Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 234 After the fifteen-minute mark passed, the ten teams set off simultaneously. At first, everyone walked together. Once they entered the Beastlands, not only did the different teams begin to separate, but even the members within each team gradually dispersed. "IIl go with Lena. The rest of you can form a team," Sebastian said, looking at the three women Today's contest wasn't about how many prey they could kill. It was about locating a particular black bear, so the process of finding it was crucial.

The mark they were seeking was on the bear's belly, and no one knew exactly what it looked like, making the task exceedingly difficult. In hunting grounds this vast, bad luck could mean going a full day without even glimpsing the bear. "Two teams might not be enough to find it," Aurora observed. "I'll go alone, and the rest of you pair off. Find the bear as quickly as you can." "That won't do. The bear they selected will surely be fierce. You can't go alone, Aurora. | won't allow it," Selena said, then turned to her brother. "You pair up with Aurora." ---- Sebastian frowned.

"Do you intend to go alone?" That made the situation even more worrying. "I'll go with Lena," said a voice. A figure approached swiftly, none other than the Obsidian Monarch himself. Sebastian looked helpless. "Your Highness-" However, Qiana seemed pleased. "With Natie's skill, having him go with Lena is perfect." "And if-" Yvette glanced at the two, but the words faltered on her lips. Nathaniel spoke smoothly, "If Lena and | find the bear together, we shall subdue it as a team. Afterwards, we will face each other in a contest of mounted archery. The winner shall claim the bear.

How do you all find that arrangement, Aunt Qiana?" Aunt?! The title nearly made Sebastian tumble from his horse. Selena's brow furrowed in confusion, and she shot him a sharp look. "Your Highness, one must not speak so carelessly!" "You and | are-" ---- "Silence!" As expected, Nathaniel fell silent. However, the older ladies could hardly contain their laughter. "Very well, then. We shall follow Natie's plan. We'll unite for now, and settle the contest afterward," said Qiana. "Sebastian, you're with me.

Let's go!" said Aurora as she spurred her horse forward, charging straight into the heart of the Beastlands. Sebastian sighed and quickly cast a glance at Nathaniel. "Your Highness, | beg you to watch over Lena." "You need not worry, my brother. I'll protect Lena with my life," Nathaniel replied, bowing slightly. The term of address sent Sebastian's carefully steady thoughts into a whirl. How maddening! And yet, perhaps it wasn't impossible. If Nathaniel were sincere, he seemed far more reliable than that wretched Frederick. "Lena, be careful.

Aunt Qiana, Aunt Yvette, you two as well!" Having said that, Sebastian spurred his horse after Aurora, while Qiana and Yvette also rode swiftly deeper into the Beastlands. Selena set her own mount to a brisk pace, keeping her gaze low on the path ahead, not uttering a single word. ---- After some time, signs of wild beasts began to appear, prompting her to ease her speed. When she glanced back, Nathaniel was unsurprisingly right behind her, maintaining the same distance as before. Selena merely gave him a quick look, then leapt gracefully from her horse.

The moment her feet touched the ground, a natural chill seemed to descend around her. She frowned, eyes narrowing at the man standing almost pressed against her. "Your Highness, the path is wide enough. Could you perhaps give me a little space?" To her surprise, Nathaniel's cheeks flushed, and he suddenly leaned in closer.