Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 276 Long, long ago? "But I've no memory of him from back then," Selena murmured. " He was constantly away leading campaigns in those days, and | later followed my brother to the battlefield. We hardly ever had the chance to meet." So, he'd liked her since long ago? But from where could such affection have arisen? After listening to Selena, Lilia found the situation strange. However, she trusted her instincts completely. Nathaniel's feelings for Selena hadn't just appeared overnight. He must have liked her for a long time.

"Have you perhaps forgotten something, Lena?" Lilia pressed gently. "Think carefully. Nate must have liked you for many years. He never allows any woman to sit near him, yet he sat next to you willingly." In truth, Lilia was heartbroken. Years ago, she had fallen for Nathaniel at first sight when he rescued her and Elias from danger. The image of that young hero had been etched deeply into her heart ever since. She had loved him for so many years, but wasn't even allowed to ---- touch his hand And today, she saw him so at ease with another woman. How could she not be hurt?

Selena lowered her eyes, lost in thought. Had she truly known Nathaniel in the past? And if so, when had they met? She tapped her temple lightly, hoping for recollection, but nothing came. She glanced at Lilia, whose delicate face had fallen entirely, and smiled faintly at her. "You like him a lot, don't you? If that's so, why are you telling me all this?" she asked. "I do like Nate very much. The kind of like that doesn't fade, no matter how much | try to hide it. But more than anything, | just want to see him happy," the princess replied. That was why Lilia felt so conflicted.

Part of her hurt, while another part hoped Selena would give Nathaniel an answer that might make him smile again. "Nate hasn't had an easy life these past years. You saw him return in such glory, but you don't know how many hardships he endured at the Northern Frontier. There were countless times he escaped death by a hair's breadth. Once, he lay bedridden for months, fighting just to survive," Lilia recounted. She sighed and lowered her eyes. "Elias and Nate are the same ---- age. My brother was already leading troops when he was barely grown, just like Nate.

And yet, they look like they can hardly stand each other these days." "| thought they were the kind of friends who'd die for each other," said Selena. Even the princes in Aurensia didn't share that kind of bond. "You think they're that close?' Lilia's brow furrowed, surprise in her voice. "But they quarrel so often." "Precisely because they care," Selena replied with a faint smile. " If it were otherwise, the Demon Lord wouldn't bother sparring with Prince Elias. He'd have finished him off long ago." "You know Nate well," Lilia said, astonished.

She had thought Selena utterly indifferent to him. Clearly, that was not the case. Selena paused, startled. She wanted to explain but found no words, Did she truly understand the Demon Lord? She had never sought to know him, yet Lilia's words planted a question in her mind. Could it be that the Demon Lord had known her long ago? And if so, why did she have no recollection at all? She had never suffered any lapse of memory. Every event, every ---- moment of her past, remained clear. And yet, every time she got close to him, he felt so familiar it made her head spin. Why?

Had they really met before? That evening, Wilfred hosted a small farewell banquet for Elias and Lilia. At the gathering, Adelaide couldn't resist recalling the words the Dawnmerian prince had spoken a while ago. "Prince Elias once publicly asked for your hand, Lena. Have you given it any thought since then?" the queen asked.