Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 131 "Well..." William hesitated. He didn't wish to speak discouragingly, but the truth was undeniable. Sebastian was exceptionally skilled, second only to Fredrick. And even then, the difference was scarcely worth mentioning A hunting party required five members. Without a formidable ally like Sebastian, Frederick's team would be greatly weakened. And that was before considering the Obsidian Monarch, who had returned with two other masters in his retinue, and would surely participate in the tournament.

Then, there were the men under Theodore, trained and watched over with great care. Their skill could scarcely be said to fall short of Frederick's people. If Sebastian abandoned Frederick's team to join Theodore, the balance of power would shift drastically against them. William sighed, then continued, "Lady Ruth has invited Lady Campbell to the palace this evening. It may yet be possible to persuade her." Everyone knew Sebastian would follow Selena's lead. If she consented, he wouldn't oppose her. ---- Freya glared furiously at Frederick.

"You dare seek that woman's help?" Frederick had waited anxiously all day for her return. Now that she was finally back, the sense of losing and regaining her left him unwilling to utter even half a word of reproach. William glanced at him, looking thoroughly troubled. Ruth was still trying to secure Selena's agreement, yet Freya was forbidding Frederick from recruiting anyone from the Duke of Blackmoor's household. Was this not an act that weakened their own hand?

"Do you mean to say that only those from the Duke of Blackmoor's household are skilled at mounted archery?" Freya snorted with disdain. "Besides, Sebastian has long since become a shadow of a man. Can he even still be called a man? What strength does he have left to compete?" "Ms. Talmar..." William couldn't help but feel some disapproval at her words. Over the years, Sebastian had fought alongside Frederick on countless battlefields, earning renown and distinction. He was a true hero, whom William held in the highest regard.

To hear Freya speak so cruelly of him, mocking and belittling his ---- condition, was almost unbearable. There were probably many comrades in the army who now harbored grudges against her for how she had ruined Sebastian She had harmed him without the slightest trace of remorse, and now spoke about him in such a humiliating way. Even William couldn't bear to watch it any longer, but dared not object, given Frederick's fondness for her. Freya snorted again. "Have you forgotten that | am known as the Desert Rose?" The Desert Rose? Frederick felt a complex stirring in his heart.

The title had only begun circulating over the past few days. He had paid it little mind, while she evidently held it in some regard. But after having nearly lost her today, he felt the relief of her return so strongly that he would indulge whatever whim she chose to voice. "So, you mean..." "My skill in mounted archery is unmatched in the desert. | simply never had the opportunity to display it before you," Freya said through a huff, as if the words were forced through her nose. " Haven't you seen my brother's skill at mounted archery?" Frederick nodded at once.

Her brother's talents had indeed been extraordinary, able to bring down two soldiers with a single ---- arrow, a feat of remarkable precision and strength. Freya continued, "Though my brother and | were both taught by our father, his skill was not even one-tenth of my own." Frederick's eyes widened in astonishment. "Truly?" Even William felt a jolt of surprise. "Ms. Talmar, do you speak 'the truth?" He held little regard for Freya's manners or temperament, but if her claims were true, their team would not need assistance from anyone else for this year's Autumn Hunt.