Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 265 "No. Lena never intended to harm me," Frederick said, refusing to believe otherwise. Selena had denied it, but he knew the truth, She had crossed half the kingdom alone, risking her life to save him. The heavens knew how his heart had surged when he first saw her that day, back when he thought himself already beyond salvation. The sight of her, standing there against all odds, had moved him more than words could say. Compared to Freya, who had never once cared whether he lived or died, Selena had seemed almost divine, like a vision sent from the heavens.

He hated himself for not cherishing her when he had the chance. He hated himself bitterly! "Lena and General Campbell have always been loyal to me. When have they ever plotted against me? Mother, | know you were the one who ordered people to spread those vile rumors about Lena and me. Did you truly think me a fool, that | would never see through it?" he said. In his fury, perhaps he had once been blind. But after all that passed, the truth had not been difficult to piece together. Now, despair filled every corner of Frederick's heart. ---- "Lena is a good woman.

She's far better than I deserve. | wronged her, and so did you. You kept forcing her, again and again," he added. Ruth's lips parted, her eyes full of resentment and unspoken words. But when her gaze dropped to her son's crippled leg, all sound deserted her. A cold wind swept through the courtyard. She lifted her head toward the clear blue sky. It was bright and cloudless, yet her heart felt heavy and dim Frederick suddenly turned and seized her hand. "Mother, promise me you'll leave Lena alone. I've already failed her once. She has done nothing to deserve our cruelty.

It was my fault, all of it." Ruth didn't speak, nor did she acknowledge him. Right or wrong, it was all in the past. What mattered most was that her son's leg was ruined. What future could there be for the two of them now? "Fred, you mustn't give up," she said at last, gripping his hand tightly. A faint spark of hope flickered in her eyes as she explained, "The Obsidian Monarch was disfigured, yet he still reigns as the monarch of the Northern Frontier. Your leg may be ruined, but William said the injury only affects the way you walk.

Once you ---- grow accustomed, you will move as freely as before. You can still lead troops into battle! "Fred, listen to me. We've already reached the lowest point. Life can't strike us any harder. If you can rise again, there's still hope. If you can no longer lead from the ground, then lead from horseback. Become the hero you were born to be. You can still do it!" This was Ruth's final hope. She could no longer bear being trampled by the women of the harem, nor could she stand by and watch her son waste the rest of his life in quiet defeat. They had to rise again.

Yet Frederick sat there, his face pale and his eyes lifeless. It was as if every trace of spirit had been drained from him. Ruth drew in a steady breath and calmly said, "Selena has been at Obsidian Estate of late, tending to Prince Nathaniel. You know that, don't you?" Frederick's hand clenched at once. Of course he knew. When William went to see Selena, he had to call at Obsidian Estate, so how could Frederick have possibly been unaware? Prince Nathaniel is disfigured, yet he never yielded. Son, why should you? If you give up now, Selena will belong to your ---- brother forever.

No one will be able to take her back from him," said Ruth. Frederick's fist tightened until his knuckles turned white. He looked up, his breath coming unevenly. Anger burned in every word as he declared, "I will never hand Lena over to anyone. Never!" Two days later, Freya was finally brought out of the cleaning house. It had been half a month since anyone had seen her. She looked like a ghost of her former self, not only weary but painfully thin. William went to fetch her himself. But after bringing her back, he didn't take her to see Frederick.

Instead, he sent her quietly to Mistveil Pavilion. Freya hesitated for a long while before she dared to ask, " Where's Fred? D-does he refuse to see me? Has he decided he no longer wants me?"