Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 111 "F-1 didn't mean to..." Utterly bewildered, Lilia's gaze was fixed on the crimson streak across Sebastian's face. She had never intended to mar such a handsome visage. The thought of damaging a face so fair was terrifying! Yet, he remained composed and utterly untroubled, as if it didn't matter in the slightest. It was precisely that composure that made the princess feel she had gone too far. "Do you still bear a grudge against me, Your Highness?" Sebastian asked. Caught entirely off guard, Lilia shook her head. "N-no, | don't." "All is forgiven, then?" "y-yes..." "Very well.

| have matters of state to attend to, so | shall take my leave." He inclined his head in a formal gesture toward her, then turned to his sister. "Lena, | need to inspect the hunting grounds today. | may return late, so there is no need to wait for me at dinner." "lunderstand. But... will you at least let me tend to the wound ---- first?" Selena asked, her concern plain, though she was unused to showing it. If left untreated, she feared it would scar badly. Sebastian merely smiled. "It's nothing but a scratch.

No need to fuss." He inclined his head once more toward Lilia, then vaulted onto his horse and spurred it forward, disappearing quickly from view. Yuvan bowed to Selena and Lilia before galloping after him. Soon, both figures vanished, leaving Lilia frozen in place, shivering from head to toe. "Your Highness, do come to the side parlor for some tea," Selena said softly. But Lilia couldn't bring herself to respond. She seemed entirely lost, as if unable to grasp the events that had just unfolded. Selena called out to her a few more times, but received no reply.

At last, she approached and gently took the princess' hand, only to find it ice-cold. "Your Highness?" "L-Lena?" Lilia finally came back to herself, though her mind remained haunted by the image of Sebastian's face, marred by blood. ---- Selena guided her into the side parlor and summoned attendants to bring tea and refreshments. Lilia drained a full cup of steaming tea before she finally looked up at Selena. In a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "Lena, | didn't mean to. | truly didn't mean to hurt him." "| know," Selena said gently as she nodded, her gaze warm and reassuring.

Lilia's composure cracked, and tears threatened to spill. "Lena, do you hate me?" Selena smiled faintly. "It was my brother who let you strike him. Otherwise, with your skill, you would scarcely have touched so much as a thread of his coat." Her hands had been so cold earlier, and Selena knew that beneath the haughty exterior, this spirited young princess was not unkind. There was nothing about her to hate. "Sally, fetch the wooden box | prepared last night,' Selena said, glancing over her shoulder.

Sally still felt a pang of unease, but seeing that her mistress was truly untroubled, she let it go as well. Let this matter end here. She went to Selena's room and brought out the wooden box her mistress had spent the whole night crafting without sleep. ---- Lilia stared, still dazed. When the box was presented to her, she instinctively reached out. "Lena, what is this?" "Open it and see for yourself," Selena said softly. When the princess lifted the lid, the sight within stole her breath. "W-what?" Her red whip lay before her, perfectly intact.

No, the previously broken section had been repaired with gold thread, embroidered into the shape of a soaring eagle. The stitching was so lifelike, it seemed as though a real eagle were spreading its wings to take flight. "Would you like to try it, Your Highness?" Selena asked. Lilia nearly lost her composure. At Selena's words, she snatched up her whip and struck it against a chair with a sharp crack.