Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 186 Frederick's expression darkened. "You intend for your household to participate in the Autumn Hunt under your own banner? So, you mean to sever all ties between our households. One Autumn, Hunt, and the world will know that there is nothing left between us. No connection, no bond. Is that your intention?" "Do you imagine there is any other kind of connection between us, Your Highness?" Selena replied coolly, "Lena!" he exclaimed, his voice tight with emotion. "Your Highness, now that you see clearly, you should understand.

My journey to Mount Iron was never a heroic rescue for you. | ask that you don't misinterpret it." "Was it deliberate?" he asked. Before she had answered him, Frederick still clung to a faint hope. And now, with her own words so plainly denying it, what meaning remained to all the illusions he had held? "What do you mean, Your Highness? | went to aid the soldiers, but it was because of an order, and also to earn merits for myself and my brother. If you call it deliberate, so be it. We chose to take up the mission ourselves," she said.

Her face was composed, devoid of any trace of lingering ---- affection. Even her words carried only the tone of official business. Frederick felt a tumult of emotions he couldn't name. Anger? Pain? A bitter ache? He couldn't tell. 'You used me?" he said, clenching his fists. "You overstate, Your Highness. My brother and | acted for the soldiers. There is no question of using anyone." "Lena! | will speak no more falsehoods to you. If there is even a shred of feeling for me still in your heart, then tell me-can we not be as we once were?" Frederick stepped closer.

His heart was heavy, and he knew now with full clarity that it was all one-sided. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to surrender. At Mount Iron, he had nearly died. In that moment, Selena's appearance had seemed nothing short of miraculous, like an angel descending to earth. He could never forget the hope and joy she brought in the midst of despair. In the days that followed, Frederick focused on his recovery, yet his thoughts were consumed by Selena.

He couldn't stop thinking about the injustice she had suffered, how he had wronged her, and how her feelings for him had remained steadfast throughout it all. ---- He had privately scolded himself countless times, regret gnawing at him relentlessly. And now, to be told that it had all been his own wishful thinking... How was he to bear it? "Lena, let us put aside this strife. All past misunderstandings can remain in the past. If there is still a place for me in your heart, | swear-" "Your Highness, | no longer trust in vows. I'm not speaking in anger, nor am | sulking.

I'm quite composed." Seeing the flicker of agitation in his expression, she instinctively took a few steps back, creating distance between them, wary that he might come forward to plead or entangle her once more. Frederick felt the chill of her withdrawal keenly. Whether she was still sulking or not, he could no longer discern. "Have you grown fond of another man? Perhaps Nathaniel?" For some reason, the only person who sprang to his mind in that instant was Nathaniel.

Selena had not intended to mention the Obsidian Monarch, yet if she named someone who could truly drive Frederick's hope to despair, it would serve the same purpose. "The Obsidian Monarch is formidable, so it's not surprising | should admire him," she said simply. ---- "His face has been ruined! And by your own hand! Lena, he bears you a deep, mortal hatred. How could he ever love you sincerely? You've been deceived!" She could have loved anyone, but why him? Nathaniel was born to be Frederick's rival, and was his greatest enemy.

"You're no longer the naive girl you once were, yet you can't even see through his petty tricks. He would never offer you a fraction of true affection. Lena, if you abandon me for him, you'll regret it!