Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 163 When the stretcher was ready, William and another soldier carefully lifted Frederick onto it. He roused faintly, the pain of his wounds sharp and unrelenting, his body wracked with fever. As Selena led the way, the men followed close behind. Though Freya stayed by Frederick's side, her hand never leaving his, he gave no response. Too weak to resist, he let her hold it as she pleased "Clinging to him like that here, does she fear the world might not know they're a couple?" Sally muttered under her breath, casting them a disdainful glance.

"Keep your attention on the way ahead," Selena instructed cooly. Seeing how indifferent her mistress was, Sally decided to follow suit. After all, if Frederick was a man Selena didn't want, whether he and Freya held hands or embraced in public mattered little. After quite some time of walking, there was still only jagged stone all around them, with no sign of escape. At last, Freya could no longer contain herself and exclaimed, " Selena, do you even know the way out? The exit is not in this direction at all!

It's close to where we were before!" "Would you step into a hail of arrows to prove your point?" ---- Selena answered without turning, Her voice rang clear, and every man within earshot heard. "If you're so eager, then lead the way and see us through, Ms. Talmar." "You mean to send me to my death-" Freya began, outraged. "If you lack the courage, then be silent," Selena snapped. "Your clamor is most disagreeable." Freya bristled and was about to retort when Frederick's hand slipped from hers. She looked down, unease flickering across her face. What could it mean?

"Fred?" Despite his closed eyes, his voice was hoarse yet firm as he said, "From this moment... all are to heed Lady Campbell. Any who disobey shall answer to martial law." Though ragged, his words carried clearly to every ear. William's heart leapt. He stepped forward at once and gave a command with the authority of a man who had heard the prince's will "By His Highness' order, all in the host shall obey Lady Campbell in everything. Those who disobey will suffer eighty strokes of the rod as military punishment." Eighty strokes!

---- All knew well that the rod wouldn't be wielded by feeble house guards. It would be seasoned soldiers, men who did not hold back their strength, who struck the blows. Eighty strokes were not mere chastisement. Even thirty strokes could snuff out the life of an ordinary soldier; eighty was nothing short of a death sentence. Hearing that Frederick truly meant for everyone to heed Selena's commands, Freya clenched her fists tightly, shooting a venomous glare at the woman in question as she walked ahead. As bitter as Freya felt, she stayed silent.

Frederick watched Selena as well, but she strode on as if his order had not reached her ears. There was no hint of triumph upon her face. If anything, she seemed untouched by the moment. A faint disappointment passed through him, but he had little strength to dwell on it. That she had risked herself to come for him alone said more than any speech could. In the end, it was he who owed her. He had never imagined that Selena, so seemingly indifferent, would still be willing to risk her life for him in the face of death. "The exit is here," Selena said suddenly, coming to a halt.

The words were simple, but William's heart leapt. He moved forward at once, taking up a protective stance beside her. A ---- dozen men in front, though spent nearly to nothing, rallied enough to shield her with their bodies. They all knew the danger. The bandits' hidden archers had proven merciless before, and every man's memory carried the shadow of those cold shafts. At that moment, Selena's cold voice cut through the air, "| hear this pursuit of the bandits was your idea, Ms. Talmar.

If you believe yourself capable enough to bypass Prince Frederick and assume command of your comrades, it must mean you possess extraordinary skill." Her gaze, indifferent and chilling, swept through the crowd and settled on Freya. She smiled slightly, tinged with contempt. "If you're so capable, then by all means, lead the way and clear a path for your comrades, General Talmar."