Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 118 "was the one who struck her. What has that to do with Lena?" Lilia said as she stepped forward, unable to endure anyone harming Selena and Sebastian. Frederick glared at her, his eyes radiating a chilling intensity. His, inner energy was formidable, and the sheer force of his stare made Lilia's chest tighten painfully. She staggered back, struggling to keep her footing From behind, a hand gently steadied her. The touch was brief and unobtrusive, offering support without overstepping. "General Campbell..." Lilia's voice faltered with surprise.

She had just struck him earlier in the day, yet not only did he bear her no ill will, he even stepped in to protect her when she was in danger. Sebastian stepped forward, his presence forming a protective barrier. He deflected Frederick's icy, threatening energy away from Lilia, his demeanor calm but resolute. Frederick had never intended to harm anyone. Though his temper flared, he had not lost reason. Lilia was Dawnmere's seventh princess. If he harmed her, the fragile peace between the two kingdoms would be shattered. ---- Witnessing his restraint, Freya seethed with fury.

"This woman harmed me, Fred! You must kill her and avenge me!" "Fey... "She sought to harm Lena first. Princess Lilia merely intervened to protect her," said Sebastian, fully believing that to be the truth. Selena's heart swelled with complex emotion. He had always treated her this way-not out of blind favoritism, but because he truly trusted her completely. Lilia stepped out from behind Sebastian, her eyes blazing as she glared at Freya. "Indeed. It was this savage woman who sought to harm Lena. | was merely standing up for her!" "Youre lying!

I-it was Selena who harmed me!" Freya's entire body trembled with fury. She lifted her neck, exposing the scratch marks for Frederick to see. "Fred, look for yourself! This is her doing! She sent an expert to lie in wait nearby and hurt me like this!" Lurking experts? Everyone's thoughts raced in different directions. But soon, Nathaniel's cold laugh broke the tension. "So, there were experts hiding in the hunting grounds? Frederick, this is your jurisdiction, yet you didn't notice them at all.

You will have ---- to think carefully about how to explain this to His Majesty." Frederick's face darkened. "I-" The southern area of the hunting grounds fell under his command, and he had summoned Sebastian today to patrol the northern area. But since they had some matters to discuss, everyone had gathered here. Just moments ago, he had been with Sebastian. Frederick had personally inspected the entire area. How could there possibly be any experts lurking around? Freya's panic grew. "Fred, why won't you believe me? She really did bring skilled fighters, just as...

just as that night!" Frederick didn't know what had truly transpired between Freya and Selena that evening in the side parlor, but the one who ended up injured was Freya. Yet afterward, he had kept watch over Blackmoor Estate. There had been no sign of hidden adversaries there. He had even considered that perhaps Freya herself had orchestrated the incident. But she was so straightforward and honest. How could she possibly scheme against anyone? Now, Freya claimed skilled fighters lurked nearby, yet he had just personally inspected the grounds.

If there really were such experts hidden here, and even he couldn't detect them himself, it ---- would be nothing short of an insult to his authority. "Fey, cease this nonsense," he said firmly. Freya nearly choked with rage. "You don't believe me? Frederick! You would sooner believe them than trust me?"