Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 123 "Clearly, they acted together to bully me, and yet you stand there blind as a bat, seeing nothing! Have you not noticed the injuries all over me?" Freya's eyes burned with rage, but the moment she recalled Selena's cutting words, she forced every tear back. She would never cry in front of a man. She was the daughter of the Desert Hawk, born unlike any ordinary girl. Crying was simply not permitted. Yet, as she looked at Frederick, her heart simmered with resentment. "Frederick, | left everything behind for you, journeyed far from home, and asked for nothing in return.

And you? What have you done for me? When | was hurt, you didn't even dare to protest. What good is your title as a prince if it can't protect me?" "Fey, if you were in the right, | wouldn't let anyone bully you. But you-" "Stop! You always think Selena can do no wrong and everything is my fault! If you care for her so much, then go to her. Why do you cling to me?" With that, Freya flung open the carriage's curtain and leapt to the ---- ground "Fey!" Frederick cried, chasing after her, She forced one of the guards from his horse and seized the animal for herself.

With a whip in hand, she rode off with fierce determination. "Fey, where are you going?" Frederick called, heart tightening at the sight of the bloodstains on her clothing. Without hesitation, he mounted his horse and gave chase. Freya's skill with a horse was unsurprising. After all, she had practically grown up in the saddle. By the time Frederick caught up, she had already ridden into a bustling market and pulled her horse to a stop because she had collided with someone. He arrived just in time to hear her arguing. "| didn't do it on purpose! Your child ran straight into me.

How is 'that my fault? And why do you not mention that your little one spooked my horse, making it nearly throw me from its back?" "You wicked girl! How could you be so unreasonable? You ran into my child and hurt him, and now you're trying to play the victim!" On the ground sat a child of seven or eight, clearly more frightened than hurt, wailing and sobbing in distress. ---- Frederick stepped forward, ready to intervene, when a clear, bright laugh rang through the street "Is this Ms. Talmar, the famed Desert Rose?" Desert Rose? Even Freya had never heard the title before.

Yet somehow, it had a pleasing ring to it. "And you are?' Freya asked, studying the newcomer. The man before her was tall and slender, dressed in a finely tailored coat of gold brocade, the edges trimmed with elaborate embroidery. A silver-embroidered waistcoat and a silk cravat completed the ensemble, the cut and fabric marking him as a man of high rank. Freya felt a strange familiarity, as though she had seen him somewhere before. "Have you forgotten a prince like me? We had a brief encounter that evening at the banquet," the man said A prince? Freya's eyes widened as recognition dawned.

"Prince Theodore?" The king's third son, Theodore, was strikingly handsome, with an air of refined elegance. Though not quite as handsome as Frederick, he was still a man of exceptional looks. ---- Theodore inclined his head, smiling. "Indeed, it is |." Casting a glance at the trembling mother and child at his side, who cowered at the weight of his presence, his gaze returned to Freya. "What is the meaning of these injuries upon your person? Could it have been this pair who harmed you? Guards! Such insolent folks can't go unpunished.

Take them at once to the Court of Justice for judgment!" he ordered.