Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 278 Elias felt as if his last hour had come. Now they were even discussing the betrothal gift. Was this not a sure way to have the Obsidian Monarch strike him down on the spot? He began, "Your Majesties, surely matters of marriage must be formally presented to my king upon our return, before-" "That's certainly true," Adelaide interrupted him once more, a faint smile on her lips. "But both parties are present today. His Majesty can draft a formal note to your king clarifying the situation.

And with Lena here, you mustn't let go of such an opportunity." Elias' face bore a strained smile, but his heart wept in despair. Had Adelaide resolved to force this so-called 'happy union' to fruition today? Meanwhile, Selena remained silent, her gaze fixed on him with the calm detachment of someone watching a performance. Was she truly not anxious? The Dawnmerian prince's panic only deepened. He tried desperately to send her pleading glances, but she merely smiled faintly, even throwing him a teasing, provocative look. He alone must bear the consequences of his folly.

She wasn't anxious at all. "L-Lady Campbell, might you... would you...?" he stammered. ---- A sudden, ice-cold glance swept over him. Elias felt his neck tighten, as if it might snap. He could not bring himself to ask. If he asked the question, the burden would fall on Selena. No true gentleman would force that on her. And besides, he knew the consequence of such foolishness. The Obsidian Monarch might very well kill him for it. "[ think..." Here was Elias, Dawnmere's third prince. Not that he was some unrivaled hero, but he was certainly a figure of some renown.

And yet, today, he was driven into such a corer that he could not even finish a sentence. He really had no idea what to say. Who could save him now? Wilfred frowned. "Or is it that you have some private pressing concern, Prince Elias?" "In truth, I-" "Dawnmere's royal family has known no sorrow these past two years. It is unlikely that Prince Elias bears any such secret trouble,' said Adelaide The queen's words left him utterly cornered once more. "Moreover, having spoken so openly of his desire to wed Lena, ---- Prince Elias has surely already considered every matter with due care.

A prince of his standing doesn't act on mere impulse, does he?" she added, "Y-yes, of course..." Elias wished he could vanish into thin air. Surely, there had to be someone who could rescue him from this mess? Anyone at all! The worst part was he really had spoken on a whim that day, just to see how Nathaniel would react. If only he'd known it would come to this. Why had he ever opened his mouth? "So, then, what is it that troubles you, Prince Elias?" the king asked. Even Wilfred could now see that Elias had never been serious about his proposal.

The older man's face darkened, looking utterly displeased. A marriage between kingdoms was not a matter of trivial amusement. How could the third prince of Dawnmere treat an Aurensian lady so lightly? "Surely, you do not presume that because Lena has lost her parents, you may toy with her at your leisure! Do you take me for a fool? Lena is not yours to trifle with!" Wilfred snapped, slamming his cup on the table with a sharp crash. Everyone froze. The air itself seemed to tighten, and no one even dared to breathe too loudly. ---- Elias' pulse raced.

If he refused now, he'd no longer be a man of honor. And worse still, if he turned down the proposal here in front of everyone, he'd be destroying Selena's reputation with his own hands. If she suffered two broken engagements in a row, there would be no place for her in high society. Rumor and reproach would drown her completely. Elias drew a long breath and steeled himself. At last, he forced the words out, "I do have feelings for Lady Campbell-" Selena smiled faintly. Seeing that things had gone far enough, she opened her mouth to speak.

But before she could utter a word, someone else took the matter into his own hands. From the seats below, a tall, commanding figure rose to his feet and said in a deep, steady voice, "Your Majesty, I've long admired Lena and wish to take her as my wife. | beg you to grant your consent!"