Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 126 Frederick couldn't tell whether Freya was truly foolish or simply stubborn beyond reason. "Fey, | care for you greatly, but | am a prince. | can't take a woman who has stayed in my brother's residence." "Do you truly imagine that | can't live without you?" Freya snapped, her temper flaring, He actually dared to say that she wouldn't even qualify to be his concubine! As if she cared. She spun on her heel and started to leave. Behind her, Frederick felt a sudden chill. Watching her walk away with such resolute defiance, every ounce of strength seemed to drain from him.

For so long, he had withstood every pressure, defied every obstacle, all to be with her. And what had he truly gained? Her frankness, boldness, and that unguarded sincerity had once seemed so striking. At this moment, it appeared transformed into nothing more than petulance, ignorance, and folly. For the first time, he felt a weariness that robbed him of the will to pursue her further. Freya's steps faltered as well, for she no longer sensed anyone ---- following behind her. Was he truly not coming after her? Yet, she couldn't turn back either. To do so now would be to admit defeat.

Of course, she had no real intention of going to Theodore's household. She only wished to provoke Frederick, to see him kneel and apologize, to make him vow never again to glance at Selena should he ever encounter her again. Behind her, Frederick remained silent. As Freya hesitated, unsure whether to continue forward, his voice came at last, hoarse and weary. "Must | repeat myself? | will not take a woman who has once resided beneath my brother's roof as my wife. Do you truly not understand?" Freya spun around to glare at him.

"It is | who doesn't want you now, not-" But the moment she turned and saw Frederick, every word she had meant to say lodged itself in her throat, refusing to emerge. He was not angry, nor agitated. He was calm, almost unnervingly so. And in his eyes, she saw a weary desolation, a helplessness she had never seen before. It looked like something perilously close to despair. "If you are set upon going, then all that lies between us ends here," Frederick said. ---- He turned his face away, and for a fleeting instant, the corner of his eye glistened with moisture.

But he held himself steady, his words carrying a coolness that made Freya's heart ache. "Theodore only wishes to use you to shame me. He will not truly care for you. In the future, take care of yourself, and don't be so easily deceived." Before she could respond, Frederick vaulted onto his horse. With a sharp tug of the reins, he spurred the horse forward and rode away. Freya stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief, What was that man thinking? Did he not want her anymore? Had he truly decided to let her go? The audacity! But there was no denying it-he was gone.

Somewhere behind her, Theodore had silently appeared. He watched the departing figure alongside Freya, an inscrutable smile deepening on his lips. "Ms. Talmar, it seems my brother isn't pleased. Perhaps you should go and soothe him?" "Why should | do that?" Freya's heart felt heavy, yet her words. were sharp. "He joined with others to bully me first. Why should | be the one to make amends?" ---- She was not without options. Frederick meant nothing. At least, that was what she told herself. And yet, a weight inexplicably settled over her chest, an ache she couldn't name.

Had that scum truly decided he didn't want her at all? Freya turned to Theodore. "Your Highness, I... | shall not trouble you today. | will call upon you another time, when | am at leisure, to pay my respects." She inclined herself with a small bow and moved to leave, but then remembered something. Hastily, she removed the robe draped around her shoulders and returned it to him. With that done, she vaulted onto her horse and rode away. If that wretched man didn't wish for her to return, where else could she go? She could hardly pester him to take her back, right?