Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 262 William had been waiting at the rear gate for quite some time. News of the attempted assassination of the Obsidian Monarch at the hunting grounds had spread. Now, with Sebastian and Selena personally leading the Dragon Sentinels to guard him, Obsidian Estate was under such tight security that no one could enter without special permission Selena stayed busy for quite a while longer before finally making her way out through the rear gate. "Lady Campbell!" William called out, hurrying forward. He had been waiting for nearly two hours.

"Lady Campbell, Prince Frederick wishes to see you. Could you accompany me to Hawthorne Estate?" "Il have duties here. | must remain at Obsidian Estate to protect Prince Nathaniel. It is not convenient for me to leave," Selena replied evenly, her tone polite but reserved, lacking any warmth. "It is not that | wish to slight Prince Frederick, but | truly can't leave. If he wishes to see me, perhaps he might visit Obsidian Estate instead?" she added. "B-but His Highness-" William's expression twisted with ---- difficulty.

He hesitated for a long moment before murmuring, " With his injured leg, His Highness' movement is limited. H-he doesn't wish to be seen by anyone." Selena merely smiled lightly. "It's only a leg injury. He'll recover in time. It's not as if his life is over. What's there to be afraid of?" William felt a pang in his chest. He knew Selena's words still carried her lingering anger over Sebastian's ruined body, but she couldn't know that Frederick's injury was grave and perhaps even permanent. The thought weighed heavily on him, but he didn't know how to voice it.

Selena appeared not to notice his unease and said, "Very well. If Prince Frederick truly wishes to see me, then please have lan Lane of the Dragon Sentinels notify me, so that | may go properly and with due propriety." "Lady Campbell..." William's heart ached profoundly. Why had it become so difficult for Frederick to even request a meeting with Selena? Could they truly never return to how things used to be? Selena looked slightly troubled. "Mr. Klein, you must understand.

Previously, | went to Mount Iron purely to aid the soldiers, yet rumors twisted it into some tale of a bold rescue of my beloved. ---- We both know the truth. My heart has long ceased to belong to Prince Frederick. That false tale caused me no end of trouble and even misled the one | truly care for." "The one you care for?" William's breath hitched, a sudden pang of sorrow gripping him. "D-do you mean Prince Nathaniel?" "That is no concem of yours," Selena replied gently but firmly, her smile polite yet distant. "Such matters are not for idle gossip. She inclined her head slightly.

"Please convey my words to Prince Frederick. He is a clever man and should know what to do. | am quite occupied of late. If it is not urgent business, | hope he won't trouble me further. Let this suffice as farewell." And with that, she left without any hesitation. William lingered at Obsidian Estate for a long while, caught between duty and sympathy. Finally, he trudged back to Hawthorne Estate. Even then, it took him an eternity to find the courage to relay Selena's words.

"She has someone she cares for?" Frederick asked His chest seemed to erupt with sudden heat as a violent cough seized him, leaving the bitter tang of blood in his mouth. Selena had someone she truly cared for?! Rage and disbelief surged through him, nearly overwhelming him entirely. ---- "| won't believe it! | won't believe she could be so heartless toward me! Go to Mr. Lane immediately. | must see Selena! | won't rest until | see her!" Frederick ranted.