Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 113 Selena didn't need to turn her head to know who had spoken. Freya strode over with brisk, confident steps, her gaze cold and sharp. "I thought you said you no longer cared for him. If that's true, why have you followed him here? You're utterly deceitful. You speak of indifference, yet your mind is consumed by desire. It is truly repulsive!" So typical of these fine young ladies, saying one thing and doing the opposite. Vile creatures, the lot of them! Selena had deliberately broken off their engagement, yet still clung to Frederick all this while.

Even today, knowing he was at the hunting grounds, she had followed him here. Had Freya not followed on a sudden impulse, Selena might well have succeeded today. "You think you can sway Fred while I'm away? Not a chance!" Freya's eyes narrowed, filled with scorn and mockery. "You wretch! Don't think I'm blind to your thoughts. Seeing how Fred favors me for being unique, you try to imitate me! "Breaking off your engagement only to cling to him again, pretending to resist while chasing him? Pathetic. Doesn't playing games like that make you sick? You really think you can imitate me?

Do you even have it in you?" ---- The sun hung high in the autumn sky, oppressive and hot. Freya had just finished a round of riding, her face slick with sweat. Meanwhile, Selena appeared unruffled and serene, as though untouched by the world's heat and toil. Seeing her like that only fueled Freya's irritation further. In such sweltering weather, everyone was soaked through with sweat, yet Selena's hair and attire remained immaculate. How could that be possible? Despite Freya's venomous words, Selena remained perfectly still, her gaze calm and unreadable. Freya snorted coldly.

"What's the matter? At a loss for words when | speak the truth?" Selena's pale, perfect lips lifted in a faint, enigmatic smile. " Indeed. | must apologize, you have seen right through me." "What?!" Freya's shock was plain. She had never imagined that this woman would have the audacity to admit it so openly. "Selena, you disgust me!" Selena's eyebrow arched lightly. "And yet you seek me out to speak. Are you not even more repulsive?" ---- She returned her gaze to the horizon, utterly unconcerned with the other's presence Freya could scarcely endure such disregard.

This wretched woman relied solely on tricks to manipulate men, yet dared to act so insolently in front of her! Back at the desert, she commanded respect from every woman. None would dare to speak without proper deference, always addressing her with the utmost reverence. Though Freya had several brothers above her in rank, they carried no airs in her presence. On the contrary, they indulged her every whim. Unlike ordinary women, she needed no schemes or cunning to attain everything she desired. But these women like Selena, raised in gilded chambers, accomplished nothing in life.

Their only claim to honor was to curry favor with men. Without a man's protection, they were nothing at all. And yet, this empty, worthless creature dared to make a scene before her! "Do you know how I ruined your brother? Believe me, | could do the same to you!" Freya hissed. Selena's expression darkened slightly, her fingers curling slowly within the folds of her sleeve as she regarded the other woman. Her eyes gleamed like polished jewels, but Freya could ---- somehow discern a glint of deadly intent within them. For a brief moment, Freya felt a flicker of unease.

But the feeling passed, replaced by a surge of fury. "How dare you threaten me! All you do is rely on that pretty face of yours to toy with men. Without that beauty, what tricks would you have left?"