Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 280 Lilia's words from earlier clung to Selena's mind, circling endlessly. "Nate must have liked you before, a long, long time ago!" A long time ago? She had never lost her memory, but if there was something she might not quite remember, it was only one thing-the fire nine years ago. After she was rescued, she had been sick for a long time. They said she had been in a daze for nearly half a month. Nathaniel was looking at her now, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

For a moment, it was as if she could see the Obsidian Monarch from that night, looking so pitiful as he had said, "Lena, | feel wronged." His expression was genuine, brimming with injustice. However, it was meant only for her eyes. When his gaze met Wilfred's again, Nathaniel's eyes were calm, showing no hint of emotion. "Nine years ago, Lord Gideon accompanied you on the trip to Rivensouth. All of us princes were there, as was Lena," he said evenly. Nine years ago! ---- Everyone finally began to recall something.

During that trip, there had been an assassination attempt, and the attackers even set a fire, injuring many people. Gideon had been so focused on protecting Wilfred that he couldn't pay attention to his young granddaughter. Many were injured, including Selena, who fell ill for a long stretch afterward. "That night, during the fire, | happened to rescue a little girl. Afterwards, since you were also injured, Your Majesty, everyone had to focus on protecting you and hunting down the assassins. As a result, our troops ended up staying in Rivensouth for over half a month.

"| went out each day with the guards to track the assassins, but | tended to that little girl whenever | returned to rest. She was quite peculiar. Though she was delirious with a high fever, she refused to take medicine except when | gave it to her. That was the only way she would swallow it," Nathaniel explained. Selena instinctively clutched the fabric of her gown as a sudden, sharp pain shot through her chest, making her wince. Nathaniel remained composed, his voice steady as he continued, "During those two weeks, | cared for her constantly.

When she was feverish and barely conscious, she would sometimes rest in my arms and say she would marry me when she grew up. ---- "| knew that for a mere eight-year-old girl, such words were likely meaningless, as she was too young to understand. But to me, it was a promise. | swore that when she came of age, | would wed her. "Even amid the endless battles at the Northern Frontier, when death seemed certain, | never forgot.

| reminded myself that | couldn't die, for there was a girl in the capital awaiting my return -a girl | had vowed to marry." Somewhere in the hall, a young lady quietly sobbed Meanwhile, Adelaide's face darkened, and she inexplicably felt a pang of sympathy. Wilfred's expression grew serious as well. During that assassination attempt, he had been injured and hadn't even noticed what the children went through. "Then, why did Lena and Prince Frederick grow close after that trip?" Adelaide suddenly asked. The little girl in the story was obviously Selena.

Nathaniel didn't need to say her name aloud for everyone present to understand. "| don't know!" Nathaniel exhaled slowly, his expression calm yet heavy. "I was caring for little Lena, and her condition gradually improved. The royal physician assured me she would soon fully recover. "When | discovered the assassins' whereabouts, | led a pursuit, ---- and was grievously wounded in the process.

For some time afterward, | was in a haze too, tending to my own injuries." He finally turned back to look at Selena, whose expression was blank, and gently said, "Among the three royal physicians who accompanied us, it was Physician Lewis who usually took care of you. If you don't believe me, ask him who was the one who held you, fed you your medicine, and soothed you to sleep."