Provoking a Graceful Bloom

Freya had stabbed Sebastian right in his lower abdomen.

When Selena arrived, she saw her brother lying in bed, barely clinging to life. The physician had already bandaged the wound. The trousers he had removed were soaked in blood.

With trembling hands, the physician said, "I fear that General Campbell may no longer sire children."

Selena's mind went blank.

Gideon Campbell, the Duke of Blackmoor and Selena's grandfather, led a household defined by unwavering loyalty and sacrifice. All three of his sons had fallen on the battlefield.

Thomas Campbell, Selena's father, was the eldest son and held the title Marquis of Whitgrave. When he died, he left behind only two children—Selena and Sebastian. Selena's two younger uncles had died young. One had gotten married just before going to battle but had no children, while the other had been unmarried.

That left Sebastian as the last male heir of their family. And with a single strike, Freya had ended the Campbell line for good.

Sebastian was a loyal and upright man, and that wretched woman had ruined his life!

Selena grabbed the dagger off the floor and rushed out.

"My lady! Don't be rash!" Sally called after her in worry, eyes rimmed red.

There was no need to seek out Freya, as Frederick was already dragging her into the courtyard.

"Let me go!" Freya yelled, her pride unbroken even as she fought to break free. She lifted her leg and kicked him sharply in the calf. "You scum! Release me at once!"

Frederick didn't flinch at the kick, but when he saw the dagger in Selena's hand, his face changed. "Lena..."

Without a word, Selena raised the blade and strode forward. She aimed a swift, fierce strike at Freya.

"What are you doing, Lena?" Frederick quickly caught her wrist, his voice urgent. "Let's talk this through."

Selena struggled to free herself. "She ruined my brother. There's nothing to talk about! She stabbed him once, so I'll return the favor!"

"Lena, it's all a misunderstanding. I'll take her to General Campbell myself to apologize."

"An apology?" Selena almost laughed, but there was no humor in her voice. "She destroyed my brother's life. Do you think an apology can make that right?"

"I won't apologize for a thing! So what if I was the one who struck the blow?" Freya glared at Selena, pride burning in her eyes. "Sebastian led the hunt that caused my father and brother's deaths. I only stabbed him once for that. He got off easy!"

"Your family rebelled and brought ruin. Countless innocents died at their hands. They deserved their fate," Selena countered.

When Frederick held Selena's wrist firmly, she lifted her head to meet his gaze with cold, red-rimmed eyes.

"My brother earned his honor by quelling the rebellion. He's a hero. And this woman? She's not only the daughter of a traitor but also a murderer of loyal men. Are you really going to protect her, Your Highness?" she said, her voice hoarse with anger.

"Lena, she's young. She doesn't understand—"

"She understands nothing, yet she knows how to bring utter ruin upon my family's legacy?"

For as long as Selena and Frederick had known each other, this was the first time they regarded each other with such icy disdain. She was usually patient and never argued with him. He often wondered if she even had a temper at all.

But this time was different. For the first time in his life, he witnessed her fury with his own eyes.

"No one from the Duke of Blackmoor's household can be bullied so easily," Selena said coldly, staring Frederick down even as he continued to keep a tight grip on her wrist.

Suddenly, she relaxed her fingers. The dagger slipped from her hand, but she caught it with her left hand and twisted her wrist sharply.

Freya's scream echoed through the room before she collapsed to the ground, trembling in violent spasms. It all happened so fast that even Frederick couldn't react in time. His face went pale with shock, and he quickly shoved Selena aside.

"Wretch!" he called out to Freya, gathering her into his arms.

Freya's chest was covered in blood. Selena's dagger had cut deeply, tearing through the girl's fragile body.

"Guards! Get a physician! Hurry!" Frederick shouted, his face still drained of color.

He immediately lowered his gaze and stared hard at Selena, not even noticing the flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "She's just a young girl. Why are you so cruel to her? You've gone too far, Selena!"