Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

Chapter 56 Selena paused and turned back , giving him a puzzled look . " Dismissed like a servant ? I would never dare do that , Your Highness . But you said yourself there was no need to thank you , and that you hadn't done anything for me . Or was I meant to throw myself at your feet and offer you flowery praise regardless ? " Frederick nearly choked from anger . " You're not even curious why I came here ? " He had tossed out a simple remark , and she had seized it like a weapon , neatly severing any obligation she might owe him for stepping in earlier .

As if the favor had never existed at all . This woman certainly knew how to come out on top . Though there was not much of an expression on Selena's face and she wore no makeup , she was still breathtaking . Her voice was calm as she asked , " Then , may I ask what you're here for ? Of course if you'd rather not say , I can assure you I've little interest in asking . " Frederick's fists clenched at his sides . He wanted nothing more than to strangle her . This wasn't the Selena he remembered . And worse still , he hated himself for it .

He knew full well the woman before him was as cunning as she was cruel . She'd schemed so deeply that his mother had been slapped across the face by the king himself , and Freya had been flogged nearly to death . Frederick had promised himself that whatever punishment Nathaniel had in store for her was none of his concern . He had even let his mother talk him out of coming to see her today . And yet , here he was . Not even he could say why .

Perhaps Frederick had only come to see how badly his fourth brother intended to humiliate her , just so he could join in and deliver a final blow of his own . But Selena wasn't thinking along such twisted lines . She simply wanted to check on Sebastian . What if someone from the earlier group had snuck in while everyone was distracted , hoping to insult or disturb her brother ? He was still so fragile , emotionally and physically . He didn't deserve to bear another wound . " If you have no urgent business , then I'll excuse myself . Please make yourself comfortable , " she said quietly .

As she turned to leave , Frederick stepped forward in a flash , his tall frame suddenly blocking her path . " I have something to say to you , " he said . Selena looked down at the tip of his polished boot , her mind wandering for a moment . Was his footwork more precise than that of the third prince of Dawnmere ? When she said nothing , Frederick's patience snapped . " Selena , I am speaking to you ! " She let out a faint hum in reply , neither startled nor offended . Then , she turned and spoke to Sally over her shoulder . " Have someone send tea and refreshments to the side parlor .

" They weren't heading to her private residence , Moonview Pavilion , where Frederick had always gone to see her in the past . No. They were going to the side parlor of the main house . And for reasons he couldn't quite name , Frederick felt the sting of that change . As if , somehow , he was no longer 1/2 Chapter 56 +25 BONUS welcome where he once had free rein . Selena's voice broke the silence again , cool and even . " So , what was it you wished to say , Your Highness ? " It was the second time she had asked .

After all the chaos at the palace banquet , she showed no sign of embarrassment or anger upon seeing Frederick again . She was calm , composed , and quietly graceful , with no trace of warmth or even a hint of resentment . And somehow , that unsettled Frederick more than if she had screamed or wept . No matter how sharply he spoke , no matter how much frustration laced his words , it felt as though he were striking air . Nothing landed . Nothing stirred . It was as if he no longer mattered to Selena at all .

And in some dark , unpleasant corner of his heart , he wondered- if he were to die right there in front of her , would she even shed a single tear ? Bitterness crept in before he could stop it . A servant entered with a tray . Frederick accepted a cup of tea and took a slow sip , using the moment to suppress the storm inside him . Then, he looked at her and asked coolly , " Why did Nathaniel invite you to his residence ? " " Nothing important . We looked at flowers , made small talk . That was all , " Selena replied with casual ease . Frederick's jaw tightened .

" Do you think I believe that ? " She blinked , surprised by the question . " But what does it matter to me whether you believe it or not , Your Highness ? " The irritation came rushing back , and his temper flared before he could swallow it down . He didn't understand it . For years , he and Selena had rarely argued . She had always been gentle , understanding , and accommodating to a fault . But every time they spoke now , it turned into a fight . She was no longer the gentle and understanding young woman he once knew . Now , she talked back at every turn , and even resorted to mockery !

From head to toe , she had changed completely .