Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

Chapter 66 Under the moonlight , the shadowy figure was calm and steady , yet carried a strong , commanding presence . He sat in a tree , long legs casually draped over a branch . Those strong legs were strikingly slender , almost unnervingly so . It was as if with just one step , he could leap down from the tree and stand before her . The half - mask he wore caught the moonlight , gleaming cold and sharp . Selena's heart grew heavy in her chest . She wanted to just pretend she hadn't seen him , but she knew better .

Since he was here , he might very well kick down her door if she acted as if he weren't .. A man and a woman alone , in the dead of night - better to meet outside than inside . Selena closed the window , and wrapped a thin robe around her shoulders before stepping out . She headed straight to the tree and stood below it . " It's late , Your Highness . May I ask what brings you to Blackmoor Estate at this hour ? " He was perched so high up that she had to tilt her head all the way back just to meet his gaze . It was tiring . Nathaniel lowered his eyes , casting a sideways glance her way .

" Since my heart belongs to you , why shouldn't I seek you out for some conversation ? " " I'm still but a lady waiting for her match . Please choose your words with care , Your Highness . " As soon as she finished speaking , a sudden chill swept over her . In the blink of an eye , Nathaniel was suddenly in front of her , blocking out all the moonlight that had been shining down on her . Selena found herself swallowed by his shadow , an unexplainable feeling of being trapped closing around her like a cage . Instead of the Obsidian Monarch , he ought to be called the Great Demon Lord .

A man who acted on whim alone , utterly indifferent to the consequences for anyone else . " Your Highness , you've come to see me at this late hour , and we're alone . This will ruin my reputation , " Selena pointed out . " Worrying about your family's reputation again ? " Nathaniel sounded weary of the complaint . " Since you're aware , then please- " " I'm not pleased . " His displeasure was evident , and when that happened , he made a point of doing whatever suited him best . Selena felt a faint ache behind her temples . " Does being displeased give you the right to act as you wish ?

" " If I truly did whatever I wanted , guess what else we could be doing right now ? " he quipped . " Your Highness ! " Selena's face darkened as she shot him a sharp glare . " Mind your words ! " " If your reputation's ruined and no one wants you , that's not a bad thing . Come back to the Northern Frontier with me . The people there are simple and easygoing . It's far better than this city where you have to watch your words at every turn . " Nathaniel took a step forward and motioned toward a nearby pavilion . " Come here .

" 1/2 Chapter 68 +25 BONUS Selena was reluctant to indulge him but decided to follow him , for fear he might cause some sort of trouble if left alone . " What brings you here at such a late hour ? There's a banquet at the palace tonight . Why aren't you there ? " she asked . But the prince did smell strongly of alcohol , so had he already been drinking at the palace ? The moment Selena stepped into the pavilion , the scent grew even stronger . He had clearly been drinking heavily . Still , he said nothing .

He settled onto a stone bench , crossing his long legs lazily and closing his eyes as if resting at home . Seeing he wasn't responding , Selena called softly , " Your Highness ? " If he was tired , couldn't he return to Obsidian Estate ? It was larger and far more comfortable than Blackmoor Estate . Why come see her and say nothing ? What was the point of this ? Nathaniel kept his lips pressed together and his eyes shut , ignoring her completely . Selena waited quietly . Fifteen minutes later , he still hadn't moved . She almost wondered if he'd fallen asleep .

Just as she was about to call out to him again , his wine - tinged lips moved slightly . " Lena , the only time I've ever truly been trapped in this life ... was because of you . Do you know that ? " Chapter 67