Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 93 Frederick didn't even know what he felt. It was some time before he spoke in a low voice, "Lena and | grew up together. My feelings for her have always been akin to brotherly affection." Once, he had been completely convinced that he loved Selena. But Freya's presence had changed everything. Suddenly, life seemed fresh, exciting, and thrilling in a way he had never known in his twenty-some years. A beauty like Selena was a rare treasure indeed, but a soul as. fascinating as Freya's was unparalleled. Ruth snorted.

"if it is merely brotherly affection, why were you so distracted that you lost the match today?" "Itwas simply because my skill was lacking-" "Nonsense! You and the Dawnmerian prince were evenly matched. It was Selena's deliberate actions that made you lose." Frederick stared, astonished. "You mean... Lena did it on purpose?" "Of course she did!" ---- Frederick was just a military man. Back then, with Selena as his strategist, all he needed to do was focus on fighting and killing 'on the battlefield. Everything else had been perfectly planned by her.

Now, Ruth even began to doubt whether Selena had truly been acting in Frederick's best interest all these years. Could she have been deliberately trying to harm him? After all, he had grown into such a straightforward, stubborn man. Wasn't that Selena's doing as well? "That woman knows you too well, Fred. She knows exactly how to deal with you. Think about it. Why did she choose to offer a toast to Nathaniel while you fought Prince Elias?

She could have done it at any other time, yet she chose to do it at such a crucial moment!" Ruth looked at her most beloved son, equal parts disappointed and helpless. "At that moment, who wasn't watching your match with bated breath? Who had the leisure to offer a toast?" As Frederick thought about it, his expression darkened. So, that was it. No wonder Selena had been watching so calmly, only to suddenly make her way toward Nathaniel. It had been to target him! She truly had such a cruel, calculated mind. "What exactly is she trying to do?" he asked, his voice low. ---- "Revenge!

It's quite simple, yet you still don't see it?" Ruth gripped her silk handkerchief, teeth clenched. "I truly underestimated that girl's jealous streak. She wants nothing more than to make you suffer and take everything from you!" "But-" Frederick hesitated. Selena had grown up alongside him. He was four or five years her senior, and had watched her grow into a young woman. He had never thought of her as capable of such ruthlessness. But today, it was indeed because of Selena that he had slipped up and was defeated. Could everything truly have been her deliberate scheme?

"Fred, you must see Selena for who she truly is. She wants nothing more than to drive you away from Freya and force you back into her arms." "lL would never leave Fey!" Frederick suddenly remembered how he had slapped her, and how disappointed she had looked. She must be heartbroken. "Mom, |... [have urgent matters to attend to. | shall take my leave for now and come to see you another day." With that, Frederick left as suddenly as he had appeared, vanishing from sight in an instant. ---- Ruth was equal parts frustrated and helpless. Her son hadn't even let her finish explaining her plan!

"My lady, does he love Lady Campbell or Ms. Talmar?" asked Anna, puzzled. Ruth felt a pang of discouragement. "Even I can't tell anymore." After leaving the palace, Frederick returned to Hawthorne Estate at full speed, an unshakable sense of unease tugging at him along the way. Sure enough, once he arrived, a maid rushed in to deliver alarming news. "Your Highness, Ms. Talmar has left a letter and is gone!"