Provoking a Graceful Bloom

Frederick had expected Selena to throw a fit. After all, the situation was unfair. But instead, she simply looked at him quietly, without crying or making a scene.

That calm silence unsettled him more than any anger might have.

"Lena, you've seen Fey's temper. She'll never willingly share me. That's why I was planning to break off our engagement."

He knew those words were harsh. But if Selena had just stayed quiet and done as she was told, it wouldn't have come to this.

"The fact that Fey is even willing to marry me alongside you is already a huge compromise on her part. If you can't accept that, I'm afraid our marriage will have to be called off."

Selena kept staring at him, her gaze neither warm nor cold. But for some reason, Frederick felt a flicker of irritation stir inside him.

"What are you really thinking, Lena? No matter what you're planning, I'm not leaving Fey. Can we just speak honestly, from the heart? Let's stop with all the games and second-guessing, okay?"

He didn't want to waste any more energy fighting with her. Besides, Freya was waiting for him at his estate. With her temper, who knew what chaos would erupt if he delayed his return?

"Very well. Then, let me speak plainly, Your Highness," Selena said at last. "I recall Freya said that if you can't promise to love only her for the rest of your life, then don't bother with her at all. So, if you marry me, how can you give her that?"

Frederick's eyes darkened. "That... is the second thing I need you to agree to."

Selena fell silent again and watched him quietly.

"I promised Fey that I would never touch any other woman in my life," Frederick said softly.

"Then, why bother marrying me at all? Just to make me a widow in all but name?" Selena quipped, finding his words ridiculous.

Frederick frowned. "But you'll be my princess consort. That's an honor beyond compare!"

When she said nothing, he pressed on, "The Duke of Blackmoor's household may seem prosperous on the surface, but you know as well as I do that it's an empty shell now. Even General Campbell has..."

He paused. After all, Freya had caused that mess.

However, Frederick didn't blame her. She was a young woman who had lost everything, so it was only natural that she would act rashly. He could forgive her for that.

"General Campbell's condition means there's no future for the Duke of Blackmoor's household. Only by marrying me can you live a life of honor and privilege. I will be the support your family needs. For you and everyone in your household, I am your last hope."

In his eyes, there was no other way out for her but to marry him.

"I know you feel it's unfair, Lena. But as long as you stay loyal, I promise no one will take your place as my princess consort."

Frederick fixed his serious gaze on Selena's beautiful face. "It's already a huge concession that Fey is willing to yield to you this much. Once you're both married into my household, it won't matter that you're the main wife and she's the secondary.

"She'll have the same standing as you. You're not allowed to use your rank to look down on her. And... I won't let you mistreat her either. Understand?"

Selena nodded. "I understand what you mean, Your Highness."

She didn't object!

Frederick's eyes brightened, and he finally let out a breath of relief. "Since you agree—"

Suddenly, an angry voice cut in, "I don't agree!"

Freya burst in, anger flashing in her eyes. Led by Frederick's closest guard, William Klein, she strode straight to Selena. In one swift motion, she drew a dagger and pressed the tip against Selena's chest.

"If you want to marry him, you'll have to agree to a third condition."