Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 86 Selena was taken completely by surprise. This wasn't part of her plan. Before she could recover, the Obsidian Monarch's towering figure lunged forward, pinning her to the ground with a force that stole her breath. "Ah!" Sally cried out, terrified, rushing forward to help her mistress. Being pressed under a man in full view of everyone was utterly disgraceful! The young ladies nearby flushed crimson with shock, while the gentlemen could hardly conceal their envy. How they wished they were in Nathaniel's place! Frederick's eyes burned with fury.

He gripped his sword so tightly it seemed he might plunge it into the man pinning Selena beneath him. Even if it was Nathaniel, he deserved to die! What right did he have to lie atop Selena and remain there for so long? What did he take her for? A sudden snap of pain shot through Frederick's hand, and his sword flew from his grasp. It landed a short distance from Nathaniel and Selena, quivering violently where it was stuck in the ground. ---- The venue fell into a deathly silence. Frederick's sword had flown from his hand. He had lost!

"Lena!" Sebastian finally snapped out of it and rushed forward, yanking Nathaniel off her. The prince's tall frame swayed unsteadily, as though he truly were drunk. With that pull, Sebastian sent him tumbling right back into his own seat. Nathaniel leaned back against his chair, his eyes half-lidded and his voice hoarse as he said, "My apologies. | felt light-headed for a moment. | hope you won't hold it against me, Lady Campbell, General Campbell." Sebastian was furious, yet he and his sister had been the ones to approach first with the toast.

He couldn't very well accuse Nathaniel of taking advantage of Selena on purpose. He muttered a few polite words to the prince, then helped the slightly disheveled Selena back to her seat. She looked pale and shaken, her body limp in Sebastian and Sally's support. A sip of tea revived her slightly, and she concealed the sharp glint in her eyes by bowing her head. The Obsidian Monarch had indeed helped her, and in a way that mattered greatly. ---- She had only meant to "accidentally" fall into his arms, hoping to divert Frederick's attention from the match.

But now, she would surely be branded as a shameless woman who had thrown herself at Nathaniel. Still, she would rather sacrifice her reputation than marry into Frederick's household and bring ruin upon the Duke of Blackmoor's household and its people. She hadn't expected Nathaniel to go so far as to play along in full view of everyone and pin her down himself. Though it looked like nothing more than a drunken stumble, anyone with an agenda, like Ruth, would surely twist the story and spread word that Nathaniel was nothing but a lecher.

He had helped her, yet in doing so had endangered his own honor. How could she repay such a debt to the Demon Lord? On the stage, Frederick clenched his fists, staring at the sword that had fallen from his grasp. He couldn't recover from the shock. Ruth's face turned red with rage. Selena, that wretch, had done that on purpose! She had deliberately created such a spectacle to distract Frederick. Otherwise, with his skill, he would never have been bested so publicly. Even the king's expression was grim. He cast Ruth a piercing ---- glance, full of silent fury.

Frederick was Aurensia's Warbringer, yet had dropped his weapon and been defeated so humiliatingly. Ruth felt a chill run through her and dared not meet Wilfred's eyes. Andrew, unable to do much, sighed inwardly as he guided Frederick off the stage. He wiped sweat from his brow and forced a smile. "This battle goes to-" "Wait." Elias, still standing on the stage, smiled. "| would like to challenge someone else."