Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 121 Frederick felt a sharp ache behind his temples. "Fey, | shall take you back to tend to your wounds." The affairs of the hunting grounds had nearly concluded for the day, and the remainder could be left to Sebastian. Fora fleeting moment, he had truly believed Selena had come for him. Now, after Lilia's teasing remark that he was merely imagining things, Frederick felt unbearably awkward. More than that, Freya's injuries still bled faintly, and seeing them stirred a pang of concer deep within him. But Freya wouldn't relent.

Observing his inaction, the tears she had been holding back finally slipped freely down her cheeks. "Is this how you protect me, Frederick? | despise you!" "Fey" "Don't even start," Selena said, her gaze cold and unyielding. "If you can't handle yourself, don't strike first. Start a fight and lose, and suddenly you're the victim? How are you any different from street ruffians?" "Selena, you-" ---- "You struck first. No matter what you say afterward, the fault lies with you. Your man indulges you, and you assume the entire world must do the same?" Selena didn't enjoy quarrels.

Even speaking these words, her expression remained perfectly composed, as if commenting on the weather. Yet each word cut to the bone. "Also, you're always so very insistent that you despise women who rely on men. If revenge is truly yours to claim, why must you beg Prince Frederick to strike on your behalf, rather than take matters into your own hands?" At once, every gaze in the group turned to Freya. Some were amused, some scornful, others openly contemptuous. Frederick also looked at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. This was a side to Freya he didn't quite recognize.

He admired her because she was extraordinary. Proud, unyielding, her eyes always alight with a stubborn fire, and fearless even in the presence of a prince of his stature. But Selena's words shifted something in Frederick. As he looked at Freya, the spark he cherished seemed dimmed. The very brilliance he admired now appeared muted, almost gone. Freya couldn't abide being seen with such eyes. The proud daughter of the Desert Hawk, whose spirit had never bent, felt ---- her confidence shatter in an instant.

Every lesson her sister, Mira, had taught her in patience and subtlety vanished from her mind. She glared at Frederick, eyes reddened, and said with quiet fury, " Very well. | have never relied on a man. | shall avenge today's wrongs myself. | don't need you to do it for me!" Turning sharply, she fixed Selena with a look of pure vengeance. "Mark my words, one day | will repay this humiliation tenfold. Just you wait!" With that, she spun on her heel and left, never sparing Frederick so much as a glance.

Yet, in her departing gaze, he glimpsed the defiance and pride that had first drawn him to her. Memories of all that had passed surged within him, softening his heart toward Freya once more. He hesitated in front of Selena, then said, "Apologies. She... she is headstrong because she cares for me. She feared you might-" He paused momentarily, pressing his lips together before adding, "Lena, this is entirely my fault. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Nathaniel, Sebastian, and Lilia without so much as a word of farewell.

Lilia watched his retreating figure with disdain. "So, that was the ---- fabled Desert Rose, said to be unlike any other in the world? To me, she seems to be nothing more than a spoiled, reckless girl There's nothing extraordinary about her." Selena raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Desert Rose?"