Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

Chapter 78 +25 BONUS Selena was momentarily startled , but quickly gathered her thoughts and offered Elias a pleasant smile. He returned it with one of his own , though his expression carried a depth she couldn't easily read . She chose not to dwell on it , turning her gaze away once she had smiled at him . Before long , Wilfred arrived with Adelaide , followed by Ruth , Emma Nash , and Clara Zeller . These ladies had all been Wilfred's concubines before his ascension to the throne .

Each had proved fortunate enough to bear him a son , a matter of particular importance within the royal family . For the moment at least , their positions in the harem were secure . Clara was the mother of the second prince , Zachary , while Emma was mother to the third prince , Theodore Lancaster . As for Nathaniel , his mother was Isolde Whitmore , a woman quite unlike the others . Reserved by nature , Isolde disliked noise and avoided the intrigues of the harem . She spent half the year at her residence , Blissford Palace , praying for Wilfred and Nathaniel .

The other half , she spent at Mount Valor , meditating and offering her devotions . She rarely attended court banquets . Isolde had been at Mount Valor over the past few weeks , and was still there now . Having heard that her son had returned to the capital , she would likely return soon , but had not yet arrived at the palace . Her presence in the harem was minimal , with the other concubines neither seeking her out nor provoking her . Isolde might have kept to the shadows , but the others made certain their grandeur was on full display .

By contrast , Adelaide seemed almost subdued , especially today , since her attire wasn't as impressive as the concubines ' . Adelaide had once ruled the palace with absolute authority . In her earlier years , she carried herself with such haughty pride that she dismissed and sidelined every other concubine . But her arrogance had been extinguished years ago , when her son , the eldest prince , fell gravely ill . Arthur Lancaster had never even been formally granted a title before a strange illness struck him . He was confined to his bed for a year before passing away .

Her second son , Benjamin Lancaster , the fourteenth prince , was still very young , only six years old . Wilfred had six sons who had been granted princely titles . Aside from Nathaniel and Frederick , who had distinguished themselves time and again on the battlefield , each of the other princes had also earned their own reputations through notable achievements . In other words , each of the other concubines had sons to rely on . Yet , Adelaide only had the fourteenth prince , who was still too young to have achieved anything . Whether he would one day make his mark remained uncertain .

The other princes were steadily growing in power , yet the queen's son remained weak , barely able to protect himself . Since Arthur's death , Adelaide's position in the palace had weakened considerably . Though she appeared to hold supreme authority , there were many occasions when the other concubines could bypass her and appeal directly to the queen dowager , Victoria Ashford . Adelaide's power was far from secure . The concubines showed her respect outwardly , but in truth , none truly submitted to her .

Still , no matter their private feelings , the queen remained the undisputed authority in public . Just then , the ministers bowed and greeted Wilfred and Adelaide respectfully . No one in such a setting would bother to pay respects specifically to the concubines . Such was the difference between the queen and the concubines . 1/2 Chapter 78 +25 BONUS Once the formalities were concluded , Andrew directed everyone to take their seats , and the martial arts exhibition began in earnest .

The first match pitted Samuel Yates , one of Zachary's fighters , against one of Elias ' , a man called Joseph Kirk . Joseph wielded a pair of massive hammers , each so heavy that together they weighed more than a hundred pounds . Yet he lifted them with effortless ease , making it clear at a glance that he possessed incredible strength . Sally leaned toward Selena and whispered , " The Obsidian Monarch has two men who could best nearly anyone here . Why are neither of them fighting ? " Indeed , neither Cloud nor Liam had stepped forward .

From the look of things , Nathaniel himself also had no intention of competing , as the one who would be stepping up to face Elias was Frederick . 104 ศ Selena couldn't help but glance toward Ruth . She found the older woman calmly sipping her tea , the curve of her lips serene and assured , as though victory was already hers . It was clear that she had chosen the participants in this match . So , was it her idea for Sebastian to face Damon as well ?