gasps. In the dim light of her chambers, she spotted Sally tidying up. Just as a wave of relief washed over her, her heart jumped."Sally, when did you come in? Last night—""Not long ago, my lady. You were sleeping so soundly that you didn't hear me knocking. I brought you some water," Sally replied quietly.Sally hadn't wanted to disturb her, but with the day's pressing matters, rest was no longer an option."You weren't in here at all last night?" Selena asked, her brow furrowed and cold sweat dampening her temple.Last night, she clearly felt someone watching her right by the bed. Those eyes were sharp and cold, making her feel very uneasy.Sally shook her head. "No one came in. You told Yuvan to guard the gate, and none of us entered."Selena paused, then suddenly yanked back the covers and hurried from the room.The garden was silent and empty. In the pavilion, there was nothing. There wasn't ev