Provoking a Graceful Bloom

"So, are you here to talk about breaking off our engagement?" Selena asked.

Her face remained calm and composed, but her fists slowly clenched tightly inside her sleeves. As her sharp nails dug into the flesh of her palms, there was a sting, but it barely compared to the ache in her heart.

Her troubled fiancé had come to her and confessed to having fallen for another woman, then expected her to comfort him as she usually would.

How strange the world could be.

How utterly cruel.

Selena's words about breaking off their engagement struck Frederick's heart with a deep and overwhelming pain.

"Impossible! How could I break our engagement? I will never leave you. Not in this lifetime!"

He grew agitated and gripped Selena's hand fiercely. This time, his hold was tighter and harder than ever before. Her nails were already pressing against her palms, and his actions drove them deep into her flesh. The pain was sharp, yet somehow, she hardly noticed.

She met Frederick's gaze with steady calm. "Then, tell me, what exactly did you come here to say tonight?"

"Lena, please don't be so cold to me. We've been through so much together. Are we really going to fall apart over something like this?"

Still holding her hand, he grabbed the bottle and drained half of it in one hard gulp, then slammed it down on the table. Pressing his fingertips to his forehead, he closed his eyes, his face twisted with pain.

"I don't know what's come over me. She's ugly, scrawny, small, and not even a fraction of your worth. But every night when I close my eyes, all I see are those eyes of hers. Bright and defiant. She looks at me with such boldness and arrogance, like she isn't the least bit afraid. That damn fool... she has no idea who she's messing with."

Though he was cursing Freya, the corners of his lips unconsciously curled into a smile. However, he didn't seem to realize he was smiling and still seemed as troubled as ever.

"Maybe she's different from any other woman I've known. She doesn't flatter me or try to win my favor. She never obeys me, and her rebellious streak makes me furious enough to want to kill her. Maybe that's why I can't stop thinking about her."

Frederick squeezed his eyes shut for a while before returning to his senses.

He opened them and gently said, "Lena, give me some time. I'll forget her, I promise. I swore I'd love only you in this life, and I meant every word. I'm a man of my word. Please believe me."

"Very well."

Selena said nothing more, quietly pulling her hand free. She looked at the man she had loved for so many years.

When she was just eight years old, he had saved her from a fire. From that day forward, she told herself she would marry no one else. He had only been twelve back then, but was already a young hero who was brave and full of confidence.

Selena had truly liked him.

To keep pace with him, she had spent her childhood mastering every skill she could. Not just music, painting, and poetry, but everything one might need on the battlefield. Though she had thrown herself into learning it all, she never showed off or boasted in his presence because he liked gentle women.

In his eyes, she had always been a delicate and refined young lady. She was graceful, well-mannered, tender, and almost fragile.

But now, he confessed he had fallen for a proud, headstrong young woman who made no effort to hide her spirit.

Selena stood up and looked down at the slightly drunk prince. Her voice was calm as she said, "Then, please be sure to rein in your thoughts once you return, Your Highness."

"I know you're still angry, but I meant every word I said." Frederick stood up, gazing at her stunning face bathed in moonlight. "Give me some time. I'll forget her, and you'll be the only one in my heart again. I will definitely fall in love with you again!"