Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 155 William barred the soldier's path, urgently saying, "Whatever she once was, she now belongs to His Highness. She is no longer the bandit's daughter you remember. The enemy is upon us, and we cannot afford to turn our blades upon our own." At last, Frederick rose to his feet and stepped forward to face his men. He was a prince and Aurensia's Warbringer. The moment he stood, silence fell. Every man stilled, every murmur died upon the air. "This time, it was my misjudgment of the enemy that led us into peril. The fault is mine. But take heart.

| will find a way to lead you out of this place," he said, his voice roughened with pain, yet resolute. From the ranks, a voice muttered, "Will the court send reinforcements to save us?" They had attempted escape before. Each time, the price was ruinous. At first, more than three thousand had been driven into the valley. Time and again, they tried to break free. Each time, men were crushed beneath falling boulders or pierced by storms of arrows. ---- All around the stone forest lay the bodies of their comrades, and blood ran through the area like a river. The sight was dreadful beyond words.

Those who stayed inside could survive, while anyone who tried to leave was certain to die. In such a state, who would dare to escape? Another voice, hoarse with thirst, whispered, "W-will Lady Campbell come to save us?" These were Frederick's own soldiers, men who had followed him into battle for many years, with Selena and Sebastian always part of their campaigns. Every soldier had seen for themselves how remarkable her skill in strategy and battlefield tactics were, despite her delicate appearance. Any man who had fought according to her strategies couldn't help but respect her.

Perhaps the soldiers at the frontier had yet to witness her prowess, but these personal guards knew it well. Even Frederick's decisive victory over the Desert Hawk had been due to her plan. Her command of the art of war was near divine. If she was here, could she not lead them all to safety? Freya, who had been deeply discouraged and growing fearful, couldn't contain herself when she heard Selena's name ---- mentioned. She suddenly exclaimed, "You believe Selena will save you? What spell has she cast that you speak of her so fondly?

What benefit has she given you?" No one paid her any attention. The soldiers now found it an effort just to spare her a glance. The longer they looked at her, the sharper their resentment grew. Freya could endure poverty and hardship, but couldn't bear being ignored. To her, being ignored was worse than death. "If Selena truly cared for you, she would already be here. Where is she now? Enjoying a life of comfort in the capital, no doubt snuggled up in some man's arms-" "Fey! Frederick was genuinely furious. He had never imagined that Freya could be so utterly foolish.

At a moment like this, she had the audacity to speak ill of Selena. Did she not understand these soldiers were his closest guards, men who had once fought beside Selena day after day? Did Freya have a death wish? "Why are you shouting at me?" Freya was truly fearless. As she often proclaimed, she was the ---- daughter of Henry Talmar, the Desert Hawk himself. She was the Desert Rose! "Am | wrong? Was Selena not forever clinging to you during campaigns, trailing after you like a shadow? And why is she not here now? Because she has found a new love! Hey, scum, open your eyes.

She has already cast you aside for another!"