Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 192 "How could he not love her? She appeared to save him when he was in the depths of despair. Besides, he never truly forgot Selena in the first place," said Mira. Only a fool like Freya would believe that a brief show of affection from Frederick could surpass the devotion he once held for Selena. Mira settled into a chair, regarding her sister with the cool detachment one might reserve for a mere servant. "You may not know the depths of his obsession with Selena, but | do." "But when he loved me, Selena was worth nothing in his eyes," Freya protested.

She could believe anything Mira said, but would never accept 'that she was inferior to Selena. Mira laughed coldly. "Then, while he cherished you so much, did he ever raise a hand against Selena when she hurt you?" The question quickly drained the color from Freya's face. He had not. From beginning to end, Frederick had never harmed a single hair on Selena's head. Even when she had wounded Freya so cruelly, ---- he had only scolded her with a few mild words. Freya's eyes fell instinctively to her chest, the memory of that fateful cut still fresh and painful.

That slash had been deep and deliberate; the terror it left lingered still. But Frederick had never sought vengeance for her. Not at all. "So, tell me, how could you possibly compare yourself to her?" "Mira! You keep telling me I'm no match for Selena. What is your purpose? Do you find joy in humiliating me?" Tears of humiliation slipped down Freya's cheeks, and she couldn't stop them. Mira said nothing. She lifted a cup with a calm, almost contemptuous air, then glanced at it and flung it aside. At that moment, Linda arrived with a tray of refreshments.

She hesitated, uncertain how to address Mira. Before she could decide, Mira's expression darkened, and a dangerous edge entered her voice. "How dare you! A mere servant, and you don't even kneel or pay proper respect to me?" Linda glanced at her, then at Freya, uncertain. "I...I..." Freya bristled. "Mira, she is my maid." ---- Even when punishing someone, one had to consider to whom the person belonged. Mira was clearly venting her anger at Freya by using her servant as a target. "What? You think | can't order your maid around?" Mira taunted, standing up and striding toward Linda.

The maid instinctively took a step back in fear. But before she could react further, Mira moved like a shadow. In an instant, there was a sharp crack, and a violent wave of dizziness overtook Linda. She fell to the floor, blood spilling from her lips and her consciousness slipping away. Freya's eyes widened in horror. "Mira, w-what-" Mira turned to Freya, whose face remained frozen in disbelief." From today onward, I'm the mistress of Mistveil Pavilion. If you wish to remain at Hawthorne Estate, you will obey me. If you do, | might even persuade Prince Frederick to show you some mercy.

Should you refuse, | can summon Prince Frederick to cast you out this very instant." "I don't believe Fred would treat me like that!" Freya finally recovered, rushing forward in anger. "He would never be taken in by you!" "Do you think | intend to seduce Prince Frederick?" Mira's smile grew colder and more audacious. "Only fools still believe a ---- woman must depend on a man to survive. | taught you those acts of defiance you once fancied as your own. If | wished to charm Prince Frederick, what right would you have to interfere? "However, | don't care about that.

| will show him that only an independent woman commands respect. As for you and Selena... you two are mere trifles."