Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 151 Sebastian's eyes lingered on Selena, clouded with doubt and unease. She answered only with the faintest smile, offering no explanation. "You will understand after the Autumn Hunt. We cannot afford the slightest delay. We ride at once!" she said The journey from the capital to Hartshire was a punishing one, but if they pressed on without pause, they could arrive in less than two days. Selena herself set the pace, driving the royal troops to march beneath the stars and through the breaking dawn. None dared falter. After all, their mission was to rescue Frederick.

Had it been any other person in peril, the royal troops wouldn't have been half as zealous. But Frederick was the king's own son. If the army couldn't retrieve one of their princes, the consequences for their general, Eric Warren, would be nothing less than disgrace at best and execution at worst. Eric knew that all too well. He and his men endured the ceaseless march in silence, weary but without complaint. Before two days had passed, they reached Hartshire. Instead of leading them into the mountains to aid the prince, Selena ordered the company to halt just beyond the city gates.

Tents ---- were raised, fires lit. That evening, townsfolk were hired as cooks, and the men were bidden to feast and drink their fill. Eric could bear it no longer. In agitation, he strode to Sebastian's tent and struck upon the flap. Inside, Sebastian and Selena were seated together. Eric burst out, "General Campbell, Lady Campbell, we have come all this way with such haste. Why do we not press into the mountains at once to rescue His Highness?" Every hour of delayed rescue placed the royal troops in greater peril.

If they pressed into the mountains sooner, there remained a slim chance that Frederick might yet be saved. But since the prince's troops had marched within, no word had returned. None knew whether he lived or perished. How could Eric feast and drink when such a shadow hung over them? "Tomorrow may bring us a brutal contest. Tonight, the men must eat well, drink well, and rest. Otherwise, they will not withstand the bandits awaiting us," Selena replied calmly. "But His Highness-" Eric began Her eyes steady, Selena interrupted gently, "General Warren, look to the mountains yonder.

Do you see any sign of battle?" In truth, Eric already climbed the city tower to gaze toward the ---- distant ridges. There had been no signal fires, no smoke. But that proved little as the distance was too great. "Lady Campbell, the range is far away. Even if our comrades are bleeding on the field, we cannot see it from here." But that didn't mean it wasn't happening. "Then, you admit the way is long," Selena replied, her meaning plain. She didn't expect him to see the battle itself, only to recognize how far they must march to get to Mount Iron. "Tell me, General Warren.

How many men ride with us?" "Five thousand," he answered without hesitation. "And Prince Frederick set out with fifteen thousand, which is three times our number. If even his forces could be ambushed and trapped, what would become of us should we charge in blindly? Wouldn't we be walking straight into danger?" Her words struck him speechless. Selena continued, "We're here to save lives, not to throw them away." "But he is Prince Frederick," Eric protested, worry plain upon his face. ---- Selena understood all too well. Should Frederick perish, Eric's head would follow.

"Then, if you truly wish to rescue him, return to your tent at once. Sleep. Gather your strength. Only with clear minds and steady bodies can we hope to bring the prince back alive," she said with quiet resolve. Eric stared at her, bewildered. What was she thinking? Rumor had it that she had long been devoted to Frederick, that their broken betrothal had been forced upon her when he gave his heart to someone else, leaving her discarded. But now, when his very life hung in the balance, why did she appear so composed?