Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 135 Adelaide escorted Selena to the gates of Serenity Palace. "It is late into the night, and | dare not accompany you further lest | trouble you. Besides, my health has been somewhat delicate of late. You have read so many medical texts, so you must remember to visit often, if only to share your knowledge of preserving one's health with me," said the queen. Selena hurriedly inclined her head. "Of course, | shall remember to do so, Your Majesty." Once Selena departed, Layla helped Adelaide back to her chambers.

She couldn't help but murmur, "Lady Ruth and Prince Frederick are truly foolish. To have such a remarkable future princess consort, and yet they do not know how to value her!" Adelaide's lips curved faintly. "| suspect Lady Ruth cherishes her well enough, but Prince Frederick is utterly worthless. To forsake Selena for an unruly girl is a mistake he will live to regret." After dismissing the attendants, Layla asked in a low voice," Your Majesty, are you truly resolved to do this? Won't Prince Benjamin be displeased?" "He is just a child, incapable of such understanding.

When the ---- kingdom finds peace, what is meant to be his shall come to him, " the queen replied. In truth, Selena had shown Adelaide a path she had never imagined. Given the current circumstances, it was perhaps the only road of true advantage, a sunlit avenue she could actually walk. "Layla, tomorrow morning, prepare some pastries and have Prince Edward join me for breakfast." "Understood, Your Majesty." Sally followed silently behind Selena, not daring to speak a word until they reached Blackmoor Estate. Then, she whispered, "My lady, Her Majesty seemed remarkably pleased.

She even escorted you herself. Besides the king and queen dowager, who else ever receives such courtesy? Did you promise her something?" Selena shook her head. "She is the queen. If she wishes me to do something, there is no need for promises. Compulsion will suffice." "Then, what-" "| merely offered a word of caution. Nothing more," Selena ---- replied lightly. The two returned to Moonview Pavilion, where Yuvan awaited them in the courtyard. "My lady, His Lordship has been in the side parlor all evening, awaiting your return," he announced the moment he saw them.

As aman, Sebastian was unable to follow Selena to the palace. However, he knew all too well that Ruth harbored ill intentions toward his sister. Until she returned safely, he couldn't rest. Seeing her unharmed, Sebastian exhaled in relief, though unease lingered. "Did Lady Ruth seek you out because of the Autumn Hunt?" "Yes, but | refused," Selena replied, sinking into a chair. After a night spent running about, fatigue had begun to weigh upon her. Sebastian studied her, noting the faint shadows beneath her eyes. "She won't give up so easily," he pointed out.

"She granted me a day to consider,' Selena murmured, closing her eyes and massaging her brow. "Lena, perhaps | should join Prince Fredrick's team. Though our households may never see eye to eye again, there is no need to turn enmity into war," Sebastian suggested, unable to bear ---- seeing his sister troubled. "Seb, when Freya harmed you, Frederick intervened, didn't he?" Selena suddenly opened her eyes, fixing him with a stare that made his face go pale.

"I've only sought revenge against Freya, but have never claimed justice from Frederick himself, have 1?" "Lena, t-this matter has nothing to do with Prince Frederick," Sebastian murmured, turning his face away, unable to meet her gaze. "You insist it has nothing to do with him merely because you fear | might seek revenge against him. But you know our family is no longer what it once was, and to oppose Prince Frederick now would be nothing short of folly." Selena drew a deep, shuddering breath. Her chest ached, not for herself, but for the injustice her brother had suffered.

"You feared it might affect my relationship with Prince Frederick, so you swallowed all your grievances rather than let a rift grow between us, right? But you could never have imagined that even after enduring all those wrongs in silence, he would still act as he pleased, keeping company with another lady and abandoning me entirely," she said.