Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 83 The square fell utterly silent. Lilia's whip lay on the floor, snapped cleanly in two. It had taken only a single move. She had lost. And so completely. Staring at the broken whip, Lilia's mind reeled. It was just one move! How could she possibly have been defeated so swiftly? Back in Dawnmere, she feared only her elder brothers. Otherwise, she was undefeated. Not even Damon could match her skill. And yet here she was, undone in a single strike by this man before her. "Go and bring her back," Elias said, casting a glance at Jade Verde, Lilia's maid.

Jade nodded immediately and hurried onto the stage. She helped the princess to her feet and said, "Your Highness, Prince Elias commands that you retire and rest." "Lwon't-" "Prince Elias is displeased," Jade murmured. Though proud and headstrong, Lilia feared Elias more than anyone. She pressed her lips together and shot Sebastian a sharp, resentful glare. ---- Sebastian had not anticipated such weakness. One move, and she couldn't even defend herself. Had he known, he would have tempered his skill and spared her the humiliation.

Seeing the faint glimmer of tears in Lilia's eyes, he felt a surge of regret. He quickly picked up the whip he had split in two and personally went to return it to her. By now, Lilia had taken her seat. The moment she saw him approaching, she flung her cup at him in fury. "I don't wish to see you! Leave at once!" Having never attempted to soothe a lady's temper, Sebastian was at a loss for a moment. Fortunately, Selena arrived just in time and took his arm. "Seb, everyone is watching.

Let's go for now." She offered a polite smile to Elias and Lilia in a quiet gesture of apology before guiding her brother back to their seats. Sebastian couldn't shake his regret. "Lena, | had no idea her skill was so... lacking." He glanced down at the whip in his hand, filled with frustration. Even the weapon itself had been broken, making the humiliation worse "Those who don't know are blameless. It was Princess Lilia who provoked you first. There's no need for you to take it to heart, ---- Seb." Selena took the broken whip from his hands and smiled.

" Once today's exhibition is finished, Ill go with you another day to apologize in person." Lilia's martial arts skills were respectable enough, and she had also trained in the Inner Arts. But before men like Sebastian and Damon, it was scarcely worth noting. Perhaps it was because she had been pampered in the Dawnmere palace, where no one dared to truly challenge her, that she learned to overestimate herself. Sebastian nodded, swallowing the awkwardness. The stubborn glimmer of tears Lilia had barely restrained earlier was still vivid in his mind, making him feel a deep pang of guilt.

Yet today wasn't the occasion for apologies. The matter would have to wait. The final match was one everyone had been waiting for, and it was about to begin. Frederick and Elias seemed to move in perfect harmony, stepping onto the raised platform at the same moment. "Prince Frederick, you're renowned for your martial arts skills and are known as Aurensia's Warbringer. | have long admired you, and to have the opportunity to spar today is truly an honor," said Elias. The Dawnmerian prince had a gentle smile on his face, and his eyes seemed to sparkle.

The young ladies in the audience could ---- hardly help but feel their hearts skip a beat. Meanwhile, Frederick wore a fitted dark gray combat outfit today, his long legs and striking looks driving the young ladies watching completely wild With two such handsome men facing off, it wasn't just a match they were witnessing-it was a feast for the eyes. The decisive battle was about to begin, and everyone waited eagerly for the spectacle to unfold.

Unexpectedly, before Andrew could announce the start of the match, Ruth suddenly stood with a gentle smile on her lips "Your Majesty, this contest is being watched by the whole kingdom, and I'm honored to witness it. Yet, | must beg your leave for a small, personal request." Wilfred looked at her and waved his hand. The smile remained on Ruth's face as she continued, "Fred is turning twenty-two this year, well past the age for marriage. Yet, because he has long harbored an affection he has not dared to confess, the matter of his union has been delayed until now."