Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 209 At this moment, so many men were staring at Selena's graceful form, completely mesmerized. Frederick let out a cold snort, his displeasure evident. It was as if something that belonged to him had been put on display for everyone to admire. Why did she insist on showing off like that? It would be one thing if she were truly here just to compete. But after so many years together, Frederick knew perfectly well that Selena was a sheltered young lady, delicate and untrained, with no real skill to speak of. Yet she insisted on flaunting herself in front of everyone.

How vain of her! Frederick's chest tightened with irritation. Soon, Selena was on horseback. Bow in hand, she urged her horse forward, and it surged ahead without hesitation. The horse wasn't running too fast, but her speed in nocking the arrow was far too slow. By the time the horse reached the target, the arrow was not set yet, and she missed the mark entirely. Earlier, the spectators had held their breath when Obsidian Monarch similarly missed the target, only to hit the bullseye from a much farther and more difficult angle. But he was the ---- monarch of the Norther Frontier.

Was Selena trying to do the same? A soft sigh rippled through the crowd. Even the most indifferent onlookers felt a pang of sympathy. After all, she was a beauty. Seeing her falter stirred something protective and tender in everyone's hearts. Meanwhile, others laughed with obvious relief, taunting, "Is that all she can do? She can't even draw an arrow properly! Ha! Just as expected, she needs a man to get anywhere." "Your Highness, Lady Campbell has missed the optimal spot," Cloud said anxiously. He didn't want to see their future princess consort embarrassed.

Such a spectacle would leave her heartbroken. However, Nathaniel said nothing as he watched Selena. The horse approached the very spot from which he had fired his shot. And then, Selena rose from the saddle. The onlookers all held their breath. The way she rose was light, graceful, and almost ethereal. It was like watching an angel in motion. What left the spectators utterly speechless was not merely her shot, but the location. It was exactly where the Obsidian Monarch had fired from not too long ago. The delicate, almost fragile-looking girl suddenly drew her bow. ---- Whoosh! No one spoke.

Not even a gasp escaped. Everyone seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. The arrow struck the bullseye. And she had been standing! By now, Selena had circled back, drawing in her bow and vaulting lightly from the saddle, landing gracefully in front of Sebastian. She tumed, gave a slight bow toward Wilfred, then retuned to the end of the line. The entire field was silent. The crowd could hardly remember how to speak. The Obsidian Monarch had fired from that spot and struck true, while Frederick had missed entirely.

From that very same spot, Selena had stood tall, her movements flowing like a dancer as she drew her bow and pierced the target with one flawless shot. After a long silence, a hearty laugh rang out, followed by Nathaniel saying, "You sly one! Even in a demonstration, you insist on outdoing me. Very well! | admit defeat!" One by one, the teams entered the hunting grounds. ---- Though Frederick had missed the target, Wilfred spared him reproach, mindful of his recent injury. Soon, his team also entered the grounds. Not long after, Frederick sought out Selena directly.

"When did you learn to ride and shoot like that? And why have you hidden it from me all this time? How many things have you kept from me?" he asked, unable to shake the shock from his mind, Nathaniel's words about admitting defeat still echoed in his ears, like some relentless melody that wouldn't leave. Frederick realized he knew nothing about his own woman. It was as if he had never truly known the young lady before him. She had suddenly become a complete stranger.