Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 116 From a distance, Frederick heard Freya's agonized screams. Dropping everything, he raced to her with every ounce of speed he could muster. "Fred, help me!" Freya cried, panic lacing her voice. Frederick's heart pounded in his chest as he ran. Yet, just as he was about to reach her, a gust of wind pushed him back. "Nathaniel?" Frederick blinked in surprise at the tall, imposing figure blocking his path, then ground his teeth in frustration. " Nathaniel, someone is bullying Fey! I'm going to save her.

| insist that you stand aside!" "Bullying her?" Nathaniel arched a brow, his smile polite but mocking. "All | see is Dawnmere's seventh princess engaging in a friendly bout with someone from Hawthorne Estate. Where is the harm in that? It seems like slander to call it bullying simply because one's skill falls short." "Nathaniel" Frederick ground his teeth, his temper rising. Clearly, this was bullying, not a friendly spar! But at that moment, a scream rang out from afar, "It hurts! Ahh! Fred, save me!

Fred!" ---- Freya had never anticipated that this spirited princess would strike with such swiftness, showing no mercy at all. Her arms and legs were already bruised and scratched. Though the wounds were not severe, the pain was excruciating. Lilia's whip seared her skin with every strike, a burning, stabbing agony far worse than any ordinary lash. Tears and snot streamed freely from Freya's face as she whimpered in desperation. Though she could hear Frederick's voice calling, he still had not reached her. What could he possibly be doing? "Hey, scum! I'm about to be beaten to death!

Ah!" Freya wailed, tears streaking down her face in frustration and fury. Burning with anger, Frederick bellowed, "Nathaniel! Stand aside at once, or don't blame me for acting without courtesy!" He raised his hand, ready to act. However, Nathaniel crossed his arms and smiled coolly. "The young lady is calling out for 'scum'. Frederick, surely you don't mean to tell me she's referring to you?" Frederick froze, his face instantly burning crimson. Freya was too much! When used in private, the term was playful and teasing, almost flirtatious.

But to call it out in public in front of others was undeniably embarrassing. Despite that, he couldn't ---- ignore her. Listening to her cries, he knew her injuries were far from trivial "Nathaniel..." The fourth prince arched a brow and sneered. "So, it seems you truly are the scum she's referring to. A perfectly good man, yet you insist on acting like a dog. You're beyond hope, Frederick." "Lhave no time for your jests, Nathaniel. Stand aside!" From a distance, Freya's screams cut through the air several more times.

Frederick's heart ached with every cry, leaving him with no patience left to argue with Nathaniel This time, he raised his hand and swung it toward his brother. Nathaniel shifted his footing, easily avoiding the blow. Frederick had not intended to fight him seriously, so seeing him yield, he was about to rush forward. Yet, a chill suddenly swept over him from behind, forcing him to halt abruptly. Looking up, he saw Lilia's whip strike directly across Freya's leg. She let out a sharp cry of pain and tumbled to the ground, rolling helplessly in a very undignified manner.

"Fey!" Frederick's panic surged, sweat breaking out across his brow. ---- Yet, the cold energy that held him in place refused to relent. His gaze burned with fury. Gritting his teeth, he spun and struck with his palm. The two men clashed fiercely in an instant. Freya had been expecting Frederick to come to her rescue, but was shocked to see him entangled with the Obsidian Monarch. There was no way he would reach her anytime soon. Her eyes fell upon Lilia, whip in hand, advancing steadily. Panic and anger welled inside her, making her nearly burst into tears.