Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 273 "Nate!" Lilia sprang to her feet and hurried forward. "What are you doing here?" She suddenly recalled that though she was leaving tomorrow, she hadn't even planned to bid him a proper farewell. Of course, she had meant to, but after seeing Selena and Sebastian today, it had completely slipped her mind. She hadn't expected Nathaniel to show up here on his own. "Nate, | haven't seen you at all since the Autumn Hunt. Your estate has so many guards, and they wouldn't let me in. | never even had a chance to see how badly you were hurt," the princess said.

Though she had walked right up to him, she didn't dare reach out to touch him. She knew Nathaniel disliked being touched by women. Even though he had been close to her brother for years, and she had known him herself for just as long, the one time Lilia accidentally brushed his arm, he nearly threw her to the ground. He was a man to be admired from a distance. "Nothing serious," Nathaniel said as he stepped into the room. Liam and Cloud stayed outside, ensuring no prying ears could ---- hear their conversation. Elias laughed. "You rascal!

You're already full of energy, even though your injuries were quite severe. You've got a strong body, I'll give you that." Nathaniel shot him a sidelong glance and snorted. "Even injured, | could still beat you senseless. Try me, if you dare." Elias immediately felt every muscle and nerve tense. The memory of his last beating was still painfully fresh. What a jerk! He never struck to kill, but he sure knew how to make a man wish he were dead. Each blow left no lasting wound, but the sting was unbearable. He did it on purpose, no doubt about it!

Frustrated, Elias merely snorted coldly and fell silent. Seeing Nathaniel enter, Sebastian rose and bowed. "Your Highness." To everyone's surprise, Nathaniel nodded and said, "Seb, my brother. Good to see you." Sebastian froze on the spot. Brother. That single word replayed in his mind like a mantra, embedding itself deeper with every repetition. ---- "N-no need for formalities. P-please sit," he managed, his voice almost mechanical. "alright." Nathaniel, entirely at ease, walked toward him. Sebastian noticed the seats were cramped and moved to make room.

Unexpectedly, the prince sat down next to Selena. Right beside her. Everyone else except Elias stared in shock. "Nate, Lena didn't mean to touch you! Don't hurt her!" said Lilia, her voice rising in panic. She lunged forward, intending to pull Selena up. Their shoulders were practically touching. The last time Lilia so much as brushed against Nathaniel's arm, he'd thrown her halfway across the courtyard. In that case, wouldn't Selena's limbs be at risk of being broken? But wait. Nathaniel was the one who sat down next to her. Why would it be Selena's fault? Lilia was utterly bewildered.

It was only when Elias tugged her back that she snapped out of it. As she glanced from Nathaniel to Selena, her heart twisted. "You two... are close?" ---- "Not really," Selena replied. She was about to rise, only to realize that the edge of her skirt was trapped beneath Nathaniel. She frowned and shot him a glare. Nathaniel acted as if he hadn't noticed a thing and changed the subject, saying, "A few days ago, a woman named Mira Talmar visited my estate. She claimed to hold the command emblem for the six clans of Vahada.

It doesn't mean much for our kingdom, but for yours, it seems rather significant." Elias' hand froze mid-air, cup halfway to his lips. He narrowed his eyes. "Mira Talmar?"