Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 144 William understood at last. To Frederick, Freya's skill mattered less than her spirit. Compared to other young ladies, she was extraordinary, and that was enough. The prince cared little for whether she was truly qualified to join their ranks. What he wanted was simply for the lady he admired to be set apart from all others, and that she should be happy. Just then, a cry rang out from a distance, announcing, "A royal edict has arrived!" Horse and rider came thundering toward them, the man leaping down before he had quite reached Frederick.

He strode forward at once, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, a message from the palace. Bandits have risen in Hartshire, where they have slaughtered more than a dozen innocent villagers. His, Majesty commands you to march without delay and put the bandits to the sword within three days." Frederick accepted the edict with both hands. Before he could reply, the guard bent close and spoke ina lowered tone, "Your Highness, this is the chance secured for you by Lady Ruth. | beg you, seize it well, and return with a victory ---- that silences all doubt." Frederick inclined his head gravely.

"I understand. You have my thanks." The messenger mounted again and rode swiftly away. "Hartshire harbors but a handful of rogues, hardly worth your attention, Your Highness." William paused thoughtfully before continuing, "But | see the purpose. Rumor has it that in campaigns past, you relied wholly upon Lady Campbell's counsel. Lady Ruth intends you to command alone, so that no whisper of doubt may remain." Everyone knew that relations between Frederick and Selena had soured, so neither Sebastian nor Selena would accompany him now. Whether the bandits merited his attention was immaterial.

If the prince himself led the campaign, the common people would surely regard it as a battle of great consequence. When he returned triumphant, as he surely would, the tale would be sung of as a worthy feat. "Your Highness, Lady Ruth has cleared the path before you. This will be your first campaign since parting from Lady Campbell. We must win, and win resoundingly," William added. Frederick's eyes shone with fierce light. "Then, so be it.

| shall see those bandits wiped from the earth, with not one left ---- standing." It was time the world understood that his victories had never depended upon Selena! "Prepare the troops at once. We march for Hartshire!" Frederick commanded. Not far away, Freya slid off her horse and hurried toward him. " Fred, what is happening? Why is everyone in such haste?" "Fey, bandits have risen in Hartshire, and | am to ride to put them down. Someone will escort you safely back to the estate.

| shall return within a few days." "You're going to battle?" A flash crossed her eyes, and in the next instant, they shone like crystals. "Then, | shall go with you!" She had heard the rumors, as had all of society. They said Frederick's victories owed nothing to his own brilliance, but to the counsel of Selena. That deceitful woman must have spread the tale herself, grasping at glory that was not hers. But now, Selena would have no place at the prince's side. From this day forward, it would be Freya who guided him.

She would see him rise in renown, and the world would know that his most trusted adviser was none other than herself. "You want to come with me?" Frederick hesitated. "Fey, the bandits are many. I'm confident of victory, yet the field of battle ---- holds peril. | can't ask you to take such a risk." "Selena is a frail woman with not the strength to lift a blade, yet she was permitted to follow you into war. | surpass her in both skill and strategy. Why can't | go?" Freya countered. Selena knew nothing at all. She possessed only a beguiling face that misled the foolish.

Yet she had fashioned for herself a reputation of being the most talented woman in the capital. In truth, without Frederick beside her, she was nothing. She had nothing, and was no one. She didn't even have the right to ride with Frederick into battle! Freya swore to herself she would seize this chance. She would win glory and honor, not for herself alone, but for him too. She would show the world that she was no sheltered lady of the drawing room. She was the Desert Rose, and soon would be the Capital's Rose as well!