Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 190 Frederick had already made up his mind. If Freya continued to cause a scene, he would let her go. He no longer had the patience for her. What had once been passion had long since faded, eroded by the burdens she had brought him and her careless indifference. At Mount Iron, she had been at his side when he was gravely wounded, but had failed even in the simplest act of tending to him That was the moment Frederick's former tenderness for her had died.

He saw clearly now that the so-called unique qualities he had once admired were nothing more than the spoiled whims of a young lady who knew no bounds. Some things dazzled in the heat of passion, but once the fire cooled, they revealed themselves as grating and intolerable. How could Freya not see the disappointment in his eyes? The past days confined to the storage room had given her time to think, and it seemed she had come to understand much. At least for now, she was calm. "Fred, let's talk." ---- Freya was finally allowed back in her chambers.

After bathing and changing, she immediately went to Frederick's study. "| know your team is still short one member," she said as soon as she entered. Frederick had already put away the official correspondence, fearing she might tear the letters again. Some documents were far too important to touch, and the destruction of them would be considered a capital offense. He had imagined countless possibilities, but never once had he thought those would be Freya's first words. The prince's brow creased as he regarded her.

"With your current abilities, you're not ready to join my team." Back when he cared for her, everything about her had seemed perfect. Now, he could see every flaw in sharp, unforgiving detail. Freya bit her lip, her eyes flickering with hurt. Seeing her like that, Frederick turned away. Even a glance at her little tantrums now made his skin crawl But Freya didn't lose her temper. After a moment, she quietly said, "Fred, | know my mounted archery skills can't match even William's, and | can't ever take Sebastian's place. But there's someone else in the desert-a true Desert Rose.

If you see her, you'll be nothing short of amazed." ---- There were three days remaining until the Autumn Hunt. Frederick didn't know what whim or impulse had overtaken him, yet he found himself willing to grant Freya another chance. However, today's opportunity was not for her but for another young lady, a woman named Mira. When William led her to the training grounds, Frederick had been on the verge of leaving from impatience. The young woman moved slowly at first, yet in an instant, she was before him. "Greetings, Your Highness.

| am Mira Talmar." Her airy footwork caught the prince off guard, his eyes lighting with surprise. Still, as Freya had already left such a strong impression, Frederick didn't feel particularly favorable toward her sister. "| hear you are skilled in mounted archery?" he asked. "Your time is precious, so | shall not waste it on words, Your Highness. Please give me your test," Mira replied. Frederick exchanged a glance with William, who sighed inwardly. He couldn't fathom why the prince still trusted these young ladies.

Mira was delicate and graceful, and truly appeared to be nothing more than a beautiful girl. She didn't seem the sort ---- one would expect to be skilled at mounted archery "Try, then," Frederick said calmly, handing her a bow and arrows No sooner had the words left his lips than three arrows whistled through the air. The arrows struck the distant targets, each piercing the very center!