Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 162 When Frederick sealed Freya's acupoint earlier, he had already been gravely wounded. With his strength and inner energy waning, the strike had lacked its usual power. No sooner had William asked his question than the hold upon Freya loosened, and she sprang up as if roused from a dream. "What business have you here? You know nothing of fighting! You can't save the men, and you only bring them false hope before plunging them back into despair. That is worse than killing them!" she yelled furiously. Selena glanced at her calmly, then turned her gaze to the pale horizon.

A faint wash of dawn was already brightening the east. She faced the men again and said, "My power is limited. | can't tend to every wounded man, and must do my utmost to save Prince Frederick. I'm sure everyone is aware that if His Highness dies, none of us may hope to survive." Her voice was low, yet in the hush that had fallen around them, every man heard it. The truth of it stung, but none could deny it. The prince's life mattered more than theirs. If he were to die, they all knew they would meet the same fate as well.

"We will follow your words, Lady Campbell," someone muttered, ---- scarcely more than a breath. The others chimed in at once, a chorus of resolve. "Lead us, Lady Campbell." "We will follow your words, Lady Campbell." Freya's outrage burned hotter. "What-" "Ms, Talmar, if you utter another reckless word, don't blame me for being uncivil,' William warmed, stepping forward. The heat in his tone made her stumble back a few paces. He offered her no courtesy now. "If you persist in making a spectacle, | will have you bound and left here to fend for yourself," he threatened.

Freya could scarcely endure such humiliation. She turned her glare upon Frederick. "Fred, look what your servants are doing to me! You asked me to remain in the capital to share your comforts, but what comfort have | known?" she snapped, her voice shrill with indignation. Frederick closed his eyes without a word. He was truly weary of her. Still unwilling to relent, Freya made to rush forward, but William ---- shoved her back with one hand. "How dare you touch me! You-" William raised his hand. The motion alone was enough. Freya's fury burned out in an instant and she fell silent.

Frederick lay drifting in and out of a fevered half-sleep, scarcely able to save himself. Even Freya, headstrong as she was, read the danger in the situation. Without his protection, she understood she was worth nothing here. William! She would never forgive that man so easily! Once they returned, she would find a way to see him dead. William cast her a withering glance, and when she made no further outcry, he turned back to Selena. Bowing with the utmost respect, he said, "My lady, what are we to do now?" Freya nearly snapped again.

The man's insolence with her and his servile deference to Selena kindled a fury she couldn't hide. She vowed anew that she would have her vengeance Selena glanced at the brightening sky again, then lowered her gaze to Frederick, who had slipped into sleep at last. "Fashion a stretcher. I'll lead you out," she said as she turned away, calm and decisive. ---- "Lead us out?" Freya scoffed. "Do you know how many bandits are out there?

Who are you to presume you can lead us through?" How could a woman who spent all her time at home and had risen by tending to gentlemen's whims achieve what Freya and Frederick couldn't? It was absurd. Selena regarded her flatly, then smirked coldly. "Very well. You're plainly very valiant, Ms. Talmar. If you will lead the charge, | shall be only too glad to ensure everyone else escapes safely." Freya's face flushed with a new, livid rage. "You would send me to certain death? You wicked, cruel woman!"