Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 263 William went to see lan, the Dragon Sentinels' civil officer in charge of records and correspondence, who relayed Frederick's request to Selena. By the time she arranged her affairs and arrived at Hawthorne Estate under the pretext of official business, two days had passed. In that time, Frederick's physical wounds had somewhat improved, but his mood remained bleak. Now, his face was pale, and his entire demeanor seemed devoid of life. "Is there a reason you've sought me out, Your Highness? The Dragon Sentinels are tasked with ensuring the safety of the royal family.

Has something happened? Has there been an attempt on your life?" Selena asked. She stood several paces away from the man seated on the bed, her expression unreadable. It had only been a week or so since 'they last met at the Autumn Hunt, yet Frederick looked like a different person altogether. The proud, spirited man from before was gone, and what remained was a pale, weary shadow of him. "Lena..." "You haven't answered my question, Your Highness," Selena said, her gaze icy and detached.

"Please tell me, has Hawthorne Estate been breached by intruders?" ---- "Lena, must you treat me in this manner?" Frederick asked, sounding pained Her professional, formal tone cut him deeper than any words of anger could have. Once, they had been inseparable. Though they'd never crossed the line in their actions, their hearts had always been bound together, trusting and quietly devoted. But now, the way she looked at him was cold and distant, as if she no longer knew him at all. "| know I made mistakes, Lena.

Can't you give me another chance?" "Your Highness, do you know where Freya is?" Frederick's gaze darkened, a flicker of something complicated passing through his eyes. "I know she's at a cleaning house. Lena, I'm the one who brought her back to the capital. No matter what becomes of her, | can't just stand by and watch her suffer. | want to bring her out of there. Would you allow it?" "What concern is that of mine? | only think you're being tiresome, and | want you to consider your own affairs," she replied. Selena's eyes, calm and detached, held no anger, no resentment.

There was simply a flat, placid neutrality, as if the storm of emotions that once existed between her and Frederick ---- had long since evaporated Her demeanor wounded the prince more than any blade could. It felt as though they truly couldn't go back to how they had been. "Lena-" "Your Highness, are you about to suggest that I'm refusing to consider you now because your leg is ruined?" Selena let out a soft laugh, laced with unmistakable sarcasm. "Your family truly has a talent for emotional blackmail.

You do this to yourself, and still expect me to give you a chance out of pity or sympathy?" "Lena!" Why did she have to speak to him like that? Yet in Frederick's eyes, there was a flicker of guilt. He had thought that being this pitiful would at least make Selena feel some pity for him, perhaps even reconsider returning to his side. At this point, he had nothing but desperate measures left, and was truly panicked. That day at the Autumn Hunt, he had seen how Selena's eyes lingered on Nathaniel. "Lena, | was wounded trying to save you.

Must you really-" "Do you even know what | encountered before the black wolves? "Selena's smile faded, her gaze sharpening into something icy ---- and merciless. "Assassins. A whole group of them, all out to kill me. Can you guess what they looked like?" Her eyes narrowed as a laugh, small and scornful, escaped her. " Royal deathsworns!"