Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

Chapter 25 Frederick left in a blaze of anger . +25 BONUS Sally's face was flushed with frustration . " Prince Frederick is outrageous . Does he not understand a single word anyone says ? " It's not that he doesn't understand . He simply thinks he has nothing to fear , " Selena replied calmly . " Do you really think there's truth in what he said , my lady ? " Sally asked , sounding discouraged . With Sebastian's condition , the Duke of Blackmoor's line would really end with him . But would the king truly revoke their military command just because their household had no heir ?

" Prince Frederick is heartless , and the Obsidian Monarch is terrifying . What are we to do now , my lady ? " Sally added . " When the time comes , we'll find a way . What's the point of worrying now ? " Selena tapped her maid gently on the head before turning her gaze back to the wooden box in her hand . Sally's curiosity was obvious . " What's inside that box , my lady ? Is it really a betrothal gift ? " When the Obsidian Monarch arrived , his presence was so overwhelming that Sally hadn't dared come close . She had only caught the word ' betrothal ' whispered here and there .

But who would be so stingy as to send such a small gift as a betrothal offering ? The wooden box looked plain and unassuming , hardly something fit for nobility . Whatever was inside could hardly be worth much . " Does Prince Nathaniel truly wish to marry you ? " Sally asked . Selena started walking toward the main house . " You don't believe it ? " Sally pouted . " It's not that I don't believe it . It's ... just hard to believe . His face ended up like that because of your plan . The fact that he hasn't come for revenge is already generous of him .

But to ask for your hand in marriage on top of that - does that even make sense ? " " I don't know what his true intentions are either , " Selena replied . Just mentioning Nathaniel gave her a headache . While Frederick was at least somewhat manageable , Nathaniel's arrival was a puzzle she hadn't yet figured out . " Go and ask my brother to come to the study . I have something to discuss with him . " Though Sally was full of questions , she could only nod . " Yes , my lady . " When Sebastian arrived at the study , Sally finally got a chance to see what was inside the wooden box .

It was the command emblem of the Northern Legion - an army of a hundred thousand men ! Holding that emblem was no small matter , as it carried a deadly weight . Had the Obsidian Monarch really handed it over to Selena so casually ? Sally was so shocked she could barely speak . " Could it be ... a fake ? " Sebastian had to take a deep breath to steady himself . Then , he looked at his sister and said , " Lena , the emblem is real . " Selena knew it was . Having accompanied Frederick on many campaigns , she could tell at a glance whether a command emblem was genuine or not .

It was precisely because it was real that her face had gone so pale when she received it . If Frederick hadn't come today , she didn't know how she would have refused Nathaniel outright . The Obsidian Monarch carried an air of dark , cold menace . Not everyone had the courage to look him in the eye and refuse him . 1/2 Chapter 25 +25 BONUS " What do you intend to do ? Do you have any idea what he truly wants by asking for your hand? " Sebastian asked , worry clear on his face . He remembered that battle clearly . There was only hatred between the Obsidian Monarch and Selena .

What kind of affection could there possibly be ? " He wouldn't marry you only to torment you every day as revenge for his disfigurement , would he ? " Sebastian couldn't bear the thought of his sister trapped in such a cruel fate . Selena shook her head . " The Obsidian Monarch is at the height of his power now . If he wanted to torment a mere duke's granddaughter , would he really have to offer command of a hundred thousand troops ? " " Then , what's his true purpose ? " Selena sighed . " I don't know . " Sebastian and Sally exchanged worried glances .

If even the sharpest woman here couldn't unravel this mystery , how could they ? Selena placed the command emblem back into its box and handed it to her brother . " This emblem can't stay in our estate . If the king finds out , it will bring disaster . " . Before she could finish , one of their guards , Yuvan Carter , knocked hurriedly on the door . " My lord , my lady , there are visitors from the palace ! " Selena and Sebastian exchanged a glance , their bodies tensing up immediately . How had the news traveled so quickly ?