Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 277 A public proposal! Had Adelaide not reminded them, even Selena and Elias would have long since forgotten. Elias' fingers clenched so tightly he nearly crushed the cup in his hand. Back then, he had been torn. Part of him was unwilling to lose to Selena, and part of him was curious as to how much that damned man actually cared for her. The Dawnmerian prince had already paid the price for it. His body was a patchwork of bruises, and he feared that another misstep might see him carried, groaning, out of the Aurensian palace. "Well..." Elias hesitated.

He couldn't very well retract the proposal himself. After all, this was about the pride of two kingdoms. He stole a careful glance at Nathaniel, who sat not far off. The man's head was bent over his wine, seemingly indifferent to their conversation. But how could Elias not understand that damned man?! Just from a simple gesture of lifting his cup, he could clearly feel the chill radiating off Nathaniel. He exuded the kind of presence that made one afraid to meet his gaze directly. ---- Then, Elias cast a cautious look at Selena.

To his utter surprise, she was calmly watching him with those serene yet razor-sharp eyes. There was a glint of mirth and a cold light in them. The Dawnmerian prince felt as though his head were no longer truly his own, merely perched atop his neck, liable to be snatched away at any moment. "I" he stammered, still hoping she might reject him. She didn't want to marry him, right? But Selena said nothing. She merely sipped her tea, her gaze soft yet unwavering. It was as if she were telling him that this was his mess, so it was his responsibility to deal with it. Elias groaned inwardly.

Why had he boasted back then? Now, he'd really stirred up a hornet's nest! He shot Selena another desperate glance. She must refuse him, and quickly! A polite refusal from a young lady would spare both kingdoms any embarrassment. But if he himself tried to reject the matter, it would be tantamount to breaking an engagement. Neither kingdom's king would ever forgive such a breach. 'Selena, oh Selena! You adore Nathaniel, right? Why won't you refuse me? At last, Selena set down her cup and addressed Adelaide in a quiet, measured voice, "My position is humble.

| never fancied ---- that | could truly become Prince Elias' bride. Whatever he said that day was likely no more than a jest. | never took it to heart." Elias felt his mind go blank, and he nearly dropped dead on the spot! Did that woman even realize what she was saying? Was she deliberately making things difficult for him? What if he couldn't handle the pressure and actually ended up asking Wilfred for her hand?

As if on cue, the weight of expectation descended right after Selena finished speaking "Lena, you're the only daughter of the Duke of Blackmoor's household, and your family line produces warriors, not weaklings. You yourself are of a caliber befitting generals and ministers. Why do you demean yourself so?" said Wilfred. The king's gaze fell sharply on Elias. "A union between our kingdoms is no trifling matter. Once words are spoken, one must bear responsibility.

To break faith would harm not only this engagement but the harmony between two kingdoms." Elias nearly let the cup fly from his trembling hands. It was not Wilfred he feared, but the consequences. He would face the wrath of either Nathaniel or of the two kingdoms' subjects. Either way, disaster loomed. "|... [dare not, of course. I've long admired Lady Campbell-" ---- Adelaide smiled and interrupted him, "Then, does this mean you wish to formally seek Lady Campbell's hand? Yet, we are curious. What do you intend to offer as a betrothal gift?"