Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 267 "Shut up! Shut your mouth!" Freya screamed, tears streaming down her face. She scrambled off the bed and lunged forward, trying to rip Hannah's mouth apart. The elderly woman lifted her leg and kicked her squarely in the stomach Pain exploded through her body. Freya crumpled to the floor, gasping, unable even to move. When she faced the royal mutilation punishment, her stomach had been horribly beaten and was now a weak point. She had barely survived the torture. The most terrifying part wasn't the beating.

It was how those venomous matrons in the palace had sewn her shut, stripping her of the very essence of womanhood. In that moment, she knew with painful clarity that she had truly become a living, breathing monster. Her body was weak, her strength all but gone, and her mind and spirit were in tatters. Were it not for the stubborn hope that she could turn her life around after seeing Frederick, she wouldn't have had the will to go on living. No matter how hard she tried, Freya couldn't fight back. She curled up on the floor and broke down in tears.

---- "What a miserable wretch!" Hannah spat, then quickly put on a fake smile as she turned to James. "Mr. Davis, check her vitals. So long as she's not dying, we can say our duty is done." James' gaze on Freya was cold and disdainful. He bore her no personal grudge, but simply couldn't get past the thought of being close to a woman who had endured such a punishment. It felt utterly vile and unbearably unlucky. Had William not ordered him to come, he would never have set foot in this courtyard When Freya tried to resist again, James snapped, "I only wish to see whether you'll live.

Do you think | want to touch you? No man alive would now." His words struck straight to Freya's heart. The fight left her completely. She let him check her vitals, though his touch was brisk and reluctant. In the end, she didn't even hear what he said. He probably just said that she wasn't going to die, then left with Hannah. Freya remained where she had fallen, sitting on the cold floor. Time dragged on. She sat there until the light faded, until the estate fell into darkness, until midnight came and everyone was gone. ---- At last, the door creaked open.

A sliver of moonlight slipped into the room, soft and pale, brushing across the floor. Only then did Freya realize there wasn't a single candle lit in her room. The maid who used to serve her, Linda, was nowhere to be seen. The courtyard was completely silent, and Freya was utterly alone. The servants passing by Mistveil Pavilion kept their distance, afraid of getting caught in her misfortune. Even her meals were left at the threshold, as no one dared to enter. The person who had just opened the door accidentally kicked over the meal as they came in. Freya caught the scent of the food.

Even though it had completely cooled, she could still smell it. When her empty stomach growled, she suddenly realized she hadn't eaten for an entire day. "Who's there?" she asked weakly. Her vision was hazy, but a rush of wild hope surged in her chest. "Fred?" "Do you truly believe Prince Frederick would visit someone as cursed as you?" The figure crossed the room and lit the candle on the table. The flame flared, revealing Mira's face. "Mira?" Freya's brief joy faltered, then returned in desperate hope. "Please, help me!

Save me, | beg you!" "So, you do remember how to beg me now?" Mira's voice ---- dripped with contempt. "Weren't you the one who once wished me dead?" She started toward the chair, then thought better of it. The thought that everything here had been touched by Freya made her recoil in disgust. Also, a foul stench had hit her the moment she entered. Covering her nose, she snapped impatiently, "Ugh, you stink! Haven't you even bathed?" "| havel" Freya insisted, "At least... | did yesterday. Today, I just haven't had time yet.

Mira-" Mira frowned, then suddenly strode forward and crouched down in front of her sister. As soon as she did, the smell hit her full force. "Freya, it isn't from the dirt on you. Your body reeks. Can you not 'smell it yourself?"