Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 96 "He's fond of your honesty and straightforwardness now, but you must be careful not to let him suspect that you have hidden motives. Right now, he treasures your innocence and candor above all else. Do not let the image he has of you be tarnished," said Mira. She narrowed her eyes and coldly added, "Sebastian and Selena destroyed our family. We'll settle that grudge, no matter what!" For now, they lacked the means to take revenge on their own. To achieve their goal, they would have to rely on Frederick's influence.

"But after we've taken our revenge, will | still be able to be with Frederick?" Freya asked softly. Mira frowned. "Have you truly fallen for him?" Freya lowered her gaze and said nothing. "If he still cares for you, then becoming his princess consort could serve our cause, at least for restoring our family's honor. But if you are nothing more than an unnamed companion at his side, what influence would you have?" said Mira. "Then, | shall make him marry me. I'll become his princess consort!" Freya declared with quiet determination.

---- Frederick cared for her so deeply that surely he would agree if she asked Mira snorted and angrily said, "Foolish child. What does he love about you? Is it not because you're unlike other women? You seek no fortune or status, only sincerity." "His affection for me goes beyond that," Freya insisted, lifting her chin defiantly. "You're not me. You don't know how kind Frederick has been. I'll prove it to you. He will give me whatever | desire." "Give it up. Prince Frederick and Lady Ruth are no fools. They know better than anyone who can truly aid them.

If Prince Frederick is to take a wife, the position of his princess consort will go only to Selena." "Mira, you're not Frederick. How can you make decisions for him? Only | know what's in his heart." Freya grew flustered, and with her temper, she couldn't hold back. She would never admit that she was inferior to Selena. The only edge Selena had was that she was prettier, right? But surely Fredrick wasn't so shallow as to care about that. He said himself that beauty was common, but a lively, spirited soul was rare beyond measure. What he liked about Freya was her very nature.

---- Mira opened her mouth to respond, but the sudden sound of footsteps outside made her pause. Startled, she quickly said, "I can't stay long. Linda will wake soon. Remember, all that matters now is keeping Frederick's heart. Everything else can wait. "Don't forget that you're a woman who seeks neither fortune nor status, only sincerity. That's what draws him to you. I'll be leaving the capital for a while, so don't mess things up! Keep in mind that you're not like ordinary women.

You're one of a kind; none can compare to you." Before she left, Mira gave her younger sister one final, piercing lecture, drilling the lesson deep into her mind. Having been doted on by their father and brothers, Freya was really just a spoiled brat with nothing truly unique about her. But that was exactly what Frederick liked, much to Mira's satisfaction. After Mira left, the real Linda came knocking at the door. Freya had been on the verge of impatience, but remembered her sister's words that she was supposed to be a woman unlike any other, kind-hearted and unbound by convention.

So, the frown that had begun to form on her face melted into a smile. "It's so late, you needn't stay to serve me. Go get some rest. Don't treat yourself like a maid; there are no such rules here." ---- Linda's eyes filled with gratitude. "Yes, | understand, my lady. You should rest as well." Although everyone said that Freya wasn't good enough and didn't deserve Frederick, to Linda, she was perfect. She never treated her as a servant, nor behaved as if she were above her, and even often invited Linda to dine alongside her. No wonder the prince adored her.

Yet, the moment Linda left, the smile vanished from Freya's face. How long was she expected to keep up the act? She was even expected to greet the servants with a cheerful face! Was her sister truly helping her, or merely playing a trick? The daughter of Henry Talmar, the Desert Hawk, was expected to be pleasant to a mere maid? How utterly tiresome!