Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 279 Selena's heart tightened, while Sebastian was so shocked he nearly jumped from his seat, and Lilia clutched at the hem of her gown, bowing her head in silence. After a moment of stunned disbelief, Elias exhaled in relief so forcefully it was almost audible. That damned man finally spoke! Wilfred and Adelaide were wide-eyed, caught completely off guard. Ruth was absent today. Ever since her son injured his leg, she had kept herself secluded, fasting and praying in her chambers for his swift recovery.

With her away, none of the other concubines dared challenge the queen, which was why tonight's banquet had been unusually calm. But now, even Adelaide was struck speechless. Wilfred stared for a long moment before his expression darkened. "Do you understand what you're saying?" he asked, his voice sharp with displeasure. As admirable as Selena was, everyone in the kingdom knew she had been close to Frederick for years. Now that her engagement to him had been broken off, how would it look for her to ---- suddenly be tied to another Aurensian prince?

If word of this spread beyond the palace, wouldn't it turn into a scandal? How would people view the royal family then? "Your Majesty, I've had feelings for Lena for many years. Nine years ago, she promised to marry me when we were grown. I've never forgotten that," Nathaniel said steadily, standing tall beneath the king's darkening gaze. "Throughout these years, while | led military campaigns, my heart has never strayed from her. | thought that once the Northern Frontier was brought to peace, | could return to claim my bride.

Yet..." Though he left the final words unsaid, everyone present understood. The Obsidian Monarch had indeed spent years on relentless campaigns. In reconquering the Northern Frontier, he had been away from the capital for a full five years. In truth, Wilfred felt a measure of guilt over his son's prolonged absence. So, when he mentioned the Northern Frontier, the king's gaze softened noticeably. Nathaniel continued, "Your Majesty, you once promised that as long as | pacified the Northern Frontier, you would grant me a reward. Now, | wish for that reward to be fulfilled.

| ask for your permission to marry Lena." ---- He had never wished to compel Selena in such a manner. He had promised to wait for her own words of consent before petitioning his father for her hand. But who could have foreseen Elias' outrageous stunt? Nathaniel saw clearly that if he didn't intervene, Elias wouldn't dare refuse the marriage to Wilfred's face, no matter what. If he rejected it now, he would have no way to answer the people of both kingdoms. And worse, he might hurt Selena. Nathaniel had no other choice.

"Well, it depends on Lena's opinion," Wilfred said, though there was little real difficulty in his voice. A marriage was merely a matter of decree, not a weight upon his conscience. Yet, Selena's past with Frederick lingered in everyone's minds. Adelaide was quick to seize the point, asking, "Nate, you say that Lena promised to marry you nine years ago?" Though the gathering was small, all the proper court officials were present. Whatever transpired tonight would spread through the capital by dawn, Every eye turned toward the Obsidian Monarch, waiting for an explanation.

Selena was watching him too. ---- Nine years ago. The thought stirred something deep within her, a fluttering, a tug at the heart she scarcely understood or dared to name. After all, those events had happened so long ago, long enough that even thinking about them now made her chest tighten. Could it be just as she suspected today? Had they known each other all this time?