Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 220 Frederick ground his teeth in fury, Edward stared wide-eyed in shock, and Sebastian's heart nearly stopped from fear. Only Nathaniel remained utterly composed, a faint, almost teasing smile tugging at his lips. Finally, Selena emerged. The tents were not large, and even within her own quarters, she could hear every word of their conversation with perfect clarity. Fortunately, her other family members and Sally had gone off to roast the prey they brought back. Otherwise, Nathaniel's startling words alone would have sent them into fits of terror.

"Lena, what's-" Sebastian could scarcely process the scene before him. He hurried to his sister's side, silently pleading for some guidance. How was he to manage this? Selena glanced at him, her expression equally resigned. With the Demon Lord present, no ordinary tactics would suffice. After all, he never played by the rules. "Prince Nathaniel came looking for me just now. | didn't know whether he had pressing business, so | invited him to come here first and have a drink with you. Why didn't you properly entertain ---- our guests, Seb?" she said. Sebastian immediately followed her lead.

"I... | was just preparing some wine and food. We hunted quite a number of boars today, which the others are roasting now. P-perhaps you could check on them and have some brought over so everyone might enjoy them with wine?" "Very well," Selena replied, moving promptly to do so. Seeing both Nathaniel and Frederick present, Edward realized he would have no opportunity to speak with Selena alone tonight. So, he bowed politely and took his leave. His visit wasn't merely to offer thanks.

He didn't understand why she had recommended him to Adelaide, and some questions could only be answered by speaking with her in person. Once Edward left, Nathaniel finally relaxed and turned to Sebastian with a smile. "Brother of mine, I'm hungry. Is it true you have fine wine? Have someone bring it at once." Brother of mine?! Frederick's expression darkened, displeased. "Nathaniel, mind your words. You are the king's son. You can't go around calling others 'brother' so casually. If Father finds out, there will be consequences." Sebastian's face grew pale with anxiety.

"Prince Nathaniel, in the ---- future-" Nathaniel settled onto a low stool, his gaze fixed on Frederick. " You're the only outsider here. Do you intend to run to Father and tattle?" The chairs here weren't the grand seats of an estate, just short wooden stools. With his long legs, Nathaniel was a bit too tall to sit on them. Though it seemed like he had lowered himself from a lofty position to be there, he sat with a casual ease, as though he were in his own home. Frederick clenched his fists tightly. Nathaniel's remark that he was the only outsider struck him as intolerable.

Who was the true outsider here? "You really would go to Father and tattle, Fred?" Nathaniel cast him a sidelong glance and laughed, loud and unrestrained. "Go ahead and try. Let's see if he believes you. In any case, | won't acknowledge it before I'm wed to Lena." Frederick's jaw nearly dropped. "What did you say?" Wed to Selena? Who had arranged such a match? Nathaniel paid him no mind. He turned to Sebastian, his voice casual yet commanding as he said, "Seb, brother of mine, I'm truly famished. Where is the wine? And the meat?" Sebastian was half-tempted to kneel right there.

This was a ---- blatant challenge to royal authority! If word of this reached Wilfred, what would they do? "Why hasn't Lena come back yet? Seb, I'll go help her. You entertain Fred. Don't let him think the people of our household are rude," said Nathaniel, rising from his seat and leaving. Sebastian's head was spinning, completely stunned by the prince's words. Our household? Since when had Nathaniel become part of the Duke of Blackmoor's household?!